Baobab Canopy: Growing Home
Donation protected
In June of 2014, a nurse working for MSF traveled to Zanzibar for a short--and much needed--holiday. She believed this would be her only venture to the small island, so she decided to spend half of the week on the east coast, and half on the west coast.
During her time on the west, she stayed at the Mangrove Eco Lodge--inspired by their commitment to the environment as well as to their community. While there, she learned of their work to establish a dispensary (clinic) in the village, since there wasn't one amid the need there. Thus, a dream was born.
In March of 2015, that nurse returned. And with her, she brought two nurses who shared a love for humanity and a desire to help promote health services. They visited and worked in five local dispensaries, donating several hundred pounds of medical supplies between each site.
But that's not all. They heard of the struggles of children and of education, and they decided to broaden their impact. So they purchased school supplies to donate, they brought maps, books, and worked with teachers to identify 26 children who each received a new backpack, uniform, and special school supplies.
They dreamed a new dream, Growing Home. It will be a combination library--also the first in the village of Chuini!--and children's center, and will be open for children to come and to have access to learning and educational support. It will also be the hub where an electronic pen pal program will be coordinated--bridging children of Chuini and children of the Greater Portland area in Maine.
Help support the realization of this vision; help the dream emerge from the darkness and become a reality. Each contribution helps us to assemble medical and educational supplies for our next big trip--six nursing students and just as many experienced nurses in March of 2016--where we will continue with the medical and educational focus. Help to transform the space identified at the Mangrove Eco Lodge into a space where children can come to learn, to grow, to be inspired.
During her time on the west, she stayed at the Mangrove Eco Lodge--inspired by their commitment to the environment as well as to their community. While there, she learned of their work to establish a dispensary (clinic) in the village, since there wasn't one amid the need there. Thus, a dream was born.
In March of 2015, that nurse returned. And with her, she brought two nurses who shared a love for humanity and a desire to help promote health services. They visited and worked in five local dispensaries, donating several hundred pounds of medical supplies between each site.
But that's not all. They heard of the struggles of children and of education, and they decided to broaden their impact. So they purchased school supplies to donate, they brought maps, books, and worked with teachers to identify 26 children who each received a new backpack, uniform, and special school supplies.
They dreamed a new dream, Growing Home. It will be a combination library--also the first in the village of Chuini!--and children's center, and will be open for children to come and to have access to learning and educational support. It will also be the hub where an electronic pen pal program will be coordinated--bridging children of Chuini and children of the Greater Portland area in Maine.
Help support the realization of this vision; help the dream emerge from the darkness and become a reality. Each contribution helps us to assemble medical and educational supplies for our next big trip--six nursing students and just as many experienced nurses in March of 2016--where we will continue with the medical and educational focus. Help to transform the space identified at the Mangrove Eco Lodge into a space where children can come to learn, to grow, to be inspired.
Organizer
Emily Gerardo
Organizer
South Portland, ME