Gwyn Thomas
| **FEATURED, #inspired, Board of Directors, nicaragua, non-profit, nonprofit, spark, spark ventures, travel
Santiago’s Story – Las Tias, Niacaragua
TODAY A BARBER, TOMORROW...
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05
May
Gwyn Thomas
| **FEATURED, chicago, mexico, nicaragua, non-profit, nonprofit, nutrition, spark, spark ventures, zambia
COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security
The pandemic has disrupted the world in many ways. It has led to a dramatic loss of life and created an unprecedented challenge to public health systems, employment, and food security. Unfortunately, the communities that have been most impacted are also the ones least equipped...
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03
March
Welcome Home, Charles!
Dear Spark Community, Over the past month, we shared that there were several confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Hope community in Zambia, and that Charles Mumba, the Executive Director of Hope, was being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital. Today we have wonderful news to share...
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22
February
Another Important Update From Hope School in Zambia
Dear Spark Community, Over the past two weeks, we’ve sent updates to let you know about several confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Hope community in Zambia, one of whom was Charles Mumba, the Executive Director of Hope. Thank you so much for your many messages...
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04
February
Important Update about Hope School’s Executive Director
Dear Spark Community, Last week we sent an update to let you know that there were several confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Hope community in Zambia. Charles Mumba, the Executive Director of Hope, was one of the people who tested positive. Out of respect for...
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27
January
An Important COVID-19 Update
Dear Spark Community, Over the last year, it's been our commitment to keep our supporters updated on how the global pandemic is affecting our partners. Thanks to you, our emergency response fund has provided PPE, sanitation supplies, food and additional program support to our international partners....
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20
January
A New Year’s Message From Spark’s Executive Director
Friends of Spark, This year has created so many challenges for our partners but has also provided opportunities for growth, creative ways to interact, and new ways to stay connected. We find ourselves in a position of reflection and gratitude as we say goodbye to 2020...
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31
December
Dan Marcus – Board of Director Emeritus
Dan Marcus, along with Scott Barbeau and Rich Johnson traveled to Zambia in the summer of 2006. The trip was nothing short of life-changing and was the spark that inspired Spark Ventures. For over a decade now, Dan has served on the Spark Ventures Board,...
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04
November
Gwyn Thomas
| Board of Directors, chicago, non-profit, nonprofit, spark ventures, women's empowerment, zambia
Join Us in Welcoming, Vicki Kraft!
We are so thrilled to introduce Spark Ventures' new Board member - Vicki Kraft! Vicki is joining our team with a wealth of experience and knowledge from her involvement with an inner-city domestic violence shelter in Kansas City. We are so lucky to have her...
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19
August
Gwyn Thomas
| Business, business development, community programs, education, girls, non-profit, nonprofit, social good, spark, spark ventures, zambia
Village Banking in Ndola, Zambia
Our partner in Zambia, Hope Community School, continues to expand their reach to support and empower members of their community. Recently, they started a new community empowerment initiative called "Village Banking". The program is educating and empowering members of the community to understand and attain...
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17
June
Alexa Santangelo
| business development, community programs, nicaragua, nonprofit, nutrition, organization, public health, spark, spark ventures
Nicaragua Farm Initiative
Back in 2014, Spark Ventures laid the foundation to begin a new agribusiness in the beautiful mountains of Matagalpa, Nicaragua - the El Tuma Farm. Made possible by many generous Spark supporters, the farm has expanded into 170 acres and has employed numerous local workers. The following...
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27
May
Gwyn Thomas
| #inspired, community programs, healthcare, nonprofit, organization, public health, report from the field, spark, spark ventures
Staying Connected: An Update From Spark Ventures And Our Partners
A message from Spark Ventures' Executive Director, Kristin Schrepferman: Dear Friend of Spark, My thoughts are with all of you, your families, and people around the world who are struggling during these difficult times. Our lives have changed and we face challenges we...
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27
March
Gwyn Thomas
| education, girls, non-profit, nonprofit, social good, spark ventures, travel, women's empowerment, zambia
The Meaning of “Ubuntu”
Each one of Spark's grassroots partners is extremely unique. But no matter the location, the culture, or the environment, there’s one very special thing they all have in common: the people and their desire for a deeper connection to their communities and the world around them. We'd like...
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29
January
Christina Schutz
| #girleffect, business development, education, healthcare, partnership trip, public health, social good, spark ventures, travel, women's empowerment, zambia
Global Service Award Winner: Heather Duncan
At this year’s Fall Gala, we honored a very special member of our Spark family with our first ever Global Service Award. This award recognizes individuals whose service to the Spark Ventures community has gone above and beyond in unique and inspiring ways. For the...
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24
October
Christina Schutz
| business development, education, healthcare, non-profit, nonprofit, partnership trip, social good, spark, spark ventures, travel, zambia
How Zambia Shaped His Identity: Quinn Leach
For the past ten years, North Park University has partnered with Spark Ventures and Hope Community School. Every May, North Park students travel to Ndola to facilitate a 3-day health clinic for the students of Hope School. The clinic is meant to assess and treat...
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19
September
Gwyn Thomas
| Board of Directors, chicago, non-profit, nonprofit, spark ventures, women's empowerment, zambia
Spark’s Newest Board Member – Julie Cook
We are so thrilled to introduce Spark Ventures' new board member - Julie Cook. Julie has been a long-time Spark supporter and events committee member. Check out this interview to learn more about her history with Spark and what she's passionate about: What initially motivated you...
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17
July
Gwyn Thomas
| #graduation4all, education, girls, non-profit, nonprofit, nutrition, social entrepreneurship, social good, spark ventures, women's empowerment, zambia
Jane Mulenga: A New Chapter in Her Story
Since its inception in 2007, Spark Ventures has provided access to resources that were once out of reach and opportunities to children who deserve a chance to reach their full potential. Our sustainable outlook on education is lifting communities out of poverty and changing lives...
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04
June
Gwyn Thomas
| #graduation4all, #inspired, business development, community programs, education, healthcare, nicaragua, non-profit, nonprofit, organization, partnership trip, spark, spark ventures, travel
Las Tias Update
One year after the political demonstrations erupted in Nicaragua, Las Tías is stronger than ever! We spoke with Candida, one of Las Tías' directors, to gain some insight into what life was like in the midst of the unrest and what's happening now that it's...
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19
March
Gwyn Thomas
| #girleffect, #inspired, Art, Business, business development, community programs, education, girls, healthcare, non-profit, nonprofit, nutrition, public health, social good, spark ventures, women's empowerment, zambia
Introducing W.O.W. – Twapia’s Women of Worth!
The community of Twapia continues to be impacted across generations. We are excited to introduce you to W.O.W., Twapia's Women of Worth! W.O.W. The Women of Worth, “W.O.W.”, Group was formed to fulfill nutritional, healthcare, emotional and social needs of Twapia’s elderly women and to help them...
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20
February
Gwyn Thomas
| business development, education, non-profit, nonprofit, organization, partnership trip, social enterprise, spark ventures, zambia
A Look Back at 2018
Thank you for being a member of the Spark family in 2018! Please enjoy this year-end video as we reflect on the memories made and the lives forever changed. You are a vital part of the important work we are doing to transform communities around...
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28
December