San Jacinto College students and African American Association (A3) student organization members Victoria Nwosisi (left) and Esther Umoren (right) are helping facilitate A3’s global community service project by raising funds and collecting books for the non-profit organization Friends of Yimbo, which provides the Yimbo village with educational resources, vocational training, and community health sustainability practices. Photo credit: Andrea Vasquez, San Jacinto College marketing department.

Students’ global community service project benefitting education in Kenya

Andrea Vasquez-- October 5, 2012

HOUSTON – Many student organizations choose to help raise funds and awareness for different community causes around the world. But some students know first-hand about the extraordinary benefits of the help they are trying to provide.

The San Jacinto College South Campus’ African American Association (A3) is partnering with the campus library to help continue making education accessible to the Yimbo village in western Kenya through the non-profit organization, Friends of Yimbo (FOY). Their focus remains on providing clean drinking water, education, micro-enterprising for women, youth vocational training, community health, and proper nutrition for children.

“This year we wanted to give back by helping another country in need, and we heard about the Friends of Yimbo organization and how one of their main priorities was providing better education to the Yimbo village,” said nursing student Victoria Nwosisi, originally from Nigeria and one of the founding members of the South Campus’ A3 organization. “A3 isn’t just about African Americans. We learn about all different kinds of cultures. Our motto is ‘Education for All,’ and we definitely want to see students succeed, even in other parts of the world.”   

Student and A3 member Esther Umoren, also originally from Nigeria, knows how easier access to books and other educational materials can provide positive changes for children and community members of the Yimbo village. “Going to school in Nigeria, we didn’t have a lot of books or school supplies available, but any time we received a donation, we were all happy. It brings an excitement knowing that someone out there cares,” she said.

 A3’s faculty advisor, sociology professor Tonja Conerly, says that the project simply reflects what San Jacinto College students are achieving – bettering themselves and their communities through education. “Our students get a chance to participate in a global community service project that puts our mission into action by providing books and funding for more educational resources through the Friends of Yimbo organization.” 

“We’re thrilled to work with the African American Association on this project, not only because it supports another library, but also because so many students come through our doors every day with the potential to make a donation,” said South Campus reference librarian, Jane Stimpson. “I hope our small part in this project will result in lots of books and donations to benefit the Friends of Yimbo library.” 

The African American Association began on the San Jacinto College South Campus in 2011 and last year partnered with local charity thrift shop “Favors 4 Friends,” which provides assistance to homeless women. This year’s global community service project with Friends of Yimbo will last through the rest of the Fall 2012 semester. This year A3 is also participating with the Houston Food Bank in the national “Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015” project, with members volunteering time to sort food and other items at the Houston Food Bank. For more information about A3 or how to donate to the Friends of Yimbo project, contact Tonja Conerly at tonja.conerly@sjcd.edu.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

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