Women's Golf

Fairfield, Conn. - When Jill Macari (Reading, Mass.) set out for her 2004 spring semester abroad in South Africa, she knew she would have an adventure of a lifetime, but she never expected to return a hero, but that is what she's become to the orphans in the Baphumelele Children's Home in South Africa. For her outstanding contributions and community service, she has been named the Fairfield Alumni Association's winner of the William J. Kramer '60, P'96,'85,'83 Humanitarian Award.

What began as volunteer work with the University of Cape Town's chapter of Habitat for Humanity - a project to expand the small three-bedroom dwelling that houses more than 60 abused and abandoned children - became a cause for Macari. Touched by the children's plight, and inspired by the dedicated workers who serve as maternal figures for the children, in particularly its founder Rosie Mashale, she continued to work at the site. She prepared snacks, changed diapers, helped with homework, and played with the children. She recruited a dozen other students to volunteer and persuaded the university there to provide transportation for the students. The informal volunteer program she organized continues today.

With the help of schools in her hometown of Reading, Mass., where her mother teaches second grade, she raised more than $2,500 to buy coats and shoes for the children and new appliances for the home, which is run solely on private donations. She inspired others to donate supplies, including her uncle, a dentist, who contributed an overwhelming supply of toothpaste and toothbrushes.

"Whatever I may have done for them by playing with them and giving them winter coats or diapers, it is nothing in comparison to what they have given me," said Macari, who continues to hold fundraisers for the children, including "Empties for Africa" a campus-wide can and bottle drive which was sponsored by Fairfield's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. "These children have nothing and they give you everything. They are a demonstration in genuine human love."

In addition to her support of the Baphumelele Children's Home, Macari is also a varsity golfer, having picked up the game at age 11, and co-captain of the women's golf team. She was selected as the Fairfield Athletics Department's Coca-Cola Community All-American for her excellence in community service and became the school's nominee on the national ballot. She was also a semifinalist for the John Wooden Cup, a national award presented to two distinguished athletes - one intercollegiate and one professional - that best display character, teamwork, and citizenship, the attributes Athletes for a Better World deems central to transforming individuals, sport, and society.