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Weekend Word

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In last week’s edition of the weekend word we focused on the word poverty, from our mission statement. After analyzing the problems facing the children who come to our school, it’s time we turn to a solution. This week we will discuss prosperity and what it takes to be prosperous.

pros·per·i·ty
präˈsperədē/
noun

  1. the state of being prosperous

So what does it mean to be prosperous anyway?

pros·per·ous
ˈpräsp(ə)rəs/
adjective

  1. successful in material terms; flourishing financially.

Hope for Hearts strives to lift children from poverty to prosperity.  The question is how do we take children living in some of the poorest conditions and, to quote the great late Leonard Nimoy, help them “live long and prosper?” What does it take to become “successful in material terms” and “flourish financially.”

We believe the key lies in every child having access to education. It is the tool that leads to prosperity. Whether it’s a traditional education to seek opportunities at advanced careers, or learning a vocation, these kids must be able to learn skills that will help them safely earn a living and become self-sufficient.

It is our goal to help these children lift themselves up from poverty to prosperity through access to education.

I will leave you with this last thought:

“Education is the most powerful weapon in which you can use to change the world.”

– Nelson Mandela

Peace and prosperity,
Cristen

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We talk a lot about how Hope for Hearts strives to help children living in conflicted areas lift themselves up from poverty to prosperity through education. In these next two editions of the Weekend Word we’ll be analyzing the words poverty and prosperity and what it means to carry out our mission.

In this Weekend Word, we’ll start with the problem our children face – Poverty.

pov·er·ty
ˈpävərdē/
noun

  1. The state of being extremely poor.
  2. The state of being inferior in quality of insufficient in amount.

Poverty to Prosperity

Many would say that the children we serve lived very poor lives prior to coming to our school, and according to the first definition of poverty, this is true. Many of the children were barely surviving – lacking in basic necessities such as food, clean water and shelter. Many also lost their parents to the AIDs epidemic and may not have older family members to take care of or guide them.

While the first definition may be true – it’s undeniable that they came from poor living conditions – the children are not “inferior in quality or insufficient in amount.”  Every child we serve has many great qualities. Despite all they have gone through, they have ability to smile and determination for self-improvement. They simply lack access to a good education, which is key in improving their situation. The second part of the definition is simply not true for our children.

Bill Gates once said “If you’re born poor, it’s not your mistake, but if you die poor it’s your mistake.” While I don’t wholly agree with this statement, I believe what he’s trying to get at is that it takes determination, hard work and a will to build yourself out of poverty. If you do nothing, you will get nothing. If you work hard, you will improve your situation.

This statement was likely said in a context that applied to people living in a first world country where most children have access to free education and systems to help take care of those living in poverty. In third world countries, children often lack access to free basic education and welfare programs for those in need. What these kids do have is the will and determination to improve their life.

It is our goal to help these children by providing free access to education so that they can lift themselves up from poverty to prosperity.

Peace,
Cristen

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It’s time to check in on those new years resolutions. How are you doing? By now it’s likely that you have, or will soon have, hit a few roadblocks, but don’t give up.  If you haven’t set a resolution yet, it’s never too late. Each new year breathes a fresh start to take on life’s challenges, giving rise to the popularity of new years resolutions. At its root level, a New Year’s resolution is really just a goal, and goals can be set, worked towards, and achieved any time you set your mind to it. In this Weekend Word, we will discuss goals.

goal
ɡōl/
noun

plural noun: goals

  1. (in football, soccer, rugby, hockey, and some other games) a pair of posts linked by a crossbar and often with a net attached behind it, forming a space into or over which the ball has to be sent in order to score.
  2. the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

By now, more than a third of the people who set New Year’s resolutions are likely no longer maintaining them (click here for more statistics).  If you find yourself in this group, don’t give up. You will hit many roadblocks in the path of life, but take this advice from Confucius:

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”

Much like a goal in sports, a life goal does not change; and just like a sports team needs to adjust their strategies (plays) to reach the goal, sometimes you must adjust your strategies (actions) to meet your goal.

