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Nov 2006 Issue
by Cheryl Stewart Osborn
The hymn “Because I Have Been Given Much” is a family anthem for Glenn and Elisabeth Bingham, formerly of Henderson, Nevada, but now residing in St. George, Utah. It underscores their desire to serve underprivileged people in countries all over the world.
Seven years ago they created the LDS youth service organization Alliance for Youth Service (AYS) to provide an opportunity for LDS youth to participate in humanitarian service trips in an environment conducive to their standards. Both Glenn and Elisabeth led several trips to areas of Brazil, Peru, New Zealand, and Nicaragua to build or repair houses, orphanages, and classrooms, and to build a shelter for street children.
In addition, the Binghams are improving the lives of people living on the small desert islands of Cape Verde off the west coast of Africa by increasing their opportunities for education and employment.
“Because I have been blessed, I feel the obligation to bless others,” says Glenn. “It’s very satisfying to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
A retired business man who himself started and sold several successful businesses, Glenn was initially asked by the LDS church to evaluate potential employment opportunities in Cape Verde.
What he found were desolate islands that were once controlled by Portugal as a thriving center for slave trade, but are now completely deforested, over-fished, and devoid of natural resources.
“Without a way to earn an income, those anxious to improve their lives have little hope,” says Elisabeth.
Though the initial program was determined not viable for the area, the Binghams decided to stay and independently provide assistance. Their initial efforts focused primarily on members of the LDS church, but now reach to anyone wishing to participate.
Through the Ashby Foundation, the Bingham’s nonprofit charitable organization, scholarships are provided to those who cannot afford to pay the $20 per month tuition for public schooling beyond the sixth grade. Though $20 is an inconsequential amount to most Americans, the monthly income of most families in Cape Verde is under $120. For these families, tuition is a luxury they simply cannot afford, so the youth drop out of school.
“We saw the need to keep the youth in school, so we modeled our scholarships on the church’s Perpetual Education Fund,” says Glenn.
Because the 50 percent unemployment rate on the islands reduces the likelihood of students obtaining a job to pay back an education loan, the foundation requires only that scholarship recipients “pay it back” in community service hours. This has the double benefit of helping both the students and their communities.
During the past four years, the Ashby Foundation has provided more than 1,200 yearly scholarships, which were paid back in 150,000 community service hours. Students have painted schools and hospitals, built a house for a handicapped man, assisted at handicap facilities and rest homes, and tutored younger students.
In October, Glenn was present when the first group of scholarship recipients was recognized for graduating from high school, which was a “very satisfying” experience for him.
The Ashby Foundation also seeks to increase employment opportunities on the islands through training programs, apprenticeships, and assisting in starting up micro-businesses. To date, the foundation has facilitated the establishment of nearly 60 small businesses.
Through the apprentice program, youth and adults who have an interest in a trade are matched with a potential employer. The foundation financially supplements the employer for training the apprentice, which makes it possible for the employer to hire the trainee.
“We currently have 32 people in the apprentice program with a 95 percent success rate of the
apprentice finding suitable employment afterwards,” says Glenn.
The Binghams link with other service organizations and eagerly accept the charitable assistance of individuals who donate to the Ashby Foundation or who come to Cape Verde to help. Last year a dentist and his wife treated more than 60 patients. An orthopedic surgeon is scheduled to come in November.
They are currently looking for professional volunteers in the following fields:
- Commercial fisherman
- Retail clothing
- Employment agency
“Whether going on a humanitarian service trip for a week or sending supplies such as school kits or personal hygiene kits, everyone’s service helps,” says Elisabeth. She noted that two recent Eagle Scout projects have benefited Cape Verde with the donations of new white shirts for Aaronic Priesthood holders and used eye glasses the sight impaired. The Relief Society sisters of the Green Valley Stake once took up a donation to help a young couple travel to Spain to be married in the temple.
For more information on how to help in Cape Verde visit www.ashbyfoundation.org. For more about AYS visit www.ays.org.
