See that gorgeous smiling woman standing at the bottom of the stairs (right above the red baseball caps)? That is my friend, Jill Santa. She is an amazing woman who is making a difference. I met Jill at a coaches collaboration meeting with several other iPEC graduates in Scottsdale. Jill started the program just this month to become a professional certified coach. The coaching community and the world is fortunate to have this amazing woman stepping forward to make a difference. Here is her story:
“For years I read articles about the plight of orphans and poverty-stricken people around the world and wanted to help. However, with a corporate career and a son who is now in first grade, the time had not been right for me to get personally involved. However, recently Highlands Church announced that they would take a small group to Haiti to assist with building a new orphanage to move a group of children from decrepit housing. The effort is being overseen by Chances for Children, a very well-run non-profit that focuses on education, community programs and orphan care in Haiti. My husband and I agreed that this was an excellent cause and the time was right for me to go; he would stay home with our son.
Our team of 27 had an extremely productive and rewarding week in Kenscoff, Haiti. In addition to assisting with constructing a chicken coup for the new orphanage, helping with trusses for a community center and laying cement steps, we had the privilege of spending afternoons with 36 children from the orphanage. We offered a five day vacation school with crafts, games, and stories. The children were extremely receptive – their enthusiasm, warmth and love astounded our team. The Haitians were friendly and welcoming; many of us left committed to continuing our service and attention to these people. Lynda and I agreed that there are tremendous synergies between her work developing leaders around the world and the needs in Haiti so we are going to explore this – stay tuned!
What a difference a couple of people can make! Kathi Juntunen founded Chances for Children after visiting this beautiful but impoverished country, and personally oversees the work. She lives in Scottsdale with her husband and three adopted Haitian children when she is not in Haiti. See Kathi’s blog for pictures and to keep up with progress on this amazing project!”
– Jill Santa
Women changing the world celebrate others who make a difference!
Jill… would love to have you as a member of the World Academy for the Future of Women Faciltiator Body. Join us for a training on April 21-23 and come train in China and Cambodia!
Jerrie
Jerrie- I’d love to learn more. Please let me know how to contact you (perhaps through Lynda?). 🙂
Very inspiring…thanks for sharing the story!