University Communications

Jen Verela ’08,Political Science Professor Jim Pletcher and Lauren Kendall ’08

Make no mistake about it, senior Lauren Kendall is passionate about Namibia. Five minutes into a conversation with her, and her enthusiasm already has you in its grip. You find yourself casting about for ways to help this dynamic young woman. Kendall’s drive was the force behind a special evening at Brews Café that raised more than $1,800 for Hope Initiatives Southern Africa (HISA).

An international studies major at Denison University, Kendall spent a semester in Namibia. The experience galvanized her passion to be of service because poverty is a reality for most of the population. Fifty percent depend on subsistence agriculture, according to U.S. government statistics. HIV/AIDs infect more than 21 percent of adults and it is estimated that AIDs has left about 108,000 orphans in a country of 2 million people.

Kendall, who hopes to join the Peace Corps after graduation, started a branch of HISA last fall at Denison with a goal of raising $1,000. With the help of many other Denison students including, Jennifer Varela ’08, Sarah Bender ’09 and Beza Ayalew ’09, more than $4,000 was raised by semester’s end, which went to fund water and sewer connection lines in Namibia.

The Brews event featured music by Denison student singing groups Ladies’ Night Out and Tehillah and a jazz band. Reese Jordan performed for two hours and a popular student D.J. spun tunes from midnight to 2 a.m. Between donations at the door and a raffle, more than $1,800 was netted for HISA, which will fund other necessities in Namibia. Kendall says the money will be “a catalyst to encourage people to take charge of their own lives.”