Today. I would like to tell you about a magical place. A place that is so beautiful, that I hesitate to say anything… or do anything to disturb it.
We have all stumbled upon a butterfly sitting perfectly on a flower, or that sunset that couldn’t be real….and stand there conflicted about whether to go grab the camera or just enjoy it until it is no longer. I have grappled with this same feeling upon our return from this little magical place.
We’ve wanted to call people over, point at the miracle underfoot. We’ve been scared maybe even selfish, because you don’t want anyone to ruin it. To dab their eyes like we did but then startle the butterfly with their flashbulbs, pick the flower for their scrapbook, drop the tissue on the ground, and ask what’s next.
But we trust you because you are gentle with each other and us, and the chief monkey reveres still and calm.
Before we show you to your dance floor, let me introduce ourselves. Last you heard from us, we were on our way to an Easter Sunrise Service. You can see for yourself the sunrise that awaited us that morning and we did in fact meet our kids. But we will save that for another time. The basics are that I’m Mike, the stereotypical rent-a-bureaucrat (the polite word is “Consultant”) who thinks in spreadsheets and process flows and tries to qualify or explain everything. I have a gift for over analyzing everything which is great when you get paid by the hour but not so good when you are married to an extra-verted artist who thinks in colors (her words not mine) and fills her days with lots of hugs, clapping, cooking and maybe even a good Scotch.
Any story we tell is punctuated by lots of interjections with Meg rolling her eyes as I go PC and me gritting my teeth as she goes filter-free. So why should this story be any different? Just to keep it real–we should admit that the reason why this post wasn’t posted yesterday was because we couldn’t figure out how to tell it together. The solution: His and Hers posts. This was mine. Now for Meg’s. Take it away honey.
First. a confession. Unlike most of the other guest bloggers I have never actually met Glennon. Even though I always refer to her as, “my really good friend” We have a very one-sided relationship–I read her blog—and on occasion I will email her something that I think is funny. Mike has met G in person, they spent their festive years together in college. Some of Glennon’s friends, even some that she has written about on the blog, I have met…in fact a few of them, even came to our wedding. Yes. I do realize that I am a huge dork.
I stumbled across Momastery last fall. I was busy at work perusing Facebook, keeping up with all of my peeps. When another, really good friend, whom I hadn’t seen in years, posted a link to our beloved Momastary. I am not quite sure which post it was; I believe she linked to the story about being a Cheeto-Cheater. In minutes, I was laughing so hard that I was crying. I know, you know the feeling.
Well. The afternoon passed with me saying to myself between snorts, laughs and tears—ME TOO.
As you know, Glennon has a way of speaking directly to you. Making you feel like you she is writing to you and for you, she very relate-able. I was able to relate to nearly all of her posts, but the ones about international adoption stopped me in my tracks. She actually WAS writing those posts for me.
Cue the music ladies.
At the time Mike and I had been waiting for a baby from Ethiopia for nearly two years and unfortunately there was no end in sight. So. Finally we made the difficult decision; we got “out of” the proverbial line in Ethiopia and stepped into the adoption line in Uganda. One day we will give this story it’s due. But not now. Not today.
Because today. I am going to talk about our magical place in Jinja, Uganda. This place called Good Shepherds Fold.
Lace up your shoes ladies.
There are so many things that can be said about Uganda. I can write for days about the many smells. I am not sure if it was the deet that I was covered in or the mystery-meat cooking in the roadside stands or what, but there is a very distinct aroma to Uganda. But. Again. We’ll save this story for another time.
Mike and I arrived on Easter morning. The sunrise, well it was incredible.
One of the very first things that I noticed upon arrival to GSF was all of the children. The happy children were everywhere. Waving. Laughing. Skipping. Smiling…they were expecting us. That was an incredible feeling I won’t ever forget…they were expecting us.
Good Shepherds Fold is nestled in a sugar cane farm on 120 acres about 30 minutes from Jinja, Uganda. On the property is an orphanage, a school, a medical clinic, a farm, guest housing and homes for the missionaries who oversee the whole operation.
There is always a lot going on, but it is truly all about the children. There are a lot of statistics to be found, I am not sure which ones are true, but I do know this. There are a lot of kids who need parents in Uganda. And there are a lot of parents in Uganda who are unable to take care of their children, because they simply do not have enough.
Are your toes tapping?
