tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35871370696464740252024-02-07T09:56:53.434-08:00Hoops of HopeHoops of Hope thoughtsHoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-41018317747201080502012-11-30T22:01:00.002-08:002012-11-30T22:01:56.034-08:00Nine Years Ago Today...November 30, 2004. We were expecting a pretty busy next day, watching our then 5th grader, go out and attempt to shoot 2,057 free throws to represent the number of children who would lose a parent to AIDS during his school day. But honestly, what we didn't expect, is everything that happened next. You see, we thought Hoops of Hope was just a one day event. I honestly thought Austin would make it through probably half, or maybe a few more shots, and then we'd head out to grab a burger and congratulate him on his success. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, we never did grab that burger. Instead, there were such bigger plans for Hoops of Hope. Plans that we could've never imagined. Plans that would take our family to the corners of the world. Plans that could only be designed by a God who dreams so much bigger than we do. And, here we are...nine years later...still wondering what happened. Still in awe that Hoops of Hope has spread to 27 countries and has involved more than 40,000 young people. Still in awe that a small boys' dream of raising a few thousand dollars has raised enough to help build the only high school in the Kalomo district in southern Zambia. Still in awe that there are dorms in Kenya, a school being built in India, a community center in Malawi, hope centers in Swaziland, and the list goes on. Still in awe that, per the Minister of Education, an entire generation of Zambian Children have been saved because of medical clinics Hoops of Hope funded, now in the region.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then again, I guess that's the beauty of Hoops of Hope. There never was a "master plan". We've never spent money on marketing. Never tried to create an organization [in fact, we run Hoops of Hope with 1.5 employees]. Never really promoted Hoops of Hope. It happened simply because people cared. It happened because people saw a need, saw an easy and fun way to help, and got involved. And to all of you who have participated in an event, volunteered or donated over the past nine years, thank you. You are the heros. I've met so many of the children you've helped and they are so incredibly thankful. I hope one day, you'll get to meet them too.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As we embark on another World AIDS Day, the needs are as great as ever. We found a small village in remote southern Zambia that has no medical facilities. Literally, if you're ill, you must find a way in a world without transportation, to get approximately 50 miles to the nearest facility. We have a goal in 2013 to build a new and modern medical facility for this village.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In addition to the medical facility, we are currently feeding 1,500 children in Malawi a nutritious meal every day. And, to celebrate our 10th year, we are hoping to provide 10,000 students in Title I schools here in the US with school supplies. </div>
<div>
<br />But we cannot do it without you and I'm hoping you'll join us to celebrate 10 years of changing the game. Check out our new website which was graciously donated in part by <a href="http://www.wozwo.com/" target="_blank">Woodward & Zwolinski</a>. You'll find all the information you'll need to get involved.<br /><br />Thanks again for everyone who has had a part in Hoops of Hope. Tomorrow, on World AIDS Day, will you take a moment to remember these children? In fact, head out and shoot a few hoops. I think I will.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dan </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-81574260214395531992012-10-04T10:50:00.000-07:002012-10-04T10:50:37.140-07:00Malawi Update<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are a few photos showing the progress on the community center Hoops of Hope funded in Mtema, Malawi. Thank you again for all of your help and support of Hoops of Hope. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZfqnwIrdhg/UG3L4y_51sI/AAAAAAAAAFI/fSDHWKuNs0Y/s1600/Community+Center+Oct+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZfqnwIrdhg/UG3L4y_51sI/AAAAAAAAAFI/fSDHWKuNs0Y/s320/Community+Center+Oct+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBrcheG1Gp8/UG3LxEIt0UI/AAAAAAAAAFA/ZcTK9-oDN1Q/s1600/Community+Center+2+Oct+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBrcheG1Gp8/UG3LxEIt0UI/AAAAAAAAAFA/ZcTK9-oDN1Q/s320/Community+Center+2+Oct+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-34004622747991771872012-09-10T18:56:00.001-07:002012-09-10T18:56:39.985-07:00Community Center in MtemaIn 2012, we set out on a goal to feed 550 children, drill 4 new deep boreholes and to build a community center in Mtema, Malawi. Here are few pictures of the community center which is now fully funded and under construction. The community center will be a storehouse for the food, distribution center for the food, an education building and a community meeting center. It is the first of it's kind in Mtema which is a group of small villages about 20 miles north of Lilongwe. Thank you so much for your continued support of Hoops of Hope. You are making a huge difference in the lives of children!<br />
<br />
Hoops of Hope Team!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1bWTG6XI8U/UE6Zc5i_EkI/AAAAAAAAADE/xQcW4Q28ssQ/s1600/Mtema+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1bWTG6XI8U/UE6Zc5i_EkI/AAAAAAAAADE/xQcW4Q28ssQ/s320/Mtema+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This picture shows the community bringing water to the construction site to be used to mix mortar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6k4Nbiu3rpM/UE6ZdhIa21I/AAAAAAAAADM/Kk6kzmhZNk8/s1600/Mtema+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6k4Nbiu3rpM/UE6ZdhIa21I/AAAAAAAAADM/Kk6kzmhZNk8/s320/Mtema+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is the community mixing the mortar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6zZCA9XGF0/UE6ZeCnA6WI/AAAAAAAAADU/MA2Hs1Khjt4/s1600/Mtema+Celebration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6zZCA9XGF0/UE6ZeCnA6WI/AAAAAAAAADU/MA2Hs1Khjt4/s320/Mtema+Celebration.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Another Photo of ladies bringing water to the construction site. These canisters of water can weigh up to 40 pounds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SC8rlqybpo8/UE6ZhtaDZrI/AAAAAAAAADc/bqF2-5pqU38/s1600/Mtema+Community+Center+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SC8rlqybpo8/UE6ZhtaDZrI/AAAAAAAAADc/bqF2-5pqU38/s320/Mtema+Community+Center+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is the community center under construction<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqUhTnrna-0/UE6ZnnNyH0I/AAAAAAAAADk/tnw1_Rdg1iY/s1600/Mtema+Community+Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqUhTnrna-0/UE6ZnnNyH0I/AAAAAAAAADk/tnw1_Rdg1iY/s320/Mtema+Community+Center.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-28678166297876304222012-08-06T20:10:00.000-07:002012-08-06T20:10:20.493-07:00Thanks Young Life!Just a quick note of thanks to Young Life and their amazing leaders! Kristen, thank you especially for your blog on <i>Live to Give</i> and for being willing to give it out to Young Life leaders. So thankful for you and all you do! Please check out Kristen's <a href="http://www.younglifeleaders.org/2012/07/resources-for-campaigners-live-to-give.html" target="_blank">blog</a> below for a review of the book.<br />
<br />
http://www.younglifeleaders.org/2012/07/resources-for-campaigners-live-to-give.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-42599397903043889542012-08-05T16:07:00.000-07:002012-08-05T16:07:18.472-07:00Mtema Feeding Program<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mtema<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>My name is Wakondiye and I am 40
years old and married to the Village Headman Mtema. I have been going to the
center since 2010 learning with the women and widows and have learned bead
making and soap making, but my greatest love is for the Bible. When the first
center in Mtema was opened, I did what most village headman’s wives’ would
never do. I began helping to prepare the porridge for the children. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i>Before I was
ignorant to the love of God, but after being taught by the ministry I now know
that I am His child and I have been given such a love for children by God. I
come to class and sing and play with them. I also make sure to leave them with
an inheritance of folk tales.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i>I hope to
encourage teachers and caregivers in their work and encourage women to ensure
their children come and get a healthy meal each day, as well as participate in
development in the community. During the community meetings I try to makes sure
I speak to the local chiefs so that they will involve their wives in
development because many of the chiefs’ wives are never in the forefront as
they are not looked at contributors to progress in their culture.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OELb8BoN6ww/UB78fR2D1CI/AAAAAAAAAC0/vHEZiht83Mc/s1600/Mtema+Aug+2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OELb8BoN6ww/UB78fR2D1CI/AAAAAAAAAC0/vHEZiht83Mc/s1600/Mtema+Aug+2012.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Wakondiye leads her community by ownership and
participation and by example and because of people like her in during the first
6 months of 2012 over 500 children and pregnant mothers have been enjoying a
