We just received a call from a generous donor whom had made a donation of 550 dollars at the dinner of hope and had not received the item. We worked are resolving the issue and like a good business of any form, we will assure that he either gets the item or his money is returned. Thank you donors for giving and being generous in the heart to help this good and important work.
…but Emmanuel Sam has assured that the work moves forward. Bless them!
We are trying to get them in school, and with Trained Teachers!
We received another thoughtful contribution of $1,000 dollars from the Markleys today. Thank you on behalf of our classrooms in Africa. Thank you!
Just a reminder to our supporters, the WCR staff is busily planning this school years teacher training conference schedule. It is a herculean task to organize and they are doing a great job planning the events. More soon.
Sometimes the family budget numbers just don´t crunch. In my role as a financial advisor it astonishes me how often even well- healed clients suffer financial pressure and cash flow crisis. Family commitments, retirement goals, investment plans in proprietary businesses and on and on. It adds up!
Giving does not have to be cash or credit. Skills and time are dollarized and have value. Giving your time or “sweat equity” is giving and usually a very valuable way of doing it.
A thought about donating your time…carefully evaluate with whom and how. Make your first donation a lengthy period of research. Make phone calls and network. Look for the right fit and think long term. Ask questions and really think about how you want to be helfpul. Before we founded World Children´s Relief in 2001-02, I had completed about 18 months of research. We built a database of 1,600 people with whom we had spoken with about their insights and opinions. We traveled to Africa, Haiti, Mexico and Bolivia to review the development sites and programs of others charities. We donated a lot of “sweat equity” to come to the conclusion that improving the qualitative face of education and establishing Early Childhood Development classes in some of the poorest schools on earth was our Giving mission-our service mission. Think about it.
Giving is Good For You!
Most cultures and traditions encourage giving such as tithing or zakat. Giving, often high profile giving, is especially celebrated in the West as an “evolutionary” stage after financial success. I see giving as a practical way to affirm the noble qualities within oneself and affirm a vision of hope. That is no small order. It is a worldly world out there and we all brush shoulders with the capital sins. We all deal with anxieties or insecurities and fears. Giving is one of the antidotes.
I have a friend who is a professional journalist and she explained to me how her “business” feeds on negativity. It brought to my attention just how ubiquitous negativity and hopeless projections of the future can be. Giving affirms hopefulness and can serve as your own personal “line in the sand.” It is as if your saying “Hopelessness, I do not buy it!”, an act of defiance against dark world view.
A final thought about giving wisely. I have seen myself and so many others flirt with becoming nonbelievers in giving when they feel disappointed in the recipient of their gift. It could be an individual or a charitable institution. To enter the kingdom of givers also demands discernment, wisdom and the faith that once you´ve done the best you can to evaluate and use your judgment- it is out of your hands. You have done your part for yourself and others but don´t allow yourself to become jaded about the whole notion of giving.
Consumption is enjoying the fruits of your efforts. Saving is an act of prudence. Giving, in my view, burnishes one´s personal and private honor. If honor is the throne upon which sits true virtue; then, Giving for the sake of Giving is a noble quality, indeed.
They are growing, learning, excelling and grateful for the opportunities. We are so proud of all the girls in our House of Hope.
I have been seeing a lot of email activity preparing for the upcoming school year!
I just spoke with a gentleman from World Fund www.worldfund.org
They were inquiring about how we evaluate our teacher training. I humbly explained that this is a challenge but we discussed our mutual efforts. I’ve spoken with Sue Wortham to review their programs and touch in with them.
We submitted a letter of inquiry today to the Global Fund
http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/index.php/Who-we-are/Our-Model.html
Our request is for $6,000 to sponsor four more quarterly teacher training conferences in Burkina Faso for calendar year 2010. Incidentally, we discovered the GFC because they sponsored the girls in our House of Hope before us by funding a grant to Our Children, 501c3.
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