Hi EveryBunny!

It’s Easter and what does this holiday mean? Easter is the gift of hope, peace, love, happiness and new beginnings. That means taking time to celebrate your life.

This weekend take time to count your blessings, no matter how small or large. It’s been 12 months of ups and downs in all our lives. In Uganda, schools like ours closed and education stopped. Our Ugandan family is looking forward to a time when they can gather again. In fact, Father Mugagga is headed to Uganda to check on the orphaned children that remained housed at our schools.

Our children are striving toward a new beginning by receiving an education to make their dreams come true. Their dreams are often what some people take for granted – the opportunity to learn, work, laugh, smile, make friends and live an independent life. They strive to better themselves, so they are able to be an inspiration and sign of hope to others who are looking for more out of life.

The children in our program bring joy and happiness to my life every day. While we are able to help change their lives for the better, they have also changed my life dramatically and provided me a greater purpose. I look forward to new beginnings as our schools continue to help children joyfully and optimistically move on to the next stage in their life. We can’t wait for education to return to their lives.

What new beginnings are you looking forward to as we emerge from some dark times? What makes you happy? Let’s celebrate the joyous moments and look forward to new beginnings whether it’s in your career, family, friends or any change in your life.

Blessings,
Cristen Lyn

St. Elizabeth Girls Academy culinary student smiling at camera

The holidays are upon us and busy days have begun – making plans, cooking, shopping, wrapping presents and trying to make sure everyone is happy. Some days it seems like no matter how much you get done, the ‘to-do’ list never ends.

No matter how busy you are, remember to relax, breathe and take time for yourself. Reflect on your blessings and everything you have to be thankful for. Carve time out of your schedule to help others. Giving to others in need will awaken something deep in your soul and fill a special part in your heart that you didn’t know was empty.

St. Elizabeth Girls Academy culinary student smiling at camera

A large part of my life path has been growing a peaceful existence; one that allows me to make a difference in the world, paving a path to better the lives of children brings me the utmost amount of peace. It brings my heart a world of peace and much joy to offer less fortunate children stability to allow them the opportunity to act like children and experience a ‘peace of mind.’

Peace starts within you. Without your inner peace, outer peace is impossible. I find this to be the number one lesson I have learned from the kids we serve in our orphanages and schools. Life is hard. It’s not always smiles. These kids came from some of the toughest places imaginable. Homeless, hungry, lacking education or family support. Through all their hardships, they stood strong in the face of adversity, and they envisioned a better life for themselves. They did not give up. They will not give up.

With all of the conflict in the world, we need to bring more giving and peace into our lives, no matter how large or small. In a blink of an eye we’ll be celebrating the start of a new year, and I hope it brings you vision, clarity, and strength. I hope you can stand strong to face the obstacles in your way. I hope you can find the strength to do the things you think you can’t, and continue doing the things you know you can.

Taking a lesson from our kids, I resolve to stand strong. I resolve to stand strong in all that I do. I resolve to stand strong for others who need the hand up, by continuing to continue raising money and fighting for orphaned children in Uganda.

Will you resolve to stand strong with me? Stand strong for yourself and for the less fortunate. Find a charity, family, or individual to help this holiday season: whether it’s buying someone’s groceries, making a donation, or volunteering your time for a good cause.

In Gratitude and Love,
Cristen Lyn

Layoffs and reduced work hours amidst COVID-19 is leaving less money for giving to allow donors to meet their basic needs. We know being able to financially contribute to non-profits may not be an option for everyone. While sponsoring a child or activity is incredibly helpful, there are tons of other ways to support causes and people that need help and won’t create financial strain.

A couple of simple ways to help Hope for Hearts:

❤ Shop smile.amazon.com and designate us as your charity
Join our newsletter, Pocket Full of Hope
❤ Spread the word invite friends to follow us on Instagram

Now, how can you help other causes in need, check out some ideas below.

Sign petitions

Just by providing your name, you can help further a cause. There are countless websites with petitions that need signatures from people like you. Consider going on Change.org or iPetitions and spending a few minutes a day signing ones that are meaningful to you.

