Update and Thanks

13 March, 2011 · by SEAVURIA · in

A blessing of the SEAVURIA project has been the opportunity to work with my science colleagues again.  They are remarkable educators, knowledgeable, passionate, generous, and always with a focus on what is best for kids.  I have called upon many of them to give me guidance, advice and perspective.  Since returning from Kenya, I have been focusing on how to make this project sustainable and where to concentrate my focus to insure its sustainability.  These new and long-time colleagues have offered help in the following ways.

  • The teachers who represent the Seattle sided of Seavuria are compassionate, hard working, dedicated and excellent problem solvers.  First hand knowledge of the on-the-ground realities of our Vuria partners, required some quick problem solving.  Meeting with Jamie, Jeff, Connie, Cindy, and Christal, we were able to make adjustment to our protocols and instill the patience to insure the success of the SEAVURIA pilot.
  • Brian is amazing.  He has such a breadth of knowledge of technology resources and helps me stay grounded on the need for a web presence.  He has been a patient teacher and a champion for the Seavuria project.  Brian keeps this project in the 21st century.
  • Jeanne remains a true and loyal friend.  She is a remarkable professional with a great sense of focus.  Jeanne’s advice to me this time about how to trust that this project will be funded and it is the right thing to do was, “Sometimes you just need to jump out of the airplane and trust that the parachute will open. “  I hope I find the courage to do just that.
  • Theresa has been the grant angel.  She has shared resources, showed me the path and has patiently spent hours with me to help me to help me learn the methods to writing and procuring grants.  Our common passion for global health education has created a relationship of mutual respect and friendship.
  • Meeting with my friend Nancy is always helpful.  Nancy is especially helpful in networking and sharing resources.  I will rely on Nancy as we begin to develop the professional development needs for our teacher partners in Kenya.  And continue to look to her for advice on people resources.
  • Then there are those inspirational visionaries who walk the talk. Who see a need and put their heart and soul into making a difference.  Two of those women I have had the pleasure to meet recently are Julie Bolz of Anyi Education International and Wendy Kopp, Teach for America Founder.
    • Julie left her lucrative law practice to serve the children of Afghanistan by building schools and staffing them so the Afghan girls could realize opportunities provided through education
    • Wendy Kopp is a champion for underserved kids in the US. She has an amazing perspective of what is needed to insure ALL kids the opportunity for an education.

Now it is time to be brave, time to find the resources to make this project sustainable.  We have bright students, extra-ordinary teacher partners and willing communities.  It is incumbent upon me to find funding to continue this good work and grow our project.