nutritious meal 5 times a week. The feeding program operates out of two
locations – one in a very small church building with dirt floors and the other
one literally under trees and tobacco sheds. The community is looking forward to the new community center
which will begin construction soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
One of
the other benefits of the OVC Feeding Program is that youth in the community
are able to contribute. This year
they made 20 straw mats for the children to sit on while they ate and listened
to Bible stories. This gave the
youth an opportunity to make some money to help support their families. In addition, 6 teachers and 12
caregivers received incentives each month for teaching the children Bible
stories and good health and hygiene practices.<o:p></o:p></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-49989510053063202522012-07-29T06:10:00.001-07:002012-07-29T06:14:14.415-07:00New Boreholes Open in Malawi!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<h4>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kNQeVGFFs0/UBUz7iqoZVI/AAAAAAAAAB8/DRqZ6QwUqZU/s1600/Borehole+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kNQeVGFFs0/UBUz7iqoZVI/AAAAAAAAAB8/DRqZ6QwUqZU/s1600/Borehole+1.gif" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mtema
borehole:<span style="font-weight: normal;"> Mtema is composed of 56
villages. About 22,000 people live
in this community and are subsistence farmers. There are over 550 orphans and vulnerable children. Prior to
this borehole the community fetched their water from a nearby river</span></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">which is unsafe for drinking, consequently
they opened themselves up to many waterborne diseases. When they pumped their borehole for the
first time, the people were amazed and celebrated in song, laughing and
dancing. The hope in the eyes of
the women and children, the possibilities of better health, and sanitation was
evident as they put their hands in the cool refreshing water for the first
time. It was clear to this humble
community that God had provided His living water to them.</span></h4>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRXk6xIx1xs/UBUz8JPumxI/AAAAAAAAACE/dwxo6e27iE4/s1600/Borehole+3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRXk6xIx1xs/UBUz8JPumxI/AAAAAAAAACE/dwxo6e27iE4/s1600/Borehole+3.gif" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTw6aPpeJsE/UBUz8lF5qyI/AAAAAAAAACM/pG947EmT-iQ/s1600/borehole+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTw6aPpeJsE/UBUz8lF5qyI/AAAAAAAAACM/pG947EmT-iQ/s1600/borehole+2.gif" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZQVTO9gO8E/UBU0Txw8QkI/AAAAAAAAACc/1B5-Gq5XjTI/s1600/borehole+5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZQVTO9gO8E/UBU0Txw8QkI/AAAAAAAAACc/1B5-Gq5XjTI/s1600/borehole+5.gif" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XunKPq073WI/UBU0TYUnjnI/AAAAAAAAACU/1xYFLuuqOgY/s1600/borehole+4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XunKPq073WI/UBU0TYUnjnI/AAAAAAAAACU/1xYFLuuqOgY/s1600/borehole+4.gif" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Mtema Nkhalapadzuwa borehole: </b>Similar to Mtema, this
community’s children were most amazed as the water began to flow.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After generations of spending hours to
get water from a river close by it didn’t seem possible that water could flow
so easily from this faucet in the center of their community.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With trepidation, they put their hands
under the water and smiled.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like
the majority of people living in Mtema, this village is home primarily to subsistance
farmers.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Because of this borehole,
the women will be able to spend more time learning new skills to earn wages for
their families.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The children will
have more time to learn and become educated, and they will be able to easily
bring water to their crops and small gardens so they can sustain feeding their
families through the year.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Water
is life; a new life, full of possibilities for a bright future.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGJwbvOM5jI/UBU0URYTt-I/AAAAAAAAACk/iDXeYOvK_H4/s1600/borehole+6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGJwbvOM5jI/UBU0URYTt-I/AAAAAAAAACk/iDXeYOvK_H4/s1600/borehole+6.gif" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-85077650719422601092012-07-08T15:59:00.002-07:002012-07-08T16:00:41.347-07:00Thomas Nelson Author Blog<br />
<h1 class="entry-title" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
Featured Authors</h1>
<div class="entry-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-top: 5px; overflow: hidden;">
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
</h2>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
Nice blog from the Thomas Nelson website. Thanks...</h2>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
</h2>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;">
Austin Gutwein</h2>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<a href="http://www.thomasnelsoncorporate.com/featured/austin-gutwein/" rel="attachment wp-att-5758" style="color: #0094d2; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-5758" height="295" src="http://www.thomasnelsoncorporate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Austin-Gutwein-300x380.png" style="border: 4px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 570px; padding: 1px;" title="Austin Gutwein" width="234" /></a>Austin Gutwein was just 9 years old when watched a video that showed children who had lost their parents to AIDS. After watching the video, he realized these kids weren’t any different from him except they were suffering. Austin felt called to do something to help them. He took his love of basketball and decided to shoot free throws. On World AIDS Day, 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Friends and family sponsored Austin and he was able to raise almost $3,000. That year, the money was used to provide hope to 8 orphan children.</div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Over the past eight years, Austin’s effort has turned into the largest free throw marathon in the world with an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating in Hoops of Hope. Together, Hoops of Hope participants have raised more than $2.5 million. The efforts have led to the construction of the only high school in a rural region in Southern Zambia, four dormitories, two medical clinics, a computer laboratory, multiple water projects as well as the funding of a dormitory at an orphanage in Kenya and a school in India.</div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Austin has been featured on the 700 Club, Hour of Power, NBC Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, CBS NCAA Pregame Show, Time Magazine, Christianity Today and many others. He has had the opportunity to share his story of hope to more than 500,000 people on four continents.</div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
In 2009, Austin was selected as one of the Top 10 Most Caring Americans by the Caring Institute in Washington, DC. That same year, Thomas Nelson released his first book, “Take Your Best Shot.” Austin’s second book, “Live to Give,” is scheduled to be released in August 2012.</div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
In February 2012, Austin was recognized as one of ESPN’s 18 under 18, and he graduated from high school. He currently co-chairs Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s Youth Commission and will be attending Anderson University in the fall.<em></em></div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Learn more about Austin and Hoops of Hope at <a href="http://www.austingutwein.com/" style="color: #0094d2; text-decoration: none;">www.AustinGutwein.com</a> and<a href="http://www.hoopsofhope.org/" style="color: #0094d2; text-decoration: none;">www.HoopsOfHope.org</a>.</div>
</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-5349071145037393222012-07-03T11:26:00.000-07:002012-07-03T11:30:43.069-07:00Intel Team Visits Computer Lab!<br />
<h1 class="entry-title" style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
IESC Zambia: classmate PCs increase enrollment at Jonathan Sims</h1>
<div class="entry-meta" style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">posted by</span> <span class="author vcard" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="url fn n" href="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/author/lwfilose/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View all posts by Luke Filose">Luke Filose</a></span> <span class="meta-sep" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">on</span> <a href="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/2012/06/29/iesc-zambia-classmate-pcs-increase-enrollment-at-jonathan-sims/" rel="bookmark" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="3:35 pm">June 29, 2012</a></div>
<div class="entry-content" style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The <a href="http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/corporate-responsibility/intel-education-service-corps.html" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Intel Education Service Corps </a>(IESC) is a short-term service and career development opportunity for a select group of Intel employees to support the deployment of <a href="https://www.intellearningseries.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Intel classmate PCs</a> in developing countries. In this blog, Andris Roze, a product analyst at Intel, recaps his team’s first week working with <a href="http://www.hoopsofhope.org/" target="_blank">Hoops of Hope</a> and <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">World Vision</a> in Zambia.</em></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_407" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 4px 24px 20px 0px; max-width: 632px !important; padding: 4px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 310px;">
