Welcome
“One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
- John F. Kennedy
I was raised to think as a world citizen and not just a U.S. citizen. I am grateful to my parents for teaching me this way of thinking. Since I was a kid I've had the opportunity to volunteer in many different capacities and for many different causes, such as food drives, health fairs, women's history month events, conservation and other environmental issues, animal rights/treatment, and special olympics events.
In May 2009, I had my first overseas volunteering experience. I was able to spend a week at an orphanage in Romania through a volunteer organization called United Planet (www.unitedplanet.org). Photos from that trip can be viewed at:
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2288987&id=29604330&l=d53cb97edf
My most recent volunteer trip was to the Cradle of Love baby home in Tanzania. Photos from that trip can be viewed at:
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2339441&id=29604330&l=cb9c171932
At the beginning of October 2009 I decided to start a non profit organization to help fund volunteer projects and supplies, both stateside and overseas. I received an EIN from the IRS for the non profit, and I am currently working on filling out the "Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code", for non profit status. A good friend, Amber Smith, is a CPA and is volunteering her time to me with this process. I am also working on forming a board of advisors.
Volunteer Trip To Tanzania
My most recent volunteer trip was to the Cradle of Love baby home in Tanzania, which is run by a friend of mine, Davona Church (www.cradleoflove.com). Davona and her husband, Max Church, have been missionaries overseas for years. She is the Director of the Cradle of Love baby home and Max is the Director of ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) in Tanzania (www.adratz.org). Here is some information about the baby home and the needs of the people in that area:
"In Tanzania ten percent of the adult population is affected by the AIDS virus. Since HIV is accelerated by pregnancy, many women die from AIDS leaving a nursing infant with no one to provide adequate nutrition or care. Without intervention, whether or not the infant is infected with HIV, it would soon die from malnutrition. In Tanzania, the Cradle of Love Baby Home is responding to the cries of orphaned and abandoned babies.
Within the region of Arusha there is one home for infants and toddlers; however, they do not accept HIV positive babies and are often overflowing. The SOS children's village, located nearby, specializes in school-age children. Presently, infants who are orphaned or abandoned usually stay in a hospital because there is no place to care for them.
Established to provide interim care for infants in need, the Cradle of Love Baby Home creates a safe environment where the babies will receive proper nutrition and medical care, as well as all the love and attention they deserve. Since it responds to those found HIV positive, there will be times when a baby dies; however, that infant will feel loved and secure until its last breath." www.cradleoflove.com
I've had experience working with babies and children in several capacities:
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Worked in Labor & Delivery while a medic in the Air Force
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Volunteered for a TDY (temporary duty) to provide medical care at a handicapped camp for kids while stationed in Texas, and provided first aid at special olympics events on base
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One of my part time jobs while working on my undergrad was as a nanny
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Volunteered at an orphanage in Romania
Because children and babies are so vulnerable and hold a special place in my heart, I felt privileged to spend time with the little ones at the Cradle of Love. Davona is a very special lady who devotes her time to the babies at the Cradle of Love and doesn't even pay herself a salary. She was ecstatic to receive the donations of baby wipes, hand sanitizer, and other supplies that I was able to bring in my luggage. Supplies like hand sanitizer and baby wipes are especially important for the infants in the nursery because many of them are preemies and are immune compromised dues to HIV or other causes. Special thanks to those who donated funds to make the trip possible, and to the businesses and churches in the Chattanooga, TN area who donated or facilitated donations of supplies for the baby home: Pocket Full of Posies Children's Boutique, McDonald Road Adventist Church, S&S Auto Repair, and the Collegedale Community Church.
Davona's husband, Max, also does a lot of good in his position with ADRA. I was able to find out from him more about what ADRA does in Tanzania, which includes projects like microeconomics for widows (assisting with small businesses), providing food for those who do not have enough, water projects, and many others. Special thanks to Starbucks, who recently donated $1,000,000 to ADRA for water wells in Africa.
What You Can Do To Help
1. Donate funds to help keep organizations going, such as One Person Can Make A Difference, Cradle of Love, and ADRA.
2. Pray for these organizations and those they serve.
3. Volunteer.
Recent News
November 2009-Volunteered at the Cradle of Love baby home in Tanzania.
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2339441&id=29604330&l=cb9c171932
May 2009-My United Planet Quest to the Pro Vita orphanage in Romania.
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2288987&id=29604330&l=d53cb97edf
Website updated November 30th, 2009.