To all the lovers all over the World......................
I am reaching out to ask for your
support in a project that is very dear to my heart, a dream that I truly
believe that God wants me to fulfill. I am hoping that you will take the time
to read this email and be willing to meet with me, in person, so that I can
explain to you how your assistance in my mission can have a huge impact on one
small village in Uganda.
I have been working in the social
services field (juvenile system, group homes, CYS, and, currently for a
domestic violence and sexual assault shelter). I love to volunteer for any
organization that allows me to connect with others and make a positive
difference in others’ lives. I have volunteered as a teen mentor, for soup
kitchens, holidays in homeless shelters, building projects and many others, and
very much enjoy being able to help to support anyone who needs a helping hand.
I have but two goals in life, to
travel and see all of God’s natural and beautiful creations, and to serve
others in the process. This has caused me to want to follow my own vision and
mission while fulfilling the goals that I believe that God has put me on this
Earth for, to serve, support, and uplift others.
A few years ago, I began teaching
myself and attempting to start up my own non-profit because I believed that this
was the only way to gain financial backing that would allow me to follow
through on my dreams. These goals were put on hold while I cared for my mother
who was dying of stage four lung cancer. Her death fueled my passion and,
shortly after her death, I began pursuing my dreams once again. I educated
myself on what it takes to obtain non-profit status in the business world,
doing tons of research and reaching out to mentors and others who could assisted
me in the process. I ran myself in circles and gave up many times because it was
very daunting for just one girl (myself),
to be able to accomplish in order to
gain the knowledge, legal assistance, persons, and resources to become 501c3
exempt. Without being able to apply for
grants and donors due to not obtaining 501c3 status, again, my dream went on
hold. The third time that I attempted to fulfill my dream, I went out into the
local community where I was living in West Virginia, seeking donations for a
fundraising event that would allow me to auction off things, such as, dinners
at local restaurants, fun activities (such as bowling tickets, concert tickets,
skating passes, arts and crafts, etc.). Although the local community was very
supportive, with over 10 local businesses donating certificates and items, the
process was very slow moving and I realized that I was not going to gain the
financial assistance that I needed to back my project. Again, my dream seemed
unattainable and my passion was put on hold.
My next “bright idea” to following
my dreams was to earn the money for my project through my own saving and hard
work; however, in order to do so, it would mean that I would have to move up
the ladder in my position (which I believe myself capable of doing) into admin
roles that were much better paying. The only problem with this idea is,
although I would eventually make more money and be able to save for the Katosi
village project, it would mean that I would have to give up my role of working
in direct services with my clients. I know, in my heart, that I want to work
right alongside those individuals to whom I serve; therefore, even though I
would make more money, I would miss the connection and relationships that I
currently build with those I serve. Once again, I am discouraged and cannot see
a clear path to realizing my dreams.
At this time, I am attempting to
realize my dreams once again, which is why I am reaching out to all of you. I am hoping
that by reaching out to the local churches in the area and people all over the world, explaining my project
and mission, and offering you any time or services that I have to give back,
that you will allow me a few moments of your time to meet with you (in person or by phone) and explain
how a small act of kindness from each church in the area can have the ability
to, not only help me to realize my dreams, but to change the future of a small
fishing village in Uganda for many generations to come.
I am praying that I can get each
local church in the area and people who wish to make a difference in the world to agree to sponsor one woman from the Katosi Village
in obtaining training that will allow her to gain a sustainable skill, sewing,
that will allow them to provide for their village. The Katosi village is
currently overran by the many orphans who have been left to these few women by
parents who have died from the HIV virus, a huge epidemic in the area that is
currently growing. There are over 100 + orphans and only a handful of women to
care for and provide for these children. Once these women are taught the skill
of sewing and obtain their own sewing machine, they will be able to provide
clothing to everyone in their village, as well as to provide nearby uniforms to
a school in the area that is willing to trade their services for educational
programs to teach the village’s many orphans. Also, by gaining the resources
for the trade of sewing, they will be able to provide food for the many orphans
by exchanging garments and clothes for fish and other food items to local
markets and fishermen. As these orphans gain schooling, they will be able to
gain even more knowledge and skills to support their village, helping to make
it sustainable, as well as the knowledge to help to protect them from the AIDS
virus and the many other health concerns that are preventable.
As you see, if I am able to get
approximately 20 women sponsored for a sewing machine and training, we have the
ability to change the fate of this village forever. If each church were willing
to sponsor one woman ($300.00), we can all come together and change the entire
future of this village. This donation would not be a hand out, but rather, and
offer of love and hope that has the ability to create healthier individuals,
sustainability, and, more importantly, hope in our fellow mankind. Your $300.00
donation, half of a month’s rent for many of us, will provide a life changing
event in these women and children’s lives.
Besides the opportunity that this money
will provide for these women and village, I hope to use my skills as a writer
and journalist to document every step in this journey with hopes of inspiring
people all over the world that, by uniting for a common purpose, the sky is the
limit and any dream can be accomplished. I want to share my failures on this
journey, my hard work, tears, and sweat, my fears and doubts in myself, and how
I overcame all of them in order to inspire and motivate others who have a
calling to serve God because I truly believe that a life with purpose means a
life of gratitude and joy. I also hope
to mentor, and share my knowledge, skills, and resources to equip others with
what it takes to accomplish their goals and dreams. I want to share our story
with the World and do everything within my power to see to it that others have
the same love, support, and resources to follow their dreams so that we can
prove that one small act of kindness can have a tremendous and positive ripple
effect that will touch lives all over the world. And, most of all, I am hoping
that my story will inspire others to never give up on their dreams and to face
their fears because, if you can envision it, there is a way to make their
dreams a reality!
With that being said, I truly hope
that you will at least give me the opportunity to meet in person or discuss the project by phone and explain
the good work that am hoping to do in the Katosi Village. With your open mind
and ears, I hope to prove to you that your good will and support will allow
this village to grow and thrive, while giving me the opportunity to visit the
village and to teach and support these women and children. I plan to visit the
village and deliver the good news, in person on a mission trip with Step UP
Uganda. During this trip, I will live, work, and grow alongside them. I plan to
teach them everything I know (from medical and health, to psychology and
counseling, standard education, agriculture, proper hygiene, AIDs awareness and
prevention, and even how to play and have fun).
For $300.00, a drop in the bucket
for a large church/some individuals, we can unite, people and churches to prove that, together,
anything is possible, no matter what laws, guidelines, or obstacles stand in
the way. Those many drops in the bucket from each church can provide a river of
love and inspiration that can touch the lives of those from the USA to Africa!
If you would like to learn more
about my mission OR would like to sponsor the project, you can do so at:
I very much appreciate your time in
reading this heartfelt post and hope that you will give me the opportunity to
show you that how, by working together, we can achieve the impossible, reach the ends of the
Earth, and touch many lives!
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