<a href="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_studentsinlab2.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-407" height="200" src="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_studentsinlab2-300x200.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; height: auto; margin: 5px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></span></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
JSims students using Intel classmate PCs</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A red dust cloud trails our Land Cruiser as we bounce along this dirt road in rural Zambia leading to Jonathan Sims Chikanta High School. Corn and cotton fields line the road, but no signs can be found. If you aren’t careful, you’ll drive all the way to Zimbabwe.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Luckily for us our journey has been expertly coordinated by Alf and his <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">World Vision</a> Zambia colleagues. World Vision supports Jonathan Sims, a school that changed dramatically in May 2011 when <a href="http://www.hoopsofhope.org/index.cfm" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hoops of Hope</a> provided funding for a solar-powered computer lab with 20 Intel classmate PCs. The first IESC team set up the lab and provided initial training, and this year’s team returned to build on the foundation of PC literacy skills and help the school’s teachers integrate technology into their curriculum.</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_406" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 4px 0px 20px 24px; max-width: 632px !important; padding: 4px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 310px;">
<a href="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_teamsims.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-406" height="165" src="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_teamsims-300x165.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; height: auto; margin: 5px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></span></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The team: Jason, Naveen, Merciless (deputy headmaster), Sisley, Mr. Kanjambo (headmaster), Andris, Cristina, Wendy</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We hit the ground running, and in our first week we worked with teachers using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_office" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Open Office</a> Calc, Impress, and other software to teach PC literacy classes to more than 300 students. We demonstrated resources like <a href="http://www.khanacademy.org/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Khan Academy</a>and the Intel Learning Series classroom management software as well as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EGranary_Digital_Library" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">eGranary</a> (a hard drive containing Wikipedia and 14 million educational resources). We even helped the deputy headmaster create the school’s first student ID cards.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We also demonstrated WeDo Robotics kits donated by the LEGO Foundation, showing the teachers how to create a program that lifts a robot man using a LEGO crane. The headmaster and teachers were excited about helping the students organize a robotics competition, as they were looking for an engaging, hands-on way of teaching engineering concepts.</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_408" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 4px 24px 20px 0px; max-width: 632px !important; padding: 4px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 310px;">
<a href="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_lego.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-408" height="199" src="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_lego-300x199.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; height: auto; margin: 5px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></span></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Teachers using LEGO WeDo Robotics kits</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
After a year of having classmate PCs at the school, change is already palpable. Charles, the World Vision regional coordinator, noted that “enrollment is up this year because word is spreading that Jonathan Sims has a computer lab.” This is a significant leap since high school students in Zambia rarely have a chance to interact with computers. In fact, we were told that even university students often don’t get to use computers until their final year of studies.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
During the second week, our team would travel to Makonkoto Basic School, but not before enjoying a rousing farewell assembly organized by the school’s headmaster, Mr. Kanjambo. Add a few speeches, a photo session with students, a final lunch with teachers, a few more speeches, and we were starting to feel like Justin Bieber. But it was time to get back out onto that dirt road, tired, but satisfied with what we accomplished.</div>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_411" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border: 0px; clear: both; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 632px !important; padding: 4px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 941px;">
<a href="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_soccersunset.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-411" height="615" src="http://blogs.intel.com/learningseries/files/2012/06/iesc_zam_1h12_soccersunset.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; height: auto; margin: 5px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="931" /></span></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
After long day of training, enjoying a soccer game at dusk</div>
</div>
</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-11839340735247034572012-06-09T21:27:00.003-07:002012-06-09T21:28:28.027-07:00Live to Give VideoI hope you enjoy this super creative video launching a new book called <i>Live to Give</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7aqIHysXc9c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
My prayer is that our generation would Live to Give - AustinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-54272163757593961372012-04-23T17:52:00.001-07:002012-04-23T17:52:32.110-07:00Update on Computer Lab!<br />
<table class="contentpaneopen" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: none; color: #515756; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; width: 573px;"><tbody>
<tr style="border: none !important;"><td class="contentheading" style="border: none !important; color: #ff6600; font-size: 24px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 0px;" width="100%"><a class="contentpagetitle" href="http://www.wvafrica.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=537:children-at-world-vision-school-kiss-computer-illiteracy-goodbye-&catid=57:latest-news&Itemid=86" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Children at World Vision School Kiss Computer Illiteracy Goodbye</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="votitaly-inline-rating" id="votitaly-inline-rating-537" style="background-color: white; color: #515756; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; vertical-align: middle;">
<div class="votitaly-inline-rating-stars" style="display: inline-block; float: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100px;">
<ul class="votitaly-star-rating" style="background-image: url(http://www.wvafrica.org/plugins/content/ji_votitaly/images/stars.png); background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 100px;">
<li class="current-rating" style="background-image: url(http://www.wvafrica.org/plugins/content/ji_votitaly/images/stars.png); background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: inline; height: 20px; left: 0px; margin: 0px !important; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; top: 0px; width: 100px; z-index: 1;"> </li>
<li style="background-image: none; background-position: 18px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;"><a class="votitaly-toggler one-star" href="" style="border: none; color: black; cursor: pointer; height: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; top: 0px; width: 20px; z-index: 6;" title="1 star out of 5">1</a></li>
<li style="background-image: none; background-position: 18px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;"><a class="votitaly-toggler two-stars" href="" style="border: none; color: black; cursor: pointer; height: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; top: 0px; width: 40px; z-index: 5;" title="2 stars out of 5">2</a></li>
<li style="background-image: none; background-position: 18px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;"><a class="votitaly-toggler three-stars" href="" style="border: none; color: black; cursor: pointer; height: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; top: 0px; width: 60px; z-index: 4;" title="3 stars out of 5">3</a></li>
<li style="background-image: none; background-position: 18px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;"><a class="votitaly-toggler four-stars" href="" style="border: none; color: black; cursor: pointer; height: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; top: 0px; width: 80px; z-index: 3;" title="4 stars out of 5">4</a></li>
