You've got the Magic
Hey, friends. I hope you are all doing well! I want to start off by saying thank you! We started off 2016 with the goal of raising 100% of our annual operating budget all in the month of January. We raised 80% of our goal! Not bad at al! This takes a huge burden off of me. I'll still be working hard to raise money but without the fear of missing our monthly budget requirements for food and school fees in Uganda. That was all you. Well done.
We've recently launched a couple new features on our website that allow you to step into the role of world changer. You can now create your own fundraiser to help empower kids in Uganda. Run a marathon. Host a party. Do whatever you want to do you and use it to change the world. You can even pledge your birthday. Let your friends and family know that you're turning down gifts this year and instead you'd like them to donate to a cause that you believe in. You'll get your own fundraising page and we'll help you tell the world how you're empowering kids in Uganda.
To give you an example, I'm starting my own fundraiser called 300 Miles in Their Shoes. I'm going to walk 10 miles every day of the month of April carrying a plastic jerry can full of water. Here is why: The average woman and child in Uganda has to walk 10 miles each day to retrieve and carry water. Every. Day. By walking this distance while carrying a large amount of water every day I'm going to be telling a story and using it as a tool to raise money and empower kids to rise above poverty.
This story is personal to me. Alex and JoJo are the first two kiddos I met in Fort Portal on my first Uganda trip two years ago. Not long before I met them they were victims of child labor, carrying water all day. Alex was 6. JoJo was 3. Let that sink in.
Half of Ugandan children live in poverty. Half of that group lives in what is classified as extreme poverty. That is 1.6 million kids living in extreme poverty in Uganda. Alex and JoJo fell into the latter group. I'm going to be walking on behalf of Alex and JoJo and the 3.2 million kids living in extreme poverty in Uganda. This is their story.
If you live in or around Boise, I'd love for you to walk side by side with me as we tell this story together. If you live somewhere else in the country you can walk in your city. If you want to know how you can join me you can check out my personal fundraising page here.
Meanwhile, think about how you can use your ideas to create your own fundraiser. Maybe you can pledge your birthday. I'm committed to doing what I can to change the world and I want you to realize that you can do the same. I believe in magic and that you've got it inside of you. Use it to make a difference.