Click names for bios
Executive Board
Kristy Blick / Chair
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 Under the direction of the headmaster, I attempted to teach English from one outdated, dog-eared workbook.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
Larry Phenow / Vice Chair
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 we are reaching in Africa 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 we are reaching in Africa are clearly taking the initiative to improve their chances for better lives – they are deserving of any love and support we can offer.
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.
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!
Tiffany Gust Duque
Tiffany Gust Duque
As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same
-- Nelson Mandela
My name is Tiffany Gust Duque and I live in Atlanta, GA with my husband Max. I am currently employed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with their International Nutrition Program (IMMPaCt). I grew up in Maple Grove, MN – just one house away from Kristy and her family! I have known the Blicks pretty much my whole life, and it is so exciting to now be working with Kristy and Elimu Africa on such an important and imperative endeavor.
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in Nutrition and became a Registered Dietitian. I love nutrition, but felt that I wanted to use it in a way to empower communities, especially underserved communities, so I continued my education with a Master of Public Health degree in Global Health and Nutrition from Emory University. During my master degree, I traveled to Bhutan and India to complete my thesis research, and was bitten by the travel bug – I knew I had to continue in a career geared towards underserved and/or vulnerable global populations. I spent two years working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Nutrition Branch, but knew that I really wanted to be out in the world. I took what I had learned at CDC and moved to Mexico City to work for the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico in the Community Nutrition Department. I had a wonderful, stressful, crazy year and a half working there and learned the most about my career, and life in general, than have anywhere else. From there I moved with my then fiancé Max to South Africa where I worked for World Vision South Africa. We had moved for a project with Max’s company, but I knew the moment he asked me if I wanted to move to South Africa that Africa was calling and I was definitely going to answer. We had an amazing 9 months working and traveling all over east and Southern Africa – it really was the most magical time of both of our lives.
We moved back to Atlanta in 2008 to get married and “settle down” momentarily – we even bought a house so I guess that means 3-5 years! It’s nice being back amongst friends and family, but I miss the international involvement and that feeling of being connected to the world. Just about the time I was settled into married life and really missing the travel, Kristy and I connected and my involvement in Elimu Africa began! I truly believe that education is the key to most global issues – whether it is development, health, violence, etc. I am thrilled to be a part of an organization striving to provide this basic right to the worlds most valuable citizens – its children.
As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same
-- Nelson Mandela
My name is Tiffany Gust Duque and I live in Atlanta, GA with my husband Max. I am currently employed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with their International Nutrition Program (IMMPaCt). I grew up in Maple Grove, MN – just one house away from Kristy and her family! I have known the Blicks pretty much my whole life, and it is so exciting to now be working with Kristy and Elimu Africa on such an important and imperative endeavor.
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in Nutrition and became a Registered Dietitian. I love nutrition, but felt that I wanted to use it in a way to empower communities, especially underserved communities, so I continued my education with a Master of Public Health degree in Global Health and Nutrition from Emory University. During my master degree, I traveled to Bhutan and India to complete my thesis research, and was bitten by the travel bug – I knew I had to continue in a career geared towards underserved and/or vulnerable global populations. I spent two years working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Nutrition Branch, but knew that I really wanted to be out in the world. I took what I had learned at CDC and moved to Mexico City to work for the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico in the Community Nutrition Department. I had a wonderful, stressful, crazy year and a half working there and learned the most about my career, and life in general, than have anywhere else. From there I moved with my then fiancé Max to South Africa where I worked for World Vision South Africa. We had moved for a project with Max’s company, but I knew the moment he asked me if I wanted to move to South Africa that Africa was calling and I was definitely going to answer. We had an amazing 9 months working and traveling all over east and Southern Africa – it really was the most magical time of both of our lives.
We moved back to Atlanta in 2008 to get married and “settle down” momentarily – we even bought a house so I guess that means 3-5 years! It’s nice being back amongst friends and family, but I miss the international involvement and that feeling of being connected to the world. Just about the time I was settled into married life and really missing the travel, Kristy and I connected and my involvement in Elimu Africa began! I truly believe that education is the key to most global issues – whether it is development, health, violence, etc. I am thrilled to be a part of an organization striving to provide this basic right to the worlds most valuable citizens – its children.