In Uganda all schools have fees. There is no such thing as “free public school.” Families are responsible for paying for school uniforms, shoes, lunch and more in order for the kids to attend class. If families can’t pay, kids don’t go to school. Without school, there is no hope for a future in a developing nation like Uganda. Period.
The cool thing about GSF, is they don’t turn away kids for lack of money. If you can walk there, you can go to school. Good Shepherds Fold BELIEVES in EMPOWERING children with an education. But they need our help.
So. Come on let’s dance.
They have real needs. Like pencils and playdoh and crayons and stickers and books and erasers and money for school uniforms.
Are you in? Can you help?
Pencil bags
Pens
Crayons
Fun pads-workbooks
Paper
Notebooks
Childrens books
Playdoh
Flash Cards
Backpacks
Black Shoes (new and gently used) all sizes
Money for uniforms
Wow! Hello Friends! Our family works and lives in this magical place called GSF. We are overwhelmed by your outpouring of love and ideas. Thank you!
I am so excited and amazed! This is the best brainstorming session I have ever read. I wasn't able to log on yesterday and am overwhelmed by the generosity, ingenuity, and passion of all the Monkees. It's awesome!
G – I didn't get a Dream Team email and would love to. Its kts9699 at hotmail dot com
Oh my stars!!! This is just amazing. You People are amazing. I have a huge crush on Megan and Mike. It's all just too much.
I can make periodic trips to Jinja. I absolutely can.
Also, IJM has an office in Uganda with aftercare partners that may (like our office in Rwanda) include income-producing cooperatives for widows where they get training and ban together to grow food or make clothes. I am thinking of this because perhaps we could integrate these cooperatives into our plan: by employing the widows (who have had their land stolen) in order to serve the kids. Kind of goes with our local economy/ sustainability goals, plus it addresses the core of the problem — helping children stay in their families by helping families be able to provide for their children. I will follow up to see what the options are with that.
Please let me know how I can help from here. I'll be in Jinja in a hot minute when you give me the word.
love love love
Sister
Love it. When you smart people figure it all out, I will be ready to help.
I'm really glad I keep coming back to the dance party, it has been such an exciting day. I suggested the seeds for the ability of growing their own garden and I guess I wasn't clear what I meant to say was that my sister-in-law bought the seeds in Thailand, so she new that everything would work in their climate.
My best skills are organizational skills (not with my own home, but for other people I am great at it). So please put me to work. I can keep the spreadsheets together and lists of who has done what and who needs reminding – so please utilize me!
I love to come here everyday and not only be inspired, but educated by smart, beautiful and strong woman. Thanks Monkees <3<3<3
Hey Monkees,
I googled and got the orphanage's website:
Good Shepherds Fold
If you click on "Support the Ministry" they seem to be set up to take online monetary donations. And they seem to have a child sponsorship program, too. If we decide not to go that route and to put a Monkee spin on the giving, the website is still a good way to learn about them. Check it out!
I just knew that when I got back the dance would be in OVERTIME.
The original post said M&M would be carrying these things to Uganda . . . but there's a limit to what even they can carry.
Shipping to Africa is complicated — you can't just stick it in the mail and plan for it to arrive. The people on that end have to pay fees to 'receive' their packages. (One missionary friend had to pay $20 to receive a cake someone sent him – 6 months back)
So we need to BREATHE (Thanks, Kelley) and think about the logistics before we all go hog wild collecting stuff.
I'm thinking Chimmy (and thank you sister for that tear-inspiring poem) and others who have been to Africa (I believe Tova was one) might have a better line on how to arrange things logistically.
And as several have mentioned, sustainability is key. We can't collect stuff each May and be done until the next year.
And as another lawyer monkee, I'm thinking an entity with non profit status would help the Monkees not have to reinvent the wheel.
Okay Glennon, here's your direction: Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Kiss Craig. Inhale and smile that YOU are the one who gets to kiss him…and that there's no coughy smelly guy out there on the bay.
I am honored to be a part of this. I can send supplies or money…just let us know what is best. Love the buy local idea and supporting growing a garden of thier own.
M&M thanks for sharing your story with us. I loved your voice and the way you shared it as well. It was worth the days wait!
Glennon what a great post! My sister is a teacher in FFX Co, so I will ask her for any extra supplies they may have extra at the end of the year, and also PLEASE let us know when the paypal system is ready.
