Ave Maria Help for the Needy
Donation protected
Update starting the New Year!
Our generous donors have enabled 22 children to attend school in the year 2018! We have raised our goal to of $1000 and will now work towards a new goal of $1500 by Fall, 2018.
Recent Sponsorship
La Cafamore Chamber Music Fundraising Initiative sponsored our organization during their recent concert series.
The St. John the Baptist Knights of Columbus have pledged to sponsor our cause during their March fundraiser next month.
WHAT YOUR GENEROSITY CAN DO!
YOU can help children in Cameroon, West Africa, receive an education and empower them to effect change in their community!
THE COST
Your money can make such a difference in this child's life.
- $35 pays for a child's school fees if they are in Primary School (age 6-11).
- $50 pays for a child's school feels if they are in Secondary School (age 12-18).
This money amounts to the price of just a couple dinners out in America or 2 weeks of morning coffee at your local cafe.
So little money can fundamentally change the course of a child's life and every donation, no matter the amount, helps!
The Association currenly supports 24 children in their education and more applications for assistance are submitted every day.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
The Ave Maria Help for the Needy Association was founded by Lukong Isidore in 2010. Originating in the Bui Division of North Western Cameroon, the Association began with Isidore's vision of supporting children who come from impoverished homes and cannot afford schooling.
After studying business and receiving a Master's in International Law at the University of Yaoundé, Isidore began work at a human rights organization, the Justice & Peace Commission, in his home village of Kumbo.
Lukong Isidore-April, 2017
Isidore has experienced first hand the value of education, as the tireless sacrifice of his parents and older brother enabled Isidore and his 5 younger brothers and sisters to attend school. Isidore donates his time to this cause, which is very dear to his heart, and has the assistance of 8 other members of the Association to identify and support children in need.
THE SITUATION IN CAMEROON
The poverty in Cameroon has increased considerably over the past few years. The population is made of mostly peasant farmers and, after a drop in prices of farm produce as well as the deterioration of many roads, these people are facing incredible hardships. So many are unable to send their children to school. As a result, these children are greatly at risk when it comes to human trafficking. They are sent to work as house help in bigger towns and sometimes out of the country, in desperation to find a way to sustain the family. These children are at risk of being put in dangerous working environments if they are not in school. They are often abused and exploited, living in deplorable conditions.
The positive effect of education in these children's lives is immeasurable. They can elevate the economic status of their family and indeed the whole community by qualifying for higher paying jobs. An education can help them to become leaders, fighting against human rights violations. Knowledge can give them a voice and the skills to better the community at large.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Children who want to receive funding support for school must complete a rigerous application process.
First, the parents or guardians of the child must fill out a written application (or deliver verbally in the presence of someone who can write for them) and present this to the Association for evaluation. They must then undergo an interview with one or two persons from the Association. The children are also questioned to ascertain their own commitment and academic drive. If the application is approved, the necessary funds are given directly to the school for the upcoming school year.
Members of the Association follow up regularly on the child's development, communicating with teachers and parents to complete progress reports and verify that the child is doing well in school.
The children can also apply for financial support to purchase text books and school uniforms.
ASSOCIATION MEMBERS IN THE US
Helen Snyder serves as Community Outreach Coordinator for the Association in the United States. She met Isidore through her work with the Justice & Peace Commission in Kumbo, which has received international recognition for their efforts against human trafficking and rights violations.
Through this work, Helen witnessed the many injustices that people from impoverished backgrounds can suffer in Cameroon. Instances of mob justice, human trafficking, indentured servitude, and gender-based violence are common. The fight to eradicate these atrocities is facilitated through the education of society's most vulnerable.
Helen introduced Mary Fowler, to the Ave Maria Help for the Needy charity when she returned from Cameroon. Mary took on the role of Volunteer Coordinator and began to assist in development and presentations. She firmly believes this is one of the best ways to help an impoverished community flourish. Too often people take action in support of communities without understanding that particular culture, the infrastructure of the society, or indeed the actual needs of its people.
All donated funds go directly to the organization in Cameroon.
The Ave Maria Help for the Needy Association was founded by people living in Cameroon, who possess direct insight on how to best meet the fundamental needs of their neighbor.
Please consider giving in support of this wonderful cause.
Thank you!
