Comfort the Children International
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Carl Webb
Jul 11, 2012, 6:57:09 PM7/11/12
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Non-Profit Profile of the Month: CTC International
This month we are pleased to feature Comfort the Children
International for our non-profile profile. CTC International is an
East Austin-based organization that has been working toward holistic
sustainable development in Kenya for the past ten years. The CTC staff
answered our questions about their organization, it's many innovative
local partnerships, and how you can get involved.
Tell us a little bit about your organization's history--how did you get started?
Our story is an amazing story of empowerment and sustainability. After
CTC Founder Zane Wilemon finished his undergrad, he bought a one-way
ticket to Kenya where he worked for a year as a medical aid, taught
high school French, and served as the outreach coordinator for the
Rift Valley Academy. While serving in this position, Zane visited the
town of Maai Mahiu and was struck by the desperation of the community.
He formed a friendship with Jeremiah Kuria (now President of CTC’s
Kenya operations), who was serving as a local pastor and the director
of the Maai Mahiu Children’s Home. Their friendship grew and
developed into Comfort the Children (CTC) International.
It was through day to day interactions with locals in the community
that CTC evolved with its unique approach to holistic community
development by forging genuine relationships. CTC now employs over 60
local Kenyans, serves the 60,000 residents of Maai Mahiu in the Rift
Valley, promotes fundamental human rights, and creates sustainable
change.
"After living in Kenya my first year in 2000, I recognized that we
could not address one area of need adequately without addressing all
areas equally," explains Zane. "Why? Because they're all connected.
Deforestation leads to poor water supply. Poor water supply leads to
economic deficiency. Economic deficiency leads to lack of health care
and education... and the cycle continues." Through programs in five
specific areas: Education, Environment, Economy, Health and Community,
CTC works to combat the cycle of poverty by empowering lives through
the creation of a new cycle of positive impact.
Describe some of your organization's upcoming events or activities:
CTC is celebrating our 10 year anniversary and will be taking teams of
volunteers to invest and serve with our local development projects.
This summer, we’re welcoming three Whole Planet Foundation teams to
Maai Mahiu, Kenya on their second annual trip. The teams consist of
Whole Foods employees who are eager to help create a sustainable level
of living in Kenya. Last year, the Whole Planet team broke ground on
CTC’s new land, beginning construction on an income-generating youth
poultry project. This year, the teams will complete the first bakery
in a town of 60,000 people!
We are also welcoming this year’s medical teams from Specially for
Childrenat Dell Children’s Medical Center and medical professionals
from theUniversity of Kansas Medical Center. These teams will work
alongside CTC and the Kenya Ministry of Health to begin implementation
of a 5-year strategic health plan for the Rift Valley region.
This fall, we are launching the Knowledge and Resource Center (KRC).
The KRC will serve as the first library in the area, providing
essential support to all of CTC’s educational programs, including an
Adult Literacy program. The Center will feature a computer lab from
which CTC will conduct Internet Literacy training to enable and guide
access to online resources such as study materials and job postings.
What have you learned about the international community in Austin in
your work with CTC International?
“I am because we are” is the heart of CTC International’s philosophy
(orUbuntu as our friends in Maai Mahiu would say). This statement
recognizes that our identity is based in community, and life is
transformed through relationships. Austin’s thriving local to global
movement mirrors this creed. Recently at our June 2 Soundcheck Event,
Austin’s first philanthropic music festival, it was apparent that the
people of Austin are dedicated to supporting companies and endeavors
with core values that match their own.
In 2011, Austin-based Whole Planet Foundation brought a team with CTC
to Kenya, which launched our new product: the reusable coffee sleeve
sold at the Allegro coffee counter of Whole Foods Markets across the
country. These cotton sleeves, called L.I.F.E. Jackets, are made by
mothers of special needs children in Kenya: providing an income for
the mothers, education for their children, and a greener alternative
to cardboard sleeves. Think of our mums when you pick one up!
One of the things we bring the Austin community is our East-side
headquarters. Our space echoes the non-profit’s focus on community by
providing an arena for the neighborhood to meet and connect. CTC
Garden is a hub for international community members to come together
and share thoughts and ideas, while nurturing mutually-beneficial
relationships. One example is our partnership with Cazamance Café, an
African-inspired, world fusion food trailer (open T-F 11am-3pm)
located in the garden. Senegalese Owner Iba Thiam welcomes guests with
his huge heart and culinary expertise. All food is organic and locally
sourced.
What are the opportunities for getting involved with CTC International?
There are many exciting ways to be a part of our Ubuntu story as CTC
is always looking for individuals and companies to join us in creating
positive sustainable change in Kenya and the US! We take teams of
volunteers to Kenya each summer to work under one of our 5
initiatives: Education, Economy, Environment, Health & Community. For
those interested in working with the US team, we have an ongoing
internship program. We are also always in need of extra hands at our
Austin headquarters, the CTC Garden. We rent out the beautiful
downtown venue space connected to our office for weddings and private
parties to supplement our administrative costs.