I really think it would be neat to do some sort of fundraiser, for both material donations and money.
Also, Im wondering if there are some private sector folks we could involve, that would want to make some of the material item donations? Possibly even the uniforms? Let me do a little brainstorming on that aspect.
This post really puts things into perspective. We think that we are hit with hard times in our country, and PLEASE dont get me wrong there are people who are suffering, but for those poor kids– they ONLY know hard times, and how do they deal?? They laugh and smile and make the best of every day! Its heartbreaking and incredible all at the same time.
You all are really amazing to organize and get this effort started and Im excited to be a part of it!
AMAZING. I have chills and my mind is racing a mile a minute.
I work at an elementary school and will immediately check on end of the year school supplies and also getting a class to make cards and possibly be a permanent pen pal class for the kiddos.
I too want to do some shopping and get supplies over to Megan and Mike!
God is good.
-Courtney
Hey guys –
A few updates to the things I suggested…
1. I have a contact who is checking to see if we can get the pencil cases wholesale. She owns an imprinting company and thinks she can get them nice and cheap from her supplier. We should have more info this weekend if not before.
2. Got the following info on Gardening from my friend at The Dinner Garden…
" I have connections with http://www.facebook.com/l/ddea7;www.gardenafrica.org.uk/ they set up gardens for people in Africa and teach them how to become self sustaining. The reason Dinner Garden is only in the USA is because of strict import and export laws that pertain to seeds. If you have someone who wants to start a DG branch in another country, we can absolutely help them out. If you need gardening info, I can introduce you to Garden Africa. They are an amazing group really committed to making things work. Let me know if you want an introduction. Also, if you see anything on the DG website you think would be useful to your mission, please feel free to print and distribute it. Let me know what else I can do to help you all out!" -Holly
Still checking on some more things but please add this info to the M&M&G weekend list.
Just wanted to add I am on board with sending money or items that don't weigh too much. What ever makes the most sense. The most important thing is that the kids get what they need, not that my kids get to buy stickers for someone. No matter what we do it will be part of our new Story.
What I love about this so much is there is no age too young to help out! I have been looking for something my whole family can be a part of…yes it came from your "What is your Story" post Glennon. I can't get that out of my head. My family needs a bigger story and even a 3 year old can help others. I look forward taking the kids to gather stickers and school supplies and LOVIES…oh how we love LOVIES at our house.
So exciting! The Uganda beads are beautiful. The Ugandans use recycled magazine pages and wrap them to look like beads in all kinds of brilliant colors. My daughter and I love to wear ours and would love to buy more. They make awesome gifts, too. I like the idea of buying supplies locally in Uganda, as well, so count me in on pay pal. If that's not a possibility, I'll definitely contribute supplies. Thanks Mike, Megan and Glennon for rocking this dance!
Tova,
Great minds…I was doing the very same thing today–compiling African picture book titles. Let's compare notes and maybe I can add a few to yours. The reading teacher in me was thinking we could read each book from the list to a kid (or kids) here and then have him/her/them write a note to send tucked inside the book.
M & M, how old are the kids? Preschool + elementary-aged?
Mike and Megan, Love your story and your storytelling. Thank you for sharing your magical journey with us… those precious butterflies and that gorgeous sunset. Look forward to hearing more from you two.
G, So excited to help!
Much love to all!
Okay, if you think it will make most sense to contribute money so they can buy locally, I will do that. Otherwise, can you assign me pencil cases and tell me approximately how many? xoxo
YAY lawyers!
Tova is putting together a list of african books for us to collect. They do speak and read english!
Wow…just got here (I've been real busy not finding a job) and this is all AMAZING.
Do the kids read in English or do we need to limit ourselves to picture books? Can we find books in their native tongue?
Re: Seeds. The lawyer in me thinks we should check the international regulations regarding shipping seeds to Uganda. Because seeds are "live products", they are subject to numerous government regulations in most countries and as time goes on, it is becoming more and more difficult to ship seeds overseas.
"Samantha Fox is such a wild dame (what's your name?)"
Love,
Brooks
Has anyone thought about how much it's going to cost to ship everything & the taxes that will need to be paid to get a shipment the size of what I think it will be (HUGE) through customs? I think we should be sure the paypal donations cover those costs too. I'm in!
