Lindbergh Impact Day

Point UniversityStudents at the Lindbergh site participated in Impact Day, writing letters to orphans through the non-profit, Just One Africa. Clay and Amy Churchill, co-founders of the organization visited the site in March, presenting their mission to partner with local African leaders to create sustainable solutions for vulnerable children and provide filters for the clean water crisis. After visiting Salem Orphanage in western Kenya in 2012, Clay and Amy Churchill, and Alastair and Geanna Wilde were inspired by the founder of the orphanage to serve the region.

Dr. Joann Adeogun, chair of the college of business and professional studies and professor of business, arranged the Churchills’ presentation for her class, International Business, and invited other professors and students at the Lindbergh site to attend. “Just One Africa is an Atlanta based organization that has international reach,” said Dr. Adeogun. “Their approach of one person making a difference to serve mankind is easily identifiable by everyone. This philosophy resonated with me and I was sure it would also resonate with our Access students and professors.  Students needed to be able to learn from Amy and Clay Churchill the delicate intricacies of conducting business in a developing country and the mini-seminar made this possible.” Inspired by the organization’s commitment to serving others, Dr. Adeogun found an opportunity to engage students in impacting the lives of children in the Salem Orphanage.

“Impact Day was a means of getting Access students involved in touching the lives of someone beyond the Atlanta border. This community effort of letter writing to orphans in Kenya was one way of fulfilling Point University’s mission of Christ-centered service throughout the world. Many of the Access students were so moved by the plight of these children that they expressed a need to do more,” said Dr. Adeogun.

Tasked with writing approximately 120 letters to orphans, Lindbergh students and staff spent time writing encouraging notes, drawing pictures, and praying for each child. The letters will be delivered to children in Salem Orphanage when Clay and Amy return in June.

“The Churchhills’ dedication to help one person at a time is enough to start a revolution of brotherly/sisterly love regardless of ethnicity, age, homeland, or gender,” said Sabeller Lee ‘17, student at Point University. “For years I’ve seen the infomercials of organizations in places such Africa and India, asking for help in helping others. The difference with Just One Africa is that the story came alive right in front of my eyes. This was totally different than the view I see through a television – this was an in-your-face testimony.”

Point UniversityIn addition to providing resources to orphan children, Just One Africa also works to improve the infrastructure in African rural schools, investing in sustainable projects such as buildings, farming, and businesses, and distributing water filter kits to communities that do not have access to clean water. One water filter provides clean water for up to 25 people. Clay and Amy also work to empower women through the creation of beaded jewelry crafted from magazines. These jewelry pieces provide income for single mothers and widows to care for their families.

The Churchills have faced challenges establishing a non-profit with international impact, but have worked closely with African local community leaders to build relationships and open doors to provide precious resources to those who need them while respecting their rich culture.

Dr. Adeogun and the staff of the college of graduate and professional studies would like to thank the following volunteers for their commitment to making this seminar possible: Dr. Chris Davis, Dough Johnson, Dr. Bourne, Dr. Rice, Dr. Ogungbure, Mark Boyd, Sarah Huxford, Wye Huxford, Kyle Malmberg, Lacey Southerland, and the many students who wrote letters.

For additional information on Just One Africa, visit www.justoneafrica.org. To view the presentation, visit https://cloud.swivl.com/v/547fa6346fd54cb680d88c88cebf8af0.