PASSIONATE UNC STUDENT PROMOTES SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE IN KENYA

As the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s fall semester is coming to an end,

many students are busy studying for finals or finishing up internship applications for next

summer. However, unlike most students, Natalie Gauger is on the receiving end of internship

applications.

Gauger is a junior at UNC pursuing a degree in environmental studies and sustainability

and minoring in urban studies. Not only is she a proud advocate of environmentalism, but she is

also the co-chair of Carolina for Amani, a Campus Y organization that strives to raise money and

awareness for children in Kenya orphaned by poverty and HIV or AIDS.

“We aim to promote creativity, cultural appreciation, and ethical service,” Gauger said.

“By aiding children and women in Kenya, our social justice mission aims to empower and

support international communities.”

Carolina for Amani is the only university chapter of the Winston Salem-based Amani

Children’s Foundation. Through fundraising events and donations, the organization supports the
New Life Home Orphanages in Kenya where children are rescued and cared for before placing

them with loving families. Carolina for Amani also strives to build bridges between Kenyan and

American communities.

Gauger is currently working hard to send students on the four week Carolina for Amani

internship in Kenya. Interns work at one of the New Life Home Orphanages’ four locations in

Nairobi, Nyeri, Nakuru or Kisumu by assisting social workers. Their responsibilities include

drafting preliminary psycho-social reports, digitizing records, caregiving tasks and marketplace

correspondence.

“While in Kenya, interns also immerse themselves in cultural experiences,” she said.

Carolina for Amani looks for commitment to the internship and an understanding of ethical

service in applicants.

Gauger grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and began college at UNC in 2017. As a

first year, she joined the Campus Y, the center for social justice at UNC. It was there that she

first heard of Carolina for Amani. Before joining, she had little knowledge of the social justice

issue of abandoned children in Kenya, but she liked Amani the most of all the Campus Y

organizations.

“I enjoyed the general body meetings and the impact we are able to make on an

international community,” Gauger said.

After her first semester with the organization, she applied for an executive position and

has been a co-chair ever since. Still, Carolina for Amani is not the only UNC organization

Gauger is a part of. She volunteers for a number of organizations, including The Sonder Market,

Museum of Life and Science, Catalyst Conference, Project Sunshine, Carrboro Farmers Market

and Edible Campus. She is also the Vice President of Service and Leadership and Development
Chair for Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, and a member of Epsilon Eta, Buildings and Grounds

Committee, Campus Y, and the American Asian Student Association.

Unlike the other organizations Gauger is a part of, she appreciates Carolina for Amani for

the creative nature of the general body meetings and the ability to make members feel relaxed

while also contributing to an impactful cause.

“I believe in Amani’s mission and want to further contribute to these values,” Gauger

said. “I enjoy having an amazing executive team. This year we have worked well together, as

well as made strides for the organization. We have raised record-breaking funds and have

organized multiple events.”

Carolina for Amani has raised over $2,400 this year and plans to meet their goal of

$4,000. This was made possible by the sale of kazuri beads and jewelry made by Kenyan women

in Nairobi. Gauger is motivated by the impact the organization makes on the New Life Homes

and the stories brought back from interns.

After graduating, Gauger is unsure if she will continue her work with Carolina for

Amani, however, she is interested in international work and hopes to do something at the

intersection of planning and the environment.

Still, Gauger wants to see Carolina for Amani grow in its number of members and raise

even more money by the time she graduates.

“This year has been great for diversity, but we can still do more,” she said. “We could

improve our marketing tactics to reach more communities on campus.”

Gauger believes the organization is an incredible opportunity for UNC students to learn

about Kenyan culture and make an impact on communities in both Kenya and Chapel Hill. Not
only is the Carolina for Amani internship an exceptional experience, but it allows students the

opportunity to engage in ethical service and a different culture.