-K
I don't know what excited me more – giving to beautiful children or reading Samantha Fox lyrics. This weekend, my insane tots are going to go art-work mad for their new friends. I'm so on board for helping these wonderful babes. I want to kiss their feet – I loved that picture of toes! Too sweet!
OK me too me too me too – Here are my random thoughts to add to all the other wonderful ones!
1. I'm the President of our Junior Woman's Club and we are almost all moms (and many teachers) and have a meeting next week. I can announce the collection of end of the year school stuff. I think I can get a bunch.
2. I have a high school friend who runs an amazing non profit called The Dinner Garden. (www.dinnergarden.org) who's goal is to "End Hunger Through Gardening" Its amazing – they gather seeds, package and ship them back out to people around the country with newsletters helping them know what to do to make their gardens work! Holly is a gardening guru and I can ask her if she has any idea what would/would not grown in Uganda and see if they can help with info and/or seeds. I know their biggest challenge is usually shipping costs but I bet we can help make that work if we need to. She has connections with all kind of huge suppliers for seeds so that you can buy a gazillion tomato seeds as cheap as buying one tomato. Its great!
3. I might have a line on some pencil cases through our work at Bun Bun…we are working with a number of vendors so we can get things at wholesale. Let me see what I can come up with.
So so excited about all of this my heart is racing. Thanks M&M&G for blaring the music to which we can dance our hearts out!!
Y'all. I seriously almost PASSED OUT at my computer, I was so amazed and excited and overwhelmed and touched by M&M and all of your comments and suggestions. I can barely sit still I'm so excited to do this.
I will start collecting supplies here and at AJ's school asap.
And there's literally nothing AJ likes better than an art project, so I will deploy my sweet little Picasso to write some cards. All of the E's and J's will be backwards, but they will be VERY loving. Would the kids at GSF like to be pen-pals? I know AJ and the rest of our family would love to write to the children.
And I'm up for purchasing seeds if someone tells me what kind to get — I've slaughtered every plant I ever tried to raise, so I'll need much guidance here.
And, I will PayPal as much as my husband will let me for the uniform fund.
Too excited. Must remember to breathe.
Glennon/Megan – put me on the team and tell me where to electronically send money. If there is anything else I can do, like be a point of collection here in Leesburg and/or transport things anywhere, please let me know.
I'm in… money, supplies, books, anything, everything!!
i'm in!
chase
Love the seeds idea, especially the part about teaching kids how to farm….Most of these kids will never leave the village so educating them on how to grow more food for themselves and their family is huge.
We will put that one in the future service project list
Thanks for all the great ideas, this is fun.
Oh, so many ideas. What about hooking them up with some Moringa trees. I saw these trees in action in Swaziland and they are amazing!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa
Love the idea of supporting the local economy in the area when possible. LOVE the idea of the garden. It's near and dear to my heart. I am a landscaper by trade and have spent years researching urban agriculture in third world countries. The dream being that one day I will go and teach sustainable agriculture.
FYI – Seeds. Please make sure that they are varieties compatible to the area, and even better, open pollinated varieties so they can save seeds. If they are hybridized, or worse, genetically modified, they will be trapped in a cycle of having to buy seeds every year and possibly paying royalties to large corporations like Mons*anto*.
If anyone wants to talk to me further about what seeds would work and where to get them, let me know. I will call one of the seed banks here to find out if they can donate seeds to Africa.
Glennon, I am not on the email list so far.
Tova
natgardesigns at yahoo dot ca
I'm in I'm in I'm in! I am so excited!!!! Let the shopping begin!
Maryann,
I'm going to work on getting a Monkee get together that week that you are here.
G- hope you don't mind me taking that on. I figured you probably have a lot going on right now. Loves ya.
I am soo excited!! I am on my way down to the storge bins to look for black shoes..Also..I am going to contact our Brownie Troop and get these kids some supplies! This past Monday our troop brought supplies to a women's shelter "Gift of Caring" is the badge they earned..maybe they would be open to earning some more points:) I also have a good friend who works in the uniform biz.. I will give her a call..much to do!! Count me in for a cash donation as well.. JB
Oh my goodness, I feel the Monkee power! I am so overwhelmed with excitement that I can't stop sweating…..okay, TMI. G, this is amazing, amazing. Just emailed Mike and Megan, can't wait to see the beaded necklaces and love the paypal idea! All of those beautiful little faces are with me forever and ever….
