Yesterday, together with Girls for Africa, we focused on families who could use a little extra boost in putting together a big meal for the whole family. And today, we’re turning our attention to women who are facing especially tough challenges – single mothers. Many South Sudanese moms work in factories in Iowa, often driving over an hour to work. Gas gets very expensive. So the Girls for Africa crew wanted to do something nice and useful for them. Something to make their lives just a little easier – a gift card for gas. The girls are lucky to have so many female mentors in their lives. They each nominated one woman – who wasn’t their own mom – who has had a big impact on their lives but who may be struggling. They wrote down their nominees on a piece of paper and one by one, read them aloud to the group and described that woman. The girls chose teachers, mothers of friends, and other role models in the community. Then they wrote nice notes to their nominee, packaged the … [Read more...] about Pedal to the Metal

The girls of Girls for Africa – a mentorship and empowerment group based in Omaha – know well the struggles that their parents face to provide the best lives they can. And during the winter season, it can be especially tough to make ends meet, especially piecing together a home-cooked meal. So for Day 7, we helped them make sure that refugee families living in Omaha have at least one meal together during these difficult times. Their idea? Creating a meal kit with all the necessary ingredients for them to prepare and share a meal. Together with the Girls for Africa crew, we purchased and put the meals together at the nearby Refugee Empowerment Center. Then, they delivered them to low-income families they knew could use them the most. The families got mac and cheese, canned corn, meat, canned green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a cookie mix. The girls added a little extra touch to the meal kits, a blue ribbon - the Girls for Africa color. “Families get to eat all … [Read more...] about A Home Cooked Meal

Yesterday’s toy drive was a great success. So the crew from Girls for Africa decided to find yet another way of supporting the South Sudanese community in Omaha. Many South Sudanese parents work long hours seven days a week, supporting large families, and without much disposable income. The girls wanted to gift them with something small and unexpected, yet important, during the winter season. So for Day 6, we helped them kickstart drive number two – for winter clothing! The winter season is well upon us, and many families had a big need for things to stay warm. So the girls purchased jackets, boots, socks, hats, gloves and scarves for their winter clothing drive. We transported everything to the Refugee Empowerment Center and organized them on tables for community members to see. “Winter clothing is not something that our parents would prioritize or buy for themselves. They just simply wouldn’t,” said Elizabeth, one of the Girls for Afria leaders. “So this is our way of … [Read more...] about Warm for Winter

The girls of Girls for Africa had a very long list of ways they wanted to give back to their community in Omaha. Yesterday, we took care one of the things on their list – showing some love to kids and their families at the hospital. Next? A toy drive for kids. Many South Sudanese parents in Omaha work long hours, seven days a week and can’t afford to buy toys. The girls wanted to bring them some extra joy by organizing a drive where their kids could come and pick out the toys that they wanted. So for Day 5, that’s just what we did! You might not be surprised to learn that the kids were absolutely ecstatic! As each family arrived, their eyes widened in joy – so many toys, too little time! The little ones took their toys and started playing with them right away. The toy drive was such fun for everyone involved. For the Girls for Africa crew, it was a good leadership opportunity, a time to flex both their fundraising muscles and their organizational acumen. And for … [Read more...] about Toys for All

One of the main goals of Girls for Africa is to help girls give back to their communities. So the leaders sat the girls down and brainstormed all the ideas they had to do just that. And because the girls are so involved in the community, the list was long! But at the top of their some was bringing some extra love to kids and families who are in the hospital. For various reasons, many of the girls had been patients of the hospital growing up, and remember how lonely and hopeless they often felt. They wanted to make sure that other kids who are in similar situations feel the opposite – full of love and hope. So today, we’re helping the Girls For Africa crew show some love to those who need it most – kids and families at Children’s Hospital of Omaha. The girls knew that Walmart was the place to go to shop for the stuffed animals. And so we showed up at Walmart with three cars full of GFA girls, ready to pick out the best and coziest stuffed animals around. One hour and four … [Read more...] about Some Extra Love

Yesterday, we helped the women of Girls for Africa make a new South Sudanese family settle into their home in Omaha. And today, we’re welcoming another family, this time from Congo. The girls wanted to make sure that the family had all the essentials they needed to start their new life out right. So they let us know how we could contribute, how we could help make them feel at home. When visiting them for the first time, Elizabeth and Nyamat showed them how things in their house works – the sink, the shower, the stove. There are so many new things to learn! While there, they took note of the things they needed, and we helped to get it to the family of eleven. Then we gathered some girls from Girls for Africa to deliver the items. They got two side tables for the living room, lamps, a microwave, a dish rack dryer, cleaning supplies, a laundry basket and detergent, personal hygiene products, a waste bin, a shower curtain and small mirrors, hats and gloves, socks, and … [Read more...] about The Essentials

Yesterday, we met Girls for Africa and the amazing women – Elizabeth, Tabitha, and Nyamat - who founded the group. They're always looking for opportunities to give back to the refugee community in Omaha. And When they heard that a South Sudanese family of nine was being resettled in Omaha from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, they decided to do something to help welcome and support them. Kakuma is where many South Sudanese girls in Girls for Africa were born. And they know firsthand how tough the transition to the U.S. can be. So the leaders of the group went to the airport to greet the family and provide a warm first welcome to their new home. As soon as they exchanged hugs and smiles, Elizabeth and Tabitha realized that they had known the family from their own days in Kakuma! Martha, the mom of the family, also remembered and Elizabeth and her family leaving for the U.S. 20 years ago. “It was an amazing experience,” said Elizabeth. “They are such a beautiful family. It’s crazy … [Read more...] about Welcome Home

Sometimes you run across people whose energy and determination sweep you up with them – and you’re automatically along for the ride. For us, those people are Elizabeth, Nyamat, and Tabitha. They’re the incredible women behind Girls for Africa – a mentorship and empowerment group based in Omaha, Nebraska. It’s hard to imagine when these women sleep. Originally from South Sudan, they do so much for their community, while at the same time pursuing their own lives and careers, that sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day! What fuels them? Coffee probably helps, but mainly, it’s their desire to give back - and to help the next generation of girls grow up strong. About a year ago, Elizabeth, Nyamt, and Tabitha started Girls for Africa for middle and high school age girls. Their goal was to create a space where girls can feel comfortable being themselves, and build strong, healthy, and meaningful relationships. It was designed for the South Sudanese community, but it’s … [Read more...] about Girls for Africa