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Happy to share 

3/17/2013

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Hello!  I'm so happy to share our event!  I had a little get-together to benefit my friends in Uganda.  I really wanted to hold the doll-making event (rather than just a boutique) to make people more aware of the needs of these good people.  Also, I thought doing the dolls would draw them in rather than just coming to buy jewelry.  

AND, you can probably imagine the joy a child has when she receives something that is to be her very own.  I always think of my own children, and how I would want them to have something they can love and have for their own.  
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Ten were able to come, and between all of us, with three women taking dolls home to make, we will have made about 100 dolls altogether.  I've got about twice that at my home that previous volunteers have made, and we will try to send them over on the next trip to Uganda.  

We had such a wonderful time making the dolls, and sharing stories of the Ugandan people.  I feel like people really want to get involved somehow, but they aren't sure what they can do to help.  Activities like this help to open people's eyes to the needs in our world.  Even a small doll can bring so much joy and hope to a child.  
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Why I do this

3/12/2013

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I met David Ssejinja through a mutual friend. David is the founder of the Ssejinja Children's Foundation. The great activities I had seen and the excitement generated among my daughters and others motivated me to get involved. Through this friend, I told David of my desire to help, so we arranged a time to meet together. He offered to speak with me at my home after 5 during the week or anytime Saturday or Sunday. We met at 6pm Tuesday. 
Since to my knowledge he had never been on my street, I walked outside at the appointed time to flag him down. He arrived in a humble, plain car. As he exited the vehicle, David grasped my hand and thanked me profusely for being willing to help. I invited him into my home office, he removed his shoes, and we engaged in a delightful conversation. Whether I presumed it before when I set the appointment or realized it right there in my living room, this man is giving everything he has for this cause, and all funds donors contribute go directly to blessing the children of Uganda. The Ssejinja Children's Foundation boasts a 95% pass-through rate, so the children receive as much benefit as possible. 
David moves this foundation forward while holding down a full-time job, leading his own family and home (rearing three beautiful daughters), and doing it all after work or on weekends. He is willing to meet me on my terms and showers me with gratitude when I make the smallest contribution. Looking back, I probably should have felt guilty, but his constant stream of praise and thanks won't allow it.

Yes. The identity of an organization is determined by those who lead, work, and participate in it--and what they sacrifice to make it a reality.
Ssejinja Children's Foundation is stellar in my book. David is not alone. Countless others contribute in dozens of ways. This organization and others improve the world everyday. This blog highlights those whose efforts make a difference in remarkable and incredible ways. My hope is that the world and lives of the impoverished will change because you are edified reading about the miracles I see every day. That's why I do this.
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Miracle in Hyderabad

3/2/2013

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The campaign started mid to late July. There wasn't much time left to earn the $4500 needed, but the team pulled together, and as in this case, that's when miracles happen: 
We’re trying to raise enough money to build 6 borewells in the slums as well. The people are begging us for water. Clean water here is a rarity. Right now we only have the funds for about 3, and with the company we’re working with it’s all or nothing so we’re trying to raise money for the other 3 or 4. I posted a link to our fb wall. Spread the word!
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Honestly, I was really skeptical. We hadn’t heard from the church (who was potentially donating a large portion of the money) but we needed to start drilling asap so that we could get them started before we have to leave so we started fundraising to see if we could make up the difference. And we did it! This team has some amazing friends and families who gave so much. Very humbling. I can’t help but think that if I saw our posts on fb I would probably just scroll over them and not really think twice about it. Thank goodness for good people. Literally a miracle. It was so exciting. We drilled the first one yesterday; when we finally hit water it blew out of the hole and started ‘raining’ on everyone. It was so awesome, all the people were freaking out and smiling their faces off… it was great. So so great. One of my favorite moments. Sweet victory 
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Good medicine

3/2/2013

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I am truly lucky to have a sweet wife and six loving children. They are the center of my life and the best decision I ever made. Each one of them contributes to making our family complete. My youngest is growing up so rapidly, and she just celebrated her thirteenth birthday. Friends follow her everywhere, so naturally they recently invaded our home for a surprise birthday party. It was great. 

She loves animals and has always had a pet since as long as she can remember. 
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Ever since she was a toddler, she dutifully cares for her beloved animals without complaint. Wind, rain, or snow--she is always there for her hamsters, bunnies, or puppies--whichever we happen to have at the time. Her level of compassion and empathy for the beleaguered and downtrodden is something I never expect to attain. But that's ok, because no doubt all of my children will dwarf my accomplishments. Their successes are my most satisfying achievement.

That's not to say that my wife and children haven't faced tough times. Challenges seem to come with the territory. Life today, especially wholesome family life, is facing a barrage of obstacles and challenges unheard of in my youth. Though they would be the last to acknowledge it, each has had a share of bumps and bruises. Yet, we have it great compared to many others throughout the country and the world. There is a lot of pain and hurt out there, and you don't have to go very far to find it. I went into business with my brother a few years ago, and he taught me a lesson for which I will always be grateful. "Problems," he said, "are simply opportunities for improvement." And he was right. That attitude has made all the difference.

So join us in overcoming hardship, eliminating suffering, and seeking after good. It's not just what the world needs--it's what we all need. 

Give back. It's good medicine.
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    I am a social entrepreneur and make a living by making a difference.

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    Photography compliments of Children At Risk Foundation – CARF (www.carfweb.net)
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