Click on names for bios
Executive Board and Co-founders
Kristy Blick / Chair / co-founder
Kristy Blick, Chair
My name is Kristy Blick and I live in Minnesota with my husband Gerry. I have two grown daughters, Jacqueline and Catherine. I’m an exercise physiologist and work in a hospital doing cardiac rehabilitation and teaching yoga.
In February 2005, I traveled to Moshi, Tanzania, East Africa to volunteer for eight weeks. Two weeks into my trip, I began working with a bridge school for disadvantaged students called the Second Chance Education Center (SCEC).
SCEC founder, Mama Lucy Renju asked me to teach English at the school – a job for which I felt ill equipped. Under the direction of the headmaster, I attempted to teach English from one outdated, dog-eared workbook. I wrote sentences on the bald old chalkboard in sloppy, left-handed writing and attempted to explain concepts of the complex English language. The students were at first very shy around me, but with lots of encouragement, they began to speak up and even clown around a little. I correctly told them that their English was worlds better than my Swahili and that they were my teachers too. One day, the headmaster asked me to teach them a song so they could remember me. For the life of me, I could not come up with anything. I finally burst out singing “You are My Sunshine”. When I said good-bye to the students, they sang that song for me and it was the most beautiful and moving rendition I have ever heard.
I also spent time visiting the student’s families in their homes to explain about the school and enlist their support in allowing them to attend school rather than working at home. For the visits, we loaded the students into the back of an old, very noisy pickup truck and as we neared the path to the theirhomes, they banged on the driver’s window to indicate we should pull over. These visits were particularly touching and sometimes heart rending. I saw first-hand the extreme poverty and harsh circumstances of their lives and home situations. I remember one afternoon after these home visits, I went back to SCEC, sat on Mama Lucy’s living room sofa and literally cried on her shoulder. She said “Kristy, today you have seen the troubles of Africa, let’s lift this place up.”
Since I have returned home, I realized that my trip to Africa was not complete and that the trip itself was really just a beginning. I hope that helping kids in Africa get their education and have a better life will always be a part of my life’s journey. I am grateful to have the encouragement of my family, friends and co-volunteers along the way.
If you would like to read the unedited, uncensored, typo-ridden journals of my trip to Tanzania, please go to my blog site at:http://kristyafrica.blogdrive.com
My name is Kristy Blick and I live in Minnesota with my husband Gerry. I have two grown daughters, Jacqueline and Catherine. I’m an exercise physiologist and work in a hospital doing cardiac rehabilitation and teaching yoga.
In February 2005, I traveled to Moshi, Tanzania, East Africa to volunteer for eight weeks. Two weeks into my trip, I began working with a bridge school for disadvantaged students called the Second Chance Education Center (SCEC).
SCEC founder, Mama Lucy Renju asked me to teach English at the school – a job for which I felt ill equipped. Under the direction of the headmaster, I attempted to teach English from one outdated, dog-eared workbook. I wrote sentences on the bald old chalkboard in sloppy, left-handed writing and attempted to explain concepts of the complex English language. The students were at first very shy around me, but with lots of encouragement, they began to speak up and even clown around a little. I correctly told them that their English was worlds better than my Swahili and that they were my teachers too. One day, the headmaster asked me to teach them a song so they could remember me. For the life of me, I could not come up with anything. I finally burst out singing “You are My Sunshine”. When I said good-bye to the students, they sang that song for me and it was the most beautiful and moving rendition I have ever heard.
I also spent time visiting the student’s families in their homes to explain about the school and enlist their support in allowing them to attend school rather than working at home. For the visits, we loaded the students into the back of an old, very noisy pickup truck and as we neared the path to the theirhomes, they banged on the driver’s window to indicate we should pull over. These visits were particularly touching and sometimes heart rending. I saw first-hand the extreme poverty and harsh circumstances of their lives and home situations. I remember one afternoon after these home visits, I went back to SCEC, sat on Mama Lucy’s living room sofa and literally cried on her shoulder. She said “Kristy, today you have seen the troubles of Africa, let’s lift this place up.”
Since I have returned home, I realized that my trip to Africa was not complete and that the trip itself was really just a beginning. I hope that helping kids in Africa get their education and have a better life will always be a part of my life’s journey. I am grateful to have the encouragement of my family, friends and co-volunteers along the way.
If you would like to read the unedited, uncensored, typo-ridden journals of my trip to Tanzania, please go to my blog site at:http://kristyafrica.blogdrive.com
Joelle Rosser / Vice Chair / co-founder
Joelle Rosser, Vice Chair
You’re going where?? Why?? You never have to justify a trip to Boston, Paris, or Rome, but tell someone you’re going to Moshi, Tanzania and they will likely hound you with questions as to what on earth would compel you to go there. A number of things compelled me to go there the first time, including perhaps this very reaction that I now joke about. The more important question is “what compelled me to return?”