<li style="background-image: none; background-position: 18px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;"><a class="votitaly-toggler five-stars" href="" style="border: none; color: black; cursor: pointer; height: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; top: 0px; width: 100px; z-index: 2;" title="5 stars out of 5">5</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="votitaly-box" style="display: inline; margin-left: 5px; vertical-align: middle;">
(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)</div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #515756; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"></span><table class="contentpaneopen" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: none; color: #515756; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; width: 573px;"><tbody>
<tr style="border: none !important;"><td class="createdate" style="border: none !important; color: #858783; font-size: 11px;" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr style="border: none !important;"><td style="border: none !important;" valign="top"><div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><b>By Collins Kaumba</b></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><img alt="Phina" height="257" src="http://www.wvafrica.org/images/stories/zambia/Phina.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;" width="278" />Phina Lukomba is smiling in disbelief.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">In her rural school, a computer lab has just been officially opened.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">“I never thought that one day I would have a chance to see, touch, learn and use a computer especially in a place like this one,” says Phina, a 21-year-old who is studying in Grade 12. “All I know is that computers are for those who live in urban areas, especially the working class.”</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">World Vision Zambia, in partnership with Intel and Hoops of Hope of the United States, provided a computer lab made from a 40 foot shipping container, complete with solar power and 20 computers – each installed with a data library at the Jonathan Sim-Chikanta High School in a very rural area of Zambia’s Southern Province.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">“I never thought would ever come as a reality. I will make sure that I utilise the computers to advance my education,” Phina says.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Phina is one of 309 students attending this secondary school.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Clement Chipokolo, World Vision Zambia’s Southern Regional Operations Manager, says the people who live in this community where World Vision’s Twachiyanda Area Development Programme</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">(ADP) operates are witnessing history. There are no other computer labs in any Kalomo District schools.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">“When I was growing up and finished my school, I never had access to computers but here we are, in the midst of nowhere, witnessing the handover of computers,” he says.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Clement adds the computer technology will forever change the destiny of the pupils and entire community.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><img alt="student-solar-powered-room" height="257" src="http://www.wvafrica.org/images/stories/zambia/student-solar-powered-room.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;" width="278" />Bernd Nordhausen, Intel World Ahead Program’s Senior Solutions Architect, says the installation of the computers at the school was the dream of their education service programme, which they hope to fulfill effectively by partnering with organisations such as World Vision.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">“The computers we have installed use low power voltage, therefore solar power works well for them in places where there is no electricity,” Bernd explains.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">The 17-year-old Hoops of Hope founder, Austin Gutwein, was a driving force behind building the school which opened in 2008.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">The school is named after Jonathan Sim, a former World Vision USA employee, who had a dream for the children of Twachiyanda community. While Jonathan passed away, the school was built thanks to the fundraising of Austin.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><img alt="solar-powered-lab" height="257" src="http://www.wvafrica.org/images/stories/zambia/solar-powered-lab.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;" width="278" />“My wish is that these computers will help you to excel in your education and bring hope to you all and your families. I encourage you to use the computers very well,” Austin says.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">The computer lab is already providing children with new skills.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">“I am able to type and play games. Also I have learnt how to browse through and search for information stored on to the computers. However, we are still learning how to do several other things,” she says smiling.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-19184322637733319572012-04-14T11:05:00.002-07:002012-04-14T11:05:46.372-07:00New Book - Pre order AvailableThe new book, <i>Live to Give, </i>by Austin Gutwein is now available for pre-order at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7f4cg4x" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. I'm excited to share the message in this book with you and I hope it leaves you inspired. - Austin<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-coZeFEo1G-o/T4m8cKWkyZI/AAAAAAAAAAM/JW_DBzKtG6o/s1600/LIVE+TO+GIVE+BOOK+COVER+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-coZeFEo1G-o/T4m8cKWkyZI/AAAAAAAAAAM/JW_DBzKtG6o/s320/LIVE+TO+GIVE+BOOK+COVER+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-64305821345758851432012-03-20T17:52:00.001-07:002012-03-20T17:52:07.447-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MXz0snvcAv8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Love this new video our friend Will Irwin did on our most recent trip to Zambia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-23479948799253335382012-03-12T17:34:00.000-07:002012-03-12T17:34:14.787-07:00ESPN 18 Under 18<br />
<div class="mod-article-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="headline" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(194, 194, 194); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="mod-article-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="headline" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(194, 194, 194); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h1 class="h2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 582px;">
18 Under 18: Austin Gutwein</h1>
<h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #a1a17f; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 582px;">
Senior raised more than $2.5 million for African orphans through his charity</h3>
</div>
<div class="subhead" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="date" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #999999; float: right; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Updated:</span> February 29, 2012, 1:09 AM ET</div>
<cite class="source" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #999999; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By <a href="http://search.espn.go.com/ryan-canner-o-mealy/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ryan Canner-O'Mealy</a> | ESPNHS Magazine</cite></div>
</div>
<div id="page-actions-top" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<ul class="mod-page-actions" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 10px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-left-radius: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; left: -79px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 54px; z-index: 1000;">
<li class="social facebook-recommend" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2f%2fespn.go.com%2fhigh%2dschool%2fboys%2dbasketball%2fstory%2f_%2fid%2f7622917%2faustin%2dgutwein&t=18+Under+18%3A+Austin+Gutwein" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_new"><span class="sprite-page-actions facebook" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://a1.espncdn.com/prod/assets/sprites/page-actions-20.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: left; height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 20px;"></span></a><a class="count" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2f%2fespn.go.com%2fhigh%2dschool%2fboys%2dbasketball%2fstory%2f_%2fid%2f7622917%2faustin%2dgutwein&t=18+Under+18%3A+Austin+Gutwein" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px, rgb(215, 215, 215) 100%); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 26px;" target="_new">16</a></li>
<li class="social twitter-tweet" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A%2f%2fespn.go.com%2fhigh%2dschool%2fboys%2dbasketball%2fstory%2f_%2fid%2f7622917%2faustin%2dgutwein&text=18+Under+18%3A+Austin+Gutwein" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_new"><span class="sprite-page-actions twitter" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://a1.espncdn.com/prod/assets/sprites/page-actions-20.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -20px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: left; height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 20px;"></span></a><a class="count" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A%2f%2fespn.go.com%2fhigh%2dschool%2fboys%2dbasketball%2fstory%2f_%2fid%2f7622917%2faustin%2dgutwein&text=18+Under+18%3A+Austin+Gutwein" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px, rgb(215, 215, 215) 100%); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 26px;" target="_new">14</a></li>
