Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Three Types of People in the World - Be a "Life Enhancer!"
Three Types of People in the World – Be a “Life Enhancer!”
“There are three kinds of people in the world today,” Disney said. “There are ‘well poisoners,’ who discourage you and stomp on your creativity and tell you what you can’t do. There are ‘lawn mowers’ – people who are well- intentioned but self-absorbed; they tend to their own needs, mow their own lawns and never leave their yards to help another person. Finally, there are ‘life enrichers’ – people who reach out to enrich the lives of others, to lift them up and inspire them. We need to be life enrichers, and we need to surround ourselves with life enrichers.”A Life EnricherWalt Disney once wrote that there are three kinds of people:”well-poisoners,” “lawnmowers,” and “life-enhancers.”He said “well-poisoners” are the negative types who put other people down and try to discourage them from achieving their dreams. They’re people who should be avoided and whose advice should be ignored. “Lawnmowers” are good citizens who keep up their own yards but seldom venture beyond their back fence. They go to work each day, pay their bills and taxes, obey the laws, and maintain their property but seldom volunteer or get involved in their community.Then there are “life-enhancers”. These are the people who really make life worth living. They go out of their way to enhance the lives of others with encouraging words and deeds.I share a similar mission in life: to be a person I refer to as a “life-enricher,” an encourager, someone who motivates people to always have hope. All of us have opportunities every day to be life-enrichers. It’s as simple as offering a word of encouragement; volunteering our time, talents and treasure to enrich our schools, churches, government or community; or writing a note of thanks to a teacher, a pastor, a public servant or volunteer.God calls us to be life-enrichers. “Well-poisoners” try to build themselves up by tearing others down but never achieve relief from their misery. Many “lawnmowers” may achieve material success and even respect in this world. But people who serve others will be first in God’s kingdom.We all need to spend time mowing our lawns. But take some time from mowing to get out of your own yard and take a few simple steps to be a life-enricher. Thank your child’s teacher, let your children know you’re proud of them, lend your neighbor a hand, volunteer at your church, be a mentor, help with a fund-raiser, put your talents to work for a charity, give blood, invite somebody to dinner, write a note of congratulations to a friend or relative who has achieved something special.You’ll be amazed at how your word of encouragement or giving a helping hand can have a dramatic impact on enriching another’s life – and your own!
“There are three kinds of people in the world today,” Disney said. “There are ‘well poisoners,’ who discourage you and stomp on your creativity and tell you what you can’t do. There are ‘lawn mowers’ – people who are well- intentioned but self-absorbed; they tend to their own needs, mow their own lawns and never leave their yards to help another person. Finally, there are ‘life enrichers’ – people who reach out to enrich the lives of others, to lift them up and inspire them. We need to be life enrichers, and we need to surround ourselves with life enrichers.”A Life EnricherWalt Disney once wrote that there are three kinds of people:”well-poisoners,” “lawnmowers,” and “life-enhancers.”He said “well-poisoners” are the negative types who put other people down and try to discourage them from achieving their dreams. They’re people who should be avoided and whose advice should be ignored. “Lawnmowers” are good citizens who keep up their own yards but seldom venture beyond their back fence. They go to work each day, pay their bills and taxes, obey the laws, and maintain their property but seldom volunteer or get involved in their community.Then there are “life-enhancers”. These are the people who really make life worth living. They go out of their way to enhance the lives of others with encouraging words and deeds.I share a similar mission in life: to be a person I refer to as a “life-enricher,” an encourager, someone who motivates people to always have hope. All of us have opportunities every day to be life-enrichers. It’s as simple as offering a word of encouragement; volunteering our time, talents and treasure to enrich our schools, churches, government or community; or writing a note of thanks to a teacher, a pastor, a public servant or volunteer.God calls us to be life-enrichers. “Well-poisoners” try to build themselves up by tearing others down but never achieve relief from their misery. Many “lawnmowers” may achieve material success and even respect in this world. But people who serve others will be first in God’s kingdom.We all need to spend time mowing our lawns. But take some time from mowing to get out of your own yard and take a few simple steps to be a life-enricher. Thank your child’s teacher, let your children know you’re proud of them, lend your neighbor a hand, volunteer at your church, be a mentor, help with a fund-raiser, put your talents to work for a charity, give blood, invite somebody to dinner, write a note of congratulations to a friend or relative who has achieved something special.You’ll be amazed at how your word of encouragement or giving a helping hand can have a dramatic impact on enriching another’s life – and your own!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
One Net - Four Children - Five Dollars
Photo credit to Stacey Frumm.Today is World Poverty Day. The main mission of Think Humanity is: “Joining in the fight against malaria by providing refugees with resources and manpower.” We have provided more than 8,000 mosquito nets (LLIN) to refugees in Africa. WHY CONNECT MALARIA AND POVERTY? UN economists identified malaria as one of the top four causes of poverty. Every year it kills millions of people and is estimated to cost the African economy $30 billion per year (more than 500 million per year get malaria). Professor Jeffrey Sachs (read the End of Poverty) believes ending malaria is the most important priority in lifting Africa out of poverty. PLEASE DONATE $5 to buy a net and protect four children from malaria for five years! That’s only 1.25 per child.100% of the funds specified towards mosquito nets will be used to buy nets for MaNdate 7 Christmas 2009.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
E3 Day Empower. Educate. Effect!
The BQC is proud to announce EDay to Empower, Educate, and Effect the lives of women around the globe.All Day: We will be hosting Think Humanity's artisan sales. Think Humanity is changing lives of women by providing refugee girls with an education, rent, food and medication; therefore encouraging advancement, empowerment, confidence, self-reliance and roles in leadership positions. Through education it will change the cultures misconception that women are inferior to men. Our girls have been able to recognize their rights and freedoms within the African society and therefore eventually advancing women and ending gender bias and discrimination.
Also Jeanne Ratzloff of PeopleWeaver, www.peopleweaver.com, will be selling baskets made by refugee women. She is the founder of the Kyangwali Women's Microcredit Business Loans Project.9am-9:55am: Yoga for Survivors. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and whether or not it's happened to you, you've probably felt its effects. Hollie's is designing a special class filled with poses to help you release your fear and embrace your power. She will also be collecting donations for the Safehouse so please support this important event.4pm to 6pm: Protect Yourself :: Ladies Night. This free event is open to women interested in learning how to protect themselves in uncertain times. Scalable responses for real-world applicability in defeating larger attackers, de-escalating potential violence, and getting home safely. 3rd degree black belt Mary Casey teaches this powerful seminar drawing on her years as a rape and family violence crisis volunteer, her adventures in scary locations throughout the world, and her twelve years exploring the secret arts of the ninja. Invite your friends and make this the best girl's night out! No martial experience needed--just the desire to know more about protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Contact:Mary Casey, President
Boulder Quest Center
1200 Yarmouth AveBoulder, CO 80304
(303) 440-3647
www.boulderquest.com
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Girl's Hoima Hostel
Girl’s Hoima Hostel, COBURWAS Club and Think Humanity. A partnership to help girls with their education.
