For people who ask me WHY?

 WHY? Valentines for Congo?

LOVE!

I decided I better see gorillas in the wild while I could still hike a distance. Then realized a ticket to Africa had its greatest value in what could be taken in excess baggage. In 2009, with the help of the Red Cup Community I took seven 50 lb boxes of medical supplies to a remote village clinic.

Then I saw the first orphans. I wanted to give them the world; clean water, food, shelter, shoes, clothes, healthcare, education, love and most of all a …..VOICE!

Something that was empty inside me was filled to overflowing by Africa. Giving any little thing there filled me with pleasure. Seeing the clinic staff open the boxes of supplies on a beautiful mountaintop was a wonderful feeling. I wanted more and I still want more. We tend to return to where we feel the greatest pleasure. It’s that simple. I am a humanitarian pleasure seeker.

Children squeal with delight when given a pencil! Giving a woman some earrings brings happy tears to her eyes…mine too.

Through forces of God (or The Universe) I am invited to tour the Country and meet with prominent government officials. My trip will involve escorted travel and strategic meetings in places as distant as Vermont, NYC, OKC, Miami, Chicago and Boston. (Just a comparison of maps)

I have been representing the Union of Independent Churches and UGADEC (a huge gorilla conservation project) on the Internet. This is focused on raising awareness and recruiting mission groups/secular volunteers and establishing partnerships with other non-profits; to drill clean water wells, support impoverished women in business, provide healthcare in remote villages, and move orphanages toward financial sustainability.

I hope to film many humanitarian projects for future use on websites. And I’m traveling with an open mind to whatever new roles my hosts may have in mind for me.

I still have not seen gorillas in the wild. Maybe someday….

 

My current wishlist:

·Speaking invitations at churches, social/professional groups, high school/college classes.

·A multi-purpose venue for future benefit events

·Legal advice regarding establishing non-profit status

·Assistance and equipment for video blogging

·Volunteers of every expertise:

Especially IT repair

Tutoring in Excell

Advanced Web designer

Donation of Air miles

Donation of items and help with future garage sale

Publicity

Circulation of this project among your Facebook and Twitter Networks

THANKS AGAIN. Kathryn

Financially Sustainable Orphanage Part 3

About four months ago I started questioning the whole concept of charity supported orphanages. After some discouraging experiences in fund raising I realized that I could not fairly expect others to understand let alone contribute money to my personal passion. I began to develop an idea by which orphanages are able to run small businesses and support themselves. I have considered several business ideas that still might be feasible.

But I have recently read Timothy Ferris’ book the 4-Hour-Workweek and found it very practical and inspiring. He starts with encouraging readers to define the greatest dream of their lives…put a monetary cost on its achievement and then design an internet business from the beginning with the end goal as the guiding focus.

In my case, I want orphans to have everything they need. I want to start with one orphanage and finance them with an online business that can be run from anywhere in the world. Whether I’m at home in the States or on extended stays in DRC I want an income stream for myself and for the children. In terms of time investment I believe it’s more efficient to operate an online business than to plan and execute charity events.

Once I learn how to run the first business and provide for the needs of the first orphanage…I’d be able to move to the next and teach these methods to reproduce the model…and so on. Stay tuned for progress reports and links to the Tim Ferris Network of Forward thinkers.

Financially Sustainable Orphanage Part 2

Sole Hope (link) gave me an idea to visit one of their programs in Uganda to see how it’s all done. They make shoes for children. Fabric is recycled from old jeans and (upholstery remnants), cut out at group parties in US and shipped to Africa where they are assembled by workers for fair trade wage and sold affordably for children’s use. See photos of children with jigger wounds for why children need shoes. I think older children in orphanages might be taught to make these shoes.

Another idea is for an initial investment in a working commercial kitchen…to produce bread for the children in addition to bread to sell at the marketplace.

There are sound healing machines that kill parasites for a very small fee. These could be used to keep the children healthy and also provide service in exchange for donations from the community.

Similarly, cell phone charging is a lucrative business with little upfront investment. An orphanage sponsor could offer this service for fee to support their expenses. I’m just thinking outloud and very open to innovators with better ideas to leave your comments here. Thanks.