My Nonprofit Reviews

One meaningful endeavor in my life is volunteering my time working with EBZEF, the Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Fund. My sister, Elizabeth (Beth), died in a bicycle accident while serving in the Peace Corps in NW Zambia. Beth was a female role model of courage and strength who worked to build sustainability through fish farming and encouraged women in the African village to get an education in lieu of having eight to ten children.

From the grief of Beth’s death, my family created a scholarship fund for girls from Beth’s remote rural village to attend school. In measurable terms, EBZEF has helped educate over 315 girls and is currently sending 25 girls to college and vocational school. In addition, our small nonprofit organization has initiated a preschool, and built a large library in the Lumwana West community, which has helped the entire village move toward literacy. Recently we have been working with World Vision to build a secondary school and are currently building teachers houses in the village -- a vision of sustainability to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Volunteering with EBZEF has provided the opportunity to grow professionally (web development, social media, fundraising) and has proven helping others is rewarding. I am excited my work is playing a part in changing the lives of women, children, and their community on a global level. I hope to continue to help others help themselves, as we work together toward world peace and understanding.