Sunday, December 20, 2009
We Did It!!
We reached the $20,000 goal! As a group we raised over $500,000 in this year's Seva Challenge! Thank you for all of your support. Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Final Countdown!
As a group we have raised close to $500,000! I am getting closer to my own goal everyday and am so excited about the possibility of actually traveling to Uganda... It is just within reach and with a little less than 2 weeks to go to the deadline, I am hopeful that we can make it happen!
With the holidays upon us I am constantly thinking about how fortunate we all are to have such abundance in our lives and it fuels me even more to give to those that have not been as blessed. When I think about the peoples lives that the Seva Challenge funds will be changing I get so incredibly excited. To give a child in rural uganda a chance at an education gives me hope that we can leave this world a better place for future generations..
I want to say Thank You to everyone who has donated already and encourage anyone who hasn't to please consider giving to this worthy cause. It is amazing how much further our money goes in Uganda and what even the smaller donations will accomplish. Every little bit helps! And, remember that all donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
I am still matching donations up until the deadline - December 15th. Simply click the "Donate Now" button to the right to donate. Thank you for your support!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Why Uganda?
For the past 23 years, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been fighting the government of Uganda. The war has been considered one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today. An entire generation has never known peace.
At one point, more than 1.8 million people - or 80 percent of the population in northern Uganda - were forced to flee their homes and live in squalid displacement camps with limited services. Protecting the people, especially the children, has not been a priority for the government, despite national and international laws guaranteeing their basic rights.
Throughout the conflict, LRA leader Joseph Kony has created his army primarily through the violent abduction and forced enlistment of children. More than 30,000 children have been kidnapped by the LRA and forced to be soldiers, laborers, and - in the case of girls - sexual slaves.
During the height of insecurity, the lack of civilian protection in villages and displacement camps created the phenomenon of "night commuters". Every night in northern Uganda, tens of thousands of children walk for several miles to urban centers to sleep, in the hopes of avoiding violence and abduction by the LRA. This practice has stopped due to improved security in northern Uganda.
Despite the improved stability, almost half of the displaced civilians still remain in camps. They now face the difficult decision of whether to leave the crowded and disease-ridden camps for the uncertainty of life back home, where basic services such as schools, clean water, and health clinics are rare.
A ceasefire agreement was brokered in August 2006 between the Ugandan government and the LRA. Security in northern Uganda has increased, but the LRA is now attacking and abducting civilians in eastern Congo.
A health crisis still exists in Uganda today, as children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and thousands of women die annually in childbirth. 1.2 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. Approximately 42 million children do not have access to education, clean water, or adequate nutrition. These children live in poverty and many remain under constant threat of the rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who continue to wage war in the north despite cease-fire and peace agreements. The war, one of the most brutal of modern times, has led to the displacement of 1.8 million people and the abduction of 30,000 children for use as child soldiers and sex slaves.
At one point, more than 1.8 million people - or 80 percent of the population in northern Uganda - were forced to flee their homes and live in squalid displacement camps with limited services. Protecting the people, especially the children, has not been a priority for the government, despite national and international laws guaranteeing their basic rights.
Throughout the conflict, LRA leader Joseph Kony has created his army primarily through the violent abduction and forced enlistment of children. More than 30,000 children have been kidnapped by the LRA and forced to be soldiers, laborers, and - in the case of girls - sexual slaves.
During the height of insecurity, the lack of civilian protection in villages and displacement camps created the phenomenon of "night commuters". Every night in northern Uganda, tens of thousands of children walk for several miles to urban centers to sleep, in the hopes of avoiding violence and abduction by the LRA. This practice has stopped due to improved security in northern Uganda.
Despite the improved stability, almost half of the displaced civilians still remain in camps. They now face the difficult decision of whether to leave the crowded and disease-ridden camps for the uncertainty of life back home, where basic services such as schools, clean water, and health clinics are rare.
A ceasefire agreement was brokered in August 2006 between the Ugandan government and the LRA. Security in northern Uganda has increased, but the LRA is now attacking and abducting civilians in eastern Congo.
