AmyInAfrica.org
Kenya
2009
(for daily blog/updates, during Amy's trip, click here)
Hello! My name is Amy Herauf, I am 16 years old, and going into Grade 12, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In the picture above, my poster conveys that the people of the world need to know about the plight of many children in Kenya, Africa: no access to schools, no access to healthcare, and not even access to clean water.
I want to help.
In the summer of 2009, I traveled to Kenya, with "Leaders Today" (in association with "Me To We"), part of the non-profit organization "Free The Children" (started by brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger; please visit these sites for much, much more great information). I've also put together a short video on YouTube - just click here to watch it.
If you would like more information from Pratima Gounden, my
International Trips Coordinator, please contact her at Pratima @ MeToWe.com (please
remove all 'spaces' in the address, before sending). If you need any other information,
here is the contact information for Leaders Today.
225 Carlton Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 2L2
Canada
Telephone: 416.964.8942
During this trip, I contributed to the building of a school, volunteered at existing local schools and community centres, brought health and school kits to elementary children, and worked with the hungry, needy, and deprived. I also met with, interacted with, and played with children in small villages.
This trip was life changing for me. Through this experience, my goal was to come back home and, with my knowledge and leadership skills, inspire others (young and old!) into action.
(One of Amy's respondents summed this up so eloquently: "(Amy) will gain an experience beyond measure and the locals in Kenya will gain benefits, but perhaps most important of all, her sponsors will gain perspective, inspiration, and hope. Hope changes expectations and that leads to demanding more from the world - our neighbors and leaders. Decisions get made, laws get changed and money gets allocated because people have expectations about what is possible. Ah, to be such a lever!")
The cost of my trip is $6000.00 This includes travel to Kenya, buying building supplies for the school, and providing everyday necessities for the Maasai children (things we take for granted, here at home).
Along with the money I earn working part-time in a local restaurant and the help I receive from my parents, I am fundraising to help with my trip. Some of my efforts will include selling different items (chocolates, used books, greeting cards, gel packs) and collecting bottles for refund.
Along with those methods, I still need to ask individuals and corporations for sponsorship contributions. As well as yourself, if you know of any other individuals or corporations that may also be interested in helping me, please feel free to forward my web site address to them. Or please let me know their contact information and I will contact them personally.
Please help me.
Any sponsorship amount ($20, $50, $100, $500, . . . .) would be appreciated greatly by myself and by those children who will be benefiting in Africa. Thank-you very, very much for your contribution consideration, especially in these financially uncertain times.
Contributions can be made in the following ways:
1. Via PayPal: In your PayPal account, you simply use the 'Send Money' tab (then choose the 'Personal' tab, then choose the 'Gift' button - this will avoid PayPal fees being charged). Please send your contribution to my dad's PayPal account address, which is Dan2008 @ Herauf.com (please remove all 'spaces' in the e-mail address, before sending).
2. Via cheque/check: please mail to my dad, at the following
address:
Dan Herauf
622 Schubert Place NW
Calgary, Alberta
T3L 1X4
Canada
3. If you are local to Calgary, you can drop off or mail your contribution directly to my dad. Please call my dad to arrange a time for drop off (or we will pick up your contribution, if you would like to meet with me (and my dad)).
For security reasons, please do not mail cash.
Unfortunately, your sponsorship amount is not tax deductible (in Canada) as it is sponsoring my trip and not going directly to the non-profit organization (Free The Children). If you like, my dad will provide you with a receipt, though, that confirms that I have received your sponsorship.
My dad will be updating this website often, just to let everyone know how things are going with my fundraising efforts and details about my trip (before, during, after - we'll get some good pictures posted, when Amy returns). For anyone who wishes to be notified of updates to this website, we will be putting together an e-mail 'broadcast' list.
If you need any more information, please e-mail me at Amy2008 @ AmyInAfrica.org (please remove all 'spaces' in the e-mail address, before sending). Please note: For safety, all messages (incoming and outgoing) will be screened by my dad.
With your help and a lot of hard work on my side, I am hoping to considerably improve the lives of the children, by building a much needed school, in Kenya.
Thank you for making a difference!
Have a wonderful day!
Amy
October, 2008: Amy did a presentation, regarding her trip, at her local high school, in Calgary.
November 16, 2008: Amy was invited to speak to a local church youth group, in Calgary, regarding her trip and her involvement with 'Free The Children.'
January 2, 2009: Amy and fellow Africa traveler Jennifer held a bottle drive (temperature was -15 C in Calgary: C is for chilly!).
