Village Volunteers is a grassroots organization that partners with visionary leaders.

Our Mission Our Core Philosophy Our Promise Empowering Local Leaders Who Strengthen Communities Culturally Relevant and Sustainable Solutions Cross Cultural Exchange Green Policy

Our Mission

Village Volunteers (VV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works in partnership with rural village and capacity-building programs to support the development of sustainable solutions for community survival, education, and thoughtful growth.

Our Core Philosophy

The Village Volunteers community:

Believes in the immense potential of all people;. Has respect for the diverse perspectives, creativity and talents of all

individuals; Is committed to the principles of market-based, local economics, and

entrepreneurship; Recognizes that women need special consideration for education, maternal health

care, and a life free of violence. Believes in the power of partnership and collaboration to work towards social

justice and gender equality; Is committed to facilitating educational opportunities to all who reach for

their potential, and medical care for all who need help; Is dedicated to environmental conservation and biodiversity.

Our Promise

Village Volunteers will work to leave a legacy that supports self sufficiency and has a profound impact on the health and welfare of the communities we serve.

Founded in the belief that partnership and advocacy is a key factor in the renewal and healing of areas plagued by poverty, hunger and disease, we partner with communities to reach their full potential through collaborative, sustainable, grassroots approaches to agriculture, health care and public health awareness, environmental conservation, access to clean water, sanitation, education, food sovereignty and security, and economic stability.

Culturally Relevant and Sustainable Solutions

Rather than hindering growth by creating a dependency on  outside management, the Village Volunteers’ model is based on empowerment: all village projects are executed and managed by locals. Village Volunteers supports local community effortsby providing grant writing assistance, developing income generating social enterprises and mobilizing the resources of volunteers worldwide.

Empowering Local Leaders Who Strengthen Communities

Committed to honoring community autonomy, Village Volunteers works in collaborationwith community based organizations to implement sustainable solutions to community challenges.

Village Volunteers acknowledges that community members know how to solve their communities’ problems, but do not have access to the necessary resources and support. To that end, Village Volunteers brings together worldwide collaboration insupport of inspired community leaders in Africa and Asia who empower local people, rely on indigenous resources, and build upon their existing cultural and economic context.

Cross Cultural Exchange

The opportunity for volunteers to live and work side-by-side with people in other parts of the world and to exchange knowledge, information, skills, and stories, gives everyone involved the opportunity to develop a meaningful common bond with our global community. The mandatory hospitality fees from Village Volunteers’ cadreof volunteers is sent ahead of arrival and will directly and indirectly support sustainable development programs in a host village.

Green Policy

We recognize that each and every one of us, individuals as well as organizations and businesses, must make a commitment to preserve and protect our environment.

Dedicated to preserving resources, we are committed to lessening our environmental footprint and strive to be a “carbon neutral” organization. Below are some of our key practices.

Village Volunteers and partners promote appropriate technologies, renewable resources, conservation and innovation to enhance economic stability, communityand environmental well being.

We strive to be paperless in all ways possible, and rely heavily on technology to do so. All volunteer orientation materials are accessed online from our website, and we do not mail brochures or fundraising materials.

To offset the carbon produced by the air travel for each volunteer, 10 moringa trees are planted in the tropical regions that we serve.

We continuously apply sustainability principles to the way we operate our organization. We are committed to being proactive in our environmental stewardship and continually work on improving our sustainable practices.

From The Founder and Executive Director

Village Volunteers Founder and Executive Director, Shana Greene

In an increasingly interconnected world, what happens around the globe affects us all. The challenge of growing poverty, hunger and disease worldwide can be addressed if we individually recognize our role as a globalcitizen, become aware of the issues and take steps to create a more just world for all.

Village Volunteers promotes self sufficiency by partnering with programs to enhance economic and educational opportunities, food security, and health conditions, with respect for the environment and culture. Village Volunteersis dedicated to assisting communities in their quest to achieve a healthy, self sustained life.

This vision is possible with the help of people like you. Shana Greene

Founder & Executive Director Shana Greene incorporated Village Volunteers on October 17, 2003, the same

day the UN declared as the International Day of Eradicating Poverty. Working first in Kenya, the goal was to address poverty at multiple levels,

recognizing the impact that interrelated issues play in its continuation. Kenya, a country particularly vulnerable to poverty due to the high rates ofHIV/AIDS infections, has more than one million orphaned children as a result.

Village Volunteers has had to and still relies on the efforts of dedicated volunteers who have provided thousands of hours of expertise and valuable skills in our Seattle office and around the world. Join us!

Today, Village Volunteers’ work impacts the lives of thousands daily, works with partner organizations in Asia and Africa, and continues to grow as a self sustaining organization with a reputation for tangible and meaningful results. JOIN US!

Meet the Board of Directors Village Volunteers’ Board of Directors consists of ten Directors with a

strong, balanced blend of skills and experience.  