•When and why formed: Think Humanity, a positive change for refugees in Africa was formed as a 501c3 in December, 2007. The Girl’s Hoima Hostel project is a project to help girl refugees get an education. The idea was organized in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement Camp through the great leadership of the COBURWAS Club. The mission of COBURWAS Club is to unite, transform and develop communities in Africa through education, social entrepreneurship, volunteerism and humanitarianism. In 2008 the hostel consisted of 17 girls and 10 boys, but in February 2009 they separated males and females and this hostel is now 65 girls. Girls hold all leadership positions. The boys now have a separate hostel project. The girl’s project was formed because in the African culture girls are mistreated and their educational rights are abused. Twelve years and 80,000 refugees in the camp and no girls had ever finished A level (senior 5 and 6). The hostel was created to improve the lives of girl refugees so that they can get an education, start speaking for themselves, empower them and to give women emancipation. •Mission: The mission is that our girls will attend the best schools in Hoima District. By getting an education it will change the lives of girl refugees who have in the past only married, had children and labored hard by digging/farming.
•Accomplishments: 1) 65 girls are going to the best schools in the district. 2) Girls have been able to recognize their rights and freedoms. 3) the girls are the best students in their schools, even competing with Ugandan nationals. Mahoro Tisia is the top student at Kitara Secondary School out of 600 students. 4) Our girls are learning about leadership and management. President Jenipher Barega was chosen at her school to work with the school administration. These girls are also becoming great speakers in the refugee camp and also at their schools and other organizations, such as Coburwas Club and Think Humanity. 5) They are learning spiritual guidance and counseling. 5) They are competing in sports such as football (soccer).
•Main activities: Some of the activities that these girls are involved in are sports. They run as a group every Saturday morning. They do community work such as visiting orphans and people with HIV/AIDS. The girls wash clothing and take them food. They visit hospitals to comfort others. They use drama, debate and acting as a way to teach, train and educate about issues such as HIV/AIDS and the importance of educational roles for women. All girl students must attend school. They have a strict schedule which requires them to study every night between 7:30-10:30. They get up at 4:30 a.m. to study before school and eat breakfast. They go to school at 7:00 a.m. Every Saturday the girls have to clean their bedding, clothing and uniforms. They have chapel every evening after supper between 6:30 and 7:30. It is required to attend all activities.
•Top priorities in the next year and importance: Rent is the top priority because without rent there can be no education. The girls need a place to stay while living in the nearest town to the refugee settlement. Otherwise, in the settlement camp there are no quality secondary schools where they can get their education. Tuition, transport, food and medication are also high priorities. Think Humanity is committed to helping the Girl’s Hoima Hostel in partnership with COBURWAS Club. We deeply miss the leadership, great volunteerism and dedication of James Kazini who was recently resettled in Canada to help his aunt and her three girls.The hostel is in good hands with Jenipher, Tamari, Sarah and Consolatrice, to name a few. These are also leaders in the COBURWAS Club, a great organization that is changing the face of Africa through great service to others.Sincerely,Beth HeckelThink Humanity
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Water Project in memory of Rabecca
In memory of , Rabecca, Think Humanity is donating all September general donations and fundraising donations towards a water project at the Coburwas Learning Centre.
Americans For Philanthropy donations will help us purchase two 8,000 liter water tanks, but we will also need cement, bricks, sand, piping, labor and transport. Right now the borehole near our school is broken and clean water is not available. With our project, piping will be placed on the tin sheet roofing allowing rain water to drain into the water storage tanks.
If you wish to donate to the Rabecca Clean Water Project in her memory, you can do so by visiting this link DONATE. Help us provide quality water to the children at CLC. This will reduce cholera, typhoid and parasites in children. No donation is too small—100% of your donation will go towards this project.
Think Humanity-Acholi Women partner to raise money for refugees
Think Humanity has partnered with a group of women from Uganda that live in the Acholi Quarter Camp for Internally Displaced Persons. Parents of night commuter children in Gulu, known in the USA as the “Invisible Children," are making beads to help earn family income and sustain a community financed food-aid program for their children. We purchase the jewelry from them and they benefit, but then we sell in the USA at a reasonable profit. 100% of the money then goes back to help with Think Humanity projects. It will then benefit those refugees displaced from war-affected countries living in Uganda in refugee settlement camps.We not only are help to build a small economy in Uganda, but at the same time help our own self-sustainable projects in refugee camps.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=585735773&v=photos&ref=profile#/album.php?aid=137067&id=585735773
http://www.thinkhumanity.org/
Monday, September 14, 2009
Our Children at Coburwas Learning Centre Visiting Rabecca's Grave
.jpg)
I know it is not easy to see – but this is life in a refugee camp in Africa. This photo is of our children at CLC visiting Rabecca’s grave, the five year old that died from AIDS. Please keep others in your prayers – have heard that Mama Bonn, leader of the HIV/AIDS group is not doing well and also our student child, Janvier. All general unspecified donations and jewelry fundraising sales in September will go for the Rabecca Clean Water Project in Rabecca’s memory. The project will cost about $2,400 so continue to help us get the word out. We are not trying to exploit this death only to make something positive come out of it. Clean water would save lives – clean sanitation and health.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Coburwas Club Orphanage, updates and cries for help -Jean-Paul
Lucy is so good to our community and she is doing great to the orphans. She washes them and comforts them as well when they cry. Children are so happy for what is being done for them. Children are becoming many in the camp. Yesterday evening I got a call from UNHCR Community Service requesting us if it can be possible to care and to accommodate the good number of orphans who are coming from the Congo. It is too many but also very hard to send these children in families, because mistreatment of children in families is common. At CCO they can have care and to make them grow morally, spiritually, physically and mentally. I'm saying this because, I have seen how children cry when it is time to go home. They don't feel to go; they want to stay at the CCO, because they feel it is a better place to stay.
Otherwise I am calling upon God to help us to get more donations to help these future generation and future leaders of the world. Thank you for the work that TH is doing to our community in Kyangwali. I'm committed to work for my community and ready to transform it.