I am a senior undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego, double-majoring in Human Biology and African Studies (which has been the source of a lot of other questions… I’ll get those later). My Tanzanian adventure started the summer after my sophomore year, when I blew my life’s savings to hop on a plane for a three month long exploration of a new place and a new self. I spent most of my time teaching about one hundred forty Tanzanian teenagers biology and chemistry. I broke this up with weekend visits to a hospital, braving a two hour bus ride listening to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” before getting to go on rounds and go into surgery with an Australian doctor. I talked a taxi driver into letting me show him that I knew how to drive a car, got engaged to a Maasai warrior (I’m worth twenty cows, Mom!), and figured out the public transportation system (buses and pickup trucks) of southern Uganda in my search for chimpanzees and gorillas (I couldn’t leave before living out my dream of being Jane Goodall). And then my visa expired and my parents demanded I return home to finish school.
Little did they know that my adventure had just begun… After a few months of reflecting, I came up with an idea to create a partnership between a middle school in the U.S. and a secondary school in Tanzania – neither is perfect and both have lessons to offer the other. My idea really took off after I connected with Kristy Blick and Mama Lucy over the internet. Then, I received a scholarship from the Donald A. Strauss Foundation. With all of this newfound support and inspiration, I could not help but get more excited! Since then, I’ve led several discussions at a middle school in Los Angeles, started establishing a pen pal exchange, and launched into several fundraising efforts. My favorite two fundraisers involve selling kangas (beautiful Tanzanian cloth used for just about everything) and CHAPATTI (what I call ‘tortillas on steroids). This project also took be back to Tanzania.
Round 2: Meeting Mama Lucy, the rockin’ woman who pours her heart and soul into the Second Chance Education Center. I spent my winter break back in Moshi, working with Mama Lucy to better understand the current and future needs of the school. After many discussions with Mama Lucy, I came closer to more completely understanding the immensity of the job in front of us. But more than that, I gained an incredible amount of hope and belief in our efforts. I feel honored to be part of a project and a community with so much positive energy. Some of the students at SCEC are about my age. I cannot help but imagine what my life would be like if I had been born in one of their homes in Moshi, instead of my own home in Los Angeles. I hope to share what I can with these students while they share their lives and lessons with me. Which brings me to…
Ding, ding, ding! Round 3! Well, not quite yet. I am finishing up my undergraduate education in June 2007. So what do you do with the seemingly odd couple, Human Biology and African Studies? Return to Tanzania of course! After graduation, I will return to Tanzania where I hope to continue working more directly with the SCEC, improve my Kiswahili, and gain more exposure to working in healthcare. After a few years working and traveling throughout Africa, I plan to return to school in pursuit of an M.D. or a Ph.D., as I realize that more education will make me a greater asset to any community that I end up in – be it back in Moshi, or in some other place that captures my heart. In the meantime, I am enjoying my time in San Diego, trying my hand at SCUBA diving before I leave my beloved beach and convincing my friends to help me cook chapatti.
You’re going where?? Why?? You never have to justify a trip to Boston, Paris, or Rome, but tell someone you’re going to Moshi, Tanzania and they will likely hound you with questions as to what on earth would compel you to go there. A number of things compelled me to go there the first time, including perhaps this very reaction that I now joke about. The more important question is “what compelled me to return?”
I am a senior undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego, double-majoring in Human Biology and African Studies (which has been the source of a lot of other questions… I’ll get those later). My Tanzanian adventure started the summer after my sophomore year, when I blew my life’s savings to hop on a plane for a three month long exploration of a new place and a new self. I spent most of my time teaching about one hundred forty Tanzanian teenagers biology and chemistry. I broke this up with weekend visits to a hospital, braving a two hour bus ride listening to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” before getting to go on rounds and go into surgery with an Australian doctor. I talked a taxi driver into letting me show him that I knew how to drive a car, got engaged to a Maasai warrior (I’m worth twenty cows, Mom!), and figured out the public transportation system (buses and pickup trucks) of southern Uganda in my search for chimpanzees and gorillas (I couldn’t leave before living out my dream of being Jane Goodall). And then my visa expired and my parents demanded I return home to finish school.
Little did they know that my adventure had just begun… After a few months of reflecting, I came up with an idea to create a partnership between a middle school in the U.S. and a secondary school in Tanzania – neither is perfect and both have lessons to offer the other. My idea really took off after I connected with Kristy Blick and Mama Lucy over the internet. Then, I received a scholarship from the Donald A. Strauss Foundation. With all of this newfound support and inspiration, I could not help but get more excited! Since then, I’ve led several discussions at a middle school in Los Angeles, started establishing a pen pal exchange, and launched into several fundraising efforts. My favorite two fundraisers involve selling kangas (beautiful Tanzanian cloth used for just about everything) and CHAPATTI (what I call ‘tortillas on steroids). This project also took be back to Tanzania.
Round 2: Meeting Mama Lucy, the rockin’ woman who pours her heart and soul into the Second Chance Education Center. I spent my winter break back in Moshi, working with Mama Lucy to better understand the current and future needs of the school. After many discussions with Mama Lucy, I came closer to more completely understanding the immensity of the job in front of us. But more than that, I gained an incredible amount of hope and belief in our efforts. I feel honored to be part of a project and a community with so much positive energy. Some of the students at SCEC are about my age. I cannot help but imagine what my life would be like if I had been born in one of their homes in Moshi, instead of my own home in Los Angeles. I hope to share what I can with these students while they share their lives and lessons with me. Which brings me to…
Ding, ding, ding! Round 3! Well, not quite yet. I am finishing up my undergraduate education in June 2007. So what do you do with the seemingly odd couple, Human Biology and African Studies? Return to Tanzania of course! After graduation, I will return to Tanzania where I hope to continue working more directly with the SCEC, improve my Kiswahili, and gain more exposure to working in healthcare. After a few years working and traveling throughout Africa, I plan to return to school in pursuit of an M.D. or a Ph.D., as I realize that more education will make me a greater asset to any community that I end up in – be it back in Moshi, or in some other place that captures my heart. In the meantime, I am enjoying my time in San Diego, trying my hand at SCUBA diving before I leave my beloved beach and convincing my friends to help me cook chapatti.