Go Monkees!!!! I'm at work and haven't been commenting lately but just wanted to SEND THE LOVE today – and the goods
You all rock!
oooooooooh chimmy!
oh chimmmy!!!
unbelievable, sister.
and monkees…..carrie a is my best friend from childhood! welcome carrie!!!!
carrie and i used to get ready for elementary school every morning together listening to a samantha fox record…naughty girls need love too. s-s-s-s-samantha FOX.
care, why did our parents let us listen to that stuff?
then we graduated to jani lane and sebastian bach.
and we formed our own band and wrote a song called "fantasy boy." but neither of us could sing or play any instruments so we never really got too big.
Carrie A, I am so humbled and honored and just beside myself that you would post….TODAY of all days. Kick of those shoes and let's go.
SPORTS EQUIPMENT. YES. YES. And YES. they love to play soccer (futball) and basketball and I have a hunch the kiddos would love to play any sport that we provided the equipment for.
Sustainability. AMEN.
Have you guys heard of thegirleffect.org check it out. Or http://www.acumenfund.org/bluesweater/ it is pretty cool stuff.
I am working on PayPal and Etsy and ChipIn. I am trying to figure out the best/most efficient/cost effective way to take donations. I will have a solution by Monday.
Thanks Girls. HUMBLED. I am in in awe.
* spark a revolution to light up the world *
in its longing for
warmth
my tongue ignites
the fire
at my feet crackles
of noise and reckoning
and i will step in it
we will
chasing after a light
that shines within
basking in its burning embrace
that makes us feel alive
it is our time to look up
to the heavens
and swallow the sky
in one blink
it is our time
to loose ourselves
from the tight
grip of nothing
that matters
and lose everything
for a turn in the flames
for the dance
* What is to give light must endure burning *
dear monkees,
i sat to write
in morning's light
to trace the shape of my soul
and it was a flame
and all of you were in it
*hugs*
me
Hi All,
I have been a follower for a long time, but this is my first comment. I am sooo excited I couldn't stay quiet any longer. We can't forget about sports equipment- soccer balls especially!
SO happy to be a part of this!
Carrie A
Thank you for putting this together. Thank you for giving so many a purpose to feel useful. God uses each of us if we just open up and hear what He has to say. It goes without saying that I am going to help.
I am not sure what fees go along with PayPal but there is also Chip In, which I have seen people raise money for on blogs for adoptions and such. Might be worth looking into if there are fees involved.
Tricia
So many wonderful ideas! Such a gorgeous dance floor!
Here is a link to an organization we might want to consider partnering with either as mentor/protege or serious let's dance together partners: http://www.thefoundationfortomorrow.org/about_us.html
(LOVE THEM, I am going to retire working for an org like this when I grow too tired of the corporate jungle)
G, please sign me up for uniforms and School Supplies! I want to harness their creative spirits too and not have them worry about wear their clothes and shoes are coming from! I love Carin's idea of reaching out to places that supply uniforms. I'm going to tap into some friends in the garment biz too.
Books – Can't get enough of them!!!! Reading books, coloring books, I think we should just include these under school supplies.
SLM asked about Seeds! Yes, every gardener must know how their garden grows. Check with the locals on what they are able to sustain in the garden and what would be the most useful to both 1) help generate funds for the school (e.g., a farmer we support through Walking with Africans started planting flowers, tropical exotic flowers and now she does not need our support, she is making bank, because they are a hot commodity) and 2) FEED THE KIDS (to know what to feed the kids, we need to know what the locals cook — maize? veggies? etc.
Set up PayPal, it is super easy and the fastest way to get money collected.
G – can we sponsor tuition for a child? do you know roughly how much we're talking here? ( I believe $1 is rougly 2,200 Ugandan Shillings).
I have my dancing shoes on!
Let's do it, Monkees!!!
P.S. – G, when are we going to Africa hon? I may go this Fall to travel to my projects in Kenya and then swing by the Motherland of Malawi, but I wouldn't mind a side trip to Uganda and Rwanda… I'm definitely going for a long trip in 2011.
Sustainability! Sustainability! I love Sustainability!
Noted!
amazing ideas..amazing amazing.
it will take us some time, but we will synthesize all these ideas. keep em coming.
have i mentioned that this will take us some time?