CHRIS MORELAND – BOARD PRESIDENT Chris Moreland is currently CEO and Co-Founder at Donald-Moreland Inc.; Co-

founder and Board member at “Ready 4 School;” an independent Strategic Consultantat Microsoft Inc.; and Board President at Village Volunteers. A skilled business executive with experience at Fortune 500 icons leading successful teams in sales, sales operations, marketing, and business development.

Chris was a Captain in the United States Air Force, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, and an MBA from Central Michigan University.

 

KIMBERLY TIPPENS, ND, MSAOM, MPH Dr Tippens received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a master’s

degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, and completed a family practice residency at the National College of Natural Medicine with an emphasis on community health. Dr.Tippenswas awarded a National Institutes of Health-funded post-doctoral fellowship,received an Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Certificate in Human Investigations, and participated in research evaluating expectancy in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity. Dr. Tippens was granted a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award  fellowship receiving training in health disparities and health services research, while completing her Master of Public Health degree program through OHSU.

ROBERT HOWE – BOARD TREASURER Robert Howe is the CFO of Howe Real Estate, LLC, a real estate investor and

manager since 2006, and Board Treasurer at Village Volunteers. Robert has over 30 years of asset executive management experience in real estate finance, sales and accounting.

Graduating Magna Cum Laude, Robert earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from UCLA.

 

CAROL RADLO, MD

Carol Radlo is a family practice physician who has practiced in Kirkland forthe past 15 years. She received her medical degree from the State Universityof New York at Stony Brook and completed her family practice residency at Swedish Hospital in 1984. After practicing in Wenatchee for almost 7 years, both at Wenatchee Valley Clinic and North Central Washington Migrant Health Center she moved back to the Seattle area to practice.

In the spring of 2006, Carol travelled to Muhuru Bay with her 17 year old daughter and spent two weeks as a Village Volunteer working at Mama Maria Kenya Clinic. Her professional interests include women’s and children’s health, disease prevention, and health education and communication.

CASEY O’CONNOR Casey O’Connor received her J.D. from NYU School of Law and is currently a

Senior Program Officer at Human Rights in China, where she is responsible for the international advocacy portfolio. Prior to joining HRIC, Casey conducted research on business and human rights and fieldwork on legal empowerment in indigenous communities and access to clean water in both the Asia-Pacific region and in Africa. Casey also previously worked in grants management at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

 

TRACY BRIGHAM Tracy Brigham has a Masters of Science Degree and teaches classes in Health,

Nutrition, Global issues and college studies at Highline Community College. For the majority of the 2000-2001 school years, she was on professional leave traveling on the African continent researching the AIDS epidemic, female health issues and malnutrition.

During the summer of 2005, Tracy traveled with a Fulbright team to southern Africa where her emphasis was on the effect of different modalities of AIDS education and the de-stigmatization of HIV positive people. During the fall of 2005, she went on a second professional leave to the Indian subcontinent to study the HIV/AIDS epidemic, female rights issues, family planning, refugee issues (Tibet) and tsunami reconstruction (Sri Lanka.)

JOHN AGYAPONG John Agyapong is a Procurement Manager with the Boeing Company, at the

Everett, Washington site. John is responsible for developing innovative support solutions for the Commercial aerospace division, as well as businessexecution using a functional leadership model.

Prior to his employment at Boeing, he worked at Microsoft and AT &T . He is a native of Ghana, West Africa, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 16. John mentors young people at Mariner high school in Everett, where he volunteers in a class primarily geared to encouraging women and minorities to obtain careers in the sciences and engineering. He obtained his BS in Finance from Central Washington University in 1996, and his MS in Finance in 1998.

 

JANA PARAGAN Jana Paragan is the Corporate Support Account Manager for KUOW NPR. She has

had over16 years of extensive experience in development as an Account Executive for the Seattle Times/ Seattle Post Intelligence, Seattle Magazineand Northwest Home and Garden, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, and the Seattle Weekly.

Jana is also a world traveler, having been everywhere from San Miguel de Allende, to Uruguay, Croatia, Turkey, Italy and beyond.

 

JANA PALLIS – BOARD SECRETARY Jana Pallis is a consultant for nonprofits, e-commerce businesses, and

health organizations regarding sustainable growth and organizational transformation. She has been an interfaith minister since 2004 working with the elderly, at-risk youth, people with disabilities, the homeless, the

hungry, and women from diverse cultures and religious backgrounds to live totheir greatest potential.

Jana graduated with a B.A. in International Business with honors from Seattle University, and her Masters in Transformational Leadership from the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University

SUE HWANG Sue Hwang is a Senior Procurement Manager for Boeing Commercial Airplanes,

Supplier Management. In this position, she is responsible for strategic development, contracting and supplier management of aftermarket needs of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

 While Sue was living in Japan, she was one of founding members of International Working Women’s Association (International and Japanese Careerminded women’s network group) in Tokyo, Japan and served as a President in 1994 – 1995. Sue also served as Vice President of Women in International Trade, Washington State Chapter and a board member of Korea-America Trade Club in Seattle, WA

Meet the Advisory BoardThe Advisory Board is an international network of experts whose collective abilities, experience, and knowledge complement both the goals of Village Volunteers partnerships and initiatives, as well as the organization as a whole.