Continue caring for us and keep up the spirit you show us. Your love is something greater than money and I believe through it money will be produced. Allow me to end by wishing you success in everything you think can be best to future plan of TH.—Amani Jean-Paul, CCO manager
Pictured -Niyonkusa Janvier, an orphan that was “in a bad situation in the family where he stayed.”
Meet Lucy, the teacher for the Coburwas Club Orphanage
My name is Zaabu which means gold and Lucy which means light, kenyana. I was born on 4th Dec. 1985. I come from western part of Uganda. My two names were given to me by my late grandmother who loved me very much just for being the first grandchild thus declared me the light to the world which am striving to fulfill.
My grannie was my everything till she died in 1992 when I started staying with my dad now the late, who truly loved me and later on was called for rest in 1994. I say I don't have a total sister or brother only siblings from all sides. Dad had 11 children and am the last born. My mam has 4 of which am the firstborn. Life has been easy to tally in-between two homes.
After my dad's death, I could get help from my stepdad by then who had married my mum. Just shortly he also died. Here the struggle began. Mam worked hard to look after the four of us. Time came when I could stay home looking after the young ones so as mum to struggle for my school fees of which I thank God it was not in vain. I missed my primary five in 1995 and senior five in 2003, but later on joined again. My sweet mum believes, trusts and loves God. This helped me a lot, because she always assured me of hope for the future and let me know that God always had plans for every event that occurred. My mum reached an extent of putting on one cloth just for our sake. But all that is history now because God can do greater things. My humble background gave me a career to help others and that's why I am interested in your orphanage and am pledging to volunteer with you to make it a success.
I have studied children psychology, administration in children centres and many others. I am doing everything possible through early childhood literature and this gives me a lot of knowledge to care for the young ones and in future I want also to write my own books about childcare. –Lucy (Gold Light)
TH needs to raise funds to pay Lucy $50 a month for teaching and caring for the orphans. She is living there now.
Foundation is laid around the Coburwas Club Orphanage, in collaboration with Think Humanity this was provided by a grant from Global Healing
A foundation was constructed around the outside of the orphanage. It will protect the building by keeping water from entering, thereby protecting the cement floors. Also the foundation can be used for outside seating.
This was made possible by the grant from Global Healing. This was an extra as it was not in the original proposal.
Kyaka II Refugee Camp needs our help in fighting malaria. Think Humanity
Following our organization’s future plans, goals and projects – 2009, that by end of 2009 is to have also given out nets in a second refugee settlement, Kayak II. We were happy that the camp commandant welcomed us warmly in his office. He said “I am very happy to receive you in Kyaka II refugee settlement and for the great work you are doing voluntarily to your communities. If you get time to go and visit our hospital, you can see the way the majority of people mostly young children, old people and pregnant mothers, are suffering from malaria.
Malaria has affected us so much and at least two children are dying from our hospital, pregnant mothers are getting miscarriages and others dying while giving birth. The majority of children don’t go to school and others drop out due to malaria and their parents while sick, they can’t manage work to raise food and scholastic materials for their children to go to school.
I am certainly convinced that if these people could be sleeping under a treated mosquito nets, this could reduce malaria and people could get energy to work in their gardens hence getting food and raising some little money to support their families.
I like your programs and organization and my office is ready to give you any kind support you will need to carry on your programs. I hope together we can bring a positive change to refugees in Kyaka II refugee settlement and Africa as a whole.”
CCO --COBURWAS Club Orphanage, Kyangwali in collaboration with Think Humanity
“This picture is showing how children take rest after their lunch. They are now used to that system. They are doing well in both academic and also good health.” –Jean-Paul CCO Manager
Notice children’s uniforms and shoes in photos. Thank you to those that donated. We still have children without uniforms and shoes so any donations are appreciated. For girls—a dress, t-shirt and shorts and for a boy- a button down shirt , t-shirt and 2 pairs of shorts. Also leather shoes for each child. $50 each child.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Livestock Self-sustainable Project
Livestock Project
We raised money for more than 100 goats! The money from this project will support many activities and help support the operating costs of the orphanage. We also raised donations for 100 chickens and a cow.Think Humanity together with the COBURWAS CLUB, (a group of refugee students representing the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Sudan) are working on an orphanage project in the Kyangwali Settlement Camp in western Uganda. Think Humanity and the COBURWAS Club came up with the idea to sustain the orphans by:1) raising and selling many goats, thereby earning money for operating costs for the orphanage;2) using the goats as a food source; and3) teaching the children to care for a goat. They will look after it and when it produces each will remain with a kid to sell. These refugees are displaced due to wars in their surrounding countries. Many are orphaned as a result of war and disease.
We have the livestock, the land, the shed and a goat keeper, however there are so many goats that the goatkeeper needed to be on the land day and night. In January 2009, TH raised enough money to build a house on the land for the goat keeper. In May we built a chicken house. Thank you donors!
We raised money for more than 100 goats! The money from this project will support many activities and help support the operating costs of the orphanage. We also raised donations for 100 chickens and a cow.Think Humanity together with the COBURWAS CLUB, (a group of refugee students representing the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Sudan) are working on an orphanage project in the Kyangwali Settlement Camp in western Uganda. Think Humanity and the COBURWAS Club came up with the idea to sustain the orphans by:1) raising and selling many goats, thereby earning money for operating costs for the orphanage;2) using the goats as a food source; and3) teaching the children to care for a goat. They will look after it and when it produces each will remain with a kid to sell. These refugees are displaced due to wars in their surrounding countries. Many are orphaned as a result of war and disease.
We have the livestock, the land, the shed and a goat keeper, however there are so many goats that the goatkeeper needed to be on the land day and night. In January 2009, TH raised enough money to build a house on the land for the goat keeper. In May we built a chicken house. Thank you donors!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
In photo:
A baby sleeps on a TH net at the distribution in January for those infected with HIV/AIDS. Thank you PeopleWeaver for this photo.
I know, what it means as a victim of malaria to be free from the bites of mosquitoes.
Imagine, even if you have food you can't eat it when you have malaria, even if you love God you can't fellowship with others in the church, even if you have a business you can't go to work!
Oh! many people are orphans due to this horrible disease, others have cerebral malaria problems, others lost their beloved wives!
With your fundraising, many nets are to be bought. Let’s imagine together how many people are going to be saved from malaria, because of your time, energy, commitment and love.
If God is happy when only one person is rescued how much will he be happy when many have good life and attend church.
