Elon Periclean Scholars

Periclean Scholars Steering Committee Meeting: September 15, 2016

In attendance:  Sam Lubliner (‘17), Will Wetter (‘18), Camille Kelly (’19), Dr. Mat Gendle, Associate Director and Mentor for Class of 2019, and Dr. Tom Arcaro, Director

Class Updates

Class of 2017 (Sam Lubliner)

• Morale Update: Morale of the class is high, despite setbacks. The class is currently divided into four committees that work together to accomplish four main deliverables.
• Deliverables: Currently, the class has four main goals, which are listed below.

1. The class hopes to successfully hold a conference, called Voices of Sustainability: Addressing Food Insecurity in Namibia, from January 26th to January 27th, 2017. They have raised about $8000-9000, and are still trying to raise more money. They are currently hoping to win the Kind grant of $10,000 (link to vote: https://causes.kindsnacks.com/cause/voices-of-sustainability-3/ ). Thirteen students from the class are travelling to Namibia for the conference, which will include completed and ongoing research regarding food insecurity in Namibia.
2. Kendra and Madi are working on Cookies To-Go-Go to continue fundraising. While this is a labor-intensive fundraiser, it is a bonding experience for the class, and any extra money raised will help the cause. The scholars are hoping to have Cookies To-Go-Go four times throughout this semester.
3. The class is hoping to hold a conference in May at Elon. This conference will discuss agricultural sustainability in this community. The 10 scholars not travelling to Namibia in January will work to organize this conference during that month. The scholars plan to allocate SGA funds toward this conference. Dr. Arcaro suggests looking into presenting this research on Student Undergraduate Research Forum, in addition to holding this conference.
4. Kayla Yates reached out to the Burlington Housing Authority in hopes of creating a local partnership. The class has committed to send three or four people to BHA each Tuesday to create lesson plans regarding agriculture and sustainability in this community.

• Other News:

• The scholars are working to make a booklet about travels / conference in Namibia
• Oiy and Kelsey are also working on creating a documentary about the work done by the class.
• The class is selling Pura Vida bracelets around campus to continue to raise money for the Voices of Sustainability conference. These are being sold by individual scholars.

Class of 2018 (Will Wetter)

• A few scholars travelled to Zambia early this summer. These students are reporting back to the rest of the class about what they saw in Zambia, and what projects the community would actually benefit from. The class is vetting potential partners, including Habitat for Humanity, ZDF, and Samaritan Strategies, and is determining a plan to move forward with these partners.
• Dr. Arcaro suggests that the class use a log frame to prioritize tasks that need to be done to move forward with their work.
• The class has talked about the idea of returning to Chipulusku to hold a conference to bring together several (potential) partners to discuss how to best work together etc.
• The class has about 100 bags made of scraps from a textile factory by women in Zambia. The class will sell these bags for $20 each, and the $8-$10 profit will be invested in the Zambian community where the bags are made. It has not been determined where or when the bags will be sold, but the scholars are hoping to start selling the bags around Holidays.

Class of 2019 (Camille Kelley)

• The class is currently researching Sri Lanka culture to become more familiar with the complex social issues that the country is facing.
• The class has divided into 11 committees, including budget, travel organization, and social media committees, and has identified general short-term and long-term goals.
• The class hopes to raise $8,000 by the end of the year to relieve future travel costs. The class has discussed potentially selling t-shirts to start fundraising and to raise awareness of the Periclean program around campus.
• The class hopes to choose seven to ten social issues that could potentially be addressed by the scholars in the next three years. The class will research these issues this semester and discuss what issues the people of Sri Lanka would actually like to be addressed.
• The class hopes to have most decisions regarding projects and potential partners made before the end of this year, to avoid making these important decisions when many students are abroad next fall.
• The class librarian, Teresa Lepore, has created an extensive web-based resource guide for the class to use when researching social issues in Sri Lanka. The guide can be found here: http://elon.libguides.com/Periclean_2019
• The class is debating the importance of creating an elevator speech this early into their work. Some scholars feel as though the class should not waste time right now creating a vague elevator speech that will need updating, but rather, the class should create the speech when more exact future goals have been determined. Others feel that it is important to have at least some form of an elevator speech, so scholars can articulate to community members and potential donors what exactly Periclean is, and why the class is seeking donations.
• Sam Lubliner (Class of 2017 representative) suggests arranging for a junior/senior in the program to come speak to the Class of 2019 to discuss how they initiated their work during their sophomore year.

Sophomore Year Elevator Speeches

• The sophomore class has expressed concern about the need for an elevator speech this early into their work.
• Historically, the sophomore year elevator speech is used to explain what the Periclean Scholars Programs, and to identify broad goals for future action. The sophomore year elevator speeches are generally vague, but as the class identifies exact goals throughout the year, the speech is updated to be more informative.
• Dr. Arcaro explains that drafting the speech is not meant to be onerous, or extremely time consuming. It is not the entire class giving much valuable time to the speech, but rather a few people (Elevator Speech Committee) drafting outside of class. The speech should be, if possible, woven into a class assignment.
• Previous classes argue that creating an elevator speech during their sophomore fall was a unifying experience. The speech is the first thing the class works on together, and becomes the class’s first deliverable
• A video of each class’s elevator speech should be completed by October 12^th so that they may be screened at the Celebrating Periclean event.

Celebrating Periclean Scholars

• Celebrating Periclean Scholars will be held on October 19, 2016 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
• At this event, each class will present visual displays to represent their work and the country in which they work.
• Dr. Arcaro is hoping there will be a presence from the school administration at the event. If given enough advance warning, hopefully Dr. Lambert will attend the event.