Janet Caron / Treasurer
Janet Caron, Treasurer
My name is Janet Caron and I live in Minnesota with my husband John. We are proud parents of two children. Both are currently attending the University of Wisconsin (Go Badgers!).
With both children gone it's now time to move onto another challenge. This is where my dear friends Kristy Blick and Michele Abbott play a big part. Both are on the Elimu Board and experienced empty nesters. They knew that I would be looking for something meaningful to fill my empty hours. So of course I had to say yes when they asked if I would keep the books for Elimu. After all, I do keep the books for the General Mills Foundation, so what is one more set of financial statements!!!
My background has always been in the finance world so I'm thrilled that I can add some value to this wonderful organization. I have a marketing degree from Penn State (Go Lions) and have worked as a financial analyst for the past 20 years, most recently at General Mills. I highly value education so helping African children become empowered will be very rewarding. I'm looking forward to working with all the board members and learning more about the great people of Africa.
My name is Janet Caron and I live in Minnesota with my husband John. We are proud parents of two children. Both are currently attending the University of Wisconsin (Go Badgers!).
With both children gone it's now time to move onto another challenge. This is where my dear friends Kristy Blick and Michele Abbott play a big part. Both are on the Elimu Board and experienced empty nesters. They knew that I would be looking for something meaningful to fill my empty hours. So of course I had to say yes when they asked if I would keep the books for Elimu. After all, I do keep the books for the General Mills Foundation, so what is one more set of financial statements!!!
My background has always been in the finance world so I'm thrilled that I can add some value to this wonderful organization. I have a marketing degree from Penn State (Go Lions) and have worked as a financial analyst for the past 20 years, most recently at General Mills. I highly value education so helping African children become empowered will be very rewarding. I'm looking forward to working with all the board members and learning more about the great people of Africa.
Lynne Cullinan, Secretary
Lynne Cullinan, Secretary
My name is Lynne Cullinan and I live in Medina, Minnesota with my husband Wayne. We have four grown children. I graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Elementary Education and taught fifth grade until our first daughter was born. In 1986 my husband and I started a creative marketing agency and I took on the role of Chief Financial Officer. I have expanded my financial role and have taken on a couple of clients of my own. I just graduated in November of 2007 from the Meta Institute as a Certified Therapeutic Coach®, a Certified Master Practitioner of Humanistic Neuro-Linguistic Psychology and a Master Hypnotherapist. My wish is to assist people in making changes and transforming into the person they were always meant to be. I have also been a volunteer in many areas. I have taught reading to elementary school children, taught religious education, was on the entertainment committee for three consecutive years for ARC helping to put together their annual Gala fund raiser and I taught Language Arts at the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery.
I am privileged to say that I have known Kristy for many years through church and music. When she told me about her trip to Tanzania I was so intrigued. I greatly admired her for her passion. I loved getting her updates on what she was experiencing and giving me a better understanding of what life was like there. Her passion and excitement only increased after she returned home. I love people, especially children, and feel that education is so important. I am honored and excited to have been asked to be a part of this organization and to have been given an opportunity to join all of you in making a difference.
My name is Lynne Cullinan and I live in Medina, Minnesota with my husband Wayne. We have four grown children. I graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Elementary Education and taught fifth grade until our first daughter was born. In 1986 my husband and I started a creative marketing agency and I took on the role of Chief Financial Officer. I have expanded my financial role and have taken on a couple of clients of my own. I just graduated in November of 2007 from the Meta Institute as a Certified Therapeutic Coach®, a Certified Master Practitioner of Humanistic Neuro-Linguistic Psychology and a Master Hypnotherapist. My wish is to assist people in making changes and transforming into the person they were always meant to be. I have also been a volunteer in many areas. I have taught reading to elementary school children, taught religious education, was on the entertainment committee for three consecutive years for ARC helping to put together their annual Gala fund raiser and I taught Language Arts at the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery.
I am privileged to say that I have known Kristy for many years through church and music. When she told me about her trip to Tanzania I was so intrigued. I greatly admired her for her passion. I loved getting her updates on what she was experiencing and giving me a better understanding of what life was like there. Her passion and excitement only increased after she returned home. I love people, especially children, and feel that education is so important. I am honored and excited to have been asked to be a part of this organization and to have been given an opportunity to join all of you in making a difference.
Michele Abbott
Michele Abbott
I currently serve as a pastor at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. I live in Plymouth, MN with my husband John and two children. Before becoming a pastor, I worked for 15 years at a local insurance company (MSI Insurance) in a number of financial, marketing and strategic planning positions. I have a BBA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota and a MDiv from Luther Seminary.
I have a significant interest in social justice and education projects. I have served as Chairman of the Board of Westbay Community Action in Warwick, RI, an organization that provided low income housing, healthcare and job training. My current position includes responsibility for social justice and outreach programs for my congregation. I am excited about the opportunity to be part of the Elimu Africa Board – an organization which helps students gain the education they need to assist their families and their communities.
I currently serve as a pastor at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. I live in Plymouth, MN with my husband John and two children. Before becoming a pastor, I worked for 15 years at a local insurance company (MSI Insurance) in a number of financial, marketing and strategic planning positions. I have a BBA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota and a MDiv from Luther Seminary.
I have a significant interest in social justice and education projects. I have served as Chairman of the Board of Westbay Community Action in Warwick, RI, an organization that provided low income housing, healthcare and job training. My current position includes responsibility for social justice and outreach programs for my congregation. I am excited about the opportunity to be part of the Elimu Africa Board – an organization which helps students gain the education they need to assist their families and their communities.
Nicholas Aldridge
Nicholas Aldridge
How I came to know of Elimu Africa…
I met Joelle Rosser my first day at the University of California San Diego and have been fortunate enough to call her a close friend ever since. I came to college eager to explore and discover, well aware that there was much more to the world than what I had experienced. When Joelle first informed me of her plan to travel and work in Tanzania, I responded quite differently than most of our mutual friends. As a result, I was privy to more detailed information about her journey and work. For example, in a biology lab class where we were partners, I would constantly look over Joelle’s shoulder at her language flashcards. Our jovial (and sometimes her stress filled) efforts at memorizing “ndizi na mananasi” and other such tidbits of the Kiswahili language belied a more serious concern over the inequality that permeates the current world system.
Ever since my sophomore year in high school I knew that I wanted to live in a Spanish speaking country. I was fortunate enough to spend all of 2006 studying, traveling, listening, speaking, and learning in Santiago, Chile. The opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture was one that I took to heart. It also gave me a chance to branch out academically through Spanish language study of political science and international relations, outside of my UCSD major in microbiology. It was during my travels and experiences abroad that I came to discover my interest in pursuing a career in medicine as a means to affect a more positive change in my community.
As I got to know more people who intimately understand what it is to live outside the focus of the capital economic system, I came to realize more fully the importance of opportunity. Chile has the dubious distinction of being the country with the second largest gap between the rich and the poor in Latin America. While I was living in Santiago, massive street protests rocked the country. Spearheaded by high school students demanding reforms to a broken education system, these protests embodied for me the intense human desire for opportunity. I firmly believe that access to quality education is the cornerstone for building a more successful life in today’s world. In getting to know the local ‘Chilotes’ in southern Chile, Aymara in Peru and Bolivia, ‘Porteños’ of Argentina, and residents of the favellas in Brazil, I was struck by a simple truth: we are all human, regardless of the circumstances of our place of birth, our social status or educational background.
I believe deeply that anyone willing to make the necessary sacrifices deserves the opportunity to better themselves through education.
The work Elimu Africa is currently doing in Tanzania with the SCEC echoes my own beliefs about the necessity of action and the need for education. I am honored to be a part of this team. I am humble in that I know it will take many, dedicated, kind-hearted people to make a serious, lasting change in this world. It is imperative to not skip the step between discovery of unjust inequality and despair – the step where hope and action come together to try and improve the lot of those who most need our help. As H.D Thoreau once said, “Be not simply good, be good for something.”
How I came to know of Elimu Africa…
I met Joelle Rosser my first day at the University of California San Diego and have been fortunate enough to call her a close friend ever since. I came to college eager to explore and discover, well aware that there was much more to the world than what I had experienced. When Joelle first informed me of her plan to travel and work in Tanzania, I responded quite differently than most of our mutual friends. As a result, I was privy to more detailed information about her journey and work. For example, in a biology lab class where we were partners, I would constantly look over Joelle’s shoulder at her language flashcards. Our jovial (and sometimes her stress filled) efforts at memorizing “ndizi na mananasi” and other such tidbits of the Kiswahili language belied a more serious concern over the inequality that permeates the current world system.
Ever since my sophomore year in high school I knew that I wanted to live in a Spanish speaking country. I was fortunate enough to spend all of 2006 studying, traveling, listening, speaking, and learning in Santiago, Chile. The opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture was one that I took to heart. It also gave me a chance to branch out academically through Spanish language study of political science and international relations, outside of my UCSD major in microbiology. It was during my travels and experiences abroad that I came to discover my interest in pursuing a career in medicine as a means to affect a more positive change in my community.
As I got to know more people who intimately understand what it is to live outside the focus of the capital economic system, I came to realize more fully the importance of opportunity. Chile has the dubious distinction of being the country with the second largest gap between the rich and the poor in Latin America. While I was living in Santiago, massive street protests rocked the country. Spearheaded by high school students demanding reforms to a broken education system, these protests embodied for me the intense human desire for opportunity. I firmly believe that access to quality education is the cornerstone for building a more successful life in today’s world. In getting to know the local ‘Chilotes’ in southern Chile, Aymara in Peru and Bolivia, ‘Porteños’ of Argentina, and residents of the favellas in Brazil, I was struck by a simple truth: we are all human, regardless of the circumstances of our place of birth, our social status or educational background.
I believe deeply that anyone willing to make the necessary sacrifices deserves the opportunity to better themselves through education.
The work Elimu Africa is currently doing in Tanzania with the SCEC echoes my own beliefs about the necessity of action and the need for education. I am honored to be a part of this team. I am humble in that I know it will take many, dedicated, kind-hearted people to make a serious, lasting change in this world. It is imperative to not skip the step between discovery of unjust inequality and despair – the step where hope and action come together to try and improve the lot of those who most need our help. As H.D Thoreau once said, “Be not simply good, be good for something.”
Sandy Baldwin
Sandy Baldwin
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Mother Teresa
My name is Sandy Baldwin. I live in St. Cloud, MN with my husband Dave. We have four children: Chris, Bob, Maggie and Meaghan. We also have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Ashley and our first granddaughter, Madeline.
My nickname as a child was Sandra Jean- the talking machine. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to use this ‘gift’ of gab my whole life! I think I have finally figured it out- I’ve used this ‘gift’ in my work as an elementary teacher, youth/campus minister, and religious education consultant. Through conversation, peace in our world can be obtained, person to person.
I first traveled to Africa with Catholic Relief Services – on a mission trip to Kenya and Uganda. This trip opened my eyes to the plight of the children in Africa. At an orphanage filled with children who had not only lost their parents to AIDS, but were also infected with this disease, I decided that I had to do something!
Upon returning to St. Cloud, MN -my ‘gift’ allowed me to make presentations on the needs of the people of Africa. I shared my story with anyone who stood still for 3 minutes. I found that the elevator gives you a captive audience! After a conversation with Dick McMorrow, co-founder of Elimu Africa, I found myself traveling to Tanzania with my daughter and a group of students from Cathedral High School. While in Tanzania we learned that education is the key to a better life. We talked about our dreams and the dreams of the children in Africa. My dreams became filled with ideas on how we could help our new friends. I came home even more motivated to do something!
I learned about the need for fresh water in the villages- more people are dying from diseases associated with the poor water conditions in Africa than from AIDS/HIV. I again used the ‘gift’ of gab and shared this information with anyone who would listen. I spearheaded an initiative which rose over $40,000 to drill and maintain H2O wells in Africa.
I facilitated a board meeting for Elimu Africa and after hearing more about the impressive work they are doing to educate the children in Africa, I was asked to join the board. I am very excited to be working on our new project in Zanzibar supporting the Cheju Wisdom Center. The people of Zanzibar face poverty, hunger, a lack of quality health care, gender inequity, and a lack of access to education. My goal is to connect the students of the school with sponsors in America. Person to person – promoting peace!
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Mother Teresa
My name is Sandy Baldwin. I live in St. Cloud, MN with my husband Dave. We have four children: Chris, Bob, Maggie and Meaghan. We also have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Ashley and our first granddaughter, Madeline.
My nickname as a child was Sandra Jean- the talking machine. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to use this ‘gift’ of gab my whole life! I think I have finally figured it out- I’ve used this ‘gift’ in my work as an elementary teacher, youth/campus minister, and religious education consultant. Through conversation, peace in our world can be obtained, person to person.
I first traveled to Africa with Catholic Relief Services – on a mission trip to Kenya and Uganda. This trip opened my eyes to the plight of the children in Africa. At an orphanage filled with children who had not only lost their parents to AIDS, but were also infected with this disease, I decided that I had to do something!
Upon returning to St. Cloud, MN -my ‘gift’ allowed me to make presentations on the needs of the people of Africa. I shared my story with anyone who stood still for 3 minutes. I found that the elevator gives you a captive audience! After a conversation with Dick McMorrow, co-founder of Elimu Africa, I found myself traveling to Tanzania with my daughter and a group of students from Cathedral High School. While in Tanzania we learned that education is the key to a better life. We talked about our dreams and the dreams of the children in Africa. My dreams became filled with ideas on how we could help our new friends. I came home even more motivated to do something!
I learned about the need for fresh water in the villages- more people are dying from diseases associated with the poor water conditions in Africa than from AIDS/HIV. I again used the ‘gift’ of gab and shared this information with anyone who would listen. I spearheaded an initiative which rose over $40,000 to drill and maintain H2O wells in Africa.
I facilitated a board meeting for Elimu Africa and after hearing more about the impressive work they are doing to educate the children in Africa, I was asked to join the board. I am very excited to be working on our new project in Zanzibar supporting the Cheju Wisdom Center. The people of Zanzibar face poverty, hunger, a lack of quality health care, gender inequity, and a lack of access to education. My goal is to connect the students of the school with sponsors in America. Person to person – promoting peace!
Dr. Bruce Kudak
Dr. Bruce Kudak
My name is Bruce Kudak, I am a dentist and Iive with my wife Stephanie and three children, Brent, Kelsey and Kyle in Minnesota.
As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” so comes my involvement with Elimu Africa. When approached by Dick McMorrow about this project my interest was immediately heightened. We have had several conversations about world poverty and other world issues in the past, and when I heard of Dick’s involvement, I thought that he had finally caught “the bug.” I caught “the bug” in 1995, starting with my first medical mission to the central highlands of Guatemala, to a town called Joyabaj with an organization called HELPS International. HELPS International (www.helpsintl.org) is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas that serves the people of Guatemala in several ways including, but not limited to, medical missions. I have been associated with HELPS for the last thirteen years and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my lifetime. I have been on HELPS’ Leadership Board since 1998 and I have headed their dental efforts during this time. This critical area of medical assistance has been made fully mobile which allows for dental surgery and dental restoration to be performed in a hospital setting or in the field.
My name is Bruce Kudak, I am a dentist and Iive with my wife Stephanie and three children, Brent, Kelsey and Kyle in Minnesota.
As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” so comes my involvement with Elimu Africa. When approached by Dick McMorrow about this project my interest was immediately heightened. We have had several conversations about world poverty and other world issues in the past, and when I heard of Dick’s involvement, I thought that he had finally caught “the bug.” I caught “the bug” in 1995, starting with my first medical mission to the central highlands of Guatemala, to a town called Joyabaj with an organization called HELPS International. HELPS International (www.helpsintl.org) is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas that serves the people of Guatemala in several ways including, but not limited to, medical missions. I have been associated with HELPS for the last thirteen years and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my lifetime. I have been on HELPS’ Leadership Board since 1998 and I have headed their dental efforts during this time. This critical area of medical assistance has been made fully mobile which allows for dental surgery and dental restoration to be performed in a hospital setting or in the field.
Dick McMorrow / co-founder
Dick McMorrow
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
When Africa calls, I encourage you to answer. I was teaching a unit on American Foreign Policy to Cathedral High School juniors when it became evident that Africa was calling. If I remember correctly, the speech topic was, “what is America’s role in the world, particularly with developing countries?” when the question somehow became, “what is my role in the world…” And as I delved further into this topic, the answer became clear: Do Something.
That something became Elimu Africa when a bunch of likeminded individuals joined forces. Since then I have taken two trips to Tanzania. The lessons I learned are many but include such highlights as, “you can’t save the world, but you can work to help one person,” “listen to those in need with an open mind and open heart and then help them they way they want to be helped,” and “being of service to others is the highest calling.” On my last trip I led a group of ten high school students on the experience of a lifetime. Their hard work and openness were inspiring to all of us.
I am married and a father of three teenagers. My wife Joy supports the work of Elimu Africa by allowing me to venture to Africa with hardly a complaint. I am a teacher and coach at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, MN.
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
When Africa calls, I encourage you to answer. I was teaching a unit on American Foreign Policy to Cathedral High School juniors when it became evident that Africa was calling. If I remember correctly, the speech topic was, “what is America’s role in the world, particularly with developing countries?” when the question somehow became, “what is my role in the world…” And as I delved further into this topic, the answer became clear: Do Something.
That something became Elimu Africa when a bunch of likeminded individuals joined forces. Since then I have taken two trips to Tanzania. The lessons I learned are many but include such highlights as, “you can’t save the world, but you can work to help one person,” “listen to those in need with an open mind and open heart and then help them they way they want to be helped,” and “being of service to others is the highest calling.” On my last trip I led a group of ten high school students on the experience of a lifetime. Their hard work and openness were inspiring to all of us.
I am married and a father of three teenagers. My wife Joy supports the work of Elimu Africa by allowing me to venture to Africa with hardly a complaint. I am a teacher and coach at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, MN.
Larry Phenow
Larry Phenow
My name is Larry Phenow and I live in Minnesota with my wife Jeanne and three sons Derek, Charlie, and Willie.
I’ve been part of Kristy’s extended family for many years, having met her through our church music group. When Kristy traveled to Tanzania, she kept a journal of her experiences and graciously shared her entries with us “back home” so that we could travel vicariously with her. As I read her daily reports describing the struggles of the families of Second Chance Education Center (SCEC), it impressed me Mama Lucy had accomplished so much with very little; that she and others were obviously devoted to their students to help them succeed, and that they weren’t waiting for someone else to come along and make everything better.
It also struck me that individuals (Kristy and others) were making a great difference on their own: how much more could they, Mama Lucy (founder of SCEC), and the others accomplish with a little help from our family. So I instigated a little fundraiser among our mutual friends (some would say berated and castigated) to send to Kristy to help her make even more of a difference.
This is my first direct involvement with an international effort to reach out to those that need help to meet their goals. The mission statement for Elimu Africa says it all for me: “... to help support disadvantaged students in Africa by facilitating their pursuit of education.” I believe that we are all obligated to help our brothers and sisters wherever we find them, but they are ultimately responsible for their own success or failure. The students at SCEC are clearly taking the initiative to improve their chances for better lives – they are deserving of any love and support we can offer.
My name is Larry Phenow and I live in Minnesota with my wife Jeanne and three sons Derek, Charlie, and Willie.
I’ve been part of Kristy’s extended family for many years, having met her through our church music group. When Kristy traveled to Tanzania, she kept a journal of her experiences and graciously shared her entries with us “back home” so that we could travel vicariously with her. As I read her daily reports describing the struggles of the families of Second Chance Education Center (SCEC), it impressed me Mama Lucy had accomplished so much with very little; that she and others were obviously devoted to their students to help them succeed, and that they weren’t waiting for someone else to come along and make everything better.
