Uncategorized

We had a question on Facebook about our new campus and why the cost to complete had a $4.5 million dollar price tag. The supporter, who also works with orphanages in Africa, wanted to know why not build cheaper structures that would be more attainable?

Kuddos to this supporter for asking! That is an excellent question, so I thought I would address it publicly.

Who is a fan of Mike Holmes from HGTV’s Holmes on Homes? Even if you’re not, I bet you know the phrase coming next…“if you’re going to do it, do it right the first time.”

Trust me this is so true. The current St. Elizabeth Girls’ Academy (SEGA) campus features informal semi-permanent structures. Guess what? They are falling apart or have burned down. As always, we will make do until we are blessed with the funds to move forward.

Our goal has always been to build a fully functional permanent campus, which will be engineered and constructed to weather the elements and stand the test of time. This campus will still be operating in 100 years. A less permanent building will have us focusing right back on structures, versus ways to educate 800 more girls each year.  In the long run your hard earned dollars, will work even harder as the funds will provide a hand-up to thousands on a yearly basis.

 

Peace and Love,

Cristen

The month of March celebrates women – International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month – all the mountains we have climbed, and the needed efforts to progress to global gender equality.

We have it in our power to eliminate gender inequality in this lifetime. Education is key.

In our small piece of the puzzle there are two things that fill me with hope and faith – your support and the nuns at St. Elizabeth Girls’ Academy (SEGA).

The nuns are the backbone to the success of our girls. They are inspiring women, and they’re not done fighting yet.

These ladies made a commitment 15 years ago to dedicate their lives to providing a hand up to future generations of women by helping the most vulnerable young girls move from street life to a life filled with education, faith and self-sufficiency.

Their journey has been filled with ups and downs, but with faith and hearts lined with love, they persevere. SEGA moves 90 percent of its girls into a world where they are self-sufficient and achieving their dreams. We have the nuns to thank for that. As women are being celebrated, let’s remember our front line of defense, the women of SEGA.

Women will achieve equal leadership in our lifetime, as long as we continue to support, educate and inspire the younger generations.

 

Peace and Love,

Cristen

 

Wow February flew by! We have been busy with Random Acts of Kindness, Generosity Day, and now a BIRTHDAY! St. Elizabeth Girl’s Academy turned 15 years-old this month. Check out these reasons to celebrate.

 

Father Mugagga – an advocate to give a home and hope to at-risk girls.

Intervention – nuns find girls who will break the cycle and help themselves.

Funding – your dollars provide a hand up and faith in a girl’s future.

Training – girls are provided vocational skills to succeed on their own.

Education – girls, nine to be exact, have completed University level.

Employed – a self-sustaining career is the goal of girls in the program.

Ninety – percent of girls at SEGA break the cycle.

 

We welcome birthday gifts to celebrate, and we could not think of anything better than helping to Sponsor A Girl. That is our birthday wish!

 

Peace and Love,

Cristen

 

Take my hand and walk with me for a minute. I want to share a glimpse into the reality, the world many girls lived through before life at St. Elizabeth Girl’s Academy. – Cristen

 

A Poem on Street Life

I don’t know which crime I committed

To be in this situation

Hunger, coldness, I have no clothing,

Except the rags and sometimes moving naked

I get my food from dustbins,

 

We are called thieves, pick picketers,

I do not deny all that

But it’s you who made me what I am today

You who didn’t care about me

You who behaved inhumanly,

You who did not care about your seed

 

We always hear you appealing to the government;

“Take them to Kampilingisa (Children’s prison), to the island,

Or kill them so that you can reduce the number”

Do you think we are happy to be piled on trucks like garbage?

 

You hate me; I also hate you

You chased me out of home and made the whole community to hate me

Now I sleep on the streets/roadsides like wild animals

Even wild animals know their young ones and cater for them

In fact you should reform and show us love and empathy.

When you cut us don’t we bleed or even when you tickle us don’t we laugh?

 

Now, I have my brothers and sisters who care when I am hungry;

That’s why we share food from the dustbin,

They care when am freezing from the coldness on the streets;

That’s why we sneeze benzine,

 

I cannot forget to thank St. Elizabeth Girl’s Academy, which found me

Helpless and rescued me from the street, and gave me a new life; a promising future. I also thank whoever is supporting St. Elizabeth to

help the girl child. Thank you all and God bless you – Ayeni

 

Ten years after the orphanage was founded, Hope for Hearts was born. I took the hand of many girls and walked with them. Ayeni, you and your sisters are not alone. Every last supporter of this organization is walking with you.  

 

Peace and Love,

Cristen

Generosity Day and Random Acts of Kindness Week. Wow, last week was oozing with KIND gestures. If you have been following along with my social media updates and blogs, I have been stressing the power of kindness.

I choose to focus on these special days to remind you that there is an entire world outside your small universe. Everybody needs a nudge now and then because sometimes dealing with the ins and outs of people, and your everyday life, wears you down.

Let’s power off this past week of kindness and generosity. Let’s make sure our efficiency, or lack there of, doesn’t come at the expense of humanity. Small gestures can send big signals about who we are, and what we care about. You can’t change how people act, but you can change your responses.

Later this week you will hear from a special guest blogger. One of our girls will share her thoughts about life before St. Elizabeth Girl’s Academy, and how a random act of kindness boomeranged into her life, giving her a hand up and a chance to give back.

Giving to others when they least expect, is what life is all about. The world needs more kindness boomerangs soaring through the air. One just left Las Vegas, Nevada. Help me send more into the world. Safe travels, kindness boomerang, I will see you again soon!

 

Peace and Love,

Cristen