tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75881990945133114862024-03-13T22:50:17.346-07:00 Kids Inspiring Kids ©Kid's Inspiring Kids exists to "Inspire Change One Life at a Time" by establishing Place of Refuge Village for the people of war-torn northern Uganda and the Banda Ghetto.Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-60717425981230170432020-07-08T18:46:00.001-07:002020-07-08T18:46:23.121-07:00Change ONE life...Change the worldThis post is also available on our website: <a href="www.kidsinspiringkids.org/the-blog/2020/7/8/change-one-lifechange-the-world" target="_blank">Kids Inspiring Kids</a><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; line-height: 33px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Inspiring Change, ONE life at a Time....</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: black;">This is the story of Opio Jotham. He was a young kid in our Character Training Program every Saturday in the Banda Acholi Quarters. He is now a Doctor and is looking forward to eventually joining Place of Refuge Village as our full-time doctor once we have a clinic. <br /><br />KIK Saturday Programme: <br />This was one of the unforgettable memories of my early childhood due to the life changing short lessons I learnt each Saturday we heard KIK. <br />As a young boy living at home with both parents, I had no serious schedule for my Saturday because I had no weekend lessons. <br />We were summoned one Saturday morning to attend a programme which was organized by a "mzungu" and I attended not knowing it would be the most remarkable behavior change and mental development programme for me personally. <br />The teachings were both scriptural and behavioral. Mummy Tomi Mills always cam with a group of people who taught us firt gospel songs which we enjoyed singing together and this organized and prepared us for the lesson of the day. Our memory was boasted by giving gifts for anyone who gave a recap of the previous Saturday lesson and personally I always endeavored not to miss out on the gifts so I always took short notes secretly to win myself a gift, which were mostly sweets. <br />We shared topics like the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:21-22), the full armour of God (Eph 6:10), and many other lessons which indeed gave us a very good foundation for Christian growth. <br />Personally, I was appointed to be among the children leader which directly made me learn responsibility, time keeping and I became more serious with the lessons with a mind of becoming serious with God. <br />Every Saturday we got half cakes after every lesson which motivated me to always attend and those who came late were not let in so everyone endeavored to make it early. As leaders we got a chance of visiting the beach one time which made us feel special and became more committed. <br />In summary, there are a lot of unforgettable good life transforming memories and lessons about KIK Programs. <br />On behalf of all the children who attended KIK, great thanks and blessings to Mummy Tomi, family and all the individuals who always made it possible for us to benefit. I bless God for you. <br /><br />Yours lovely, <br />Opio Jotham </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: black;">_______________________________________________________________<br /><br />Life in Uganda can be, in a word, challenging. From the basic things that a developing country lacks such as clean, running water and electricity to the emotional hardships of a high death rate and racial divides; the calling must remain selfless and Christ centered. In our 15 year stint in Uganda, thus far, there have been moments of, are we really making a difference? <br />You see, transformation, REAL lasting, impactful, generational transformation takes the one thing that cannot be rushed, the one thing that resists shortcuts and the easy path, it requires TIME. <strong>95% of change will revert back to its original form </strong>if there is not a constant reminder that it is worth moving forward. We live in a society, especially in America, of instant gratification. We get a dopamine hit every time someone "LIKEs" a photo and we thrive on the motivational encouragements to "change your life NOW". Sure sometimes, God works in an instant miraculous moment, but more often, He is more concerned with the condition of our hearts. The lessons we need to learn and the character we have to build requires challenging, frustrating, hopeful, patient, day-by-day change.<br /><br />We get it, the waiting is not glamorous, but it is incredibly necessary. We learn to traverse the ups and downs of this messy and beautiful life. We often stumble and make mistakes; we remain hopeful for a time until we cannot do it alone, and then someone comes along side of us and remind us, that God is faithful. They remind us that our heart is worth fighting for, that we are made worthy and through these seasons we are being molded and set apart as an example to others. As time passes we hardly notice a difference until we stop and just for a moment look back to where we started. It is then that we realize we have come so far we cannot even see the starting line. Every choice we have made has led us to this moment.<br /><strong>And this moment is a good time to remind all of our faithful supporters that lives <em>are</em> being changed. </strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: black;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri3skdP8u46w7PrCI1i6nRNL5QsWI1zPI820DrDNUYdwcFP243bUK4Q3SbfFPoFqiS4syQybfZxR_85LwuyqpGLYbDxfmRTb7s5tfOpk5mWTxdlbpYTPNpFbnSwibt58KvqdxZLVxaikm/s749/Screen+Shot+2020-07-08+at+21.40.02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri3skdP8u46w7PrCI1i6nRNL5QsWI1zPI820DrDNUYdwcFP243bUK4Q3SbfFPoFqiS4syQybfZxR_85LwuyqpGLYbDxfmRTb7s5tfOpk5mWTxdlbpYTPNpFbnSwibt58KvqdxZLVxaikm/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-07-08+at+21.40.02.png" /></a></div><strong><br /></strong><p></p></div>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-15078951319230503652020-02-19T16:26:00.002-08:002020-02-19T16:26:34.423-08:00Uganda: How my journey almost never was...2005...I was attending college in Oklahoma City after being medically disqualified from the Air Force Academy after a year of prep school. I was miserable. After not making it to the Academy I did not have a plan B, no back up. So, I went to college because that is what you are "suppose" to do. I was always a fantastic student, but I was miserable. My sense of finding my "grand purpose" was shattered along with any hope I had in my future. <div>
On Christmas break, my mom was home from Africa. I listened to her talk about her plans for Uganda and one day at dinner, without knowing what prompted the idea I said, "I'm going to go back to Africa with you."<div>
<br />"What?"</div>
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<br />"Ya, I think I am going to go with you this time." </div>
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<br />My mom was as shocked as I was. </div>
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<br />I put all my stuff in storage, dropped out of college and got on an airplane. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that I had to do something drastic. A third world country was as extreme as I could muster up. And I wasn't just going for a short volunteer visit. I was moving there. For at least year. <br />I was terrified. </div>
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<br />We landed in Entebbe, Uganda. </div>
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<b>The air was thick with humidity and smelled of damp earth. As we loaded onto a public bus/van I found myself lost in the landscape. The red earth billowed around the bus as it (rather unsafely) made its way towards Kampala. Animals dotted the side of the road, women carrying impossibly large items on their heads wore brightly colored fabrics, other vehicles fought for invisible lanes. It was everything I had imagined, but better. More visceral, more real, more intense.</b><div>
<br />My mother tapped me on the shoulder, "You love it don't you." <br />I looked back out the window before replying, "Ya, I do." </div>
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<br />Purpose suddenly became something that was a daily necessity, not an impossible journey. Unexpectedly, Uganda, a place I had never had any desire to visit, had now imprinted on my heart. </div>
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Four months into my Ugandan adventure I hit an emotional wall. For me, the hardest thing about Africa is there is SO much need. Being there on a long term basis forces you to define your own personal vision and mission. You learn how to say no, when no seems like the most impossible thing to do. But without those boundaries, you become so stretched you are no good to anyone else, or yourself. </div>
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<br />We were shopping in a local market and hired a street kid to carry our belongings as we did. There are no shopping carts, obviously. He was barefoot and dressed in tatters. After we completed our shopping we took him to eat where we were able to get his story. </div>
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<br />His sister had come to Kampala from their village to get married. A few years later his village ran out of food and his mother could no longer feed him. So, she put him on a bus to the city to find his sister. Maybe, she could help. But she had changed her last name and he did not know her married name. Being unable to find her he made his way to a slum area in the city and joined a gang. They got him hooked on drugs and he was collecting plastic bottles to turn in for money. He was hoping he could save enough to buy a bus fare back to his village. He had been in the ghetto for over a year. He was 10 years old. Obviously, this stirred our hearts. </div>
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We took him to the bus park. Gave him a bag full of bottled water and food and put him on a bus back to his village. Now, the bus park is the craziest place in the whole city. It is FULL of buses, vendors, etc. Chaos only mildly describes the happenings. As we walked away from this young boy, I broke down emotionally. In the middle of the park. Just a random white girl bawling her eyes out in the middle of a Ugandan chaos zone...nothing to see here people. </div>
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<br />“What if he doesn’t make it? How will we know?” I cried. </div>
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<br />“We won’t know. We just have to do what we can when we can and leave the rest to God,” my mom comforted while trying to move me through the park. </div>
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<br />That was it. I was ready to leave. My heart hurt. I couldn’t reconcile the not knowing. </div>
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<br />Obviously, I ended up staying and learning the very valuable lesson I still try to practice today. </div>
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<b>Sometimes, we don’t know how the story or situation will end. All we can do it the best we can and continue moving forward. We can surround ourselves with positive people and decisions that create a life of daily purpose, on purpose. We can hope and pray that as long as we do our part others will come along side and do their part. We all have a role to play, a job to do, and it might seem small, but the ripples extend to places we might never witness. We just have to have faith because our contribution to the world around us...matters. </b></div>
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<b>-Nicole Mills</b></div>
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<b>Public Relations Manager </b></div>
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<b>Kids Inspiring Kids</b></div>
Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-83199858222788521642020-01-22T08:19:00.001-08:002020-01-22T08:19:06.457-08:00KIK is in the News!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3DJbYwaZkX2YUoY2ddC7YGjS-B9ShpR2i29w4AQzCA0gLqlFqFevv2hyphenhyphenTgijZWH9Saks6idAKG3ZS35I572GSxMVNWIyr0UwzT8lNo5Cxc7jYTKM6oE1NuLmrwiFt718cXMRCO_NvJ6R/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-01-14+at+12.35.13.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3DJbYwaZkX2YUoY2ddC7YGjS-B9ShpR2i29w4AQzCA0gLqlFqFevv2hyphenhyphenTgijZWH9Saks6idAKG3ZS35I572GSxMVNWIyr0UwzT8lNo5Cxc7jYTKM6oE1NuLmrwiFt718cXMRCO_NvJ6R/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-01-14+at+12.35.13.png" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>CTN Bay Focus January 2020</b><br />
<b>Tampa Bay Area, Florida</b><br />
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Tomi Mills, Director of Kids Inspiring Kids and Nicole Mills, Public Relations Manager of Kids Inspiring Kids sat down with Darleen Greenlee of CTN's Bay Focus to provide and update on the 2019 progress of Place of Refuge Village in Uganda, Africa. The end of the interview wraps up with a recap video from Uganda.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TjZhODWyzJA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TjZhODWyzJA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/TjZhODWyzJA?t=56" target="_blank">YouTube Link</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijxYoE6tEE_84yoMZtKofxyXGzDkJ-VFylTvGUUpw8jRxbxYkiPC1eTJw80hYGoeOeSR0oeNMilAjDUlz5Wtucm8x4tyCv-7yzChWOizh69tMb5tIarIUDnN5yzBp47jBftRTEEI76uKb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-01-14+at+12.40.11.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijxYoE6tEE_84yoMZtKofxyXGzDkJ-VFylTvGUUpw8jRxbxYkiPC1eTJw80hYGoeOeSR0oeNMilAjDUlz5Wtucm8x4tyCv-7yzChWOizh69tMb5tIarIUDnN5yzBp47jBftRTEEI76uKb/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-01-14+at+12.40.11.png" width="400" /></a>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-10585482291899133322018-06-29T11:50:00.002-07:002018-06-29T11:51:45.847-07:00Tampa Bay to Bae Charity Fundraiser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq-gQ-PHjSp9-C-Q6XnE6t4lk95O9_Sxj3gQFwEdW68uupw3JYeN0uSUXxKLPlK48IMZsyb_OoEroxeWYszWeDJiLVNCWUgs0I9s62l4sGtREk4W27zKbG9L1jnUsKxBVGR8IknXKBFxn/s1600/35358666_10155790216778666_5406927843533783040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq-gQ-PHjSp9-C-Q6XnE6t4lk95O9_Sxj3gQFwEdW68uupw3JYeN0uSUXxKLPlK48IMZsyb_OoEroxeWYszWeDJiLVNCWUgs0I9s62l4sGtREk4W27zKbG9L1jnUsKxBVGR8IknXKBFxn/s400/35358666_10155790216778666_5406927843533783040_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tampa Bay to Bae Charity Fundraising Campaign </span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">Our PR Manager, Nicole has been selected as one of the TOP 20 singles for the Inaugural Tampa Bay to Bae Top Singles Charity Event which will be held on </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><em>Friday September 28, 2018 at Steinbrenner Field from 7:30-11:30pm</em></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">This will be a fun and friendly competition to see who can </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><em>raise the most money for their charity</em></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;"> with several events hosted by KIK leading up to 9/28. You do not have to be in Tampa Bay to be a part of this event! You can donate using the links provided.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">There will be an overall winner announced on 9/28 at the end of the night. The Tampa Bay Times will do a spread of the winner, his/her charity and his/her bio in that news outlet. Stay tuned for more PR updates as the host of Bay to Bae will work to get the winner on Tampa Bay News 9 as well.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">** Please mark any donations made between now and Sept 29th</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px;"> <strong>BaytoBae</strong> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">so that we can keep a running total of monies raised for this campaign.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica";"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.kidsinspire.com/donate-money" target="_blank">DONATE</a></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica";"><b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/donate/2034358336892427/?fundraiser_source=external_url" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook Fundraiser</span></a></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Kids Inspiring Kids will host </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">at least one charity fundraiser</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> for our cause between 7/1 and 9/25. Details to follow. Follow us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kidsinspiringkids" target="_blank">Facebook </a>to stay up-to date. If you would like to be a part of hosting a fundraiser with proceeds going directly to KIK please contact us directly! </span><a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com?subject=Bay%20to%20Bae%20Fundraiser&body=I%20would%20like%20to%20help!%20" style="background-color: white; color: #2baadf; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a></div>
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Event ideas: </div>
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<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Happy Hour</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Fitness Boot Camp</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Raffle </li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Spin Class</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Golf Tournament</li>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">*Contribution to this is not limited to these events as the cumulative donation total between now and September will count towards our total. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4BJevv9n1DArv4tbY7rtlGIq1kNo4WM4pQWndkUdCSnBGFt5b5h2r0Foc3FAB8c5rFRRz-bMlb_33KNitiPwUcfAW3bVlJlrRz1iJCyQNP6s1YlJSiVhP3n9zNPw-mBUMrJACHVuOzGT/s1600/31318217_412531062544643_304187601290526720_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4BJevv9n1DArv4tbY7rtlGIq1kNo4WM4pQWndkUdCSnBGFt5b5h2r0Foc3FAB8c5rFRRz-bMlb_33KNitiPwUcfAW3bVlJlrRz1iJCyQNP6s1YlJSiVhP3n9zNPw-mBUMrJACHVuOzGT/s320/31318217_412531062544643_304187601290526720_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">On </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><em>Friday September 28, 2018 at Steinbrenner Field from 7:30-11:30pm </em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the grande finale there will be an auction for packages (vacation packages, sports packages, spa packages, etc.). Each Top Single will represent a package and the bid funds will go towards their charity of choice.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Kids Inspiring Kids will have a VIP table for the GRAND FINALE. We are looking for 10 generous individuals to purchase VIP seats or an entire table. You can do this as an individual or as a company sponsorship. </span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Cost:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> $1,500 for the table OR $150/person</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">This is fantastic opportunity to get some recognition for your company or just have an amazing VIP experience at the grand finale. Please contact me about this ASAP as it is limited to 10 people/seats. Table/Seat sponsors will have recognition at the event.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">*The main event website with $75.00 </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">general admission tickets</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> will be up and running by 7/1. <a href="http://www.baytobae.com/">www.baytobae.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm60ZW4S9SZqlz1wJ6ITG6mB9_5FS6slLFWy58BU7juFHnGin3fqGzAPk5e9FOyOSvnYDgd8S6xy2U3591P_mffvZZSwRGqSmX75_XGg6-BYkOTsJXccDKU_aZ6CJbgYW-Fn7nen80UsLR/s1600/36301802_10155820822533666_9096970612462583808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm60ZW4S9SZqlz1wJ6ITG6mB9_5FS6slLFWy58BU7juFHnGin3fqGzAPk5e9FOyOSvnYDgd8S6xy2U3591P_mffvZZSwRGqSmX75_XGg6-BYkOTsJXccDKU_aZ6CJbgYW-Fn7nen80UsLR/s320/36301802_10155820822533666_9096970612462583808_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.instagram.com/nikki85lynn" style="background-color: white; color: #2baadf; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Nicole Mills-</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> Public Relations Manager for KIK</span></div>
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<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Get to Know Her:</strong></span></li>
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After Nicole graduated from high school in Austin, Texas she attended a military prep school on scholarship from the United States Air Force Academy as an Air Force Academy prep. Unfortunately, after a bad bout of asthma she was sent home and forced to re-imagine her future. As she attended college in Oklahoma she felt lost. Something bigger was knocking on her heart. She just didn't know what it was or how to discover it. In 2005 her mother moved to Uganda, Africa and in 2006 Nicole followed. <br />
"I just needed to be a part of something bigger than myself. Serving others in a third world country with my mom was the biggest thing I could think of."<br />
She helped establish Kids Inspiring Kids with Tomi Mills. Now, 13 years later she now works to support KIK full-time. Nicole's passions include competitive beach volleyball, writing, reading and her two dogs.<br />
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<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Her Purpose: </strong></span></li>
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"I try to live life every day with a sense of purpose. Whether that means answering a ton of emails purposefully and considerately, or gearing up for a large speaking event or fundraiser, it all matters." <br />
Nicole's mindset shifted not too long ago from having one specific purpose to daily purpose. <br />
<a href="https://nikkilynn85.blogspot.com/2018/06/purpose.html">READ MORE</a></div>
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<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Her Charity</strong></span></li>
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<a href="http://www.kidsinspire.com/">Kids Inspiring Kids</a> is vital to not only the people of Uganda, but also the refugee crisis as a whole. The largest refugee crisis in the world is currently in Uganda, Africa. On average 2 new refugee camps pop up every month to accommodate the incoming refugees from over 13 African nations, more than anywhere else. The largest refugee camp in the world houses over 270k people and it in Northern Uganda. KIK is creating a tangible solution. By building a self sustaining village these refugees can know a place to call home for the first time in their lives. It is a hope in a future.</div>
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<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Her Motivation</strong></span></li>
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A civil war raged through Uganda for more than 20 years. They call it "the war the world forgot". Along with the forgotten war came an entire generation of forgotten people as well. These people deserve a place to call home. A safe place. Every life matters. Every child matters. Every refugee matters. Humanity matters."We can do something about reminding these people they are no longer forgotten." </div>
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Nicole's promotional video</div>
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Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-89964908412584588052018-05-16T10:08:00.001-07:002018-05-16T10:41:52.492-07:00URGENT ACTION HUNDREDS LEFT HOMELESS BY FORCED EVICTIONS: Amnesty International<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>URGENT ACTION </b><b>HUNDREDS LEFT HOMELESS BY FORCED EVICTIONS</b></h2>
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<time datetime="2018-05-15T00:00:00" style="-webkit-print-color-adjust: exact; display: inline-block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">15 May 2018</time><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, Index number: AFR 59/8409/2018</span></h2>
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Ugandan soldiers have been forcibly evicting communities in the Apaa area in northern<br />
Uganda since 15 March. So far, more than 250 homes have been burnt and destroyed,<br />
leaving hundreds of people, including children homeless. The evictions have been<br />
carried out by the authorities in violation of the constitution and international human<br />
rights law.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit Amnesty International</td></tr>
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<b>Since 15 March</b>, hundreds of people in Oyanga, Luru, Acholi Ber and Gaji villages in Apaa area, northern Uganda, <b>have been left homeless</b> after forced evictions by members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). This has resulted in hundreds of people, including children, spending nights in the bush during the ongoing rainy season. The latest forced evictions took place on 11 May. So far, soldiers have burnt down more than 250 homes, destroyed property and beat up villagers. According to reports from members of the affected community, armed <b>soldiers beat them up, burnt their food and crops and threatened them with further violence in a bid to intimidate people into leaving their homes. </b>According to media reports, the forced evictions are being carried out at the behest of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Forestry Authority who allege that the villagers are occupying Zoka Forest reserve and East Madi Game Reserve.<br />
The forced evictions are in contravention of an injunction issued by Gulu High Court in February 2018 stopping any evictions until a case filed by some of the villagers regarding the boundary dispute is heard and determined. The evictions have also been carried out without the safeguards required under international human rights law. Further, as a state party to the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention), the Ugandan authorities should refrain from, prohibit and prevent arbitrary displacement of populations and provide protection and humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons<br />
without discrimination of any kind.<br />
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<b>Please write immediately in English or your own language:</b><br />
- Calling on the Ugandan authorities to stop the forced evictions immediately;<br />
- Urging them to provide emergency assistance to the victims of the forced evictions, including emergency shelter and access to food and sanitation, and guaranteeing their safe return to their homes;<br />
- Calling on them to conduct an impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the forced evictions and reports of violence by the UPDF and take necessary steps under law to hold those responsible to account.</div>
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<b>PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 26 JUNE 2018 TO:</b></h2>
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<b>President Yoweri Museveni</b> State House Office Entebbe P.O. Box 25497 Kampala, Uganda Fax: +256414235462 Email: <a href="mailto:molly.kamukama@statehouse.go.ug">molly.kamukama@statehouse.go.ug</a> Salutation: Your Excellency</div>
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<b>Minister of defense
Adolf Mwesige</b>
Ministry of Defence
Mbuya
Chwa II
P.O. Box 3798
Kampala, Uganda
Fax: 0414222812
Email: <a href="mailto:mod.ps@defence.go.ug">mod.ps@defence.go.ug</a>
Salutation: Honourable</div>
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<b>And copies to:</b>
Uganda Wildlife Authority
Sam Mwandha
Plot 7, Kira Road, Kamwokya
P. O. Box 3530
Kampala, Uganda
Fax: N/A
Email: <a href="mailto:info@ugandawildlife.org">info@ugandawildlife.org</a></div>
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Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country (Congressmen, Senators, etc.). Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. </div>
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<b>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION </b></div>
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Apaa has been subject to territorial disputes for decades. The residents of Apaa were forced to flee during the Lord’s
Resistance Army war and settle in camps outside their villages. In 2002, while still in camps, parliament gazetted the area as a
nature reserve to promote tourism in the north. Now Apaa is part of a boundary dispute between Adjumani District, which has
designated the area a wildlife conservancy and forest reserve, and Amuru District, which claims it as community ancestral land. </div>
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On 10 February 2012, the High Court in Gulu issued a temporary <b>injunction </b>which instructed Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
and its agents or servants to stop <b>“further eviction, destruction, confiscation or conversion and or interfering with the land rights,
occupation and uses of land belonging to the [local communities] in the areas of Pabbo and Apaa in Amuru district, pending the
determination of the main suit”.</b> Despite this, UPDF soldiers continued to forcibly evict the community and occupy the area. They
blocked the communities from rebuilding the destroyed livelihoods following the violent evictions. </div>
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As of 2018, some of the
evicted people relocated to other areas of Amuru district, while those with no alternative places to relocate returned to the
contested land. The latest court injunction was issued in February 2018.
Rachel* (not her real name), from Luru ‘A’ village in Apaa, described how armed soldiers surrounded her home on the evening
of 1 May. After asking her to bring all her possessions out of her three huts, they burned the huts down and stole the
possessions. Rachel says the men hit her twice and told her that if they returned to find her still there, they would kill her. They
then photographed her. Rachel spent one night in the bush but returned to the land on which her home had stood the next day.
She told Amnesty International she has nowhere else to go. </div>
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Victor* (not his real name), from Acholi Ber, said he was subjected to three separate forced evictions between March and May.
All five huts in Victor’s family compound were burnt in the first attack on 15 March. They managed to rebuild four of the huts, but
soldiers returned in April and burnt them down again. On 2 May, seven UPDF soldiers returned to the village to find Victor
sleeping in an iron-roofed shelter normally used for farming equipment. He says the officers demanded to know what he was
“still doing here” and then severely beat him using the butt of a gun and a hammer, laughing as he tried to escape. Victor told
Amnesty International that he has difficulty walking due to the beating.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Place of Refuge Village is a NECESSITY.</span></b> These people deserve a place they can call home without the threat of government removal or rebel harm. Help us resettle these people ASAP. Your contribution will directly affect these people's lives and well being. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/">http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/</a> </span></div>
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Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-67360661828583375772018-05-11T08:49:00.000-07:002018-05-11T08:49:26.336-07:00#MothersMatter: The Story of Christine ApioIn honor of <a href="https://mailchi.mp/c3895e4728a6/mothersmatter" target="_blank">Mother's Day</a> this weekend we are taking the time to specifically highlight some amazing mothers that we work with in Uganda, Africa. These stories are told in their voice and in their words.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqx1YDCpOV505zvs8v6Di5OBKHjWLMnLIElxpz6gi9EOK7cD2v67t1gHYy6Z8kAsR_FInooDd9IFxrK5cWuOokQWPKTHz-SYygljbFVf512O2ioI3SJSCRpWYSoV8WN-umKNIPFgsPfOc/s1600/26981475_1964304710252594_810156066_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqx1YDCpOV505zvs8v6Di5OBKHjWLMnLIElxpz6gi9EOK7cD2v67t1gHYy6Z8kAsR_FInooDd9IFxrK5cWuOokQWPKTHz-SYygljbFVf512O2ioI3SJSCRpWYSoV8WN-umKNIPFgsPfOc/s320/26981475_1964304710252594_810156066_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Story of Christine Apio:<br />
I am 39 years old and have<b> four children</b>. I also take care of my brother’s two children who are orphans. I grew up in Lira with my five brothers and sisters. My parents were farmers but life was not bad. It wasn’t bad that is until the rebels came. I was <b>18 </b>years old and in Primary 6 (sixth grade). They killed 3 of my brothers and sisters and abducted me right from school. I attended a “mixed” school of boys and girls but I didn’t know what happened to my friends. I spent one year in the bush. My job was to welcome new people that had been abducted and I was also used for “entertainment” purposes whenever the Commander told me. I tried to escape several time but failed. These resulted in <b>beatings and starvings</b>. They beat me and rolled me in the mud and beat me again on my wet skin. I was in so much pain. I was given the word at some point that my parents were dead and my sister was traumatized because she had witnessed their death.<br />
I waited and waited and then one day I pretended there was no water for drinking. When I reached the river, I dropped down to my stomach and inched my way over one kilometer to get away. After crawling for what seemed like hours I stood up and started running. I had cuts and scrapes all over my knees but I ran and ran. I met an old man and he<b> helped hide me</b> for two days. He then took me to the military barracks in Lira. Soldiers surrounded me and I wasn’t sure I was safe but they gave me clothes and things for bathing.<br />
After that I went to my Aunt’s in Lira. My Aunt did the best she could but since I had been in the bush with the rebels for over a year my Aunt and the people around thought I needed to go through a “Purification” process. My mind was not stable during this time. The people put herbs in my mouth and ears. Crazy as it was I did get better and better as the weeks went by.<br />
<b>Soon I was able to travel</b>. I was brought to town where I met my husband. He was a roofer and we lived together as husband and wife even though we didn’t have a formal wedding ceremony. We had two children and then my husband got a contract for work in the capital city of Kampala. We moved to the Banda Acholi Quarters, that was four years ago. We still have land in the North but neither of us feel safe to go back to it.<br />
Our HIV status is unknown at this point and we live one day to the next. There is not enough food and school fees, especially for the children of my brother, are hard to come by. I’m excited about <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" target="_blank">the new village, Place of Refuge.</a> I pray in my heart to God, “If you made me, redeem me”. A new place to call home with enough sustainability and a better chance for my children is my redemption.<br />
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This Mother's Day #MothersMatter<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Instead of flowers this Mother's Day, give a gift to your mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister, friend, etc. that not only blesses her, but also impacts a mother half a world away.</span><br />
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/c3895e4728a6/mothersmatter" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Special Mother's Day Offer</span></a><br />
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Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-20915523813159134712018-05-10T10:20:00.001-07:002018-05-10T10:20:25.937-07:00#MothersMatter: The Story of Gloria AkelloIn honor of <a href="https://mailchi.mp/c3895e4728a6/mothersmatter" target="_blank">Mother's Day</a> this weekend we are taking the time to specifically highlight some amazing mothers that we work with in Uganda, Africa. These stories are told in their voice and in their words.<br />
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The Story of Gloria Akello:<br />
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I sometimes wonder at the world. What would it be like if I were born in a different time, a different place with a different skin color? I’m only 16 but I feel sometimes like I’ve lived long enough. My father died as a result of working in the rock quarry. One day there was a rockslide that fell on him. He fell sick and spent one month in the hospital. They said there was nothing more to do so we took him to the village in the North where he shortly died. This left my mom with seven children to look after including a cousin. My mom’s only means of support is rolling <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X12paPz-NLw" target="_blank">paper beads</a> to sell. I was in Primary 6 and while not the best student I was still studying nonetheless. During one of my holiday times I was back in the Banda Acholi Quarters and started hanging around a boy who was in Senior 1, a few grades higher than me. We fooled around and I got pregnant as a result. I’m not proud of what I did but the facts were I was pregnant. I went full term only to deliver a still-born baby boy. They let me see him before they took him away and I named him Daniel Nicholas. He looked sweet but I’m glad he doesn’t have to live the hard life. I don’t want to go back to regular school. I’ve seen and done too much at this point and I don’t think it would benefit me. I instead would like to do a tailoring course but that too takes money. Money I don’t have. All I want at this point is to live a better life, a life of purpose and meaning because some days I don’t feel like there is any. Kids Inspiring Kids started a youth program and I feel that I am loved there. <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" target="_blank">They talk about a village</a> where we can live a life of purpose, go to school, get medical attention. I dream about that often and wonder if my life can make a difference. I believe it can...<br />
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This Mother's Day #MothersMatter<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Instead of flowers this Mother's Day, give a gift to your mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister, friend, etc. that not only blesses her, but also impacts a mother half a world away.</span><br />
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/c3895e4728a6/mothersmatter" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Special Mother's Day Offer</span></a>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-4077426114044426512018-03-21T09:02:00.003-07:002018-03-21T09:12:46.796-07:00FAQs for Volunteering with KIK<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Want to volunteer with KIK but have questions?! We have you covered. Check out our FAQs: </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Here is what you need to know:</span></h1>
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KIK accepts volunteers on a short-time basis (up to 3 months). Longer time must be approved and additional visa arrangements made. We accept volunteers after an application has been made. If you are under 18 years old you must have written parental consent in addition to the application. We welcome volunteers from all over the world. Previous volunteers have been from USA, Russia, Austria, Italy, Venezuela and more.</div>
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<strong>What would I be doing at KIK?</strong></div>
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KIK has purchased land for Place of Refuge Village, so Phase I building projects are starting. Various other projects are also available (i.e. feeding, medical outreach, etc.) during volunteering with KIK. You will be given a detailed itinerary based on, but not limited to, your skill sets, group size, length of stay, current projects, etc. before you arrive. During the week KIK may go into individual homes in the slum to counsel, administer minor medical and assist with individual and family needs. KIK’s primary goal is to teach <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=46" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">character</a>.</div>
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<strong>How do I get to KIK? What is the nearest airport? What documents do I need?</strong></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="background-color: white;">The main airport in Uganda is Entebbe airport. It is about 45 kilometers from the KIK headquarters</span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in Muyenga/Bukasa,</span> <span style="color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="background-color: white;">Uganda (just outside of the capital city of Kampala). We will pick you directly from the airport and return you upon your departure. The cost of this is $40.00 each way (this fee may be included in your volunteer package, inquire specifically). You may acquire a tourist visa at the airport upon arrival. The cost is $50.00 USD. You will need a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining time before expiring on it. You must carry your inoculation card that shows your vaccine records and have it available if asked.</span></span></div>
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<strong>Immunizations and other health questions including HIV/Aids?</strong></div>
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Contact your personal doctor, or find a local travel clinic, to obtain proper immunizations for travel to Uganda. Yellow fever is currently the only required vaccine for entering Uganda, but it is recommended that you are current on several others.</div>
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Malaria is a concern here, and caution should be taken to avoid mosquito bites by using a deet-based repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net. Mosquito nets are provided at KIK. Short-term volunteers can consider malaria preventatives like Doxycycline (cheap) or Malarone (expensive). Please note that Doxycycline can make you sun sensitive and Uganda is on the equator. Most doctors no longer recommend Larium (Mefloquine) because of the side effects. Most long-termers don’t take anti-malarials because there is treatment here and it is effective. Consult your doctor for further questions.</div>
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Consult the CDC website (<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/travel" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;">www.cdc.gov/travel</a>) for Ugandan recommendations and for a “Travel Health Clinic” in the US.</div>
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This is Africa, there is HIV. The only way it can be transmitted is blood to blood contact, and we are careful about that. Many of the women in the women’s group and several kids are HIV+ many are on ARVs.</div>
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Regardless of how careful you are about what and where you eat and drink, you might have some minor problems with your health while here. The most common incidents relate to gastrointestinal problems and parasites. These are easily and inexpensively treated. People here get the normal cold, flu, infections, etc, as they do in other countries.</div>
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<strong>The cost of volunteering and where will I stay?</strong></div>
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Depending on the group size you will most likely be staying at KIK headquarters, family style. We are in a gated compound and very safe. You will be sleeping under a mosquito net. Any other foods, travel, crafts, etc not outlined in your itinerary will be at your own expense. Our volunteer packages include room, most meals, drinking water (bottled or boiled), toilet paper, and transportation to projects. Showers are provided and in the event of no running water (this sometimes happens) water will be brought in for bathing and laundry. You will be responsible for washing your own clothes but water, basins, and laundry soap is provided.</div>
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Large Groups and groups wanting to put together packages with other requirements (i.e. additional travel, safari’s, bungee jumping, ATVing, etc) need to contact KIK for rates and availability. <a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a></div>
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<strong>Other expenses and money?</strong></div>
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There are also some hot spots around the area and in town where you can also use a laptop. Some places charge, others, like restaurants, won’t charge if you are eating there. There is a weekly Craft market in which to buy souvenirs or gifts at reasonable prices.</div>
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You can exchange American dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros or British Pounds at the Forex Exchange Bureaus. You need to have 50’s or 100’s for the denominations to exchange. The American dollars especially need to be series 2006 or higher, new bills preferably with no marks, tears or creases in them. You can use a Visa, <strong>not</strong> a Mastercard (if it has the plus symbol), in several ATM machines that will dispense Ugandan Shillings. You need to check with your local bank for the exchange rates and fees to use them. Credit Cards are not commonly used in Uganda and only a few places take them. Traveler’s checks are also very difficult to cash. Bring cash to exchange or plan on using your visa card in the ATM machines.</div>
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There are many sights and things to see while you are in Uganda. If you want to take an excursion trip to Jinja and see the Source of the Nile or go Whitewater rafting arrangements can be made for you. Also, there are land and water safaris in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls if you want to see animals. All trips vary in price depending on the type of accommodations you may desire.</div>
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<strong>What should I bring with me?</strong></div>
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A checklist of recommended items to pack will be sent with your final itinerary.</div>
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Anything electrical must be on 240 current. If you have something that is on 110v you must also have a converter. You might also consider an adapter for Africa (<a href="https://www.110220volts.com/wasgf-7.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAlZDFBRCKncm67qihiHwSJABtoNIg8LvKnRTaiYmkua9rxZd7XOvqFAu692-y-GX3AWIG9BoCawnw_wcB" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">3 </a>prong) to use for your electrical items that may not need a converter (i.e. laptops, iPods, some phones, and cameras). Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended. Your personal toiletries (shampoo, washcloth (micro-fiber works well), towel), a pillow, and comfortable clothing/shoes. Dry-fit clothing works well. All pants need to be knee length as well as skirts/dresses for women. No tube or mid-drift tops. Bathing suits need to be modest. No see-through clothing. Shoes should be comfortable and sturdy. Tennis shoes can be a bit hot for your feet and washing socks are sometimes difficult. Shoes like <a href="http://www.teva.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-TEVA-US-Site/default/Default-Start?source=ggl_ppc&gclid=CjwKEAiAlZDFBRCKncm67qihiHwSJABtoNIgKxT3pRdZyv0_g8iCRF42tJHlcFPUFcJ8VYryrIgdrhoCclvw_wcB" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Tevas</a> or Crocks are recommended. Do not bring expensive jewelry. Uganda has lots of orange dirt, light colored clothing tends to get stained very quickly. Wash and wear clothing is the best, especially dry-fit and clothing with lycra in them. Earplugs are also recommended, especially if you are a light sleeper.</div>
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<strong>Is Uganda safe?</strong></div>
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As far as risks in traveling, Uganda is very visitor friendly. The people here are mostly very peaceful and non-violent. The Bradt Travel guide states that Uganda is one of the safest places for tourists. We have had many volunteers come and go without any incident. It is important to take precautions, as you would anywhere, by not being alone at night.</div>
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<strong>What language (s) do they speak in Uganda?</strong></div>
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English is common and Luganda is spoken in the city and outlying areas. Luo is spoken and used in the slums as the people we work with are the Acholi people that were displaced during the war in Nothern-Uganda. If needed, you will have an interpreter otherwise, you can get by in most places with English.</div>
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<strong>International Communication</strong><br />
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You can place international calls for about 30 cents per minute. You can buy a mobile phone here for under $50.00 and then load airtime on a sim card to make calls. Texting is about 10 cents per international text. You can also use an international phone that is either tri or quad band. It must be unlocked. Just buy a local sim card and load airtime. You can use your laptop to skype from an internet cafe and send messages from a cafe or hotspot. Many cell phone providers now have international plans. Please check with your local carrier before you travel to avoid unexpected costs.</div>
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If you wish to receive mail while you are here you can do so. KIK has a post office box, but mail service is slow and mail usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on the country of origination.</div>
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<strong>Groups</strong><br />
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If you have a group that wants to come out contact us directly for more information at <a href="mailto:tomi@kidsinspire.com?Subject=Group%20request" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_top">tomi@kidsinspire.com</a> or <a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a> .</div>
<br />Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-10727182396721871392018-03-14T11:02:00.001-07:002018-03-14T11:02:35.113-07:00Volunteer Summer 2018<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Volunteer Opportunity Summer 2018</h1>
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Volunteering shows the world what kind of world you want to live in. <strong>Place of Refuge Village</strong> is now a reality and we need help. This summer Kids Inspiring Kids is looking for <strong>10 volunteers </strong>to selflessly give of their time to help change the lives of the people of Uganda. Spend your<strong> summer break </strong>exploring what Winston Churchill called, "The Pearl of Africa" and bring hope to these amazing people. This trip will be taking place <span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>July 11-25, 2018</strong></span>. We recommend a minimum <strong>14+ day</strong> trip to accommodate traveling, jet lag, and projects. </div>
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Itinerary<span style="font-size: 12px;">- </span></div>
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<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 1- All parties arrive/Airport travel to Kampala</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 2- Exchange $/See Kampala</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 3- Craft Market/Lake Victoria Visit -Cultural Dance & Dinner</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 4- Trip to Banda Ghetto/Slums</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 5- Local Church (Optional)/ Pack for Place of Refuge Village (PRV)</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 6- Travel to PRV/Lake Wamala visit</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 7- <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Village Projects</a> (wells, agriculture, building, etc.)</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 8- <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Village Projects</a> (wells, agriculture, building, etc.)</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 9- Jigger Clinic Training/Prep/Lake Wamala boat trip</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 10- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KidsInspiringKids/photos/a.592446050939680.1073741841.159676934216596/647421505442134/?type=3&theater" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Jigger Clinic</a> in local schools/ Learn to make<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_NQtd2NnLE&t=15s" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"> Banda Beads</a></li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 11- Village Projects/Prepare for local outreach</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 12- Local outreach/Pack/Travel to Kampala</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 13- Jinja <a href="http://www.aboutuganda.com/travel/attractions/nile" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Source of the Nile trip</a></li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 14- Local food market/Final group Dinner/Airport PM</li>
<li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day 15- Airport runs as needed</li>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif, arial, verdana, "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 12px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Subject to change based on current projects, size of the group, length of trip, etc.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif, arial, verdana, "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 12px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #404040; color: #f2f2f2; text-align: center;">COST: $1,000.00 FOR TWO WEEKS</span><br style="background-color: #404040; color: #f2f2f2; text-align: center;" /><span style="background-color: #404040; color: #f2f2f2; text-align: center;">Discounts available for groups of 10</span></span></div>
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*$250.00 deposit required within 45 days of scheduled itinerary.<br />*Trip must be paid in full 30 days prior to scheduled itinerary.<br />*Trip may not be canceled within 29 days of scheduled itinerary. This will result in the loss of all payments.<br />*Trips canceled 31+ days of the scheduled itinerary will lose the $250.00 deposit.<br /><br />-Flight information must be sent to KIK 21-30 days prior to scheduled itinerary. Please keep in mind that due to the time change and length of travel, you will need to leave 1-2 days PRIOR to scheduled itinerary.<br />-Once the deposit is paid KIK will send finalized itinerary, travel/packing checklist, and additional information.<br />-Please keep in mind passports can take 4-6 weeks and must have more than 6 months remaining in order to be valid. There is a rush service available if needed.<a href="https://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/" style="color: #2baadf; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"> https://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/ </a></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="http://kidsinspire.com/volunteer/single-volunteer-faq/" target="_blank">VOLUNTEER</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://kidsinspire.com/volunteer/single-volunteer-faq/"><span style="font-size: large;">FAQs</span></a></div>
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Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-73660424961228284322018-01-11T12:44:00.002-08:002018-01-11T13:01:45.460-08:00If it ain't broke...it might actually be brokenYou cannot address an issue or a problem without first admitting that there IS one.<br />
In April 2017 a Dutch public broadcasting agency NOS published a story on Uganda "the refugee paradise". The article was titled: "Welcome refugee! Uganda welcomes you with open arms!" A South Sudanese colleague frowned after reading the translated article. "How can they see this as paradise?" he asked. "Don't they know that people who are here are the ones who are not able to go somewhere else? Live in the city, or perhaps another country? There is no such thing as a paradise here."<br />
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Uganda is a country about the size of Oregon and home to almost 42 million people. And the population growth is increasing exponentially. It is also home to refugees from at least 13 different countries and over 1.2 million from South Sudan alone. More than 86% of new arrivals from Sudan are women and children. Refugee women arriving in neighboring countries have also reported repeated rape, the killing of their husbands, and abduction of their children. South Sudan's conflict has now raged on for nearly five years and affected more than 4mil lives. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ANi9VAze8KTWPsV2gijdeWEc0l_UzeQ_UBavbmPqEZoDxX_a6Bj8811tJS9nPp3lOoJymFz7iEMPqBmMv4anpmd3bvfQin0xGESAzvRHackLgpFuwfo3t5SiuvPZB1QcllE7DdjUHyt/s1600/refugee+%2523s.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="617" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ANi9VAze8KTWPsV2gijdeWEc0l_UzeQ_UBavbmPqEZoDxX_a6Bj8811tJS9nPp3lOoJymFz7iEMPqBmMv4anpmd3bvfQin0xGESAzvRHackLgpFuwfo3t5SiuvPZB1QcllE7DdjUHyt/s400/refugee+%2523s.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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(For scale: California is home to almost 40 million people and much larger than Uganda.)<br />
193 member states of the United Nations in 2016 adopted the New York Declaration committing members to better share responsibility for the world’s refugees and support the communities that host them in a global compact. This included drawing up a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).<b> Uganda was the first country that decided to apply the CRRF once the New York Declaration was adopted.</b><br />
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As of December 2017, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is witnessing a sharp rise in the number of people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) seeking safety in Uganda. More than 2,650 refugees have crossed the border during the last week of December alone, fleeing fresh violence in DRC’s Ituri province – this is five times the usual number of arrivals. Most of them again, are women and children. Despite gains in policy and practice in recent years, the capacities and needs of refugee women and girls are too often overlooked in refugee responses. In 2016, 51% of all refugees globally were children. Additionally, according to the New York Declaration, an estimated 9.3 million persons with disabilities are forcibly displaced as the result of persecution, conflict, violence, and other human rights violations. Persons with disabilities are among the most marginalized in any crisis-affected community and are over-represented among those living in poverty. Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies also impact the access to and the collapse of essential services. <b>Uganda hosts the largest amount of refugees in all of Africa: over 1.4 MIL.</b> And Uganda is not receiving enough international support.Many first world countries have used Uganda as a case study and an example of open door policies when it comes refugees, but they ignore the millions of internally displaced people and the basic fact that Uganda's economy is buckling. It is to the point of breaking under the strain of providing for a large population with a shaky GDP and holes in necessary humanitarian aid. <b>The funding needed to support these refugees is just not there.</b> Finally, people are starting to take notice, but more needs to be done. This is currently, the largest refugee crisis that the world is facing.<br />
“The situation is no longer sustainable - for the governments of asylum countries, humanitarian agencies...The cycle of violence must be brought to an end.” -UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refugees await transport © UNHCR/Samuel Otieno</td></tr>
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Refuge crisis seems to have become a buzz word that people throw around for money, votes or publicity, but it is a very real problem. It also has very real solutions. At KIK, we are putting tangible solutions in place to serve as a working model for the future.<br />
Many of Uganda's own citizens are in terrible situations. At KIK we work primarily with a group of Acholi refugees. <b>They are the by-product of a war the world forgot about </b>that ended officially in 2006. For 20 years these people endured the harsh conditions of IDP camps (internally displaced persons), eventually making their way to the Banda Acholi Quarters slum area. Now, the government wants that land back as well. They have begun bulldozing homes and forcing people out onto the streets once again. The stress of which has given people heart attacks and caused many deaths.<br />
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We are relocating these people to the <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" target="_blank">Place of Refuge Village</a>, but we need your help. This Village will create generational impact, sustainability, and change. The foundation for this venture has been laid steadily for over 12 years. <br />
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Working with knowledgeable and reputable architects to begin the design phase of the village, we have purchased the initial 100+ acres, drilled 3 wells, started crop rotations, cleared 20-25 acres, are building a storage facility, 2 pit-latrines, installed 6 safari tents and relocated the foundational families and single men, to begin the project. To make this dream a reality, the estimated cost of the project is $3 million (USD). We plan to raise all of this money through charitable donations given as one-time gifts or recurring payments.<br />
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<a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="946" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVCIkT45Qv3TaYx6jqcrQahL3oySubJJzhALFvjL2xMDw8HZOolaOS6jeH7F8HgkZLRcPvWbgG_F9BypXtIxfhyphenhyphenbsGC3oxpchKUDcJID5beMbfojNKaqL_DLfEgOOlIrukWsE-K4hl9Dr/s400/village.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "proxima_nova" , "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">“I hope that we will not forget the fundamental objective of the global compact on refugees – to have a real impact on people’s lives. <b>This includes citizens of host communities</b> who sacrifice so much to host refugees; as well as refugees so that they can contribute and not be a burden on host communities – so that both refugees and host communities remain strong and resilient in adversity until solutions are found.”</span> -Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees during High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection Challenges.</div>
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Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-7243139092205812792017-08-08T11:12:00.000-07:002018-01-11T12:15:06.559-08:00The REFUGEE CRISIS you haven't heard about<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaUMowluapld4wKBdy-OjcQhCLk8EkfYP8DuQ-BDsh4wSxugCMx3FBPqoh2HVAYHwdkSWRXlS1eDowmQA9x3z8bowkPu58BnIvexkvbDx7wLBTpORQMevbc50NBx1hQQGusl6KPA0pMYH/s1600/aerial+view+of+bidi+bdi.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="704" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaUMowluapld4wKBdy-OjcQhCLk8EkfYP8DuQ-BDsh4wSxugCMx3FBPqoh2HVAYHwdkSWRXlS1eDowmQA9x3z8bowkPu58BnIvexkvbDx7wLBTpORQMevbc50NBx1hQQGusl6KPA0pMYH/s400/aerial+view+of+bidi+bdi.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial view of Bidi Bidi refugee camp</td></tr>
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When most people think of the "refugee crisis" their mind often goes to Syria or the middle east and Europe. I doubt most people would even think about Uganda, but they should. In fact, the world's largest refugee camp is IN Uganda. Consultations that have taken place since 193 member states of the United Nations in 2016 adopted the <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/new-york-declaration-for-refugees-and-migrants.html">New York Declaration</a> committing members to better share responsibility for the world’s refugees and support the communities that host them in a global compact. This included drawing up a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).<br />
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“The New York Declaration emerged from the Syria refugee crisis – or rather the failure to address some of the challenges of this crisis. But the challenges go well beyond the Syria refugee situation – <b>this is a global problem</b>,” Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees during High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection Challenges, told the opening session.<br />
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Uganda has taken in 1.3 million people in the past 12 months alone from neighboring countries. Most have come from Southern Sudan because of nearly 5 years of famine and conflict.<br />
A year ago Greece and Turkey bore the brunt of the world's worst refugee crisis. Newspapers and television bulletins were full of stories about the influx of a million people in Europe, fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and other parts of the Middle East or Africa.<br />
<b>Now, an even bigger refugee crisis is unfolding, not in Europe but in Africa. </b>But it has had far less media coverage, and most people do not even know it is happening.<br />
<b>Uganda is now in the middle of the world's fastest-growing refugee crisis.</b><br />
In the past 12 months, Uganda has taken in more than Greece, Turkey or any other country in the world at the height of last year's crisis in Europe.<br />
Every day 2,000 people cross Uganda's borders. They are fleeing famine, drought, and violence. 6 million struggle to find food. This is the highest level of food insecurity the country has ever seen.<br />
According to the UN: almost 276,000 people are estimated to be severely malnourished and in need of immediate life-saving aid.<br />
The lack of access to clean water is also a major issue. It is the cause of death for most children. Since last December roughly two new refugee camps open up each month to accommodate the influx of people to the area. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refugees gather. In March 2017 2.8k people arrived every day from Sudan</td></tr>
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James Elder, from the UN children's agency UNICEF has said that Uganda has shown an extraordinarily progressive and open-door policy to refugees. So much so, many South Sudanese are expected to stay in Uganda indefinitely. What you won't see in the news is that the government won't even let local Ugandan's return to their land after their own 20-year war. Ugandan refugees are now squatting on land that belongs to the Ugandan government and now the government wants it back. This displaced hundreds of thousands of internal refugees while the influx of foreign refugees continues. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the country is now massively overstretched. UN agencies and NGOs are struggling to provide enough food, water, medicines and other services needed to sustain such a huge population. The Ugandan Government is seeking around $8 billion in humanitarian assistance.<br />
“Uganda has continued to maintain open borders,” said Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda’s prime minister. “But this unprecedented mass influx is placing enormous strain on our public services and local infrastructure.” Feargal O’Connell, the regional director of the aid group Concern, “what’s needed is a durable peace so all refugees feel comfortable enough to return home. <b>What’s needed, though, in the short term is funding.”</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over 270,000 refugees in one camp</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">This small African country about the size of Oregon is surrounded by conflict nations: Kenya, Sudan, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span> <span style="text-align: center;">By the end of 2006, a <b>war the world forgot</b> about was coming to an end, but Northern Uganda was still reeling from the devastation that <a href="https://kidsinspiringkids.blogspot.com/p/history-of-people-of-banda-acholi.html" target="_blank">Kony and his Lords Resistance Army</a> had wrought. The people of Northern Uganda, mostly the Acholi people were now left in Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDP camps). After over 20 years of survival, many of these people have no skills sets and no place to return "home" to. </span></div>
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A group of them found their way to the Banda Ghetto outside of Kampala. Kids Inspiring Kids has been working with these people for over the past decade. <b>This crisis is a complicated one. There isn't an easy solution, but KIK is making a difference. </b></div>
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A lot of people are familiar with the viral video that explains the global issue of refugees. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPjzfGChGlE" target="_blank">Immigration, World Poverty and Gumballs - Watch here</a> </div>
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Everyone has a different take on this. It is more of a statement of fact than a solution to the issues at hand, but there is something incredibly evident...even if you let all the refugees into other countries, it doesn't help the root issues or the people that currently reside in those other countries that are having to face the strain it puts on the host's economy.<br />
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<b><a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" target="_blank">Place of Refuge Village</a></b> addresses a large section of these problems. It relocates internal refugees and resettles them onto land that has clear land title and sustainability. Having worked with the same people group for over ten years has allowed for the development of skills sets needed for SELF-sustainability. </div>
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This solution will have a <b>Generational Impact</b>. This isn't about putting a band-aid on a problem and hoping it will just work itself out. This is about changing a nation. If you were to have asked the people group we work with ten years ago what their biggest dream was, it was to get out of Africa. They thought that maybe if they were just able to go to America or the UK THEN they could have a better life. Now, if you were to ask them they are hopeful about changing the world around them, right where they are. They want to make a better life for themselves and their family and they are excited about the Place of Refuge Village. It has been a complete mindset shift. They are now realizing they have everything they need to have a better life without having to get out of Africa. They are cautiously hopeful.</div>
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International governments are not always the solution and even more of an issue is how long legislation takes. There are better solutions it just requires a little creativity and less temporary solutions. Often times it is up to dedicated individuals and organizations dedicated to making a difference that can move seemingly immovable mountains. </div>
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Learn more about how Kids Inspiring Kids is addressing the refugee crisis in Uganda. </div>
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Visit our website: <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/village-project/" target="_blank">Kids Inspiring Kids</a></div>
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LIKE us on Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kidsinspiringkids" target="_blank">KIK Facebook</a></div>
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Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kidsinspireUG" target="_blank">KIK Twitter</a></div>
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Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-27836208450190986862017-07-26T12:37:00.000-07:002017-07-26T12:37:53.509-07:00Chores for Charity: KIK Charity Jar<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">At Kids Inspiring Kids we understand that the best way to make the biggest impact is to start with kids! Even in America we sometimes lose hope as we get older and our dreams become dampened with the reality of everyday life. But if you ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up, they often have BIG goals. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Through our volunteers and partners, we have had several kids directly involved in impacting our vision here in Uganda. This coming month we want to spotlight kids i</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">n the community under 18yrs old that want to make an impact with KIK. There are a lot of ways they can accomplish this:<br />One easy way to get your kids involved is Chores for Charity. For one month instead of paying out cash for chores around the house, fill a KIK Charity jar. At the end of the month send us the final amount labeled Chores for Charity and we will individually recognize each kid personally with a thank you card and photo from Uganda.<br />Challenge your kids to go above and beyond this next month. Show them that every little bit matters and counts when it comes to impacting the world around them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRnUFOjZwXy2vVi1WZGTTZpwVXJl7nHNFmFcGozl7F6DX5faSS6IdMF166x6gzrC87TRdXMIqRI8RTu6C2r51c_HSMKQbnb7MrkQ4dMQDtBUpvt5XS4x7OC6NddEJ2MpiDkbWmHM8q5nh/s1600/Photo+Mar+30%252C+10+48+37+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRnUFOjZwXy2vVi1WZGTTZpwVXJl7nHNFmFcGozl7F6DX5faSS6IdMF166x6gzrC87TRdXMIqRI8RTu6C2r51c_HSMKQbnb7MrkQ4dMQDtBUpvt5XS4x7OC6NddEJ2MpiDkbWmHM8q5nh/s400/Photo+Mar+30%252C+10+48+37+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-92073384470278170612017-06-29T16:09:00.000-07:002017-06-29T16:09:12.973-07:00Lira- Rebuilding After the War<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Recently, Kids Inspiring Kids as well as an American volunteer, Jeff, traveled to Lira in Northern Uganda. While they were there they met some amazing people who will become an integral part of helping the people in the Banda Acholi Quarters. A counselor will be coming to the Quarters next month to help the people with PTSD from all of the trauma they have suffered. We are very excited to partner with amazing locals. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2abQ2JpQgq43uWVfBCgTEWT7D0yy6mtwO1sPzdYkN6lvbbY035tmaoRlyZmqySrwfuqebA-HezcPEJE2Jek4mq9Ext5gT-SXq_ovIAOYevgRsspbALDYEVHwL9iVcv9BR4mLg4H1KzKs/s1600/19274889_1726969137319487_905581223454970697_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2abQ2JpQgq43uWVfBCgTEWT7D0yy6mtwO1sPzdYkN6lvbbY035tmaoRlyZmqySrwfuqebA-HezcPEJE2Jek4mq9Ext5gT-SXq_ovIAOYevgRsspbALDYEVHwL9iVcv9BR4mLg4H1KzKs/s200/19274889_1726969137319487_905581223454970697_n.jpg" width="200" /> An agricultural savings group in Lira</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1M6byK7ZkG_2EQ_gYF-7ISqasyOoBNpP3_kSjp9QhGGFgDNFu4aAHLoso0FJ2M9NnW_OadnKWzxohdCHKBQKhM4iEK_bOCAvHnAJOmLsGXzOyZgfPiuQVOLFi46uqURgnF_hI1C4YauD/s1600/19274901_1726969587319442_6214763309446624052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1M6byK7ZkG_2EQ_gYF-7ISqasyOoBNpP3_kSjp9QhGGFgDNFu4aAHLoso0FJ2M9NnW_OadnKWzxohdCHKBQKhM4iEK_bOCAvHnAJOmLsGXzOyZgfPiuQVOLFi46uqURgnF_hI1C4YauD/s200/19274901_1726969587319442_6214763309446624052_n.jpg" width="150" /> This man was able to buy tools for his dentist practice because of the savings group</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcR1B8vtmhokA0l7DpkizhoB7zHmpKmE8qhEMSz2SeBtvrzPzArGD75YHnSAcElCPkyr1z2_zrLI3AxSLRv6gX7tBl_rom_LEt-Z8TFUZeMoxjtDBvoNEDKzqSageTzcZwS3Ep8wB6O_0/s1600/19366076_1726969253986142_2464266003617124505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcR1B8vtmhokA0l7DpkizhoB7zHmpKmE8qhEMSz2SeBtvrzPzArGD75YHnSAcElCPkyr1z2_zrLI3AxSLRv6gX7tBl_rom_LEt-Z8TFUZeMoxjtDBvoNEDKzqSageTzcZwS3Ep8wB6O_0/s200/19366076_1726969253986142_2464266003617124505_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURhQ3VhqEw8g_ojbdNKa_Iel_74lu-CCAFp9ZzPjj8E-HmxXTv6SfBaBcN29e_1B6w5uEHhcJ0zjN06dkX012jKxkCCNKZ55tyhYnkZknTvIv1g8w-6aDqWHY0KhZ_2UWDaUrVBlVTyPN/s1600/19366186_1726969310652803_4746442713151340797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURhQ3VhqEw8g_ojbdNKa_Iel_74lu-CCAFp9ZzPjj8E-HmxXTv6SfBaBcN29e_1B6w5uEHhcJ0zjN06dkX012jKxkCCNKZ55tyhYnkZknTvIv1g8w-6aDqWHY0KhZ_2UWDaUrVBlVTyPN/s320/19366186_1726969310652803_4746442713151340797_n.jpg" width="320" />A village leader in Lira telling us how they saved to buy two oxen and a plow. With these tools, their farming has increased.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu86jQenbV43tECXqJHi1dTaQUOxi3MNeukuXDpQFRQe4DbOUk-Qt0xoiJpYlC9T8IAnutP4xqipKnGcRaS0zqC4mHx7X8-9FMBzKJtWSITzFDJo8LA_LnbYYS0-qIvCtsx3jqInKpru0/s1600/19366551_1726969770652757_3474083682432345042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu86jQenbV43tECXqJHi1dTaQUOxi3MNeukuXDpQFRQe4DbOUk-Qt0xoiJpYlC9T8IAnutP4xqipKnGcRaS0zqC4mHx7X8-9FMBzKJtWSITzFDJo8LA_LnbYYS0-qIvCtsx3jqInKpru0/s200/19366551_1726969770652757_3474083682432345042_n.jpg" width="200" /> Lake near Lira</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iUt4HVdSTvH5HSB5jnFqdfiRI2Q5WGhsNimZhScrkedf7YGZDJhXz4ufxkwbN1gMzE35CFIMymT6D8GEqhYghNarjHliKFlYyYZlqGoVF9k1Bh66YXdMMvO497LCfONuUaZsxs-cslhq/s1600/19399483_1726969817319419_9196127499826624164_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iUt4HVdSTvH5HSB5jnFqdfiRI2Q5WGhsNimZhScrkedf7YGZDJhXz4ufxkwbN1gMzE35CFIMymT6D8GEqhYghNarjHliKFlYyYZlqGoVF9k1Bh66YXdMMvO497LCfONuUaZsxs-cslhq/s200/19399483_1726969817319419_9196127499826624164_n.jpg" width="200" /> These fish are illegal as they are too small and should be thrown back, but the people need to eat. </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHeO7-hrK0rXB5qPXb4MLZAXvKezh-LuuaK4drQ_KWjO6Oc3ftfG0Rx6jzY2eLOCXEP_y2q5GZTNP1kJSx24BwVXV9vS4uT3IlMPq3BcKPeB6I80XDEsWkSbzU6RadJrK8n2EZxRolU1n/s1600/19396934_1726969193986148_5386826967901508741_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHeO7-hrK0rXB5qPXb4MLZAXvKezh-LuuaK4drQ_KWjO6Oc3ftfG0Rx6jzY2eLOCXEP_y2q5GZTNP1kJSx24BwVXV9vS4uT3IlMPq3BcKPeB6I80XDEsWkSbzU6RadJrK8n2EZxRolU1n/s320/19396934_1726969193986148_5386826967901508741_n.jpg" width="320" /> These young girls use to be prostitutes but are now learning about hair care and styling to help keep them off the street in a different profession.</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3T8rWxDQXDqJRA1WlFreOTqtGeE-PYkpipT-P4TKa4J1SFndT91rcrVq70N8hqSK0NiReKYtu3yvX9f-TU76FA8VLHL6pyQb3QzXHv_hRClmW8QTe9HYYAwJ4tDzqn_l0vGSE9XkSZqL/s1600/19437719_1726985330651201_6411105582076760167_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3T8rWxDQXDqJRA1WlFreOTqtGeE-PYkpipT-P4TKa4J1SFndT91rcrVq70N8hqSK0NiReKYtu3yvX9f-TU76FA8VLHL6pyQb3QzXHv_hRClmW8QTe9HYYAwJ4tDzqn_l0vGSE9XkSZqL/s320/19437719_1726985330651201_6411105582076760167_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These women will come to the Banda Quarters to council our people with PTSD</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"The Lord’s Resistance Army has been fighting the Government of Uganda since the mid-1980s. In all, the conflict is estimated to have killed tens of thousands and forced nearly 2 million Ugandans to flee their homes, while also spilling over into Southern</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo." - <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FUN.org%2F&h=ATPfdDcRQ7ZCPRKfCd0LtInQ3BScXf3n6DWOvAHr-skXhvgT6m3lUoQZYjNjO_JppoMI5Yxj05RfsC9VCUa5w3E_Y4Mi1H9sR57GKui-LelNwBSg7lrWDexYkyVHcbGyZ6UrRXOH-QmOPhz1Pz_BMQ&enc=AZOW6EuIFXiOzJEQRw6aHYYknNljqbGf8ioqyY0HRGF3RVT1l63b1TVxNU2GJqhATo6zqTbh2x4NZL1GcBWweansXo1FJ_gv7qT43BdW3KoEep_UVHq0qwT0TsxjTt6NhzgtYfSpGZPE6leV90HlJNDaOAUwCaJ0goyRKp4tcbk2sxXcpUlFccVHDj1LQ9kNCveN2BbQLZHwq6OCi7nqiJ3H&s=1" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">UN.org</a><br />"The first major step forward came in August 2006 when the two sides signed a cessation of hostilities agreement which has since been converted into a formal ceasefire...This was followed in mid-2007 by the signing of agreements setting out the broad contours of a final settlement based on comprehensive solutions to the conflict – including measures to address the economic, political and social difficulties in northern Uganda, as well as a set of principles on human rights, accountability and reconciliation." -<a href="http://un.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">UN.org</a></span>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-68905117057268597202017-05-30T12:16:00.002-07:002017-05-30T12:16:28.697-07:00Buy a Shirt, Support a Village#BuyaShirtSupportaVillage<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Kids Inspiring Kids is building a new sustainable village for 3000 Acholi people that currently reside in the Banda Acholi Quarters. These incredible people have endured so much in their lifetimes, and yet again face adversity as the city of Kampala plans to reclaim their land and demolish their living quarters in the next 1-2 years. This will displace thousands of Acholi families, inevitably resulting in many deaths. </span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When you purchase a shirt you not only have the opportunity to support the building of Place of Refuge Village, you also can proudly display the charity you helped support by wearing the shirt you receive. </span><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">#BuyaShirtSupportaVillage on your social media once your shirt is shipped! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G8mOlS_4vFxaF8zVhxn2boVNwuXF04Iv8MCzF5tWMikc5yTTbXtcSBJEBqaDXbVjLaPpT3css0s2f3AShi5luSGR7H_Jv2lwTX0tWtyW4hPalk8cO9QdU1cYl8mNP4t6zX8EZgKFA88E/s1600/shirt2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="419" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G8mOlS_4vFxaF8zVhxn2boVNwuXF04Iv8MCzF5tWMikc5yTTbXtcSBJEBqaDXbVjLaPpT3css0s2f3AShi5luSGR7H_Jv2lwTX0tWtyW4hPalk8cO9QdU1cYl8mNP4t6zX8EZgKFA88E/s200/shirt2.PNG" width="196" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCancxnlqrnCZH_6paMHq0Q1wAS5lAniTdnSqYRsHQw1tlNtg_C1zhUTZE6vXwEuJ03XDQf8fNg0oM1_vEorIMf-RJHpaU6oNb_q0DFq5o7FxoR_kV7v76BVbsK01xdPsDxv454h5g-BT/s1600/shirt.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="433" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCancxnlqrnCZH_6paMHq0Q1wAS5lAniTdnSqYRsHQw1tlNtg_C1zhUTZE6vXwEuJ03XDQf8fNg0oM1_vEorIMf-RJHpaU6oNb_q0DFq5o7FxoR_kV7v76BVbsK01xdPsDxv454h5g-BT/s200/shirt.PNG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Less than $20 will save thousands of lives.</h3>
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<a href="https://www.booster.com/buy-a-shirt-support-a-village" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="486" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zhFiyTxjkGWNKFn3Y-yfABfvFVpLtVxZGccA6YiqWTQgUZFJoIUuICyfPzVwecI72xNVOb58Bd0vnX_WFAjkaOr3Lkn8RlVpjVB4Iw1GeNSLWCpGg5-jHEoFdLfMXNw62_Ztvpe1CNeq/s400/progress.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Click this <a href="https://www.booster.com/buy-a-shirt-support-a-village" target="_blank">LINK </a> or the photo above to see additional details. We are halfway to our goal with 20 days left in the campaign.</span>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-60933107500606068872017-05-05T13:08:00.000-07:002017-05-05T13:08:32.007-07:00Safari Tents...and how YOU can help right NOW!<div style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHmAA8Gz4HBq3Ai4PGCkdKdZkH0v53WwTfAFWvOUCa-8RrV6sNcZMoczLrFz6AqG2W3C8IAmnpX57j29l3IDESr_qsELC7RW3AC8GZsjyKxhjBjhTonfeTTtJDRG8uOKAlNjcf_JvRE7m/s1600/18268546_660720470778904_2799252297942203988_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHmAA8Gz4HBq3Ai4PGCkdKdZkH0v53WwTfAFWvOUCa-8RrV6sNcZMoczLrFz6AqG2W3C8IAmnpX57j29l3IDESr_qsELC7RW3AC8GZsjyKxhjBjhTonfeTTtJDRG8uOKAlNjcf_JvRE7m/s400/18268546_660720470778904_2799252297942203988_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
As we establish a strong foundation and consistent supervision, we want to move a few anchor families out in the next couple of months to provide <strong>essential </strong>leadership.</div>
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The beauty is that these tents can be set up quickly, are easily movable as we build and grow, and allow us to transition these families to the village much sooner than anticipated.</div>
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<strong>$3,500 will provide one 16' x 24' tent and all interior furnishings for 4 people. Six tents would help us move families out more quickly filling this foundational leadership need.</strong></div>
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This is a gift that will keep on giving! As we are able to build permanent housing, we will continue to use the tents for work groups and visiting teams.</div>
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Thank you for your help friends!</div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>How to Donate</u></span></b><br />
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through PayPal with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization. <span style="color: red;">Click: <span style="color: #7d181e;"><a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=63" target="_blank">DONATE</a></span></span></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <u><span style="color: red;">mail a check</span></u> directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. Contact Nicole at <a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com" style="color: #7d181e; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a></span></b></div>
Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-60027499502809326932017-04-10T11:03:00.000-07:002017-04-10T11:03:07.564-07:00The Next Phase....pigs, cows and chickens!With the completion of the <b>second well </b>on the Place of Refuge Land, we are now entering the next phase!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This phase will cost about $60k </b></span>and consist of clearing land and starting to build the homes that the relocated families will live in. Click on the photo for more Village information and to make a donation.<br />
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<a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=299" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04vsf1jDZ7m2nlpygLFM9MC-uQLwvpBOr9Bhe0qhO3y0HxXcTOrh5QRLKZj43VUkJcEQJJy-4GPvUbPxJtpDcs5vVxW_14gRDjcWELpuS9Qu6mkxNxHhG_R94Q1i9wClv7PVTqYUWGLm-/s320/17836875_1637708616245540_1510740278_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The purchase of animals will help us clear the land naturally and provide food. </div>
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Buy a PIG for $90.00 USD<br />
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Buy a COW for $250.00 USD<br />
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Buy a CALF for $100.00<br />
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Buy a CHICKEN for $10.00 USD<br />
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Buy a GOAT for $30.00 USD<br />
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Buy a PIGLET for $25.00 USD<br />
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We also will be purchasing a brick maker. This machine mixes mud with concrete and makes strong bricks that don't have to be fired in a kiln. It is also more efficient and faster. The local bricks deteriorate after some time, but bricks made with the brick maker will last a lot longer, provide better insulation and weather the elements more effectively. </div>
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<a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=299" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tBazHjGx4pf94Fd7KQVHjCOu1PBYANZ21VrqbM9mM9LjFGVFkjk0oiqfJyxtDXJsO-CbLrPCfJSkuZL9tqLtOlLT2ODrOMdPPOrSxLNsW0vNJQKbrVtr5GrvB9VSWufvEA_XRtFYvieI/s320/17838470_1640168529332882_1254940203_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Click on the photos to make a DONATION at the bottom of the page and mark the PayPal notes accordingly. OR send a check to the address below marked accordingly. </div>
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Thank you to everyone who is supporting and continues to support our efforts in Uganda, Africa.</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>How to Donate</u></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through PayPal with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization. <span style="color: red;">Click: <span style="color: #7d181e;"><a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=61" target="_blank">DONATE</a></span></span></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <u><span style="color: red;">mail a check</span></u> directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. Contact Nicole at <a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com" target="_blank">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a></span></b></div>
<br />Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-70135199286260179462017-03-17T12:37:00.000-07:002017-03-17T12:37:19.643-07:00How Many People Does it Take To Dig a Well?! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbbca47e5hYpLMEquSNNdmcjNWzdgpPDS2mKSGmuA8ljQJnAaaC4UOvI_yN3TIkjIc_pPjUGl9G48oQ8KQrqi1TVgPcxeIC4c3oQbOShUayyQk5BhFFetrUTton5upUASl0e6kWAML-AZ/s1600/17015161_1580267001989702_1715938212_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbbca47e5hYpLMEquSNNdmcjNWzdgpPDS2mKSGmuA8ljQJnAaaC4UOvI_yN3TIkjIc_pPjUGl9G48oQ8KQrqi1TVgPcxeIC4c3oQbOShUayyQk5BhFFetrUTton5upUASl0e6kWAML-AZ/s320/17015161_1580267001989702_1715938212_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulaz7wtsz9lUg7xnb4-r9gTuw5zxNEdgwOdMXXSqezY-o6WpebmxVWiiKLggLQK_rRAr9Y6eM4ezLxcNYSHS74oacH5wMDXTZCXo_X0ItAOfF0GH2y-r1DwJ_rszWYkgsZKEnb7dm8sLI/s1600/17015140_1580267751989627_665743071_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulaz7wtsz9lUg7xnb4-r9gTuw5zxNEdgwOdMXXSqezY-o6WpebmxVWiiKLggLQK_rRAr9Y6eM4ezLxcNYSHS74oacH5wMDXTZCXo_X0ItAOfF0GH2y-r1DwJ_rszWYkgsZKEnb7dm8sLI/s320/17015140_1580267751989627_665743071_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kidsinspire.com/" target="_blank">Kids Inspiring Kids</a> currently has two American volunteers in Uganda</span></b>, Africa helping to dig wells on <a href="https://kidsinspiringkids.blogspot.com/p/place-of-refuge-village.html" target="_blank">Place of Refuge Village</a> land. These wells are the foundation for everything else to come. Water is life. </div>
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The volunteers were greeted in the <b><a href="https://kidsinspiringkids.blogspot.com/p/history-of-people-of-banda-acholi.html" target="_blank">Banda Acholi Quarters</a></b> with a celebration of local singing and dancing. They even got to participate with local drums and instruments. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRht1YtkWWdHFjQZItOj8QG2Jvj8l67kJye6pszbDsgzjIledieKtMtUxalhYWDT-YGfawkBgvVLmC48iEd8BxGh-VKCWvIKS6njCPSSQsBpUJyA7bIQrjReUjt0qfBrFLT8KKAygo9nL/s1600/17148809_1588116964538039_1107512961_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRht1YtkWWdHFjQZItOj8QG2Jvj8l67kJye6pszbDsgzjIledieKtMtUxalhYWDT-YGfawkBgvVLmC48iEd8BxGh-VKCWvIKS6njCPSSQsBpUJyA7bIQrjReUjt0qfBrFLT8KKAygo9nL/s320/17148809_1588116964538039_1107512961_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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In Uganda, we have only two seasons since we are located on the equator, dry and rainy season. During rainy season the roads are treacherous and mud slides are common, but in dry season everyone hopes that they have enough reserve water saved to last until the next rainy season. The city water is run by the government and sometimes it turns off, for no rhyme or reason.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4ITPgZzuSNwHghwYNgag_DDdDOI9D8wGJewVn3Un2XOlr8IYGYqaRVNv8FztiEkk3MA-HYgDBv-4rUwE4ZkXy9-SrdON6TwI3ZJhT-aXWobZpT68Jv2-9w0V3IHrxmdT1gR0rJ4vjbR6/s1600/17149142_1588117041204698_729322649_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4ITPgZzuSNwHghwYNgag_DDdDOI9D8wGJewVn3Un2XOlr8IYGYqaRVNv8FztiEkk3MA-HYgDBv-4rUwE4ZkXy9-SrdON6TwI3ZJhT-aXWobZpT68Jv2-9w0V3IHrxmdT1gR0rJ4vjbR6/s320/17149142_1588117041204698_729322649_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The first well had to be dug 30 feet down, which is about 10 feet deeper than originally planned, but it has about a 15-foot pocket. </div>
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The adventure to dig this well was not without its hardships. These water wells will be used to make bricks, laundry, cooking, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY8SZiejNnGbyMUKyWp3iSzUz7Z2JENdI2DlsB1v75cKphv2YXujGeiTPF9ECdnkOUAmrJSao3Y9Xgcoh7-J0GzrEXyIwqJ1iqbAcQ6srZt4X4f4iABR9ymo4LTE4b7hHfBcogzMwMGdI/s1600/17148851_1590018731014529_2121040432_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY8SZiejNnGbyMUKyWp3iSzUz7Z2JENdI2DlsB1v75cKphv2YXujGeiTPF9ECdnkOUAmrJSao3Y9Xgcoh7-J0GzrEXyIwqJ1iqbAcQ6srZt4X4f4iABR9ymo4LTE4b7hHfBcogzMwMGdI/s320/17148851_1590018731014529_2121040432_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The car broke down getting out to the land, the casing on the well broke...TIA (this is Africa). When something goes wrong and/or breaks, unfortunately, there is not a Home Depot down the road to keep the work moving at a smooth pace. The work is also incredibly labor intensive and with the heat and humidity, it only adds to the challenges. All of the hard work is worth it though.<br />
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There is a lot of work still to be done. We need your help. Visit the<b> <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=59" target="_blank">Meeting Needs link</a> </b>on our website for current and immediate needs.<br />
Contact our PR Manager Nicole with any additional questions: <a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a><br />
Visit our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KidsInspiringKids/" target="_blank"><b>Facebook Page</b></a> for more photos, videos, live streams and information. </div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u>How to Donate</u></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through PayPal with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization.<a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=61" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">Click: <span style="color: #7d181e;">DONATE</span></span></a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <u><span style="color: red;">mail a check</span></u> directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. Contact Nicole at <a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a></span></b></div>
