VC News Fall 2006
Volunteer aids other women’s independence
By Abraham Ruelas
VC Bureau Writer
Ventura College marked International Women’s
Day March 8 on the lawn of the Learning Resource
Center, as part of Women’s History Month activities
at the college. Angela Kirwin, a Ventura College
women’s re-entry student, represented the Kirwin
International Relief Foundation, a nonprofit
organization she co-founded with her husband,
Mark Kirwin.
Day March 8 on the lawn of the Learning Resource
Center, as part of Women’s History Month activities
at the college. Angela Kirwin, a Ventura College
women’s re-entry student, represented the Kirwin
International Relief Foundation, a nonprofit
organization she co-founded with her husband,
Mark Kirwin.
KIRF helps “impoverished women gain
economic self-sufficiency through micro-loans in
India and entrepreneurial projects in Thailand and
Tanzania," Kirwin said.
economic self-sufficiency through micro-loans in
India and entrepreneurial projects in Thailand and
Tanzania," Kirwin said.
Kirwin will give a lecture at 11:30 a.m. March 21
in Guthrie Hall about her experiences trying to
help the people of those countries.
in Guthrie Hall about her experiences trying to
help the people of those countries.
At the International Women’s Day event, Kirwin
was selling baked goods and handicrafts to raise
money for the foundation’s work, and said that 100 percent of the proceeds help emancipate the women of India, Thailand and Tanzania. Emancipation is “not for the women here, but for the women in other countries who are forced to be dependent on men,” she said.
was selling baked goods and handicrafts to raise
money for the foundation’s work, and said that 100 percent of the proceeds help emancipate the women of India, Thailand and Tanzania. Emancipation is “not for the women here, but for the women in other countries who are forced to be dependent on men,” she said.
KIRF also has helped with the healthcare needs of 471 orphaned children in Thailand whose mothers have died of AIDS, the KIRF Web site said.
“I love her foundation and what she does,” said Jillian Bossoletti, 21, a Ventura College student and representative of the Anthropology Club. "I didn't know how many orphan kids there are in Thailand," Bossoletti said.
Flipping through Kirwin's photo book on the display table, VC student Kristina Vega, 20, said, "I saw pictures of kids looking for help.
“I bought a passport holder and a brownie,” Vega said.
"The passport holder was made by a woman who is HIV positive," Kirwin said. “But the brownies were made by me.”
“Seriously, the brownies are seriously good,” VC student Kevin Garvey, 19, said.
“I have raised over $500 selling baked goods,” Kirwin said.
"I wish she was selling more stuff so I can contribute more,” Vega said.
As VC student Michael Wuergfer, 21, paused over a picture of a hut, he said, "Looking at the pictures like that one, it makes me appreciate what we have.”
“They don't know any different,” Wuergfer said.
KIRF wants to make a difference.
VC News Spring 2007
Photo by Abraham Ruelas
VC student Angela Kirwin, right, shows Kristina Vega one of items Kirwin sells to raise money for her foundation work.