A health crisis still exists in Uganda today, as children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and thousands of women die annually in childbirth. 1.2 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. Approximately 42 million children do not have access to education, clean water, or adequate nutrition. These children live in poverty and many remain under constant threat of the rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who continue to wage war in the north despite cease-fire and peace agreements. The war, one of the most brutal of modern times, has led to the displacement of 1.8 million people and the abduction of 30,000 children for use as child soldiers and sex slaves.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
San Francisco to Uganda
After all of our hard work, San Francisco to Uganda has come and gone. It was definitely a crash course in event planning, but so much fun and in the end worth every late night and ounce of anxiety. People did actually show up! I want to thank everybody that helped make San Francisco to Uganda a success! Whether through a donation to our silent auction or help at the event, we could not have done it without you. It was such a wonderful evening and we were able to raise $10,000 for the organizations we are working with through Off the Mat's Seva Challenge! It was so great to see everyone coming together and having fun... The food by Radio Africa & Kitchen was amazing (as usual) and the performances by Greenhorse, the master African drummers and Sila & the Afrofunk Exprience awesome. Here are a few pictures from the evening...
Friday, September 11, 2009
San Francisco to Uganda
Come out at party for a good cause! San Francisco to Uganda is going to be an amazing night of live music and giving. Jessica Welborn (another SF Seva Challenge participant) and myself have committed to raising $20,000 each for projects in Uganda that empower women and children by increasing access to education and health care and have joined forces to throw this very special event. Please join us in celebrating the local community coming together to create social change in the world!
Find us on Facebook, become a fan and RSVP!
You can buy tickets in advance at Brown Paper Tickets or at the door the night of the event.
Tickets are $25+ (which means if you can and wish to give more please do!) and that INCLUDES an amazing dinner by Radio Africa & Kitchen.
The night will feature:
SILENT AUCTION (6-10pm) - come bid on unique and exciting donations from local artists and businesses!
LIVE MUSIC - Sila and the Afrofunk Experience, Cheb i Sabbah, Greenhorse, DJ Amar, performance by master African Drummers and more!
FOOD - enjoy amazing cuisine from Radio Africa & Kitchen!
All net proceeds from the evening will go to supporting a few select organizations that are working to eradicate the tremendous financial and health crises that exist in Uganda, and creating sustainable solutions for communities in crisis:
Building Tomorrow - to build a primary school, housing for all seven teachers and their families and develop a farm on the schools property (www.buildingtomorrow.org)
Shanti Uganda - to build an eco birthing center with a sustainable garden and to support birthing education and training programs for women with HIV/AIDS (www.shantiuganda.org)
PSI/Youth Aids - supporting their work in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide (www.projects.psi.org/youthaids)
New Hope School - a local Ugandan orphanage to provide new beds for the children and orphans and supporting the improvement of their water system and educational programs (unfortunately they do not have a website)
Even if you can't make it out please consider giving to this worthy cause!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
And the winner is....
Ok - a few days late on the announcement of the raffle winners but I had to ensure that I had tickets included for everyone that purchased them AND I just didn't feel right about drawing the names alone so I had my friend Jessica draw them at dinner tonight. So, without further ado...
3rd place winner of the shadyLady eyeshadow palette is... Patty Iorg!
2nd place winner of the assortment of 6 lip glosses is... Nicole Dunn!
1st place winner of the gift basket of assorted products is... Jodi Cochran!
I will notify the winners by email as well and prizes will ship out next week. Thanks to everyone who participated - this raffle raised a grand total of $506 dollars!!! I appreciate all of my volunteers who helped me sell tickets - and yes you will also be getting a little thank you!
Monday, August 31, 2009
OTM's Seva Challenge video
This year there are 120 people that have committed themselves to this challenge. If we all succeed we will cumulatively raise over 2 million dollars for the organizations we have partnered with that are helping women and children in Uganda. We hold bi-weekly calls where we share our own personal triumphs as well as frustrations and I think the most rewarding part of this journey has been the people I have met along the way and the community of support I have found. I want to succeed and raise the $20,000, but I can honestly say here at the $3,000 mark, if I don't raise another dollar, this has already been to most positive experience of my life. That being said - I am committed and the journey continues! I am really looking forward to the September 24th event - San Francisco to Uganda - that I am hosting with another participant Jessica. I hope you all can make it out.
This video is from Shanti Uganda - an amazing orgnization that is part of the 2009 Seva Challenge..
This video is from Shanti Uganda - an amazing orgnization that is part of the 2009 Seva Challenge..
Thursday, August 20, 2009
What can you live without TODAY to help the children of tomorrow?
