ABW eNEWS: Operations Director retires, report on humanitarian trip, and other news

ABW eNews December 2022

Greetings!

As we gather to celebrate the Christmas season and the end of the year, we can look back at 2022 as a slow return to normal, with renewed hope. We suffered many losses and learned many things about ourselves during the past couple of years. One thing we learned at A Better World is that the people we have put faith in overseas have done remarkable work in our absence. Our recent trip to Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya showed us that our development work continues to be stable and effective. I was impressed and moved by the impact our work has had, and to see the conclusion of our work in Kendu Bay.

We also hope to see the Canadian side of our operations return to normal. I was amazed by and deeply grateful for the continued support our donors and volunteers provided through such difficult times, reflecting the genuine commitment our entire team has felt toward our work. I hope that 2023 will bring a return to the same level of partnership we enjoyed before the pandemic.

Of course, some things will require a new normal. As you will see below, our Director of Operations, Julie Stegmaier, is retiring after 13 years. She has been crucial to the daily operation of A Better World, handling myriad duties and adapting to our ever-evolving processes and operations. We will all have to adapt to her absence. Watch for announcements of these changes in the new year.

With gratitude,

Eric Rajah

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Report on recent trip

Travellers from the ABW fall medical trip reported to a packed house Dec. 3 about the events of their recent three-country tour. Nearly 100 people attended the event at the Lacombe Memorial Centre, hearing testimony and watching videos from the trip.

Led by Executive Director Eric Rajah, the group visited Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya over three weeks in October and November, visiting projects, attending openings, organizing service programs, and providing oversight to ensure projects and programs are of top quality. Despite the inability of Canadians to visit international projects during the pandemic, the travellers found excellent work was being done in Africa by local contacts.

2022 Project Highlights

One of ABW’s most challenging water projects was completed this year in the community of West Pokot. In the video linked to below, Charles Rioba, ABW’s water program consultant in Kenya, tells the story of finding water in this remote community. Working from geological surveys, it didn’t look like the crew was going to hit an aquifer. But with the cooperation of the community, they found success together.

Pokot well video

ABW’s final project at its very first worksite was topped off in November with the grand opening of the Ken Hill Physiotherapy Centre. It is located at the Kendu Bay Clubfoot Clinic in Kenya.

The clinic is named for Professor Ken Hill, the pioneering project manager who helped A Better World become a true development agency. His children Karen Leung and Kelvin Hill, along with Kelvin’s family, attended the ceremony.

Ken Hill Physiotherapy Clinic video link

Mpirani Primary School

This school in the Korogwe district of Tanzania was extremely overcrowded, with nearly 900 students packed into just seven classrooms, and kindergarten students learning outside under a tree. ABW has built four new classrooms that are ready for students and will drop the usage to below 100 per classroom.

Director of Operations retiring

Julie celebrating her birthday in Kenya

After 13 years of dedicated service, our director of operations, Julie Stegmaier, is retiring from A Better World.

Her first connection with A Better World was when she travelled to Kenya on a humanitarian trip in 2009. She returned knowing she wanted to be more involved and started volunteering for a few hours a day. The work quickly progressed to a full-time position.

“I am now looking forward to retiring and being able to travel and spend more time with my family,” she says. “I am thankful for all the wonderful people I have met along the way and the incredible memories made. It has been a privilege to work alongside Eric and all the A Better World team in this amazing organization.”

Her ready smile and ever-helpful attitude will be missed by our staff, donors and volunteers alike. We wish Julie a peaceful and enjoyable retirement.

Annual progress as of December 2022

A Better World's big goal is to have 75,000 students enrolled in our schools—with access to clean water, toilets, and healthcare—by 2030. To get there, we have specific annual goals.