Update Regarding Advisory Council

• The function of this committee, which will include two mentors and two Periclean alumni, is to advise the class and the directors about how the program is functioning and how to improve its functionality. The council could possibly give a final word on certain aspects of the program, like class syllabi and Periclean in Residence.
• This council will provide the current and future classes an extra body of people to help vet potential partners.
• Classes will meet with the council twice a year to provide an update about class plans, and the council will give current scholars advice about future steps and potential partners.
• Dr. Gendle (Class of 2019 mentor) hopes that the meeting in front of the council and defending their decisions about future plans will lead classes to think more critically and deeply about partnerships and projects. The sense of being a Periclean Scholar will rise because the classes must now explain and defend their choices in front of the council.

Update regarding recruitment of Class of 2020

• Dr. Arcaro hopes to boost the appearance of Periclean around campus, in hopes that more people will learn about the program and apply to be a part of future classes.
• This fall, the program will be giving Periclean bandanas to current scholars, as well as distributing phone wallets and car magnets to Elon students and alumni. The hope is that these will promote the program around campus and this community.
• The digital poster shown below will be screened in Mosley and around campus to help recruit more freshmen to apply to be a part of the Class of 2020.

Other News

• The Periclean Programs is hoping to partner with the Student Professional Development Center to plan a session at which scholars will learn how to market themselves as Periclean Scholars while still at Elon and after graduation. These sessions could potentially occur once or twice a semester.
• Dr. Arcaro would like to hold a workshop to look over his summary of the overall mission of the Periclean Programs and the core humanitarian that the program highlights. Dr. Arcaro hopes to modify the Periclean pledge to clarify exactly what is meant by everything mentioned in the core.
• Starting this fall, Barnes and Nobles has assembled a bookshelf with books recommended by the Periclean Program. Books to be sold will include books used by current Periclean Classes.
• Barnes and Nobles is also donating all profits made from selling a particular t-shirt to the Periclean Program.

Car Magnet:                                                                                    Digital Poster:

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Welcome back Periclean Sholars

Scholars,

As I write this the world is celebrating World Humanitarian Day and many global citizens are (re) taking a pledge to do their part in making the world a safer place where health, hope and dignity are available to all.  Most of you know that right now we are facing the biggest refugee crisis since World War II, with lives in Syria and all over the Middle East in turmoil.  This story tells one tale, and this another, both stark reminders of the complex issues we face as a global community and as humanitarians.

That our program is a positive force is beyond question.  Each of the eleven alumni Classes made a huge difference both locally and globally.  The accomplishments of these past Classes are many:  international conferences organized, documentary films produced and screened, articles written and books written, Pericleans-in-Residence hosted,  programming of speakers and fora organized, countless partnerships with people and organizations resulting in health clinics and homes being built.  The list goes on.

Though the program has always aspired to function at the highest possible ethical standards (avoiding paternalistic or “toxic charity” kinds of activities), recent Classes has demanded even more from themselves.  Close adherence to our Periclean Pledge and now the Core Humanitarian Standards are now rigorous expectations within the program.

Our charge as Mentors and Directors is to facilitate Class and program activities  insuring that each Scholar has the opportunity to grow academically and personally in ways that would be difficult or impossible outside of our multi-year, interdisciplinary and cohort based model.  Your charge as Pericleans is to push yourselves and your Classmates to fully exploit the synergistic potential of your Class and partnerships you forge by making use of rigorous academic research, skillful use of communication modes, and by employing a passion and work ethic worthy of the mission that you have set out for yourselves.

This year will bring some enhancements to the program with perhaps the most dramatic addition being an Advisory Board made up of past and current Mentors and partners, alumni, and representatives from current Classes.  One function of this body will be to act as a vetting entity for Classes as they consider major budget expenditures, explore partnerships, and other major decisions.  This Board will also provide counsel to the Director and Associate Director with regard to major decisions such as country of focus, choice of new Mentors, and wise allocation of program funds.

Last spring we recruited a team of work-study students who will work on tasks such as a regular newsletter for alumni, parents and friends of the program, social media presence, and other pan-Periclean activities.  One (work-study) Periclean will be responsible to help organize the Steering Committee meetings and will circulate agenda and record (and disseminate) minutes for these meetings.

I will be working closely with Dr. Brian Nienhaus as he begins his role as Mentor for the Class of 2020, recruiting students to work with him and the program as we turn our focus to a new Periclean country of focus, Cuba.  You are all encouraged to help Dr. Nienhaus recruit his Class by talking about the program with any first year students you happen to know.

My door will always be open so please stop by GC 210.  I hope to visit all three Classes in the first couple weeks of the semester just to say hello and answer any questions you might have.

All the best for a great semester.

Tom Arcaro, Director

Post script

In the first pages of his book That the World May Know: Bearing Witness to Atrocity (2007) James Dawes asks, “What is the line that separates those who are merely moved from those who are moved to act?”  At Elon the answer to that question is that some choose to become Periclean Scholars.

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Jill DeLorenzo

Class of 2009

By: Megan Griffin

Jill DeLorenzo moved to the Washington D.C. area after graduation in 2009. She held various positions before having children.  Jill is currently the Marketing and Events Coordinator for a local cafe and is an advocate for breastfeeding families. She recently earned a mention as “Mom of the Year” in Washington FAMILY Magazine.

Jill is the founder of PositiveBreastfeeding.com. Jill has worked passionately toward creating a positive culture regarding international breastfeeding.  

“The goal of the #PositiveBreastfeeding movement is to create and curate positive stories about breastfeeding, bring awareness to laws and legislation, and ensure that the media coverage of breastfeeding is in sync with health organizations’ advice.”

PositiveBreastfeeding.com is a network for breastfeeding mothers and supporters. The online initiative is an opportunity for people to share their positive breastfeeding stories.  Through weekly blog posts, Jill promotes the content of supporting pages and encourages followers to click on positive stories published worldwide that week. The website also encourages the global breastfeeding community to unite and fill the media with positive stories.  Jill started this initiative immediately after the Nurse-In at the Today Show, because she wanted to do something about the influx of breastfeeding being portrayed negatively on all media platforms.

