Friday, November 09, 2012

Nuru November At West Virginia University




The last couple of weeks, I’ve been able to watch a handful of really cool initiatives get started in my wonderful home state of WV, and every day I feel even more inspired by what friends and neighbors around our state are willing to do to confront the crisis of extreme poverty that exists in our world.

Just this month, a group at West Virginia University, YoungLife College, started an initiative called “#NuruNovember.” I was able to share a bit of Nuru’s story, our WV and WVU roots and connections, and a vision of where we are going and how they could be involved. These students grabbed hold of the issue and began taking action.

So what are they doing? This week, they have been set up in the Mountainlair Student Union at WVU telling people about Nuru’s work, and challenging others to take action and help Nuru continue to expand its life saving and life transforming work in Kuria West Kenya.

They have set a goal for the month of raising $4078 dollars as part of their initiative during the month as well. The number 4078 is the grocery code for yellow corn and so these students really got creative with their goal. One of Nuru’s programs involves helping farmers increase their crop yields to be able to feed their families. Before Nuru arrived, families in the community suffered in chronic hunger. But with the help of Nuru’s programs, and the support of amazing individuals like these students, over 10,000 people have had their lives changed for the better.

I hope other groups and individuals will follow the example of these students and choose the path of action over apathy. One out of six people on the planet live on less than the buying power of $1.25/day, but together, we have the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to bring lasting change.

Together, we truly can end extreme poverty, one community at a time. 

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