My Campaign to Raise funds to develop Water and Sanitation for the village of Ambras through a General Fund Raising: Many of my friends and colleagues know that I journeyed to Ethiopia as a member of the Ethopian Development Society during the summer of 1995 to help improve nursing education. I worked with two "nursing schools" in Mekele and Axum, in the upper region of Tigray. Often there was no running water at the "hospital", or it came on for a short period of time. Sheets were scrubbed on the floor with steel brushes. Electricity worked maybe a few hours a day. Nursing students slept 2 to a twin bed in 5 bunk beds per small room. I was exhausted, overwhelmed (and parched from thirst) thinking the misery I observed would overtake me. At the very same time I was exhilarated, elated, and deeply honored to have the privilge of this life-changing experience to serve and share my time, talents, and treasures as a nurse in Ethiopia. I personally witnessed the severe need for water and sanitation. I saw the women, children, and camel caravans with water buckets searching to provide for their families in the rural areas. Many of my family, friends, and colleagues now know that I am challenging myself to a healthy beginning in 2011. My friend Rosie gifted me the month of January at 210 Crossfit where I'm struggling to keep up M-W-F. In addition, on January 1st I started the Bikram PURE 60 Challenge with my personal goal to complete 60 classes in 60 days. Here I am, sixteen years later, so blessed with friends, family, faith, a great job, beautiful grandchildren, exercise, fresh water, and more food than I need. On days when I think I'm exhausted, overwhelmed, or thirsty, I close my eyes during savasana and drift back to the hot, dusty, dry trails in Ethiopia, to TB wards and dark hallways filled with patients desperately needing care and pray that our Bikram community will benefit the Glimmer of Hope Foundation's well-building project in Ethiopia! I am so blessed to once again have an opportunity to help my Ethiopian family. A Glimmer of Hope helps lifts women and children out of extreme poverty in rural Ethiopia. Using an entrepreneurial model it provides clean water, schools, health clinics and micro-finance loans, one village at a time. 100% of all donations go directly to funding these projects. Glimmer’s endowment covers all its operating expenses and even replaces credit card transaction fees. Every dollar donated through Glimmer reaches the people in need. Over the last 10 years, Glimmer has completed more than 5000 projects and improved 2.4 million lives. Albert Schweitzer said "I do not know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve". Please join me in participating in this campaign, serving to provide fresh water to the beautiful people in Ethiopia. My goal is to raise at least $5K, enough for one hand-dug well to serve 250 people. I'll let those of you who know me figure out the 55-55 part of my fundraising goal :-)! I'm on the Bengal Tiger Team at BYSA, renown for our power and strength - thus my campaign name. But, I'm a true Leo at heart - thus my campaign image :-)! $1 - $5 - $10 - $20 - or more - 100% of what you are able to give will go directly to the well-building project to provide water. Soli Deo Gloria....Namaste
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