Culture Kids International

This coming Saturday we are hosting our very first fundraising event. We are both anxious and excited for this opportunity to invest our time and effort into those we have current partnerships with, as well as those we hope will help to build our every growing network. Even though it seems a bit personal, I (Kari) would like to share our fundraising letter which we sent out in order to excite the interest of others. I believe this letter perfectly describes who we are, what we are doing, and what we hope to accomplish with this fundraiser. Letter: Dear Friend, We would like to introduce you to Culture Kids International and give you some information about us. Culture Kids International is an organization in its beginning stages but with big dreams. The originators are Amanda Khaukha (Alexander), David Khaukha, Kari Wheeler, and Elissa Dale. Amanda, Kari, and Elissa attended North Central University together, pursuing degrees in Intercultural Studies. The three ladies,

Role with CKI: Director of Business and Communication David grew up in eastern Uganda, Africa. He currently lives in Minneapolis, MN. While in Uganda, David studied Mass Communication Journalism at Kampala International University. He is now a full-time student working on his Business Management degree. Over the past few years he gained a certification in Community Health Work and volunteered with organizations such as Children's Dental Services and Brian Coyle Community Center working with low-income, minority youth. David and his daughter, Suubi. David has a passion for youth, soccer, education, and technology. He strives toward making a better future for the youth of Uganda.

Role with CKI: Director of Community Outreach Amanda was born and raised just north of Dallas, Texas. Before leaving Dallas, Amanda served as a youth and worship leader for her home church and worked with a homeless ministry called SOUL Ministries leading the music service and serving those present.  In 2009, she moved to Minneapolis, MN, to continue her college education. She attended North Central University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and received a minor in Biblical Studies. During her time at North Central, Amanda interned as the Assistant Site Director for Next Step Ministries in Nassau, Bahamas. Here she worked with a small HIV/AIDS community leading teen and college age youth in short-term missions and working on building projects for the residents. She also served as part of the worship team during her internship. This experience lit a fire in her that had been smoldering within for a

Role with CKI:  Director of Creative Arts, Co-Chair of Education Adventures in Scotland. Elissa is from small town, central Minnesota. She grew up taking dance classes and performing in plays and musicals, as well as being an active member in band and choir. At the beginning of her college journey, she was involved in the International Traveling Classroom where she traveled to nine different European countries. This sparked her desire to travel and work overseas.  Elissa moved to Minneapolis to attend college at North Central University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Studies with an emphasis in Children and Youth in Crisis and a Minor in Biblical Studies. Besides her main coursework, Elissa earned many credits toward a Dance Minor.  While at North Central, Elissa took a trip to Uganda, Africa, with several classmates. She also completed an internship in Macedonia.  After college, Elissa became an AmeriCorps member with Minnesota Opportunity Corps wh

Role with CKI: Director of Administration Loving the kids at Child Restoration Outreach in Mbale, Uganda. Born and raised in rural North Dakota, Kari moved to Minneapolis, MN, after graduating high school to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies with an emphasis in Children and Youth in Crisis at North Central University. After falling in love with the city and all of its potential, she added an Urban Studies Supporting Program to her list of studies. During those years, she spent two summers in Uganda, Africa, working with various organizations, one of which was Child Restoration Outreach in Mbale. Kari interned as a Teacher’s Aide for CRO while studying the various strategies and techniques used to minister to street children in a holistic way. She later took this information and developed a case study which she presented as her senior project. This project helped to shape her heart and desire to work with street children in Africa. Play time at CRO