Empower Campaign

The Empower Campaign was started last year by Andria Sherrow after she returned from spending a period of time in Africa. She wanted to start a program that would help the African children receive an education and provide an opportunity to build a future.

"The Empower Campaign is a holistic, school based initiative designed to help all children, including orphans and vulnerable children, receive a quality education in Africa. We accomplish this through a four tiered approach with our partner schools in Africa:

1. 1.Provide a safe and sound place to attend school by building and reconstructing debilitated schools.
   

2. 2.Provide educational materials for students attending school.
   

3. 3.Provide one meal per day for all children attending school.
   

4. 4.Provide access to health care and information at school."

The Empower Campaign was started at Ohio University in collaboration with Alpha Phi Omega. They raised money and awareness by selling jewelry made out of recycled materials by the women in Africa and screening movies to raise awareness. Volunteers attend a brief training session to become qualified to sell the jewelry and then work the tables around campus.

The Empower Campaign has spread to Ohio State University, Miami University, Bowling Green State University and the University of Dayton. Each of these schools conduct jewelry sales and also come up with fundraising ideas; for example, spaghetti dinners and benefit concerts.

Since it has grown, the Empower Campaign has become its own student group on campus and any student can join forces and help raise awareness and money to send to these children. 14 million children under the age of 14 have been orphaned from AIDS and only 18% of eligible children have access to education in sub-Saharan Africa.

To get involved, contact Andria Sherrow at andria@empowercampaign.org.