OUR BOARD Q+A GIVES YOU A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK INTO THE WORK OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS. EACH MEMBER BRINGS THEIR OWN KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE AND IS COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR MISSION, VISION, AND HUMANKIND ACADEMY.

TODAY WE ARE FEATURING LAUREN REEVES, OUR TREASURER! SHE JOINED THE TEAM IN WAAAAY BACK AND IS ONE OF OUR LONGEST-SITTING BOARD MEMBERS NOW. LAUREN SHARES FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW!

1. Tell us about yourself - let's say... top 5 most important facts!

My name is Lauren, I live with my husband Trent, our two dogs (Clarky and Daisy), and three cats (Smoke, Sox and Bandit). I love ice cream, bike riding, and being outside.

2. How did you learn or find out about HKI? Why did you get involved?

I first learned about HKI when I was working at St. John Brebeuf school. Muuxi came to tell his story to the students and get them involved with fundraising to build Humankind Academy. I was really moved by his story and his passion to help children attend school. One of the teachers at the school, Margaret Lafreniere whom I really admired, joined the board and a few years later reached out to me and asked if I would like to get more involved and I jumped at the opportunity.

3. What is your absolute favourite part about what HKI does? Is there a time when you went, "Wow, we really did/do that!"?

I think my biggest 'Wow - did we really do that moment" was this year when we got the pictures of the food hampers being delivered to the families of our students. Like so many schools, Humankind Academy had to shut down last year because of the pandemic, which meant the students were missing out on the meals the schools provided. The Board heard from the Head Teacher at the school that many of the children were no longer getting enough to eat so we decided we would provide food hampers for the students and their families.

When I saw the pictures of the students in their bright red uniform (that they were wearing even though they weren't in school) and their families picking up the hampers - it really hit me that we are really making a difference in the lives of these students. We were able to provide those hampers because even after we canceled our annual fundraising dinner, Humankind International supporters still generously made donations to help us reach our fundraising goal. In a time of so much uncertainty, it was just really moving to have our community pull together and support Humankind Academy and its students.

4. If you were to explain to our community what we do, what would you say?

We listen to the needs of the community in the Dadaab and do our best to make a positive change in their lives.

5. And... a fun one! What was your favourite childhood book or story?

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Who's Who: a Board Q+A with Lauren Reeves