Thank you to be part of Think Humanity the unique organization that aims at providing what has not been provided for a positive change. —Wereje Benson
Please continue to donate towards mosquito nets. Pictured are four children that recently arrived in Kyangwali from the DRC (Congo). For $5 we can protect all four of these children pictured with one mosquito net. That’s only $1.25 each and this will protect them for five years! Help us fight malaria, please.
In the camp there are thousands crying; orphans and traumatized women. All are the remnant of around six million killed in the Congo. I am one of those remnants. At the beginning we were 8,000 refugee Congolese in Kyangwali, which only two girls had attended senior six in 13 years. Today there are 23,000 Congolese refugees in the camp. Refugees die prematurely because nobody cares, but today all who hear this message cares. Your participation in Think Humanity will reach you. We have found great potential in ourselves and we can be part of people that can contribute to the positive change in Africa and the world.
Thanks for your donation that will reach our community of refugees in Uganda, survivors of Congo’s deadliest conflict.
"Our life is like an egg or a glass in your hands. Your donations makes us have chicks, hens, roosters and more eggs hence development.”
On behalf of my Community receive our deep heartfelt thanks. -Wereje Benson
Think Humanity helps with some student sponsorships, but also assist 65 girls at a hostel with their education. If you are interested in providing an education to a refugee, please inquire.
Also thank you to Educate! for educating and empowering Africa’s future leaders.
Thanks for your donation that will reach our community of refugees in Uganda, survivors of Congo’s deadliest conflict.
"Our life is like an egg or a glass in your hands. Your donations makes us have chicks, hens, roosters and more eggs hence development.”
On behalf of my Community receive our deep heartfelt thanks. -Wereje Benson
Think Humanity helps with some student sponsorships, but also assist 65 girls at a hostel with their education. If you are interested in providing an education to a refugee, please inquire.
Also thank you to Educate! for educating and empowering Africa’s future leaders.
New refugees have no doors to keep mosquitoes from entering
These pictures were taken by Lizzie Lombardi in March 2009 in the village of Rwenyawawa Kyangwali, where most of the new refugees are living.
(Thank you Lizzie for the use of these photos)
Thank you to all the donors that have helped us to purchase mosquito nets for the refugees that recently arrived in Kyangwali from the Congo.
Mountain View Rotary—1,400 nets
Red Empress Foundation—300 nets
Paulsen family—200 nets
Overlooked—200 nets
and other wonderful donors.
Each mosquito net will cover 4 family members.
With these nets we will be shielding 8,500 refugees from malaria over the next five years. We still need to help more newcomers in the camp.
You can see by the picture on the right how these new refugees are living with no protection from the mosquitoes that carry malaria. “The new arrivals have poorly built houses with no door to close during the night time, only plastic sheeting to protect them from the rain.” -Emmanuel , TH Meds and Nets manager.
We appreciate all these donations and will get pictures and reports on our upcoming trip.
Six dependable Managers on the Ground.
Think Humanity's projects are all driven by a group of six managers appointed by the organization. The refugees have proven themselves to be of high integrity and character, trustworthy and leaders in their community. They are required to write reports, keep records, receipts and correspond almost daily with the founder of the organization. We believe that it is best to give them control and empowerment because they know what is most needed and how it can best/most effectively be implemented. The group of administrators purchase the malaria medication and nets and distributes them in cooperation with the churches and the social workers in the camp. By doing this, these administrators feel valued as they help to restore hope, save lives and build their community. We are developing young leaders by assisting them but not doing all the work.
Our main goal is to provide the resources and manpower to make positive changes in the lives of refugees. Together, with the COBURWAS Club members, refugee camp community leaders, churches, donors and volunteers, we can help eliminate some of the suffering and death caused by malaria and also help young, orphaned children by providing them with love, care, comfort, education and security.
Our main goal is to provide the resources and manpower to make positive changes in the lives of refugees. Together, with the COBURWAS Club members, refugee camp community leaders, churches, donors and volunteers, we can help eliminate some of the suffering and death caused by malaria and also help young, orphaned children by providing them with love, care, comfort, education and security.
Project Meds and Nets
Think Humanity is working with students and the community of Kyangwali so that together we can help eliminate the economic burden, suffering and death caused by malaria.
"Insecticide treated nets are one of the most cost-effective interventions we have in medicine. There are several initiatives focused on getting these nets to Africa, but so far displaced persons have been 'left out' of the picture. One advantage of your program as well is that you don't just 'dump' the nets- (many studies show that nets are often improperly used). Again, you have that community piece built in." - Eileen Birmingham, John Hopkins
"After fighting malaria in Kyangwali Refugee Camp then; The death rate and number of orphans will reduce giving us a happy life. People will be healthy, energetic, and hard working, therefore produce enough food. The money which could be spent on malaria treatment will be channeled to education therefore restoring hope, peace, and prosperity." -Daniel Muhwezi, refugee in the Kyangwali Settlement and Think Humanity Secretary/Treasurer
"The hope should be restored through Think Humanity, because it has put malaria in mortuary about to be buried soon. Through providing nets, medication and comfort to those who are sick, now malaria will have nowhere to go." -Mwamini Pelagia, refugee
"I am Pastor Atanga David from Rwenyawawa Kyangwali Refugee Camp. Dear friend, I send greeting to you and your family in Jesus name. We thank you very much for the mosquito net you were distributed to us because we have few problem of malaria to both Christians and non Christians who received it. Therefore GOD bless your project and your family." -Pastor Atanga David
All statistics and facts are from the Centers of Disease Control website. http://www.cdc.gov/, unless otherwise stated.
With your donation of $5 we can purchase a long-lasting insecticide treated bed net. We can also purchase anti-malarial medication such as Coartem. Thank you for your donation.
Special thanks to Global Healing for the grant to purchase treated nets. So far we have purchased approximately 3,400 nets with their donation. Special thanks to the Paulsen family for donating to TH in 2008. We purchased 1,000 nets with this donation. Thank you Lisa and Steve Allen for their donation that helped us purchase 300 nets in 2008. Also thanks to the many others that donated in 2008. More than 5,000 nets were distributed in 2008 and approximately 1,000 nets in 2007. We distributed 750 nets in January 2009.
