Reaching beyond its traditional borders of the United States, in January of 2009, George B. Boedecker, Jr., Chairman and Founder of the Boedecker Foundation embarked on a two continent philanthropy tour to Australia and Africa. Commencing with a stop in Australia, Boedecker wanted to learn more and gain first hand knowledge about the rising prevalence of lack of adequate educational programs and facilities, malnutrition and the disturbing escalation of child and substance abuse amongst Australia’s vulnerable Aboriginal children. To assist in the fact-finding effort, Boedecker assembled a team of highly respected business and community leaders and subject matter experts including, Geoffrey Towner, Managing Director for Amadeus Energy, Troy Dann, celebrity, rancher and CEO of Whip Cracking Productions and Mal Brough, former MP under the Howard Cabinet as Minister for Families,Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA). With assistance from the Foundation, the team is actively researching potential approach strategies to address the problem, accountingfor the isolated geographical locations of where the need is most, the importance of developing a repeatable and sustainable solution and ensuringl ocal NGO, community, tribal and government support.
Following Australia, Boedecker took the long journey to Ndola, Zambia, location of The Q Fund’s flagship initiative—Chimoza CommunitySchool. The Q Fund, a key initiative and 501(c)(3) grantee of the Foundation, serves close to 500 of Africa’s vulnerable children by providing a high quality education and support services to children who otherwise would not be able to afford attending school. Upon Boedecker’s arrival to the school, the sense of pride in their school, immense appreciation and life-long benefit bestowed upon the children and community was manifested with a full-day procession of song, children poem recitals and plays, traditional dance and speeches from community leaders. The day culminated in a tour of the school’s facilities, new construction projects and attendance of a 7th grade class.
Today, Chimoza Community School is set-up to serve children from pre-school through grade 7. With the current construction of a new classroom block, soon the school will be able to serve through grade 9, paving the way for students to complete their secondary school education and take their gift of an education and subsequently helping a new generation of those in need.