Soccer Balls are on their way

So planning a trip and trying to organize donations isn't without it's hiccups. I had a soccer club commit to donating soccer balls and uniforms for the kids, but haven't heard from them again so have had to find another generous soul to step up. I can't wait to give the kids their new soccer balls and pumps in a few weeks.

HUGE Thank you to Michael at Instinct Entertainment

http://instinctentertainment.net/music.html

Michael is a client of mine at Strategic Coach.

Michael, I'll be sure to record the gift giving for you to see!

Thanks again.

Just over 2 weeks to go

Even though I leave in 2 1/2 weeks it still hasn't hit me that I am going. At this point I'm not sure what it's going to take to make this feel real!

I've had many donations come in for GRDP in the last few weeks but still need to raise (at least) $1300 before I go on Dec 11. So, if 32 more people can donate $40 we'll reach that goal in the next two weeks. Remember, GRDP is a registered non-profit and your paypal receipt can be used for tax deductions.

If you have any suggestions about how to raise this money, please let me know by sending me an email to artforafricainfo (at) ymail.com

The Rwanda Genocide was one of worst genocides to occur in the 20th century. Taking place in 1994, hundreds of thousands of Tutsis (a Rwandan ethnic class) were killed in the small African country ...

The excitement is palpable!!

I cannot believe that I'll be leaving for Africa in 3 weeks, 1 day and 2 hours...yay for dream trips!

THANK YOU so much to everyone who's made a donation to GRDP - I cannot begin to tell you how much this means to me and what a difference your generosity will make. I know we're all being asked for money from charities on a regular basis so please know that I really do love that you care so much and have supported my cause. It means the world to me. :)

So, with three weeks left and with my 1st goal nearly met, please help me get there by making a tax deductible donation. If 32 more people donate $40 each by December 11, then I'll have achieved step one in my fundraising efforts. Step two is Art for Africa, which will take place in Toronto on April 8, 2010 www.artforafrica.info

Again, THANK YOU!

43 more donations needed

Between last week and today we have had donations (and pledges) that have helped immensely.

THANK YOU.

Last week the magic number for needed donations was 58, today it's 43. If 43 MORE PEOPLE DONATE $40 we will have all the supplies and the trip covered. Please make a tax deductible donation today by clicking on the donate button on the right.

looking at next month.

39 days and 5 hours until I leave...no, I'm not excited at all!

First, let me thank those who made donations over the last week - GRDP has another $750 thanks to your generosity.

Last week Elizabeth (my travel partner) and I spoke to Dave, President of Global Relief and Development Partners, about our schedule in Rwanda. This is going to be the most incredible journey and I'm so excited to share it with you all, or as much of it as I can.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing while in Kigali: visit the genocide museum with the architect that designed it, meet and work with GRDP workshop participants to do a program evaluation and create a roadshow for new entrepreneurs to join the program, interview potential employees for a lead role in GRDP - onsite in Rwanda, visit an orphanage to give the kids tooth brushes and floss and a donated laptop, visit a school to give the kids note books, pens and crayons.

If you know any schools that would like to donate school supplies, please let me know and I'd be happy to take them with me when I go. I'm also going to reach out to some soccer clubs this week to see if they'll donate used soccer balls for the kids.