Kathy Zahra & Carl Alison
joking around at a party.

Summer 2009

Share The Love

Kneeling under a lamppost on the street where they met, Carl Allison popped the question to Kathy Zahra, his girlfriend of two years in dramatic fashion.

After recovering from her shock, Kathy
said, "Yes!" and the preparations for the big day began.

"As we began paring down from two households
to one, it seemed silly to ask for even more stuff,"
says Carl.

The happy couple created a charitable gift registry to benefit the IDEA Foundation at www.theknot.com.

Kathy adds, "We had been following developments in Sierra Leone for some time and realized that we had an opportunity to make a difference. By making a contribution through the registry, our friends give us something priceless: a better world."

The IDEA Foundations extends its thanks to Kathy and Carl for including us in their celebration and wishes them many happy years together.

IDEA Nursing Students Enter Last Year of Studies

Like many little girls, Mariama Lumeh's dream was to become a nurse when she grew up. She liked the idea of saving lives and serving her community.

Even though she studied hard and excelled at school, the poor economy in Sierra Leone made it unlikely that she would have a chance to achieve her dream.

The $3,000 cost of attending three years of nursing school was simply impossible to raise in a nation where fifty-seven percent (57%) of the population lives on less than $1 a day.

Mariama Lumeh IDEA Scholar

The IDEA Nurse Education Program supports Mariama and promising students like her as they pursue their education. Participating students have completed their secondary education and have been accepted into Njala University's accredited Department of Nursing. Students are recommended to the program by university faculty based on academic achievement and financial need. This funding includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, uniforms and a small stipend for the entire three-years of study. Students repay this support by working as nurses in Sierra Leone for three years after completing their studies. After which they are free to pursue their careers anywhere. There is a dire need for skilled healthcare workers in Sierra Leone. Seventy-one thousand children die each year in Sierra Leone, many from treatable conditions like pneumonia, malnutrition, diarrhea and malaria. Fewer than half of births in Sierra Leone are attended by skilled health professionals. This contributes to the fact that one in ten Sierra Leonean women die as a result of complications from pregnancy and childbirth.

More nurses on the ground will mean that more Sierra Leoneans will have access to the basic health care that is so vital to preventing needless deaths.

In addition to helping the students and the communities they will serve as nurses, the program provides Njala University with the financial support necessary to rebuild. The school was largely destroyed during the civil war and the consistent funding from IDEA helps make it possible for the administration to plan for the future.

Mariama will complete the studies for her State Registered Nursing license in the spring of 2010. She looks forward to using her skills not only so to care for the sick and injured, but also "the orphans who are roaming in the streets." The Nurse Education Program is funded entirely through donations. To learn how you can sponsor a student, contact IDEA at (303) 260-6411 or jseaborn@theideafoundation.org.

IDEA Partners with Water To Thrive

Without access to clean water life is a daily struggle for survival.

Boy at capped well by Calaba Town Clinic

"A well changes everything," says Peg Meyer, the Dallas Area Field Representative for Water To Thrive. "Clean water transforms the lives of everyone in the community, from infants to the elderly. Chronic illness is replaced with health; despair with hope. It's the first step to a better life."

In Sierra Leone millions of people do not have clean water. This contributes to the high child and infant mortality rates. IDEA is proud to support the Water To Thrive Sierra Leone project.

Many issues facing the poor are interconnected to water. For instance, women and girls often have to walk for hours every day to collect water that is frequently contaminated with bacteria and parasites.

Because the girls are spending so much time with this task, they are often unable to attend school and forfeit their chance for an education; probably their best hope for escaping poverty.

Construction of a well in a community addresses not just health issues, but education too. The impact of the well is felt for years and even for generations.

Meyer adds, "We are delighted to be working with the IDEA Foundation in its Clean Water Program. There's a sense of urgency with this work, because people are dying every day from waterborne diseases. Each well drastically improves life in a community and every dollar makes a difference."

Linda S. Templin, MPA Director of Development

Linda S. Templin, MPA Joins IDEA Staff

The IDEA Foundation is pleased to announce that Linda S. Templin, MPA has joined our staff as the Director of Development. "IDEA projects make such a significant difference in people's lives," says Templin. "I am thrilled to be part of an organization which changes the stories of families for the better for generations to come."

Templin earned her Master's Degree in Public Administration at the University of Southern California. Since 1992 she has worked with a variety of nonprofits and has a wealth of experience in increasing public awareness of organizations.

"I am particularly looking forward to more fully engaging our volunteers," says Templin. "This is a great way to expand personal horizons and lend a hand to people in need as they rebuild their country."

"IDEA makes a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of people in Sierra Leone," she adds. "I look forward to this new challenge.