Community-based education programs in Africa

Dear Even Ground Friends,

As we begin our 12th year of empowering children and communities affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty, I continue to be proud of the many accomplishments and achievements of the 1,500 youths whom we serve.  These children hail from some of the least developed and neglected areas of Africa. Nevertheless, because of your support and the tireless efforts of our project directors and staff, we are creating a more “even ground” for these youngsters, providing them with vital educational resources, economic development opportunities, and essential nutrition and healthcare.

Today, I ask that you join myself and the Even Ground Board in making a tax deductible contribution to Even Ground. Your gift will ensure that our programs continue to impact the lives of these young people. Each of our projects is undertaking important and empowering initiatives in their respective communities.  

The Mukono Project, located in Uganda, improves young peoples' livelihoods through education, increased HIV/AIDS awareness, poverty alleviation initiatives, and sustainable management of environmental resources. Even Ground has supported Mukono since 2006, providing scholarships and training for 24 students from secondary school to university.  

Fina and Edgar are two students who Even Ground has funded since 2006. They both come from the rural Mukono area, where there is little running water, open sewage, and high levels of infant mortality. Fina and Edgar are HIV/AIDS orphans; however, through the Mukono Project, they have excelled in a private high school and now are in their first year of university.

With your assistance, we hope to select another 4 to 6 students in 2015 based on financial need, academic achievement, and impact from HIV/AIDS. $1,000 per student per year ensures that individuals like Fina and Edgar receive the proper education, training, and health care necessary to succeed.

Total Mukono cost to fund 6 students in 2015: $6,000

The Thanda Project, located in South Africa, partners with rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal to create long-term solutions for sustainable development. Thanda invests heavily in its staff members who then in turn invest time and energy in the area’s youth, who will shape the community and future generations.

Raa began the Thanda After School program when he was 14. He comes from an impoverished household, suffered from severe malnutrition as a child, and had few prospects for work. As a result of his growth with Thanda, Raa now is a senior staff member overseeing the training of other teachers and ancillary programs, such as the Thanda Community Gardens.

To ensure that Raa and others like him can find sustainable livelihoods, we are raising $20,000 for the Thanda Community Garden. These gardens provide food and jobs for local residents who then are able to improve the livelihoods for themselves and future generations. Every new Community Garden costs approximately $5,000. With your assistance, we hope to empower Thanda to build four new gardens, resulting in food for another 125 families and approximately 300 more jobs.  
 
Total Costs for Thanda Gardens: $20,000

As Executive Director of Even Ground, I am extremely fortunate to be in a position to assist these wonderful young people in developing sustainable livelihoods throughout Africa. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to our organization by the end of the year—either online or by calling me at (646) 580 7451.
 
Wishing you all the very best throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.
 
Happy Holidays

Christopher Eaglin
Executive Director
Even Ground 

Links:

• Donate to Even Ground

Hello Even Ground donors, 

I have recently been appointed as Executive Director of Even Ground. I have been in the role for just over two months. I have spent the majority of the time learning the history of the organization, its current set of opportunities and challenges and avenues for future growth. 

Based on the information that I have collected, in conjunction with our project directors and the board, I have the following priorities over the next several months. 

(1) Create more synergies among the existing projects and grow the number of Even Ground projects;

(2) Engage with the board to create a robust strategic plan supported by a thoughtful and realistic fundraising strategy; and

(3) Set a template for an efficient organizational structure including an operational manual with clear internal and external reporting requirements.

(4) Run a successful annual fundraiser set for October 24th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Roosevelt House at Hunter College. 

I am committed to assisting EG reach these goals in the coming months. These are large tasks, which require a great deal of support from the board and project directors to achieve. I am confident that if we marshal our resources judiciously we can achieve those four tenets set out above.

I am looking forward to serving this organization as it grows in the future.

Best,

Christopher Eaglin

Executive Director

Even Ground

chris@evenground.org