It also struck me that individuals (Kristy and others) were making a great difference on their own: how much more could they, Mama Lucy (founder of SCEC), and the others accomplish with a little help from our family. So I instigated a little fundraiser among our mutual friends (some would say berated and castigated) to send to Kristy to help her make even more of a difference.
This is my first direct involvement with an international effort to reach out to those that need help to meet their goals. The mission statement for Elimu Africa says it all for me: “... to help support disadvantaged students in Africa by facilitating their pursuit of education.” I believe that we are all obligated to help our brothers and sisters wherever we find them, but they are ultimately responsible for their own success or failure. The students at SCEC are clearly taking the initiative to improve their chances for better lives – they are deserving of any love and support we can offer.
Jack Uldrich
Jack Uldrich
My name is Jack Uldrich and I live in Minneapolis with my wife Cindy and our two children, Meghan and Sean. I have written five books on the topics of leadership and technologies. I currently serve as the president of The NanoVeritas Group—an international leadership and technology consultancy dedicated to helping business, government, and non-profit organizations prepare for and profit from emerging technologies. I am also a frequent speaker on the technology and leadership lecture circuits. I am a former naval intelligence officer and Defense Department official. I also served as the Director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning under Governor Jesse Ventura.
I have known Kristy Blick socially for over a decade, but when she decided to travel to Tanzania and volunteer her time and talent I came to see and appreciate humanity from a different -- and deeper -- perspective. I have been even more impressed with her passion and commitment to the making the world a little better place since she has returned to the United States.
When she asked me to serve on the board of Elimu Africa, I readily agreed because, while I lack her direct knowledge of the situation in Africa, I feel I can bring some experience to the board after having served on the boards of the following non-profit organizations: Citizens League of Minnesota (current board member); Fresh Energy (an organization dedicated to creating a sustainable economy) and FairVote Minnesota.
My name is Jack Uldrich and I live in Minneapolis with my wife Cindy and our two children, Meghan and Sean. I have written five books on the topics of leadership and technologies. I currently serve as the president of The NanoVeritas Group—an international leadership and technology consultancy dedicated to helping business, government, and non-profit organizations prepare for and profit from emerging technologies. I am also a frequent speaker on the technology and leadership lecture circuits. I am a former naval intelligence officer and Defense Department official. I also served as the Director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning under Governor Jesse Ventura.
I have known Kristy Blick socially for over a decade, but when she decided to travel to Tanzania and volunteer her time and talent I came to see and appreciate humanity from a different -- and deeper -- perspective. I have been even more impressed with her passion and commitment to the making the world a little better place since she has returned to the United States.
When she asked me to serve on the board of Elimu Africa, I readily agreed because, while I lack her direct knowledge of the situation in Africa, I feel I can bring some experience to the board after having served on the boards of the following non-profit organizations: Citizens League of Minnesota (current board member); Fresh Energy (an organization dedicated to creating a sustainable economy) and FairVote Minnesota.
Dr. Jeff Varner
Dr. Jeff Varner
"One person can make a difference and everyone must try." John F. Kennedy
My name is Jeff Varner. I live in Minnesota with my wife Dawn and my four children.
I am a Doctor of Chiropractic and have been involved in mission work for years. I have joined other doctors in assisting with church missions as well as international mission work. I love to give back and help the less fortunate. I also have strived to teach my children how it feels to give back. I went to Guatemala in 2004 with my oldest daughter and to Tanzania, Africa with my second daughter in 2008. I believe that God has given me gifts of healing, serving and teaching and I will use those gifts to the best of my ability.
I have been talking about going to Africa for well over ten years. I am drawn to the people and splendor of Africa. When I touched down in Tanzania I knew this trip would be magic. I fell in love with the people and the struggles of African students. I felt that I was fulfilling a life-long mission when I met the students and teachers of the Second Chance Education Center. I knew this was my dream come true. I am very excited to be invited to be on the Elimu Africa Board. I will put my efforts into helping the students and making a difference in the lives of the students and people of Africa.
"No one has the right to sit down and feel helpless. There is too much work to do." Dorothy Day
"One person can make a difference and everyone must try." John F. Kennedy
My name is Jeff Varner. I live in Minnesota with my wife Dawn and my four children.
I am a Doctor of Chiropractic and have been involved in mission work for years. I have joined other doctors in assisting with church missions as well as international mission work. I love to give back and help the less fortunate. I also have strived to teach my children how it feels to give back. I went to Guatemala in 2004 with my oldest daughter and to Tanzania, Africa with my second daughter in 2008. I believe that God has given me gifts of healing, serving and teaching and I will use those gifts to the best of my ability.
I have been talking about going to Africa for well over ten years. I am drawn to the people and splendor of Africa. When I touched down in Tanzania I knew this trip would be magic. I fell in love with the people and the struggles of African students. I felt that I was fulfilling a life-long mission when I met the students and teachers of the Second Chance Education Center. I knew this was my dream come true. I am very excited to be invited to be on the Elimu Africa Board. I will put my efforts into helping the students and making a difference in the lives of the students and people of Africa.
