Welcome back to Somalia! We’re in Annayo, a small farming community in the northern part of the country. The next thirty days will be all about Annayo - boosting these farmers' confidence that every season will provide enough bounty to support their families. We kicked off the month by talking to farmers - they told us what their needs were, and we brainstormed some ideas for how best to respond. One theme we saw come up time and time again was the need for more livestock - for manure for crops, milk to sell in the market, meat for the family, or to produce offspring that they could sell for income. So, what better place to start than by responding to this number one need...getting these farmers some goats! This community was heavily impacted by the recent droughts in 2017, and is still feeling many of the repercussions of the water shortage. Many people lost not only crops but livestock, trees and more. An infusion of more goats will help these families get back on … [Read more...] about Got Your Goat
Archives for March 2019
Generosity in Action
The Apopa Youth Center is a sanctuary space. In the heart of gang territory, in a place where movement is restricted and violence is common, their center radiates peace, joy, and generosity. We sat down with the kids at the Youth Center to come up with ideas for how to make that sanctuary space even bigger - how to expand it out, reaching those who might not always find themselves within its walls. One boy had an idea. "There are people in this community who don't have food," he said. "We can bring them comfort and show them the good that's happening here by buying them some groceries." We loved that idea...what a wonderful way to give back, to put into action the leadership and generosity they've learned at the center. The kids put together care packages of food, with rice, sugar, flour, soup...the basics needed to create a meal. Then, they set out into their community to hand deliver the packages. And the best part? Even though we've spent the past few days on … [Read more...] about Generosity in Action
Artists in Training
The kids at the Apopa Youth Center are bursting with talent. They're artistic and musical. They're into hip hop and tae kwon do. Their creativity is off the charts. These kids are looking for something - anything - to help spur on their creativity. They can barely contain their enthusiasm for art and learning! What they don't have a lot of is supplies. We went to the closest art supply store and pulled together a sampling of materials for them to test out - acrylic paint, colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, brushes, pallets, papers, and a block printing kit with plenty of ink for both fabric and paper. As we unveiled all the supplies, the looks on the kids faces was one of shock and surprise - they couldn't believe it was all for them! They got to work right away, sorting through the pile and chatting excitedly about different ideas for projects. We can't wait to see what they'll dream up and create next. … [Read more...] about Artists in Training
Everyday We’re Hustlin
The Apopa Youth Center is run by a group of spunky and hardworking Catholic Sisters. It's a place where everyone is welcome. A place where you can unwind, be yourself - and also, get fit. Every day in the afternoons, the Sisters host an aerobics class for moms. They don't have many outlets to concentrate on their health - to spend an hour just for themselves. And that's what the Sisters provide. When we asked the kids at the center how they'd do even more to keep their moms coming, they had an idea...more workout gear! Right now, the ladies workout on the hard, tiled floor, with just a stick or a broom to use for gear. "They could really use things like weights, jump rope, yoga mats, and bands," said the kids. And, the kids had another idea...what if we surprised the moms with their new equipment just before class? So they organized some chairs, sat their moms down, and one by one they brought up the equipment, explaining what each was for. They were so proud and … [Read more...] about Everyday We’re Hustlin