Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
Elimu Africa was founded by four volunteers from the US who had never previously met. These people, who by luck, fate, serendipity, faith, karma or whatever you want to call it, found each other and discovered a shared passion; simply helping people in Africa get their education so they can have the chance for a better life.
In 2005, Kristy Blick, an exercise physiologist from Minnesota went on an eight week volunteer trip to Moshi, Tanzania, East Africa, worked at Second Chance Education Center (SCEC) and fell in love with the students. Toni Dachis, an artist also from Minnesota went to Tanzania to work with a youth art center and paint a wall mural at Upendo orphanage to brighten the playrooms. Imagine their surprise when Kristy and Toni met in Tanzania and realized they lived just minutes apart in the US! When they returned home, they decided to continue supporting SCEC. In the fall of 2005, Toni and Kristy conducted an email fundraising campaign and raised over $6,000.00.
Dick McMorrow is a high school teacher and girl’s soccer coach and is also from Minnesota. Dick was searching web links for possible volunteer opportunities in Africa and found Kristy’s email address. After a couple of introductory emails, Dick and Kristy learned that they were not only both from Minnesota, but lived only 45 minutes apart! Dick, who teaches a high school class on Global Issues, had begun planning to take groups of students to Tanzania for a volunteer experience.
Joelle Rosser was a college student from San Diego who had previously volunteered in the Moshi area of Tanzania. After she returned from her trip, she was profoundly moved by the people of Tanzania and wanted to continue to help. She found Kristy’s email address on a web link and contacted her to collaborate on a project to raise funds for books and a pen pal program. As discussions continued, Joelle decided to get more involved in the SCEC project. She returned to Tanzania in December, 2006 for three weeks and again after her graduation from college in December, 2007 for a year of service.
In late 2006, Kristy, Toni, Dick and Joelle decided to officially join forces to work on their common goal of supporting education for disadvantaged students in Africa. In order to more effectively continue their work, they applied for 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization status and invited a selected group of intelligent, experienced and compassionate people to join Elimu Africa as board members: Michele Abbott, Lynne Cullinan, Nicholas Aldridge, Bruce Kudak, Larry Phenow and Jack Uldrich. Please go to our “Board of Directors” page to read bios on Elimu Africa board members.
It is amazing that the world is so vast, but at the same time so small. And even more amazing that this group of complete strangers who live in close proximity, across the continent or across the globe could have found one another and formed this special partnership in Elimu Africa. This just goes to show that just about anything can happen in life if you just keep your heart and eyes open.
In 2008, Elimu Africa became a registered United States 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
