Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Work, Workshops and Wow What a Great Day!

Tonight it is about the pictures...a spectacular day today, not only did a lot of work get accomplished, but new relationships were formed and great Rotary fellowship was had by all. Enjoy - more photos soon:

John, our driver playing with one of the babies at Street Girls Aid


This logo was done by Games People Play in Austin Minnesota
SAID has done a great job of brand marketing


Kathy and Margie goofing around with the Deechas

Margie, Cathy and Holly get organized for the work day








The girls were having their hair-dressing examination today

Kathy coordinates with Marilyn the tailor who is
custom making outfits for the team. Marilyn came on-site
so the work team could continue to get things done while
getting measured - lots of fun!


SAID staff Rose and Sammy...along with some of the
kids in the nursery send us off for the day


Rotary Club of Accra South President, Robert Sam receives a
banner from Margie while Cathy makes the introductions


The Rotary Club of Accra South and the team



Monday, January 27, 2014

Reading Makes a Country Great

Our first day at Street Girls Aid was pretty incredible. The libraries made it and are getting settled in - the team and some of the staff will be going to find paint and decorations in the morning and then...let the construction begin. So today in a few pictures...










Sunday, January 26, 2014

The first full day in Ghana

In a few days these beautiful fabrics
will be transformed into beautiful clothing
We arrived safe and sound just yesterday! It is cool here at 80 degrees, but pretty sweaty. The local Rotarians greeted us warmly at the airport and arranged for some pretty special VIP treatment. The 2 days have been filled with getting our feet on the ground, engaging in local customs and traditions and preparing for the days ahead.

We will be sure to brighten up the day when we come back to the United States dressed in outfits made from these beautiful fabrics. It was a great first full day on the ground here, we met with Vida from Street Girls AID got settled in, got our supplies for the week, ate great local food and yes...shopped for fabrics. We meet with the seamstress on Tuesday for some styling, then off to build and decorate the Little Free Library tomorrow is a full day at SAID in workshops, meeting the staff and girls and getting started...more later!
Waiting in the VIP lot for our driver to load up up

Theresa, Barb and Holly enjoy some fellowship

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Little Free Libraries get warm send-off...packed and ready to go...in 3 days

DG Gary Campbell sends the Little
Free Library off with a warm send-off

Todd Bol and his cheerleaders say
goodbye and bon voyage
 Despite frigid temperatures 110 degrees colder than in Accra, Ghana dignitaries from around the District came out to say farewell to the Little Free Libraries and Deechas on their journey to Africa. District Governor Gary Campbell met with Cathy Smith and Kathy Stutzman to wish the team a successful trip and a warm send-off. And Little Free Library Executive Director, Todd Bol brought a pair of cheerleaders to send the libraries off.

A scarf warms the library in the
below zero temperatures
The temperature outside on my way to
pick up the Little Free Libaray
An initiative within the 3rd phase of the Street Girls Aid project, the volunteer team (click here to learn more about the volunteer team )will be working on a multi-dimensional project including:
  • literacy,
  • vocational training and,
  • library stewardship.
The literacy portion of the project includes purchasing/picking-up/bringing and delivering local culturally inclusive books in Accra from the Osu Children's Library Fund and the Ghana Book Trust in partnership with Books For Africa, Little Free Library ,our many donors and sponsors and using them to fill the libraries, providing access to books and literacy initiatives to the girls and their babies who live, work and sleep on the streets of Accra;
Teamwork in action

The vocational training opportunities include building, manufacturing, decorating, assembling and installing Little Free Libraries Little Free Libraries and strategizing about additional vocational opportunities for the girls related to the construction aspect of the project;

The library stewardship part of the project includes workshops and shared learning opportunities with the Street Girls Aid Staff and the team traveling to Ghana in coordination and partnership with a number of on the ground librarians - can't wait to see what comes from these shared learning opportunities.

The birth of the traveling library - Hudson, Wisconsin USA


To successfully accomplish the build, assemble and construct part of the project, the team will be bringing 5 libraries with us as checked baggage and will seek partners on the ground to design and draw plans for libraries...and you will be able to follow this particular library which Kathy Stutzman built in Hudson, Wisconsin and the journey starts here...