<li class="social echo-comments" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/high-school/boys-basketball/conversations/_/id/7622917/austin-gutwein" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="sprite-page-actions comments" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://a1.espncdn.com/prod/assets/sprites/page-actions-20.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -40px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: left; height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 20px;"></span></a><a class="count" href="http://espn.go.com/high-school/boys-basketball/conversations/_/id/7622917/austin-gutwein" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px, rgb(215, 215, 215) 100%); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 26px;">0</a></li>
<li class="espn-email" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="email" href="http://sendtofriend.espn.go.com/sendtofriend/SendToFriend?URL=http%3A%2f%2fespn.go.com%2fhigh%2dschool%2fboys%2dbasketball%2fstory%2f_%2fid%2f7622917%2faustin%2dgutwein&title=18+Under+18%3A+Austin+Gutwein&id=7622917" id="email-7622917" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;" target="_new"><span class="sprite-page-actions email" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://a1.espncdn.com/prod/assets/sprites/page-actions-15.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -45px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: left; height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 15px;"></span><span class="label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(148, 148, 148) 0px, rgb(102, 102, 102) 100%); background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; float: left; height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 38px;">EMAIL</span></a></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="print" href="http://espn.go.com/espn/print?id=7622917&type=story" id="print-7622917" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="sprite-page-actions print" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://a1.espncdn.com/prod/assets/sprites/page-actions-15.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: left; height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 15px;"></span><span class="label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(148, 148, 148) 0px, rgb(102, 102, 102) 100%); background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; float: left; height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 38px;">PRINT</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="mod-inline image full" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(194, 194, 194); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 582px;">
<img alt="Austin Gutwein" border="0" height="324" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/0224/espnhs_austin_gutwein_espnhs_576x324.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="576" /><cite style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #ababab; display: block; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Courtesy of Hoops for Hope</cite>Austin Gutwein of Gilbert Christian (Gilbert, Ariz.) started Hoops for Hope, a charity that's raised more than $2.5 million for those affected by AIDS in Africa.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ESPNHS honors 18 male teen athletes who are doing remarkable things on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. Click <a href="http://espn.go.com/high-school/story/_/id/7616243/espnhs-selects-boys-18-18" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a> to read about them.</i></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When he was 9, Austin Gutwein saw a movie about African children orphaned because of AIDS. It left such an impression that he started Hoops Of Hope, a charity to raise money for those affected by AIDS in Africa.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
He started by shooting 2,057 free throws -- representing the average number of children who became orphaned each day -- and raised $3,000 that first year. "That very first year it was just me," says Gutwein, who now plays soccer at Gilbert Christian (Gilbert, Ariz.). "I didn't really think much toward the future."</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Seven years later, the 17-year-old senior's charity has gone global and raised more than $2.5 million. More than 40,000 people in 27 countries have participated. Gutwein has traveled all over the world as a result, visiting Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Qatar, China, Luxembourg and many more countries. Through it all, one lesson has stayed with him.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"This generation can step up and really change the world," he says. "And you don't have to wait to be an adult to do it." For more information on Hoops Of Hope, visit Gutwein's website,<a href="http://www.hoopsofhope.org/index.cfm" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #225fb2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">hoopsofhope.org</a>.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-78727307403321967642012-01-21T20:36:00.000-08:002012-01-21T20:36:47.631-08:00Story of MateniEver wonder if there is a story behind what happens when you participate in a Hoops of Hope event and raise $40 to feed a child for a year in Malawi? Well, there are many, many, thousands of stories. Here is one...<br />
<br />
Mateni is a 12 year old boy living with his sister, Alinafe in Malawi. Mateni was recently tested and found out that he is HIV positive. He has to face this new challenge in his life without parents to support him - it is just he and his sister.<br />
<br />
After both of their parents died, Alinafe married a young man, though she was only 14. When she became pregnant, her husband left her and their child behind. So now, Mateni, Alinafe and her baby have to fend for themselves.<br />
<br />
When the feeding center opened in their community in early 2011, it gave hope to Mateni and Alinafe. Both of them are now receiving a meal everyday at the center - and Alinafe's baby is being fed as well.<br />
<br />
Now Mateni and Alinafe have hope. Mateni has hope because even though he is HIV positive, he is able to receive treatment. He also has hope because he knows that he will have at least one meal everyday at the feeding center. Because he has enough to eat, he is doing much better in school, and now has the hope that he can finish his education.<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for participating in Hoops of Hope. In 2012, we'll be feeding 550 children just like Mateni and Alinafe. But, we have word from the field that there are another 950 children that need food in the same village. January - March are the hardest months as the harvest is not yet ready. Malawi is the third poorest country in the world.Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-26775010424293168732011-12-25T13:57:00.000-08:002011-12-25T14:03:18.377-08:002011 End of Year Update!First of all, Thank You to everyone who participated, hosted or donated to a Hoops of Hope event in 2011. Because of you, children around the world now have hope for a future. Several exciting things happened in 2011 and we've updated them below:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKk9Ib7jdEd8vELhkWMhicuk51XMTmbqx10WAH_4dMwn1h5LOvCy9LHAZwCguT36W6oevrPRAoXrHKUfWkPPugpzY0FyJ_WOotgwtk99pdLIzzATlmxfuDkW8RqPlTrvLv5qcJmPCWg/s1600/PA210343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKk9Ib7jdEd8vELhkWMhicuk51XMTmbqx10WAH_4dMwn1h5LOvCy9LHAZwCguT36W6oevrPRAoXrHKUfWkPPugpzY0FyJ_WOotgwtk99pdLIzzATlmxfuDkW8RqPlTrvLv5qcJmPCWg/s320/PA210343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction on a teacher house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1. Construction on the much needed teachers houses at the High School have started. In 2010, Hoops of Hope participants raised $119K to help build 4 teacher houses. These houses are expected to open in mid 2012 and will house 14 teachers at the school. Right now, one of the classrooms in being used for teacher houses as well as part of a dormitory.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvdxFmEAw1xqvG7EqegOH9byidX7_iee9kNDsBxDXjzv4E641h4eqgMpM6l98cwyXhtBn8dXFaPT-BWc4BOg7p4LL6HNbuP2RzrMpm3silPDZPh1ATNR7IUKnxN9kIiBxswzmQ61rHw/s200/Picture+173.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students Learning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. This year, we were able to fully fund, build and deliver a solar computer lab to the school in Twachiyanda. This lab is the only one of its kind in Zambia. It is fully solar powered and contains 22 classmate PCs, 2 teacher PCs, a projector and an e-granary box which houses more than 30,000 reference volumes! We were able to visit the computer lab in May 2011 and were able to share the excitement with students as they learned on a computer for the first time. Intel sent a team to help install the computers and teach all the students. Check the blog from September for stories on how the computers are being used and benefiting the entire community.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YGnhBI7qkJNm8akrih8qPzTdO8yGvWr8dmyaV-qttlqqtIBAOYoi9cYAQngPPR1p4CTOCi_wsB7wVRZQTRTwleKYSQ4ZhGA7OV8jJNXhJjJgOMd3H03CWRqChKGrh666xV7UeD1f1Q/s1600/Picture+367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YGnhBI7qkJNm8akrih8qPzTdO8yGvWr8dmyaV-qttlqqtIBAOYoi9cYAQngPPR1p4CTOCi_wsB7wVRZQTRTwleKYSQ4ZhGA7OV8jJNXhJjJgOMd3H03CWRqChKGrh666xV7UeD1f1Q/s200/Picture+367.