The Greenheart Compass
By Rocio Ortega, D.O.V.E. Assistant
Would you like to know why our Greenheart community is special? It’s because each individual Greenheart has a built-in compass that points them to a need in their community and inspires them to fill it.
This compass can be found inside of CCI Greenheart J-1 Intern & Trainee alumna, Jemima Noreen David. During her exchange year in 2014, she lived and worked at a resort in Vermont. Jemima was awarded a Greenheart Service Grant after developing a plan to donate school supplies and feed children in her village living in poverty. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the Greenheart community about how instrumental we can be in bringing a smile and a light to another’s life.
“Thanks to Greenheart, 96 kids in the Philippines received new school supplies. It was an indescribable feeling to see those kids so happy, surprised, tearful, and thankful for this gift,” says Jemima. “The warm hugs we received were something that money cannot buy.”
In 2012, Jemima and 18 other individuals formed Fortress, a group of volunteers dedicated to teaching the village children every weekend. “All of us share the same passion, and it is to help these kids in every small or big way we can,” says Jemima. “We know that many children do not attend school because they cannot afford supplies.”
The group gathered to host this grant-funded service event in a local baptist church where 96 children eagerly tore through brightly wrapped school supplies. After slurping down some warm veggie soup and munching on some toasty bread, the children participated in fun games and activities. Operation School Supplies was held on August 14, 2016 and Operation Feeding Program was held on August 14 and 28, 2016.
Fortress used the momentum of this service project to propel them into conversations that helped enroll 18 kids in a Christian academy in their village. Additional scholarship grants were secured to make this possible. Greenheart provided books and uniforms for these children to help set them on their path to success.
“I believe in the power of education and I believe that with the kindness we’ve shown them, they will also learn and take into their hearts to be kind to others as well,” says Jemima. “My friends and I can’t express how thankful we are for the grant from CCI Greenheart. Through this grant, 96 kids were able to continue fulfilling their dreams, 96 kids were able to experience indescribable joy, and 96 kids were able to understand the real meaning of helping each other.”
Jemima sends you some Greenheart love!
Jemima turns twenty-one today, so please join me in wishing her the happiest of birthdays! We can’t wait to see where else her compass leads her in life.
Where does your Greenheart compass lead you? Visit our Greenheart Service Grant page and let the Greenheart Club join you on your journey to giving back.