Call To Action
I recently learned about an emergency relief project to help save over 500 Karamojong children who have been repatriated from Kampala and are now currently living in Amendera village, North-eastern Uganda without even the most basic forms of bedding, sanitation, clean water or food.
The children were returned to the Karamoja region three months ago by Members of Parliament in a bid to clear off street children in Kampala. At the moment, these children are surviving on little more than begging, shrubs and wild fruits that they can manage to find in the drought prone landscape of the North eastern region. Last month three of the children were beaten to death as they invaded gardens in search of food while an unknown number continue to perish.
The project Feed the Former Kampala Street Children and Women is intended to raise funds to save these Karamojong children from hunger, disease and starvation.
In reality, it would be nice to think that one person could raise enough awareness or funds to "save" them - but lets be realistic...if Bono or Angelina hasn't done it yet, neither will I. However, I have one specific call to action that will make a difference and I need your help.
The 500 people that are now living in this camp HAVE NO TOILET!!!! That's correct, there is no toilet! They are using the ground as a latrine which is not only simply unsanitary and no way to live but more importantly, it causes diseases such as Chlorea for which they have no medical treatment available.
My goal is to raise $3000.00 for equipment and to contribue my time to personally take part in building the latrine for this camp. And you can help make a difference by donating any amount. Imagine being taken from your home and moved to a camp with no food, no water and no place to go to the bathroom! These people are living it every day. I know times are tough in the economy but by simply donating something as little as the cost for a latte or 3, you are helping people to have a place to go to the bathroom. And to my friends and family - my birthday is coming up soon....do not get me anything!!!!! Please donate here as my gift - helping me achieve this goal is the best present anyone could ever give me.
To learn more about the trip, read here.
Recent News
6/8/2009 - 6 days and counting
Everything is complete, the only thing left is to step off the plane in Africa! I'm very excited and blessed to have this opportunity. To understand the full story of how this has come to fruition is to know that this was a plan much greater than myself, I'm merely a vessel. Once you are finally on the right path, the inner peace that you feel is insurmountable and beautiful!
6/2/2009 - Final preparations begin
Anthony has graciously offered to let me live with him for the month which will provide for a true experience of Uganda (this is the home he was born in). He has also helped me identify groups with the most immediate needs (orphans, widows, Batwa) - he's made this process easier for me. I'm less nervous about going and more anxious now about the day count because I'm ready to go! I've made the final changes in my diet to eat less and stick to basic foods so I won't have "food shock" (as my doctor described). The only difficult aspect now is trying to get ahead in my school classes so I don't fall behind while over there.
5/18/2009 - New Friend in Uganda
Through facebook, I was able to "e-meet" a friend in Uganda. He is a wonderful humanitarian who worked with Global Colors and was also involved in the motorcycle accident that inspired the idea for me to "just do it" and go volunteer. I feel relieved that I "know" someone there now and am really looking forward to meeting Anthony and visiting the Batwa tribe with him. Everything is falling beautifully into place. I am truly blessed and feel so lucky to have this opportunity. It's amazing when I think back to where I was just over a year ago and where I'm headed now.
5/17/2009 - Sick
I guess I forgot to listen when the doctor was telling me the side effects from all of the shots (5 to be exact). I am not able to eat anything. Maybe this is a good way to start prepping for the food "change". My doctor told me to start prepping early anyway because I could go into food shock, seeing that my diet consists only of protein drinks and steamed chicken (neither of which will be availble). Someone did give me the brilliant idea of taking LOTS of the packets of tuna and salmon. That idea makes me feel a bit better - though I'm reminded of the old kindergarden adage "Make sure you have enough to share". And I won't have enough to share.
5/15/2009 - New Website Launch
On 5/15/2009, I launched this new website. I invite you to take a look around the website and tell your friends to come see us too by using our new Spread the Word website tool.
5/14/2009 - OUCH
I received the last of my shots. I have to say I was a bit confused when I received the enormous medical bill after finding out insurance doesn't cover my vaccinations. It doesn't exactly make sense to me because if you don't get vaccinated and get sick - don't they have to pay for it? So then wouldn't it make sense they'd want you to get vaccinated for preventative maintenance?????
5/12/2009
I booked my ticket!!!!!! I'm so excited and so anxious to see what awaits!!!! With a little help from Orbitz, I was able to bring the price from $1998 to $1450 which made me very happy. Especially after I found out all of the vaccinations I'll have to get. I didn't have any idea that it would cost so much. I'm not complaining about the amount per-se, just that it takes away from any money I had to put towards the project. The total cost for getting me there is almost $3000. Plus the cost of the toilet, $3000. Plus the cost of not getting paid for that time period...Yikes! Just have to remind myself of the end goal and it's so worth it.