My Future Belongs To Me

Do you really think what you are doing matters? 

This is a well-meaning question that I often get from friends when I tell them that I am going on another short-term mission trip. 

I am not angry when I am asked this question because I get it.  When you look at Mexico City, Uganda, or El Salvador, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the need. For example, according to UNICEF, more than half of Uganda's children live in poverty.  This doesn't just mean that they live in a household with low income but it includes being deprived of basic necessities such as food, shelter, clean water and education. 

When I recently took a trip to Uganda with Fields of Dreams Uganda, I was overwhelmed by the need that I observed.  For every child that we assisted by paying school fees, many others still could not afford an education.  Even if we could help the children stay in school, many of the children are starving and go the entire day without food.  If the children are in school and have some food, they may be abused at home, or they may not even have a home and live at the school. 

At times, when I only saw what was right in front of me, I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up.  However, serving on short term mission trips and serving on the Board of Directors of Fields of Dreams Uganda have taught me that progress is  slow and takes time and dedication, but much progress is being made. 

If we go into an environment and try to "fix" every issue, we will quickly burn out and lose hope, but if we focus on the individuals that are impacted by our work, that is where true progress is observed.

When I was in Gulu, Uganda, I briefly met a young man and we connected.  We chatted for a few minutes, and I gave him a picture of my family that had my contact information on the back.  This was in late February.

Just this week, I received a message from this young man through Facebook.  Somehow, despite having no electricity or running water, he was able to gain internet access.  He had kept the picture that I gave him, and he messaged me. He told me he is studying hard to reach his dreams.  Then he asked how his brothers and sister in the USA are doing.  He specifically mentioned each of my children by name.

In that moment, I knew the answer to the question, "Do you really think what you are doing matters?"  My trip to Uganda may not matter to the country of Uganda, or even the town of Gulu.  But when I just showed up at one school and met one boy, I mattered so much to him that he cherished a picture of my family for months.  He held onto my contact information until he could find a way to contact me.  

If my trip meant nothing to anyone else, it mattered to this boy.  This boy who has dreams and hope.  I matter to him. 

Isn't that all that really matters?  When you read about Jesus and his ministry, most of Jesus' miracles focused on the individual.  Sure, he preached to the masses, but when he healed, he healed the individual.  He didn't ride into town and end hunger.  He didn't eradicate leprosy and disease.  Jesus met the need of the individual that he was with at that moment.  If someone needed food, he fed the individual.  If someone needed healing, he healed the individual. 

We are not called to save the world or solve the world's problems.  We are called to just show up. And when we just show up, our job is to be present in the moment and love the people that stand before us. 

Skeptics may say that we have done nothing that matters, but if you talk to the boy in Gulu that I am messaging daily, I think he would say otherwise.  I think he would tell you that just by showing up, he knows that someone cares. Someone loves him.  It gives him hope.

For more reflections by Beth Gianopulos, check out www.PWLawyerMom.org

Tugging at my heart

I keep having to remind myself that I can't fix everything ...

And for someone who likes to put the pieces together to make things work even if it is sometimes an odd way to do it, that can be frustrating,

But it is frustrating with a dose of hope sprinkled in ...

Seeing students hungry that first day at a school tugged on my heart. I know how it is for me to focus on and learn anything when I am hungry (I can always tell when my daughter is hungry too ... her personality seems to change).  I see this to a degree in the students I teach each day ... although there is really no comparison.

The sprinkle of hope is that there is already the beginning of a plan to meet that need!  Solving problems like this can't be done by one person or group working in isolation. I have a feeling the cooperation, creativity, communication, and critical thinking will all come in to play in addressing this need.

I was already thinking of ways that I could continue doing art parties like I did to raise money for my trip to a little.

But it can't be done alone ...

Then on days 2 and 3, I found another issue that tugged at my heart ...

(That seems to be a theme for me this week ...)

On day 2, we met and talked with a groups of girls about the things that could prevent them from coming to school. The thought of not being able to afford school fees was repeated a number of times. On day 3, we heard the same thing from the parents.

The sprinkle of hope for me was that these students and parents saw the importance of education and wanted to be able to come to school. Beth Gianopolus shared with us that her group on day 2 talked not only about the difficulties students have but also about the joys they have.  We got to hear about the joys both students and parents have on day 3.  Education, friends at school, reading, and Fields of Dreams were just a few of the joys that stood out to me. That made my heart smile!

Although I know I can't tackle solving the problem of school fees myself, I do know that there is something I can do!  I can make a monthly contribution to the Fields of Dreams scholarship program.

And you know it may not be much, but it could make the difference for one student!

I may not be able to fix everything, but for me this trip has reinforced how important it is for me to be a Woman of Substance and do my part in helping others!

This Weekend ...

I know this is a busy time of year, but I am really looking forward to this coming weekend ...

Yes, I know weekends are good anyway

But this one is going to be extra special, I think ...

We are having our first annual Holiday Bazaar at Project: Re3 on Saturday, Dec 12 from 10am to 2pm!

All the proceeds will go to support our upcoming trip to Uganda!

There will be vendors for you to take care of getting some unique gifts!

We will also have baked goods for sale to satisfy that sweet tooth!

And homemade chicken stew to help you warm up on a cold winter day!

And we even have photographers coming for Christmas mini-sessions outside!

Did you know there will also be lots of games, free face painting, and activities for the kids too?

This is also a way for us to introduce ourselves and our new home to the community!

I look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Lauren Reel

 dancejust4kicks@yahoo.com or 336-409-0705

Fields of Dreams Uganda Hygiene Kit Drive

As we approach Christmas, we are also approaching the annual Fields of Dreams hygiene kit drive. A group of five of us from Project:Re3 will be traveling to Uganda to distribute the hygiene kits in February. We would love it if you would consider sharing this with your friends or donating to this cause here.

