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How Did It All Start?
A year ago, Vanessa, one of our volunteers,
went to South Africa to help an orphanage in Khayelitsha,
the second largest township in South Africa.
During her time off, Vanessa visited a
preschool close to the orphanage. She was shocked to see that
the children were all gathered in only one classroom when
there were three classrooms available. She asked the principal
and was informed that the two other classrooms could not be
used because they were leaking and in such bad shape that
the children would be unsafe.
The classrooms were actually containers
given by a charitable organization few years ago. Nobody maintained
them since, and, with time, they had become unusable.
Vanessa asked how much it would cost to
repair the two classroom-containers: replacing the floor and
roof and repainting the walls. The amount ommunicated (less
than $1,000) was what would be the beginning of everything.
With the help of the local community and
some friends in South Africa and abroad, the funds were collected,
the supplies purchased in a local store and two new classrooms
were restored in a week’s time!
So, if we could restore two classrooms for less than $1,000
with only few people, imagine if we could raise more money
and gather more volunteers?
And Austin2Africa was born…
Why Are We
Doing This?
We want to make an impact. Sure, we could
have just given a financial donation to a specific charitable
organization, but we wanted to do so much more…
First, we wanted to be involved from the beginning of the
project – from the screening to its management. It was
important for us to cover every possible detail ourselves
so we could guarantee that every penny will go towards the
project’s process. It was also important for us to make
sure this project was implemented as a long term one. If those
kids did not have any family, we wanted to assure them that
they had one here and this was just a beginning. The journey
to South Africa had to start in Austin.
Second, through our fundraising events, we wanted to raise
awareness in our local community. Our cooperation with schools,
the media, movie theatres and other venues helped us connect
with a large audience who did not always know about South
Africa and what it still faces today. As a result,
those Austinites also become empowered by this project.
Finally, we wanted to challenge ourselves.
Through the months, we have discovered such a potential in
the team and individually that we now believe anything can
be done as long as we stay committed and we merge, move and
benefit from the connections of everyone, wherever and whoever
those connections would be. We discovered unexpectedly around
us that our own little world was willing to help the whole
world, despite the economic crisis.
It is an unique concept that we hope others
will have the inspiration to create in their own community.
Get to know
us!
Barbara Zapora
"There comes a time in one's life when it's not all about us. It is about the difference we can make in someone else's life. Whether it be in the US or another country. There comes a time we need to pay it forward and help others, which, in the long run will help make a a difference in our world. Anything is possible, as long as we have the passion and determination to make it happen!"
Beth Dorman
I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can
show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer
or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again”
Mahatma Gandhi “I have always been inspired
by this quote and I can’t think of a group more deserving
of kindness”
Roni Sivan
"I got involved with this project because we will be working together over the course of the next year to turn a big dream into a life changing reality for all parties involved. The connection I already feel for this cause is unprecedented for me and I await the day when we will celebrate the project's success with the Nyanga community!"
Vanessa Noel
"Do small things with great Love.
Mother Theresa"
Ana Marisa Militano
"For me the reason to be apart of this project is very simple, and comes down to these five words, "Love your neighbor as yourself"- Leviticus 19:18. Whether it's my neighbor next door in Austin, Texas or the children in Nyanga, South Africa. I am dedicated to share my time, labor, love and abilities with others. I'm so thankful and thrilled to be able to step outside my small comfortable world of "me" and fundraise monies and assist in providing the most basic needs for these children of Nyanga.
I challenge those to think about what St. Francis shared a very long time ago "start by doing what's necessary; then do what's is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible!" Because if it's not me, then who? And if it not now, then when...."
Laurie Moxley
"There's a poem by Mary Oliver in which she asks the question, 'Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?' This project helps me answer."
Shannon Wolff
"I am excited to be a part of the Austin2Africa project, as it doesn't simply create an ambiguous desire for change -- it incites specific thought and action towards a common goal, the children of a South African orphanage. I am positive that this project will change both the lives of the children of Nyanga and the lives of its volunteers, by creating awareness, inspiring action, and spreading compassion. "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." - The Beatles."
Nick Lopez
"It is not until we take the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the lives of others that we can see how truly fortunate we really are. Through these programs, I am able to take my talents, lending hands and try to help others gain basic necessities that I take for granted on a daily basis and learn from those I visit. I joined the team because our efforts do not stop at the end of our time there, but extend long after."
Tracy Adams
"Be the change you want to see in
the world."
Ladye Anne Keck
“I am so grateful to Vanessa for
giving us all the incredible opportunity to be a part of this
very special project, and to all of the volunteers and donors
who have given so much to this cause. I cannot wait to see
the smiles of all the children at Emasithandane when they
move into their beautiful expanded new home!”
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