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intel Teachers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl8-aP5xJyJchMFAwMAWB4iPjDSonL2SOUgpiZRik0e96vWSou2mO28iM8vhx8FU-FAoNnXHb_utFvpUKi9-Tz-yneZzH307IWLUbWGOnKf9Y59_Vrh-Sh4qY8KW1F3rl7iNk_gNmyQ/s1600/Picture+159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl8-aP5xJyJchMFAwMAWB4iPjDSonL2SOUgpiZRik0e96vWSou2mO28iM8vhx8FU-FAoNnXHb_utFvpUKi9-Tz-yneZzH307IWLUbWGOnKf9Y59_Vrh-Sh4qY8KW1F3rl7iNk_gNmyQ/s200/Picture+159.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer Lab<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMqghuzxeuZtRz2GCJZ_lQ3o0g2Znu3MPC9MMRO2xpExSjHSdBVLxtyyGnbMgkLPiyfnxlMmU7fD24YX9jdVnoiv5J3bTLaTRI2WW-jiVhNC2OjI4SCyXzx1rvJrfhjolh17N_ohVVg/s1600/Picture+184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMqghuzxeuZtRz2GCJZ_lQ3o0g2Znu3MPC9MMRO2xpExSjHSdBVLxtyyGnbMgkLPiyfnxlMmU7fD24YX9jdVnoiv5J3bTLaTRI2WW-jiVhNC2OjI4SCyXzx1rvJrfhjolh17N_ohVVg/s320/Picture+184.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water from the Borehole at the School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. At the school, we were also able to fund a solar water system that included not only a deep borehole, but solar power to pump the water up a hill to a 60,000 liter holding tank. The water then runs from the tank to... flushing toilets and showers for the students! Imagine this - four years ago, there was no school in a 70 mile region, and now, it is one of the most premier schools in all of Zambia complete with a computer lab, dormitories and flushing toilets and showers! A student asked us when we were there what it would be like to take a shower :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z4IL0Fabej0ujRxTblaM4C0PIQg9iPvSno-roTj3ZggWACYtRz-1NjyKcn7pw2Lznrn_VnmuN1VJCRetaDJyQzZprVjTIjXjAr8WEbc1FwgSgRtVer1rJuWfe0fHXtsOMZZsUyuw5A/s1600/DSCN0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z4IL0Fabej0ujRxTblaM4C0PIQg9iPvSno-roTj3ZggWACYtRz-1NjyKcn7pw2Lznrn_VnmuN1VJCRetaDJyQzZprVjTIjXjAr8WEbc1FwgSgRtVer1rJuWfe0fHXtsOMZZsUyuw5A/s320/DSCN0122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin at the new Borehole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. In the community, we were able to fund the construction of two deep boreholes as a result of a church doing Hoops of Hope in Ohio. The wells will provide fresh water for 40 villages.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuBA-CuLte0zPqXtb6MnTKtJkhP34XsRbruW7FVEjq85CRX0TJZ28Rr4EljYrnbrdhSU7IXldO0KJFqbKw1KoZhhcw6kUvevF_S37c3S57ZzxLz-1GjderIPyFMT2L1u5RXRC_4anng/s1600/DSCN0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuBA-CuLte0zPqXtb6MnTKtJkhP34XsRbruW7FVEjq85CRX0TJZ28Rr4EljYrnbrdhSU7IXldO0KJFqbKw1KoZhhcw6kUvevF_S37c3S57ZzxLz-1GjderIPyFMT2L1u5RXRC_4anng/s200/DSCN0125.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Community</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. We were able to help build a dormitory for 30 boys at the Huruma Children's Home in Kenya. Right now, there are 150 children sleeping in a 2000 sq. foot house. The dorm is currently under construction and will open in 2012.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp_xk20NgQmUWHOTjztg5BOfBlG_At-tIcaPbnqIoGxjXVKMbAkeJiYPo8B6qlXULhMeHReFL4c2iDBaKnmiAUbJiFW6d_hmJkOk8VDfdd3FfpLLhNmwZCccor1qBcszDwD4Z99ocQg/s1600/feeding+in+malawi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp_xk20NgQmUWHOTjztg5BOfBlG_At-tIcaPbnqIoGxjXVKMbAkeJiYPo8B6qlXULhMeHReFL4c2iDBaKnmiAUbJiFW6d_hmJkOk8VDfdd3FfpLLhNmwZCccor1qBcszDwD4Z99ocQg/s200/feeding+in+malawi.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children Eating in Malawi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
6. Finally, were were able to fund the feeding of 550 children in Malawi for the entire year of 2012! For $40 a year, a child can eat a nutritious meal once a day which will sustain their growth needs. Many children in the region where we are working [Mtema], used to eat only a few times a week. Now, because of your help, 550 will eat everyday for the entire year. What a blessing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlM-a8SwVasxQnodv0Av8GW6Q_ENfsDOz3TkkY8lmBEk63zw2Amx5cntann8GRLLjvRiF51s-3v99QIcMcvkl9glnvT3cTmc40y4OD9pXykyKTbfFmYOKzi5vWfQOUm_zx8k2okfSEQ/s1600/Malawi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlM-a8SwVasxQnodv0Av8GW6Q_ENfsDOz3TkkY8lmBEk63zw2Amx5cntann8GRLLjvRiF51s-3v99QIcMcvkl9glnvT3cTmc40y4OD9pXykyKTbfFmYOKzi5vWfQOUm_zx8k2okfSEQ/s400/Malawi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortified Meal for Children in Malawi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been an amazing year and we are so thankful to you for your partnership. Once again, 100% of our administrative costs were covered in 2011 which means that every penny you raised went directly to these projects. And, great news, we're funded for 2012! So, if you're thinking about doing a Hoops of Hope event in 2012, 100% of everything you raise will go directly to help children. No overhead will be taken out of what you raise. Watch for our 2012 projects released next week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you,</div>
<div>
Hoops of Hope Team</div>Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-477697838324216042011-09-16T16:12:00.000-07:002011-09-16T16:23:56.186-07:00Computer Lab Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxH5I7w8o9VuVVRUja4-3FxSZbfqbWjJTC9GLqsVr56uAk4kpYbIOhaC2ZqqkVxSsP67wHvEi8q04KbrCsexeFRZMmRwfQohK_7-tbRU06g3ByN9WuUPf1RZOcNzFOczGCCyOsVTu-Q/s1600/Girl+Computer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxH5I7w8o9VuVVRUja4-3FxSZbfqbWjJTC9GLqsVr56uAk4kpYbIOhaC2ZqqkVxSsP67wHvEi8q04KbrCsexeFRZMmRwfQohK_7-tbRU06g3ByN9WuUPf1RZOcNzFOczGCCyOsVTu-Q/s320/Girl+Computer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653101115614590946" /></a><br />Here are a few quotes from students and teachers at the Johnathan Sim School<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"With the coming of computers, doing assignments has become much easy as we can research using the computers, as opposed to what used to happen in the past where we could go to the school leavers for help. We are privileged to have this technology”</span><div> Monde Grade 12<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“Life has been made easy because if I don’t understand I can easily browse through the e-Granary and get more understanding of the topic”<br /></span>- Mwiinga Grade 10<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“Since we do not have a library, I depended on the notes given in class but with the coming of the computers, home works, assignments, projects are easy to do now. Thanks to Hoops of Hope”.</span>- Kasonde Grade 12<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“Standard of learning has improved. I have improved Skills like typing and hence even as I Complete my School it will be easy for me to get a job since computer literacy is one of the requirements”</span>- Malasha Grade 12<br /><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhVnynWuW5fvsCCEeWSwypSeJsXhHjzY0d3LTMDiOpzjqZchzgf_E0_qah719k-xQjGQTfgMNKorDGudQp1j5ru2-8gzgYI-SXshbHjJUlh2frR0TnxSzVWBBJ4dzW8JTcD-HwAphZA/s320/Boy+computer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653102056877954850" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><span style="font-style:italic;">“My performance has improved due to these computers. The educational material on these computers supplements to classroom learning activities”<br /></span>- Mainza Grade 12<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“It’s a great thing which has happened to this community. We are thankful to the Hoops of Hope, Intel group and World Vision for this wonderful gesture. Our children are now part of the ICT global community. Since its inception, pupils have acquired computer basic skills which have made both teaching and learning much easy. As teachers, the computers have helped us in teaching, strategic planning, assessments, facilitation and monitoring and evaluation of various school projects. “</span><br />Simwanza (Teacher)<br /></div>Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-65850466738378292232011-08-18T09:02:00.000-07:002011-08-18T09:14:44.021-07:00Project in MalawiOur next project takes us across the border from Zambia into the beautiful country of Malawi. We'll be working in a small village called Mtema, which is about 20 miles northeast of the capital city of Lilongwe. The 22,000 people who live in Mtema are primarily subsistence farmers growing maize (corn).
<br />
<br />As a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, there are at least 750 orphans and vulnerable children in the community. Our local partner on this project, Somebody Cares, has identified at least 8 child-headed households in the main village in Mtema. Most of the orphan children are cared for by grandmothers.
<br />
<br />Literacy is very low and there is only one primary school located about 3 miles from the main village. The majority of the girls in this community get married between the ages of 11 and 15. Very few girls ever get the chance to go to school.
<br />
<br />Our goal is to help anyway we can. In working with our on-ground partner, Somebody Cares, we will be raising funds from our Hoops of Hope events to do the following:
<br />
<br />1. Feed the 750 orphan children one nutritious meal every day for the next year. For every $40 you raise at your Hoops of Hope event, you'll feed one child for a year!
<br />
<br />2. Build a community center to be used for food storage, preparation, education, etc. The cost of the community center is $30,000.
