Maples Collegiate
Back in 2009, a group of students at Maples Collegiate in Winnipeg, Manitoba, under the direction of teacher Annette Greene, decided to dedicate their next four years of high school to fundraise for programs and projects in Kenya. Not only did they wish to raise money to donate, they wished to travel there to see the programs first-hand. Their goal is to make a difference and lend their hands with volunteer work when they travel there in July 2013.
The students have partnered with Cat Ross's charity, The Kenya Initiative for Development & Sustainability (K.I.D.S. Initiative). The students have worked hard to raise money to donate to Cat's organization -- a goal of $60,000.00 is still to be achieved.
Since the inception of the Maples Kenya Connection Project, numerous fundraising events have taken place. The students hosted "Kenya" Bring it On?: a talent show in 2011; a community dinner, "A Night in Italy in Support of Kenya in 2011; and a coffee house in 2012. Upcoming events include a second community dinner and a huge Zumba party! Students also host monthly lunches to the staff and students at Maples, and have run canteens at sporting events, bottle drives, numerous product sales, and they are currently selling t-shirts.
Meet "Maples Kenya Connection Project" students:
Burfoot, Brennan
Chaves, Alex
(photo to come)
Crozier, Emilee
da Costa, Kristina
Greco, Justin
Greene, Mikayla
Hadden, Bailey
Innualuk, Steven
Mallare, Matthew
Matos, Kayla
Villagracia, Martin
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Volunteer International Community Development Africa (VICDA)Volunteer International Community Development Africa (VICDA) is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) that was established in Nairobi, Kenya by a local woman, Irene Wairimu Ngatia, in 2004. VICDA was founded with the goal of helping needy Kenyans with the assistance of international volunteers in various development projects ranging from schools to hospitals to counseling programs.
As the volunteer program grew and VICDA developed a positive reputation within the Kenyan community, it extended its impact by becoming involved in community development work. With the assistance of generous donors and selfless volunteers, VICDA has been able to focus their efforts primarily on the rehabilitation of street children, drilling of wells, HIV/AIDS counseling and assistance, medical camps, medical centres, child education and sponsorship. As a reaction to the political violence in Kenya that displaced more than 650,000 Kenyans, VICDA has most recently added community projects for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) including feeding programs and food distributions, construction of homes, classrooms and medical centers and microfinance programs to help them rebuild their lives.
K.I.D.S. works directly with VICDA in order to foster relationships and coordinate both developmental and sustainable projects in their five key programs in Kenya and works one on one with both Irene Ngatia and Veronica Muthoni to accomplish these goals.
Irene Wairimu Ngatia is VICDA’s founder and executive director. Since founding VICDA in 2004, Irene has been committed to assisting needy Kenyans through the placement of international volunteers and development of community based projects. Irene is from Central Province, but currently lives and works in Nairobi.
Veronica Muthoni is an enthusiastic and committed community development worker. She joined VICDA in 2010 and runs the community development office, an area in which she has much experience and passion. Veronica’s favorite part about her work with VICDA is when she visits the communities and gets a chance to get to know the people. She holds a BA in Social Ministry in Mission. She also enjoys taking natures walks and visiting the sick.
To learn more, please visit www.vicdakenya.com