Little Boys Matter

Best Friends Forever

HealthEd Connect has worked hard to develop programs to keep vulnerable girls in school.  We're now beginning to reap the rewards of our efforts by seeing girls stay in school and continue to achieve.

But we love our little boys too! Most of them are little scrappers and will make it through life on their own, but we'd like to give them a loving nudge along the way.  We're thinking soccer teams and Votech should be in their future.  Thanks to our generous donors, that will become a reality.

Mother's Day Gift

Seriously???  A free lunch?

There is such a thing as a Free Lunch!!  Every time you shop at Smile.Amazon.com, a donation is automatically made to HealthEd Connect.   Every $.12 cents buys a lunch for one of our kids!

If you shop at Smile.Amazon.com for Mom this Mother's Day, you'll be gifting her twice!!  

Motherly Love

Thanks to a loving mother, this baby is thriving

What would the world be like if every child experienced the love and security that this adorable cherub from Zambia exudes?   To quote Louis Armstrong, "What a wonderful world" this would be!

Since that isn't a reality for countless children, HealthEd Connect is developing programs that help to fill the void.  Hot school lunches, nutritious garden vegetables, nurturing schools, and a community of loving Kafwas to name a few.

Honor a woman in your life by sharing her legacy with others.  What a great way to pass love on!!

Donate Now and add your special honoree to the Honor Roll on our web page www.healthedconnect.org

Stepping Stones

Ireen Matete is one of our long-time Kafwa in Kasompe.  Even though Ireen and the other Kafwa have been engaged in home visiting, cooking school lunches, bead making, and child grief-support programs for years, they recently began a monthly well-baby program at the school.  The clinic is sponsored by the government which adds prestige to the operation.

On our visit in January, Ireen said to me, "Mama Sherri, we were invited to work in this clinic because we are known in the community as dependable Kafwa.  Some of our members have even gotten small employment opportunities because of their Kafwa training."  Hats off to our volunteer health workers for receiving perks and recognition for jobs well done.

Sibling ties

Sibling ties in Africa are deep and very real.  Little 'mothers' as young as 5 or 6 years old frequently carry younger siblings (sometimes almost as big as they are) on their backs for hours on end.  Likewise, big brothers and big sisters uncomplainingly watch younger ones.  It's very fitting that in some African traditions, all 'aunties' are referred to as 'mother' and all 'uncles' as 'fathers.'

It may indeed take a village to raise a child but the siblings deserve a special round of applause for their important role.

These two little girls are friends as well as sisters.  The ever-present hand holding is a sweet connection seen throughout the villages.

It takes a Team!

Planning session with Sherri Kirkpatrick, Lauren Hall, and Lindsay Harmon

If you're following HealthEd Connect on Instagram or Facebook, you have noticed the postings have been incredible lately! That's thanks to our intern, Lindsay Harmon, who goes above and beyond to spread the good news about HealthEd Connect. She's also working on a grant proposal, publication options for our upcoming book, Mama Madam, and just generally making herself totally indispensable.  What would we do without Lindsay??? 

HEC booster club in China

HealthEd Connect supporters in Chengdu, China enjoying a roof-top potluck at Lily's home

 On our (Jac and Sherri's) recent trip to China, we found ardent supporters wanting to know how they could help more with HEC.  Last year they sent over 100 small bottles of essential oil for the Kafwa to use in treating mosquito bites in Zambia.  Now they're asking about PayPal and ways they can contribute directly.  What a treat to meet once again with friends in China who unfailingly show their compassion for those in need.

Lantern to the rescue!

Supporters in Chengdu viewing the HEC homepage

Internet access in China is definitely restricted.  No Google, no Gmail, no Facebook.  But where there's a will there's Lantern  a work-around app that takes you past the firewall.  And that's how our HealthEd Connect supporters in Chengdu, China keep up with HealthEd Connect news.   Such loyal and ardent supporters.  HealthEd Connect is truly an international organization!!