YAY! I'm so excited. I can donate money (send link), seeds (fabulous idea), books (new and used), and even go shopping for other supplies. If the kids love receiving cards, does anyone know of a school or even a class that would want to be "official pen pals?" Let me know where to send things! Question: do we want to make the collection a one time thing? a monthly thing? a quarterly thing? I don't want us to do everything now and not have a plan for sustainability.
Thanks so much Mike and Megan, for letting us know about this need. I can't wait to hear your personal adoption story, as well.
One question–are there possible local suppliers of these items? I used to work in the relief and development field, and learned how much better it is for local economies to buy locally as much as possible. That way would would not only be supporting the children, but their community as well. Also, it saves resources necessary for shipping. Let us know if there if this would be at all possible, and if there is a way that we could contribute money.
Thanks–I am excited to be a part of this!
How about an Etsy store to sell the neckaces…and spread the word even farther afield?
YES! Books would be great! I attended a few different classes while we were there and I read to the children..they flipped through books during down time.
This is sooooo exciting!
What a beautiful story and even more beautiful the tons of comments already this morning! It is truly moving!!!
My family is in and I'm going to send an email to caring people who I think will want to dance.
Something I was thinking about last night was the books. I think Diane mentioned it. My friends and I swap children's books with each other and eventually donate them to the local thrift stores. Maybe I can do a local book drive with women in our community and send them, as well? Tell me your thoughts, Megan.
Ps – Looking forward to hearing about all the children and yours!
This is wonderful. Please send the paypal link when it is up and running. I'd like to donate money.
Terri
Forget March Madness, THIS is the big dance! I'd love to have my kids make some drawings, etc. to go with the supplies — I think that will help make it as meaningful to them as it is to me.
This is Mike,
I'm excited that you're excited. Thanks for seeing how much fun it is. All of your questions and comments help us think of all these crazy tidbits.
For example, MK….they do have a bus that they use when its working. They took the kids to the zoo in the city for a field trip and the kids were just excited to be in a car….for the first time. They sang literally the entire trip there…which is 3 hours.
OH, I remembered!
Megan said that the kids really really love cards from other kids. We could have our kids write to them?
Has anyone thought of contacting private schools here, manufactors of uniforms, stores like Target that support their local communities and pitching ideas of sponsorship to them? Maybe the private schools can donate used uniforms or even start a campaign to provide new ones. I know Target donates to schools in the US, maybe they would do an international?
My first initial ideas. Now I must ponder on others… and feed the kid seeing as she's dismanteling her shoe box and I'm going to be restringing shoes for an hour later.
Thank you Monkees for a great start to the day!
Had to come back to see the dancing… I love Aprile's idea of the garden too. Seeds! Seeds! Can you just see the kids' eyes light up with seed packages with beautiful colors on them? And seeds are so evocative of what the Monkees want to be part of…
Chimmy — if we're sending seeds to Africa, do we need to be concerned about particular kinds that might grow better there?
And MaryAnn — please let us know how your teen students continue the dance…
Now darn it I have to get going on my day where there will be no internet access. I can't WAIT to check back this evening to see the CONGA line!
Ha Ha – my word verification is RANTALOG. I'm pretty sure that's NOT what we do on this blog, but I'm not sure I completely omit it on my own! God talks to me even in word verification!
Also, I just got an email from my dear friend Kelly who said…"Um. I'm IN Uganda right now. Anything I can do from here?"
Amazing.
Yes, Yes, Yes!!
Yes, Sue Ann….Let's remember… Mama T said "We can do no great things. Just small things with great love."
or something, honestly im too excited to remember quotes.
if we handle collecting these little things with care, respect, and responsibility, i have a feeling He'll trust us with bigger and bigger things in the future.
We will go slow and steady. Turtle Monkees.
How exciting! I love the idea about getting the excess school supplies that are thrown away. Also, I lead a womens life group (bible study) and I will share this with them and see what ideas they come up with too. Thanks! I am usually the one to sit while everyone else dances but NOT THIS TIME!!! I am excited about getting started.
Looking forward to this group dance, instead of dancing all by myself! G, sending you an updated e-mail address.
Also, Monkees remember that donations don't have to be huge. One package of pencils or one notebook or $1 will make a difference!
LOVIES LOVIES LOVIES!!!!
Granny Monkee, Jeez Louise, how did I leave off our Queen Bee?
Man.
