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The East African Center Newsletter

In This Issue
Rotary Partners
New EAC Clinic
VSJ Student Performance
Transparency
Mr. Jeffrey
Volunteer Spotlight - Alessandra
Shamba Pride
See the EAC live in action!

Check Out Our Latest Video Online!

 

Facebook Contest
       Who's got $5 on it?!

It's our goal to raise at least $5,000 by the end of November and one lucky contributor will win $100 on November 30th.

The teachers, students, staff and parents are all hoping that you will pitch in a little change so their needs can be meet.

Here are some of the things that the staff and teachers need to support their terrific work here:

A microscope for the clinic so they can test for malaria on site
 
Guidance counseling books for the new guidance club
 
2 bicycles for the community health workers
 
Teaching materials for health education and Stay Alive
 
Whiteboards for teaching aids
 
A desktop computer
 
Art supplies
 
More textbooks
 
There are great things happening here and we need you to help keep them going! 



Aid for Africa
 
The EAC is a proud member of the US Combined Federal Campaign's Aid for Africa group. Aid for Africa is a unique partnership of more than 75 select charities, all dedicated to solving the complex, inter-related challenges facing Africa.

As a member, the EAC has met stringent tests of fiscal accountability, governance and programmatic impact.
 
Are you a federal employee? You can support the EAC through the CFC.  Just indicate the EAC on your enrollment form -- our CFC# is 12297.



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Parent mtg Jen
Small Actions, Big Results
Painting practice
EAC Social Networking
EAC on Twitter

EAC on Change.org

Takaungu Map
Where is Takaungu?
Matching Funds
 
A great way to make your contributions go even further is by checking to see if your employer matches charitable donations!

Many companies do! Check with your Accounting or Human Resources department to find out. Typically, you can still request to match funds from donations you made in 2009!

We would be happy to fill out any forms or send any supporting documents that your companies requests.

The East African Center is a 501c3 charitable organization and our EIN # is 91-2161222.

If you are a federal employee, you can donate to the EAC through the Combined Federal Campaign. Just indicate our CFC #, 12297, on your enrollment form.

Our Financials are Now Available Online!

With an annual operating budget of $120,000, we understand that every dollar must have the best possible impact. Please follow this link  to see how the EAC is committed to honesty and efficiciency. We are proud that for every $1 donated, 75 cents goes directly to programming.

funding comes from
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November 2011

Dear EAC Community,   

 

I just returned from three weeks in Takaungu and in this newsletter, I will share with you the most recent successes of the school and clinic. I am excited to say that even I was surprised with the progress we have made since my last visit to Kenya!

 

There are more classrooms, more teachers and a working farm!

 

The classrooms are stocked with XO laptops, the teachers are diverse and well educated, and our farm hosts all kinds of greens, a huge water well, and water tank. 

 

Our health clinic continues to serve a growing population of patients. The Community Health Workers are independent and working together to reach a broader population more effectively. 

 

Together, we are doing something that isn't being done elsewhere. We are supporting a local community in supporting themselves.  

 

We hope you had a wonderful summer and that you are looking forward to the holiday season. As you prepare for time with your family, please keep the East African Center in mind.  

 

Jen Hill

US Program Director 

  

Darien and Kilifi Rotary Clubs Partner for Vutakaka Junior School

We are proud to announce a new Rotary partnership! The Rotary Club of Darien (CT, USA) has partnered with the Rotary Club of Kilifi (Kenya) to build six much needed toilets and one large urinal at our school. 

 

Vutakaka is fortunate to have so many Rotarian supporters from across the globe. We are particularly thankful to Chip Weismiller of the Darien Rotary who worked so tirelessly to secure this funding. Ground will be broken on the pit this month!

 

Another Rotary thank you goes to The Rotary Club of West Seattle who recently donated $1,000 to our farming and water programs. 

EAC Health Services to Reach Further in 2012
The EAC and the Kilifi Ministery of Health and Community Development Fund (CDF), are working together to expand health services to Mavueni, an area located between Takaungu and Kilifi.

Residents of Mavueni must either travel by bus and then motorcycle to our clinic in Takaungu or the public hospital in Kilifi, both 10 miles away.

The EAC is excited about this new partnership and expansion! All parties are hoping to open this new clinic by Spring!

VJS Performance Ranks High 


Vutakaka Junior School continues to rank among the top 5 schools in the Kilifi district which is now comprised of more than 35 schools. The local public school, Takaungu, is ranked among the lowest 5.

Next year, our first class of students will be ready for Secondary School. The staff and teachers are working hard to prepare for this exciting transition!

 

Transparency

TransparencyAt this term's parents' meeting, we discussed US fundraising efforts. We informed parents of our work on the US end and took one more step toward local ownership.

We hope the newly created parent's advisory committee will begin reviewing budgets and proposing decisions in January.
Josphat Mangi Jeff (Uncle Jeff)

 

We want to officially welcome Jeff to the teaching staff for Term 3. Jeff was born and raised in Kilifi and went to Gede Secondary School. Jeff did his teaching practice at Vutakaka Junior School over Term 2 of this year. At the end of the term, he was awarded his diploma in Early Childhood Education from Pwani University in Kilifi. He returned to us this term to fill in for a nursery teacher on maternity leave.  

 

Jeff has an obvious love of teaching and always goes the extra mile to make sure he is doing a great job. He is also an artist and has helped us with painting classrooms and our new health clinic sign. We look forward to having Jeff as a permanent member of our teaching faculty!

Mr. Jeffrey

Volunteer Spotlight - Alessandra  
Alessandra Delacruz, a New York based artist, brought a new and fresh perspective to our community. In three short weeks she lead abstract art lessons with each of the grades, painted a huge mural of the world map on the Standard 7 class room wall, labeled each of the classrooms in the primary school and the Sewing Cooperative's new Showroom. She painted each of the funders of the new well, water tank and garden on the tank base, instructed the Kindergarten students in Yoga, and created a masterpiece of abstract work on the side of the Standard 2 classroom.

The abstract mural faces the eating area and can be scene by anyone approaching the school. It is a magnificant piece of work and is the first exposure for many at the school and in the community to abstract art.


Alex is developing a curriculum for an intensive art club in the hopes that she is able to return to teach next summer. We greatly believe in the positive impact of art in students' lives and want to develop a more rigorous art curriculum. Her talent and playfulness brought color and joy to the school for a few weeks. We can not thank her enough for her contributions.

 

Student sponsors - be on the look out for hand-painting artwork in your next mailing from us this month!  

 

You can watch her create this masterpiece here on YouTube.  

Shamba Project Udpate
The water tank is in its place on its stand with a new roof over-head. The farm is growing everyday with the help of the groundskeepers and gardening club. These pictures say it all!


Thank you for staying connected to the EAC and the people of Takaungu! We would love to hear from you! How did you come to know the EAC? What would like to hear from us or see us do?

Thank you for your interest and support!
 
Emma Nierman
[email protected]
425.681.2459
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