The Foreign Service Journal, September 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2013 77 AFSA NEWS AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS : THE AV I S BOHLEN AWARD FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE FAMILY MEMBER Leah Evans’Website Brings a Community Together “Kids in Kyiv,” a members- only website geared to expatriate Americans in Ukraine, is the brainchild of Leah Evans, this year’s winner of the Avis Bohlen Award. The award honors the accomplishments of a family member of a Foreign Service employee whose relations with the American and foreign communities at post have done the most to advance the interests of the United States. Leah’s work with the website and the connections and sense of community it has spawned exemplifies this ideal. “I started ‘Kids in Kyiv’ for selfish reasons. After I arrived at post, I had a dif- ficult time finding friends for my children and me. As Kyiv had so much to offer fami- lies, I wanted to bring them together on a regular basis,” Leah explained. At present, more than 150 families have joined the site. Together, the group organizes events, creates newslet- ters and discusses topics of interest online. Leah’s close working relationship with Embassy Kyiv provides the site’s members with informa- tion from the community liai- son o ce, regional security o ce and health unit. A good organizer is suc- cessful when others become involved. By that standard, Leah’s success is mea- sured by the tributes she gives others. “The co-CLOs, Samantha Partlow and Tom Prall, have been incredibly helpful in making ‘Kids in Kyiv’ a success,” said Leah. “A social networking site by definition has many people involved. Tiana Page, Jelena Cali and Krsztine Meyer have been integral members of the group, as well as Laura Peer, Heather Fabrikant and Enri Fort.” Each month, Leah plans events that bring people together and create bonds between Americans and their host country neighbors. People reach out to local orphanages, share their expertise with others and organize activities. The group recently won a J. Kirby Simon grant for $2,200 to install a fire safety system, new dryer and refrigerator in a local orphanage. When asked what the award means to her, Leah replied: “The award shows that AFSA cares about the efforts of Foreign Service family members. Having given up a career to follow my husband, it is nice to realize that I can find new goals and dreams, that I can contribute to my community and that I can be recognized for my efforts. I am honored by this award.” n Leah Evans (left) receives the Avis Bohlen Award from Dr. Mette Beecroft during AFSA’s annual awards ceremony. Leah created a members-only website in Kyiv, which has resulted in an engaged and happy community. NEWS BRIEF SUPPORT THE AFSA SCHOLARSHIP FUND Many of our members are surprised to learn that their AFSA membership dues do not support the AFSA scholarship program. Therefore, each year we appeal to you, our members, to consider a gift to this very important program. Our annual appeal was sent out in late August, encouraging donors to continue to allow as many as 90 AFSA members’ children to receive more than $230,000 in college assistance this year. Please return the reply card that was mailed to you during our appeal or consider making a secure online donation at www.afsa.org/donate.