LOS ANGELES... IS PARTY TIME!

I am so excited to announce that there will finally be a fundraiser party happening in Los Angeles. I've been wanting to do this since the start, but so many other things got in the way. Now that I am actually leaving in LA, and after a few months settling in, this is about to happen.

Fundraisers around the Holidays were always a thing, and I  can't believe how supportive people are being with this. With Thanksgiving around the corner I think this event will be a great opportunity for people to get together, celebrate friends, be grateful and give back!

Proceeds will go to Akili School, to help bringing clean water to the school and boarding home location.

Tickets can be found and donations can be made HERE!

Investing in Sustainability

I like to revisited the blog from time to time and register here the wonderful things that have been happening with my Akili family in Kisumu. After all, these things are the result of little seeds that I too, helped to plant (literally! - remember the tomatoes?). I can't believe that it has been over 10 months since I first arrived in Kisumu. The green houses, the school... it was just a beginning of a wonderful story that many of you followed, so I feel you should know the progress! Here is the update. Shall we?

A few weeks ago, David and Erick (the best friends, dynamic duo and founders of Akili) attended a sustainability convention promoted my Mama Hope and hosted in Nairobi, Kenya. The convention had the participation of all community leaders from all projects that have partnership with Mama Hope. It was a great opportunity for them to share their experiences and learn from each other.

Remember the boarding home they were starting to build? Well, it is already looking like this:

The boarding home is located right next to the new  school building. That means that moving day is coming up fast for the Akili's students!

Who, by the way, are growing smarter every day!

Speaking of growing, take a look at the beautiful tomato plants. The Akili farm continues producing vegetables that are sold and the community, employing local women. The money helps to cover the school operational costs.

Soon, Akili will be welcoming its 5th Global Advocate, Rachel, from Australia. Rachel is raising funds that will be invested in:

- A Dairy Project: a new form of income that will help David and Erick cover the operational costs and pay for all staff's salary (remember that now there will be not only a school to pay for, but also a boarding home)

- Teacher/staff wages: for a year period, allowing Akili time to get that dairy project working

- Completion of the boarding home: final details that will assure the girls have a happy and healthy place to live! 

You can follow Rachel's progress and make a donation here: classy.org/rachaelakili.

Like Akili on Facebook by clicking here!

Akili Preparatory School: Present and Future

It's been over 5 months since I left Kisumu. The construction of the school started immediately after my departure and although the money that I fundraised helped to pay for all the building materials and labor, I didn't have the chance to see the construction happening. Time past so fast and it was time for me to come back home. After me, came Ali, another Mama Hope Global Advocate that did amazing work with our partners David and Erick. She fundraised to complete the construction of the school. And here is what we built:

A beautiful building ready to receive young ladies that will grow to be the change in their community!

Friends and founders of Akili, David and Erick could't be happier to see their dream coming true!

But the updates don't stop here. The Akili Sustainable Farm is working wonders! Our green houses have been producing tomatoes non stop, generating income for the school to pay its bills. The vegetable farm generates food for the feeding program at school and more for the woman in the slum to resell in the community. 

Big lines at our weekly Friday Market!

So, what the future holds for Akili? Claudia, an amazing human that I had the pleasure to meet, and newest Global Advocate is currently in Kisumu helping David and Erick to build a boarding home for the Akili students. The boarding home will provide a safe and happy environment for the girls!

Global Advocate Claudia on top the foundation of the future Akili Boarding Home!

You can help us, donating at classy.org/julianeakilischool!

And don't forget that Mama Hope is NOW recruiting fellows for the new class of Global Advocates. Do you want to make a meaningful impact in the world? Visit mamahope.org and apply today!

  

Where I've been and where I am

Christmas in Kisumu with my husband and babies Alyssa and Meggie.

It's been so long since my last post and so much has happened. After four months I am back home in San Franscisco. My last days in Kisumu were amazing, my husband that I was missing so much came to visit and we spent Christmas together with our partners from the school and their families.

One day, David an Erick asked to pick us up from where we were because they wanted to do something with us (very suspicious). It was already dark when we met and when I entered their car I saw that all teachers from Akili were there too. I started screaming with excitement because I was so happy. We all went for a lovely dinner and Sara also got a Birthday cake. Thanks guys, what a wonderful surprise that was!