<br />
<br />3. Dig 4 boreholes to provide fresh water for the community. Access to safe drinking water is a huge challenge for Mtema. In the primary village people have NO access to safe drinking water. They depend on the river water for drinking. This is the same river that animals use, and that is used to bathe, wash themselves and their clothes. As a result, the people of Mtema suffer from a number of waterborne diseases. Total cost is $10,000 per deep borehole.
<br />
<br />As always, EVERY PENNY you raise from your Hoops of Hope event will go to these projects. We have not and will not take money from your event for Hoops of Hope overhead. We appreciate your partnership as we strive to make a difference for these children.
<br />Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-13560383759754002142011-06-07T15:41:00.001-07:002011-06-07T16:01:05.379-07:00IESC Zambia: Week One<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbUiZBDjCK60CmSj3kXE0-dBTgXYpRcZ9oQQ5ISJUFBWF8hb67CEX98BSRgRTzxr2aL3gNF_W1SckGVn84EhMTaXYILkWyDm5nk4LGg577Qxa8XLn9HvmOJFAs3S_-SCl9m6fNmtDtQ/s1600/jumping.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbUiZBDjCK60CmSj3kXE0-dBTgXYpRcZ9oQQ5ISJUFBWF8hb67CEX98BSRgRTzxr2aL3gNF_W1SckGVn84EhMTaXYILkWyDm5nk4LGg577Qxa8XLn9HvmOJFAs3S_-SCl9m6fNmtDtQ/s320/jumping.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615613846348599506" /></a>“Education is the key to success, education is the key to success,” chanted <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hazel, the soft spoken but very determined 12<sup>th</sup>-grade head student during a student performance at the inauguration of the computer lab at Jonathan Sim-Chikanta High School.<br /><p class="MsoNormal">The chant made us reflect on what lay ahead of us after a three-day journey that took us from the US and Singapore to this remote part of southern Zambia. We, the team of Intel volunteers consisting of John Parks (SSG), MJ Helgerson (SMG), Kandi Collier (TMG), Tim Lohman (FES), and Bernd Nordhausen (SMG) were at the start of a two-week assignment of the Intel Education Service Corps program to work with World Vision, Zambia to set up a new computer lab with Intel-powered classmate PCs and to train teachers and students.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuNoU2pQ8pk0meBstcbQzQhp0WeYIfvxigL06v2SYa1YrK_PGfhFkVrJRK23Wmwumu9Xh_TlDc_BX7v-3tyIkJSvcRwDCCbRuhwRF5KEcss2cGQrW75jFVCNX9vh0ypGwDH-L9eIErw/s320/inside-1.png" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615616389021184546" /> <p class="MsoNormal">Jonathan Sim-Chikanta High School is located in a remote area of the Kalomo District in southern Zambia. About 2 hours by car from the nearest town of Choma over mainly unpaved dusty roads, cut off at times during the rainy season, this high school was funded through the amazing efforts of Austin Gutwein, the son of Intel employee Dan Gutwein (ECG). Austin founded Hoops of Hope, a US-based fund raising organization, at the tender age of 9 in 2004.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Over the years, the efforts of this teenager have raised over 2.5 million dollars which have been used to fund, among other efforts, this school in Zambia and the new computer lab.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Building a computer lab at this only high school within a 50-mile radius presented unique challenges: rudimentary buildings, no mobile phone coverage, and, most critical, no access to electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yet, through the ingenuity of World Vision Zambia and the fund-raising efforts of Hoops of Hope, we were now watching Austin cut the ribbon of the brightly orange painted former shipping container that now holds part of the key to success for the students of Jonathan Sim-Chikanta High School.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Austin’s father had approached Bernd a year ago to help design a fully solar-powered computer lab. With solar power, every watt of energy consumption saved results in hundreds of dollars in savings in solar equipment cost. Thus, we chose every piece of equipment in this lab carefully to consume the least amount of energy while providing maximum educational benefits.<o:p></o:p></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpAC-Qg_HkW9bgEbtXi3hHFZ8Cbe-B28DOe1fSeNcRm1BT9Q0b13IxVDd3P1imVZ4Y5mqOl3doypztry4mkKnRsiihv0Vfg1JxByqqR9MoH2Z_9FqwE34IqqV7pPf8lrwYR29ZqvMYw/s320/students01.png" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615614406599542498" />Starting with the Intel-powered classmate PCs and the ULV (ultra low voltage) teacher laptops, we included a pico-projector and wireless access points that can run on the 12 volt DC (direct current) power that solar deployments produce. We installed energy efficient DC ceiling fans to provide cooling during the hot summer days, and energy saving lights to offer an opportunity to use the lab at night.<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As there is no mobile phone coverage, Internet connection was not feasible (at least not for the moment), so we included the eGranary, an off-line digital library containing over 30,000 documents including Wikipedia and the Khan Academy educational videos.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LSmiiTgGwoD_cwfwULbV6EwQo09Jn-6cKFbO8uU_cs1kCSfaM_q6Y0ngXmM0zlUTurr7NsBzRJdmzBkOSupQyopv8GsgxmzJE5CfnvB-dUij0ihhwVDDUoFzhOFGjNLuLUv1S570BA/s320/mj%2526kandi.png" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615615272534468322" /><p class="MsoNormal"> These provide the students the look and feel of the internet without actual internet connectivity. We also were able to include the localized version of skoool (skoool.co.zm), to provide science and math content catered specifically towards the Zambian curriculum.</p><p class="MsoNormal">After the inauguration, our trainers MJ and Kandi started to train students and teachers, while Tim and I concentrated on configuring the PCs, and training the administrators to sustain the computer lab after we leave. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>JP (John Parks) held informal lessons outside of the lab and took the head teacher, Luke, under his wings to train him away from the watchful eyes of the students.<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Cambria","serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:major-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi; color:#365F91;mso-themecolor:accent1;mso-themeshade:191"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-37881779025401235712011-04-03T20:01:00.000-07:002011-04-03T20:02:19.430-07:00Great Article from Vermont!Dozens Of Students Shoot Hoops Of Hope<br /><br />Basketball Event Raises Money For African Orphans With HIV/AIDS<br /><br />POSTED: 12:49 pm EDT April 2, 2011<br />UPDATED: 4:33 pm EDT April 2, 2011<br /><br /> Email Print<br /> Comments (0)<br /><br /><br /><br />WILLISTON, Vt. -- Close to 60 middle and high school students from across the Champlain Valley shot thousands of free throws to support Hoops Of Hope, a non-profit organization that helps orphans in Africa dealing with HIV/AIDS.<br />Eighth grader Sammi Harvey wasn't just shooting to hone her skills, she was excited to give back to charity.<br />"It means a lot that I can do what I love to do -- play basketball and help out for this foundation," Harvey said.<br />The shooting session took place at the Allen Brook School in Williston and Milton Elementary School. Hoops Of Hope was started by a 10-year-old, Austin Gutwein from Arizona in 2004. Athletes raise donations from family members and neighbors and then play basketball to support the needs of children throughout Africa.<br />"Part of the motto is do something bigger than yourself," organizer Joel Desautels said. "And we can all give a little bit back."<br />From years past, the money has gone to building everything from a high school to medical labs in Africa.<br />"I've always wanted to go and do missionary work, but I know that I'm too young and I can't do that. So just this way i'm also doing that and being a part of it," Rice Memorial freshman Gemma Cirignanno said.<br />If you would like to support this cause, you can go to www.hoopsofhope.org or make a donation through pt360coop.com.<br />Copyright 2011 by WPTZ.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-22931841834950755432011-03-18T23:27:00.001-07:002011-03-18T23:27:21.896-07:00Interview at Crystal Cathedral<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21114976" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21114976">Interview with Austin Gutwein - 2146</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4594860">Crystal Cathedral Ministries</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-12726119368445933662011-01-15T12:35:00.000-08:002011-01-15T12:41:35.516-08:00Survey ResultsThank you to everyone who participated in the retailer survey. Here are some of the highlights:<br /><br />92% of shoppers are influenced to shop in a store that is involved in charitable giving.