TOM TERNES

Tom Ternes worked for 32 years as an Industrial Engineer at The Boeing Company developing his talents in a wide variety of skills including project planning, project implementation, project cost and schedule monitoring, process standardization and improvement, proposal development and writing, cost accounting,contract management and training of project management and Industrial Engineering techniques.

Since retiring in 2010 has volunteered as a consultant with non-profits and NGOs, both internationally and locally, performing a range of tasks including grant writing, fundraising, fleshing out business plans, writing and publishing reports and manuals, documenting project lessons learned, developing safety and health plans, creating and teaching an ergonomics course, translating websites and creating marketing posters and brochures.

Tom holds a BS degree in Psychology from Washington State University as well as certificates from the University of Washington in Project Management, Fundraising Management and Technical Writing and Editing.

PERCY “BUTCH” SHADWELL

Percy “Butch” Shadwell has a successful consulting practice in applied physics and electronics, mostly in new product development including opto-electronics, embeddedmicroprocessors, digital and analog designs, and custom software development where he has also provided management and strategic business planning services to severalof his clients. Mr. Shadwell is a lecturer at universities and technical societies around the US and abroad. His expertise ranges from robotics, aerospace, medicine, industrial controls and sensors, automotive and consumer products. As a long term member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics (IEEE), Mr. Shadwell was elected the international chairman of the Humanitarian Technology Challenge –

Reliable Electricity Committee at the National Academy of Sciences, an initiative from the United Nations Foundation and IEEE. He is also a member of MENSA.

Beyond his considerable experience with technology, electronics and computer programming, he has expertise in nuclear and optical physics as well as the bio-medical field. Mr. Shadwell installed a solar energy system he designed for one of our partners’ school in Kenya. He will be working on several appropriate technologyprojects that improve the lives of people around the world.

COLLINS ATEGO

Collins Atego is a graduate architect from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Currently he is working with Peter Thomas Architects, a leading architectural firm in Nairobi. As an architect, Mr. Atego has worked on many different projects, such as housing, mixed use developments, community projects and in project management. His most recent project is in the design consultation process of building new surgical theatres for Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. Mr. Atego has worked on severalvolunteer projects for United Nations Habitat under the Best Practices Program.

RENEE GASTINEAU, MBA

Renee Gastineau, MBA is owner and president of Gastineau Communications Inc., a Seattle-based public relations and communications consulting business that works with social enterprises. Ms. Gastineau has a diverse background in communications and public affairs, including news reporting, media relations, corporate communications and event planning. Ms. Gastineau is the author of business trend and marketing articles for professional journals and educational websites. She earned an MBA from Seattle University, a B.A. in Communication and English from James Madison University; a Certificate in Management from the University of Washington; and recently earned the distinction of Accredited Business Communicator(ABC), from the International Association of Business Communicators.

ZEPHANIAH AJODE

Zephaniah Ajode is a young conservationist in Kenya with great passion for buildinghealthy ecosystems, community development and youth empowerment. He earned his Tourism and Wildlife Management Diploma from Moi University, Kenya. Mr. Ajode has worked for several non-profits and community-based organizations initiating sustainable projects such as organic farming, ecological sanitation, agroforestry; aquaculture, etc. He is an environmental educator, has non-profit management as well as environmental restoration experience. Mr. Ajobe has just completed his Earthcorps Leadership and Restoration training for future Global Environmental Leaders course in the US, and was asked to be an Ecology Educator at the Universityof Arizona, Cooper Center for Environmental Learning. He was one of twelve to be chosen for the Earthwatch Europe Fellowship program in 2010.

BRIAN P. MAGNUM, PhD

Brian P. Mangum, PhD received his MS in Medical Anthropology from Idaho State University and became an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Anthropology, where he focused his teaching and research on international healthcare and sustainable development. During this time, Brian developed a post-baccalaureate certificate program in medical anthropology that includes a significant international healthcare experience in the Caribbean Basin. Brian currently residesthere as the core international faculty while conducting fieldwork for his joint

MPH/PhD in Public Health Epidemiology. He brings a varied background in medical anthropology, public health, and medicine, ethnography consultant to preserve and record cultures.

KATE KILLERLAIN MORRISON

Kate Killerlain Morrison is the Marine Program Director for the Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy currently. In the past, she was an Ocean Policy Analyst at the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management as a lead staff for the Massachusetts Ocean Management Initiative, working on implementation of the 2004 Ocean Management Task Force Recommendations, including assisting with proposedlegislation. During that time, Kate has managed consultants working on ocean management projects, chairs the Massachusetts Interagency Ocean Planning Work Group, and represents MCZM on the Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary Zoning Working Group and the Gulf of Maine Council Working Group. Kate was also Program Chair for The Coastal Society’s 20th International Conference in May 2006. Kate hasa Master’s degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington where she studied international fisheries trade in West Africa, and has worked as a staffer in the Washington State Legislature prior to joining MCZM.