"Insecticide treated nets are one of the most cost-effective interventions we have in medicine. There are several initiatives focused on getting these nets to Africa, but so far displaced persons have been 'left out' of the picture. One advantage of your program as well is that you don't just 'dump' the nets- (many studies show that nets are often improperly used). Again, you have that community piece built in." - Eileen Birmingham, John Hopkins
"After fighting malaria in Kyangwali Refugee Camp then; The death rate and number of orphans will reduce giving us a happy life. People will be healthy, energetic, and hard working, therefore produce enough food. The money which could be spent on malaria treatment will be channeled to education therefore restoring hope, peace, and prosperity." -Daniel Muhwezi, refugee in the Kyangwali Settlement and Think Humanity Secretary/Treasurer
"The hope should be restored through Think Humanity, because it has put malaria in mortuary about to be buried soon. Through providing nets, medication and comfort to those who are sick, now malaria will have nowhere to go." -Mwamini Pelagia, refugee
"I am Pastor Atanga David from Rwenyawawa Kyangwali Refugee Camp. Dear friend, I send greeting to you and your family in Jesus name. We thank you very much for the mosquito net you were distributed to us because we have few problem of malaria to both Christians and non Christians who received it. Therefore GOD bless your project and your family." -Pastor Atanga David
All statistics and facts are from the Centers of Disease Control website. http://www.cdc.gov/, unless otherwise stated.
With your donation of $5 we can purchase a long-lasting insecticide treated bed net. We can also purchase anti-malarial medication such as Coartem. Thank you for your donation.
Special thanks to Global Healing for the grant to purchase treated nets. So far we have purchased approximately 3,400 nets with their donation. Special thanks to the Paulsen family for donating to TH in 2008. We purchased 1,000 nets with this donation. Thank you Lisa and Steve Allen for their donation that helped us purchase 300 nets in 2008. Also thanks to the many others that donated in 2008. More than 5,000 nets were distributed in 2008 and approximately 1,000 nets in 2007. We distributed 750 nets in January 2009.
Project Meds and Nets - MaN -Think Humanity
.jpg)
Project Meds and Nets (MaN)
"help us fight malaria"
PROJECT MEDS AND NETS is a project within Think Humanity, a non-profit organization whose mission is "to provide a positive change for refugees in Africa."Malaria is a disease of the blood that is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. Malaria is preventable and treatable. To fight this disease, we must provide children, orphans, elderly and the poor with treated bed nets and make anti-malaria drugs, such as artemisinin, available.There are other organizations fighting malaria, but we are the only organization leading the fight against malaria in the Kyangwali Settlement in western Uganda. There are approximately 19,000 displaced individuals from surrounding countries living in Kyangwali. These people have been forced into refugee camps due to war in their homelands.Since December 2007 we have distributed approximately 6,000 long-lasting treated mosquito nets. Families with more than seven members received two nets. Most of those that benefited were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and the Acholi Tribe from northern Uganda. In order to continue to help refugees, we need continued support. Think Humanity would like to give out nets to other refugee settlements in the future.
"help us fight malaria"
PROJECT MEDS AND NETS is a project within Think Humanity, a non-profit organization whose mission is "to provide a positive change for refugees in Africa."Malaria is a disease of the blood that is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. Malaria is preventable and treatable. To fight this disease, we must provide children, orphans, elderly and the poor with treated bed nets and make anti-malaria drugs, such as artemisinin, available.There are other organizations fighting malaria, but we are the only organization leading the fight against malaria in the Kyangwali Settlement in western Uganda. There are approximately 19,000 displaced individuals from surrounding countries living in Kyangwali. These people have been forced into refugee camps due to war in their homelands.Since December 2007 we have distributed approximately 6,000 long-lasting treated mosquito nets. Families with more than seven members received two nets. Most of those that benefited were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and the Acholi Tribe from northern Uganda. In order to continue to help refugees, we need continued support. Think Humanity would like to give out nets to other refugee settlements in the future.
Approximately 20,000 more refugees are flooding into Kyangwali do to the instabilities in the North Kivu area of the DRC. In order to keep malaria under control we must give nets to these new arrivals.
MALARIA FACTS AND FIGURES
Each year, malaria afflicts approximately a half-billion people (roughly the population of the United States, Canada and Mexico combined).
An African child under the age of 5 dies from malaria every 30 seconds.
Fewer than 3 percent of children at risk for malaria are shielded by insecticide-treated nets. Malaria kills more than one million people per year; 90 percent of those who die are African children.
Malaria incapacitates people, keeping countries poor. In addition to the health burden, malaria illness and death cost Africa about $12 billion per year.
In Africa, 25 million pregnant women and their newborns a year are exposed to anemia, low birth weight and die.
Malaria continues to be a leading cause of death among refugees. In 2007, malaria accounted for 21% of the total reported deaths and 26% of deaths in children under five years of age. Malaria was responsible for 23% of the total morbidity and 25% of under five morbidity. Eisa Hamouda, UNHCR
On the Kyangwali Refugee Camp, many people who need and want nets cannot afford them. A refugee earns approximately 33 cents a day on average by digging. However, complications from malaria lead to absenteeism from work and school and consumes about 54 percent of a refugee's annual income. -Wereje Benson, refugee in the Kyangwali Settlement Camp and Think Humanity Program Manager. Statistics specific to Kyangwali
MALARIA FACTS AND FIGURES
Each year, malaria afflicts approximately a half-billion people (roughly the population of the United States, Canada and Mexico combined).
An African child under the age of 5 dies from malaria every 30 seconds.
Fewer than 3 percent of children at risk for malaria are shielded by insecticide-treated nets. Malaria kills more than one million people per year; 90 percent of those who die are African children.
Malaria incapacitates people, keeping countries poor. In addition to the health burden, malaria illness and death cost Africa about $12 billion per year.
In Africa, 25 million pregnant women and their newborns a year are exposed to anemia, low birth weight and die.
Malaria continues to be a leading cause of death among refugees. In 2007, malaria accounted for 21% of the total reported deaths and 26% of deaths in children under five years of age. Malaria was responsible for 23% of the total morbidity and 25% of under five morbidity. Eisa Hamouda, UNHCR
On the Kyangwali Refugee Camp, many people who need and want nets cannot afford them. A refugee earns approximately 33 cents a day on average by digging. However, complications from malaria lead to absenteeism from work and school and consumes about 54 percent of a refugee's annual income. -Wereje Benson, refugee in the Kyangwali Settlement Camp and Think Humanity Program Manager. Statistics specific to Kyangwali
MALARIA IS PREVENTABLE AND TREATABLE
Insecticide-treated nets have proven highly effective in killing mosquitoes and preventing malaria transmission. They have been shown to reduce the incidence of malaria episodes by half and in malaria-endemic areas the widespread use of nets reduces child mortality rates by about one fifth.