“People are clicking on sensationalized, negative articles about breastfeeding online. Television and movies portray breastfeeding as selfish and wrong – or they are not portraying it at all. Many media outlets makes it seem like there is something wrong with breastfeeding even though it’s an important part of motherhood and our international public health.”

Her work for PositiveBreastfeeding.com has earned mentions in Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Normalize Breastfeeding, The Asian Parent, Latched On Mom, Mama’s Milk No Chaser, and more.

Jill organized the Nurse-In at the Today Show in New York, NY as the precursor to Positive Breastfeeding. Two days prior to the Nurse-In, Kathie Lee and Hoda discussed breastfeeding photos on social media and said that sharing these photos is “too much information.” The comments immediately sparked international outrage and Jill launched a petition to NBC to stop shaming and censoring breastfeeding moms. Jill and other supporters congregated in disagreeance on the TODAY Plaza in response to the statement made.

Her passion for breastfeeding stems from a personal experience. She was harassed for breastfeeding her baby in a Gold’s Gym in Virginia by the franchise’s Vice President and Controller. The Owner of the Gold’s Gym franchise defended the harassment by stating that Virginia did not have a law to support the rights of breastfeeding women. At this point, the Commonwealth of Virginia did not have a law saying that a breastfeeding mother was legally protected to feed her baby wherever she needed to. Jill shared her story through social media and word of mouth and caught the attention of local lawmakers in Virginia.

Jill testified at the Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee of the House of Delegates in Richmond, Virginia while breastfeeding her youngest child. In her testimony she stated the following:

“I ask that the Virginia General Assembly challenge this notion that our state is a bastion for people who wish to harass and degrade women for feeding their children. Nobody should interfere with a mother feeding her child – no matter how that child is fed – when that mother is in any location where she is authorized to be. I respectfully ask that you take this opportunity to make the harassment that I faced a relic of the past. Please help millions of moms and babies to come who have chosen to provide the very best for their babies while in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Virginia passed the “Right to Breastfeed” law unanimously!

When I asked about how Periclean may have influenced her response to the harassment, she said:

“When thinking about solutions I incorporated the principles of Periclean. This made my passion more impactful.”

Jill was a part of the Class of 2009. Their Class partnered with Habitat for Humanity-International in Zambia. . Their relationship with Voster Tembo has been sustained since their graduation. His work and their partnership, helped to constitute the Zambian Development Support Foundation. The foundation gives out small business loans to primarily female Habitat homeowners in two villages in Zambia. The work of the Class of 2009 impacted so many lives. Jill continues to impact others with the same tenacity and determination that she had at Elon.

After graduation, Jill continues to be an active member of the Periclean Scholars Program.

“In 2011 I ran the Marine Corps Marathon and raised funds for the Periclean Scholars program.” When I asked why she stays involved, she stated that “the Periclean program really makes an effort to connect the alumni back to the program through the Periclean Foundation.”

Many of the alumni we have spoken to have found value in travelling to the country of focus. Jill said that travel “opens up the eyes to the realities of life in the country you are studying. You learn things that you cannot learn from a textbook when you travel – sights, smells, customs, mannerisms. This helps to understand the true needs of the country.”

Overall, because of her experiences in Periclean, Jill is comfortable with advocating for change.

“If I see something, I am not afraid to speak up. I feel like I can speak up in an articulate way,  I have more confidence because of the program!”

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In early April 2016, we sent out an email and follow up reminders to 192 Periclean Alumni, we had 107 responses, for a total response rate of 55.7%. In the email was a request to fill out a survey regarding the long-term impact of being a Periclean Scholar. Here is a breakdown of the response rate per class: Class of 2006 — 54%; Class of 2007 — 62%; Class of 2008 — 50%; Class of 2009 — 100%; Class of 2010 — 53%; Class of 2011– 31%; Class of 2012– 56%; Class of 2013—28%; Class of 2014—48%; Class of 2015—46%. The Class of 2009 will be honored at Homecoming 2016 for their response rate of 100%.

The following pie chart is a representation of the number of responses from each class.

In response to the question: Please explain if and how being a Periclean Scholar impacted securing your first or current job,

One alumnus commented,

“The Periclean Scholars Program at Elon University was life-changing. It taught me how to really study, explore, and understand concepts, culture, and other countries. It made me set a high standard for myself and reinforced my strong work ethic. It was so motivating to work with a group of people who were as engaged and driven as I am. Pericles took me in a different direction, since I finished my last college class in Namibia, Africa. I decided to give myself a 2nd education and travel the world. I have been working and traveling for the last ten years and it has been an amazing adventure. “

Another alumnus said,

“It helped me see the world in a new way. I’m a public librarian and I serve my community every single day of my life. Periclean Scholars taught me not just to “volunteer” but to “serve.”

Alumni also commented about how Periclean Scholars has influenced their lives. The following are anecdotes from various alumni.

“I am very active in breastfeeding advocacy. A couple months ago, I learned about an opportunity to get involved with a new organization that would be providing critical breastfeeding support to refugees of the war in Syria who were fleeing to Lesvos, Greece. My passion for seeing the world as one nation of humans – which has generated palpable compassion – came from the Periclean program. I put myself in the shoes of the mothers and babies in danger and knew I had to help.”

“Being a Periclean Scholar influenced my decision to study abroad in Ghana, and that experience, combined with years studying Ghana, has certainly changed the perspective with which I look at the world. It has helped me truly see myself as a global citizen and that is the lens through which I look at many aspects of my everyday life and decision- making – the work I do, how I spend my money, how my purchases impact others, etc.”

