Swap your cup of java to spread hope and help to children with Type 1 Diabetes in Ethiopia
I want to help these kids gain access to the type of care, help, and support that I have been blessed to receive throughout my journey with diabetes. Just because they on the other side of the world, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get quality medical care.
Marina
Undergraduate at The University of Southern California
California, USA
If you could trade your daily cup of coffee to help make a child’s life better, would you?
My name is Marina, I have Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and I began my journey creating the Kaffa Exchange as a freshman in high school. After trip to Ethiopia, in December 2018, to visit some of my father’s relatives (he was born in Ethiopia) and bring supplies to children living with Type 1 Diabetes, I decided to make it my mission to do more. I started the Kaffa Exchange project so I could help people in Ethiopia with T1D, like me, who don’t have the same resources available to them.
I decided on the name the Kaffa Exchange because coffee originated in the Kaffa Region of Ethiopia and I wanted to make it easy for people to help out by exchanging the money they might spend on a coffee ($5) to help pay for life-saving medical supplies and diabetes education. My hope was to make it easy for anyone to participate in the effort; and with enough people, a real impact could be made. Every donation counts and makes a big difference!
As I mentioned above, Ethiopia is where my Dad was born, so I feel a special connection with the people there. Having seen firsthand the obstacles kids and adults with T1D have to overcome, I gained a new appreciation for all the resources I have access to here in the United States. I’ve been fortunate to live in an area of the world where care is much easier to get in addition to being blessed with parents who have helped and supported me on my T1D journey. Most importantly, our visit to Ethiopia gave me an intense desire to help others less fortunate.
Mahatma Gandhi one said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This is exactly what I have aimed to achieve through the Kaffa Exchange. I want to bring awareness to the world about what they desperately need to live better, healthier lives with less risk of long-term complications.
Prior to our trip, my Mom and I collected donated diabetes supplies for a pediatric endocrinology clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Even though we brought thousands of dollars worth of life-saving supplies, it was obvious that it was really only a drop in the bucket compared to what patients with diabetes in Ethiopia really need.
Since our trip, I’ve learned from global diabetes experts the area where a layperson like me, can have the most impact is diabetes education. Living with diabetes is equal parts science and art or finesse. The art part of living with diabetes is acquired from diabetes education classes, seminars, guest speakers, and belonging to the diabetic community. My family and I have learned so much from others who have traveled this road before us and by getting involved in the incredible diabetic community in the Bay Area.
With this in mind, and with the help of many generous family, friends, and strangers, the Kaffa Exchange has arranged three more deliveries of life-saving supplies and raised over $10,000 to pay for the printing of an Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia) translation of Dr. Santosh Gupta’s book, Living the Sweet Life with Diabetes. Our endocrinologist contacts in Ethiopia have said ‘this book will be transformative for their patients, by giving them access to simple medically approved strategies to help them achieve better blood sugar outcomes. With better outcomes, diabetes-related complications can be reduced or postponed, increasing quality of life. In some small way, our goal at the Kaffa Exchange is to contribute to making these positive outcomes a reality.
UPDATE: The Amharic translation as well as an Afaan Oromo translation of “Living the Sweet Life with Diabetes” by Santosh Gupta is complete and the books have now been distributed to patients. The money raised going forward will go toward efforts to train more pediatric endocrinologists/diabetes specialists to increase access to medical advice and care. Here are some pictures of the dedication I wrote for the translated books:
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The Kaffa Exchange is 501(c)(3) approved – 501(c)3 number 85-308-3905
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D), once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Different factors, including genetics and some viruses, may contribute to type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults. Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. Treatment focuses on managing blood sugar levels with insulin, diet and lifestyle to prevent complications. (www.mayoclinic.org)
How is living with Type 1 Diabetes different in Ethiopia?
Type 1 Diabetes is a challenging disease to have in the United States, but even more challenging in the developing world. Supplies are expensive and scarce. Specialized diabetes education is needed to help patients learn how to safely store their insulin without refrigeration, understand how native foods will affect their blood sugar and what decisions need to be made with the information provided by glucometers. Studies show that additional test strips and proper implementation of diabetes education programs in the developing world can improve average blood sugar and significantly reduce diabetes-related complications.
What is The Kaffa Exchange?
I picked the name The Kaffa Exchange for our fundraising effort because (1) coffee originated in the Kaffa Region of Ethiopia and (2) I wanted to make it really easy for people to participate by exchanging what they might spend on a cup of coffee. If enough people contribute $5, we can really help bring hope to children and adults with diabetes in Ethiopia, by delivering access to more supplies and diabetes education. The Kaffa Exchange is my way of being the change I want to see in the world!
Thank You to our Donors!
Whitney VanderWilt Wallace
Debra Cohen
Debra Cohen
Jo Healey
Victoria Tyra
Julie Morris
Bruce Buckingham
Tekleberhan Raesu
Hello Marina this is Hyab Hagos' uncle I live in bay area. Hyab told me a lot about you and I am so proud of you.
Debra Cohen
Marina and her mother, Bonnie, will make a tremendous impact on the lives of Type 1 diabetics in Ethiopia and elsewhere, now and in the future. Fabulous work, you two!
Ayla Kanow
Marina, you do amazing things and I am beyond impressed with everything you do! I love you and I am so proud to call you my friend. Keep changing the world!!
Anonymous
So happy to help support your work in Ethiopia.
Eileen Mougeot
I go to Ambo every year. I was supposed to be there right now but had to cancel! Would love to talk sometime!
Contact Us: kaffaexchange@gmail.com