Intern with GEF this Fall!

Global Education Fund (GEF) in a nonprofit organization based in Boulder, Colorado that works with promising but disadvantaged youth around the world to improve their lives and the lives of their communities through education. Founded in 1998, GEF has worked in over 20 countries, helped stock more than 70 libraries with books and provided over 60 motivated youth with high school scholarships and leadership training.

Global Education Fund is proud to announce the availability of an exciting internship in our Boulder office. We offer a flexible internship with the ability to fit your educational needs and earn credits.

GEF seeks a highly motivated, self-starting student who is passionate about international development and education. The intern will provide support to GEF staff and gain valuable skills and insights while assisting with day-to-day administrative tasks, event planning, communications, research and volunteer outreach for GEF. Internships with Global Education Fund are unpaid, but the hours are part-time and the schedule can be flexible. If your degree program requires you to do an internship, this can be used as course credit, where applicable. This internship will provide a skilled student the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of areas including:

FUNDRAISING & EVENT PLANNING
o Assist with planning & implementation of special events and follow up
o Assist with donor tracking and follow-up
o Draft letters, mail out and follow-up with donors and special guests
o Assist in the preparation of event materials and communications including newsletters, email blasts, etc.

MARKETING
o Assist with implementation of marketing strategies
o Research and data entry projects

REQUIREMENTS
* Commitment to a flexible work schedule of 15-20 hours per week
* Experience in database management and/or the manipulation of spreadsheets is helpful
* Experience gathering information through internet research
* Excellent writing skills
* Excellent interpersonal communication skills
* Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously
* Attention to detail and accountability is required

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should email their cover letters and resumes to Maria Ranallo, GEF Development and Administrative Associate. The cover letter should note your availability and your specific interest in Global Education Fund.

Maria Ranallo
Development and Administrative Associate
maria@globaleducationfund.org
303.415.9935

Global Education Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

News on the Kenya Referendum Today

The Standard is reporting that "an estimated 8 million voters cast their ballots during the referendum exercise out of the 12.4 million total registered voters. YES still on the lead with 2, 993, 506 (66.3 %) and NO 1, 519, 698 (33.7 %)" Follow the online feed here

The New York Times has a couple new articles on today's vote: Pain Lingers From 2007 Vote in Kenya and Kenya Stakes Reinvention on Constitution Vote

We have been getting updates and thoughts from our students, partners and friends in Kenya who voted today. Everyone is hopeful.

We are all watching what is happening very closely.

Kenya Referendum

Tomorrow in Kenya is the referendum on the proposed new constitution. This has been a hot topic from the start with lots of emotion from both sides of the debate. There are several points of contention including land reform, abortion and Kadhi courts (Muslim courts) and the make up of the executive branch (particularly pertaining to the role and authority of the prime minister - coming directly out of the 2007 election and the resulting coalition).

Everyone is hopeful that this will be a peaceful referendum, but it will be worth watching the news tonight and tomorrow to find out the result of the vote and the reactions from the people. We'll also let you know if we learn anything.

The Human Security Watch just reported the following from Al Jazeera:

KENYA: Hundreds Flee as Violence Feared Ahead of Elections
Kenyan authorities are preparing for the country's first vote since the controversial 2007-08 election that left more than 1,000 people dead.

An 18,000 additional police officers have been deployed to potential hotspots ahead of Wednesday's ballot on a new constitution.

Politicians and analysts predict that the referendum will be largely peaceful, but several hundred people in the country's Rift Valley have already fled their homes before the vote, fearing a new flare-up.

The Rift Valley is home to the largest concentration of Kenyans planning to vote against the constitution and the site of some of the worst attacks during the last elections.

Halfway There

Congratulations! We're halfway there! 12,274 sparkles have been sent to benefit our scholars in Kenya. Join the movement today! Click here to send a sparkle. Thank you!

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Over $6,000 Raised for GEF!

Thanks to IZZE and everyone out there participating in the IZZE Sparkle Campaign, over $6,000 has been raised so far in support of Global Education Fund programs in Kenya! There is the opportunity to raise up to $25,000 for Kenya, so please keep sending those sparkles! Every dollar raised goes a long way in support of Kenyan students!

Click here to start a sparkle through facebook. Learn more about GEF Kenya through pictures and recent blog posts by clicking here and here.

Thank you for your support!

Exams in Kenya

The Daily Nation reports that "A Million to Sit for National Exams" in an article published today. Check out the article by clicking here

GEF Summer - Poems from Kenya

By Suzanne

While Julie and I were in Kenya we were surprised by amazing poems, dramas, speeches, artwork, etc. created by the GEF Scholars celebrating Global Education Fund. Here is the poem from the scholars of Lorna Waddington. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Never will we forget
Your endeavors, efforts
Struggling for us a lot
Day in day out
So that we achieve life fruits
Thank you GEF, for keeping our education safe.

Education would have been more difficult
But you have freed us from illiteracy extricate
As we know that its roots are bitter
But you have made it sweeter
Thank you GEF for keeping our education safe.

We are now in flight GEF
And the plane has taken off
We are definitely going to land safe
And we will really rejoice and laugh
Because we know you are the best pilots
Thank you, GEF for keeping our education safe.

Our minds are now sharp and not blunt
Our heart filled with joy and not vacant
We do grant you our gratitude’s
We have hundred percent attitudes towards you
Thank you ,GEF for keeping our education safe.

You have helped multitude
On their behalf we give gratitude
You have climbed higher altitude
Your hearts are kind and good
Thank you, GEF for keeping our education safe.