SO many changes over the last 7 weeks, I just have to take a big breath in and figure out where to begin. I believe that Direct Abundance has the right mix of people, with the ability to envision what we are aiming for.
In seven short weeks we have managed to get a Board of Directors together, overhaul some by-laws, ran a successful vitamin drive and ship over 50 pounds of medication and clothes, which were donated to us by a variety of individuals from our Facebook page, to the children of Holy Cross.
Heather was able to set up a Sister School Program and get the kids emailing between Holy Cross and Greenholme School here in Canada. Pictures of the children using the computers in Mr. Shane's class can be seen at www.tacogirl.com Direct Abundance has made another contact with the Roman Catholic School in Belize and the Board of Directors are heading down to Belize on June 18, 2009 to meet with a contact from there and make a trip to the Holy Cross.
We have been able to start some fundraising activities, and set an agenda for Volunteer Tours. Yes, there has been much activity around these parts of the world for the last 7 weeks and it doesn't stop there.
Cathy, our newest member, is setting up a buddy system between daycares in Belize and daycares in Canada.
In addition to all of this, we nearly have our website up and running and have a wonderful editor for all of our written material.
It never ceases to amaze me at how much can be accomplished when people work together. We are so excited to be taking our first trip down to Belize together, to visit with the children, hopefully taking along with us plenty of donations, attending a fundraiser for Holy Cross at Changes in Latitudes, and meeting all the wonderful people that help this school to grow and succeed.
Thanks to all for your support! The children appreciate it as much as we do!
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Growing a Blog
I was asked by the founder of Dream Makers, to start a blog for them. I eagerly jumped at the opportunity. Dream Makers is a great organization that helps ill and disadvantaged children all over the world.
Some of the good works that they do are helping , and sending children to Disney that would never get there, helping fund an Orphanage in Rwanda, and just assisting children that really have no other alternative.
I am excited about my new opportunity to work with such a great organization!
Some of the good works that they do are helping , and sending children to Disney that would never get there, helping fund an Orphanage in Rwanda, and just assisting children that really have no other alternative.
I am excited about my new opportunity to work with such a great organization!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Two More Days Til Paradise
I am so excited as I sit her looking out the window at the cold, bitter snow on the balcony, realizing that in 2 short days I will be back in Belize, with my sandals on.
I was able to muster up lots of donations to take down to the Holy Cross School. Dream Makers donated lots of teddy bears and t shirts, and people from work donated Vitamins and school supplies.
I will be meeting with Dr. Shackelford, from the University of Mississippi, and talking about the work I will be doing on my long term stay later this year. I will be visiting the school at least two or three times this week, so look for interesting pictures!
I am also heading over to Caye Caulker, to explore another island, and I think Erin and I will likely take a water taxi to Belize City. The only way I could convince her was to remind her that it is a long boat ride.
I can't wait to see Laurie and Paul.
This week I have been sick with blood pressure. I finally went to a Naturopath who treated me. I had acupuncture done and prescribed some Chinese Medicine. She altered my diet, and I felt very relaxed and good with her. I feel that this scare, and it was a REAL SCARE! was enough to cure me of smoking.
I must end this blog now, get back to my reading and studies.
Next blog coming from SAN PEDRO, BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA! SEE YOU THERE!
I was able to muster up lots of donations to take down to the Holy Cross School. Dream Makers donated lots of teddy bears and t shirts, and people from work donated Vitamins and school supplies.
I will be meeting with Dr. Shackelford, from the University of Mississippi, and talking about the work I will be doing on my long term stay later this year. I will be visiting the school at least two or three times this week, so look for interesting pictures!
I am also heading over to Caye Caulker, to explore another island, and I think Erin and I will likely take a water taxi to Belize City. The only way I could convince her was to remind her that it is a long boat ride.
I can't wait to see Laurie and Paul.
This week I have been sick with blood pressure. I finally went to a Naturopath who treated me. I had acupuncture done and prescribed some Chinese Medicine. She altered my diet, and I felt very relaxed and good with her. I feel that this scare, and it was a REAL SCARE! was enough to cure me of smoking.
I must end this blog now, get back to my reading and studies.
Next blog coming from SAN PEDRO, BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA! SEE YOU THERE!
Monday, January 5, 2009
A New Year 2009
Okay! So here it is, my annual reflection on the past year and my looking forward to the next.
2008 - Another great year for me. The first thing I can think of is that I landed a good job that I really like. I earn good money and have good co-workers and bosses and to top it all off, they granted me a three month leave of absence to begin December 2009.
My second accomplishment was that I completed 4 more university courses, and I got 2 A's and 2 B's.
I made several new friends, and two stick out in my mind the most. Bronze, my lovely beau, and Martina, a co-worker.
I took two vacations as well, one to Belize to visit my friends Laurie and Paul, and one to Cuba with the kids. I went horsebacking with my kids on the beach and jumped in the waves in the Caribbean.
I did not meet all my health goals - however, I am going into 2009 20 pounds lighter, 90% vegetarian, and dairy free.
I celebrated as my eldest daughter took flight to Italy in March 2008, and my youngest brought home 6 A's on her report card.
Thankfully this year has had very little chaos and many blessings. In the year 2009 I wish to aim for the following goals
*3 month leave of absense December 2009 to March 2010 and volunteer with the Holy Cross Anglican School, a week in Honduras, and a week in Mexico.