<br /><br />Only 22% of people under 35 know if their favorite store is involved in charitable giving.<br /><br />56% of respondents will purchase a lesser quality good if it is involved in charitable giving.<br /><br />78% of respondents are aware of TOMS Shoes. 4 years ago, TOMS did not exist yet they were recently rated as the #6 most innovative retail company per Fast Company.<br /><br />34% of respondents had purchased a pair of TOMS Shoes. Of these 34%, 56% had purchased two or more pairs.<br /><br />There is a different way to reach our generation than there is to reach the generation of our parents. We want to be associated with companies doing good.<br /><br />austinHoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-7114027232802658842011-01-03T11:48:00.000-08:002011-01-03T11:50:03.038-08:00Swimming for Clean WaterCheck out this recent video of Erick Skaff who swam 10 miles to represent and raise money for clean water projects. Erick said he came up with the idea after reading "Take Your Best Shot". We're proud of you Erick! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XeHJEVTbBI0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XeHJEVTbBI0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-87580031061428090602010-12-27T13:33:00.000-08:002010-12-27T13:35:53.793-08:00End of Year LetterDear Friends of Hoops of Hope,<br /><br />As another year comes to a close, we’re, once again, amazed by the amount of compassion you’ve shown to the “least of these”. I often smile when I think about the thousands of volunteers who helped to pull off more than 100 Hoops of Hope events this year in 12 countries. I’m humbled when I think of the tens of thousands of donors that helped us fund so many projects. And, I’m amazed by the tens of thousands of participants who shot countless free throws to represent children who have lost their parents. I count serving on the board at Hoops of Hope one of the greatest privileges I could ever imagine.<br /><br />This past June, we traveled with a team of 17 to southern Zambia to witness the opening of four new dormitories at the school, as well as a clinic and testing facility nearby. There are no words to express the joy of the students sleeping in a dorm for the first time, or the patients receiving treatment that will save their life. All I can say is “thank you” for being a part of Hoops of Hope.<br /><br />In 2010, your efforts were able to partially fund a dormitory at a the Huruma Children’s Home in Kenya; fully fund two additional teacher houses and a computer lab at the school in Zambia, as well fully fund two deep water wells. In March of this year, we held an auction which generated enough administrative funding to fully fund all administrative costs through the end of 2011. Once again, <span style="font-weight:bold;">this means that every penny raised from the Hoops of Hope events around the world will go directly to children. </span><br /><br />I’m looking forward to 2011 and working with you again to make a difference in the lives of children who have been orphaned by AIDS. Why? Because there are so many things left to do. The life expectancy in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa is still less than 40 years old. There are still so many who do not have access to clean water, food, healthcare and an education. We’ll continue to help as long as we can and hope you’ll join us again in 2011. <br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,<br /><br />Dan<br />Board of Directors [Volunteer]Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-67879443151723445252010-12-02T10:20:00.000-08:002010-12-02T10:22:05.709-08:00World AIDS Day 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtOdbOEtDcpubYsnDfWip5YKyR0bN72ZcgvfMXIJPBYiENupnEGcfb8EoLfLt6HOSjGnwzO8UzAXwRY7JWy2yj7G5uGbe_tqHlo9ffiSxJa1HTseA7jAR8o03xS3DHnXQBPH-d3qBDw/s1600/OrlandoandMe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtOdbOEtDcpubYsnDfWip5YKyR0bN72ZcgvfMXIJPBYiENupnEGcfb8EoLfLt6HOSjGnwzO8UzAXwRY7JWy2yj7G5uGbe_tqHlo9ffiSxJa1HTseA7jAR8o03xS3DHnXQBPH-d3qBDw/s320/OrlandoandMe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546151843999822034" /></a><br />As most of you may already know, yesterday was World AIDS Day, a date that is very near to the heart of the Hoops of Hope team, participants, hosts, volunteers, donors, and partners. Because the UN estimates that every 14 seconds a child loses a parent to HIV/AIDS, we work toward helping in an area of our world most devastatingly affected by the AIDS pandemic. Donations received at events all around the globe go toward helping ease the pain of living in such an area. Orphans are getting much needed assistance and education, and even more exciting, some children now even get to have their parents around longer because of the medication they now receive to treat their disease!<br /><br />This past June I had a chance to travel to Zambia with the rest of the Hoops of Hope team. While there, we visited a High School and a medical clinic, both of which were paid for with Hoops of Hope donations. I could tell you story after story of how lives have been changed, and how the people in those areas have benefited from individuals who set aside time and put forth the effort to care for them by shooting some free throws. <br /><br />There’s one story in particular that I'd like to share with you in light of World AIDS Day. It's about a 10 year old boy named Orlando. I got to visit him in his home where he lives with his grandma and 3 brothers because his parents both died from HIV/AIDS. Orlando also has AIDS. He told me that not long ago he thought he would die. He couldn't get out of bed from being so sick, and his grandma confirmed with tears in her eyes that they had given up hope. Then the clinic that Hoops of Hope funds built opened, and it was near enough to his home for him to get to. There he received medication and care that has allowed him to live a "regular" life. You would hardly know by looking at him that he's sick. He goes to school, helps around the house, and even plays soccer with his friends! When he looked me in the eyes and said "Thank you for giving me my life" I told him it wasn't me, but many people around the globe who care. It was hard to leave Orlando that day, but as I left I promised him that I would tell his story and would be sure to thank his true heroes for him. That's probably you if you are reading this… anyone who has ever hosted, participated in, given to, volunteered for, prayed for, or supported a Hoops of Hope event in any way. <br /><br />To those of you hosting events this month in recognition of World AIDS Day, thank you. You are making a huge impact in the lives of people you may never have an opportunity to meet, but that are thankful to YOU for giving them life.Hoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3587137069646474025.post-79220552200168736112010-10-24T16:49:00.000-07:002010-10-24T16:52:55.230-07:00Cool Story from a Hoops of Hope eventRemember, it doesn't matter how big your event. It only matters that you do something. The following is from a girl who did Hoops of Hope...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Alrighty! The Hoops of Hope event went well Saturday, no major catastrophes or anything of the sort, but the amount of people who showed up wasn't the biggest turn out. There was maybe an average of 3-5 people that weren't volunteers at the event, but it still went well. I'm so glad that God let me be a part of this ministry! I know that this fundraiser helps out AIDS orphans and all, which is great! But what I find greater is how God used this event to draw me closer to Him. I look back and see how he used everything that happened, every hardship, every hurdle, to lean on Him and trust in what He's doing. <br /><br />Toward the last week of Hoops of Hope before the event, I was starting to get tired. But God kept telling me, "don't give up; keep going". so I did as He said. It took a lot of work, but because I pushed hard to reach our goal we not only reached the goal of $1,000, but we went past it by a few hundred dollars. When I was getting tired I felt like it was the 4th and last period of the game. If I started backing down, we would of lost. But I chose to pursue and conquer, and God helped me throughout the entire way! Hoops of Hope has not just richly blessed those kids in Zambia, He's richly blessed me by letting me along for the ride!</span><br /><br />AlyssaHoops of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17330797524241010696noreply@blogger.com0