The libraries are all packed and ready to go thanks to  the crew at BL Dalsin who have packaged the libraries into checked baggage size - Yippiee! The next part is to get everything to the airport and take off. Pictures will be posted all along the journey - follow the links included in this post to learn more about the various partners we will be working with in Accra...2 days and counting.

Thank you all for your support and well-wishes!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Little Free Libraries and Deechas Getting Ready to Travel to Ghana...in 7 Days


The Little Free Libraries & Deechas take a stop in New Hope, Minnesota to be repackaged for their plane flight to Ghana
An initiative within the 3rd phase of the Street Girls Aid project, the volunteer team (click here to learn more about the volunteer team )will be working on a multi-dimensional project including:
  • literacy,
  • vocational training and,
  • library stewardship.
The literacy portion of the project includes purchasing/picking-up/bringing and delivering local culturally inclusive books in Accra from the Osu Children's Library Fund and the Ghana Book Trust in partnership with Books For Africa, Little Free Library ,our many donors and sponsors and using them to fill the libraries, providing access to books and literacy initiatives to the girls and their babies who live, work and sleep on the streets of Accra;
Teamwork in action
The vocational training opportunities include building, manufacturing, decorating, assembling and installing Little Free Libraries Little Free Libraries and strategizing about additional vocational opportunities for the girls related to the construction aspect of the project;

The library stewardship part of the project includes workshops and shared learning opportunities with the Street Girls Aid Staff and the team traveling to Ghana in coordination and partnership with a number of on the ground librarians - can't wait to see what comes from these shared learning opportunities.

The birth of the traveling library - Hudson, Wisconsin USA
To successfully accomplish the build, assemble and construct part of the project, the team will be bringing 5 libraries with us as checked baggage and will seek partners on the ground to design and draw plans for libraries...and you will be able to follow this particular library which Kathy Stutzman built in Hudson, Wisconsin and the journey starts here...

The next part of the trip for this library is to shipping to get dressed and ready for the trip, pictures will be posted when it is ready to travel, until then - follow the links included in this post to learn more about the various partners we will be working with in Accra...7 days and counting.

Thank you all for your support and well-wishes!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Follow this Little Free Library as it travels from Minnesota USA to Ghana...in 12 days

All loaded up in the car ready to go to
Austin, MN and then New Brighton to
get dressed and ready for the trip
An initiative within the 3rd phase of the Street Girls Aid project, the volunteer team (click here to learn more about the volunteer team )will be working on a multi-dimensional project including:
  • literacy,
  • vocational training and,
  • library stewardship.
The literacy portion of the project includes purchasing/picking-up/bringing and delivering local culturally inclusive books in Accra from the Osu Children's Library Fund and the Ghana Book Trust in partnership with Books For Africa, Little Free Library ,our many donors and sponsors and using them to fill the libraries, providing access to books and literacy initiatives to the girls and their babies who live, work and sleep on the streets of Accra;

The vocation training opportunities include building, manufacturing, decorating, assembling and installing Little Free Libraries Little Free Libraries and strategizing about additional vocational opportunities for the girls related to the construction aspect of the project;

The library stewardship part of the project includes workshops and shared learning opportunities with the Street Girls Aid Staff and the team traveling to Ghana in coordination and partnership with a number of on the ground librarians - can't wait to see what comes from these shared learning opportunities.

The birth of the traveling library - Hudson, Wisconsin USA
To successfully accomplish the build, assemble and construct part of the project, the team will be bringing 5 libraries with us as checked baggage and will seek partners on the ground to design and draw plans for libraries...and you will be able to follow this particular library which Kathy Stutzman built in Hudson, Wisconsin and the journey starts here...

The next part of the trip for this library is to shipping to get dressed and ready for the trip, pictures will be posted when it is ready to travel, until then - follow the links included in this post to learn more about the various partners we will be working with in Accra...12 days and counting.

