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AP & ME
I support Ameena Project because it is pure love in action and because I am inspired by the Mays, Altrees and others in the AP family who do what everyone who has something to give should: make no excuses, and meet a need. How often do I observe a hole that needs to be filled and avoid it because, because, because … Yet when I look at the faces of the gorgeous Kenyan children who are eating, learning and laughing in a school funded completely by gifts from donors like my husband and me, I am challenged: what is stopping me from doing more? Am I afraid of what it will be like to give more of my time, in prayer and volunteerism, and money? But when I become more aware of living conditions in Kiang’ombe – the crime, the malnourishment – it makes any budgeting I have to do in my squishy Western world seem silly. Am I afraid that giving more won’t create real change? But that’s another thing I love about AP. AP is 100% volunteer-run here in the U.S. (did you catch that? one HUNDRED percent) and our donations go directly to pay for the heaven-sent teachers, security guards, cook/administrative assistant, food and teaching supplies that offer hope to an entire community. I can do more. But I’ve made a start. Won’t you join me?
Tia lives in Beaverton with her husband Andrew and their two children Lily and Dylan. She is vice president at The Mathews Group and has supported Ameena Project since 2012. |
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Collateral benefits
We focus a lot on the children of Ameena Project, but our staff are another success story for our program. Because the school is in operation, five adult Kenyans have a steady income. “I like to call it a ‘collateral benefit’ of what we’re doing,” says Anne May, Ameena Project co-founder. “Yes, the school serves children and families but its strong ripple effect can be seen in the difference it has made in the lives of our staff. With their salaries their families live more secure in safe housing, they have electricity and access to medical care.” In future newsletter editions we look forward to sharing our staff members’ stories with you.
Food for thought
Recently the New York Times has run op-eds on Kenya, charitable giving and humanitarian aid. By sharing these pieces we don’t implicitly endorse them, but they did get us thinking.
A Litmus Test for Kenya
When ‘Do No Harm’ Hurts
The Charitable-Industrial Complex
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Year-end in Kiang’ombe
December marks the start of summer vacation in Kenya and a special time in African culture when people travel home to visit families and recuperate. Ameena Project teachers and staff will also enjoy this much-deserved break. Unfortunately, with this break comes a spike in living expenses in Kenya when everything doubles in cost so it can also be a stressful time of year. That said, we’d love to be able to do something special for the kids and staff by giving them a year-end party. Any “extra” donations we receive will help us throw a party for them to celebrate these incredible little (and big) people on another year of learning and love!
We’re Social
If you haven’t done so already, please “Like” Ameena Project on Facebook to receive updates and show your Facebook friends you’re an AP supporter. We also encourage you to forward this newsletter onto your friends, families and co-workers. Help us spread the word – you never know who you might inspire to come on board! |
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