I'm in a good news / bad news situation here, Mamas. The bad news? I lose my fabulous nanny, Liz, in June. The good news?
Sigh. You ready for this...?
Liz is going to Kenya to work with Harambee USA, Inc., an non-profit organization who has taken on the caregiving of these 21 orphaned boys in Kenya. Harambee USA, Inc. ensures the payment of all school-related expenses (including tuition and school fees, uniform and transport costs, spending money, school supplies, and boarding fees, where applicable) and the provision of nutritious food and secure housing in a safe environment under the care of house guardians, some of whom are alumni of the program.
This organization was started by one of Liz's friends and fellow St. Joseph University grad, Michael Mungai. Michael is from Kenya, and was determined to return to the streets where he grew up to see if he can salvage the lives of some of the kids left behind.
Mamas, if this isn't a case of young people being the change they want to see...I don't know what is.
Liz and several other St. Joseph grads will be going to Kenya this summer to support Harambee's boys and to implement an exciting new sustainable agriculture program, the Harambee Aquaponics Project. Liz writes:
The development of Dagoretti, Kenya is stymied by multiple factors, two of them being lack of employment opportunities and lack of access to nutritional food. With some of our older guys graduating from secondary school, we feel it's important to implement a project that aims to combat these disadvantages. The mission of the Harambee Aquaponics Project is to provide the Harambee Youth Kenya community with a career opportunity and a healthy source of sustenance that is environmentally and economically sustainable.
The pilot program of this project is to install a fully-functioning aquaponics system at the Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Aquaponics is a recirculating system that connects hydroponic grow beds with a fishery in order to replicate a miniature ecological system as an agricultural method. The project utilizes reused materials to build the system's structure and uses a finite amount of water and low amount of energy to run the system--making it environmentally sustainable and ideal for the conditions of East Africa.
Wanna see more?
Here's the deal, Mamas: Liz and her friends really need to win this $2500 grant. To do it, they need our vote, like, NOW.
Voting is quick and easy--all you have to do is click here, and vote! (Then you MUST confirm your vote through your email.)
Please, Mamas. The voting window closes TUESDAY. Please take a sec and vote.
Want to do more? Support the Kickstart campaign, donate directly to Harambee, USA or sponsor one of the 21 boys.
xoxo
S
ps. Here's what they are up against:
