The Terrifying, (or not so terrifying,) World of Funding.

The Terrifying, (or not so terrifying), World of Funding.

For the past few years I have recognized a theme emerging in my life....say “I'm not gonna do it” and immediately, it's what needs to get done!

Fund raising seemed one of the scariest things to do, right up there with skydiving out of a plane. Having to ask people for money, tell them why you need it, and then wait, while you hear the tick, tick, of the wheels turning in their heads, as they consider giving or not giving, all the while saying a silent prayer, that the answer is a whooping YES! and not a resounding NO! :(

Lately, I have become steeped in raising funds for a long term volunteer position in Africa, with a homeopathic organization, by the name of Homeopathy for Health in Africa, (HHA). I've come to realize, that fund raising is not only about securing money to do what you say you will do, it is also about storytelling. It is the ability to get across your need for funding, in a way that touches the heart and still says, hey, we need your help. It is storytelling with a purpose, not just for entertainment, or for passing along information, but to convey an understanding that there are people out here who can benefit from your help.

It is the story of an 8 year old child who suffers from HIV. A child who is suffering severe mal-nutrition and hasn't eaten in a week. A child you see fighting, what could be, a loosing battle with death. HHA walks into this remote village, takes one look at this child, and everyone starts turning over what little food we bought with us for lunch. A juice here, an egg there, some crackers. We send to a neighbors house to ask for food, watching as life is slowly draining from him. We're rewarded with some porridge, but we already know these measures are not enough. We make it clear to the mother he needs to be in hospital, and one volunteer sits cradling him in her arms, as another drives him to the nearest hospital, and stays till he is admitted for conventional intervention.

This child survived.......with the help of all of us.

It is this story, of the survival of Elias, that I hold on to as I skydive my way into fund raising.

Yes, I’m scared, but I remember how each of us played a small part in helping Elias to survive. I realize if others know the story of Elias and how every small amount you give can be a great gift of survival to others, then you wont hesitate to fund the volunteers that continue to work with HHA.

The likelihood of our organization providing these well needed, life saving services, to remote villages throughout Tanzania, at this level is slim without YOUR support.

Please consider becoming our partners.

Paypal: camrhyian1@yahoo.com