On Christmas day each one of the three families (my family of two included) had to cook a dish to share. My jewish husband ironically cooked Shakshuka (yes, I had to ask him how to spell it) and everyone loved it! Specially because our friend David loves bolognese, and because of that we decided to add ground beef on the dish, and cheese too. Yummy! At supper we also had chicken, potatoes, bread, chapati (I could't do it without chapatis) and rice. We had so much food that we had to call our friends to come help us eat everything. It was such a nice day and probably my favorite and most special Christmas of all times!

Celebrating the Holidays with the Akili team.

Right after Christmas was time to leave. My heart was so heavy. I had spent three months in Kisumu and I learned how to love it. When I got on the airplane I felt like I was leaving part of me behind. Knowing that this process would be very hard for me and that I am terrible at goodbyes, I had a plan  with me all along. I went to Brazil =) To visit my friends and family.

What I did not expect was to double the love I was felling in my heart. I didn't expect to find so many good surprises in Brazil. I thought that I was going to find everything the same way as the day when I left my parents home, but I was wrong. I wasn't expected to meet such wonderful people and make new friends. My old friends too, it was so good to see them happy, some are married, engaged, some are having babies. The best part was to spend time with my best friend's 4 years old daughter and become best friends with her too. I found that my baby cousin is the cutest thing in the world and I am so happy because he makes my mom so happy. I found that my grandma has a new boyfriend and that another cousin is going to medical school. I had the chance to spend my Birthday with my family! And I also am so glad that I could spend time with my dear auntie who is a second mom to me and to whom I wish courage and faith on her battle <3

Now, finally back (to what in the present moment I call) home, I am trying to keep it together. I left big chunks of my heart behind and I miss them all, but thanks to all these people my heart is so full right now. I am so grateful for each and everyone of you. New and old friends, in Africa or Brazil, you are so special to me. Thank you for being part of my journey!

Enjoying all the colors and flavors of Brazil at Mercado Municipal de São Paulo.

Hiking with my little brother at Rota das Cachoeiras - Corupá, SC.

With my husband and parents in Farol de Santa Marta - Laguna, SC.

Devin and I with my auntie at my Birthday party.

Being silly with my good friend Ana and her daughter Giovanna.

So much has been also going on at Akili! Soon you will be able to check out the progress!

Progress Update at Akili

Our beautiful baby tomato plants growing big and strong!

As I enjoy my final days in Kisumu in the company of my beloved hubby that got here last week, I want to share with you the amazing things that are happening at Akili. First, our 3 green houses are filled with beautiful baby tomato plants that are growing really fast. Not only tomatoes but also other vegetables were planted to generate extra income for the school. The vegetables are sold in Obunga. Our land is completely fenced and a new access road leads to the gates of our future school. The land is ready for construction and the building material are being bought this week!

The next school year starts in January and Akili will grow as we have our first 3rd grade class. We needed to make sure that the girls will have everything they need. So we bought new desks, chalk boards and books! We also had a technician coming in to fix our computers and now their are just like new and ready for the girls to learn with them.

Thanks to you who donated all these amazingness was possible!

Preparing the vegetables to be sold.

Our land is big and ready to receive a school.

The land is fenced and gated!

Sara and I, and the new desks that are ready to receive our 3rd graders in January.

Computers ready to work at the Akili Library.

A Yoga Class

Erin goes headstand. The crowd goes "Yoooooo".

During the school year the girls have Physical Education classes weekly. As you know, we are on vacation but lots of girls still come to school for tutoring. Last week, we came back from our trip to Uganda with a visitor. Global Advocate Erin has been doing amazing work in Tanzania with St. Timothy's School. When not traveling the world, she lives in San Francisco and is a great yoga practitioner. On her visit to the Akili School we asked her to teach the girls a yoga class. The girls went bananas when we said they could come to school next day wearing their gym clothes. Interesting fact: so many more school girls showed up! They knew they were about to have tons of fun.

Across from Obunga there is a nice, big soccer field and it is one of my favorite places to go in Kisumu. Just like the girls I have so much fun every time we go there. The best way to do yoga with the children is to turn it into a Simon Says game. From some less complicated poses to some kicks, everyone started giving headstands and bridges a try. We found out that lots of our girls are very flexible!