It only takes $45,000 to build a school in Uganda - that includes the land, building materials, desks. $10 supplies a set of pens and pencils for a whole class! What would you give up to give a child a chance at an education? Your morning coffee for a week? That monthly pedicure, that come on ladies - we really could do it ourselves just this once! We are so fortunate to live in a country where things come so easy to us - and yet there is a downside - we take things like books, classrooms, access to healthcare for granted. I want to extend a personal challenge to all of you to pick one regular indulgence and give it up for a day, a week, a month. Whatever you are comfortable with. Post a comment and share with all of us what it is you are willing to give up to support organizations that are working to provide access to education and healthcare to the women and children of Uganda. Set your intention and then set that money aside, whether it be $3 for a cup of coffee or $30 for a pedicure and donate it today!
It's pretty empowering to realize, that yes, YOU can make a difference.
(AND don't forget that if you donate before August 30th you will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win products from theBalm Cosmetics - www.thebalm.com - it's really a win-win situation!)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Charity Garage Sale
This past weekend I held a charity garage sale to raise money for the wonderful organizations that this Seva Challenge is benefitting. Wish I would've taken the pictures that I had planned to take, but was too busy to make it happen. It was a huge success! I plan to have another one in early October so if anyone has any items to donate for the sale please hold on to them for me!
As my journey continues to progress I am realizing that it is not just "my" challenge because it is not just "me" doing these different things to raise the money. The truth of the matter is that it has really turned into a group effort. I don't know what I would do without the support of my family and friends and if I do reach the goal it is only because I have so many amazing individuals behind me. So thank you to everyone that has been helping me in so many different ways!! I certainly couldn't do all of this by myself and am so blessed to have such a wonderful team!
As my journey continues to progress I am realizing that it is not just "my" challenge because it is not just "me" doing these different things to raise the money. The truth of the matter is that it has really turned into a group effort. I don't know what I would do without the support of my family and friends and if I do reach the goal it is only because I have so many amazing individuals behind me. So thank you to everyone that has been helping me in so many different ways!! I certainly couldn't do all of this by myself and am so blessed to have such a wonderful team!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Shanti Uganda - the backstory
Every minute, another woman dies in pregnancy or childbirth. Every minute, the loss of a mother shatters a family and threatens the well-being of surviving children. For every woman who dies, 20 or more experience serious complications. These range from chronic infections to disabling injuries such as obstetric fistula. Maternal death and disability rates mirror the huge discrepancies that exist between the haves and the have-nots both within and between countries.
Of the more than 500,000 women who die during pregnancy or childbirth, 90 per cent occur in Africa and Asia. The majority of women are dying from severe bleeding, infections, eclampsia, obstructed labour and the consequences of unsafe abortions--all preventable causes for which we have highly effective interventions. Shanti Uganda is doing exactly what needs to be done in thousands of communities around the globe.
We are so blessed in this country that we generally do not have to worry about dying in childbirth, but for a majority of the worlds women, this is a reality.
Their Story
The Shanti Uganda Society began as a vision to bring the healing power of yoga to communities experiencing trauma in Uganda. Kim Ridgewell and Natalie Angell began to discuss ways to make this vision a reality and with the support of friends and family, created ‘Shanti Uganda’. In 2007, Natalie left for Uganda and worked at a local school, began a yoga program for children and supported birthing women at a health clinic. Here, she met Lubwama Julius, who was a teacher at the school. Over the next year they began to support additional schools in the region and an income generating group for women with HIV/AIDS. In 2008, The Shanti Uganda Society incorporated as a non-profit organization.
Eco Birthing Center Project
Birth Assistance and Education: The birthing culture in Uganda has been deeply impacted by medicalization. Many of the traditional birth practices have been lost and replaced with a birth process that does not take into account the wisdom of traditional midwives and healing. Our work with birthing communities supports natural, conscious birth and a return to the traditional methods that value a normal, sacred birth. Our birth programs support women throughout their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period as well as educate midwives in the local communities.
Birth Center: A place where birthing women come for prenatal support and care, prenatal yoga, birth assistance, postnatal support and breastfeeding education. Here, we will also provide training for local midwives and those in the birthing community.
Organic Farm: The farm and gardens will provide food and income to support the children at the Shanti Uganda Center – a place where community members will learn about sustainable agriculture and medicinal plants and develop practical income generating skills.
