Weekend Word

Non-profits exist primarily for two reasons: to raise money for a cause and to raise awareness. With every interaction, they hope that their donors not only go away knowing that they’ve given to a good cause, but that they’ve also learned about the cause and why it’s so important.

Just as it’s important to raise money, it’s also important to enlighten those about our mission. Which is why this Weekend Word is awareness.

a·ware·ness
əˈwernəs
noun

1. Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

“To become different from what we are, we must have some awareness of what we are,” said Bruce Lee.  And he’s completely right! Many people strive for change whether it’s a personal goal or to work towards something bigger like making the world a better place. But what’s the first step in driving change? – Awareness!

When I first heard about the young girls in Uganda that needed my help, I knew that I had to take action. After I became aware I knew I would no longer been the same person. I was inspired to found the Hope for Hearts organization so that I could raise money to provide these girls with a more promisingtomorrow. I’m proud to say, not only are we helping orphaned girls in Uganda, we are now expanding to include a new school that will also serve boys. Without being aware of these children’s plight, none of this ever would have happened.

How many times a day do you become aware of something? Do you feel that you are entirely the same person afterwards? Of course not! A door has now opened and you can’t close it. What was it like after you first discovered the plight of the children Hope for Hearts supports?

Every day, children in Uganda struggle to survive. Every day, a young orphan fights for life’s basic necessities because they lack the skills needed to thrive. By supporting Hope for Hearts, you can provide these same children with an opportunity to educate up from poverty to prosperity so they can support themselves.

Now that you have become aware, what will you choose to do with your knowledge.

Click here to learn more, make a donation or sponsor a child: https://hope4hearts.org/support-us/

Peace, love
Cristen

This week, we’d like to take a moment to thank the heart of our organization – You! Our donors and supporters are people who give without expecting to receive, and without you, organizations like Hope for Hearts wouldn’t be able to survive.

This edition of Weekend Word, heart, is dedicated to you; thanks for being the heart of our organization!

Heart
Härt
Noun

1. a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation. In vertebrates there may be up to four chambers (as in humans), with two atria and two ventricles.
2. the central or innermost part of something.

The heart is literally one of the most important organs in the body. Figuratively, it represents the core of something. In either case, we couldn’t survive without it. And that’s exactly what would happen if we didn’t have our donors and supporters here at Hope for Hearts! You are the heart of our organization!

Anne Frank once said, “No one has ever become poor by giving” and we couldn’t agree more! We hope that supporting our organization has somehow enriched your life. Nothing is more satisfying than to know that children in Uganda are receiving an education that will help support them throughout their lives because of you.

It takes people like you with big hearts to give so much and expect nothing in return except the wellbeing of others. So from our heart to yours, we hope that you realize how much we appreciate you.

With Peace and Love,
Cristen

Father’s Day is this weekend, which means many children will be taking the time to recognize the important man in their life. As society changes, the term father is taking on new meaning throughout the years. While children will always have at least one biological father, there are many other ways that a man can take on a fatherly role in their lives.

In a special edition of Weekend Word, we’ll be taking a deeper look at the meaning of father in dedication to our own Father Mugagga Lule.

fa·ther
ˈfäT͟Hər/
Heart
Härt
Noun

1. a male parent.
2. a father-in-law, stepfather or adoptive father.
3. any male ancestor, especially the founder of a family or line; progenitor.
4. a man who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider.
5. a person who has originated or established something.
6. a precursor, prototype, or early form.
7. one of the leading men in a city, town, etc.
8. (often as title or form of address) a priest.

As you can see, the definition of father can mean many things, but at its core it means a male figure that has nurtured something or someone. Father Mugagga Lule represents many of these definitions. Father Mugagga Lule serves members of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas in a religious capacity. He also serves a paternal care over the children in the schools that Hope for Hearts supports.

Think about the role of a good father, biological or not: he provides protection, shelter, food, clothing, education, guidance and other basic necessities to his children. Father Muggaga Lule works tirelessly to raise funds and ensure that the orphans at our schools have the resources they need to live a stable life and earn a good education. He also regularly returns to Uganda to visit and mentor the children and ensure they are receiving the proper care. In that capacity, he really serves as a father to these children as well.

Whether you’re biological, step, adoptive, in-law, creator of something, or a leading man, Happy Father’s day to all the father’s out there.

With Peace and Love,
Cristen

Remember watching The Wizard of Oz when you were a kid? Dorothy and her loveable sidekicks were on a journey, each seeking something special which they could only receive from the Wonderful Wizard. Dorothy and Toto wanted to go home to Kansas. The Scarecrow wanted a brain. The Tin Man, a heart. And then there was the lion, who for being the most ferocious of beasts, considered himself a coward and sought to gain courage from the emerald city.

At some point in our lives we all face a time when we wish we had more courage. It takes real courage to do things we are afraid of. Since having courage, and being brave enough to do something different or difficult, is so important to achieving a goal, we’re going to discuss the meaning of courage, this week’s Weekend Word.

cour·age
ˈkərij/
noun
noun: courage

1. the ability to do something that frightens one.
2. strength in the face of pain or grief.

Nelson Mandela once captured the true meaning of courage…
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

Just because you are afraid to do something, doesn’t mean you don’t have courage. It is the ability to face adversity, fear, etc. head on and follow through with an action that makes one courageous.

The orphans at our schools are some of the most courageous people we know. They have suffered some of the worst pains that a kid can go through – hunger, homelessness, loss of a parent… the list goes on. Yet they were courageous enough to seek help to overcome their situation. Every morning they get up and show tremendous strength by participating in the classroom, furthering their education so they can build a better tomorrow.

In the real world, there’s no magical wizard to save the day. All you can count on are your companions to help see you through. And as Dorothy pointed out when the Wizard ran away at the end of the movie – her companions, including the cowardly lion, really had what they were looking for all the time – including courage.

May peace and love follow you on the yellow brick road to living out your dream,
Cristen