2019 Challenge Winners
Nairobi Water Harvest
On February 27th, 2019 Angelee Dofeliz, Julia Stevenson and Melanie Ramos alongside other Immaculata students took part in the Sustainable Development Challenge, sponsored by JCI Kelowna. The Nairobi Water Harvest team have been continuously working on their project behind the scenes after winning $5000. “We have been inspired by our community and the mentors we have met throughout the entire process. This could only be possible with the kind hearts of other people who have given up their time to support us”, Julia mentioned. They have been working closely with their partner NGO Hope for the Nations. By May 2019 the project has been completed and the Gateway School now has clean drinking water. See the children’s thank you video below.
2019 Finalists
Sicanang Well Project
This 2019 SDC Finalist team faced many challenges along the way, but they never gave up. They fought long and hard, fundraising and advocating until they got water pumped to 10 homes of villagers who suffer with leprosy in Indonesia. Before this amazing team brought this gift to them, the villagers had to walk a long way, often having to wait for hours before struggling to carry the water back to their homes.
Savannah, Sophie, Cara, and Alex, you have shown us all how to persevere, never give up, and to stand up for the vulnerable. You were committed to helping these people, and you did. Thank you!
Project Update: 2020
Almost a year after presenting our project to a panel of judges at the Sustainable Development Challenge, we thought it was time for a quick update on the status of our project and the village of people we wanted to help support. Thanks to your generous donations, a school fundraiser, and a corporate who matched our funds raised, we were able to help to start a series of improvements in water quality and accessibility.
Attached are some pictures below of the two new wells that supply 20 families with clean, drinkable water.
The four of us have now graduated Immaculata and are halfway into our first years at various post-secondary institutions, including UVic, UofT, UBCO, and OC. Lots of exciting things await us and we are so grateful for this small taste of social justice. Our experience taught us so much as a group and personally, from how to overcome complications, to raising money, to educating ourselves as a whole.
Thank you again to everyone who followed along and supported us on our journey, and to our mentors: Mr Richard, Carmen Denby, and Gill Drakeford-Lewis of Hope For The Nations.
Crush the Stigma: Mental Health in Rural India: PROJECT UPDATE
Kelowna Christian School’s yearly visit to an orphanage in Rural India was the catalyst for this SDC project. Focusing on Global Goal #3, they pulled from their own personal experience, the need for support when dealing with mental health issues. They dealt with cultural stigma, road blocks to getting professionals to the area, and other challenges that made this a difficult project to execute. With determination and compassion they were able to raise funds on their own and have now begun to implement this important work. See their project update here:
Shanti Niketan Well Project Update
Another top team from Kelowna Christian School didn’t take no for an answer. They didn’t win the challenge, but they were so determined to bring water to the orphanage they visited with their school mission team, that they found a way!
Pitching to local businesses and telling their inspiring story to the community, the team was able to raise $10,000 in just over a month.
See the video below showing the moment when they struck water! The Shanti Niketan Orphanage now has clean life changing water! Never give up on your goals. Winning isn’t everything.
