Page 22 May 2013 Arcadian fi nds remarkable people through Intel trips Megan Bednarz teaches students how to use the PCs at Free The Children Kisaruni School in Kenya. By Kaley Kalil Phoenix native Megan Bednarz has lived in the Arcadia area for fi ve years. Having worked at Intel for more than 20 years and now managing the marketing campaigns for the company’s retail solutions division, she has had some unique opportunities to travel. “In the last few years, I produced a fi lm series for my job highlighting some of the amazing places where Intel technology is changing the world,” Bednarz said. “I covered Intel-based wind energy farms in the ocean off Denmark, and traveled up the Amazon River in Brazil to interview a small number of families who live traditionally and use Intel-based voting machines to help elect leaders.” This summer, she and her husband, Michael, will head to rural Kenya to stay at a village in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, named in honor of the region’s ancestral inhabitants. The area is well known for its large population of cheetahs, leopards, lions and hyenas, as well as the annual migration of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest. This will be Bednarz’ fourth trip to the region. “Each proves to be more life-changing than the last,” she said. “It is a learning and adventure trip where you are immersed in the community’s culture and learn the development model that empowers its citizens to break the cycle of poverty.” Bednarz’s upcoming trip is hosted by Me to We, an organization that provides enriching international trips and funds to its charity partner Free the Children. Bednarz explained that on her very fi rst trip to the Maasai Mara’s 40,000-person community that lives on less than $1 a day, she met three sets of people who would change her life forever. “Two Maasai warriors who taught me about their ancient traditions and the way of life in the African Savanna while laying bricks for the fi rst girls’ high school in the region; a local mama, Jane, who gave me the pleasure of joining her on a routine water walk that she makes many times a day; and fi ve seventh-grade girls who sang songs and shared with me their dreams for their future in their school yard.” It was the combination of these experiences that led Bednarz to promise to return a year later, and two subsequent times since, to build a computer lab in their new school. With two new classes of girls who are becoming pro fi cient in computing skills required for college, there is plenty to be done. “On this trip, we will be teaching the girls enhanced PC application use, school building, working in the community gardens, networking a clinic and enjoying a safari,” Bednarz said. “I am mostly in awe of how driven and deeply happy these girls are to learn and achieve. They want to be doctors, human rights activists, teachers … and I am certain they will. They show such mature leadership skills and plan to attend university, and then come back to their communities to help them thrive. They are my role models.” During the past three years, Bednarz said she has proudly watched the Maasai Mara evolve. “The women are so very hard-working Continued on page 24 C e l l : (6 0 2) 619 - 455 0 O f f i c e : (4 8 0) 2 8 7-52 0 0 7135 E . C a m e l b a c k R o a d , S u i t e 3 6 0 S c o t t s d a l e , A Z 85251 c i o n n e . m c c a r t h y @ r u s s l y o n . c o m w w w.C i o n n e M c C a r t h y. c o m w w w. F a c e b o o k . c o m /C i o n n e . M c C a r t h y No Deal is too Big or too Small, I’m Her e to Serve You! PHENOMENAL OUTDOOR LIVING NEW TO THE MARKET! www.TourFactory.com/980244 For Sale: MLS #: 4911909 ~ List Price: $2,795,000 For Rent: MLS #: 4911941 ~ Lease Price: $9,000 ~ Call me today for your free home value assessment ~ N ot to be described but experienced, offering one of the most beautiful & carefully crafted residences available in Paradise Valley. With 5 Bedrooms and 5.5 baths plus an office in the main house. This estate also includes a fabulous casita, plus and outdoor living room with a fireplace, Lap pool, covered trellis, and gated parking. Venetian plaster in the foyer, family room and kitchen. The versatile floor plan will accommodate virtually every family need. This exquisite home is a rare find and a must see. 9106 N. Foothills Manor Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

3802 E. Indian School Rd. 602.296.7118 themadisonphoenix.com What to do...? Sweat Nosh Crewz Bingo BINGO was his name-o! We’re going back to our roots (as many of you know our building used to be a bingo hall), and having a good ‘ol fashion Bingo night! Food, drinks, laughs and cash prizes. Portion of bingo card sales will be benefiting charity. Party on a bike or roll out your mat for phenomenal flow. We have an OM-azing line up of spin and yoga instructors leding kick-butt and spirit-lifting workouts. View full schedule on our website. Hop on your beach cruiser (or schwinn, all types welcome) and cruise on over for our second Arcadia Crewz! Spots we’re going to are s.e.e.d. cafe, O.H.S.O., and Kitchen 56. $30 gets you select free food at all locations, special discounts on drinks, and a crazy good time. Visit arcadiacrewz.com for the deets! Want to spice up your vocabulary? Throw the word "nosh" into one of your sentences like this: "I'm going to go nosh at s.e.e.d. Café, wanna join me?" (it means to eat a snack or a light meal). Want to spice up your diet? Throw some cayenne pepper into your next juice! SATURDAY, MAY 4 THURSDAY, MAY 16 IN CAFE WITH FRIENDS ON A BIKE, ON A MAT