Our primary initiative while in Addis Ababa was to work with a local school that specializes in taking students whose parents are currently in, or working their way out of, prostitution. By sending their children to a school that provides an excellent education, they can ensure them a better future. Pictured above is one of the mothers we spent time working with.
Our primary initiative while in Addis Ababa was to work with a local school that specializes in taking students whose parents are currently in, or working their way out of, prostitution. By sending their children to a school that provides an excellent education, they can ensure them a better future. Pictured above is one of the mothers we spent time working with.
Our primary initiative while in Addis Ababa was to work with a local school that specializes in taking students whose parents are currently in, or working their way out of, prostitution. By sending their children to a school that provides an excellent education, they can ensure them a better future. Pictured above is one of the mothers we spent time working with.
The Lion of Judah, an important religious symbol in Rastafarian culture, resides in the heart of Addis Ababa. Many are unaware that Rasta culture actually originates from Ethiopia instead of Jamaica. This is most obvious when looking at the Ethiopian flag, whose colors were adopted for Rasta culture.
Ethiopia's capital city, Addis Ababa, is perched over 7,000 feet above sea level and serves as the home to well over 3 million people. The city's layout is a strange mix of upper and lower social classes all subsisting in the same neighborhoods and often only feet away from each other unlike most modern zoned cities.
Two men keep watch over one of the thousands of tiny 'shops' lining Addis Ababa's city streets. Despite a growing economy, many Ethiopians still suffer from extreme poverty due to a large influx of people moving from rural to urban areas.
James, a young boy at the small home for disabled children, has been suffering from extreme malnutrition despite eating a healthy diet. Even when he was able to eat, much of it was later thrown back up making the problem worse. It is unclear as to what James suffers from, local doctors are still unable to make a diagnosis based on his symptoms.
Students attending a boarding school are required to wear a uniform and shave their head. This reduces distractions by placing a strong emphasis on school work. While not all students enjoy such strict control over their looks, most agree on the importance of a good education in the pursuit of a better life.
The harsh reality for many of the children attending public school in rural Kenya is several mile commute to and from school everyday. The more wealthy are afforded the luxury of bus rides to and from boarding school.
Members of the Catholic Women's Association carry banana leafs in support of peace for the upcoming election. Historically, elections have often brought much violence to Kenya. Many return to the home region of their tribes to avoid conflicts along tribal lines.
For the children not attending school, most spend their time doing chores and running errands for their family. Here a local girl returns home with fire kindling to be used for cooking. Despite electricity being run through the area a few years prior, many homes still lack access.
The first destination of our journey to Africa was the small town of Sigomere Kenya, home to Obama's extended family. Here our primary focus was to improve the financial well being a local small home for disabled children and to check on a previously implemented aquaponics system in the local all-girls school. While visiting, we were frequently referred to by the local children as "muzungu", the Swahili term for 'white person'.
Oliver White was introduced to FoCo Cafe by a friend of his and from day one he started volunteering to help repay the cost of his meals. This 'volunteer to eat' program put in place by FoCo Cafe helps people like Oliver who are living on food stamps and need to make the most of it. To him, the most surprising feature of the Cafe was their "totally different system" based in numerous eco-friendly practices such as composting and reusing materials. This came as a sharp contrast to the other volunteer organizations and churches Oliver had donated his time to. By far the most important part of FoCo Cafe to Oliver is the environment, "everyone feels appreciated" and "never judged". (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
Spring and her significant other Paul are a familiar sight at FoCo Cafe, often visiting up three times a week to volunteer their time for a hot meal. Frequently Spring will play her dulcimer to accompany Paul's bagpipes, much to the delight of the Cafe's customers. It was as I packed up my gear that Paul inquired if I would take a picture of Spring and her dulcimer. Unfortunately, due to some recent health issues resulting in surgery and her hunt for a job, I was unable to get a full interview with her. However, her warm smile and caring attitude made it clear she was an important part of the FoCo Cafe family. (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
Sheryl Martin started volunteering weekly at FoCo Cafe after searching for a sustainable organization in need of volunteers. What surprised her the most was FoCo Cafe's "whole environment of love and appreciation" along with their commitment to serving individuals from all walks of life "whether you are a Muslim, Christian or Jew". Outside of just the restaurant, the ideas implemented by FoCo Cafe are "setting a good example for serving the poor" given our nation's desperate need to "play catch up" when it comes to providing for the homeless. Having spent over a month volunteering with the Cafe, Sheryl looks forward most to "interacting with the customers and passing out love". (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
Cathy Morgan, the co-owner of Maxline Brewing, volunteers at FoCo Cafe on her own and with her business since being introduced to the restaurant by a co-worker. What surprised her the most was "how FoCo Cafe is such a welcoming, non-judgemental gathering place for everyone". Each volunteering sessions brings something new, whether its "slicing and dicing vegetables, wrapping silverware, wiping floors or filling salt shakers", everything helps. For her company, Maxline Brewing, FoCo Cafe is a perfect fit with their "Craft. Community. Culture." slogan. By giving back to the community Maxline hopes to separate itself as "more than just a business". (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
Manuela Girotti, an Italian immigrant and postdoctoral fellow in mathematics at CSU, found FoCo Cafe after searching online for a local volunteering opportunity. Reminded of a restaurant she encountered on her universities campus run by students for the community, Manuela loved the concept of caring for those in need locally. What surprised her the most was FoCo Cafe's emphasis on providing "organic and quality food" to their customers since "everyone deserves good food". Manuela's favorite jobs revolve around preparing food and talking with customers, "I love cooking, chopping vegetables and talking with the customers". FoCo Cafe has also provided her a means of "getting to know people and her city" while "helping build a tighter community". (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
Reggie Sterling, one of FoCo Cafe's most frequent volunteers, was introduced after his church minister brought it up during a homelessness and community outreach sermon. Prior to the Cafe, Reggie had spent three years volunteering with a local rescue mission helping those in need. What surprised him the most was FoCo Cafe's dedication to the community, "here everybody cares for the community and support comes from all sides to keep the place open". In addition to providing meals to everyone in the community, FoCo Cafe also helps "sustain local farmers in producing organic food for better healthy eating". It's this deep connection between consumers and producers that make the Cafe stand out and brings Reggie back time and time again. Here he can help give the homeless and those in need a place to get "a hot meal, a smile, and empowerment". (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
(From left to right) Sarah Kaiser, Savanah Chetham, Alanna Pipkin and Broc Bainter from the CSU Invictus Initiative chapter try to spend every other Saturday volunteering at FoCo Cafe to give back to their community. The Denver-based humanitarian organization believes in fighting toxic charities which are "organizations that do not create or support sustainable humanitarian practices". To do this, The Invictus Initiative travels both internationally and locally to "build relationships first that ensure long lasting trust with individuals and communities". The volunteers continue to return to FoCo Cafe due to their relationships first approach with customers in addition to sustainable food and business practices. (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
(From top to bottom) Christine, Mattison and Maggie Pletcher were introduced to FoCo Cafe after their babysitter Annie Freyshlag told them about the great volunteering opportunities available for younger children. With daughters in 4th and 2nd grade, Christine was looking for somewhere she could "volunteer with kids at this age". At FoCo Cafe, the community-driven environment was a perfect fit and both Mattison and Maggie who both love the cafe and consider it "our favorite restaurant". When volunteering, Mattison and Maggie are usually wrapping silverware, watering the plants or harvesting greens for the kitchen. To help share the work of FoCo Cafe, the Pletchers are also involved with the nationwide Kids Care Club that focuses on different organizations helping their communities. (Davis Bonner | Collegian)
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