Using anti-malarial drugs, such as artemisinin, can eradicate malaria symptoms in three days.
Indoor Residual Spraying (spraying insecticide on the inside walls of houses) kills female mosquitoes when they rest on sprayed surfaces after feeding on a person, reducing malaria transmission to others.
Insecticide-treated nets have proven highly effective in killing mosquitoes and preventing malaria transmission. They have been shown to reduce the incidence of malaria episodes by half and in malaria-endemic areas the widespread use of nets reduces child mortality rates by about one fifth.
Using anti-malarial drugs, such as artemisinin, can eradicate malaria symptoms in three days.
Indoor Residual Spraying (spraying insecticide on the inside walls of houses) kills female mosquitoes when they rest on sprayed surfaces after feeding on a person, reducing malaria transmission to others.
Coburwas Club - Kyangwali Uganda - a partnership with Think Humanity
COBURWAS understood the vulnerability of many children in the camp. Due to the appalling situations these children experienced by loosing one or both parents mostly in wars, there are many cases of child parenting in the camp.
The orphaned children in the camps as well in their countries of origin don’t have access to resources necessary for them to survive neither to attend development capacities to reach their potential nor to access the basic needs namely: Education, health care, food, etc. Some of Club orphaned members care for more than 5 siblings.
Coburwas Club members and the community of Kyangwali refugees then started the construction of a Day care orphanage in the refugee settlement. The main building was constructed over school break, December 2007- January 2008.
The orphanage is a day care and nursery school for children aged 5 and below. The building is for homeless children and the purpose is to provide them with basic needs such as food, quality education, entertainment, comfort, care and love. Several guardians are bringing in orphans but the Club is able to help a few since we only rely on farming in the vacation. Our determination and hope is to help more orphans.
The orphaned children in the camps as well in their countries of origin don’t have access to resources necessary for them to survive neither to attend development capacities to reach their potential nor to access the basic needs namely: Education, health care, food, etc. Some of Club orphaned members care for more than 5 siblings.
Coburwas Club members and the community of Kyangwali refugees then started the construction of a Day care orphanage in the refugee settlement. The main building was constructed over school break, December 2007- January 2008.
The orphanage is a day care and nursery school for children aged 5 and below. The building is for homeless children and the purpose is to provide them with basic needs such as food, quality education, entertainment, comfort, care and love. Several guardians are bringing in orphans but the Club is able to help a few since we only rely on farming in the vacation. Our determination and hope is to help more orphans.
Educate! and Think Humanity partner to help students at the hostel
Educate! and Think Humanity partnered to give a grant to the Coburwas Club for the “Back to School Project.” Below is a thank you letter from Coburwas for our support.
Dear Educate! and Think Humanity,
We would like to appreciate all of you for the great financial support towards the implementation of the COBURWAS Back to School Project. Thank you very much.
We are very happy and are going to make sure that the grant money is used correctly towards the project.
We promise to find possible ways on how the COBURWAS Back to School Project shall be sustained so as we can achieve our goal, which is to promote education mainly for girls.
Thank you for your usual cooperation. Together we shall be able to bring a positive change for refugees and to empower social responsible leaders in Africa.
Sincerely,
COBURWAS
For more information on the Educate! program please visit their website at http://www.experienceeducate.org/.
The grant money went towards rent and other needs for refugee school students.
Dear Educate! and Think Humanity,
We would like to appreciate all of you for the great financial support towards the implementation of the COBURWAS Back to School Project. Thank you very much.
We are very happy and are going to make sure that the grant money is used correctly towards the project.
We promise to find possible ways on how the COBURWAS Back to School Project shall be sustained so as we can achieve our goal, which is to promote education mainly for girls.
Thank you for your usual cooperation. Together we shall be able to bring a positive change for refugees and to empower social responsible leaders in Africa.
Sincerely,
COBURWAS
For more information on the Educate! program please visit their website at http://www.experienceeducate.org/.
The grant money went towards rent and other needs for refugee school students.
Rotary-Lions Club helping orphans and refugees with sanitary products
(pictured are hostel girls with donation of 17 packets of sanitary products that will last one year. - Think Humanity is now receiving 65 more packets to be distributed in June 2009)A joint sanitary towels project involving Rotary, Lions and Girl-Child Network along with HEART and Doshi Group has donated one year’s of sanitary products to 65 girls at the hostel in Hoima. Most of these children have no parents so their hope is in Think Humanity donors and organizations like the ones listed above.
Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and promotes goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary District 9200 includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Rotary 9200 has entered into a joint partnership with Lions 411A and HEART Foundation called “Freedom for Girls.’ This project is a girl child assistance program that provides to girls in impoverished villages around East Africa with undergarments and sanitary towels plus hygiene and HIV prevention education. Many girls remain absent from school for up to 5 days a month during their monthly cycle. This program provides the girls with the “freedom” to maintain their attendance in school with confidence. The girls get a packet of 12 packages of sanitary towels and 4 underwear ….enough for the whole year!
I am very happy to take this privilege to thank again Rotary Club and Doshi company for great love shown to young orphaned girls and refugees in Hoima. Today we have many girls. Most of them are orphans. A few of the new girls at hostel parents died of HIV/AIDS. All of us were very happy and some of cry when we get help from such humanitarian organisations and great concern you have towards suffering refugees at hostel. We shall be happy to receiving again your support.” Love from Benson
“Girls at the hostel need more sanitary. As you know we need them all the time and the number of the girls have increased so we need more. I thank you once again and also the Doshi company for their love to us. We are orphans, but with your help, hope we can reach somewhere. More orphans are coming so we need to be together as people too.” -Jenipher Barega
“Thank you Vickie Winkler and Kundan Doshi for all your correspondence and help in this project.” -Beth
WeAreOverlooked - partnership with Think Humanity to fight malaria
The front design is very detailed and has almost an optical illusion effect.
Each order will include 25 info cards with info about Overlooked and facts about malaria to pass out to your friends and family.
The back print says "You can't see it but right now I'm stopping malaria in Africa. Every day 3,000 children die from malaria. The purchase of this shirt provides one with a life saving mosquito net. WeAreOverlooked.com - ThinkHumanity.org"
Every day 3,000 children die from malaria. When you purchase this shirt we will provide one with a life saving mosquito net through our partner organization Think Humanity. (A partnership to fight malaria in Africa)
Navy ink on a baby blue colored American Apparel t-shirt. Click to order.
Can't buy a shirt or want to give more? Please consider donating $5 to purchase a mosquito net at Think Humanity's website.
