FebFest proceeds benefit One Heart With Africa charities

by Jordyn Taylor '12
NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

While FebFest is best known for its entertaining activities, one of its furthest reaching successes is its involvement with charities, particularly Hamilton’s One Heart With Africa. Last week, the organization executed various fundraising initiatives to improve the living conditions of people in African countries.

The idea for Hamilton’s One Heart with Africa program came from a non-profit organization of the same name, which provides education and health programs to developing African nations. Initially, the funds raised by Hamilton’s One Heart With Africa were donated entirely to the non-profit organization. Over time, as the program grew and evolved, it sent donations to a wider variety of likeminded charities. Katie Gambir ’11 said that now, “Money [goes] to various worthy organizations benefitting the develop[ment] of African nations, such as Ubuntu, Kiva and [the organization] charity:water.”

Mr. Hamilton, one of last week’s most highly-anticipated events, was both a crowd pleaser and a successful means of raising money and awareness for a worthy cause. Prior to the event, One Heart With Africa sold T-shirts and admission tickets in the Beinecke Student Activities Village, raising approximately $400. On Thursday afternoon, the organization also sold hot chocolate in the Kirner-Johnson Building.

Gambir said, “Despite the unusually warm weather, we made over $100. A lot of people declined the hot chocolate, but still supported the cause by donating a dollar.”


The proceeds from Mr. Hamilton and the hot chocolate sale went to charity:water, an organization that provides clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. According to the charity’s website, “Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80 percent of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.” Charity:water has raised more than $20 million and funded 3,196 water projects.

According to Charity:water, $20 is enough to give one person access to clean drinking water. Thanks to One Heart With Africa and the donations of Hamilton students, 25 more people will be able to drink water safely. Twenty-five may not seem like a huge number, but it’s just the beginning; Gambir promises that One Heart With Africa is planning another fundraising event in the spring.