The Birth Center in Kasana
There currently exists a divide between the registered midwives and the traditional birth attendants who have for years supported the birthing women in their communities. As a result of colonialism, the prevailing midwifery education is based on the old British book system. This has largely eradicated traditional birthing practices and resulted in high intervention rates. In a country where sanitation and medical facilities are lacking, high cesarean section rates, routine episiotomy and other interventions lead to infection and death. In addition to supporting birthing women, the birth centre will act as a place of employment for local midwives and provide training and workshops for the traditional birth attendants in the region. We will focus on preventative care with an emphasis on nutrition, local herbs and education. Birthing women will be empowered by midwives in a gentle and normal home-like setting. This will provide a space for babies to enter the world without trauma.
The meeting room will provide a space for the women in our income-generating group to gather and work. We have recently begun another jewelry and textiles group comprised of 30 women from the 350 HIV positive members supported by the clinic in Kasana. The meeting room will give them a space to work as well as provide a place for us to store the sewing machines. Over the past two years, we have sent thousands of dollars to the women in our existing group through jewelry sales in Canada. However, the slum where they were living in Kampala has recently been bought by a developer, which has forced them to scatter all over the city. It has shown us just how important it is to create a safe and sustainable physical space for women to meet and work.
People Involved
The Shanti Uganda Society is run by a Board of Directors in Vancouver BC, Natalie Angell, executive director, and Lubwama Julius, the local project coordinator in Uganda. The new birth centre will be run entirely by The Shanti Uganda Society with the support of Bishop Asili Clinic. It will be staffed by local midwives and will be within adequate distance to Bishop Asili should complications arise and transfer becomes necessary.
**information taken directly from OTM, Shanti Uganda and UNFPA websites**
Of the more than 500,000 women who die during pregnancy or childbirth, 90 per cent occur in Africa and Asia. The majority of women are dying from severe bleeding, infections, eclampsia, obstructed labour and the consequences of unsafe abortions--all preventable causes for which we have highly effective interventions. Shanti Uganda is doing exactly what needs to be done in thousands of communities around the globe.
We are so blessed in this country that we generally do not have to worry about dying in childbirth, but for a majority of the worlds women, this is a reality.
Their Story
The Shanti Uganda Society began as a vision to bring the healing power of yoga to communities experiencing trauma in Uganda. Kim Ridgewell and Natalie Angell began to discuss ways to make this vision a reality and with the support of friends and family, created ‘Shanti Uganda’. In 2007, Natalie left for Uganda and worked at a local school, began a yoga program for children and supported birthing women at a health clinic. Here, she met Lubwama Julius, who was a teacher at the school. Over the next year they began to support additional schools in the region and an income generating group for women with HIV/AIDS. In 2008, The Shanti Uganda Society incorporated as a non-profit organization.
Eco Birthing Center Project
Birth Assistance and Education: The birthing culture in Uganda has been deeply impacted by medicalization. Many of the traditional birth practices have been lost and replaced with a birth process that does not take into account the wisdom of traditional midwives and healing. Our work with birthing communities supports natural, conscious birth and a return to the traditional methods that value a normal, sacred birth. Our birth programs support women throughout their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period as well as educate midwives in the local communities.
Birth Center: A place where birthing women come for prenatal support and care, prenatal yoga, birth assistance, postnatal support and breastfeeding education. Here, we will also provide training for local midwives and those in the birthing community.
Organic Farm: The farm and gardens will provide food and income to support the children at the Shanti Uganda Center – a place where community members will learn about sustainable agriculture and medicinal plants and develop practical income generating skills.
The Birth Center in Kasana
There currently exists a divide between the registered midwives and the traditional birth attendants who have for years supported the birthing women in their communities. As a result of colonialism, the prevailing midwifery education is based on the old British book system. This has largely eradicated traditional birthing practices and resulted in high intervention rates. In a country where sanitation and medical facilities are lacking, high cesarean section rates, routine episiotomy and other interventions lead to infection and death. In addition to supporting birthing women, the birth centre will act as a place of employment for local midwives and provide training and workshops for the traditional birth attendants in the region. We will focus on preventative care with an emphasis on nutrition, local herbs and education. Birthing women will be empowered by midwives in a gentle and normal home-like setting. This will provide a space for babies to enter the world without trauma.