I'm so happy and grateful I had the chance to enjoy this moment with the girls. I only have two more weeks in Kisumu and I will miss them so much! I am only $800 away from my $15,000 mark! Please visit stayclassy.org/julianeakilischool and consider helping us to build new classrooms for these cuties!!

Fatuma did a head stand on her own! Way to go girl!

Do you think Maya is flexible?

Resting pose.

Family Day

Our youngest student, Witney.

This past Saturday we finally had our event at Akili School, Family Day. I say finally because we’ve been preparing ourselves for this day for what feels like a loooong time.

The event and the girl’s performance started an hour and a half late… During this time I was impatiently stomping around as everyone who knows me would imagine. T.I.A. is what Kenyans say… This Is Africa. Silly me to think that everything would work according to my schedule. The thing is, things here always work out in the end. Somehow, in a way that my brain does not fully comprehend, but they do. Family Day was not different. With a little bit of faith and trust we started the event with a performance from baby class. They were even more adorable then usual, if that’s at all possible. Slowly the room was filling up and all of the girls showed up for their performance as well.

Class Final (equivalent to Kindergarden) performing a song.

Valentine, Esther, Mary and Nely performed the play Joy and the Three Lions. The story goes like this: Joy was a little girl wondering in the fields, she saw a little hut in the distance that belonged to three lions. One was a big daddy lion, one was a medium-sized mommy lion and one was a tiny little baby lion… Recognize that story? It’s my african version of Goldilocks. The girls were so good! Everyone laughed and clapped! What a hit!

Joy and the Three Lions, coming soon to a stage near you!

After singing, dancing, and saying their poems the girls left and David and Erick started a meeting with the parents. It went really well. They were able to show the parents the progress of the school during this year and tell them about the exciting future plans, including the new school building.

Last, but not least was lunch time! In the menu: rice, ugali, beef stew and greens. Sixty parents, some little siblings and seventy girls went happily back home with a full tummy!

Many families came to the event.

Lunch time.

Good job team! We did well!

A Magical Place Called Budondo

Girls at the workshop, under the jackfruit tree.

Global Advocates Sara, Erin (who is working in Tanzania), and I went to visit Ashleigh and her project in Budondo, Uganda. The Mukisas welcomed us so well and I ate so much! In one single day I had bananas, watermelon, pineapple, passionfruit, papaya and jackfruit. It's funny because I knew jackfruit from Brazil (jaca) but I had never tried it before, and let me tell you, it is delicious!! One of the best ideas I ever had in life was to grab a camera and record my first experience eating a jackfruit. The best part is when Mukisa steps in and says he lost his cow.  You can watch the video here:

While in the village we also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop for girls about reproductive health and family planning. The workshop was led by Days for Girls, and they also taught the girls how to make their own disposable pads so they don't have to miss school days! I was so impressed with the pads that I am committed to make my own kit. Not only are the pads amazing for girls with no access or money to buy regular pads, but also they are really good for the environment! I found this tutorial on Youtube and you can learn how to make them too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Qvcq_urA0.

I had such a great time in Budondo, it is so pretty and green... and delicious. I am so lucky that I had this opportunity to visit the village and the amazingness of the Suubi Health Centre. Thank you Ash and the Mukisa family! Hope to see you again soon!

Girls at the end of the workshop!

Ashleigh, Sara, Erin and I at the Suubi Heath Center.

Ash showing her bubble skills to Julie and Ana. 

With the Mukisas.

The Akili Girls - The Video

Happy Holidays!!!

Check out this short video, made with much love to you!!!

stayclassy.org/julianeakilischool

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m thankful for my families:  the one that I was born into, the ones that accept me as part of theirs, and for the one that I am building;

I’m thankful for my friends and for all the things they've taught me;

I’m thankful for my health;

I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given through my life;

I’m thankful for the lessons that I’ve learned from them;

I’m thankful for each and every one of the girls I met on this journey, and for the new kind of love that they made me discover;

Finally, I’m thankful to all of you supporters and donors. I’m thankful because I would not be here if it was not for you. I am thankful because there are people like you that care and believe that we have the power to make a better world for everyone!

If you are thinking about doing charity these holidays, please consider us again. Akili Preparatory School wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

stayclassy.org/julianeakilischool