“Pericles has had a huge impact on my life – the experience I had and the things I learned as a result made me aware very aware of the fact that honorable and effective service – to the communities you are committed to serving – requires a depth of knowledge and due diligence to ensure you are making an impact. Pericles taught me how to ask questions and dig a little deeper to ensure I know where my money is going when I choose to donate, how it is being spent, who benefits from it – it made me concerned about the impact. Years later there are studies of how people can “give well” and be effective in their altruism – Pericles made me aware of that before it became a trending topic. I am more critical of non-profits and more critical of their impact as the organization my cohort supported – Hope for Honduran Children – was one that made us question many things about its management and impact and I take that critical eye into everything that I do.”

We will be following up later this week with a more in depth summary of the results.

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FROM THE ZAMBIAN DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOUNDATION BOARD       

It is always inspiring to start the New Year with a deep sense of reflection on the achievements and challenges of the previous year and always looking forward to the new chapter of the 10 months ahead of us.

Zambian Development Support Foundation would like to take this moment to thank all the supporters that have continued to see that our operations are a success and to thank the volunteers on the ground who continue to work tirelessly, and to thank the beneficiaries of our loans who have decided to be part of this developmental initiative. We commit to continue providing you with the support that will see the economic transformation of your communities and subsequently households.

To all stakeholders, it is important to know that our work and efforts will transform the communities, as can be seen already from our success stories, and we hope that we will continue working together in this year 2016 and beyond and hoping to see more of the donor visits so that we all share experiences and ideas as we progress.

LOAN DISBURSEMENT

As indicated in the previous report of 31^st December 2014, the foundation had at that stage approved disbursement of medium loans payable in 24 weeks and these loan amounts range from ZK1, 500.00 to ZK2, 500.00. These loans were only made available to paid-up clients graduating from small loans of ZK450.00 and ZK1, 000.00 which had a repayment period of 13 weeks.  Medium loans were disbursed to 5 clients with a total amount of ZK8, 500.00 in August 2014.

Of the 5 clients that obtained medium loans, 3 have fully paid back the ZK1,500.00 each obtained at an interest rate of 10% and the two other loans are still struggling to repay back.

[For the benefit of our overseas supporters, ZK1,000.00 was approximately $153.00 US Dollars or €131.00 Euro in January 2015, but by December 2015 (due to currency devaluation) was only worth approximately $90.00 US Dollars or €82.00 Euro.]

A total amount of ZK19,450.00 Kwacha was given out during the year 2015 as small loans of ZK450.00 and ZK1,000.00 Kwacha and of this ZK12,600.00 has been paid back leaving ZK6,850.00 still on the loans books and everyone is on track, except two which obtained medium loans in August 2014.

Further progress was made in the year 2015 to get into partnership with a local pastor (Pastor Francis) in a bid to access a loan from ZDSF so as to increase food production for the community which he serves and his local community school through acquiring of a new water tank that will see more water being pumped into his garden. At the moment, Pastor Francis is running a school for orphans and other impoverished children in Chipulukusu and as part of this scheme he is also feeding many of the children who come to school. With a new water tank, Pastor Francis hopes to greatly increase the number of children he can support. ZDSF would like to assist Pastor Francis to fund this endeavor.

Pastor Francis in his community garden with the crops used to feed his schoolchildren

SUCCESSES

The 32 clients of ZDSF who had benefitted from loans since the start of 2014 have included some the following businesses;

1. As reported in the 2014 Annual Report, Rose Mulenga had a very small scale business making cement blocks, but due to lack of capital she could not make sufficient blocks to meet demand from some of her customers. She had three children and three grandchildren depending on her, and she was struggling to survive. With a loan of ZK1,000.00 from ZDSF in February 2014 she was able to buy more raw materials and to expand her production. By September 2015, she was employing four young men to make the blocks and her business had expanded four fold. In August 2015 she obtained another loan amounting to ZK2,500.00 which she used together with some profits coming from her business to buy cement and sand and expand her business to another location. As she had hoped, she has now graduated from the ZDSF loan scheme and is able to continue making and selling blocks from her own resources and she is providing employment in the community.

2. The story of Caroline Kadawele cannot be told without the intervention of ZDSF in uplifting her business and economic life. In 2014 Caroline Kadawele applied to ZDSF for a loan to grow her Chicken business, but the loan was not granted because she was in a group which was at that time defaulting. After those other members of her group (Enya Chama and Mary Bwalya as reported in the previous report) came back on track and completed paying back their loans, ZDFS approved her loan of ZK1,000.00 in May 2015. From keeping 30 chickens, Caroline was able to grow her business to now keeping 50 chickens which she is now able to sell in the community. As a result of her increased prosperity, she can now send her two young siblings, Moses Kadawele age 13 and Andrew Kadawele age 9, to school. By the end of 2015, Caroline had paid her loan in full and she has now applied to have bigger loan of at least ZK3,000.00 so as enable her to be able to buy blocks and build a chicken house which would be able to accommodate more chickens.

CHALLENGES

Defaulting loans

In the Annual Report of December 2014, it was reported that due to difficult personal circumstances, two loans had during that year gone into default, being those made to Mary Bwalya and to Enaya Chama. We reported at that time that revised terms had been agreed with them and that it was anticipated that the loans would be paid back in full over an extended period of time. We are pleased to report that during 2015 both loans were indeed paid back in full. As a result, all loans which had been made by the Foundation up until the end of 2014 have at this stage been paid back in full. We therefore have a 100% repayment record up to that time.