JENNIFER NYIRANEZA MPYISI

Jennifer Nyiraneza Mpyisi is a member of the Architectural Association since 1982 receiving the Royal Institute of British Architects I and II post Graduate researchin appropriate design and technology followed by the Post Graduate Course at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and Tufts University This specialization was focused on creating Design Solutions for Health Care, Education and Institutional Design, with an emphasis on a holistic design approach, includinglandscaping. Her strengths in planning and evaluation, public relations and strategic management for non-for-profit projects have enabled her to integrate her training with her interest in working with community development.

ELIZABETH NYAWIRA MWANGI

Elizabeth Nyawira Mwangi has built a distinguished and successful career in Kenya in social development, specifically as a technical advisor in project planning, project management, and capacity building. Currently she has her Masters in International and Community Development from Deakin University, Australia. Over thepast eight years, she has enhanced the capacities of organizations to effectively deliver poverty eradication strategies, lobby and advocate on human rights issues that affect local communities. Ms. Mwangi’s greatest strengths lie in project design, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of projects. In addition, she is skilled in data collection using Participatory Rural Appraisal/Rapid Rural Appraisal and analysis of data using software packages like SPSS and Epi-Info. Ms. Mwangi works with Catholic Relief Services/Kenya in the programming division and isa part-time consultant and a trainer of trainers.

RISHO EDWARD SAPANO

Risho Edward Sapano, a native of Sudan, Ms. Sapano has worked, both in her homelandas well as in the United States, in the area of disaster relief and community development. Ms. Sapano has worked as Program Field Officer for the Canadian Save the Children Fund in Sudan where she managed relief projects intended for internally displaced persons. These projects included supplementary feeding centers, primary healthcare clinics, education, income-generation activities, and water sanitation services. She also worked for the Sudanese National Committee for

Eradication of Harmful Traditional Practices affecting women and girls. For ten years, she held leadership positions with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society and theSudanese Girl Guides Association. She represented both organizations within Sudan and abroad in Austria, Egypt and Libya. Following her move to the United States, Ms. Sapano attended Clark University in Massachusetts, where she earned her master’s degree in International Development and Social Change. After graduation, she joined Oxfam America in Boston as the Program Assistant for Africa, providing programs and administrative support for the organization’s regional programs in Southern and West Africa. Ms. Sapano is also a member of the American Red Cross.

JONATHAN M. SCHERCH, PhD

Jonathan M. Scherch, PhD is a Core Faculty member of the Graduate Programs in Environment and Community at Antioch University, Seattle, WA. A certified permaculture designer and teacher, his background includes more than 25 years of sustainable community organizing and development initiatives, place-based appropriate technology design and applications, and teaching across five universities. Dr. Scherch is also a Returned United States Peace Corps Volunteer (Jamaica, 1991-93, Community Development Sector), and he teaches and consults on ecological design strategies emphasizing low impact solutions and local resource use.

RANDY RICE

Randy Rice completed his undergraduate work in Biology at the University of California, and graduate studies in Biological Oceanography at the University of Alaska where he had journal articles and his honors thesis published. He worked extensively with Alaska fish and shellfish species, and also conducted research in Antarctica. Before coming to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute as their Technical Program Director, Randy worked with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation developing expertise in water quality and contaminants. He also worked privately as an Environmental Consultant and fished commercially in Alaska for 19 years, He is fully conversant with fisheries management methods, statistics, approaches, and issues and has considerable experience in working with natural resource regulatory agencies.

IN MEMORY: RICHARD MICHAEL TUCKER, MD (1956 – 2007)

Richard Michael Tucker was a medical doctor specializing in infectious disease at the Wenatchee Valley Clinic where he was a Clinical Associate Professor for the School of Medicine at the University of Washington. Dr. Tucker was also a medical staff member at Central Washington Hospital. He received a Masters of Business Administration through the American College of Physician Executives at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dr. Tucker was a member of the North Central Washington Rural Health Foundation, and in 2000 served as chairman of both the Continuing Medical Education Committee and the Board of Directors. In addition, Dr.Tucker worked on the development of a healthcare delivery system for HIV/AIDS in the rural clinics that work with Village Volunteers. As published in the Seattle Times from June 2 to June 3, 2007:

“Richard was a pillar to his community where he was the medical director for quality and education at the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and an infectious disease specialist. He was also vice-chairman of the medical center’s board of directors. He started the medical center’s research department in the 1990s and formany years worked with people suffering from infectious diseases, and the underserved and underprivileged. He was committed to his patients, his community,

his family and his friends. In addition to his many local commitments, he was working with an African relief organization to develop a vaccine program and healthcare delivery system for villages in Africa ravaged by AIDS and HIV.”

