Elin Sagbråten: Ambassador

Elin Sagbråten is a Human Resource Manager for a multinational company. She visited Amani Children’s Home as part of Amani’s Ambassador Program in April of 2008.

“I knew that I had a break between two jobs and searched on Google for volunteer work with children in Africa. Luckily, I found the Amani website and contacted their volunteer coordinator. I got such a positive and enthusiastic response that I was never in doubt that this was the right thing for me to do,” says Elin.

Elin was inspired to become an Ambassador for the Amani children because she wanted to help children less fortunate than those in Norway. “It was great for me to combine being a help for others and at the same time getting to know a different culture, people and another area of the world.”

The most rewarding part of supporting the Amani children for Elin was seeing the happiness of the children as they played games, sang and danced. “I remember the smiles, the hugs, and the interest they showed in learning new things, seeing the difference in my skin and my hair.”

While at Amani, Elin introduced the game “dance-freeze” to the children. She moved all the tables and chairs to the back of the cafeteria to create a huge dance floor. The kids were divided into groups and when the music starts the kids start dancing. When the music stops the kids must stay in the same position and not move until the music starts again. “The kids were so engaged and danced away as if there were no tomorrow. I love dancing as well and had to take part!”

Amani Ambassadors also help the children at Amani by raising funds to be used for healthy food, clean clothes, education, medical care and counseling. Elin is planning to organize a group of her friends to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for Amani and has asked her employer to match the funds they raise.

Elin lives with her husband Matt. They live in Nesoddtangen, a city near Oslo, Norway.