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Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-81919937356220069662017-03-06T12:44:00.002-08:002017-03-06T12:45:56.591-08:00The Story of Ketty Adong<div style="text-align: center;">
The story you are about to read truly represent the experiences that nearly all of these</div>
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survivors have endured. They have been through more in their short lives than any of us</div>
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can imagine. Yet, they somehow find incredible strength and hope.</div>
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This story is entirely factual and is written unedited in the voice of</div>
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the survivor. Please be aware that these are emotionally sensitive and graphic depictions</div>
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of struggles.</div>
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I was <b>19 years old </b>and I just had a baby with my husband. I went to the village to see<br />
my family in Lira when the rebels came and took my brother, my sister and me. They<br />
tied us all together with ropes as they started marching to where we didn’t know. It<br />
was raining hard and the going was not easy. One of the boys that were with us was<br />
commanded to go into a shop and bring out items for the rebels. He refused and was<br />
shot to death. The rebels used fear tactics and threats of death to keep us marching<br />
and to stay with them. We finally reached a place called Orumu where the rebels put<br />
us into groups to do certain jobs. I was given the job of cooking for the bosses. They<br />
demanded I cook for them even when food was not available.<b> If there were any</b><br />
<b>complaints then we were beaten and threatened with death.</b> As we moved many people<br />
died and I lost hope for living. From Orumu we traveled to Karamoja district. It was<br />
here that they told us drink milk mixed with blood. When I refused I knew that it<br />
was the end of me but I was able to pretend that I drank it and was spared. One day<br />
an airplane flew overhead and started bombing where we were. Many were wounded<br />
and several died. We fled and crossed the Moroto River. Life was getting harder with<br />
nothing to eat and only dirty water to drink. We continued to march to the border of<br />
Sudan. The rebel group went back down into Uganda and continued to kill people.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgMnmc28TJx6MHdMSc6sebEWTNIMt5ySPeapXlEXkxy4PntOcXYStt03wriEbJKx_Xbdz1_erGzKz5HLYonrDgJSY7cCrlL-51v6T5swdYVU8J6Ki3xAMek-czHAlqvRY4PMBpv7i4_yp/s1600/Kettys+story+kids.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgMnmc28TJx6MHdMSc6sebEWTNIMt5ySPeapXlEXkxy4PntOcXYStt03wriEbJKx_Xbdz1_erGzKz5HLYonrDgJSY7cCrlL-51v6T5swdYVU8J6Ki3xAMek-czHAlqvRY4PMBpv7i4_yp/s320/Kettys+story+kids.PNG" width="320" /></a>They cut mouths and ears off of people just because. People in the group became sicker and weaker. When they could no longer move the rebels asked them if they wanted to rest. <b>If their answer was yes then they were shot and given a “permanent </b><b>rest”. </b>We reached Gulu and we had to look for food. They ambushed people taking food to sell at the market. Many people were killed and others captured. There was a pregnant woman that was captured and when the rebels found out they put her to death immediately. The rebels only like you to be pregnant by them. I got pregnant by one of the rebels and I was very sick. There was not enough food to sustain me and<br />
my legs were not working properly.<b> I was left, because I couldn’t walk</b>, which was a<br />
miracle that I wasn’t killed. I waited for four days when some people found me and<br />
took me to a place where I could rest. I buried my clothes as I didn’t want to<br />
remember the time in the bush. I gave birth to a baby boy who eventually died. I<br />
made my way to Kampala to stay with a sister and her husband. At first, they didn’t<br />
believe that it was really me and that I was alive. I was taken to a hospital. I was told<br />
I have TB. I ended up in the Banda Acholi Quarters and have been working towards<br />
a life outside of the Bush. I have two children and am trying to help three others that<br />
belonged to my sister who died. One of my biggest problems is that I cannot go back<br />
to my village as people there think I am the one who caused the death of the boy who<br />
refused to get things out of the shop for the rebels. <b>All I want now is a place to go</b><br />
<b>where I have enough food, shelter and to make a better life for me and my children.</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can be a part of helping Ketty and her family find a better life. We are building Place of Refuge Village. <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=299" target="_blank">Learn more by clicking this link. </a></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><u>How to Donate</u></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through PayPal with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization. <span style="color: red;">Click: <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=61" target="_blank">DONATE</a></span></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <u><span style="color: red;">mail a check</span></u> directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. </span></b><br />
<a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com" style="background-color: white; color: #7d181e; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"></a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px;" />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Contact our PR manager Nicole: nicole@kidsinspire.com for more information</span></b><br />
<br />Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-24595974234263611542017-02-21T11:58:00.002-08:002017-02-21T11:58:48.979-08:00We cannot do it alone<div class="view view-poems view-id-poems view-display-id-poem_author_dob_dod view-dom-id-f45be4c94966b4f1e3816622f0886889" style="max-width: 1260px;">
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<div class="views-row views-row-1 views-row-odd views-row-first views-row-last clearfix">
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<span class="field-content"><span style="font-family: founders_grotesk_textsemibold, Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fcf9f9; clear: both; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2ou0AlpaKyY-7drEHFF8BSiubPJH4gOzYHE1ilAi93tNqkUXxbTjqmIwDGG0NZ1PF7BwbTv0PCU7JHgs4ExG0XZJUfJUw4XO5yXcg-a5OEkWhn0zJSSdPnOTo9CCSYodUr_MxhFJVReE/s1600/25280_377999808665_2484492_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2ou0AlpaKyY-7drEHFF8BSiubPJH4gOzYHE1ilAi93tNqkUXxbTjqmIwDGG0NZ1PF7BwbTv0PCU7JHgs4ExG0XZJUfJUw4XO5yXcg-a5OEkWhn0zJSSdPnOTo9CCSYodUr_MxhFJVReE/s320/25280_377999808665_2484492_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014<br /><br />Lying, thinking Last night<br />How to find my soul a home </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Where water is not thirsty </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">And bread loaf is not stone </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">I came up with one thing </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">And I don’t believe I’m wrong </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">That nobody, But nobody </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Can make it out here alone. </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Alone, all alone </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content"><b>Nobody, but nobody </b></span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content"><b>Can make it out here alone.</b> </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">There are some millionaires </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">With money they can’t use </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Their wives run round like banshees </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Their children sing the blues </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">They’ve got expensive doctors </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">To cure their hearts of stone. </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">But nobody No, nobody </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Can make it out here alone. </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Alone, all alone </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Nobody, but nobody </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Can make it out here alone. </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Now if you listen closely </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">I’ll tell you what I know </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Storm clouds are gathering </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">The wind is gonna blow </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">The race of man is suffering </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">And I can hear the moan, </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">‘Cause nobody, But nobody </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Can make it out here alone. </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Alone, all alone </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Nobody, but nobody </span></div>
<div class="views-field views-field-nothing">
<span class="field-content">Can make it out here alone.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-color: #fcf9f9; font-family: "Poets Electra Web", "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; padding-right: 15px; width: auto !important;">
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<div class="field-item even">
<pre style="font-family: "Poets Electra Web", "Times New Roman", Times, serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.26316em; margin-top: 1.26316em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">At KIK we have a BIG vision for the people of Uganda. Place of Refuge Village is place of Hope, Inspiration, a HOME. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: "Poets Electra Web", "Times New Roman", Times, serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.26316em; margin-top: 1.26316em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; white-space: normal;">
<strong>How to Donate</strong>
1. You can use our <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=299" target="_blank">link on this page to donate through PayPal</a> with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization.
2. You can mail a check directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.
3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account.</div>
<div style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; white-space: normal;">
<strong>For More Information</strong>
If you are interested in having a volunteer from Kids Inspiring Kids provide you more information, please use the email address provided on this page to contact us. We would gladly make arrangements to meet with you in person, via skype, or on the phone to discuss the project in more detail. The fundraising team is available to give presentations to individuals or groups interested in learning more about our efforts and opportunities for philanthropy. nicole@kidsinspire.com </div>
</pre>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-61576462079806388012017-02-15T08:11:00.001-08:002017-02-15T15:21:46.671-08:00We are on TV! <a href="http://nebraska.tv/features/ntvs-good-life/kids-inspiring-kids" target="_blank">Click to Watch KIK on Nebraska TV morning show</a><br />
<br />
Segment of Director Tomi's interview this morning is NOW posted at the link above. Visit our Facebook page to see additional clips!<br />
<br />
CLICK: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KidsInspiringKids/" target="_blank">Kids Inspiring Kids Facebook</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCMA6x0pz2Hfro0TcV5Zw7nkeUx190HDDN8JObis21sU9spmqu8TPSIv8cPjK7atNXtwq7Yj1f1tPT1LAwayX1N6X1wh6hSLiN-7n5BD-s3Gcw0Y8W01pFcXrusPSg7gCx476E5XDCBjS/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCMA6x0pz2Hfro0TcV5Zw7nkeUx190HDDN8JObis21sU9spmqu8TPSIv8cPjK7atNXtwq7Yj1f1tPT1LAwayX1N6X1wh6hSLiN-7n5BD-s3Gcw0Y8W01pFcXrusPSg7gCx476E5XDCBjS/s400/Capture.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-83274398821548141922017-02-03T12:09:00.000-08:002017-02-03T12:31:36.331-08:00Land AHOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 0.318497 lat, 31.964672 long - Land Coordinates<br />
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<b>The ache for home
lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be
questioned.</b></div>
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<b>-Maya Angelou</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_2CxByZw8hbTu_-a4ZPK5ofgpb_S4c9x6bS4ohK81iBt5I7Oxp8NmDDbQs9zdkb-jXCjVS_x0tAzL1j2QWGb9UpPDg-ayylWNLDnox4LFOgMiqpbAsewEUMjqcWJnkrHHvtzJ_en5z0U/s1600/16106713_1529129983770071_1174633454_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_2CxByZw8hbTu_-a4ZPK5ofgpb_S4c9x6bS4ohK81iBt5I7Oxp8NmDDbQs9zdkb-jXCjVS_x0tAzL1j2QWGb9UpPDg-ayylWNLDnox4LFOgMiqpbAsewEUMjqcWJnkrHHvtzJ_en5z0U/s320/16106713_1529129983770071_1174633454_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To build the foundation of anything worth building takes
time. Eleven years ago Kids Inspiring Kids set out to build something that
would last for, not just years, but generations. Working diligently with the
same group of people for all these years we are seeing tangible changes within
a community that we were told would never change. Building a foundation of hope
is a hard thing to do for a country torn apart by generations of war and
disease. Hope unfounded is a waste of these people’s time. Diligently, and day
by day we have laid each seed and 2017 is the year of the harvest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQynTeeALopfq1MA12LWNwTQRBsJ1bEG-D4XkAdm36HNH_CfIO1n2Lf6ssm3aNBQqd-9f6IqKNvrbedvvbHPklhEmhxQt0kKVC2MO9EGpv5JL_R4-iGVPXFiCO5hRDcRCzsiH-t-RRfNP/s1600/16443154_1549968621686207_692593463_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQynTeeALopfq1MA12LWNwTQRBsJ1bEG-D4XkAdm36HNH_CfIO1n2Lf6ssm3aNBQqd-9f6IqKNvrbedvvbHPklhEmhxQt0kKVC2MO9EGpv5JL_R4-iGVPXFiCO5hRDcRCzsiH-t-RRfNP/s320/16443154_1549968621686207_692593463_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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KIK now owns 97 acres of land near Lake Wamala. There are crops in area including, but not limited to, coffee, corn, cassava (yucca), sweet potato and passion fruit. There is clay for bricks and a water source less than 25 feet from the surface. Electricity is less than 1 kilometer away that we can tap into as well. Being so near Lake Wamala, there is a stream that flows across the property.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuCmX4movBuFYLgB6Qgza9bocWX7c5V9orpfHhRxSwWvWIWNwAQCk-dyHK95z9pPZNWVMf4zxh_tzMBhfCY1ra8yuHS8vVL2Dq7Q8ihYaMqtRV-viqVPF2YLyg4pO4nUkXADLL6do1uO2/s1600/16389026_1549734825042920_700552560_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuCmX4movBuFYLgB6Qgza9bocWX7c5V9orpfHhRxSwWvWIWNwAQCk-dyHK95z9pPZNWVMf4zxh_tzMBhfCY1ra8yuHS8vVL2Dq7Q8ihYaMqtRV-viqVPF2YLyg4pO4nUkXADLL6do1uO2/s320/16389026_1549734825042920_700552560_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Negotiations for the land took several weeks and were finalized with a cash purchase. Checks aren't really used often here in Uganda, but it works out in our favor due to the exchange rate. Needless to say, walking around the streets of Kampala with a backpack full of millions of Ugandan shillings, was an adventure. </div>
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This land is the
beginning of Place of Refuge Village.
Within a year 97 acres will become almost 500 acres as we finalize the
purchase of the land available. The first thing we are building is a water-well.