Village Volunteers is an organization that works with only the most effective localleaders who started NGOs and community based organizations. Each has been  able to make important improvements on the health and welfare of their community.  They come from varied backgrounds but all have integrity and are self sacrificing heroeswho serve vulnerable populations to create a sustainable future for children. 

MEET THE DIRECTOR OF COMMON GROUND: JOSHUA MACHINGA

Reflections on Joshua’s childhood and family.

When I was young I watched my dad die of tonsillitis because my family lacked moneyto buy medicine or take him to the hospital. Life was hard after that. We used to have one meal a day, except harvesting seasons where we had two meals a day. I vowed to become an agronomist to help rural villagers to better their lives insteadof seeking financial gains from the profession.

The challenges Joshua faced getting an education.

My desire to provide free education for needy children stems from the fact that my family was too poor to provide an opportunity for education. However, because of mygood performance, I was always given the opportunity by my teachers to stay on whenmy colleagues went home for school fees. I did well in all my exams, scoring “A”s, and I was on top in Trans-Nzoia district twice but again lacked fees to proceed.

Luckily, I got the opportunity to return to school and proceeded to graduate with acertificate in GROW BIOINTENSIVE farming and a diploma in Community Development, Relief and Social Worker. The opportunity to return to school opened doors for me even before graduating. I had the opportunity to receive an award from President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi of Kenya and Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania.

What inspired Joshua to do the work and how he got started?

My work first arose from my desire to bring change in my family and community- changing from one- two meals a day to three meals a day, and seeing children attainquality education. Talking about it is okay, but it is the doing something that really fuels my aspirations to do more.

Many families were hungry and there was no store within days of walking. They didn’t have money to buy food even if there had been a store. I had to do something. This led to the establishment of Common Ground.

What obstacles did Joshua face?

The project has had several success stories that can be replicated in other communities but we are limited in terms of duplicating these success stories. Demands for our services exceed our financial capacity. We are always struggling with widows, widowers, orphans and street children yearning for our support.

We also lack proper transportation for field workers, and for farmer-to-farmer exchange and adequate funding for training.

What are the hopes for the future of Common Ground’s program?

We are hoping to make the organization self-sustaining by establishing income generation projects and endowment funds.

How has your partnership with Village Volunteers affected Common Ground’s work?

Through our partnership with Village Volunteers, Common Ground has been able to continue its effort. In fact, many of the program activities are going on today because of this partnership. We have seen our school enrollment and performance rise because of volunteers who contribute skills and finances.

Income of most villagers has more than tripled. Some villagers are earning more than what a graduate teacher earns in Kenya. In summary, we are impacting lives of thousands of women, men and children in the region through education, food, health and conservation efforts.

How does your community benefit from having volunteers?

Volunteers serve in many capacities within our organization, by contributing time, energies or talents that help to fulfill the organizations’ mission. Volunteers generate enthusiasm and interest and help to create a positive image of the organization in the community. Volunteers extend and augment the work of paid staff. They focus on individual groups or subject areas and thus bring new insights, energy and time to the work.

Communities benefit from volunteers’ contribution because the services they providehelps individuals, families and the community address local needs and problems. Greater enthusiasm and rapport develops when volunteers share their enthusiasm for the work they are doing and the organization they are affiliated with. They often encourage others to become involved. Recognition of outstanding volunteers contributes to overall community pride.

Volunteers fulfill many roles at Common Ground. Generally, they fall into four categories: direct service, administrative support, fundraising, and leadership. However, individual activities vary greatly. They serve as teachers, tutors, mentors, doctors, chaplains, builders, and coaches. They organize events, participate in fundraisers, develop new resources, provide logistical support, assist with promotional events, and provide leadership and guidance. The roles volunteers fill are not only limited by the vision of the organization.

Additionally, many volunteers through Village Volunteers bring cultural awareness that assists in reaching untapped communities.

We are so grateful to Village Volunteers.

- Joshua MachingaCommon Ground for Africa

 

MEET THE DIRECTOR OF MAMA NA DADA: JOYCE ONEKO

About Joyce Oneko’s childhood

I was born and grew up in the village, in a large family of thirteen girls and eight boys.  I had a very fulfilling and happy childhood, and remember many fun-filled games, especially during harvest seasons.  I remember us eating freshly harvested maize and beans, as we played together under the bright moonlit sky.  We did not have much materially, but life was good!

Challenges faced by Joyce and getting an education

Because we were so many, and my father did not have a well-paying job, he was not able to send all of us to school.  My mother, however, saw and felt my thirst for education, and used her incredible public relations with her church friends and relatives to make sure that I not only got education, but that I went to the best school possible.  It paid off, and thanks to her encouragement and dedication, I was able to go to high school and on to university.