The meeting room will provide a space for the women in our income-generating group to gather and work. We have recently begun another jewelry and textiles group comprised of 30 women from the 350 HIV positive members supported by the clinic in Kasana. The meeting room will give them a space to work as well as provide a place for us to store the sewing machines. Over the past two years, we have sent thousands of dollars to the women in our existing group through jewelry sales in Canada. However, the slum where they were living in Kampala has recently been bought by a developer, which has forced them to scatter all over the city. It has shown us just how important it is to create a safe and sustainable physical space for women to meet and work.
People Involved
The Shanti Uganda Society is run by a Board of Directors in Vancouver BC, Natalie Angell, executive director, and Lubwama Julius, the local project coordinator in Uganda. The new birth centre will be run entirely by The Shanti Uganda Society with the support of Bishop Asili Clinic. It will be staffed by local midwives and will be within adequate distance to Bishop Asili should complications arise and transfer becomes necessary.
**information taken directly from OTM, Shanti Uganda and UNFPA websites**
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Building Tomorrow
I've had requests for more specific details about each of the organizations the money raised will go to. I will break it out into different posts about each organization starting today with Building Tomorrow.
Building Tomorrow is an international non-profit organization empowering people to raise funds & awareness to benefit vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Building Tomorrow School Project
Every morning 41 million children in sub-Saharan Africa wake up with no school to attend. In Uganda, 57 percent of children finish primary school and 18 percent have the chance to attend secondary school. Over 1 million children are not enrolled in primary school and, of those, 70 percent are never expected to.
Countries such as Uganda have initiated Universal Primary Education (UPE) programs, guaranteeing a free education to every Ugandan child, however the government simply does not have the means to provide children with even a basic classroom.
Building Tomorrow Academies are built in areas that do not currently have a formal school in operation, giving many children their first opportunity to learn inside of a classroom. Ever. The money raised will pay for land, construction materials and desks while local community members volunteer over 25,000 hours of labor to complete the construction of each Building Tomorrow Academy.
Off the Mat Into the World® and Ambassadors for Children have partnered with Building Tomorrow for the 2009 Seva Challenge in an effort to build a primary school, housing for all seven teachers and their families and develop a farm on the school’s property, all for $125,000.
Without housing, it is not uncommon for teachers in Uganda to walk long distances to and from work each morning or live separate from their families. Without providing a meal at school, students often must go an entire school day without eating.
Monies raised during the Seva Challenge will give hundreds of students the same opportunities we so often take for granted-the opportunity to receive an education.
Building Tomorrow is an international non-profit organization empowering people to raise funds & awareness to benefit vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Building Tomorrow School Project
Every morning 41 million children in sub-Saharan Africa wake up with no school to attend. In Uganda, 57 percent of children finish primary school and 18 percent have the chance to attend secondary school. Over 1 million children are not enrolled in primary school and, of those, 70 percent are never expected to.
Countries such as Uganda have initiated Universal Primary Education (UPE) programs, guaranteeing a free education to every Ugandan child, however the government simply does not have the means to provide children with even a basic classroom.
Building Tomorrow Academies are built in areas that do not currently have a formal school in operation, giving many children their first opportunity to learn inside of a classroom. Ever. The money raised will pay for land, construction materials and desks while local community members volunteer over 25,000 hours of labor to complete the construction of each Building Tomorrow Academy.
Off the Mat Into the World® and Ambassadors for Children have partnered with Building Tomorrow for the 2009 Seva Challenge in an effort to build a primary school, housing for all seven teachers and their families and develop a farm on the school’s property, all for $125,000.
Without housing, it is not uncommon for teachers in Uganda to walk long distances to and from work each morning or live separate from their families. Without providing a meal at school, students often must go an entire school day without eating.
Monies raised during the Seva Challenge will give hundreds of students the same opportunities we so often take for granted-the opportunity to receive an education.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Donate to WIN!
Make a donation to my Seva Challenge between now and August 25th and you will be entered into a raffle to win amazing products from theBalm Cosmetics. AND don't forget - the money you donate will be helping the people of Uganda. Read more about the different organizations involved below.
There are 3 prizes (3 chances to win!):
1st Prize - gift basket of assorted products (value $400+)
2nd Prize - set of 6 lip glosses (value $100)
3rd Prize - shadyLady eyeshadow palette (value $38)
You will receive your raffle tickets in the mail once your donation has been processed.
