WHAT'S IN STORE?

"You don't write because you
want to say something
You write because
you have something to say"
F.Scott Fitzgerald

Dear Kindred Souls,

When I was first introduced to you, I fulfilled the mission of Choose To Care(CTC), the non-profit I founded 12 years ago to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the youth in need.  My thinking is that this will help them to stay in school,bring pride and joy. You are the 76 young girls at St Peter's Technical School, in Lamin, Gambia, West Africa. Each of you received proper footwear, that you said brought a smile to your face and relief to your feet. But I never knew I would continue my connection with you; that is until the news that you were lacking other resources, drew me right in.

In 2018, the remarkable people who attended CTC's yearly fundraising was asked to bring a pair of scissors.  After all, dressmakers in the making need their own pair of scissors.  Each guest came through and soon we had more than enough to go around for you, the 76 budding girls.  Sewing machines are also sparse, but the founder of the Pillars of Gambia, went to town to change that and got you a few more; she is working hard to have enough to go around. She also heard from you how unbearable it is working in the hot classroom, under that fierce African sun, and a fan would make life much easier.  And of course your 'fairy godmother' went to work to make that happen.

This brings us to the next project that I have dubbed: "The Whole 9 yards"  We want to see you make the cut.  We would like to give you, this global community of young women, a fighting chance to blossom in your own way.  This project will take the pathway of empowerment, built to teach you that you matter and it is important for you to take care of yourself, while giving to your communities.  We are introducing 3 platforms; nutrition and health, environment and plans to begin to gain a foothold in the working world.

You will lead the charge to research any problem you are faced with as a community, such as garbage strewn all around the neighborhood and find tactics to confront it.  You will not be left alone, 2 of your teammates will be chosen or will volunteer to help with the process of this project. Everyone will be learning together. Working along side with you providing you with the tools to be successful at school in the aim. So this is it in a nutshell again:

•  Investing in mother earth, taking care of the environment, finding ways to use the scraps generated in the sewing class, instead of dumping.
• Staying nutritionally fit, following a healthy lifestyle
• Managing a business 

Although what is laid out in front of you may seem a hard road to travel, have no fear, you will be well prepared and confident to take on this pathway.  Our commitment to you will not waiver. We will stay with you every step along the way.

Looking forward to continuous global unity.  Cheering you on to become stronger women, with the hope that you will empower others and yourselves to handle the situations  you are faced with.

Until we meet!