Our generous donors have enabled 22 children to attend school in the year 2018! We have raised our goal to of $1000 and will now work towards a new goal of $1500 by Fall, 2018.
Recent Sponsorship
La Cafamore Chamber Music Fundraising Initiative sponsored our organization during their recent concert series.
The St. John the Baptist Knights of Columbus have pledged to sponsor our cause during their March fundraiser next month.
WHAT YOUR GENEROSITY CAN DO!
YOU can help children in Cameroon, West Africa, receive an education and empower them to effect change in their community!
THE COST
Your money can make such a difference in this child's life.
- $35 pays for a child's school fees if they are in Primary School (age 6-11).
- $50 pays for a child's school feels if they are in Secondary School (age 12-18).
This money amounts to the price of just a couple dinners out in America or 2 weeks of morning coffee at your local cafe.
So little money can fundamentally change the course of a child's life and every donation, no matter the amount, helps!
The Association currenly supports 24 children in their education and more applications for assistance are submitted every day.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
The Ave Maria Help for the Needy Association was founded by Lukong Isidore in 2010. Originating in the Bui Division of North Western Cameroon, the Association began with Isidore's vision of supporting children who come from impoverished homes and cannot afford schooling.
After studying business and receiving a Master's in International Law at the University of Yaoundé, Isidore began work at a human rights organization, the Justice & Peace Commission, in his home village of Kumbo.
Lukong Isidore-April, 2017Isidore has experienced first hand the value of education, as the tireless sacrifice of his parents and older brother enabled Isidore and his 5 younger brothers and sisters to attend school. Isidore donates his time to this cause, which is very dear to his heart, and has the assistance of 8 other members of the Association to identify and support children in need.
THE SITUATION IN CAMEROON
The poverty in Cameroon has increased considerably over the past few years. The population is made of mostly peasant farmers and, after a drop in prices of farm produce as well as the deterioration of many roads, these people are facing incredible hardships. So many are unable to send their children to school. As a result, these children are greatly at risk when it comes to human trafficking. They are sent to work as house help in bigger towns and sometimes out of the country, in desperation to find a way to sustain the family. These children are at risk of being put in dangerous working environments if they are not in school. They are often abused and exploited, living in deplorable conditions.
The positive effect of education in these children's lives is immeasurable. They can elevate the economic status of their family and indeed the whole community by qualifying for higher paying jobs. An education can help them to become leaders, fighting against human rights violations. Knowledge can give them a voice and the skills to better the community at large.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Children who want to receive funding support for school must complete a rigerous application process.
First, the parents or guardians of the child must fill out a written application (or deliver verbally in the presence of someone who can write for them) and present this to the Association for evaluation. They must then undergo an interview with one or two persons from the Association. The children are also questioned to ascertain their own commitment and academic drive. If the application is approved, the necessary funds are given directly to the school for the upcoming school year.
Members of the Association follow up regularly on the child's development, communicating with teachers and parents to complete progress reports and verify that the child is doing well in school.
The children can also apply for financial support to purchase text books and school uniforms.
ASSOCIATION MEMBERS IN THE US
Helen Snyder serves as Community Outreach Coordinator for the Association in the United States. She met Isidore through her work with the Justice & Peace Commission in Kumbo, which has received international recognition for their efforts against human trafficking and rights violations.
Through this work, Helen witnessed the many injustices that people from impoverished backgrounds can suffer in Cameroon. Instances of mob justice, human trafficking, indentured servitude, and gender-based violence are common. The fight to eradicate these atrocities is facilitated through the education of society's most vulnerable.
Helen introduced Mary Fowler, to the Ave Maria Help for the Needy charity when she returned from Cameroon. Mary took on the role of Volunteer Coordinator and began to assist in development and presentations. She firmly believes this is one of the best ways to help an impoverished community flourish. Too often people take action in support of communities without understanding that particular culture, the infrastructure of the society, or indeed the actual needs of its people.
All donated funds go directly to the organization in Cameroon.
The Ave Maria Help for the Needy Association was founded by people living in Cameroon, who possess direct insight on how to best meet the fundamental needs of their neighbor.
Please consider giving in support of this wonderful cause.
Thank you!
Organizer
Ave Maria
Organizer
Fairfax, VA
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