Without a sustainable water source we cannot begin the building process. The
next step will be to construct a barracks for volunteers and
carpenters to live in while the building phase is on-going. We need boots on the
ground. Anyone with any skills sets able to contribute to the beginning phases
of this project are greatly needed. Eleven years went by in the blink of an
eye; this coming year will pass in the snap of a finger. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We cannot wait any
longer. The Kampala City government is reclaiming the land the current Banda
Ghetto sits on and thousands will be displaced, again. These people deserve the
basic human right of a place to call home. Our hearts cry for these incredible
and fortuitous Acholi people and the struggles they have faced thus far in life,
but it is time to take swift action. They are ready, and so are we.</div>
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Just as KIK
has diligently served these people for the past decade, these people have also
shown their diligence with their willingness to inspire those around them and
rebuild their families through our programs provided. We are so excited to show
them what can happen when you step out in faith and trust God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Please consider being a part of a Place of Refuge Village
for these inspiring people. Whether it is through a monetary donation or a
volunteer opportunity, we want you to experience a once in a lifetime
opportunity to affect thousands of people’s lives.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We can help you set up an incentive program for your
co-workers, church members and/or business associates to plan a volunteer trip
to Uganda, just inquire directly with Nicole at <a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com">nicole@kidsinspire.com</a> <o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com"><br /></a>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>How to Donate</u></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through PayPal with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization. <span style="color: red;">Click: <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=61" target="_blank">DONATE</a></span></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <u><span style="color: red;">mail a check</span></u> directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. </span></b><br />
<a href="mailto:nicole@kidsinspire.com"></a><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Contact our PR manager Nicole: nicole@kidsinspire.com for more information</span></b></div>
Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-625017133626956992017-01-31T14:36:00.001-08:002017-01-31T14:36:22.018-08:002016 Tax Receipts<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">2016 tax receipts have gone out. If we do not have your email address they have been sent to you via mail and you should receive them soon.</span><br />
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Thank you to everyone who contributed to our efforts last year. KIK cannot accomplish what we need to without the dedicated help of our amazing sponsors and donors. From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you.<br />
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We know that 2017 is going to be the biggest year yet! Details to come...<br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Please let us know if you have any further questions at:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">info@kidsinspire.com</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-22074936442514954302017-01-27T09:56:00.004-08:002017-01-27T10:13:20.016-08:00The Story of Lillian AkotThe story you are about to read truly represents the experiences that nearly all of these Acholi survivors have endured. They have been through more in their lives than any of us can imagine. Yet, they somehow find incredible strength and hope through their strong faith. Even though they have some safety now from rebel attacks, they live in conditions that are not sustainable and once again place them in a fight for survival.<br />
They deserve the simple essentials in life, which they cannot currently access. In short, they need a new place to call home, A Place of Refuge.<br />
The stories we will be publishing in the weeks to come are entirely factual and are written unedited in the voice of these survivors.<br />
<i>Please be aware that these are emotionally sensitive and graphic depictions of their struggles.</i><br />
Also, the photographs you will see are all originals taken of these people and their living conditions.<br />
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This is the story of Lillian:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R4Xx-saEvjWx5cw207iaRCPBIrThy-m9LcN40YoWMpOAUpWbM1WAKYj3qDl1qEXGtymZQpS795Ykm1pI5sq_wc2ydN2anZrnbfsD482pCrmHQPKlrXapv0mhJL7os_wMG0Lc3SWPmdV6/s1600/lillian.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R4Xx-saEvjWx5cw207iaRCPBIrThy-m9LcN40YoWMpOAUpWbM1WAKYj3qDl1qEXGtymZQpS795Ykm1pI5sq_wc2ydN2anZrnbfsD482pCrmHQPKlrXapv0mhJL7os_wMG0Lc3SWPmdV6/s400/lillian.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In 1988 I was 18 years old and got married to my husband Peter who was 29 years old. He was training in Gulu hospital to be a lab technician. My cousin was also in this program and I used to visit her. This is how we met. After we were married we moved to Lugazi hospital where my husband was working. My husband died of cancer in 1993 from Lacho Hospital in Northern Uganda and then was taken to be buried in Kitgum. Unbeknown to me at the time, he was also HIV positive. I headed back to my home in Gulu with a three-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl. Life was not easy and then when the LRA war started we were moved to an IDP camp called Koro. In the early part of 1994, I went to the village to see my father and decided to stay in the village. <b>Little did I know that the rebels were already in place surrounding the village for the night.</b> At 9:00 pm the rebels attacked. They killed my Mother and Father on the spot. My Dad was an electrician and the rebels had asked him to hook them up with something electrical. When he refused he was shot instantly. It was by God’s grace that I wasn’t also killed but they left me alone to mourn. I spent two years more in the IDP camp when a cousin called me to come to the Banda Acholi Quarters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMQ7RLtfRuF9ZKREfJEggEaOmyPOB-u4QvGQ7-qSotSYCOuv7vUH8AJKZf1NcaEZY9B9qqy5fLFGk9I3J7B5Alxd5I83HCQY0KiDj1gVXZ2bExfDKc4m8khn10lnsJ4XQbDuEXzozpSb6/s1600/lillian2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMQ7RLtfRuF9ZKREfJEggEaOmyPOB-u4QvGQ7-qSotSYCOuv7vUH8AJKZf1NcaEZY9B9qqy5fLFGk9I3J7B5Alxd5I83HCQY0KiDj1gVXZ2bExfDKc4m8khn10lnsJ4XQbDuEXzozpSb6/s320/lillian2.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
I remember the day as clear as a bell, January 2, 1996. I traveled with a convoy from the North for safety to Kampala. Today my oldest child is in his second year of University and my daughter is in Senior 6. I’ve worked rolling beads out of paper to make jewelry to sell and any other odd jobs that could be found to support my children in school (school is not free in Uganda). <b>In 2003 I got sick and I tested positive for HIV.</b> Life continued as I tried dealing with my sickness but it wasn’t easy. In 2008 my sister was murdered by her husband and I took in her three children including a baby. Life was not easy but through the assistance of the Jeremiah Women’s Group and Kids Inspiring Kids, the children were adopted to the United States of America in January 2010. I am currently a leader in the Jeremiah Women’s Group where I keep records, interpret and help wherever I’m needed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSZnWf44x-mBaJeiCqTwJJDUnkdgg_xprHn3v8cj7UqLZaJjFQMtakm3JOZyq1_TF2_Sy0yG0WoaXzDOG6mRJC9mrIlzjsstAh2sYo1uoIYIa8i36ukWUofMdpUjhVKR4o-eyTRF3QQi9/s1600/lillian4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSZnWf44x-mBaJeiCqTwJJDUnkdgg_xprHn3v8cj7UqLZaJjFQMtakm3JOZyq1_TF2_Sy0yG0WoaXzDOG6mRJC9mrIlzjsstAh2sYo1uoIYIa8i36ukWUofMdpUjhVKR4o-eyTRF3QQi9/s320/lillian4.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
At the end of 2009, I was feeling good and decided to go get HIV tested again. The results were negative. I’ve had three more tests since then and <b>all of the results are negative</b>. I have two more tests before they declare me HIV negative with a clean bill of health. I give all the glory to God and I can look forward to a home to call my own in the village knowing that I can live a long and satisfying life.<br />
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Learn how you can help Lillian and others like her achieve safety and a place to call home by donating to a Place of Refuge Village.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visit our website: <a href="http://www.kidsinspire.com/">www.kidsinspire.com</a></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>How to Donate</u></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through PayPal with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization. <span style="color: red;">Click: <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=61" target="_blank">DONATE</a></span></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <u><span style="color: red;">mail a check</span></u> directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. </span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Contact our PR manager Nicole: nicole@kidsinspire.com for more information</span></b>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-8229020938783442402017-01-19T17:55:00.001-08:002017-01-19T17:57:28.176-08:00Sustainability...what does that even MEAN?! <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10 years ago we founded KIK with the idea of SUSTAINABILITY in mind, but honestly, what does that even mean? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole in the Banda Ghetto 2006</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbE_iqa4ijtRfmQreyBPvjppxdDTo4ukBfzpxGlkXijB32DTcGdRlfoQi86VwNpA3wl12xvJAEPcS3gtzLFyvAfwsvSTY36XIOO0Ppg4h4lPZ4puNYfyoPgGWosI3BfCWmzdZ1CuvR4zn-/s1600/205542_4835233665_4502_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbE_iqa4ijtRfmQreyBPvjppxdDTo4ukBfzpxGlkXijB32DTcGdRlfoQi86VwNpA3wl12xvJAEPcS3gtzLFyvAfwsvSTY36XIOO0Ppg4h4lPZ4puNYfyoPgGWosI3BfCWmzdZ1CuvR4zn-/s320/205542_4835233665_4502_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomi in the Banda Ghetto 2006</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ten years ago if you were to ask the community we work with what their dreams looked like, it was to get OUT of Africa; as soon as possible and for good. Not a single person looked at their current life, environment, country and thought to themselves that a better life where they were was even possible. It was absolutely heartbreaking. At KIK we wanted to change that, but we knew it would take time. We knew it would take SUSTAINABILITY on our end first in order to build a foundation these people could believe in. Now, here we are over ten years later and we are breaking ground within the next six months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BUT we cannot do this alone. We need the sustainability of our dedicated partners to accomplish this goal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently came across a blog post on <a href="http://www.nonprofitwithballs.com/">www.nonprofitwithballs.com</a> and it had some valid and incredible points on the struggles nonprofits face when it comes to aspects of internal sustainability. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sustainability is in large part determined by funders, not nonprofits</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">. As much as we love individual donors, many of us still rely on grants, and grants are usually small and one-year in duration. We get a bunch of one-year grants that are Frankensteined together to support programs, each one with their own set of demands and restrictions</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">. As one ED puts it, “<b>Why is fidelity to the mission so highly valued and expected of nonprofit leaders and staff but funders expect to ‘sleep around?‘ One year and you’re out. [They] don’t even come back and ask.”</b> This lumbering, unwieldy, tenuous system is the antithesis of sustainability, so to ask how we nonprofits will maintain and grow our programs within it is kind of like setting a fire and asking how we will be putting it out." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">-We appreciate and value each and every dollar here at KIK. After over a decade of dedicated work with the people in Uganda, every penny goes exactly where it needs to go in order to properly sustain and fund our ongoing and future projects.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">"</span><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The nonprofit model is unique in that success at carrying out our missions leads to increasing costs, not revenues</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">. The more successful programs are, the more clients they will serve, the more staff and other expenses will increase, without a proportionate increase in support."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-The bigger KIK gets and the more people we impact, the more partners we are going to need to come with us on this incredible journey. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Point is, nonprofits and funders <b>must be equal partners</b>, with different but symbiotic roles, and sustainability of the work must be shouldered by both parties. We nonprofits think all the time about sustainability, even without being prompted, and we will continue to build strong programs and diversify our funding. Funders, as equal partners, should provide multi-year funds, general operating funds, capacity building assistance, and help connect us to other funders and partners. And come <b><i>visit </i></b>the programs once a while! We must work <b>together </b>to figure out how to sustain and advance the work. We have to because the needs of and challenges facing our communities are only going to increase." </span></span><br />
To read this article in full <a href="http://nonprofitwithballs.com/2013/09/the-sustainability-question-why-it-is-so-annoying/" target="_blank">CLICK</a><br />
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<strong style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How to Donate</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through <i>PayPal </i>with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <i>mail </i>a check directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a <i>check </i>to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Contact:</b> nicole@kidsinspire.com </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Kids Inspiring Kids Donation Link</b>: <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=61" target="_blank">CLICK</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588199094513311486.post-20467632918686114692017-01-09T10:32:00.000-08:002017-01-09T10:34:02.341-08:00Place of Refuge Village: A New Year, A New Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBy_1UM8teooyOR8lGUw37fSn2X5QUgntemNTW_pMXda_L6fmJxi467hd7yg648aIFiNxnCr1QKag4p8zWoxuR8u9DsCktOMkq81trz8xqtV_vaeTwxBzBpW-Ljiw8C4iz51J5InxiXwi/s1600/15977227_10208100149450249_5917988348425523029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBy_1UM8teooyOR8lGUw37fSn2X5QUgntemNTW_pMXda_L6fmJxi467hd7yg648aIFiNxnCr1QKag4p8zWoxuR8u9DsCktOMkq81trz8xqtV_vaeTwxBzBpW-Ljiw8C4iz51J5InxiXwi/s320/15977227_10208100149450249_5917988348425523029_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
2017 is the year we break ground.<br />
2017 is the year lives will be changed forever.<br />
Kids Inspiring Kids has been laying the foundational groundwork in Uganda for the past ten years and now it is time. Our investment into this country and into these people has always been to establish a forever change. That takes time.<br />
In 2006 when KIK was initially founded, if you were to ask the same people we work with now what their hope for the future was, their answer would be something along the lines of leaving Africa to have a better life. Now, armed with new skill sets and a hope for the future, they realize they can change the current world that they live in. Little by little there have been changes, both tangible and not. These Acholi people are ready to create a life for themselves where they can safely raise a family, and contribute to the community around them.<br />
In 2017, this will now be a reality for them. They can feel it and so can we.<br />
Follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KidsInspiringKids/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kidsinspireug/" target="_blank">Instagram </a>and <a href="https://twitter.com/kidsinspireug" target="_blank">Twitter </a>as we continue to tell these people's amazing story and their continued journey to their Place of Refuge.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">How to Donate</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">1. You can use our link on this page to donate through PayPal with your choice of funding. This can be as a one-time donation or a recurring payment. Please be aware that this method does result in a 3% surcharge to our organization. <span style="color: red;">Click: <a href="http://kidsinspire.com/?page_id=299" target="_blank">DONATE</a></span></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">2. You can <u><span style="color: red;">mail a check</span></u> directly to “Kids Inspiring Kids” at 3601 Fowler Drive, Austin, Texas 78738. Please specify “Village Project” in a note or on the check so that we can appropriately direct your funds.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">3. You can provide a check to one of our volunteer fundraisers to be deposited directly into the Kids Inspiring Kids account. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Contact our PR manager Nicole: nicole@kidsinspire.com for more information</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></b>Nikki Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662019338332949857noreply@blogger.com0