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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Project Meds and Nets - MaN -Think Humanity

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.

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 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.

Coburwas Club - Kyangwali Uganda - a partnership with Think Humanity

http://www.coburwas.org/orphanage/

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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....

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2006/sep/06/ripple-effect/

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