Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

                                                                                                              

   Blog Assignment: Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

My journey through this course of study “Getting to Know Your International Contacts” allowed me to meet Mr. Ken Jaffe of the International Child Resource Institute.  He shared his passion for the work that he has been doing with children and families around the world, and invited me to share my life’s work with him.  After a series of emails and telephone communications, he requested a proposal from my agency for the work that we do here in Nassau and the insight that we have for the children and families in our community.  The email that follows was an amazing and welcomed surprise. 

”Dear Sauda

Thanks so much for your very informative letter about your work. It seems that we at ICRI are kindred spirits with you and the work you are trying to accomplish in Nassau County. If you would be interested in developing a collaboration with us I would be happy to talk to you further about ways that we may be able to provide technical assistance to you in meeting your objectives. We are piloting a model in California, Kenya. Zimbabwe and soon in Haiti that you might be interested in participating in, the programs, known as Centers for Early Childhood Excellence, come in all sizes and shapes. The Centers include teacher training centers and community youth will be trained to be early childhood educators through these Centers. As you probably saw on our website, we also sponsor a youth project, H.O.M.E.Y. in San Francisco and have worked on the Brazil Street Children's Movement. If you are interested in discussing next steps, please contact me, or suggest some dates and times when I can call you. I look forward to hearing from you. All the best, Ken Jaffe”

After reading his email we spoke, and again I was in awe of the extent of his love for children.  My proposal must be emailed to him before his next board meeting.  Needless to say I am excited, overwhelmed, and grateful for the opportunity to possibly work with this beautiful, kind, and passionate human being.