Dear Friends of Plant a Seed,

 

Video Updates: Public & Restricted Unedited Version for Field Workers' Safety

 

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As we navigate through our journey at Plant a Seed, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and belief in our mission. Reflecting on our recent years, I realize I may not have communicated our progress and achievements as effectively as I could have. If you've ever felt out of the loop, I apologize. It's a challenge I am committed to overcoming, as sharing our story is essential and a personal growth area for me.

 

Despite what may sometimes seem like quiet periods, I am incredibly proud of what we've accomplished with limited resources. From a modest village initiative, we've expanded our reach to the U.S. and into Kenya, driven by passion rather than substantial financial backing. In fact, for many years, I personally funded our projects with 10% of my income from minimum-wage jobs long before we received our first external donation.

 

While we have yet to secure new funding this year, our commitment to sustainable impact has not wavered. I've been actively pursuing grant opportunities and was uplifted to learn that community elders in Cameroon are finding innovative ways to continue our Book Drive independently. This empowerment and self-sufficiency at the local level are central to our mission and a source of immense pride. We are also an inspiration! Let’s look back for a moment at some achievements:

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• Sustainable Development: Partnered with Engineers Without Borders to install a $40,000 clean water system, benefiting over 2000 people in a Cameroonian village. This project addressed critical needs abroad and provided U.S. students with opportunities to work and learn from local experts in Cameroon. This is a model for sustainable development practices globally and US-Africa collaborations that we hope to continue.

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• Educational Support in Cameroon: Since its inception, Plant a Seed has invested over 10 million CFA ($20,000) in supplying school materials to hundreds of students in Cameroon, aiming to create equitable educational opportunities. Our initiative has specifically targeted youths by offering scholarships and awards through summer games. This commitment has empowered individuals and promoted self-reliance in communities with limited educational resources.

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• Medical Support: Collaborated with the Children’s Burn Foundation and Torrance Memorial Hospital to provide life-changing surgeries and education for a Cameroonian burn victim, Jespa, totaling over $1M. This partnership enhanced these organizations’ domestic and international medical outreach capabilities, and we changed his life. We also funded life-changing surgery for baby Jennifer, who can now use the toilet.

 

• Empowerment through STEM: Launched a STEM center in Kenya, offering data coding training to youth, equipping them with essential skills for the future. Top companies in Kenya hire students from the center. The program offers internships and externships for U.S. and Kenyan learners and beyond

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• Cross-Cultural Online Teacher Forums: Provided 300 educators worldwide, including the U.S., with cross-cultural experiences through a forum that addresses educational challenges in Africa and beyond, emphasizing culturally relevant education. This initiative enhances the educational landscape by fostering a globally informed learning environment that benefits students internationally, including in the U.S.

 

• Cross-Cultural Engagement: Hosted fundraising events with diverse cultural themes, effectively raising awareness and funds by engaging local and international communities. These events cultivate a rich, multicultural dialogue in the U.S., enhancing the cultural competence of local participants and fostering a greater understanding of global issues and culture.

 

Our efforts to refine our branding and strategic focus continue to advance. I've dedicated hundreds of hours to researching and publishing scholarly articles that enhance our effectiveness and inform our strategic direction. Here are some publications, see more attached document or click here, that underscore our thought leadership and commitment to evidence-based approaches:

 

Akumbu, R. V. (2023). Leadership, service, and wicked problems: Impact of war, lack of funding, and COVID-19 in service of those with fewer opportunities. Scholars Without Borders Journal.

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/swbj/ 

 

Akumbu, R. V., & Jukanovich, M. J. (2023). African Union’s Youth Education Challenge: A Critical Review of Agenda 2063. The Scholarship Without Borders Journal, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.57229/2834-2267.1054

 

Akumbu, R. V. (2023). Conceptualizing Theoretical Frameworks for Post-colonial Education for Kisii K–12, Kenya. In: Arastoopour Irgens, G., Knight, S. (eds) Advances in Quantitative Ethnography. ICQE 2023. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1895. Springer, Cham.

ttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47014-1_17

 

While I have expressed interest in dedicating myself full-time to Plant a Seed, such a move requires stable funding, which is not yet in place. Until then, I am committed to doing everything within my power to advance our cause at the current level, striving to create a better world through our work both here and in Africa.

 

I am immensely proud of the transformative work we've accomplished together at Plant a Seed. As CEO, I am inspired every day by what we can achieve through our collective efforts and the support of dedicated partners like you.

 

We stand at a pivotal moment where our joint commitment can catalyze even greater change. Here are how you can continue to make a meaningful impact:

 

1. Contribute to Our Book Drive: If you wish to support our ongoing Book Drive in Cameroon or if you have suggestions for U.S.-based projects, we warmly welcome your ideas and contributions. Please donate and leave us a comment here with your thoughts.

2. Supply U.S. Classrooms: There are numerous students and teachers in the U.S. who could greatly benefit from enhanced classroom supplies. Your contribution can make a direct difference in their educational experience.

3. Support My Leadership: To contribute towards the vital work I do at Plant a Seed, please use this link and mention "For Ruth" in the comments. Your targeted support will enable me to dedicate more time and resources to developing and expanding our projects, enhancing our impact more effectively.

4. Grant Writing Support: If you're interested in volunteering to help me identify and apply for grants, please reply to this email or click here. Your assistance is invaluable and greatly appreciated as we seek to secure vital funding for our projects.

 

Thank you once again for your trust and partnership. Together, we are nurturing a future where every child has the power to be a changemaker in their community.

 

Warm regards,

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Dr. Akumbu

 

Ubuntu:

I am because you are.

323-456-6239