By Jim Kober | Executive Director
Dear Friends,
The Native American Advancement Foundation's (NAAF) Gu Vo Academic After-School Program is going strong for Spring Semester 2016. We are averaging over 30 youth per day, and our students are loving the academic, fitness, and arts and crafts lessons. Gu Vo District on the Tohono O'odham Nation is tucked away in a gorgeous run of Arizona desert that is many, many miles from anywhere. While this distance lends to the amazing beauty and serenity of the District, it also leaves young students who wish to explore the world outside with few options, especially if their family lacks a vehicle. We make up for this in the after-school program by taking these great students on field trips to places like the University of Arizona, Biosphere 2, and even a Phoenix Suns NBA game where members of the Gu Vo Youth Council performed traditional Tohono O'odham singing and dancing during halftime!
Speaking of our Youth Council, these young leaders comprised of local high school students have been an amazing addition to our program, showing up daily to lend a hand with anything and everything from helping the younger students with their homework to daily set up and break down of our space. The Youth Council are amazing mentors. When the younger students see these older students succeeding and leading, they are inspired to follow the same path, and they know through determination and study they too can get there.
You, the donor, made this happen! We appreciate your support greatly and ask that you consider us when donating in the future. The success of our students is only possible if you join us on this journey.
We recently asked our students what they thought about the after-school program and living in Gu Vo. Here is what they had to say:
NAAF: What is your favorite things about living in Gu Vo District?
River (age 16): Helping the little kids and being O'odham.
Zackery (age 5): My mom and dad.
Jaeney (age 15): It's really fun hanging out and helping with the program. And the landscape of Gu Vo...it's pretty at any time of the day.
Raymanda (age 15): Being here at the after-school program!
NAAF: What is your favorite subject to study?
Elijah (age 12): Science is my favorite, because we get to do fun stuff!
Zackery (age 5): Math!!!
Malachie (age 8): Math, because I learn a lot!
NAAF: Tell us how the older kids help with the program.
Laci (age 8): I love them. They help us with our homework!
Elijah (age 12): They're cool. I want to be like them someday and help kids like me with homework.
Thank you for taking the time to read our report, and thank you for your support. Please sign up for updates from our webpage at the link below. After clicking the link and being directed to our website, the sign-up field is on the right side of the page.
Kindly,
Jim Kober, MPA
Executive Director
Native American Advancement Foundation (NAAF)
520.331.2664
jkober@inaaf.org
NativeAmericanAdvancement.org
NAAF Facebook
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