Khris Nedam
Livonia, Michigan

A Cash Donation in honor of Khris Nedam will be
donated to Kids4AfghanKids, a non-profit organization to
re-establish educational facilities for boys and girls in Afghanistan. For more information about this organization log on to www.kids4afghankids.com.

• Nominator: Greg Bergin, fellow teacher
• Category: Education

Global Understanding

In Khris Nedam’s classroom, world-class citizenship is her teaching goal. Students actively research and investigate different cultures through guest speakers, the Internet and cross-country collaboration. In 2007, Nedam’s class worked with schools in Russia and in Illinois to co-create an informational Web site. They also exchanged e-mails, care packages and letters.

Commitment & Impact

With her students, Nedam founded “Kids4AfghanKids,” a project which now has supporters and contributors throughout the United States and several schools in Europe, thanks to the marketing, advocacy and professional development provided by Nedam. Nedam has provided workshops to various community groups locally (e.g. Rotary, AAUW), throughout the state (e.g. University of Michigan, Henry Ford College), and to groups across the United States (e.g. Harvard Circle of Women, Santa Barbara Rotary). Her networking and advocacy has resulted not only in recognition from the Governor of Michigan and U.S. Congress, but also in various national and international resources (e.g. UNICEF, Pat Mesiti and Peace Corps). The Kids4AfghanKids project is endorsed by the Center for International Disaster Information.

• “Khris Nedam glues the organization together and keeps it focused on its goal of reaching across borders to make a better world together.” Greg Bergin, friend, colleague and past president of the Northville Education Association.

• “Why do I find it so easy to nominate Mrs. Nedam? Rewind the videotape to September 11, 2001 and the tragedy at the World Trade Center. Probably the best example of how (Kids4AfghanKids) has had an impact on my students has been the interviews of students after 9-11 by various media (including ABC’s 20/20). For third-graders, what you hear is a level of maturity, tolerance and empathy from global understanding and responsibility from community service that is way beyond their years. Afghanistan was a country with their friends in it.” Stephen A. Anderson, Principal, Amerman Elementary School.

From Nedam’s network of resources, Kids4AfghanKids found a village that donated 17 acres for a school. Countless fundraisers and donations raised money to build a six-room schoolhouse for its first class of 450 students (boys and girls) in March of 2001. Books and immunizations have been obtained from UNICEF. Their efforts built a school, medical clinic, bakery/kitchen, guest house, orphanage, and the only deep-water well in the area. The Japanese Embassy completed a building for women’s education. The enrollment is now over 1,200 students.

Background