In 2015, two further loans went into default, but both are now back on track with revised repayment terms, and both borrowers are now financially stable. The two loans concerned are the following:

1. In May 2013 Jedo Chibale, a married man with 5 children and 2 grandchildren to support, received a loan of ZK450 from ZDSF in order to expand his hardware business which was struggling and in danger of closing down. This loan enabled him to keep his business afloat and was paid back in full. He later went on to obtain another loan of ZK1,000.00 which saw his business expand and it became profitable. Jedo was also able to pay back that loan fully. Due to the increasing demand for bicycle spare parts, which is the biggest mode of transport in the community, Jedo further applied for and received the third loan of ZK2,500.00 in August 2014 which subsequently went into default. Due to unfortunate family circumstances and the loss of his mother, Jedo found himself with additional financial responsibilities and he was not able to pay back his loan within the agreed time. ZDSF engaged with Jedo on the importance of paying back the loan and agreed a revised way forward. An agreement was drafted which clearly stipulated a revised repayment plan and the timelines for repayment. This loan, which had been in default, is now being repaid in accordance with the revised terms and will shortly be paid in full. Jedo’s business is now stable and profitable and with the assistance of the Foundation he has been able to overcome both business difficulties and personal misfortune.
2. Paul Mwansa had also received a loan of ZK2,500.00 in August 2014 in order to finance his shop which is in the mealie meal (corn meal) business. In October 2014 his loan fell into arrears after Paul had to start taking care of his brother’s medical bills when his ill brother came to live with Paul. Paul’s business also suffered as the currency crisis caused a sharp increase in the wholesale price of the mealie meal which Paul sells, making it difficult for him to continue. Again, after active engagement by members of the Foundation a revised repayment schedule was agreed in September 2015 and Paul’s loan is now being paid back faithfully in accordance with that revised schedule. This was done through a signing of the new contract which clearly states the obligations to complete paying back the loan.

Administration

ZDSF is run on a voluntary basis by the board of Directors and when it was formed two of the board members were stationed in Ndola where the loans are being made. During the course of 2015, both of these board members relocated to other towns far away from Ndola and this left the administration of the project to be coordinated by one board member, Voster Tembo, from Lusaka, which is about 380 kilometres away from Ndola. As a result, and despite periodic visits by Voster Tembo to Ndola during the year, administration was difficult and slow for much of 2015 and this led to a reduction in the amount of work which could be done on the ground compared with 2014. However, in January 2016, one of the board members who had been relocated away from Ndola, (Waveson Hamuchankwi) will be moving back to Ndola and he will take up much of the administration in Ndola again. It is anticipated that the administration of the project in the year 2016 will be much improved as a result and we are looking forward to substantially increasing our lending activities (funding permitting) in the coming year.

Office space

ZDSF has been operating without office space. All local administration is carried out from the home of a volunteer in the community in Chipulukusu, Ndola or, at board level, from the homes of the board members. Whereas this was preferred by the Foundation in order to save incurring administration expenses, it did present other difficulties. Government and official bodies in Zambia frequently require that any foundation/ NGO should have an official physical office address for the purposes of accessing services or obtaining benefits. With an official office, it would improve the profile and ability of the Foundation to expand its activities and in particular it would facilitate;

1. Easier inspection by government bodies.
2. Easier to obtain tax incentives and rebates from the Government – especially for the purposes of importations and receipt of donations from outside the country.
3. Easier to enter into partnerships with other community based initiatives.
4. Making the administration of the project, and collection of loan repayments easier.

In order to resolve this difficulty, a forty foot steel shipping container has been donated by Irish supporters and friends of the ZDSF and is underway for delivery to Chipulukusu, Ndola in the spring of 2016, for the purpose of being used as an official office. In partnership with Graceland School in Pamodzi, this container will also serve as a community library to increase literacy in the community. Office furniture and books for the library have also been donated by the Irish supporters and will arrive in the container.

It is hoped that by the end of April, the container will be in Zambia and sited in the community where ZDSF operates, to be opened as an office for ZDSF and also a community library.

Currency Devaluation in Zambia

With the increasing loss in value of Copper on the international market, Zambia has seen its currency, the Kwacha, losing more than a third of its value to major international currencies. This has been coupled with internal financial turmoil, increasing electricity and fuel tariffs, continued power outages and increasing inflation. All of this has resulted in an increased cost of doing business due to increased prices for commodities.

ZDSF has not been spared from the national problems and its reserves in Kwacha and the value of loan repayments have lost significant value in the past year. The loans of medium value (2,500.00 ZK) which were worth €327.00 Euro or $382.00 US Dollars in January 2015, were only worth €205.00 Euro or $225.00 US Dollars in December 2015. As a result, even with 100% repayment of loans made, the Foundation’s funds are seriously depleted in value. While international currency fluctuations do not have a direct effect in the local economy, inflation is high and the Kwacha is steadily losing its purchasing power. In the coming months, it is anticipated that the Foundation’s funds will continue to devalue. Further external funding is therefore urgently required.

ZDSF, with the support of its partners, has decided to retain donations which are raised overseas in a Euro account in Ireland which will only be transferred to ZDSF once the funds are ready to be disbursed to borrowers. This will reduce the rate at which the money in the bank will lose value before it is given out. This will be piloted in the coming months and will be periodically reviewed to ensure that this is the best way to go in preserving our resources.

Finances

Pericles Alumni Association of Elon University, North Carolina of the United States of America and donors from the Republic of Ireland continued providing finances to the foundation and during the calendar of 2015 a target to raise $30,000.00 by the end of August 2015 was set. However, this target was not met and so we continue to appeal to our donors and supporters for more funds.

As reported in the 2014 Annual Report, the Foundation is prohibited by Zambian law from taking deposits and so future growth in the size of the fund available for lending will depend entirely on the generosity of our supporters and friends and this is critical for the sustainability of the foundation.

In addition to financial donations, the Foundation is to receive a donation of bicycles and sewing machines from the Irish supporters who are supplying the shipping container in 2016. These items will also be allocated to people who are seeking to establish or grow businesses and will be used for income generating activities to be designed and approved by the board in a similar manner as money loans.