Our girls come to St. Elizabeth’s Girls Academy (SEGA) with many individual desires, but they all have one common goal: to gain independence and self-sustainability. SEGA helps these girls to achieve their goals by offering traditional and vocational training, but it is ultimately up to the girls to stay determined and never give up. No matter what roadblocks they may face.

Achieve Your Goals

The sense of accomplishment and empowerment you receive when you finally do achieve your goals is worth all the effort it takes to get there. I’ll leave you with this last thought:

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Henry David Thoreau

Love, peace and go after those goals! 

Cristen

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Valentine’s Day is officially upon us. As we prepare to celebrate love it seems only fitting that we discuss the word love in this Valentine’s edition of the Weekend Word.

love
ləv/
noun

  1. an intense feeling of deep affection.
  2. a person or thing that one loves.

Love knows no bounds and can be felt at anytime for anyone and comes in many different forms. From taking care of a child, to helping out a friend, or showing deep appreciation for a parent, there are countless ways to show love for someone.

Mother Theresa once said “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

If it is truly the small things that count, love is in the air year round. Love can also be expressed for a stranger through small and large acts of charitable giving. Through any donation of time, money, resources, etc. we are supporting a cause that we feel deeply about and that greatly impacts the life of another. This is one of the last true acts of unconditional love left in our society. The ability to show love by providing hope for others through philanthropic giving is truly admirable and helps keep love alive throughout the year.

What if we could combine both charitable giving and showing affection for a close loved one through purchasing a gift? I like to call it Charitable Gifting.

Hope for Hearts has beautiful handmade “kambulagos,” or necklaces made by Ugandan Women available on our website for purchase at www.hope4hearts.org/store.  Proceeds support the students at St. Elizabeth’s Girls Academy. These eco-friendly necklaces are handmade from recycled paper and come in a variety of colors, ensuring that each necklace is truly one-of-a-kind. With a multitude of color options, the necklaces make a great gift for holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, special celebrations, anniversaries, etc.

Handmade Beads

A Hope for Hearts necklace is the gift that gives back. Not only do you have a token of love to give to that special someone, you’re showing love for a child in Uganda by providing them with an opportunity at an education that will change their life. They also make a great gift from a parent to child and vice versa, providing parents with an opportunity to have a conversation with their child about the importance of showing love and providing hope for others through philanthropic giving.

It takes a very special person to show unconditional love for a stranger. This Valentine’s Day I’d like to express my gratitude and love for each and every one of our donors. Your unconditional love and support make it possible for us to spread love in Uganda by providing educational opportunities for children. 

Love is truly all you need.

Peace,

Cristen

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First, let me wish you a Happy New Year! We’re blowing through this new year, I can’t believe it’s half way through January! Well, with a new year comes new opportunities. Opportunities to make new friends, change jobs, finally work towards new goals. Perhaps that is why New Year’s Resolutions have become so popular.

It seems only fitting that we make our Weekend Word of the new year, Opportunity.

op·por·tu·ni·ty
ˌäpərˈt(y)o͞onədē/
noun

  1. a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
  2. a chance for employment or promotion.

Roman philosopher Seneca once said “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

I like this quote because it is full of empowerment. To believe that everything that happens, good or bad, is based on luck alone denies you the opportunity to take responsibility of your life. It’s time we start taking control of our lives and preparing ourselves for the opportunities life brings us. Then we can be truly lucky. It all comes down to attitude.

Weekend Word - Opportunity

Many people could say that the girls we serve are really “down on their luck.” Several circumstances have come together to put them on the street, living in some of the worst conditions. Despite their misfortunes, they are determined as ever to change their life. They are mentally prepared to do what it takes to change their luck. All they need is the opportunity.

So the question is, are you prepared to help provide them that opportunity? Donate today and you could provide a girl with the opportunity to change their life by gaining vocational skills and a future employment. You can help them change their luck.

Love, peace and opportunity – give IT and go grab IT!

Cristen