Cape resident inspired to GROW Africa

By JEN CALANTONE • jcalantone@news-press.com • September 17, 2010

After her trip to Zambia, Kathy Hardtke knew she had to change her ways.

In 2007, the Cape Coral resident traveled to Africa and watched women in remote villages walk up to four hours to fill small jugs with water from wells. She learned about the lack of vaccinations for diseases such as tuberculosis, and observed the lowest levels of poverty as people struggled for necessities she took for granted.

"I kept thinking 'This is insane,'" said Hardtke, 42, who established a nonprofit in March to assist African villagers. "I'm worrying about what kind of car I have and how many clothes I have in my closet? It hit me hard."

The businesswoman returned to Illinois - where she lived at the time - and started a ministry at her church. She continued her correspondence with Project Zambia, a Belfast, Ireland-based nonprofit that was involved in the trip, and spent time volunteering, rather than working nonstop.

"I was always looking to get to the next level," Hardtke said of her career. "There is no place to get. All that does is look good on paper. It made me think 'At my funeral, what do I want people to say about me?'"

Now, Hardtke's GROW (Global Running Operation Water) Africa is preparing for four voyages in 2011, during which volunteers will assist Zambians in building wells, teach them how to grow crops and help vaccinate children against tuberculosis.

Hardtke became interested in work in Africa after she traveled to Waveland, Miss., to assist displaced Hurricane Katrina survivors in 2005. A fellow volunteer told her about the needs in Zambia and invited Hardtke to travel there with a church group.

Hardtke had just lost her job and couldn't afford the trip, so she created a website for her mission. She sent out 800 letters to business and personal contacts, asking for donations, and raised the $7,360 she needed.

Before her journey to Africa, Hardtke - who had never traveled outside of North America - didn't expect to relate so well to villagers who live day-to-day lives so different from her own.

"I found out I had more in common with them than I had different," she said. "They had the exact same goals as everybody - goals of health and happiness and family."

Now, after three visits to Africa, Hardtke is bringing volunteers from across the U.S. with her to Zambia. Beginning in 2011, GROW Africa will organize treks to remote villages four times a year and will build three wells during each stay. Volunteers will pay or raise $3,500 for each 16-day trip, which includes travel, all expenses and money to help build the wells.

During their excursions, they'll teach villagers about health, hygiene and how to grow crops to feed their families. A mission in November 2011 will focus on administering the tuberculosis vaccine to children, who often die young due to the disease.

Hardtke, a marathon runner, also is organizing "runs for water" in Florida. In September, GROW Africa hosted its second annual 5K at Cape Harbour and members are raising money for a 185-mile relay from Miami to Key West. Eventually, Hardtke hopes to organize charity races across the U.S. and Africa.

Hardtke's 17-year-old daughter, Paige Veugeler, traveled with her mother to Cape Town, South Africa over spring break. Paige said she's proud of her mom's work.

"She knew she wanted to do a lot over there," Paige said. "It's really cool what she's doing."

Hardtke - who has raised approximately $10,000 for GROW Africa over the last seven months - works on investment strategies for Tigrent as she continues to build her charity venture. She said she's happier now that work isn't her whole life and it feels good to give back.

Above all, she remembers the sadness she felt when she watched villagers in Zambia struggle for water three years ago. Taking advice from a book she read called "Holy Discontent," Hardtke said people who want to create social change should focus on their passions.