March, 2009: Amy and fellow Africa traveler Jennifer held a bake sale / gel pack sale at their local high school, in Calgary.
May, 2009: Amy continues to push for her goal. She is going through her series of inoculation shots, to keep her healthy during and after her trip.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009: FUNDRAISING CONTINUES. Amy truly appreciates all the help she has received so far and looks forward to continued support. Her dad will answer any questions while Amy is away and will update the website with Amy's Kenya activities.
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 7:00am: DEPARTURE DAY!!! Amy & Jennifer boarded the plane to Toronto. From Toronto, they fly to Amsterdam (The Netherlands), then on to Nairobi (Kenya). It's going to be a long trip but well worth it!!
Friday, June 26, 2009: Arrival in Nairobi. Amy & Jennifer's group will be spending the night at a local school. First order of business will be country orientation.
Saturday, June 27, 2009: The group will be visiting a giraffe sanctuary today. They will be departing for Mara in the afternoon. In the evening, Amy & Jennifer will be part of the 'welcome' celebration and will undergo camp orientation.
Dad's note: Saturday, June 27, 2009, 2:20am MST (Calgary time). We received the one and only e-mail Amy will be able to send, until they return to Nairobi, in 2.5 weeks
=] blessing the rains (down in Africaaa)
Jambo!
After about twenty hours of travel, we finally arrived in Kenyaaaa! The trip was pretty good, just long. Luke
(group leader) played a live (musical) show in the Amsterdam airport and was amazing of course. We were all really sad to hear that he got transfered to another group and we had to say goodbye to him today. Our new leader is named Finnbar. Or funbar... hahah. he seems pertty cool, but it sucks cause we got to know
Luke pretty well over the trip. The good news is that he is the one flying us home.
We stayed at Rosslyn which is the first big investment that Craig and Marc
Kielburger made in Kenya. Had some amaaazing traditional food and chai tea which obviously I lovedd!!!! This morning we hit the giraffe sanctuary and kissed some giraffes which was kinda weird but funny. We are now at a mall, and once we are done here we will be heading down to the Mara. The drive through Nairobi has been sad but cool. Things get smaller and poorer as you leave the city. The kids are soooo cute and it hurts when they smile and wave back at you. teenage boys also found an interest in us.. which was awkward.
I am so excited to continue the trip. Everything is so beautiful here and I
can't wait to see it all.
Cannot believe that Michael J (Jackson) died. Kenya is in ruins. It is all we have been listening to on our truck. So
that's pretty sweet to jam to.
Miss you all sooo much. Lots of love. Thanks to my sponsors.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3 times a billion.
Amy <3 (symbol for 'heart' or 'love')
Sunday, June 28, 2009 (start of second week): In the morning, Amy & Jenn's group will be involved in 'ice breaking' activities and 'team building' tasks. At Salabwek, they will be visiting the old (mud) school and the new (brick) school build site. The evening will entail discussing 'social issues' affecting the local population.
Monday, June 29, 2009: Today, Amy & Jenn will be starting to learn Swahili. In the afternoon, there is an official 'Welcome' ceremony, with the students at Salabwek. 'Leadership' development is planned for the evening.
Dad's note: Monday, June 29, 2009. We received
a note from the 'Leaders Today' / 'Me to We' office:
From Caeli ('Leaders Today' country Director in Kenya):
The trip is doing really well! I just came from spending two nights with them at Salabwek. What an amazing group of young people! So exciting to have them here. Yesterday the group was highly engaged in their leadership games & activities learning each other’s names & getting to know each other better. In the afternoon the group went for a walk around the community and had a great time learning more about where they will be staying; this was after they went to the old school/new school at Salabwek. Today the group had their Swahili lesson in the morning, learned about school building and prepared for a community welcome at the school. This afternoon as the group walked over to the school storm clouds formed and the rains poured upon all the students from Kenya & North America as a sign of a blessing for their arrival in Kenya. This group is like having the school president’s of 26 different schools on one trip – so phenomenal! Thank you!!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009: Time to get busy on the build
of the school (here's where the blisters begin!!). Just to make sure the
lower body is as tired as the upper body, Amy & Jennifer's group will
partake in a hike, in the early evening. 'Leadership'
development will continue in the evening.
(The kids will sleep well tonight!!)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 (Happy Canada Day!) : Amy and Jenn will continue the build of the school at Salabwek (remember those blisters? Let's add to them!). In the afternoon, there will be organized games with the children. This is where the bonds are started. The discussions on 'social issues' affecting the local population will continue in the evening.
