Generosity of strangers...people ARE good!

Giving…

For the second time in as many weeks I have had items delivered to my home from many miles away. The items came from a generous group of individuals, led by a woman named Cathy, who work together at a dental office in Surrey, British Columbia. I do not know these individuals. They heard about our work, and wanted to get involved in some way.

From softballs, latex gloves, bundles of gauze to dental floss, they have gathered gifts to share with the children we are so committed to. I want to acknowledge their willingness to mobilize themselves and make a difference.

Dr. Duke, Cathy and the rest of the dental office staff… many thanks to you, the children of Uganda will be blessed by these gifts.

WISE WORDS...

"In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."

Eric Hoffer

Making Progress

As time marches on we are getting closer and closer to our July departure. Please be intentional about preparing yourself both physicaly and spiritually for this journey. Bring kleenex you will likely be moved by this experience. THAT IS A GOOD THING!

It was great to see OUR team again, the process of getting familiar with each other is an important one. Keep reading, it is a great way to build up your knowledge of the culture and history of Uganda and the rest of Africa. Below is a list of movie titles for your consideration.

There is no "i" in team, we each bring something important and signifigant to this work. It is vital that we acknowledge the value and participation of all team members.

Blood Diamond
Constant Gardener
Shake Hands with the Devil
God Grew Tired of Us (documentary)
Last King of Scotland
Out of Africa
Gorillas in the Mist
Power of One
Hotel Rwanda
Invisible Children
War Dance (documentary)

WARNING! Travel to Africa can be addictive! Safari Lodge at Murchison Falls

Hope

"Hope" is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops

at all.

~Emily Dickinson

Let hope sing in your heart!

With love,

Karine

I am in awe and humbled by the generous selfless way Danelle has given with abandon to the children both in Uganda and in her own community in Alberta

The beauty of a sacrificial gift!

How much should we give?  How much can we show we care?

Danielle has answered those questions for herself...she shaved her head to raise funds to provide nurturing environments for children both children in her community and in Uganda Africa!  

She set a goal, she chose a venue, she communicated her project clearly, and she raised awareness regarding global issues.  

She is a hero in the finest sense.

PLUS, look at how beautiful she is!

REMEMBERING MOSES

Hi.  I just wanted to introduce you to Moses.  

This smiling face warms my heart everyday as I turn on my computer and am greeted with the memories of March 2008.

After visiting  at his school and being treated to an amazing assembly in our honor, Moses came over and just wanted to hold my hand and smile.  My heart melted.  Leaving in our taxi, back over the bumpy roads through one of the poorest sections of the city, Moses ran along side us, laughing, jumping over the debri,  and around the shacks trying to keep up with us as long as he could.  Of course, we are faster than those little legs and soon all I see out our back window is Moses waving and smiling and pulling at my heart.  

We move on.  They stay.

It was such a short visit.  Two hours of my life.  And yet, the memory permeates and I don't forget.

Thank you to all of you that are going this summer.  Thank you on behalf of Moses where even though he has to stay, we can help make it different for him.  Building and growing one child, one book, one teacher at a time.

 

Professional Learning Community in Education

Teachers!

Can we develop a professional learning community that spans the globe?  I think we CAN!

Here are some research-based benefits:

• reduction of isolation of teachers
• increased commitment to school and vigor in working
• shared responsibility for student success
• powerful learning the defines good teaching
• new knowledge and beliefs about teachers and learners
• increased meaning and understanding of the role of teachers
• higher likelihood that teachers ill be well informed, professionally renewed, and inspired
• more satisfaction and higher morale
• lower rates of absenteeism
• advances into making teacher adaptations for students
• commitment to making significant, lasting, and systemic change in education

WOW!  I think it is worth a try!  I know that it will help the children that we can touch in the developing world and in Kelowna!

With HOPE!

Karine

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks to everyone for being so gracious in the last 24 hours...yet another sign of a Great Team! We did manage to take advantage of the "Heads up" from our travel agent. KEEP CHECKING BLOG AND EMAIL REGULARLY!