Her program has received many awards from such agencies as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Canada’s International Alliance for Women, the Michael Jordan Foundation and more. Her project has been featured on the BBC and helped raise awareness around the globe; and she was a recipient of a world community grant from our club several years ago.
She is a senior active member of the Kenyan Girl Guides, a trustee of the Kenyan Girl Guides Association and an honorary member of the World Association of Girl Guides. For 30 years now Shariffa has been involved with Empowering Women through Enterprise.
Her training and guidance on her values around giving was exemplified in her grandfather. He always had fresh water or a cup of tea to offer a passerby. Her family is involved in Girl Guides and Rotary. Her father’s advice, ”One third of your day should be spent serving others.” The family helped girls who were scavenging for food at a local market. They offered them a helping hand with good food and education. When primary schooling became free in Kenya, these girls were already ahead of the game.
So Shariffa opened her heart and as we soon learned she has a giant, giving heart and her pocketbook feeding off those values instilled in her from a very young age. Coming from a family of Rotarians, she embodies “Service above Self”.
The school started small, but she soon recognized the need in the large slum of Nairobi. You cannot parachute your ideas on a community, so she started with open dialogue to assess what their needs were. Most wanted to come out of poverty, to receive that helping hand up and make money for themselves. And there it began; they were taught how to grow good food and collected rainwater for drinking. Rotary taught them how to make solar cookers from a cardboard box and tin foil. Very safe and environmentally friendly. This earned them the food and agriculture award.
During Covid, the women began making masks. They sold them to the farmers and their labourers to provide a source of income for the girls. If you could not afford to purchase a mask it was given to you free. The ongoing giving of hope to others.
For the school, used computers and sewing machines were gladly received. The students were taught skills, including sewing and hairdressing. Some opened their own salons. Three students became nurses.
The alumni are very strong and connected. The graduates cook, offer help and encouragement to the new students. The students are given free health care – medical, dentist and eye care. The students are offered hope - training, a career, and food to nourish their bodies and their brains. Six hundred students have gone thru the center since it opened with about 20 students coming in every year.
Shariffa had an interesting way of looking at this African proverb,” If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” She says, “Walk that mile longer”. The project is sustainable through strong partnerships like Rotary, East African Women’s League, Lions, and the Inner Wheel. The girls are taught to sew making their uniforms and gowns for graduation. They are taught life skills such as making briquettes, so they don’t have to burn wood. They must work hard both keeping the school clean but also the community. The girls are taught how to save from the money they earn. Rotary can help by sending over both sewing machines and used computers. Our own Rotarians Steve and Marie Rickard have taken sewing machines over. Some sewing machines are given from the local community.
A heart-warming story of how one girl was almost turned away, but Shariffa was not going to let that happen. Gladys could not hear or speak. Shariffa took her to the doctor who saw heavy wax build up in the ears. He was able to help her, and she regained her hearing - you can only imagine what a joy that must have been! She later received speech therapy. She was a star on both the soccer field and the volleyball court. When you give you receive many fold concludes Shariffa.
The center is there to help marginalized women to rise from poverty, gain an education, have a safe place to live, benefit from good food and clean water, overcome addictions.
Robyn Braley thanked Shariffa for her insightful presentation. A certificate and a donation to Shelter Box will be made by our Rotary club. President Marlene also offered a Paul Harris Fellowship from the club. Shariffa embodies the humanitarian and educational objectives for Rotary as she lives a life of service. Thank you so much for all you do; you are a truly humble person.
Club Updates
- Barbie Hames gave a shout out to Gord Cox for helping her become more at ease in front of her computer. Marlene too has been singing Gord’s praises at the All Presidents’ meeting. Barbie had announcements for September birthdays, wedding anniversaries and Rotary anniversaries. Congrats to all who are celebrating. The club’s car rally will take place September 25, 1 pm starting off at Grey Eagle with eight stops across rural Alberta. Come join in the fun and fellowship.
- Bill Fitzsimmons is looking for volunteers to help with tree wrapping and tree planting at Fish Creek Park. Visit the club website and sign up for the activity, date and time that best fits for you. The three dates are September 15, 23 and October 2. Any questions, contact Pat or Bill.
- For the eclectic auction, Ken Montgomery is looking for suitable items you may have in your own home. Or tap into some of the local businesses in your area for gift cards or get away packages. No stopping your imagination.
- Judy Cochran passed on a message from Jodie Eckert, RAYEC Camp Manager, who is looking for volunteers at the summer camp. RAYEC is the Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp. For complete details, here is a link to the Youth Page: Calgary Rotary West Youth Page
- President Marlene is looking for more participants to join the Move for Polio. It is easy to participate – anything that contributes to your physical and/or mental well being qualifies. The other easy thing to do is pledge to any of the participants. She quoted a former exchange student, Lorenzo Mattei, “Aw come on!!!” Don Edie as club champion is there to help.
Thanks to team 1 for taking on the meeting duties this week. Both team 1 and team 2 have been out to the Doherty’s for a potluck dinner. Our building community recognition goes to Vivian Jones. She is always warm and welcoming, has a caring heart and is passionate about helping the South Sudanese Community.
Bill Quinney will be involved this weekend as the Chestermere Amazing Race takes place. Calgary West has entered a team. Volunteers are needed to man one of the stations at Bill’s place show casing the iron lung. Participants in the race will be answering questions around polio and even spending some time in the iron lung.
Next week’s Monday meeting is a hybrid meeting with Deb Hymers from NStep. On September 27, there is an evening meeting for the Club Forum. You can join in-person at the Calgary Golf and Country Club or Zoom in.
As always, the 4 Way Test musical closed the meeting which officially adjourned at 12:50 p.m. but members were welcomed to stay for fellowship, which they did.
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