| Whether it's George Clooney publicizing the | | | | tapping into their creative energy through an |
| violence in Darfur, Bono campaigning for debt | | | | art program that includes painting and |
| relief, or Angelina Jolie visiting as a | | | | dance," she says. "In addition, by focusing |
| United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, stars are | | | | on sustainable agriculture and environmental |
| using their wattage to raise public awareness | | | | preservation, we can help them become |
| about the problems facing Africa today. Hand | | | | responsible stewards of the land." Leaving a |
| in hand with other celebs, Oprah Winfrey | | | | small environmental footprint is central to |
| recently opened her Leadership Academy for | | | | the philosophy of Help for Orphans. To that |
| Girls in South Africa. "Despite their | | | | end, the organization has engaged AB |
| efforts, there remain millions of orphaned | | | | Architekten ( a New York architectural firm |
| African children who need nutritious food, | | | | that specializes in designing "green" |
| clean water, housing, and an education," says | | | | buildings. "We want to teach by example," |
| Sarah Ehrlich, founder and president of the | | | | explains Ehrlich, who is footing 100 percent |
| non-profit Help for Orphans ( "Although every | | | | of the administrative costs of the |
| effort helps, the challenge is to create a | | | | organization. "It's important to assure our |
| sustainable system that nurtures and educates | | | | donors that their $30-per-month sponsorships |
| children for years to come." The numbers are | | | | are going directly to the children for food |
| stark. According to the United Nations, the | | | | and school supplies, and that other donations |
| number of African orphans increased from 30.9 | | | | are being used for building projects, food, |
| million to 41.9 million between 1990 and | | | | and educational materials." Ehrlich and her |
| 2000, and projections suggest that the number | | | | team are preparing for a trip to Kenya, where |
| will increase to 53.1 million by the year | | | | they will partner with additional orphanages |
| 2010. But Ehrlich is up to the challenge. | | | | in order to sponsor their children and build |
| Inspired by an organization in India that has | | | | more schools, as well as to donate books, |
| several hundred orphanage schools and that | | | | food, and school supplies. But Ehrlich |
| encourages children who graduate to give | | | | doesn't feel her mission will be accomplished |
| back, Ehrlich's Help for Orphans ( has | | | | until Help for Orphans has launched at least |
| already given thousands of books to | | | | 500 schools all over the globe. "We are |
| orphanages in Uganda, Kenya, and India. | | | | starting in Africa, but there are orphans in |
| Moreover, the organization is currently | | | | many countries who need our help," she says. |
| building two orphanage schools in Kenya; the | | | | "Right now, we're focusing on Africa, but we |
| Kisumu school will educate 60 children, while | | | | also have immediate plans to build |
| the Kisii school will educate another 50 | | | | sustainable schools for orphans in southern |
| children. While the Reading and Phonics | | | | India and Central America. Eventually, we |
| Curriculum by Applied Scholastics ( will be | | | | will launch efforts in Southeast Asia, North |
| central, Ehrlich wants to go beyond the | | | | and South America, and Europe." Ehrlich says |
| basics to provide students with the tools | | | | the response to Help for Orphans has been |
| they need to support themselves within their | | | | overwhelming, and concludes, "When you do the |
| culture. "In order to truly make a | | | | right thing, everything seems to take off." |
| difference, we also need to raise their | | | | Ehrlich's ability to create that synergy is |
| self-confidence by teaching them about human | | | | certain to help African orphans take off and |
| rights, values, how to avoid HIV, and by | | | | reach for the stars. |