Causecast

Why I Participate

A genuine wish for the world to be a happy, peaceful place.

About Me

I have always been someone who doesn't feel complete unless I am serving others. I have done extensive volunteer work in my own communities with children, and the homeless but have always wanted to do volunteer work in a third world country. Last year I had the opportunity to help at a school for impoverished children in Ethiopia with some of my coworkers (we are International Flight Attendants). On that trip it was discovered that the organization that had been funding the school was no longer going to be doing so. Our hearts had already been touched by the children, the founder of the school and the parents of the children. The only logical thing to do was to start our own non profit organization to see to it that the school survives and continues to serve the children that so desperately need it. So Friends of Fresh and Green was born! Our mission at Friends of Fresh and Green, Inc. is to ensure that Fresh and Green Academy, a private school for impoverished children of kindergarten age, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, continues to educate, feed and clothe the children in attendance. The Academy was created eight years ago by local teacher, Ms. Muday Mitiku to educate children in her community who spent most of their day begging on the streets. The Academy operates through a collective community effort, and despite local financial difficulties, the school has brought literacy to over 100 children since 2000. Friends of Fresh and Green Inc., works closely with the Ethiopian director of the school to help her fulfill the needs of the children. Through various fundraising activities, we raise money for teachers’ salaries, rent and utilities, limited medical care, and the school's meal program, which currently provides two meals a day for 83 children. We collect donations of clothing, shoes, school supplies, soap, towels and other necessities and deliver them to the school with the help of volunteers. We also help the volunteer mothers of the students, who have formed a craft cooperative, by supplying materials acquired through donations as well as helping market their products.

My Interest

Africa, children, empowering women, lifting people from poverty, education, the environment. Running my own non profit, Friends of Fresh and Green Inc.,keeps me busy. Travel excites me. Exercise relaxes me.