Also please help to sponsor travel expenses for Overlooked. Click the link and donate whatever you can. They will be selling t-shirts at concerts around the USA for their causes. They will be at ShineFest on World Malaria Day.
Each order will include 25 info cards with info about Overlooked and facts about malaria to pass out to your friends and family.
The back print says "You can't see it but right now I'm stopping malaria in Africa. Every day 3,000 children die from malaria. The purchase of this shirt provides one with a life saving mosquito net. WeAreOverlooked.com - ThinkHumanity.org"
Every day 3,000 children die from malaria. When you purchase this shirt we will provide one with a life saving mosquito net through our partner organization Think Humanity. (A partnership to fight malaria in Africa)
Navy ink on a baby blue colored American Apparel t-shirt. Click to order.
Can't buy a shirt or want to give more? Please consider donating $5 to purchase a mosquito net at Think Humanity's website.
Also please help to sponsor travel expenses for Overlooked. Click the link and donate whatever you can. They will be selling t-shirts at concerts around the USA for their causes. They will be at ShineFest on World Malaria Day.
First we would like to thank those volunteers that put together the TH journals. Money from the sales goes directly to the orphanage project. Here are some comments from our volunteers.
"Making these journals allows me to put a little of myself into a part of someone else's life. Helping Think Humanity is important to me because it's a local group creating global change." - Jessica Ryan, oneintwenty
"Journals are a way for me to escape my daily life and take a deep breath. Yes it can get frustrating with all the cutting and gluing, but to know that I'm saving lives by simply spending my time doing something I love...it makes it completely worth it!!" - Caitlyn Clinton, TH volunteer
"I love knowing that something so simple as a journal can bring hope to so many lives." - Ashley Morrison, TH volunteer
"I make journals for TH because it's a simple way to make a dent in the pain and suffering in the world. It's a small step towards helping others and glorifying God; not only is it beneficial to others in various ways, it's also fun and enjoyable." - Becca Mendoza
"Making journals for TH is refreshing. Creating collages is fun, but when you realize that by doing so a little girl or boy is going to be able to attend school because of it, it definitely puts your life in another perspective." -Sydney Paulsen
Hostel students are helped with medication, rent and other needs
Girl's Hoima Hostel
Education is a luxury for young girl refugees in the Kyangwali Settlement Camp in western Uganda. In the camp there is no form of education for students after primary seven, so if a child wishes to continue on they must travel 50 miles to the nearest city to attend school. It costs one student more than the average annual income to attend each trimester.
Think Humanity assists them with their medical expenses, tuition, rent, food and school supplies. There are presently 65 girls living in the Hoima hostel. The majority are orphans, but all are refugees. Most girls in Kyangwali do not further their education, but become married, do housework and have children. It is important that young girls complete their education. Daniel Muhwezi, Think Humanity Secretary/Treasurer said, "When you educate a girl, you educate a nation."
In March 2009 Educate! and Think Humanity partnered to give a grant to COBURWAS Club for the hostel students in Hoima. For more on the hostel, Go to School Project please visit the COBURWAS website.
There are twelve rooms in the hostel with more than five girls sharing each small room. The landlord charges approximately $20 per student for the entire year. This does not include electricity or water.
One of the biggest problems in the hostel is malaria. Think Humanity provides malaria medication and hospital expenses for these students. It is very common to have several students sick at the same time.
Here are some of the ways that your donation can be used to help girls get an education:
Bed $25, Mattress $50, bedding $40, $25 transportation to school and home two times a trimester, tuition $50 a trimester, $65 for food per student for trimester, $20 for 110 lbs (50kg) of corn flour for cooking.
TH is asking for donations for the student's medical expenses. For $30 per student a trimester, TH will provide them with malaria medication and medical expenses. This can be a matter of life over death and also will cut back on school absences due to the terrible side-effects from malaria.
Please read about malaria under Project Meds and Nets for more information.
James Kazini, an orphan himself, is the TH project manager over the girl's hostel.
Elected leaders of the girls hostel:
Barega Jenipher, president
Munguiko Sarah, vice president
Mahirwe Solange, Nikuze Angela, Anita Mary and Muhawe Beatrice, ancolours
Mukesha Jane, head of sanitation
Shika Grace, food monitor
Mahoro Tisia, head of academy
Mwamini Pelagia, head of sports
Mahirwe Christine, head of cultural activities
Jenipher Barega, President of Girl's Hostel
This room is living quarters for five girl students at the hostel
This is a picture of the hostel when it was for boys and girls. We will update this project soon.
James Kazini, TH Hoima hostel project manager
Wereje Benson, program manager
Education is a luxury for young girl refugees in the Kyangwali Settlement Camp in western Uganda. In the camp there is no form of education for students after primary seven, so if a child wishes to continue on they must travel 50 miles to the nearest city to attend school. It costs one student more than the average annual income to attend each trimester.
Think Humanity assists them with their medical expenses, tuition, rent, food and school supplies. There are presently 65 girls living in the Hoima hostel. The majority are orphans, but all are refugees. Most girls in Kyangwali do not further their education, but become married, do housework and have children. It is important that young girls complete their education. Daniel Muhwezi, Think Humanity Secretary/Treasurer said, "When you educate a girl, you educate a nation."
In March 2009 Educate! and Think Humanity partnered to give a grant to COBURWAS Club for the hostel students in Hoima. For more on the hostel, Go to School Project please visit the COBURWAS website.
There are twelve rooms in the hostel with more than five girls sharing each small room. The landlord charges approximately $20 per student for the entire year. This does not include electricity or water.
One of the biggest problems in the hostel is malaria. Think Humanity provides malaria medication and hospital expenses for these students. It is very common to have several students sick at the same time.
Here are some of the ways that your donation can be used to help girls get an education:
Bed $25, Mattress $50, bedding $40, $25 transportation to school and home two times a trimester, tuition $50 a trimester, $65 for food per student for trimester, $20 for 110 lbs (50kg) of corn flour for cooking.
TH is asking for donations for the student's medical expenses. For $30 per student a trimester, TH will provide them with malaria medication and medical expenses. This can be a matter of life over death and also will cut back on school absences due to the terrible side-effects from malaria.
Please read about malaria under Project Meds and Nets for more information.
James Kazini, an orphan himself, is the TH project manager over the girl's hostel.