What inspired Joyce to do the work she is doing

My life as a village girl inspired by current work.  I have always been so intensely aware of how difficult it is for girls in the village to get any education at all.  This was my starting point with Mama na Dada, to find ways of encouraging the community to enroll girls into school, and girls to stay longer in school and complete at least one cycle of education.  This lead to the beginning ofour scholarship programs for high school and now for tertiary education.

The  obstacles Joyce faced

Girls have been conditioned and socialized to believe that they are inferior, and this is more pronounced for girls living in villages.  It takes years of “re-programming”, through life skills training and self-esteem building exercises, to make girls realize that they can indeed control the direction they wish their livesto take.  Things like monetary or material scholarships can only succeed if enough girls are trained to know that they have choices and are given the opportunity to see the picture bigger than their villages.

What are her hopes for the future of Mama na Dada

The main aim of Mama na Dada is to help women and girls empower themselves.  When this happens, the communities in which they live are automatically enriched.  Mama na Dada has been carrying out women’s leadership training programs, to encourage women to play more leadership roles in their communities, starting from household to national level.  It is working and women are participating more in community governance issues.  I hope that in the next five years, the women and girls in my community will be so empowered that they can take over most, if not all, the activities run by Mama na Dada and run them on their own.

How has the partnership with Village Volunteers affected her work

Mama na Dada relies solely on volunteers, both national and international, as it isnot funded by any corporation or agency.  The monetary contributions from Village Volunteers have been of immense help, especially in the feeding program for our Circle of Hope Day Care children.   The volunteers that have been sent from VV havecontributed greatly to our workforce, ranging from teaching, working in the community clinic and working with children.

How the community benefits from having volunteers

We believe that cultural exchange enriches and expands our world view.  Our volunteers work very closely with community members, and this has given, not only the volunteers, but the community members, an opportunity to learn a different culture.  As one of our Community Health Workers said “Since the volunteers startedcoming to Kunya almost six years ago, I feel as if I went back to school, because Ihave had such a good opportunity to practice my English, which I have not used since I got married over twenty years ago”.

 

MEET THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF NAMUNYAK: EMMANUEL TASUR

Reflections on Emmanuel’s childhood and family.

I grew up in a polygamous family with many siblings. Our family was also nomadic. We moved from one place to the next, trying to get pasture and water for our animals. My parents received very little education- up to elementary level. For these reasons, they were not able to keep proper records of birth dates for their children and at the time the government did not require that children get birth papers, I usually tell people that I had to guess by date of birth for documentation purposes.

The communal kind of life meant that as much as I was child to my parents, I also belonged to the community. My father would donate me to other homes that didn’t’ have grown children to herd their cattle. There were great challenges though, my mother being beaten by my father every now and then really depressed me- it did mean that we had to cater for ourselves sometimes as she was chased away from the matrimonial home until negotiations were done for her return. We loved herding and grew up chasing wild animalsfor fun – like giraffes, zebras, tons of gazelles and many other friendly herbivores- but not the elephants or buffaloes. If there is anything I treasure in my childhood, it must have been the many times we met as boys and did the chasing around of wild animals- but it was never intended to harm any of them, we just tried to outrun them. Discipline was a requirement for all community children and any adult could mete out the discipline to any child, since all children belonged to the community. Again, I definitely miss those days, unlikethese days when a child belongs to an individual and not the community.

The challenges Emmanuel faced pursuing an education.

There were a ton challenges that I faced when I tried to get educated. At a very early age, my mother talked to me and all my siblings about the importance of getting an education. She said an education would enable us to get jobs and improveour quality of life. It was difficult to begin early since the nearest school was 7km away and we had to pass through some forest that had buffaloes. We had to wait until they receded before we could go to school. We played a hide and seek kind of game with them. It was difficult going a whole day with an empty stomach and then come back home to only milk for food. I began first grade at the age of 9, maybe even 10 or 8 since I didn’t know the exact date. Sometimes I would come back home and my parents had had a disagreement, and my mother had gone back to her home. I had to get firewood and take care of my younger siblings. Later on when I joined high school, it was even difficult getting fees for my education as my parents thought that selling cows to educate me was a waste. Getting a college education was even harder since I had to do this while taking care of my family.

What inspired Emmanuel to do the work he does and how he got started.

The desperation in the Maasai community led me to begin what I’m doing right now. There is a lot of pervasive ignorance and the community has been taken advantage offor a very long time. Something needed to be done to change this trend. I never wanted any Maasai child to go through what I went through. Helping children get a better education is the hallmark of what I do now. I began by sponsoring a few children to better schools and when I saw that each child given a chance can be a better human being, I purposed in my heart to begin a school not only for Maasai children but for many disadvantaged groups around our locality. The Sirua Aulo Academy is a testimony that once you get your heart to do something, the whole world kind of conspires to help you achieve it. There are 230 kids at the school right now – that’s phenomenal!!

What obstacles did Emmanuel face?

There were quite a number of obstacles. The school we’re working on now should havebeen completed 10 years ago but we had a problem of finances. There are just so many people that need help. It is very painful for me to turn an orphan away when their guardians bring them seeking assistance. We also have a terrible road networkand generally a poor infrastructure outlay around the community that makes the costof transporting supplies to the school so expensive.