*2 week vacation in Belize (coming up January 27)
* fundraise for the trip to the Holy Cross and raise minimum of $1000.00 to pay for shipping of donations
*pay off bills and possiblu acquire a second property
*have my divorce finalized (it is nearly 75% done)
*finish my BA and get a few more A's
*do well on Kasamba
*continue to live healthy and think healthy
I have a feeling this might be ne of those work your ass ff years, but the final pay off seems so worth it. The end of 2009 has a lot of making my ultimate dream come true.
As I sit here at work 1 hour before midnight I once again reflect what a truly wonderful year it has been. Life is good. Life is so very, very good. What more could I ask for.
2008 - Another great year for me. The first thing I can think of is that I landed a good job that I really like. I earn good money and have good co-workers and bosses and to top it all off, they granted me a three month leave of absence to begin December 2009.
My second accomplishment was that I completed 4 more university courses, and I got 2 A's and 2 B's.
I made several new friends, and two stick out in my mind the most. Bronze, my lovely beau, and Martina, a co-worker.
I took two vacations as well, one to Belize to visit my friends Laurie and Paul, and one to Cuba with the kids. I went horsebacking with my kids on the beach and jumped in the waves in the Caribbean.
I did not meet all my health goals - however, I am going into 2009 20 pounds lighter, 90% vegetarian, and dairy free.
I celebrated as my eldest daughter took flight to Italy in March 2008, and my youngest brought home 6 A's on her report card.
Thankfully this year has had very little chaos and many blessings. In the year 2009 I wish to aim for the following goals
*3 month leave of absense December 2009 to March 2010 and volunteer with the Holy Cross Anglican School, a week in Honduras, and a week in Mexico.
*2 week vacation in Belize (coming up January 27)
* fundraise for the trip to the Holy Cross and raise minimum of $1000.00 to pay for shipping of donations
*pay off bills and possiblu acquire a second property
*have my divorce finalized (it is nearly 75% done)
*finish my BA and get a few more A's
*do well on Kasamba
*continue to live healthy and think healthy
I have a feeling this might be ne of those work your ass ff years, but the final pay off seems so worth it. The end of 2009 has a lot of making my ultimate dream come true.
As I sit here at work 1 hour before midnight I once again reflect what a truly wonderful year it has been. Life is good. Life is so very, very good. What more could I ask for.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
So Many Options ~~ So much to do
Well I am back from San Pedro Belize, and must say, I am looking forward to returning. I have found a place that warms my heart and the options are endless. When I was there, I felt more alive than I have in years. San Pedro is my natural clock. I wake with the sunrise, and sleep around midnight. My aching bones went away, my nails grew, and my breathing improved.
I plan on buying a piece of land there this year, and hopefully my best friend, Erin will build with me on it. My little piece of paradise far, far away. A small 14 seater plane will fly me to my destination. Amidst the beauty of the sea and the warm air, there is a small part of San Pedro that could use some help.
I saw that there was ample humanitarian work that could be started there. After talking with the school officials, it became clear, that I could get some pilot projects started on this tiny island. Some of the things I was told were desperately needed are:
Sponsor a grade 8 student to go to high school for 1000.00 US per year, there are 35 students who need to go to high school next year, and for half the yearly salary of a US or Canadian teacher 35 deserving kids can have that.
There needs to be sewage in San Mateo and electricity. The smell of San Mateo will stay with me for a long time. There is nothing so disappointing as the SMELL of poverty.
A safe house for women and children needs to be built. I spoke with a female police officer that informed me she would be interested in working on a domestic abuse program.
A donation needs to come from a shipping company to deliver the playground that is waiting to be shipped from Texas to the school so that the children can play in a nice safe playground, and not be surrounded by broken glass and bottles.
I am planning on trying to connect with some church groups, social groups and organizations to see if we can get donations of money, time, and service. After all we are all one. I am looking forward to a day when I will be able to give my time to those that could use the help.
The options are endless where to help and I just can't wait to get started. I also will enjoy after a hard day of work, going to the beach and watching the sunset. Ya! That warms my heart!
I plan on buying a piece of land there this year, and hopefully my best friend, Erin will build with me on it. My little piece of paradise far, far away. A small 14 seater plane will fly me to my destination. Amidst the beauty of the sea and the warm air, there is a small part of San Pedro that could use some help.
I saw that there was ample humanitarian work that could be started there. After talking with the school officials, it became clear, that I could get some pilot projects started on this tiny island. Some of the things I was told were desperately needed are:
Sponsor a grade 8 student to go to high school for 1000.00 US per year, there are 35 students who need to go to high school next year, and for half the yearly salary of a US or Canadian teacher 35 deserving kids can have that.
There needs to be sewage in San Mateo and electricity. The smell of San Mateo will stay with me for a long time. There is nothing so disappointing as the SMELL of poverty.
A safe house for women and children needs to be built. I spoke with a female police officer that informed me she would be interested in working on a domestic abuse program.
A donation needs to come from a shipping company to deliver the playground that is waiting to be shipped from Texas to the school so that the children can play in a nice safe playground, and not be surrounded by broken glass and bottles.
I am planning on trying to connect with some church groups, social groups and organizations to see if we can get donations of money, time, and service. After all we are all one. I am looking forward to a day when I will be able to give my time to those that could use the help.
The options are endless where to help and I just can't wait to get started. I also will enjoy after a hard day of work, going to the beach and watching the sunset. Ya! That warms my heart!
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