If you’re interested in helping us tell our story, please email us or
join us on Facebook. Asante Sana! (Thank you!)
http://www.ctcinternational.org/
This month we are pleased to feature Comfort the Children
International for our non-profile profile. CTC International is an
East Austin-based organization that has been working toward holistic
sustainable development in Kenya for the past ten years. The CTC staff
answered our questions about their organization, it's many innovative
local partnerships, and how you can get involved.
Tell us a little bit about your organization's history--how did you get started?
Our story is an amazing story of empowerment and sustainability. After
CTC Founder Zane Wilemon finished his undergrad, he bought a one-way
ticket to Kenya where he worked for a year as a medical aid, taught
high school French, and served as the outreach coordinator for the
Rift Valley Academy. While serving in this position, Zane visited the
town of Maai Mahiu and was struck by the desperation of the community.
He formed a friendship with Jeremiah Kuria (now President of CTC’s
Kenya operations), who was serving as a local pastor and the director
of the Maai Mahiu Children’s Home. Their friendship grew and
developed into Comfort the Children (CTC) International.
It was through day to day interactions with locals in the community
that CTC evolved with its unique approach to holistic community
development by forging genuine relationships. CTC now employs over 60
local Kenyans, serves the 60,000 residents of Maai Mahiu in the Rift
Valley, promotes fundamental human rights, and creates sustainable
change.
"After living in Kenya my first year in 2000, I recognized that we
could not address one area of need adequately without addressing all
areas equally," explains Zane. "Why? Because they're all connected.
Deforestation leads to poor water supply. Poor water supply leads to
economic deficiency. Economic deficiency leads to lack of health care
and education... and the cycle continues." Through programs in five
specific areas: Education, Environment, Economy, Health and Community,
CTC works to combat the cycle of poverty by empowering lives through
the creation of a new cycle of positive impact.
Describe some of your organization's upcoming events or activities:
CTC is celebrating our 10 year anniversary and will be taking teams of
volunteers to invest and serve with our local development projects.
This summer, we’re welcoming three Whole Planet Foundation teams to
Maai Mahiu, Kenya on their second annual trip. The teams consist of
Whole Foods employees who are eager to help create a sustainable level
of living in Kenya. Last year, the Whole Planet team broke ground on
CTC’s new land, beginning construction on an income-generating youth
poultry project. This year, the teams will complete the first bakery
in a town of 60,000 people!
We are also welcoming this year’s medical teams from Specially for
Childrenat Dell Children’s Medical Center and medical professionals
from theUniversity of Kansas Medical Center. These teams will work
alongside CTC and the Kenya Ministry of Health to begin implementation
of a 5-year strategic health plan for the Rift Valley region.
This fall, we are launching the Knowledge and Resource Center (KRC).
The KRC will serve as the first library in the area, providing
essential support to all of CTC’s educational programs, including an
Adult Literacy program. The Center will feature a computer lab from
which CTC will conduct Internet Literacy training to enable and guide
access to online resources such as study materials and job postings.
What have you learned about the international community in Austin in
your work with CTC International?
“I am because we are” is the heart of CTC International’s philosophy
(orUbuntu as our friends in Maai Mahiu would say). This statement
recognizes that our identity is based in community, and life is
transformed through relationships. Austin’s thriving local to global
movement mirrors this creed. Recently at our June 2 Soundcheck Event,
Austin’s first philanthropic music festival, it was apparent that the
people of Austin are dedicated to supporting companies and endeavors
with core values that match their own.
In 2011, Austin-based Whole Planet Foundation brought a team with CTC
to Kenya, which launched our new product: the reusable coffee sleeve
sold at the Allegro coffee counter of Whole Foods Markets across the
country. These cotton sleeves, called L.I.F.E. Jackets, are made by
mothers of special needs children in Kenya: providing an income for
the mothers, education for their children, and a greener alternative
to cardboard sleeves. Think of our mums when you pick one up!
One of the things we bring the Austin community is our East-side
headquarters. Our space echoes the non-profit’s focus on community by
providing an arena for the neighborhood to meet and connect. CTC
Garden is a hub for international community members to come together
and share thoughts and ideas, while nurturing mutually-beneficial
relationships. One example is our partnership with Cazamance Café, an
African-inspired, world fusion food trailer (open T-F 11am-3pm)
located in the garden. Senegalese Owner Iba Thiam welcomes guests with
his huge heart and culinary expertise. All food is organic and locally
sourced.
What are the opportunities for getting involved with CTC International?
There are many exciting ways to be a part of our Ubuntu story as CTC
is always looking for individuals and companies to join us in creating
positive sustainable change in Kenya and the US! We take teams of
volunteers to Kenya each summer to work under one of our 5
initiatives: Education, Economy, Environment, Health & Community. For
those interested in working with the US team, we have an ongoing
internship program. We are also always in need of extra hands at our
Austin headquarters, the CTC Garden. We rent out the beautiful
downtown venue space connected to our office for weddings and private
parties to supplement our administrative costs.
If you’re interested in helping us tell our story, please email us or
join us on Facebook. Asante Sana! (Thank you!)
http://www.ctcinternational.org/
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