What are your hopes for the future of Namunyak Maasai Welfare?

The program has a great and brighter future. I believe that in the long run we willbe able build three more schools of this kind. There is overflowing enthusiasm thatmany past volunteers and friends have shown to all that we are doing. I hope that the programs we have lined up come to fruition, like the eco-tourism facility, which could be self-sustaining. We also hope to establish an endowment fund to helpas many children as possible get education scholarships.

How has the partnership with Village Volunteers affected Namunyak’s work?

Our partnership with Village Volunteers has been the spark that has ignited a strong fire of support. It is through Village Volunteers that we have been connected with supporters across a number of countries. We have received great support in terms of the safari money that Village Volunteers has continued to send us. This has made it possible for us to pay staff on time and run the school smoothly. We have also received great advice through Village Volunteers on how we had to relate with some donors who wanted to take over the very work we were doing,which helped us avoid pitfalls that could have made our work more difficult. We arevery grateful for this partnership.

How does your community benefit from having volunteers?

The Maasai community has received much benefit by being able to be with volunteers who have taken care of orphan children at the school. There have been many social programs targeted at vulnerable groups like widows that have helped them smile again in their lives. Friendships have developed and many people’s hopes have been raised by volunteers from Village Volunteers.

 

MEET CORD’S PROGRAM DIRECTOR: SHAMMI DAVID

Reflections on Shammi’s childhood and family

My family consisted of a father, mother, grandma, grandpa, 2 sisters, 2 brothers, 2aunts and their 3 children.  My childhood was good and comfortable when I think of that time. Our wants were limited and we were satisfied with whatever we had. In mychildhood days, I was always with my family and relatives. My contact circle was very, very small.

The challenges Shammi faced getting an education

Since ours was a joint family and my father and mothers’ income was limited, with no ancestral property, we had economic limits. We shared common books, uniforms, fees, food, clothing, and shelter. Church activities kept us busy and satisfied. Parents gave good convent education for all five children in our family.  After reaching higher secondary and college education level, I felt we were not able to spend money unnecessarily.

What inspired Shammi to do the work and how she got started?

After my college degree, my first position was in a hospital as a cashier. In that hospital I was able to see the life and sufferings of the people and I felt that life is more important than anything. This thinking made me change and I started helping people who are in need. Later after marriage, my husband Roy started an NGO. I became part of the group and worked with minority communities, poor and underprivileged groups. Later we focused on the socio economic and education issuesin tribal populations in CORD.  I believe only education can change the lives of people.

What obstacles did Shammi face?

Many!!  Many times there was no support or solidarity from others.  There was also very little guidance and never enough financial support.

 What are the hopes for the future of CORD?

Surely I hope that I will reach my goals with the help of like-minded people and friends.  It may be slow and steady, but surely I hope for the best.

How has your work with Village Volunteers affected CORD?

Village Volunteers has been very positive and supportive. It has been a helping hand. I was in the dark whether to continue my work in Kushalangar or other places.But my partnership with Village Volunteers made me stronger and able to make decisions to continue my work with the Adivasi/tribal/minority and community children in the Coorg area.

How does your community benefit from having volunteers?

Volunteers are useful, helping in office work, doing field visits, and working withthe tribal communities. We also receive gifts and funds for improvements in children’s education systems. Personally, volunteer fees helped CORD to stand on its own and be independent. This gave me a more dignified life.  Thanks to Village Volunteers and Shana, we will continue our friendship with them long into the future.

Thank you Village Volunteers and all the volunteers who visit Coorg, Kushalangar.

 

MEET NEW LIGHT’S PROGRAM DIRECTOR: URMI BASU

Born and raised in a family of professionals in Kolkata, India, Urmi Basu received her primary and secondary education in the same city. Her father was a doctor and her mother a healthcare administrator. Both her parents were deeply involved in activities of urban and rural development which influenced and prompted Urmi to choose the career of a social worker. On completion of her first degree in Sociology from The University of Kalyani, West Bengal , Urmi moved to take her Masters degree in Social Work at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences , Mumbai. During her training she had the opportunity to work in the first cell set up for women in distress by the Mumbai Police Department. She also worked as a relief worker during the Bhopal gas leak tragedy in December 1984 which left a lasting impression on her mind about the need to be prepared for disasters, both natural and man- made.

In the early part of her professional life Urmi worked with both small and well known organizations involved in the developmental sector. During her career she hadthe opportunity to work with issues related  with urban and rural economic development, empowerment and protection of vulnerable groups like women engaged in sex work and subjected to extreme violence, street children, trafficked child labourers and young people in exploited situation. She has been a part of targeted intervention programs for victims of HIV / AIDS, transexuals and trans-gender people.

