Friends of JAMS has our first intern, Pooja Ballantine, an NNGO (Nonprofit and Non-Governmental Organizations) major at Northern Illinois University. Last summer, after a study abroad program in Africa, Pooja spent a week in Kenya, at JAMS. She says, “throughout my week I noticed how eager and thrilled the girls were to learn just about anything that was taught to them; they are very passionate to learn.” Pooja returned to the U.S. inspired to get involved with supporting JAMS.

For Women’s History Month, Pooja created a Facebook fundraising event called “Give It Up for JAMS!” The idea was to give up something you usually indulge in daily, weekly, or monthly (whether that be candy, coffee, ice cream, or whatever) and instead donate the amount you would spend on that indulgence to help the girls at JAMS. Pooja’s aimed to raise $1,500 to provide JAMS with three computers and one year of internet access for the new Resource Center.

The fundraiser surpassed her goal, raising $1,750! These funds will go to furnish the computer lab in the new Resource Center [link to Resource Center Project page] with the equipment it needs.

We appreciate everyone who celebrated Women’s History Month by supporting JAMS—where girls are developing into empowered citizens of Kenya!

Pooja reminds us that “You will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support.”