GOALS FOR 2016

The past year has again shown that the ZDSF method of advancing small micro-finance loans is effective in empowering people to start their own businesses, to work for themselves and to lift them and their families out of poverty. The Foundation has lifted 32 individuals and their families out of poverty. It is the immediate goal of ZDSF to now expand its operations to include;

1. Having its own office space in the shipping container.
2. Getting into partnerships with similar or complimentary organisations and NGOs with a shared vision.
3. Open and run a community library.
4. Make loans to more families – so as to bring relief from poverty to a greater number of people.
5. Make greater loan amounts – so as to enable the fund to support medium sized businesses which require greater start-up capital than the small business ventures which have been so far supported.
6. Expand the project to other communities
7. Provide training in financial management to potential and beneficiary clients to encourage proper financial planning of businesses, structured book-keeping and an appreciation of the core economics of a successful business.
8. Provide training in skills development and entrepreneurship for youths and women.
9. To achieve a more robust and efficient management system in order to accelerate the lending and recovery process so as to make better use of the funds available.
10. Most importantly, more finances are needed with the support of our external donors.

VISION

The Foundation envisions being among the major micro-finance institutions within and outside Ndola in the Copperbelt region of Zambia in the provision of financial services to low income groups within three years. The Foundation is committed to recovering loans in full from its clients. The Foundation is also committed to meeting its obligations to its lifeline donors of continuing to report on the progress of the project.

GOVERNANCE

The retention rate of Board of Directors is at 100%. The continuity of leadership ensures institutional stability, thereby decreasing staff needed to manage the project and reducing on administrative costs. The organization has operated at all times within the laws of Zambia.

In September 2015, the organization received a donation of a mini laptop and a camera from Irish donors for administrative use. Pericles Alumni Association of Elon University, North Carolina of the United States of America, has committed to provide funding to ZDSF for operational costs.

CONCLUSION

ZDSF would like to grow both institutionally and financially and continue to be accountable to its donors. The board of directors believes that the immediate measures that have been decided upon in realigning the management and administration system will be of great help to the foundation. Also, a commitment has been made to issue a detailed report twice a year on the project.

There is great need for access to financial capital for business purposes in Zambia, which in the very short term reduces poverty and permanently improves the lives of target groups. Through concerted effort of ourselves, the community and our donors, we hope to see more communities in Zambia come out of economic poverty. We still urgently require additional funds to increase our financial sustainability and expand our operations and access to these funds will largely determine the rate of success in the coming year.

Thank you for your support and looking forward to working with you in the coming year.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and ZDSF,

Voster Tembo

vostertembo@gmail.com

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Update on Anita Isaacs, partner to the Classes of 2006 & 2017

Anita in her mahongu field this spring.

We have great news about Anita Isaacs, partner of the Class of 2006 and a two time Periclean-in-Residence.  After four years of hard study, internships and a senior project based near her home in Oshakati, on April 14th she received her Batchelor of Social Work from the University of Namibia.  She is now in a position to accept a job through the Ministry of Youth working with HIV positive children in the north.  She will also serve as an unofficial consultant to Namibia’s First Lady on issues related to HIV/AIDS.

She has served as the regional director of Lironga Eparu, an organization that helps people “live positively” with their HIV status.

During her visits to Elon Anita met with and educated the Periclean Scholars as a group, as well as on an individual basis. She had several campus-wide events in which she was a catalyst for conversation and education among Elon University students. Anita had several radio interviews and public speeches on campus, in an attempt to educate and raise awareness among the Elon community. Finally, interviews and filming were conducted with Anita to prepare for a final documentary all about Anita and her story.

Anita’s presence changed lives of the members of Elon’s campus and surrounding community, while experiencing changes to her own life. She took her message and shared her story outside of her country, and beyond her continent.  She developed the Periclean Scholars’ understanding of AIDS in Namibia by providing first hand information from a woman who fights the stigma associated with AIDS in Namibia on a daily basis. Anita’s message affected the Periclean Scholars’ projects and the education shared with others throughout the world and within the United States.

In 2014, Anita posted the following,

“I hope you are doing great in the new year 2014. I always feel proud of being a part of you guys. It has been a wonderful 11years together. Every second I think of you I remember on how I met the Class of 2006. By then I was just another AIDS patient waiting to be added to the Namibian AIDS death statistics. Today I am still living to the fullest. My dream of becoming a grandmother became true, today I am a grandmother of three wonderful grandchildren. To be honest the Class of 2006 saved my life, they put life into my days, not only days into my life. They taught me how to plan for my future. Back in 2003 if you are HIV positive you were regarded as a living dead, living amongst the living. But after my initial meeting with the group led by Dr. Tom Arcaro, it was a blessing for our support group. Today the group have change from being the people with AIDS to healthy people, back to work. We are proud parents, who have grown up children.

I never dreamt of going to University, but today I am in my third year [now a graduate!] at the University of Namibia. Thanks to your on-going moral, physical, and financial support. I am looking forward on meeting with Class of 2017. Continue doing the good and wonderful work you are showing to throughout the World. You need to know that what you are doing have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people Globally.”

Today, Anita is graduated from the University of Namibia.

Graduation cake given to Anita by the Periclean Foundation.

Anita is featured in two documentaries, “My Name is Anita” and “You Wake Me Up.”

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John McGreevy

Class of 2010

By: Megan Griffin

John McGreevy is a member of the Periclean Class of 2010, and his Class’ accomplishments were based on the Periclean philosophy that cross-cultural partnerships form a solid foundation for sustainable community development. Their focus while at Elon was “improving access to healthcare and promoting sustainable development in Ghana’s Volta Region through community partnerships, outreach, and education.”

