Archive for March, 2011
March 30, 2011
Untrine is one of the women featured in our “Who Are You?” campaign in Cameroon. We gave her a disposable camera to give us a glimpse into her life. Like many women in her village, Untrine is a young mother who is responsible for the care of her children. When asked for some words to explain her photos, she explained that being a good mother is the main priority of her life. Her days are spent getting water and cooking for her family, which can take hours. For Untrine, family is everything.
March 25, 2011
Bienvenue is one of the women featured in our “Who Are You?” campaign in Cameroon. She took a disposable camera and gave us a glimpse into her life. When asked to explain her pictures, she explained that she spends many hours harvesting palm nuts and uses the black barrels to extract the oil. Selling the oil at local markets is how she supports her family and pays for her children’s education.
March 22, 2011
Diana is one of the women featured in our “Who Are You?” campaign in Cameroon. We gave her a disposable camera to give us a glimpse into her life. When asked for some words to explain her pictures, she told us that she runs her own business and takes great pride in her ability to care for her family in this manner. It has become widely accepted that empowering women is the most effective way to enable development and Diana proves this point.
March 18, 2011
Febe participated in our “Who Are You?” campaign in Cameroon. She took a disposable camera and used it to give us a glimpse into her life. When asked for some words to explain her pictures, she explained that many people rely on her for many things. Febe works in the field, cooks, gathers water and cares for her family and home.
March 16, 2011
The Monsignor Clair Catholic School in Barrie, Ontario only started fundraising last week for the Kuber William Well project in Sudan, but already they are seeing huge results in their community and beyond. They need to raise $8,000 to drill a water well near The Bridge School in the village of Kuber William and they’ve already raised just over $2,000!
The students of Monsignor Clair have other fundraising projects in the works to help them reach their goal, but their passion is already having a wonderful effect. Other schools in Canada have inquired about raising funds for other water wells in Sudan and we’re putting information packages together for anyone interested in such a project. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of Monsignor Clair and other schools. Thank you again for your support!
March 10, 2011
Glory is another woman who participated in our “Who Are You?” campaign in Cameroon. She took a disposable camera and used it to give us a glimpse into her life. The pictures Glory took emphasize how important sewing is in her life. As a seamstress, she is able to provide for her family while also expressing herself creatively.
March 8, 2011
Solonge is one of the women featured in our “Who Are You?” campaign in Cameroon. She took a disposable camera and used it to give us a glimpse into her life. When asked for some words to explain her pictures, she told us how proud she is of going to school. For Solonge, education is the key to a better life for herself and her family.
March 4, 2011
Al and Karen Penrose are an amazing couple. He is a provincial police officer working in Sudan with our colleague Ed and she is a school principal in Barrie, Ontario. Together, Al and Karen are striving to make a significant change for the people of Kuber William, a small village in Sudan.
When Al told Karen about The Bridge School, she started thinking about ways that the Monsignor Clair Catholic School, where she is the principal, could help. They decided to involve their school and community in a number of fundraising initiatives, including a book fair, teacher vs. student hockey game, bake sale and movie night. They are hoping to raise $8,000, enough money to drill a well at The Bridge School (currently there are no water sources near the school).
If you would like to support the children of Monsignor Clair and The Bridge School through the Obakki Foundation, simply click here and select a donation amount. You can also call us toll free at 1.866.410.9701 to make a donation directly with a representative. A tax receipt will be mailed to you and 100% of your donation will go directly to this project.
On behalf of the kids at Monsignor Clair and everyone at the Obakki Foundation, thank you!
March 1, 2011
The Bridge School is a volunteer initiative launched by teachers near the village of Kuber William in Sudan as an opportunity for everyone gain an education. One of our colleagues, Ed Smith, is working with the UN in Sudan and visited the school along with Al Penrose, a provincial police officer from Ontario who is working with the UN. There they met Joseph, one of the ten teachers, who began his education when he was nineteen-years-old.
There are ninety students at this school ranging in age from six to forty-five-years-old and most of the children are orphans or with one parent. They attend class from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm without lunch and there is no source of water nearby.
The Bridge School is entirely outdoors: the centre area of the school is also a church and the “classrooms” are located under trees around this central area. Each class has an old chalkboard and some chairs, although most students sit on the ground. There are very limited stationery supplies and the UN provides workbooks.
Some things are universal - a PTA meeting at the school
The regular school that runs from April to January is nearby and it is also completely outdoors; just a few trees in a field. Another school exists a short drive away, a building with a well, outhouses and an outdoor kitchen, but it had been abandoned during conflicts between neighbouring communities. The area continues to be unsafe and the people would prefer that the school be where it is now, near a police post in the centre of the village.
The main school
The original school, now abandoned
Meeting with the village chief and other members of the community, Ed and Al were impressed by the commitment to educating the youth of the village, striving to give them a future in what is now a new country.
Some school children in Ontario have come up with a great plan to help this village and the Obakki Foundation has committed to supporting them and The Bridge School. On Thursday, we’ll tell you what they’re doing and how you can help.
Math class
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