$5 = 1 raffle ticket
$20 = 5 raffle tickets
each additional ticket is $3
Donations can be made by clicking the PAYMENT NOW button to the right OR by mailing a check to:
Off the Mat, Into the World™
P.O. Box 748
Venice, CA 90294
**make checks payable to - THE ENGAGE NETWORK
**make sure to write LANI LINDSTROM in the memo line so that it goes to my challenge and you get your raffle tickets!
*Drawing will be held on September 1st and winner will be notified by email*
MANY THANKS to theBalm for their support and generous donation!!
Questions? Leave me a comment and I will get back to you right away..
GOOD LUCK!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Last Year's Seva Challenge: Cambodia
Take a look at this inspiring article from YOGA + JOYFUL LIVING that highlights how one person can make a difference as well as the accomplishments of OTM's Cambodia Seva Challenge (2008).
Friday, April 24, 2009
War Dance
Heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, War Dance is one of the most powerful documentaries I have seen in a while. I highly recommend it. It gives you a glimpse of what is happening in Uganda which is where our focus is for this challenge, and shows the power of the human spirit regardless of circumstance. It is amazing!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Challenge
I have taken on the challenge to raise $20,000 for the people of Uganda. I am getting involved a little late in the game, am a bit overwhelmed, but am optimistic that this goal can be reached! With the help of all of you of course! This is an opportunity to make a difference and get involved with an organization that I truly believe in; Off the Mat, Into the World. I am so excited that I stumbled across this organization and learned about the Seva challenge - I don't think it was coincidence. I feel very strongly about offering my love, support and resources to those less fortunate and have also been getting more and more involved in yoga so it seems a natural crossroad. We all get so involved in our own lives that it is rare to step outside the boxes we live in and acknowledge the suffering being felt by millions of people in different areas of our world. And to not only acknowledge it but to be able to do something about it. This is such an opportunity! We will be working with a few different organizations (see below for details on each) and what really speaks to me and called me to action is the work we will be doing for the children of Uganda.
When I reach the 20k mark I will be amazingly blessed with a trip to Uganda to meet and work closely with the people whose lives we are changing as well as the other participants and leaders of the Seva Challenge. I believe that this will be a life changing experience. And I do believe it is an opportunity for everyone involved - especially those of you making donations. Every single penny will be accounted for and put to good use and every donation makes such a difference. Nothing is too small! Please check back for information on upcoming events and to keep tabs on my progress towards reaching my goal. Thank you so much for your support!
When I reach the 20k mark I will be amazingly blessed with a trip to Uganda to meet and work closely with the people whose lives we are changing as well as the other participants and leaders of the Seva Challenge. I believe that this will be a life changing experience. And I do believe it is an opportunity for everyone involved - especially those of you making donations. Every single penny will be accounted for and put to good use and every donation makes such a difference. Nothing is too small! Please check back for information on upcoming events and to keep tabs on my progress towards reaching my goal. Thank you so much for your support!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Where does the money go?
80% of this year's Seva Challenge funds will support the following organizations and 20% will support OTM's local initiatives, including our nationwide yoga for at-risk youth programs.
This year we hope to double the amount raised for the following organizations working to provide basic needs and education to Ugandan communities.
The Goal:
$150k to Shanti Uganda to build an eco birthing center with a sustainable garden and to support birthing education and training programs for women with HIV/AIDS.
$125k to Building Tomorrow to build a primary school, housing for all seven teachers and their families and to develop a farm on the school’s property. With additional funds we can support the organization in updating and improving Building Tomorrow academies.
$10k to PSI/YouthAIDS to support their work in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide.
PSI/YouthAIDS is an education and prevention program of PSI, that uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sports to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and reach 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care.
We will work closely with YouthAIDS in order to become educated about HIV/AIDS in Africa and will support their work in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide.
$10k to New Hope School to support the orphans and improve/ update existing facilities.
The New Hope School, Entebbe, Uganda, is run by a local Ugandan and provides shelter and schooling for orphans and young children without adequate homes.
We will be supporting NHS by providing new beds for the children and orphans and supporting the improvement of their water system and educational programs.
This organization is very small and unfortunately there is no website.
This year we hope to double the amount raised for the following organizations working to provide basic needs and education to Ugandan communities.
The Goal:
$150k to Shanti Uganda to build an eco birthing center with a sustainable garden and to support birthing education and training programs for women with HIV/AIDS.
