Last week, our leader Courtney hosted her annual gala benefiting her incredible organization, One Life to Love. Courtney is grace, love, and kindness embodied. At OL2L, she works to keep girls in school and prevent early marriage; runs a day school for the children of migrant workers; and cares for children who are differently abled, reconnecting them with their families when it's possible or giving them an incredible forever home with her when it's not. Our ED, Michelle, and one of our other leaders, Ray from 12 Plus, got to be there to support Courtney and see the amazing outpouring of support for her work - it was pretty awesome. Congrats, Courtney - we love you! ❤️
This past weekend was our annual leader’s retreat, when we bring together all of the nonprofit leaders we support through the foundation. It’s a weekend of professional development, wellness, sharing, lots of eating, and so much friendship and care. It’s so incredible to spend time with these amazing humans, who are selfless and changing the world every day. It’s even more heartwarming to see how much they love and support each other. We feel so grateful to be part of this beautiful community of beautiful people - and to get to enact lasting, generational change along the way. Our hearts are so full! ❤️
This Sunday at 3PM EST, please consider joining The Syrian Emergency Task Force and our incredible leader Mouaz on a virtual webinar to learn more about what's happening in Syria since the fall of the dictator. It's open to all and you'll hear about the progress that's been made a year after liberation - and how SETF is working to build a democracy in Syria.
Look at those faces! Stories have the power to shape how children learn, imagine, and understand the world around them. On International Children’s Book Day, we recognize the importance of access to books and education, especially in communities where resources are limited.
In Madagascar, for example, books are extremely limited. At Teach For Madagascar, our leader Tina works to expand access to storybooks by running an annual writing contest and publishing the winning stories in Malagasy, French, and English. The beautiful books are distributed in the schools where her team works, and the children are read to by the teachers and volunteers. You can see the effect in the first photo - the joy and wonder on their faces! She also helps support the Apple Tree Library, where kids can gather for learning. Tina's work is creating stronger foundations for students to grow, learn, and thrive.
When children have access to stories, they gain more than knowledge -- they gain possibility and hope!
Meet Majak! 🌟
Majak does truly incredible work in South Sudan, educating the future leaders of the country not only in typical school subjects like math and reading, but also in peace building. With an emphasis on bringing together students from different backgrounds, the two Education Bridge campuses are very special places.
In South Sudan 75% of the population is under 30. So Majak knows that changing the future relies on shaping young people to be strong, empathetic, and wise leaders. Education Bridge students are bright and curious students. They participate in many opportunities, from speech and debate to trips to the U.S., with some even attending college here - as Majak did himself!
Education Bridge is a symbol of hope in a country wrought with many challenges. Majak has been able to create something beautiful and incredible despite the challenges and we couldn't be more amazed at his progress and his leadership. 💚
Meet Kim! 🌟
Kim moved to Bali and was volunteering with an organization teaching the women how to make crafts to sell at the market. When she learned they weren't being fairly compensated, she left and started Bali Street Mums, where the women are paid a living wage and learn their worth!
In the tourist areas of Bali, it's not uncommon to see children and their mothers living on the street, selling tissues or begging. They are at risk for violence and trafficking. Kim and her team identify those who need help and bring them to the BSM safe house, where moms learn their rights, learn to make beautiful things, and get paid for their work so they can take care of their children. Children get medical care and attend bridging school at the safe house until they can go back to government school -- and they are safe, loved, and happy.
Kim has also helped moms start enterprises in the mountains so they don't have to come down and beg. They are able to network with each other and have built community through recycled cell phones she distributes. She has rescued teenage girls from working in massage parlors, where they are at high risk of trafficking. And since we've met her, she's opened an entirely second safe house in another area of Bali.
We are so proud to support Kim and her incredible work at Bali Street Mums. Check them out! 💜
Meet Tina! 🌟
It was a dream that took Tina to Madagascar from her home in Indonesia. When she witnessed the poverty up close and personal, she knew she had to do something. As a college professor, Tina worked with bright graduate students who she felt could meaningfully give back to their country. She also uncovered some of the many educational needs for children, like school books and materials, and trained teachers.
Teach for Madagascar was born to help fill these needs and give children a better education in the hopes of breaking cycles of generational poverty. In the Taly Corps program, trained graduate students go live in rural communities for three to six months to train the teachers in pedagogy methods. Tina's perseverance drives Teach for Madagascar forward and they continue to blossom into a larger organization, just recently having their largest group of applicants ever for the Taly Corps program! That's evidence of the culture Tina has built and the power of her leadership.
We are so excited to see Teach for Madagascar's continued growth and impact! 💚
It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day! The kindness our leaders show is never random - they are so intentional with how they show up for their communities. But the smallest kindness can make such a big difference in someone’s day! We hope you received and shared a small act of kindness today! ☺️
Meet Stephen! 🌟
Stephen had the opportunity to go to college because his mother worked hard to make it happen. He decided to support strong and amazing women like her in Uganda, and after getting a degree in Women's Studies, started Kisoboka Africa - which means, "it is possible." He teaches women to save their own money so they can have better lives for themselves and their families. But he doesn't stop there. Kisoboka works with three generations - the women, the next generation of youth who are out of school and need a solid next step, and the children in elementary schools.
Empowering all three generations means changing the face of the Lwengo district where he works, building generational change and a bright future for everyone. Since Kisoboka Africa started, children have not had to drop out of school because of expensive school fees.
We are so proud of Stephen and all he does for his community, and love seeing the continued impact of Kisoboka! 💙
Meet Karma and Sanam! 🌟
Karma and Sanam both grew up in a rural Himalayan community just two hours from the base of Mt. Everest. They each had a rare opportunity to stay in school because of foreigners who were trekking to the mountain and came across them, and both completed college with an idea to give back to their community. They later met and married, and their shared passion to help their community was supercharged!
The Small World Nepal helps the community in so many ways. They support children - keeping hundreds of young ones in school and running a home for orphans, a place where they are loved and cared for with a family. They support girls - ensuring hundreds of girls have the chance to attend and graduate college (becoming doctors, lawyers, and more). They support women - teaching them how to run greenhouses, grow food, and become leaders and changemakers. They support the entire community with health clinics - in a place where there is otherwise no care.
Karma and Sanam are simply incredible, selfless humans, who we are so fortunate to know - and we are proud to support the work of The Small World Nepal. ♥️
Meet Courtney! 🌟
Courtney took a trip to India with her alma mater, the Fashion Institute, to research pashmina. When she saw the children living in poverty on the streets, she never came home. Courtney moved to India and started volunteering for an organization, working with disabled children. When a child she worked with was moved to a government care facility and tragically passed away, she was moved to start her own organization so others would not suffer the same fate.
One Life to Love was born to support children with disabilities, ensuring they are cared for and can thrive. Since then, the program has expanded exponentially, ensuring girls stay in school and get a college education, providing classes for the children of migrant workers, providing aid in the community, and so much more.
Courtney is the most beautiful soul, and we're lucky to be able to support her work at One Life to Love. 🧡
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