Getting To Know CKI: Amanda

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 very long time.

Amanda visiting with women in Uganda, Africa.

In her third year at North Central, her childhood dream came true when she was able to make her first trip to Uganda, Africa, during the summer of 2011 with a small group of classmates. She made two return trips over the next year which solidified her love for the country and desire to work there.

During her time in Uganda, Amanda met a local man, David, who she now calls her husband. He joins her in this endeavor to bring change to young lives throughout the country. They were gifted a beautiful daughter named Suubi Alice in May 2015.

Amanda also has a passion for music, writing, and traveling to experience life through the eyes of the world.

Comments

Indian Interview: Raafe

Elissa and I (Kari) had the opportunity to interview our friend Raafe Khan who shared his expertise and knowledge of India. We met at a bubble tea shop, shared a mango ice cream dessert, and enjoyed our lively conversation with one another. The interview centers around food, traditions, and etiquette. Raafe even shared his cooking secrets with us, and his recipes were featured in our July Culture Kids Cafe. We hope you enjoy this first hand look into Indian culture from Raafe's perspective. Kari: In general, tell us your story about coming to the US and who you are. Raafe: My name is Raafe. I was born and brought up in India. Born in the northern belt in a small village which is in the foothills of the Himalayas. I was born there, and then my family moved to Mumbai, which is a pretty well known city on the western coast of India. I grew up there, spent my formative years in Mumbai. Went to high school there. I got my undergrad degree in India from Manipal Academy of Higher...

Karen Interview: Family and Faith (Part 3)

Last fall, Elissa had the opportunity to interview some Karen youth in St. Paul, MN. They met at a Karen grocery store, shared a meal together, and talked about various aspects of the Karen culture. We have divided this interview into a four part series: Culture, Immigration, Family and Faith, and Food and Holidays. For authenticity, we have transcribed the interview material as accurate as possible. The Karen People We encourage our readers to visit the Karen Organization of Minnesota website in order to learn more about the history and culture of the Karen people. Part 3: Family and Faith Elissa: Are the roles of men and women in Karen culture clearly defined? Such as women do this, and men do this? Re: Yes, oh my gosh, yes. Kyeh: It was more common back in the day, because I know some older people where they believed that the girls weren't supposed to go to school because they were just girls. They would think that men were smarter and all of that. In my family ...

Karen Interview: Immigration (Part 2)

Last fall, Elissa had the opportunity to interview some Karen youth in St. Paul, MN. They met at a Karen grocery store, shared a meal together, and talked about various aspects of the Karen culture. We have divided this interview into a four part series: Culture, Immigration, Family and Faith, and Food and Holidays. For authenticity, we have transcribed the interview material as accurate as possible. The Karen People We encourage our readers to visit the Karen Organization of Minnesota website in order to learn more about the history and culture of the Karen people. Part 2: Immigration Elissa: What is the best thing about living in the USA? Re: Getting a good education, like even seeking to go forward for college or postsecondary there are people willing to help and help us to try to achieve our dreams. Back in Thailand, I felt like a lot of us or most of us didn't have a lot of dreams. So even after you have been graduating from a school, [for] everyone as long as the...

Culture Kids International

Search This Blog