The American Volunteer

Keela Dates journeyed to Kenya with hopes of having a life-changing experience. She planned to return to the United States with an experience that would diversify her teaching and make her more appreciative of her middle-class American life. Keela graduated in May 2006 from Wells College with elementary education certification and after taking a year off to work and volunteer abroad, she planned to secure a teaching job in upstate New York and continue her career down that path. Life had different plans for her. The children of Jambo Jipya School touched her heart and changed her life in ways she could never dream of.   Her life's focus is now on creating a safe, healthy, and happy living and learning environment for children in developing countries.   These children are her passion and her life.   Their smiles and laughter echo in her heart and mind.  She is not willing to leave them behind.

Keela is the founder and Executive Director of Reason2Smile Inc.   She hopes to link the people of America with the children of developing countries. Her goal is to help people recognize that it is a far greater tragedy to be rich and not realize it (as she was, and in some ways still is) than it is to be poor and not realize it (as many children in developing countries are). She hopes people will reach out in support of these school children and in return, see the difference…in a smile.

This year, Keela is focusing on developing the land where the school currently exists in the center of the community.  This means purchasing additional land adjacent to the school and building new classrooms, dormitory buildings, offices, etc.  On top of the monthly expense of running the school (mainly salaries and food), Keela would like to raise an additional $40,000 for development of the land ($100,000 total).  She needs your help in order to accomplish this goal so please find out how you can help - whether it be through giving a monthly donation, attending an event, or spreading the word.  Thank you for giving many worthy children a reason to continue smiling!