"No one has the right to sit down and feel helpless. There is too much work to do." Dorothy Day
Toni Dachis / Honorary Board Member / co-founder
Toni Dachis, Honorary Board Member
I have been very fortunate in my life. I live comfortably with my husband
Buzz in Minneapolis living the American Dream. I am the mother of two
grown children, a dog that behaves like a cat, cars in the garage, food on
the table and most importantly, our good health. I am a graduate of the
Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a BFA in Graphic Design.
I worked as a designer for many years always doing volunteer work
along the way, a value instilled by my mother. I am now a practicing artist
in my home studio.
Carrying on the tradition of helping others, my daughter Ali and I spent part of her last semester of High School doing volunteer work in Tanzania. We had this rare opportunity of having the time and the funds to do so. Ali had spent so much of her time focusing on her own development and in the comfort of her own backyard. I felt it was time to go beyond her comfort level, and mine. Our time in Tanzania opened our eyes and our hearts. I know Ali has been changed forever.
I have been very fortunate in my life. I live comfortably with my husband
Buzz in Minneapolis living the American Dream. I am the mother of two
grown children, a dog that behaves like a cat, cars in the garage, food on
the table and most importantly, our good health. I am a graduate of the
Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a BFA in Graphic Design.
I worked as a designer for many years always doing volunteer work
along the way, a value instilled by my mother. I am now a practicing artist
in my home studio.
Carrying on the tradition of helping others, my daughter Ali and I spent part of her last semester of High School doing volunteer work in Tanzania. We had this rare opportunity of having the time and the funds to do so. Ali had spent so much of her time focusing on her own development and in the comfort of her own backyard. I felt it was time to go beyond her comfort level, and mine. Our time in Tanzania opened our eyes and our hearts. I know Ali has been changed forever.
James Vanderheyden / Honorary Board Member
James Vanderheyden, Honorary Board Member
James Vanderheyden is a retired electrical engineer who was in engineering management with Honeywell Corporation for most of his career. Jim made a trip to the small village of Mtumba, Tanzania in 2005 and was instrumental in getting clean water and electricity installed in that village. He has since made two more trips to Tanzania to continue that work. Jim and has founded a non profit organization called Tanzania Life Project whose mission is to empower the people of small villages in Tanzania to develop a greater quality of life through personal dedication and commitment, education and support. TLP has since worked to distribute clean water and electricity to villages, supplied a tractor and irrigation plan to help prevent famine and hunger and facilitated women’s empowerment workshops. Jim is a compassionate, intelligent and resourceful person and we are very fortunate to have him as an advisor for Elimu Africa. To learn more about Jim’s work, go to tanzanialifeproject.net
James Vanderheyden is a retired electrical engineer who was in engineering management with Honeywell Corporation for most of his career. Jim made a trip to the small village of Mtumba, Tanzania in 2005 and was instrumental in getting clean water and electricity installed in that village. He has since made two more trips to Tanzania to continue that work. Jim and has founded a non profit organization called Tanzania Life Project whose mission is to empower the people of small villages in Tanzania to develop a greater quality of life through personal dedication and commitment, education and support. TLP has since worked to distribute clean water and electricity to villages, supplied a tractor and irrigation plan to help prevent famine and hunger and facilitated women’s empowerment workshops. Jim is a compassionate, intelligent and resourceful person and we are very fortunate to have him as an advisor for Elimu Africa. To learn more about Jim’s work, go to tanzanialifeproject.net
Father Thomas Assenga / Honorary Board Member
Father Thomas Assenga, Honorary Board Member
Father Thomas Assenga is a Catholic priest who made a clear choice to leave his home on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa, to be a missionary in the Diocese of Zanzibar, made up of two islands about 25 miles off the coast of the mainland. He chose to go because there were abundant priests in his home area and he felt called to go to a place where there were not enough priests.
In September of 2001, Bishop Augustine Shao, CSSp, of Zanzibar sent Fr. Thomas to Minnesota to take graduate courses in Business Management at St. Cloud State University, and to minister part time at St. Mary's Cathedral. For four years he had been serving as "Diocesan Procurator," handling the finances of the diocese, and will return to that role following his three year course of study and ministry in Minnesota. Father Thomas' lively spirit and his experience with education in Tanzania will provide Elimu Africa with wise and compassionate leadership. To learn more about Fr. Thomas' mission, go to www.stclouddiocese.org/mission/Missionaries%20Here/Assenga.html
Father Thomas Assenga is a Catholic priest who made a clear choice to leave his home on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa, to be a missionary in the Diocese of Zanzibar, made up of two islands about 25 miles off the coast of the mainland. He chose to go because there were abundant priests in his home area and he felt called to go to a place where there were not enough priests.
In September of 2001, Bishop Augustine Shao, CSSp, of Zanzibar sent Fr. Thomas to Minnesota to take graduate courses in Business Management at St. Cloud State University, and to minister part time at St. Mary's Cathedral. For four years he had been serving as "Diocesan Procurator," handling the finances of the diocese, and will return to that role following his three year course of study and ministry in Minnesota. Father Thomas' lively spirit and his experience with education in Tanzania will provide Elimu Africa with wise and compassionate leadership. To learn more about Fr. Thomas' mission, go to www.stclouddiocese.org/mission/Missionaries%20Here/Assenga.html