Thank you all for your support and well-wishes!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Meet the 2014 Volunteers Traveling to Ghana in January 2014

Kathy Stutzman and Cathy Smith share about their work in Ghana
at a Rotary District5960 Event
Meet the 2014 volunteers who are traveling to Accra in January 2014: Holly Callen, Barb Hanson, Margie Horning, Kathy Lillis, Diana Schoberg, Cathy Smith and Kathy Stutzman


Holly Callen
HOLLY CALLEN 

Holly Callen was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois; however, she has lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota since she graduated from college 40 years ago.  Her college degree was in the teaching of English and her graduate degree focused on drama and 20th century American literature.  

Holly is married to Rob Hamilton.  She has two adult children and two granddaughters – Brianna, age 12, and McKenna, Age 9. Holly and Rob spend their summers in Minneapolis and their winters in Phoenix, Arizona.  In her spare time, Holly likes to read, sing, travel, record books for the blind and participate in activities through her Rotary club.  Lifetime learning is extremely important to her, especially learning about other cultures.

Holly has had many interests in her professional life.  She has been an opera singer, a Cantor, a national fundraiser, a development officer for a non-profit, a financial adviser and a corporate board member with a specialization in Corporate Governance.  Until 2008, she owned and operated a financial services company focusing on venture capital, charitable giving and retirement planning.  In addition, Holly has significant experience and expertise in marketing and event planning.

Holly’s favorite quote is from sociologist Margaret Mead – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  She tries to live her life based on that precept and believes that, by working together across cultures and miles, we can indeed improve the lives of all of us and make the world a more peaceful, welcoming place.



 BARBARA HANSON

Barb’s personal interests include exploring new places both within the United States and internationally. Her international experience includes the following:
Service projects - Rotary projects to Costa Rica (AIDS education), India (pathogen-free blood supply) and South Africa (school for blind children).  Faith-based trip to Tanzania (school and parish visits)
Study abroad – Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and Switzerland
Independent travel – Canada, China, England, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Singapore, The Netherlands, Uganda.

Her travel experiences are fueled by a desire to seek out new experiences expanding her “comfort zone” and she enjoys tapping into children’s natural curiosity to help them learn and develop. She enjoys reading, riding bicycles, photography, theatre and spending time with friends and family.

Barb is married to Jim and she loves being an aunt to her older and younger brothers’ children ranging in age from 29 years to twin 5 year olds - 4 nieces and 1 nephew.

The skills that Barb brings to the team include: Work experience with college/university, corporate, not-for-profit organizations; Personal empowerment facilitator – primarily with young, single mothers and children; Training – needs assessment, curriculum development, facilitation; Marketing, promotions – written material, public speaking; Event planning – logistics, marketing; and Intercultural awareness – communication, orientation. 



Margie Horning
MARGIE HORNING

Margie was born and raised in good old St. Paul Minnesota.  She has been married to Gary for over 47 years.  They have three sons and two grandsons.  Her hobbies include family activities, cooking, hiking, camping, gardening, traveling and reading.

Margie is a shareholder in Ramsay & Associates, Ltd., and has been with the firm for over 25 years.  She specializes in business advisory services, financial statement preparation and personal, fiduciary and corporate tax accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant.

She has a Bachelors of Arts degree with an accounting focus from Metropolitan State University and an Associate in Applied Science Accounting Technician degree from Century College.  Prior to joining Ramsay & Associates in 1988, she worked for a national tax preparation corporation preparing personal tax returns.  She also worked for several small businesses serving as a CFO, bookkeeper and computer software consultant.

Margie is a member of the Minnesota Society of CPAs and the National Association of Tax Preparers. She was a Board member of the St. Croix Area United Way (now known as the United Way of Washington County-East) for 10 years, serving as President and Vice President of Fund Distribution.  In 2001 she was awarded the organization's annual Clayton Moulton Award for Volunteer of the Year.

Libraries have always been a big part of Margie's life and she has served on the Washington County Library Board for six years. She is an active member of the Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club. In past years, she served as President, International Director and Community Service Director and Foundation Chair. She has also served on the Board of Directors and as treasurer of Rotary District 5960.  Currently, Margie is Chair of the Rotary District 5960 grants subcommittee, the GSE selection committee and acts as treasurer for the International Vision Facilitation Council, Inc..  She has also been active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and her church. 

