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UPEI students continue to fundraise for African orphanage
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Three UPEI students, who spent the summer helping the underprivileged in central Kenya through a Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF) initiative, continue to lend a helping hand. Hannah Hughes, Amy Rawlinson, and Harrison Blizzard were a part of a group of exchange students who spent 90 days in the village of Kiirua, and were so moved by their experience that they are fundraising back at home for the Kenyan villagers.
UPEI works in collaboration with FHF on their initiatives related to education, research, and service. This summer's trip, which sent six students to Kenya, focused on securing the future of children and youth, increasing food security, and creating sustainable economic growth. In addition to Hughes, a biology student, and Rawlinson and Blizzard, both nutrition students, three nursing students, Danielle MacConnell, Gloria Smith, and Danaiet Teame also participated.
After spending many hours at the village orphanage- Trame Africane Machaka Project- helping to provide meals for the young children, it was clear to Hughes, Rawlinson, and Blizzard that their volunteer efforts on location weren't going to be enough. 'We all became so attached to the children in the orphanage that we knew we had to do more,' said Hughes. 'By continuing to raise funds on the Island, we knew it would be our way to continue helping out. And at the end of the day, that's our reward,' she added.
Before returning to Canada, the team got involved with one of the orphanage's projects which teaches women to sew African bags and towels, providing the women with jobs and ultimately, their independence. Hughes, Rawlinson, and Blizzard decided to take home three boxes full of Machaka towels/throws, draw string bags, sling bags, and handbags-a few hundred items in total.
Their goal is to raise close to $5,000 through the selling of these handcrafts. With reasonable prices (between $4 and $30) and the holiday season upon us, the students are optimistic that they will sell enough products to reach their goal and support the underdeveloped and underprivileged African children.
The team truly believes in fundraising for the orphanage that became like a second home to them. 'Giving back to a community that was so welcoming to us and being able to help provide the best life possible for these children is one of the most enjoyable aspects of fundraising for the orphanage,' said Blizzard.
For more information on purchasing an item, or donating to their cause, contact Hannah Hughes at hdhughes@upei.ca.
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