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"We're very interested in providing an opportunity for students to know about the issues in other countries, particularly in the area of poverty and how to reduce poverty.
And we wanted a program where it wasn't just a one time gift, but required a long term involvement by the school, and by the students. So we met with Village HopeCore, and talked about the idea of becoming associated with them on a long term basis." - John Durgin
Sonoma Academy
Sonoma Academy
is an independent, co-educational college-preparatory high school in
Santa Rosa, California. SA fosters a love of learning and a passion
for personal discovery.
John
Durgin is the director of Sonoma Academy's service program, Connections.
As part of a poverty awareness study in 2004, John brought several speakers
to the school to educate the students about microlending, including
Dr.
KK Mugambi. Both students and parents were moved and
motivated by what they heard. Students formed several fundraising
groups to help Village HopeCore. Several parents became involved.
Stella Monday
was excited by the concept of microlending, and its ability to truly
impact poverty. She volunteered to work with Dr. Mugambi. She and Dr.
Mugambi took a group of students to Chogoria in 2005 to make a documentary.
Another interested parent, Lisa Lawrence-Briggs, accompanied them.
Sally
Nicholson, whose son graduated in 2004, was moved to contribute $9500
to fund loans and training for a group of 12 women. She visited the
women of the group she funded on a combined
service/safari trip to Kenya in 2005.
Since Dr. Mugambi's first visit in January of 2004, Sonoma Academy has established a permanent link with Village HopeCore, hoping to set a precedent for other schools. SA invites other schools to work with them in developing student projects to assist Village HopeCore and to educate about microlending.
You
can begin a dialogue or ask questions by emailing John Durgin: john.durgin@sonomaacademy.org