So, to answer so many of your yearly question: “Will you be
going back to South Africa this year?”
YES!
I’m so excited to be returning to the small town of Paarl
that stole my heart back in 2007. This year will be much different than
previous years for a variety of reasons. For one, this will be the first time,
I will serve an ALL SOUTH AFRICAN team! All of the American missionaries have
now returned home, which was the original plan and major contributing reason of
why I fell in love with this organization. I’ll really miss seeing their faces
but I know a new adventure and friendships wait. I’m excited to see all of the
familiar faces that cross my mind on a daily basis.
I’ll be in the area for two weeks. I’m unsure of what
service projects in which I’ll be involved. I’m planning to visit Boland, the
autism school that we brought supplies for and painted in 2010. To see pictures
from that day, click here. Per the director, it is continuing to grow and
thrive, but the needs continue. Although in true Africa-style, it could change---but I plan to do some training of staff on various
topics including communication, behavior management, and PECS.I am so unbelievably beyond excited for this opportunity.
A friend will be joining me for a week of the journey and
will serve alongside me. I’m excited to share my “home” with her.
The other question you usually ask: How can you help?
Well, there are a few specific ways:
Donate financially. Many of the requested supplies will be bought “over there” due to their currently known needs this year. We also want to bless them and give them a financial donate to meet ongoing needs. The recipient organizations are: Bowy House (a home for children affected by HIV/AIDS), Miqlat (the organization that I serve yearly—this money will be used in the areas that have the most needs in that community), and Boland Autism School. Please click on the names of the organizations for more information.
My budget for the trip is: $3000. Ouch. It isn’t that much in the grand scheme but it is in the midst of paying off debt (remember, the debt payoff goal of December 2013?). I know I need to be there this year so $3000 cannot be an obstacle--an easy goal if 300 people skipped ~2 lattes per week, if 120 people gave $25, etc. When I think of it that way, it is too doable to forgo, especially when I recall the needs that can be met.
Donate any needed supplies – if I get a list of items that can be brought to them. As of now, there are no specifics for the children’s home but I am trying to solicit needs and draft one. For those of you with children who have used PECS as a mode of communication, I am taking used PECS books. If you no longer need yours or know a group of parents (autism list or support group?) who may be able to help, please let me know. I created a flyer that can be circulated.
Thank you for all of your words of encouragement and support this year and in years past. Your support to make these trips happen has undoubtedly made me a bigger person, a better person, and has shaped me in more ways than I can ever convey.
Sincerely,
Danielle
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