DavidsonNews.net

Brenda Barger’s June 19 Around Davidson column described how Davidson resident Hans Deissel will be chaperoning a group of high school students (including Alex Gunn of Davidson) to a town in Rwanda to do volunteer work at a health clinic and school. The trip is sponsored by the Echo Foundation, which has a focus on humanitarian and educational concerns.

In the lead-up to the trip, which departs for Rwanda July 8, Davidson residents have responded to this story and are lending support to the trip. That includes the contribution of soccer supplies by Pat Millen, medical and traveling advice from Dr. Steve Justus, and a website promotion by Tammy Forthofer - all of Davidson.

Pat Millen of Integrity Sports Marketing, a home business based in Davidson, has teamed up with Steve Fear of Eurosport in Hillsborough, N.C., to donate 15 brand new soccer balls, a ball bag and two hand pumps.

“We are thrilled that the children of Rwinkwavu, specifically of the primary school Nkondo, will have the joy and opportunity to learn the game of soccer,” Echo Foundation President Stephanie Ansaldo told DavidsonNews.net. “By the way, two student ambassadors, Gabby Reed of East Mecklenburg and Clare Rizer of Catholic, are both excellent soccer players who participate on their school teams and will lead us all in soccer lessons while we are in Rwanda! Echo Rwanda Project Manager and Chaperone, Hans Diessel, will also be called on for his soccer expertise!”

Meanwhile, Tammy Forthofer, an independent sales consultant for The Body Shop At Home, is hoping to be able to provide school and art supplies through a business promotion. Ms. Forthofer will be donating to Echo ten percent of all sales from her website from June 21-July 5.

In addition, Dr. Steve Justus of Davidson, is an advisor for the group on traveling in Africa and the delivery of health care in areas of extreme poverty.

Filed under: Around Davidson, Davidson and the World