After fifteen years of professional work Urmi set up a small non –profit named New Light in Kolkata in 2000 with a seed money as little as Rs 10,000/- along with two other young people from the Kalighat red light district. The mission of the organization is to promote gender equality and fight violence and abuse of women, girl children and young people. That small initiative today provides care and support to more than a thousand people. The organization also works to fight against child prostitution and trafficking for the purpose of sex- trade.

For the last many years Urmi has been a trainer and resource person for innumerablegovernment and non profit organizations. She regularly presents papers at various national and international seminars and conferences on HIV/ AIDS, trafficking, child rights and social justice.

She was selected as the NGO co-ordinator by the office of the Governor of West Bengalto make a presentation on micro credit, women’s participation in gender sensitivity and health issues during the visit of the former President of the United States Bill Clintonon 7th of April, 2001. More recently she was a part of thecore team that met theSecretary of State Hillary Clinton on her visit to Kolkata and shared the experience of working against trafficking in persons.

In November 2011 Urmi received the Make a change Award from Children`s Hope India, New York.

In October 2012, a documentary named Half The Sky based on the novel by New YorkTimes columnist Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wu Dunn was shown on PBS featuring Urmi and her work with the victims of trafficking. Following the documentary Urmi received the Global Citizen Award at the Global Music Festival in Central Park, NewYorkwhich was organized to mark zero tolerance for hunger, poverty and abuse.

Urmi was chosen as a recipient of a blessing from His Holiness The Dalai Lama underthe title Unsung heroes of Compassion 2009 on the 26th of April 2009 in San Francisco for her work that promotes compassion and peace.

Reflections on Urmi’s childhood and family

from ”My Mother” as published at Amistad International

My earliest memory of my mother`s courage floats back to the days of communal violence in the early sixties when she and our father long with some friends riskedtheir lives and possessions to protect and save people whose lives and livelihood were being snatched from them. Those were moments of great turmoil and fear but what I learnt from her was to look at fear in its face. Those years were followed by the dark period of Bengal`s political situation and our family was subjected to untold loss and suffering by unknown assailants. Any other woman in my mother`s place would have left the ground and run for cover. Not our mother. She stood her ground, fought and saw to it that innocent lives were saved. It would take me another lifetime to recount all that happened in a short span of five years that followed.

Life dealt her that hardest blow when our father was diagnosed with cancer in 1973 and his life was abruptly brought to an end in 1976. Overnight her world was altered in ways beyond imagination. She accepted the transition of her role of a home maker to that of a bread earner with the grace befitting a ballet dancer. It was also at this time that she had to accept being separated from her two sons. My elder brother Basab went abroad for his studies and my younger brother Arnab went to live and study at the house of her dear sister Kabita and brother-in-law SukumarBasu who had promised to take care of little Arnab. Not for a moment was there any remorse or laying the blame on fate. She did not believe in fate but just in her ability to change and control it. I continued to be with her and soon became the focus of her life. In a few years we were no longer parent and child but friends with a deep bonding and unconditional love. Much of my life today was shaped watching my mother go through the motions of everyday living. A life lived with courage and grace. Her love was not contained only for her biological children. Sheopened her heart to her other sons, Pulaha, my chhorda and Monojda, her foundling son. The influence of her life on them is to be equally remembered and noted.

Of all the gifts that our mother, Sabita has left us the greatest is the gift of courage. We hope we have the courage to look at life squarely at its face and say that we are ready. We hope we are ready to shoulder our responsibility and take it one step further. We hope are ready to carry on in the legacy of justice and compassion.

 

MEET THE DIRECTOR OF MOUTAIN VIEW ECO FARM, BEDRAJ PAULDEL (GOVINDA) 

My Name is Bedraj Paudel (Govinda), a resident of KalikaVDC – 8, of Bardiya District, Nepal.  I am a farmer, a program manager, and a student of Business Management. I grew up in a family of organic farmers and feel very strongly that itis important to the future of Nepal.

Since 2005 I haD worked at SADP-Nepal (Sustainable Agriculture Development Program Nepal, a non-profit demonstration farm, international volunteer program, and educational program for organic farming in Nepal) in capacities including Program

Assistant, Hospitality Supervisor, Tour Guide, Office Manager, Trainer, and Facilitater.  Since 2008, I  served SADP as a member of its Board.

Besides managing the office and demonstration farm for SADP-Nepal, I began a schoolgardening program in local schools, to teach young people organic farming principles and provide schools with food.

My dream of starting Mountain View Eco Farm came through the support of volunteers.   He has over 7 years of coordinating international volunteers.  He loves this work because he enjoys problem-solving, leadership, and spending time talking with people about ideas, attitudes, and experiences. He’s also very passionate about organic gardening and how crucial it is to Nepal’s future. Govindaloves his country and is proud and excited to share it with volunteers.  He enjoys photography, cooking, plumbing, building plastic bottle houses,  ponds, building traditional houses, smokeless stoves, gaining computer skills, web design, and more.  His hobbies include chess, sports, traveling, reading, and having fun.