Joelle Rosser
Joelle Rosser, Vice Chair
Born and raised in Los Angeles, I had no idea that a little trip to Tanzania one summer during college would change the course of my life. It all started with a three month stint in Moshi, teaching science at a public secondary school. Next thing I knew, I was back in California, collaborating with some Minnesotians (yes, that’s what I call ya) on starting a project to help improve access to secondary school education in Tanzania. Our little project crept along for about a year, none of us really knowing what we were doing. We just kept bumbling along (I suppose you could say we will always be doing that in some way) and then things started to take off. I personally took off back to Moshi.
After graduating from UCSD, I moved to Moshi to further develop what has become Elimu Africa. I spent several months working at Second Chance Education Center, the first school we supported. Teaching, budgeting, farming… yes, farming. When Dick brought a dozen students to visit from Minnesota, we put them to work in the fields, shoveling ****. We got our fertilizer right from the source and learned the basics of farming. I can now carry on a conversation about the weather and its impact on our crops just like any old McDonald. After wrapping up my work with Second Chance, I started pursuing some of my other interests in Tanzania.
For the next year and a half, I volunteered at Huruma Hospital, Kilimanjaro Porters Association, and most significantly with Minjeni Women’s Group Trust. Minjeni is a locally run organization working in Shimbwe Village on issues pertaining to orphans and vulnerable children, microfinance, health care, and human rights. I became Director of the Health Department and with the help of many local and foreign volunteers have helped to start several programs in Shimbwe. Our ongoing projects include a hypertension follow-up program, cervical cancer screening and treatment, rape crisis counseling and education, health education at the local clinic, and patient advocacy. My time working with the people in Shimbwe has been wonderful.
In the meantime, I also helped scout out some other potential schools for Elimu Africa to support, namely Chenju on Zanzibar Island. On several occasions I visited the school where I met the charming Father Thomas and several of the extremely competent teachers at Chenju. I also got to experience the beauty of Zanzibar beaches and the excitement of Stone Town’s night market – great perks of the job!
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and I moved back to the U.S. at the end of June 2009. Although I dearly miss Tanzania, things aren’t all bad. I have started medical school at Emory University where I hope to develop more skills which I hope to bring back to my Tanzanian home someday. Until then, I am happy to still be involved in Elimu Africa (though to a lesser degree since med school does seem to require a fair amount of studying).
Born and raised in Los Angeles, I had no idea that a little trip to Tanzania one summer during college would change the course of my life. It all started with a three month stint in Moshi, teaching science at a public secondary school. Next thing I knew, I was back in California, collaborating with some Minnesotians (yes, that’s what I call ya) on starting a project to help improve access to secondary school education in Tanzania. Our little project crept along for about a year, none of us really knowing what we were doing. We just kept bumbling along (I suppose you could say we will always be doing that in some way) and then things started to take off. I personally took off back to Moshi.
After graduating from UCSD, I moved to Moshi to further develop what has become Elimu Africa. I spent several months working at Second Chance Education Center, the first school we supported. Teaching, budgeting, farming… yes, farming. When Dick brought a dozen students to visit from Minnesota, we put them to work in the fields, shoveling ****. We got our fertilizer right from the source and learned the basics of farming. I can now carry on a conversation about the weather and its impact on our crops just like any old McDonald. After wrapping up my work with Second Chance, I started pursuing some of my other interests in Tanzania.
For the next year and a half, I volunteered at Huruma Hospital, Kilimanjaro Porters Association, and most significantly with Minjeni Women’s Group Trust. Minjeni is a locally run organization working in Shimbwe Village on issues pertaining to orphans and vulnerable children, microfinance, health care, and human rights. I became Director of the Health Department and with the help of many local and foreign volunteers have helped to start several programs in Shimbwe. Our ongoing projects include a hypertension follow-up program, cervical cancer screening and treatment, rape crisis counseling and education, health education at the local clinic, and patient advocacy. My time working with the people in Shimbwe has been wonderful.
In the meantime, I also helped scout out some other potential schools for Elimu Africa to support, namely Chenju on Zanzibar Island. On several occasions I visited the school where I met the charming Father Thomas and several of the extremely competent teachers at Chenju. I also got to experience the beauty of Zanzibar beaches and the excitement of Stone Town’s night market – great perks of the job!