I'm in!! I'll start collecting and shopping today!!
Also… I was thinking… what about "lovies"? Every kid deserves their own soft blanket or animal to cuddle (and I can't get Annuncia out of my mind). Can we add that to the list or box? How soon can we mail this stuff? Great idea, Glennon!
G I am on the dream team but didn't get the email. I'll get the supplies when I am in NOVA in June. Oh—- Monkees— I will be in NOVA June16-23 would love to meet some or all of you that live in the area and are interested-maybe we could set up a meet or I could be there to receive you school supplies. I will be at Mike and Megan's. I am very excited at the prospect of meeting you — but not nearly as excited as I am about God's gift to my family.
Love Granny Monkee-Maryann
This is Megan. I just woke up. I am floored.
THANK YOU ALL.
I am working on a PayPal Now.
This is so exciting! Can't wait to hear more and to get in on the dance! Should those who contribute supplies also chip in for shipping?
Liz
My sister-in-law is from Thailand and last year when she went back to visit her daughters school, we made a contribution (not huge, but in their minds it was). My sister in law bought all of the supplies there in Thailand because they were much cheaper and she could get a lot more for her money.
The biggest problem the school had was feeding these children. They feed the children breakfast and lunch and they were completely out of funds, so my wonderful sister-in-law came up with a fantastic idea to show the teachers, administrators and students how to make a garden that would be large enough that eventually they would be able to use this garden to feed the children without having to go out and buy the produce and rice. This has worked so well for the school. I don't know that this is something that would work in Uganda, but it is worth a thought.
Please let me know what you want from me and I will be more then willing to help.
And thank you to Mike and Megan for sharing this beautiful part of their story.
Jennifer, YAY Girl Scouts!
One day M&M are going to tell us all about their babies but right now, they can't.
Okay Jen, we'll work on the Pay Pal thing!
Okay just wanted to say I'm really excited again.
I might be just watching the dance floor today.
MK, LOVE the thinking big!
Diane, yes they're in NOVA!
ooooh loving this!
a few things:
1. If you want to be on the Dream Team and didn't get an email from me last night, could you email me one more time? Please don't be offended. It's just that I had a few run ins with my terrifying spread sheets. There was cursing.
2. Darnit. I forgot all the other things.
More soon. Yes. Jingle Bella and SLM, maybe we'll make a Pay Pal thing and we can donate there.
This is so exciting! Great idea, SLM, about the school supplies.
And just last week I bought a couple of the Ugandan necklaces and they're beautiful, so I can't wait till Megan shares them with everyone.
G, should we jus email you if we want to contribute money to the uniform fund?
I would love to gather some of my children's books–how old are the children? How many children are there? Are they learning to read in English, or are their caregivers able to read in English?
Mike and Megan, do you live in Northen Virginia, for delivery purposes?
Go team!
I'll definitely send supplies as soon as I can, and I'll pass this on to my daughter's Girl Scout troop because they're always looking for new helping ideas. I might even have some used black shoes lurking in a closet! Do we have size suggestions, or does anything go?
Wouldn't it be cool if we could help buy a bus so more kids could go to this school? That's the part that makes me sad – some kids probably want to go but can't make it from so far away. I wonder how much a bus costs in Uganda?
This is a time-sensitive suggestion: For those with elementary age school kids. At the end of the year the kids often 'dump' supplies either at school or home and start fresh in the fall. Ask your child's teacher if you can put a box out to collect 'excess school supplies' for a school in Uganda. Heck, ask the principal if you can put a box out for the whole school!
Write a note to the parents that asks them to give their children permission to leave any excess (things on the list) in the box in the front lobby/office, etc. Have it sent home in each child's folder. If anyone needs more specifics on how to make this work, e-mail me at westenhoff at gmail dot com
We did this several years ago to send supplies to children in Iraq via a soldier who was there. It was amazing how much "new" stuff there was at the end of the school year — especially pens and pencils!
School is winding down though, so this is TIME SENSITIVE
And G., if people want to give money, it might behoove M&M to set up a paypal…
Still dancing and thinking
I love your stories Mike and Megan. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Of course I'm in. I can't wait to go shopping!!
Wow. That's amazing.
(Is there a way to give money? I don't have any of those things, nor time to shop (exams in a couple of weeks), and shipping from the UK to the US to Uganda seems silly … but I'd like to help.)
–Carol