The Collective is currently made up of 65 people that donate monthly. They allow the Kekeli women to receive a stipend, supplies, and bi-monthly education. Due to the Collective’s pledge of funds, the Kekeli women have been able to dream big and expand their roles. We could not be happier to have this partnership; the Kekeli women and the Collective are the heart and soul of RHC!
So who is the Collective? Who is this group of people that care for a community of people a world away? There is a plethora of inequity right here at home—why have they chosen to dedicate resources to this group of women in Akatsi?
We want to introduce you to a few Collective members: Meet Nell, Mike, and Sam—a young family from Chicago. Get to know Kirsten—a volunteer who traveled to Ghana with us a few years ago and currently lives in Paris. Say hello to Hector—father and father-in-law to founders Olivia and Jason.
Nell is a medical social worker, working in maternal child health at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Mike is a musician and plays bass guitar. Sam is 1 year old and a recent walker! Nell, Mike and Sam love to go on walks, ride bikes, drink coffee on the porch, spend time with family and friends, and listen to and make music.
Sam is currently reading ‘Whoever You Are’ by Mem Fox and ‘Music Is’ by Brandon Stosuy. Nell and Mike are listening to the podcasts ‘Three Swings’ with Rhea Butcher and ‘Pod Save the People’.
They believe that “kindness is everything and there is a universal bond that connects us all. [We] stand for equality, equity, peace and justice. No one is truly free when others are oppressed.” They donate to RHC because it is community-based and woman-led. “The focus on women’s health, education, and access to community-based primary health care is so crucial to all communities, all over the world. We are so inspired by the Kekeli women and the work of RHC—we will always be supporters!”
Kirsten worked with Heather, RHC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Director, at a non-profit in San Diego, Ca, and jumped at the chance to become a volunteer on a 2015 trip to Akatsi.
Kirsten is Australian, currently living in Paris with her husband and best friend, Damo, as well as their pup, Melon, the local neighborhood celebrity. She loves cold weather, being in nature, and ending the day with a meal around a fire. Kirsten also just joined a gym. She’s not sure if it’s a hobby or an interest, but would really like it to be, after getting past the painful initial part of discovering all her muscle groups.
Kirsten is listening to the podcasts ‘Desert Island Discs’, ‘Dispatch to a Friend’, and ‘Friday Night Comedy’. She is currently reading ‘Exit West’ by Mohsin Hamid.
On why she’s part of the Collective, “I wanted to help with the progress being made by the Kekeli women. Not only are they providing valuable knowledge and medical assistance, they are empowering other women and mentoring younger generations for change.” She also adds, “Projects like these take time to establish, and I believe in RHC’s approach. RHC empowers women to effect positive change in their communities.”
Hector is celebrating his 70th birthday with his friends and family this weekend! He retired last year from the Portland Public School system, as their Senior Equity Manager, where he dedicated much of his career to “eliminating health disparities and inequities.”
He has been a member of the Collective from the start (and not just because he has to be 😉). Hector says, “I so appreciate and support RHC for choosing to empower women as a means to improving health outcomes in their communities”.
We believe that whether we live here, or we live half a world away, we’re connected by this human experience. Everyone deserves a chance to live a happy and healthy life, free from the burdens of preventable disease and disability. Human connection can cross oceans and meet thousands of miles away. We want to thank all members of the Collective for choosing to partner with the Kekeli women to promote health in Akatsi and for allowing thousands of people to live fuller lives.
This is so great! Thanks to Nell, Mike, Sam, Kirsten, Damo, Hector and all the rest for their support of our mission but more importantly the women carrying out the work.