#SummerMissions
Most people have a pretty laid back summer: swimming, going to the beach, parties, nights and the movie, ice cream with friends. This summer, I decided I wanted to take not one but two missions trips. One to Montana (see the Fundrazr for that trip here) and one to Uganda. This will be my second trip to an overseas country. I have been hesitant and unsure about posting a campaign for this trip, but in my heart past all the impossibilities, I know I want to go, and I believe in my heart I'm supposed to go! Let's break it all down....
Who I Am...
For those of you beautiful people who just happened to stumble on this campaign, hello and welcome! My name is Ashley. I am super passionate about Jesus Christ and the furthering of His Kingdom in the hearts of people. I'm a 28 year old full time volunteer and missionary at All Nations International. All Nations is a non-Profit organization in the uniquely picturesque desert of Southern California (Like how I did that there? ;] ) For 60 years, All Nations has focused on bringing the vision of Isaiah 58 to the needy, underserved and broken people of the world by providing: leadership training, basic agriculture, sanitation and health training to raise the standard of living for those individuals. We bring the Gospel in whatever the Spirit leads. Right now, Uganda is one of the needs at the forefront.
What Is NEEPUganda?
NEEPUganda: Nationals Efforts to Eradicate Poverty in Uganda. NEEPUganda establishes contact and develops relationships with the rural poor in villages; the widow, the orphan, school drop outs, for training in arts and crafts native to Uganda, as a means of self-help. NEEPUganda also makes micro-financing programs available for small loans for start-up materials and establishes local and export markets for the sale of goods produced.
What Does That All Mean?
Gertrude Kabatalemwa, founder of NEEPUganda,gave all she had to help the children of her village in Uganda through education, skills trade and empowerment. In April 2015, Gertrude suddenly passed away, leaving many of the children wondering what would happen to their future. Sister Gertrude herself had quietly been sponsoring many of the children herself. Their grief is deep and their situation is very real. These precious children need to be given a chance to excel and develop their natural talents.Sister Gertrude was more than just a "teacher" to these students. She was mother, Grandmother, supporter, defender.
Sister Gertrude, having been trained in the areas of nutrition, cleanliness and sanitation through All Nations, helped keep the children in the know of these things. Her passing means the children now have no guidelines to go by in those areas. And they need to be taught and trained in those areas.
What Will I Be Doing?
I will be a part of a team that will be training a group of students in the basic concepts of: Sanitation, Personal Hygiene, Cooking and Nutrition. I will be introducing the concept of sanitation and why it's important to them and those around them.
This trip will hopefully be the first in a series of trips that will help the students set up a foundation that they will not only learn from but be able to teach their own peers. This will set them up for a brighter, healthier future. Not only for the students but for their families.
How Do You Fit In?
Many times, we want to know how we can help people in need, but sometimes the time, finances or the know-how just isn't available. Every dollar donated will help chidlren in another country live longer, stronger, healthier lives. I have chosen to give up my job and what little ambitions I had to serve the underserved, love the unloved and reach out to those who were unreached. I am passionate about seeing Jesus' love extended to others, and I can be the hands and feet of not just Jesus, but those who want to serve in other countries but can't go.
"What If I Can't Give?"
If you can't give, please share the link, spread the word. And if you think you can't give $1, think again! I had someone give $3, and it was as much of a blessing as $100! Thank you so much!
What Happens To Your Donations?
Your donations will go through All Nations International, a non-profit organization that NEEPUganda is under. That means your donations are TAX DEDUCTABLE! It's the gift that gives back! Isn't that great?
What Happens If I Don't Make It?
If I don't make the deadline, the money will go to the next trip we will take to Uganda. The money will only be used for that trip and the things pertaining to that trip (Visas, vaccinations, trip necessities). Thank you!