Their Class made possible the construction and staffing of the Kpoeta Community Clinic, with the support of many people in the Ghanaian villages of Kpoeta and Sokode, the Government of Ghana, and partnering agencies, including Heifer International, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Navy. Projects related to the clinic included building a house for the clinic staff, initiating construction on a kindergarten in Sokode, supporting a livestock and beekeeping project in Sokode, and initiating a solar cooker project in the Ghanaian villages of Sokode and Kpoeta. Their Class helped to fund the utilization of specialists in Ghana, including roofers, plumbers, and electricians-these specialists provided services which could not be provided for by community members. The Class also distributed over 500 children’s books to an Elementary School in Abor, Ghana, transported on a U.S. Naval ship. All of their projects were initiated based on the requests of community leaders in Ghana. The members of this Periclean Class all agreed on the importance of listening to local people about the local problems when trying to brainstorm solutions.

Their Class efforts were also impactful in the local community. They hosted talks by experts on development and healthcare in Africa and Ghanaian history. The experts spoke at local schools and churches and on Elon’s campus. These speakers helped to raise awareness about the need to improve access to healthcare in rural areas of Ghana. In 2013, their Class also began to offer scholarships to US students via the organization ScholarCHIPS.

The Periclean Class of 2010 committed to “embrac[ing] lifelong intellectual and personal growth.” In talking to John McGreevy, it was undeniable that he has embraced the importance of his Periclean Class’ pledge.

John graduated from Elon magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Biology. He was recognized as the Outstanding Senior in Environmental Studies, was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, and the Biology honor society Beta Beta Beta.  After graduating from Elon, he completed his Masters degree in Anthropology at Colorado State University. In attaining a Masters degree, he was determined to figure out the best way that he could work with people in different countries to produce sustainable, environmental solutions to problems abroad. John then went on to the University of Georgia to work towards a Ph.D. in Integrative Conservation and Anthropology. He explained this Doctorate program as an opportunity to learn about ways to bring together people from different backgrounds to brainstorm and accomplish solutions to global issues.

John found that being a part of Periclean Scholars helped him to realize the importance of establishing an equal partnership in aid. He stated that the idea of both parties learning from one another and benefiting from each other’s efforts is a basic part of human life. This recognition has been a driving force in his career decisions and his efforts in Haiti since graduating from Elon.

When asked about the importance of Periclean Scholars, he stated that very few things in life are transformative. He said that Dr. Frontani’s insight, as their Class Mentor, helped to change their perspective. She taught them how to work together as a Class, which he said was a transformative experience and changed his outlook on what he wanted to do after graduation. Since then, he has used that experience to collaboratively improve environment and quality of life in Haiti. Periclean helped him figure out how best to work with people in other countries and how to prioritize partnerships.

Since graduation, he has worked with reforestation initiatives and different nonprofits that do environmental and social work in Haiti. The major initiative that he focuses on now is establishing partnerships between communities in the United States and in Haiti. For example, recently, he gave a presentation in Philadelphia about a partnership between a church in Haiti and a church in Philadelphia. He emphasized the fact that local Haitian people and people in the United States were able to come together and learn from one another-they are valuing each other’s ideas, so it is a two way giving system.  He said that a lot of what he learned in Periclean Scholars is directly implemented into what he is doing now.

While at Elon, John studied human environmental interaction in Haiti. While he was on the ground in Haiti, doing a project on solar energy, the earthquake happened. John said that this experience taught him both about the resilience of the Haitian people and the way that natural disasters are never purely “natural.” Instead, they are products of social processes like urbanization, colonialism, and associated environmental degradation. Likewise, he noted that the only way to attack such problems is to learn from the people that know the most about Haiti and its environment: its people.

Dr. Frontani’s insight, passion and persistence as a Periclean Mentor shaped the members of the Class of 2010. John remembers the day that Dr. Frontani first interviewed him to be a part of the Periclean Scholars program. He remembers that she asked really good questions about why we wanted to be in the program and what he was looking to provide by being a part of Periclean Scholars. From John’s first interaction with Dr. Frontani, he could tell that she really cared, and as a Mentor, she held everything they did as a class to the utmost importance.

Dr. Frontani was a Mentor that experienced many “firsts” of the program. Their class was the first Periclean class to wear the Periclean stoles at graduation. John said that his is hanging on his mantle at home. He said that being able to wear the stole at graduation culminated their class’ efforts in a tangible way. Since the stole was made with cloth from Ghana, it signified the partnerships their class had worked towards. The stole is now a reminder of everything their class accomplished with the guidance of Dr. Frontani. It is also a constant attachment to Ghanaian culture.

In response to the passing of their remarkable Mentor their Class has all been remarking on what Heidi meant to them, and they all agree that she was really a huge part of the Periclean experience.  John talked on the phone with another scholar from his Class. They talked about the importance of their time at Periclean and what they are doing now. They both realized that they pursued their passions because of Heidi Frontani and her encouragement to work collaboratively to better the world and solve complex problems. Their Class hopes that they will continue to reconnect as a Class, while also maintaining their strong community that Dr. Frontani fostered. In this, they hope to endure the legacy of their Mentor.

Elon’s President Dr. Leo Lambert stated in the school newspaper, The Pendulum, that  “the students she taught and mentored, and the values they carry into this world, are perhaps her greatest legacy.”  John McGreevy is absolutely a part of Dr. Frontani’s legacy.

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Khara Bauer

Class of 2007

By: Megan Griffin

Khara Bauer is originally from Delaware, since graduation she has moved back to Delaware with her husband and son. She is also expecting her second baby very soon!

At Elon, Khara studied Education, she originally planned to major in Religious Studies, but then realized the power of teaching and being able to utilize a college degree to help others. After graduating in 2007, Khara immediately spent part of her summer in Honduras! She worked with the Medical Brigades and also went to Flor Azul with Karen Godt, founder of Hope for Honduran Children. While in Honduras, she had the opportunity to enhance her Spanish speaking skills in order to communicate better with Hondurans.