Elected leaders of the girls hostel:
Barega Jenipher, president
Munguiko Sarah, vice president
Mahirwe Solange, Nikuze Angela, Anita Mary and Muhawe Beatrice, ancolours
Mukesha Jane, head of sanitation
Shika Grace, food monitor
Mahoro Tisia, head of academy
Mwamini Pelagia, head of sports
Mahirwe Christine, head of cultural activities
Jenipher Barega, President of Girl's Hostel
This room is living quarters for five girl students at the hostel
This is a picture of the hostel when it was for boys and girls. We will update this project soon.
James Kazini, TH Hoima hostel project manager
Wereje Benson, program manager
June 2008 - 4,000 mosquito nets were distributed to 5 different villages in Kyangwali - Think Humanity
Think Humantiy received a grant from Global Healing to purchase 3,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets. Also Eric and Kim Paulsen donated for 1,000 nets.
December 2007 net distribution - Thank you Crossroads Kids and others for your donations
750 mosquito nets were distributed to orphans, widows and vulnerables, December 2007. Merry Christmas!
Net distributions to fight malaria since March 2007
This is a demonstration of how to use a mosquito net. We started to raise money to help refugees receive mosquito nets in 2007 and by the end of the year we becamse a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Up-to-date we have purchased over 8,000 mosquito nets and distributed them to refugees in the camp.
Amani Jean-Paul - refugee Kyangwali
Giving chances - Aimee Heckel, as presented to Americans For Philanthropy in February 2009 in Alamo, California.
I met Jean-Paul three years ago.I was visiting a refugee camp in western Uganda as a journalist, chasing the perpetual question: What can we do about the problems in Africa? How can we help? What a question. It almost sounded more like a rhetorical shrug. As I looked around the refugee camp, the problems seemed just too heavy, too big to even fathom. One thousand brown eyes stared at me. Some yellow with malaria. Some bloodshot with exhaustion. Some with tears. Then, Jean-Paul. His eyes seemed to smile, with that freshness, that unscathed hope that you see in a child’s eyes, even though he was 23 with a pregnant wife. That glance changed everything. He told me his story. Jean-Paul was a teenager when he fled the bloody civil war in his homeland, what’s now known as the Congo. Most of his family and friends were slaughtered by rebels, tortured in ways I can’t bring myself to repeat. Jean-Paul bears a bullet scar on his right forearm, a permanent reminder of the horror he survived. Survived. Jean-Paul ran for weeks. Then, one day, across a field, he saw her: a newborn child lying abandoned, near her murdered parents. He stopped. Picked her up. He carried her with him the rest of the way.Why? I asked him. What made you stop and help? He answered, "You never know who she’ll become some day." That’s when I realized: It was true about him, too. If he was given a chance.
It has been three years since I met Jean-Paul, the Congolese refugee with the bullet scar on his forearm. When I met him, he couldn’t afford school, and he was working in the fields for 33 cents a day. Today, he is in a vocational school. His daughter is in school, too. His 10-year-old adopted daughter. The newborn that he found in the field while he was running from the rebels. Alice is the number one student in her class, even though she is the only refugee in school with Ugandan nationals. Jean-Paul volunteers as a project manager of Think Humanity, with his focus on the orphanage. In his words, "I’m committed to work for my community and ready to transform it." And remember his pregnant wife? Well, she gave birth the day I left the camp three years ago. They named the baby girl Bahati Aimee, after me. Bahati Aimee has caught malaria three times, and her life has been saved three times by Think Humanity’s donors. "Bahati" in Swahili means "chance." Which reminds me of something her dad told me three years ago: You never know who she will become some day. That is the answer to the question "Why?" And also the answer to that perpetual question: How to help Africa? One chance at a time.
I met Jean-Paul three years ago.I was visiting a refugee camp in western Uganda as a journalist, chasing the perpetual question: What can we do about the problems in Africa? How can we help? What a question. It almost sounded more like a rhetorical shrug. As I looked around the refugee camp, the problems seemed just too heavy, too big to even fathom. One thousand brown eyes stared at me. Some yellow with malaria. Some bloodshot with exhaustion. Some with tears. Then, Jean-Paul. His eyes seemed to smile, with that freshness, that unscathed hope that you see in a child’s eyes, even though he was 23 with a pregnant wife. That glance changed everything. He told me his story. Jean-Paul was a teenager when he fled the bloody civil war in his homeland, what’s now known as the Congo. Most of his family and friends were slaughtered by rebels, tortured in ways I can’t bring myself to repeat. Jean-Paul bears a bullet scar on his right forearm, a permanent reminder of the horror he survived. Survived. Jean-Paul ran for weeks. Then, one day, across a field, he saw her: a newborn child lying abandoned, near her murdered parents. He stopped. Picked her up. He carried her with him the rest of the way.Why? I asked him. What made you stop and help? He answered, "You never know who she’ll become some day." That’s when I realized: It was true about him, too. If he was given a chance.
It has been three years since I met Jean-Paul, the Congolese refugee with the bullet scar on his forearm. When I met him, he couldn’t afford school, and he was working in the fields for 33 cents a day. Today, he is in a vocational school. His daughter is in school, too. His 10-year-old adopted daughter. The newborn that he found in the field while he was running from the rebels. Alice is the number one student in her class, even though she is the only refugee in school with Ugandan nationals. Jean-Paul volunteers as a project manager of Think Humanity, with his focus on the orphanage. In his words, "I’m committed to work for my community and ready to transform it." And remember his pregnant wife? Well, she gave birth the day I left the camp three years ago. They named the baby girl Bahati Aimee, after me. Bahati Aimee has caught malaria three times, and her life has been saved three times by Think Humanity’s donors. "Bahati" in Swahili means "chance." Which reminds me of something her dad told me three years ago: You never know who she will become some day. That is the answer to the question "Why?" And also the answer to that perpetual question: How to help Africa? One chance at a time.
It started in August 2006 in the Kyangwali Refugee Camp in Uganda
Aimee Heckel, my daughter and a journalist on assignment for the Boulder Daily Camera, visited the Kyangwali Refugee Camp to do a story about Eric Glustrom, founder of a nonprofit, Educate!
She wrote a three-day series in 2006 and manylives were changes...including mine.
The story was titled, "The Ripple Effect." Little did she know....
Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, Uganda. What we do - Think Humanity
My name is Beth Heckel. I am the founder and president of a non-profit organization, Think Humanity.
Here is our mission:
- Think Humanity was created to provide relief, support and hope for a promising future to refugees in Africa. Our mission is threefold:
- Joining in the fight against malaria by providing refugees with resources and manpower;
- Providing love, comfort and security to orphaned children; and
- Creating an overall positive change for refugees
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)