Little Victories Stateside
Building momentum in 2014
Our Tanzanian team isn’t the only one celebrating little victories this year. Kupona’s Board President, Dr. Yoni Barnhard looks back on Kupona’s victories in 2014.
Dr. Barnhard addresses Kupona cocktail reception attendees.
I’ve been President of the Board of Directors at Kupona for two years. In 2011, I traveled to Tanzania to visit a different hospital as an OB/GYN. My flight out of Dar es Salaam was cancelled, so a friend suggested I visit CCBRT’s maternal and newborn healthcare program. I had not been looking to join a Board. But my experience at CCBRT was so powerful – the potential for transformative change so great – that I had to be part of it. You can read more about that first visit in my three-part blog post in 2012: “A Slice of Dar – A Story from the Field.”
Kupona’s work at CCBRT is changing the status quo for mothers in Tanzania.
The donations from our supporters have a real and lasting impact – changing lives today, and strengthening the maternal and newborn healthcare system for generations to come. I first saw the impact and potential in 2011. Over the past year, more and more people are starting to see the potential, too.
Your continued support is enabling us to give more to CCBRT than ever before. This year, thanks to generous support from individuals and corporate and institutional partners, we raised over $500,000 for CCBRT, and this number is set to increase before the year is up. Some victories from our 2014 fundraising efforts included:
- Spring Cocktails: Our third consecutive Spring Cocktail Event raised over $12,000 to purchase delivery beds and equipment for the CCBRT Maternity and Newborn Hospital.
- Golfing for Good: Our fourth annual Kupona Foundation golf outing raised over $50,000 for mothers and babies in Tanzania.
- Fall Cocktails: An intimate cocktail reception with Erwin Telemans, CCBRT CEO gave supporters an opportunity to ask questions and hear stories first-hand.
- Memorial Campaign: Since 2013, family and friends of Tim Manchester have raised over $53,000 for family planning services at CCBRT; an incredible legacy for a close ally of CCBRT and Kupona. Read more on the Crowdrise Holiday Fundraiser for Tim’s Corner.
Our sincerest thanks to everyone who contributed to making these events and fundraisers happen. Together, we are saving the lives of women and children in Tanzania.
CCBRT CEO, Erwin Telemans, visits with Kupona team in September.
Dr. Sierra Washington speaks with guests at a cocktail reception in June.
In light of our continued growth, it was time to build a team that could help us fulfill our potential. Our Board, Advisory Board (AB), and the Kupona team have welcomed new recruits this year: a mixture of fresh new talent and individuals with a wealth of experience to share. We also strengthened our links to the work on the ground with the secondment of AB member Dr. Sierra Washington to CCBRT as a technical advisor to the maternal and newborn healthcare program and the placement of Princeton in Africa Fellow Erin Keating in CCBRT’s Communications Department. Our Executive Director spent over five weeks with the CCBRT team in Tanzania and New York, including joining CCBRT’s 20th Anniversary celebration in Dar es Salaam. Momentum is building. If you are interested in joining our dedicated team as a Board or Advisory Board member, please email info@kuponafoundation.org.
From L to R: James Mann, Dr. Yoni Barnhard, Adrian Stewart, Katie Flanagan, Peter Maddens Photo Credit: Melanie Quinn Photography
It’s been quite a year of little victories in the USA and Tanzania – making high-quality healthcare more accessible for some of the most vulnerable women and children in the world. Thank you for your support, and happy holidays.
Yoni