Hi everyone:
I wanted to share this story about one of Maskwa's own paddlers.
Jakob Conrad is 10 years old and already thinking about ways that he can make a difference. For the second year in a row, Jakob’s Twoonies from Toubabs fundraising campaign will help fund lifesaving education and health initiatives in The Gambia. The campaign sells original
Valentine’s Day cards and all proceeds are donated to Nova Scotia-Gambia Association. “I learned that people there [in The Gambia, West Africa], have so little, but are so happy. And here we have so much, but always want more.” says Jakob, a Halifax native.
Twoonies For Toubabs started last year, when Jakob expressed his interest to visit the small West African country. His mother, Cathy Conrad, Acting Executive Director for NSGA at the time, knew that Jakob would come away from the experience with an enriched perspective on life. Twoonies from Toubabs was Jakob’s way of giving back.
‘Toubab” is a Gambian term for foreigners, and Jakob coined the name by himself. He started his campaign by selling Valentine’s Day cards and raised almost $3000.00 for the NSGA in 2011.
Jakob’s passion to raise money for health and education in The Gambia continues this year. Twoonies from Toubabs features six new Valentine’s Day cards at a cost of $2 each or 6 for $10. His goal is to raise $2000.00. Minuteman Press Halifax has generously donated the printing cost for all Valentine’s cards for the second year in row.
“The NSGA sincerely appreciates Jakob’s generosity. This money has gone such a long way to enhancing the education of so many youth across the country. I am so impressed that someone so young has such a big heart.” says Muhammed Ngallan, Executive Director of NSGA.
To hear Jakob talking about his first experience in The Gambia last year, along with photos from his trip, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYdU1qUT2T0.Visit the 2012 Twoonies for
Toubab Facebook page here:https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/309443455767397/