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and I moved back to the U.S. at the end of June 2009. Although I dearly miss Tanzania, things aren’t all bad. I have started medical school at Emory University where I hope to develop more skills which I hope to bring back to my Tanzanian home someday. Until then, I am happy to still be involved in Elimu Africa (though to a lesser degree since med school does seem to require a fair amount of studying).
Shoose Lekule Chrispina / Honorary Board Member
Shoose Lekule Chrispina, Honorary Board Member
Shoose Lekule Chrispina is a secondary school teacher with a Bachelors degree in Education. She also holds a Masters Degree of Social Responsibility in education and soon to complete EdD Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership at St. Cloud State University. She has a background in youth formation and in establishing small scale projects as a means of sustainability and empowering women especially those faced with financial challenges. Prior to pursuing her Master’s degree, she was involved in youth formation in Nairobi Kenya and later appointed as school principal at the Wisdom Center in Zanzibar Tanzania.
As a teacher, she strongly believes that her role is more than teaching to a group of students in a classroom. She combines her teaching profession with outreach activities among women and youth. She is of the conviction that; “Where there is the WILL, there is the WAY.” While in Zanzibar, she worked to ensure that children from the financially incapable families had the chance to get quality education. Most of those children are now in Universities and Colleges. As many of those she took to school with the donors support from Austria, are getting ready to contribute to the eradication of poverty, her deeply imbedded passion for empowering others through education grows stronger day after day. She agrees with the African philosopher who argued that in educating an African child you educate a village.
She loves thinking, contemplating and questioning about the why of certain situations. She believes that in seeking the answers to the why questions, she will eventually find her way forward in the betterment of circumstances that are a hindrance to achieving full potentials in peoples’ lives. She also focuses on a teaching that will eventually liberate the integral person. And as Thomas Henry says, “The great end of life is not knowledge but action” she also strongly believes that educators are called to be models to those they educated. They must go beyond their teaching in a classroom to practical activities with the community. They must be ready to engage not only their students but also parents and community members. In this way the knowledge imparted will be an effective means of making a difference and empowering others to achieve not only their visions in life but also to earn the beauty of life as was meant by their Creator.
Shoose Lekule Chrispina is a secondary school teacher with a Bachelors degree in Education. She also holds a Masters Degree of Social Responsibility in education and soon to complete EdD Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership at St. Cloud State University. She has a background in youth formation and in establishing small scale projects as a means of sustainability and empowering women especially those faced with financial challenges. Prior to pursuing her Master’s degree, she was involved in youth formation in Nairobi Kenya and later appointed as school principal at the Wisdom Center in Zanzibar Tanzania.
As a teacher, she strongly believes that her role is more than teaching to a group of students in a classroom. She combines her teaching profession with outreach activities among women and youth. She is of the conviction that; “Where there is the WILL, there is the WAY.” While in Zanzibar, she worked to ensure that children from the financially incapable families had the chance to get quality education. Most of those children are now in Universities and Colleges. As many of those she took to school with the donors support from Austria, are getting ready to contribute to the eradication of poverty, her deeply imbedded passion for empowering others through education grows stronger day after day. She agrees with the African philosopher who argued that in educating an African child you educate a village.
She loves thinking, contemplating and questioning about the why of certain situations. She believes that in seeking the answers to the why questions, she will eventually find her way forward in the betterment of circumstances that are a hindrance to achieving full potentials in peoples’ lives. She also focuses on a teaching that will eventually liberate the integral person. And as Thomas Henry says, “The great end of life is not knowledge but action” she also strongly believes that educators are called to be models to those they educated. They must go beyond their teaching in a classroom to practical activities with the community. They must be ready to engage not only their students but also parents and community members. In this way the knowledge imparted will be an effective means of making a difference and empowering others to achieve not only their visions in life but also to earn the beauty of life as was meant by their Creator.
Toni Dachis / Honorary Board Member
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.
Dick McMorrow / Honorary Board Member
Dick McMorrow, Honorary Board Member
“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.
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
We thank our past board members for their time, talent and passion to help support students in Africa to obtain their education.
Dr. Jeff Varner, MN 2007-2008
Jack Uldrich, MN 2007-2010
Dr. Bruce Kudak 2007- 2010
Dick McMorrow 2007- 2010
Niclolas Aldrich 2007-2010