1st Grade Students Learn About Africa

recently welcomed back graduate Kim Krowne.  She came to speak to the entire first grade about the non-profit she founded, the Knock Foundation, and her experiences in Tanzania.

Kim was born and raised in Northridge, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania.  She majored in Health and Societies with a concentration in African Health and first traveled to Tanzania in November 2006 to work in a health clinic.

Kim loved the experience, and while volunteering at a center for orphans and vulnerable children, she found a passion she didn’t know existed within her. Kim has been traveling back and forth between Tanzania and California ever since. In Tanzania, she manages Knock’s current projects and works closely with the communities there. In California, Kim spends her time working on the administrative aspects of the organization, as well as fundraising efforts which have helped build a new orphanage. Overall, she is doing work she absolutely loves and what is most important to her, making a difference in the lives of those in need.

Kim showed the students both photos and videos to depict the African children and their lives.  She described their similarities (they wear collared shirts to school, like to jump rope, sing, and dance) and the differences (no electricity in the classroom, no homework because they work on their farms after school, some kids have to sit on the floor because there aren't enough benches and desks).  She also made a point of explaining how happy the children are, as well as how smart.  Accompanied by her Tanzanian friend, Edward Lyimo, Kim answered questions from the first grade students and taught them a few words in Swahili.

The students are now creating a project to raise money for the African children and bringing more awareness to the whole school. (For example, $18 can provide a school lunch for one child for an entire year.)  We are so proud of Kim and her many accomplishments, and we are thrilled to support her outstanding work.  For more information about the Knock Foundation and Kim, please see www.knockfoundation.org.

-- Christina Jacobellis