I look forward to learning more about the programs offered to the girls by Street Girls Aid.  What a great opportunity to be part of the work being done to enhance the lives of the girls and their children.  I am especially excited to help put the new literacy and library programs into action.


Kathleen Lillis
KATHLEEN LILLIS

Kathleen is married with one son, daughter-in-law and 3 grandsons.  She is involved with her church, music, reading and travel. She works in the real estate business and loves helping people find a home. She also works with people when they have life events (birth, death, etc) to find comfort in their changes.

Kathleen's passion is in working with youth. She is working with youth who have lost their path and committed minor offenses. This youth service bureau works with the youth in a restorative justice program to help them learn how their actions have affected the victims, and how much their actions have a negative bearing on their families, school and themselves.  She also works with youth with addictions and also do several leadership programs.  As an active board member she works on strategic planning for the organization and is also actively involved in the organization’s financial stability.

Kathleen is on the board of a local education foundation and raises money to assist with school opportunities that are not financed by the school district. As a board member she works to obtain more technology, field trips, speakers, scholarships, etc. 

Her hope is that some of these skills will be useful in our time in Accra with S.Aid. and she is looking forward to being both a leader and a student in our joint learning process


Beatrice and her mom, Diana Schoberg
DIANA SCHOBERG

Diana Schoberg is married and has a 13-month-old daughter. She and her family live outside of Chicago.


Diana is a magazine editor and has worked as a writer and reporter for a decade. Before becoming a journalist, she worked briefly as a research assistant in a lab studying soybean pathogens and as a caseworker at an overnight shelter for homeless women. She has a bachelor’s degree in conservation biology and zoology and a master’s in journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, cycling, gardening (anything outdoors!) and cooking.






Cathy Smith 
CATHY SMITH - CO-TEAM LEADER














KATHY STUTZMAN - CO-TEAM LEADER




Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Libraries, Deechas and Children's Books - Preparing to Leave for Ghana

Kathy Margie & Holly work on building a Little Free Library
Deechas, books and libraries abound as we prepare to leave for Ghana in 5 weeks. In preparation for the upcoming trip our team worked on their construction and teamwork skills to prepare to train the trainers and work with Street Girls Aid staff as part of the literacy and library components of this project.

Donations continue to come in to support the purchase of the Little Free Libraries which will be built, decorated and installed in a variety of locations in Ghana – classrooms, villages, crèches, and other  locations identified by Street Girls Aid and the girls…can’t wait to see where we will be installing them! Some of the library kits are already on their way in a Books For Africa container, we will be carrying several with us in our checked baggage and we have the plans ready to go to build with local supplies once we get on the ground.
Margie, Barb, Kathy & Holly

We will be bringing some books with us but will be purchasing culturally appropriate and inclusive books while on the ground in Ghana from the Osu Children's Library Fund – they are great books and will be wonderful for moms to be reading with their children. For more information on how you can support the purchase of these books click here: How you can have an impact


Street Girls Aid offers vocation training and opportunities for street
girls and sewing is one of their vocational specialties. If you would like to support Street Girls Aid and provide an opportunity for the girls to make something for you and your friends, now is the time to order your goodies so that we can bring your items back when we return. For more information click here: Street Girls Aid Fabric Items Order Form

We are honored to be bringing boxes of Deechas with us to share with the girls and to put in the classrooms. We are honoring the creator of the Deecha’s, the late Dianne Meixner, who was one of the founding members of Team Ghana which has worked for many years on creating opportunities for literacy and increased international relationships through a variety of initiatives, one of which involves these adorable creatures which originated from children’s imaginations. For more information about Team Ghana and the Deecha story click here: Team Ghana - Deecha Story 

Books and Deechas are all ready to go to Ghana
The partnerships continue to evolve and we really need to thank The Rotary Foundation all of the Rotary Clubs of District 5960  that have supported this effort and continue to show an outpouring of generosity. Friends and family, coworkers and other service organizations are sharing their support of this project and our team and this would not be possible without the involvement of everyone – so thank you all! Stay tuned as we continue to update the blog with our progress, preparation and on-going adventures.