Thursday, July 2, 2009: The build of the school continues. After school gets out (3:10pm), Amy and Jennifer will get to go on the daily 'water walk.' Where we just turn on the tap, the kids (and parents) at Salabwek walk up to 2 kilometers daily to get water out of the river. More discussions on 'social issues' will continue in the evening.
Friday, July 3, 2009: The group gets some respite from their sore muscles as they start out on safari today. Amy & Jenn depart in the early morning for the Hinterland. In the afternoon, they will visit a Masaai market and in the evening, they will continue the discussions on 'social issues' affecting the local population.
Saturday, July 4, 2009 (Happy USA Fourth!) : Amy & Jenn continue on their safari, in the Hinterland. The evening will be an exciting one, with Masaai story telling!
Sunday, July 5, 2009 (start of third week) : All good things must come to an end: Amy & Jenn return to camp this morning (bye bye, elephants!). In the afternoon, the girls will take part in a hike and in the evening, they will continue their 'social issues' talk.
Monday, July 6, 2009: Back to business: the build of the school continues. After school gets out, Amy and Jennifer will get to go on a 'community walk with Mamas.' This is a very exciting activity as the women run many facets of the village and will have lots to tell the group. More discussions on 'social issues' will continue in the evening.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009: Today, Amy & Jenn will continue on the building of the school. After the students get out of school, there will be organized games with the children. 'Leadership' development is planned for the evening.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009: During the day, the Amy and Jennifer will be building the school. In the early evening, Amy & Jennifer's group will partake in another hike (these kids might be in pretty good shape, when they return). 'Leadership' development will continue in the evening.
Thursday, July 9, 2009: Amy and Jenn will continue on the building of the school today. After school, there will be organized games with the children. 'Leadership' development continues in the evening.
Friday, July 10, 2009: Today, Amy & Jennifer will continue on the building of the school. 'Leadership' development is planned for the early evening. Tonight is a special event: campfire. The kids will enjoy this one.
Saturday, July 11, 2009: Amy, Jennifer, and the group will visit the Mulot Market today, for very local fares. In the afternoon, they will visit the Tree Nursery, and in the evening, they will take part in an Affirmation Circle.
Sunday, July 12, 2009 (start of the last week) : Today, the Amy & Jenn will be involved in an awesome Community Day. After a very, very busy day, Amy & Jennifer will spend the evening reflecting on their own personal discoveries, about the trip. Re-entry culture shock will be one of the big issues to be discussed.
Monday, July 13, 2009: Last morning of building the school, for Amy & Jennifer. In the afternoon, the girls will take part in a good bye, with the school students and teachers/officials. In the evening, there will be a celebration with the camp staff.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009: Amy and Jennifer will depart Salabwek VERY early, for the truck ride back to Nairobi. Once there, the girls will get a little time to do some last minute gift market shopping. The final dinner will be at Rosslyn school and back on the plane, before midnight. Depart Africa. Bye bye!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 : Back to Canada: Amy and Jennifer will arrive in Toronto. Sad good byes to the rest of the group. On the plane for the trip home to Calgary. Big welcome at the airport. Back to your own bed. Jet lag. Great memories. Posting will continue here....pictures, details, etc.
Dad's note: Wednesday, July 15, 2009. We received a note from the 'Leaders Today' / 'Me to We' office (while Amy & Jenn are on the flight back from Toronto to Calgary):
JAMBO!!!
We
hope you have all made it home safe and sound! We’ve missed you guys so
much since leaving you at the airport on Tuesday. Hope the plane ride back
was awesome and you had a nice reunion with your friends and families at the end
of it.
We hope that your transition home has been smooth and you got your fill of
McDonalds, Soda, home cooked meals and every other craving when you arrived back
in North America. We have been talking non stop about how amazing our trip
together was and what an extraordinary group you are. Getting to know you guys
over the last few weeks was awesome and we feel incredibly lucky to have been
your facilitators. You each brought something so special to the trip and
we thank each of you for all of the contributions you made. This
experience was not one that we will ever forget and we hope you will remember it
forever. Please if you have any questions, reflections or comments, contact us
at any time and we will make sure to support you in any way you need. If
we are out on a trip, we will get back to you as soon as we get back on the
computer. Even if it is not about the trip, we would love to hear how you
are doing and what you’ve been up to.
Please
be sure to keep in touch, and we really hope to see you when we get back to
North America!
Much Love,
Elaine and Finbar ('Me to We' Group Facilitators)
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