In Uganda, girls face unique challenges as they strive to achieve their dreams.  Did you know many Ugandan girls miss up to 20% of school because they don't have the necessary sanitary supplies for their monthly cycles? Fields of Dreams Uganda strives to ensure that no girl falls behind in the classroom or on the field by equipping each of the mature girls in our 10 partner schools with a hygiene kit.  Fields of Dreams Uganda purchases these hygiene kits from AFRIpads, a local Ugandan social enterprise employed by a workforce made up of 90% women, that creates cloth pads/hygiene kits which are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable (for up to one year).

It is the hope of our organization to distribute 2,500 hygiene kits during the 2016 calendar year. We will distribute these kits at our 10 partner schools, through friendly matches in the communities we operate, and through a Hope Cup Soccer Tournament that is open to any teams throughout Uganda. Do to our generous and passionate donors, 1,200 kits have already been accounted for over the 2015 calendar year. This is in large part to a substantial grant received from the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation specifically for our hygiene kits. This leaves our goal for our Holiday Hygiene Drive of raising enough support to purchase the remaining 1,300 kits at a cost of $22,120.

During the distribution of our hygiene kits our Ugandan staff have seen multiple changes on our partner campuses. The attendance rates have improved on our partner campuses (at Bungatira Primary School alone, 100 girls returned to school because of these life-changing kits), the cleanliness of the dormitories and school grounds has increased, the school drop-out rates have decreased, the hygiene kits have opened up conversations about other health topics on the campuses and have helped to build trust between our Ugandan staff and the girls that we are serving.

While distributing these life-changing hygiene kits, the girls receiving these items are also empowered through girl empowerment workshops on character, self-defense training, sexual assault prevention, and anti-trafficking education. The courage of these young girls has also helped spearhead a character and integrity training for the young men at our partner schools to stop any future perpetrators, and create a more comfortable and safe learning environment for these future leaders of Uganda. 

*Fields of Dreams Uganda was awarded the 2014 International Sport for Health Award by Beyond Sport for its Girl Empowerment Program.

What's In The Kit:At just $17 the purchase of a hygiene kit ensures that each girl can attend classes and train on the soccer field by equipping them with the following:

             5 washable, durable pads

             2 Pad Storage Bags

             2 Large Bars of Soap

             1 Wash Basin

             1 Drying Rack

             3 Pair of Underwear           

             1 Kit Storage Bag

             And most importantly a new sense of dignity and self-respect!

Kit Distribution:                                                                               

Laroo Primary School (Northern Region) = 267 kits needed                                           

Pageya Primary School (Northern Region) = 201 kits needed

Koro Primary School (Northern Region) = 159 kits needed

Gulu PTC Demonstration Primary School (Northern Region) = 178 kits needed                                   Bungatira Primary School (Northern Region) = 279 kits needed           

Wakiso Children’s School of Hope (Central Region) = 156 kits needed                                                     New Kabaale Busega (Central Region) = 133 kits needed

Vision For Africa (Central Region) = 104 kits needed

Humble United Methodist School (Central Region) = 123 kits needed

St. Kazito Primary School (Central Region) = 125 kits needed

If our goal of $22,120 is exceeded, all additional proceeds will be used towards our Girl Empowerment Program including our soccer and educational programming at our partner schools. With the focus of the majority of these funds being used to build new and clean changing rooms at our partner schools in Northern Uganda.

And I could not get it out of my mind ...

I have been on a mission trip before ...

But not since I was a teenager ...

I have been overseas before ...

But not since I was a teenager ...

I have been enjoying attending Project: Re3 ...

But I felt like something was missing (and it is not being a teenager) ...

One Sunday, I heard Beth G. talk about the Girls Empowerment Trip to Uganda ...

And I could not get it out of my mind!

So I said that I wanted to go ...

Before I even knew much about it ...

But the more I have explored and learned, the more I want to go!

I am truly a teacher at heart and strive to help others explore possibilities for learning. My passion is all about building people up and helping them achieve things they never thought possible. That is why the mission and vision of theFields of Dreams Uganda organization appeals to me so much:

·         Mission: The mission of Fields of Uganda, Inc. is to provide hope for the orphaned and vulnerable children of Uganda through the vehicles of soccer and education.

·         Vision: We envision communities in Uganda where orphans and vulnerable children can reach their full potential as compassionate human beings

From the Fields of Dreams Uganda website:

In Uganda, girls face unique challenges as they strive to achieve their dreams. Fields of Dreams Uganda is proud to offer creative and empowering programming to help bring those dreams within reach. An investment in the girls of Uganda will go a long way in impacting the communities where these girls live, and in turn the nation of Uganda as a whole. Supporting this initiative ensures the following benefits for one girl enrolled in one of our nine partner campuses:

·         A hygiene kit to ensure that each girl can attend classes and train for soccer during their monthly cycles

·         Coaching that ensures confidence building and life skills training

·         Educational guidance and counseling services from our highly skilled Education Advocates along with DREAMS training

·         Access to FoDU soccer programming, tournaments, and training

·         The reassurance that their life matters, and they have a purpose

Here is the part that hooked me: When girls in Uganda get old enough to have their monthly cycles, they stop going to school for that week each month because they don't have anything to prevent them from messing up their dresses.

That time away from education and opportunities impacts their future!

That is why I am going on a Girls Empowerment Trip!

Our group will be involved in the distribution of hygiene kits and girl empowerment workshops at all nine partner schools.

Here is a great video about the Girls Empowerment Project from the Field of Dreams Uganda website:

 

Be on the lookout for ways you can support our trip, both through fundraisers and specific prayer opportunities!