Building a Future (BAF) is an international, philanthropic nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of impoverished children in Latin America. BAFFUSAM currently operates in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
| Founded | 2007 by Robert Furr, Jordan Baucum, David Hollon, Jose Mahomar, and Evan Loomis in Plano, TX |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit, Interest group |
| Location |
|
| Services | Media attention, educational assistance, community support center construction |
| Fields | Improving the lives of impoverished children in Latin America |
Key people |
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| Website | buildingafuture.org |
History
editIn December 2007, Building a Future became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. BAF was started in 2004 by a group of Texas A&M University students. They were inspired to do something of social importance that would have an impact at an international level.
Jose Mahomar and Robert Furr (now BAF Directors) took a leap of faith by proposing a philanthropic idea that would seek to provide education to impoverished children in Honduras. The idea for BAF[1] started in a class titled ‘Academy for Future International Leaders’ and then developed into an organized effort supported by Texas A&M University and is currently in process of forming a partnership with the Borlaug Institute. Jose and Robert decided to keep pursuing their vision and some of their closest friends at TAMU joined in.[2]
Programs
editTexaco Family Support Center
editSince January 2006, Building A Future (BAF) has served a community of over 500 children with the construction the Texaco Family Support Center. This was BAF's first project initiative and its success has confirmed the desire to create a bigger impact in other communities in Honduras.[3][4][5]
In June 2008, BAF secured another additional donation from Chevron Texaco to provide educational material, such as a computer, a projector, and a photocopier, to the center.
Junior Master Gardener Program
editIn February 2009, BAF in partnership with the Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M University will host the Junior Master Gardener Program. This program includes curriculum which educates children with a special focus on agriculture[6] and has the potential to be implemented at other educational facilities throughout Honduras as.[7]
1,000 Children are in Need Campaign
editIn July 2009, BAF began a campaign to keep eight family support centers in Tegucigalpa, Honduras from closing due to a lack of funding. As a result of the political turmoil, the centers did not receive subsidies that they depend on to remain operational. To prevent these centers from closing or reducing operations, BAF sought to raise at least US$12,000 to fill the gap.[8]
Fun in the Park Event
editAs part of this campaign, BAF plans to host a fundraising event in Coconut Grove's Kennedy Park near Miami, FL on August 15, 2009.[9] The event will have food, games, and entertainment and in exchange for suggested donations to support the campaign.
References
edit- ^ Article in The Battalion, Texas A&M University's Student Newspaper
- ^ Qi, Y., Hamzah, S. H., Gu, E., Wang, H., Xi, Y., Sun, M., Rong, S., Lin, Q. (August 2021). "Is School Gardening Combined with Physical Activity Intervention Effective for Improving Childhood Obesity? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Nutrients. 13 (8). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute: 2605. doi:10.3390/nu13082605. ISSN 2072-6643. PMC 8402215. PMID 34444765.
- ^ Article from Diario Tiempo, San Pedro Sula, September 7, 2006
- ^ Article in El Heraldo, Tegucigalpa, September 22, 2006
- ^ Article in Texas A&M University's Insight Magazine [permanent dead link]
- ^ Official Junior Master Gardener Website
- ^ Evans, A (13 September 2016). "Impact of school-based vegetable garden and physical activity coordinated health interventions on weight status and weight-related behaviors of ethnically diverse, low-income students: Study design and baseline data of the Texas, Grow! Eat! Go! (TGEG) cluster-randomized controlled trial". BMC Public Health. 16 (1): 973. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3453-7. ISSN 1471-2458. PMC 5022204. PMID 27624139.
- ^ "BAF - 1,000 Children are in Need". Archived from the original on 2010-08-02. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ Miami Herald [dead link]