She began her teaching career after her experience in Honduras; she first taught third grade and then taught kindergarten for four years. While teaching kindergarten and the third grade, she often had ESL students in her classroom. Through her interactions with the ESL students in her classroom she realized that she adored teaching ESL. She wanted to expand her ESL knowledge, so she decided to go back to school to get her masters. She now works as an ESL teacher in two elementary schools and one middle school. Her passion for teaching translated this past February when Khara was named the Teacher of the Year at Beacon Middle School!

While at Elon, Khara joined Periclean Scholars as a way to link arms with other devoted student-leaders to make a difference in the world. Her Periclean Class spent the majority of their first year researching their country of focus and topic. Khara felt that by the time they got the ball rolling, time had slipped away from them. Rather than focusing on the impact their class had in Honduras, she discussed the impact that their Class had on the program. Their Class enhanced the Periclean Scholars program by laying down the stepping stones for future classes. The Class of 2016 in some ways picked up where they left off and were able to partner with Hope for Honduran Children!

In reflecting about her involvement in Periclean, Khara recognizes how much time the process of finding the appropriate focus and partners takes, that is why helping future classes is so influential and meaningful.

When asked what the biggest takeaway was from being involved in the Periclean Scholars program, Khara said that it was “the recognition that she was capable of educating others.”

Although she educates others directly in her career, she also shares the ideas and values of Periclean Scholars in her everyday life. She portrays these ideals in things such as gift giving and finding creative ways to spread her own knowledge to friends and family.

“At Christmas time I will donate in someone’s name. At my wedding, instead of having a wedding cake, my husband and I gave out chocolate from Chile and a statement about how much money was donated because we decided to not spend money on a wedding cake.”

With the chocolate, they also handed out information about her experiences in Honduras. I was impressed with this creative idea to spread awareness and contribute financially to something they were so passionate about.

She is excited for the future of the program and encourages others to attend Elon because of the unique opportunity to be involved in an academic and extracurricular service organization.

Khara’s statement (below) while she was in Periclean Scholars at Elon shows how passionate she was, and still is, about the Periclean Scholars program.

“There is not another organization that is better suited to use our available resources, our love, will and enthusiasm to help less fortunate members of our global society. We all want to make a difference for the better, and Pericles makes it happen.”

Class of 2007 Slideshow

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Annie Huth

Class of 2012

By: Megan Griffin

The other week, I had the privilege of talking to Annie Huth, from the Class of 2012. Annie was the inaugural fellow to participate in a one-year post-graduate position at CRHP.

Annie’s postgraduate plans were directly inspired by Periclean.

“My first year after graduation was spent with CHRP through our Class’ fellowship program. I had an amazing year, it was the best thing I could have done! Everything I learned from Periclean, and my experiences through the fellowship program have been a huge part in the way I approach my work.”

She now lives in Saxapahaw and is working with Buckner, a local construction company in Graham. She is the Health and Wellness Director.

“I started their wellness program from the ground up, there was nothing formal in place before my position. Now there is support for the construction workers.” In her position, Annie also leads community outreach efforts. Annie mentioned that she was very surprised when she started working at Buckner. She was shocked by how many of the concepts and models that she learned during her fellowship at CRHP could be applied to her position at Buckner.

“Things like hearing about what people need, looking at the environment, building off of people’s strengths have been a huge part in growing the Buckner wellness program organically. The program’s success depends a lot on employee buy in and acknowledgment of diverse cultural groups.”

When asked about whether or not she thinks their Periclean Class had an impact in India, she said that while the class worked together to accomplish a lot, nothing could have matched what they gained from the experience.

The Class of 2012 was able to refund a project in India and bring it back to life. The first time that Annie was in India, she did a month long internship with the adolescent girls program through CRHP. She then went back to India during winter term her senior year to see the progress of the program.

“Being able to enable them to bring that program back to life, and to work simultaneously with girls here in Burlington [at BHA, their local partner] was our Class’ impact.”

She also talked about the Summit that their Class hosted during their senior year. As a fellow in India, after graduation, she was able to see that their partner was still running the summit and wanted to host another conference. Annie helped with the social media and planning of the conference.

As an undergraduate student and a fellow, Annie also did work with Photovoice. Photovoice is a community photography project that enlists community members to tell their stories.

“I did my undergraduate research on a photovoice project at the Burlington Housing Authority and then did a photovoice project my Senior year Winter Term and again as a fellow with a couple of friends from Elon.”

“These projects played a huge role in cementing some key Periclean values for me such as letting people tell their own stories and identify their own strengths and struggles.”

Annie and I also discussed the importance of traveling. Annie finds so much value in traveling anywhere!

“Just travel in general-to a different state, different country is so important. People are not exactly like you-knowing this is a useful tool in understanding our own cultures, biases, etc. Going to India as a class allowed us to look back at how things are in the United States, and we were able to compare and contrast our valuable experience in India with experiences in the US.”

Annie also discussed the value of traveling to the country of focus as a Periclean.

“Being able to directly see the work our partner was doing was life changing for many of us. We were able to go to India to see the realities of young girls, women and farmers in rural India. We saw firsthand how many hardships they face, but also got to see the beauty in what CRHP was doing for the community. There is nothing like seeing that in person and being able to participate in it.”

Periclean, especially by her junior and senior year was her thing at Elon.

“Periclean classes were what I looked forward to!” She said that being involved with such a passionate and visionary group of people was such a rewarding aspect of the program.

Overall, Periclean to a large extent has made her a more informed global citizen. She looks at the world through a slightly different lens which helps her to respond to situations. She feels that she can respond to situations with more compassion and empathy because she is well informed.

Annie said that “understanding people better has been a big take away from Periclean.”

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