Service-minded SIFE raises support for orphanage
By Colleen C. Dillon
According to the USDA, the average American consumes about 59.2 pounds of chicken annually. This number has more than doubled since the 1970s. Chicken is cheap, easily accessible, and equal in its popularity to beef. But to orphans in Zambia, Africa, a simple chicken nugget meal is not readily available. Through the project “Give a Chicken,” the Anderson University SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team gives food to impoverished children residing at the Mulunda Miaka orphanage in Zambia.
The Mulunda Miaka orphanage was started under the care of Pam and Menda, two Zambian nationals. Its goal is to provide food, shelter, academic/vocational training, and the foundations of the Christian faith to Zambian orphans. Pam, a nurse at Mukinge Hospital, witnessed the horrible conditions of children in the area. Following successful treatments, many children were forced to return to the hospital due to malnutrition and improper care. With a vision for the health of young parentless children in their minds, Pam and Menda founded the orphanage with the help of Zambian missionaries in the area.
One of SIFE’s main themes is “a head for business, a heart for the world.” One of the largest educational business organizations, SIFE teaches students practical life skills through competitions, service, leadership, and teamwork. In SIFE, business and economic ideas serve as the backbone to student knowledge. The organization spans over 48 countries, 1,400 campuses, and has more than 30,000 members. On the Anderson campus there are 85 active SIFE members.
Chad Schubert is a junior business management major, SIFE Global Impact vice president, and creator of the “Give a Chicken” project. Along with his family, Schubert was able to work alongside Pam and Menda. “[SIFE] is an outlet to serve others,” says Schubert. After serving with his family in Zambia during the summer of 2006, Schubert joined SIFE eager to gather supporters for the newly established orphanage. Money was raised and the orphanage purchased a few chickens. But it was not enough to keep the children’s mouths fed. Schubert started brainstorming ideas to help sustain the orphanage.
“Give a Chicken” was the result and was kicked off with the “Global Chicken challenge” on the Anderson campus. In the challenge, students went to Anderson citizens throughout the city. They shared their knowledge of “Give a Chicken,” bartered for items, and asked for donations. The student bringing back the most valuable item won a prize. Charitable citizens and businesses gave a variety of items to the cause, the top item being an mp3 player. The challenge has since then been followed by the “Give a Chicken” fundraiser.
“It is a unique idea that you can give a chicken half a world away,” said Schubert. To send a chicken to the Mulunda Miaka orphanage costs $6. This price covers the feed, medical shots, transportation, and Paypal fees. The low cost of $6 per chicken results in $9 of revenue for the orphanage. SIFE is putting into practice their market economics and sustainability skills through this project.
When sophomore marketing communications major Ambrosia Davidson participated in the Global Chicken challenge, a spark of interest led her to speak to Schubert. After seeing Schubert’s passion for the Mulunda Miaka orphanage, Davidson joined SIFE and the “Give a Chicken” committee. “It is a way to impact someone else’s life and improve it for the better,” says Davidson. By providing food and shelter, stress to Pam and Menda is not so heavy. Instead they can concentrate on the children’s deeper educational and spiritual needs.
“Full-fledged commitment,” according to Davidson, are the words to describe the five members of the Global Impact team. Indisputable evidence of the team’s commitment is proclaimed in their recently met goal of 400 chickens.
Publicity of the project was crucial. Students made flyers and signs and spread information about “Give a Chicken” through word of mouth. Letters to businesses and churches were written. Many were answered eagerly with charitable donations. SIFE teams and classes from Purdue and IU Kokomo donated money to help the cause. In the end, Davidson says it was beautiful to see “the goodness of [the givers’] hearts and their desire to make a difference.”
This project is not close to being finished. Even more giving opportunities in support of the Mulunda Miaka orphanage are available. Permanent chicken housing is desperately needed at the orphanage. In order to build a clean home for the chickens, money must be raised. Several giving options are available to supporters. “Give a Brick,” “Give a Bag of Cement,” “Give a Rafter,” and other opportunities can be found at the Mulunda Miaka and Anderson SIFE Web sites.
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of these children, go to www.mmorphanage.org.
