It’s been a long while since I’ve updated The
Bernie Project blog, I apologize, it’s not because stories and words haven’t
been rolling around in this pumpkin size head of mine, it’s because finding the
time to sit down and tell the story has been used doing something else. Starting a non-profit is like well starting a
business and the list of “to-dos” does not get shorter, couple that with my
“real job”, things have been really busy since June.
For people who don’t know me personally,
professionally I’m a corporate meeting and event planner and the last few
months have been nothing short of insane. The fact that I’m writing this blog
en route to my “Swan Song” in the event industry is sort of amazing,
bittersweet and perfect timing.
My fourth trip to Uganda in August was
fantastic and I was lucky not one time did I think “what am I doing here?! This
is a mistake.” Those 9 days could not have gone better, the affirmations I
received that week were a blessing. Sure is there a lot of hard work ahead of
me and The Bernie Project no doubt, did I leave there with more questions than
answers like I do every time I leave Uganda, yes, but unequivocally moving to
Uganda, starting The Bernie Project is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing
next. Will it look exactly like it does
today in 6 months, I hope not, will things ebb and flow as we progress, I’d bet
on it.
What exactly did I do while I was there?
Thanks to all of you who have donated, we were able to provide posho and beans
to the kids during August, along with providing general hygiene kits for all of
the kids, they received bathing soap, washing (laundry, yes they hand wash
their own clothes) soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, Vaseline and a hanky in a draw
string bag. We also equipped all the girls who have their periods with AFRIpad
kits. Many girls in Africa miss four school days a month because they don’t
have adequate supplies to manage their period. AFRIpads is an awesome Uganda
based organization that provides washable, reusable pads. Most Western women
grimace at this thought, but if you were using, newspaper, leaves, rags or old
clothes, reusable pads would be a welcome product.
For the past few years a UK based
organization has been providing the funding for the school’s feeding program, but
this past year they have not been able to raise funds for all of the months,
the launch of The Bernie Project could not have come at a more perfect time.
Once I came back from my trip, Chris the woman I’ve been in contact with from
the UK organization emailed me and asked if she thought The Bernie Project
could cover the feeding program for 6 months in 2014. I told her yes we will
cover 6 months, and we will also provide hygiene supplies each term. A few days
later she emailed me and said the group who raises money for the feeding
program now feels they can only commit to four months in 2014. I know people
are thinking “what would the school do if The Bernie Project wasn’t on the
scene”, we don’t need to answer that question because we are there. Universe, God,
divine intervention, whatever you’d like to deem it, has put me and you right
where we need to be to ensure that 250 kids at the Wakiso School of Hope don’t
go hungry and suffer from malnutrition.
While I was at the school it was very
apparent the school has a lot of issues that need to be addressed and it’s
going to take a lot of patience and resources to bring this school up to a
level we can all be proud of we are a part of, there are many people all over
this world who have had the fortunate experience to know the kids at this
school and I’m confident if we work together we can prove that the phrase “it
takes a village” a “global village” at that is a true statement.
The Bernie Project’s short-term goals
ensuring that the kids don’t go hungry for one day, like they recently did,
because the firewood was wet and they couldn’t cook for a day. That was a fun
phone call to receive as I’m spending thousands of dollars on a corporate
dinner for a few 100 people in the US; I’m getting a call that the kids at the
school hadn’t had anything to eat for a day.
Talk about a stressful 24 hours! Another short-term goal getting
mosquito nets back up in the dorms, there were few over the beds while I was
there and the few that were there had massive holes that an ostrich could
infiltrate. The number of malaria outbreaks while I was there was
disheartening. Ensuring that the kids have access to hygiene supplies every
term and encouraging them to practice good hygiene is an essential initiative
to keeping the kids healthy. Long term goals: finding sustainable ways the
school can feed itself, creating incentive programs to keep mosquito nets in
tip top shape, incentive programs for keeping the compound of the school neat
and tidy and finding ways to encourage and support the staff that has little
resources or motivation to stay at a school that is in dire need.
Before I head to Uganda in January, raising
funds for the 2014 feeding program will be The Bernie Project’s main focus,
along with committing to providing hygiene supplies to all children every
school term (3 times a year). After
October 12th, I will be directing much of my energy to creating
fundraising events and speaking engagements through the end of November in
California. After Thanksgiving I’m taking The Bernie Project on the road and
will be stopping in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas, Missouri and
Illinois. I would love to come and speak to students of all ages, organizations
and groups of any kind to discuss our goals and how you can become a part of
our community. If you’d like me to come and speak at an event or have a
fundraising event in mind, let’s talk, email me at april@thebernieproject.org.
A college friend of mine recently, innocently
asked me, “April, there is so much need in Chicago, why don’t you do something
here? Why do you have to go Uganda?” I said Jake, “it’s a fair question. But
Chicago is not my path, Uganda is, I can’t explain it and I don’t I have a
concrete answer for you. All I know is a number of events have happened in my
life that there is no question Uganda is where I’m supposed to go next.” There is need all over this world and while I
strongly encourage you to support me and The Bernie Project, I equally
encourage you to do something, anything to make a difference in someone’s life
whether it’s in your own back yard or 2,000 miles away.
With Abundant Gratitude,
April
It Starts With One.