$125k to Building Tomorrow to build a primary school, housing for all seven teachers and their families and to develop a farm on the school’s property. With additional funds we can support the organization in updating and improving Building Tomorrow academies.
$10k to PSI/YouthAIDS to support their work in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide.
PSI/YouthAIDS is an education and prevention program of PSI, that uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sports to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and reach 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care.
We will work closely with YouthAIDS in order to become educated about HIV/AIDS in Africa and will support their work in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide.
$10k to New Hope School to support the orphans and improve/ update existing facilities.
The New Hope School, Entebbe, Uganda, is run by a local Ugandan and provides shelter and schooling for orphans and young children without adequate homes.
We will be supporting NHS by providing new beds for the children and orphans and supporting the improvement of their water system and educational programs.
This organization is very small and unfortunately there is no website.
Seva Challenge 2009 - In OTM's words
Seva Challenge 2009
Bare Witness: African Humanitarian Tour
in partnership with Ambassadors for Children
The war in Northern Uganda has been called the most neglected humanitarian emergency in the world today. For the past 23 years, the Lord's Resistance Army and the government of Uganda have been waging a war that has left nearly two million innocent civilians displaced. Millions of children have been orphaned by AIDS and thousands of women die annually in childbirth. An entire generation has never known peace...
OTM is committed to continuing our work to support cultures and communities where basic human needs are at risk and to offering our hearts, hands and resources in joyful and practical service.
We will be working with the following organizations:
Shanti Uganda
Building Tomorrow
Youth Aids
The Seva Challenge asks participants to raise significant funds in support of a select few organizations working to eradicate the tremendous financial and health crises that exist in Africa, and creating sustainable solutions for communities in crisis. This effort helps participants know that they are leaders who have the ability to find, support and manifest a dream. We then take a small group of leaders and push them to expand their self-confidence and capabilities by exposing them to unique physical and spiritual challenges. We will leave Africa knowing we have been in deep service and have left a powerful legacy. Participants will have until November 15, 2009.
Through the transformative practice of daily yoga, extensive hands-on experience and leadership training, we will create a powerful container in which to learn, discover and become effective agents for change. The integration of practical and spiritual tools is an important part of the journey.
Each day will start with two hours of yoga followed by hands-on work building an eco birthing center with a sustainable farm, working with local villagers building schools, immersing ourselves in local culture, learning about the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in Africa and playing with children at local orphanages.
Join Seane and Suzanne on an inner and outer journey. Take on our seva fundraising challenge and join us on a journey of transformation and deep service. Be a part of the emerging movement of sacred activism, touch a soul and change a life… perhaps your own.
Bare Witness: African Humanitarian Tour
in partnership with Ambassadors for Children
The war in Northern Uganda has been called the most neglected humanitarian emergency in the world today. For the past 23 years, the Lord's Resistance Army and the government of Uganda have been waging a war that has left nearly two million innocent civilians displaced. Millions of children have been orphaned by AIDS and thousands of women die annually in childbirth. An entire generation has never known peace...
OTM is committed to continuing our work to support cultures and communities where basic human needs are at risk and to offering our hearts, hands and resources in joyful and practical service.
We will be working with the following organizations:
Shanti Uganda
Building Tomorrow
Youth Aids
The Seva Challenge asks participants to raise significant funds in support of a select few organizations working to eradicate the tremendous financial and health crises that exist in Africa, and creating sustainable solutions for communities in crisis. This effort helps participants know that they are leaders who have the ability to find, support and manifest a dream. We then take a small group of leaders and push them to expand their self-confidence and capabilities by exposing them to unique physical and spiritual challenges. We will leave Africa knowing we have been in deep service and have left a powerful legacy. Participants will have until November 15, 2009.
Through the transformative practice of daily yoga, extensive hands-on experience and leadership training, we will create a powerful container in which to learn, discover and become effective agents for change. The integration of practical and spiritual tools is an important part of the journey.
Each day will start with two hours of yoga followed by hands-on work building an eco birthing center with a sustainable farm, working with local villagers building schools, immersing ourselves in local culture, learning about the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in Africa and playing with children at local orphanages.
Join Seane and Suzanne on an inner and outer journey. Take on our seva fundraising challenge and join us on a journey of transformation and deep service. Be a part of the emerging movement of sacred activism, touch a soul and change a life… perhaps your own.
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