With a simple search, there are hundreds alone regarding Uganda, the treatment of their people, land, and animals. Your name can make a huge impact and it is as simple as going on to your laptop and clicking a few buttons.

Share information on social media

In the age of social media, we all have some sort of platform where our friends and family can read our posts. Whether you have 100 followers or 1 million, there is someone out there that is influenced by the content you share. By sharing fundraisers, petitions, and resources from nonprofits on your personal accounts, you are attracting more eyes which can lead toward donations and more support. It is a free and easy way to spread the word.

Vote

Whether it’s voting by mail or standing in line, the politicians we elect have the power to chance the world. Not only is it important to exercise this right, but also make sure you are researching what these people stand for. Even though we live in the U.S, America is a powerhouse and very influential with foreign policy. Electing a politician that prioritizes human rights, especially in countries like Uganda, can work toward ending issues like human trafficking, poverty, and the AIDS epidemic.

Donate items

We are all guilty of having a closet filled with things we don’t use anymore. Clothing, books, and school supplies are all coveted items in Uganda. Donating them to organizations will not only help provide resources but it is also a way to make space in your home. A win win!

Volunteer

They say time equals money which is why volunteering is so useful. There are countless ways to give your time, so there is something for everyone. Help facilitate fundraisers, serve food in a shelter, or teach free English classes online. Have a skill you want to use? Even better! If you are good with social media, volunteer for a few hours making posts. Work as in PR? Try to get some press for a meaningful cause.

So, there you have it! During these difficult times, there are still many things you can do to help. And, if you do have the financial means to donate, consider making a donation to Hope for Hearts so that we can continue to fight for the rights of children in Uganda and provide resources such as these.

Sending love and blessings,
Cristen Lyn

Dignity – The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect.

While we may not think about the word dignity often, it plays such a large part in the way we live our lives. Having dignity gives one a sense of worth, confidence, and respect for who they are as a person. This is important to understand because without dignity, our lives feel incomplete and worthless.

So, how does someone have dignity? This can happen many ways but the three most fundamental are feeling like you’re being heard, valued, and treated as an equal. Based on this, if you were to ask citizens of Uganda if they believed that they had the opportunities to achieve dignity, many of them would most likely say no.

This is especially true with the children we support. Due to non-existent government provided social services including education, the extreme poverty cycle continues with no way to break out. Schools like ours are the only way out.

Dignity transformations happen BECAUSE we educate orphaned children who grow up to be productive members of their society, and then are able to provide their children with an education to do the same.

Countless children at our schools are found on the streets, orphaned, or selling their bodies so that they can keep themselves alive. They have no sense of dignity because they don’t have access to environments that build them up through love, knowledge, and mutual respect. This is one of the many reasons we take them in, as we believe dignity is a human right.

Our Model at St. Elizabeth Girls Academy

  • take orphaned girls off the streets
  • socialization and trauma processing
  • vocational school or high school with an opportunity to attend college
  • job placement
  • post-graduation mentoring

Our Model at Kankobe Children’s Home (orphaned children from infants to the 5th grade)

  • therapeutic support
  • housing
  • education
  • upon aging out girls are placed at St. Elizabeth Girls Academy, boys a vocational or high school

Nearly 49 percent of Uganda’s estimated 45 million are under age of 15. Ugandan children are the single largest demographic living in poverty.

If you would like to join us on our dignity mission, please consider donating. The funds we receive from readers like you go towards building strong children.

Love and Blessings,
Cristen Lyn

Red beaded necklace and blue owl statue

Want to give your loved one something truly special this Valentine’s Day? Our beads of hope necklaces are a unique, lovely statement piece that directly helps the women of Uganda.

These beads are made from recycled magazines that are then carefully strung together to create a one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly piece of art. They are handmade by the women of Uganda, and the proceeds from these necklaces go directly back to the community. Our beads of hope are another way we are trying to help build the community from within and help break the cycle of poverty.

Red beaded necklace and blue owl statue

The beads are called kambulagos, and they are a popular business venture for women of Africa, the Caribbean, and many other countries. We have purchased our beads directly from the woman of Uganda, and the proceeds of each necklace support both St. Elizabeth’s Academy and the Kankobe Children’s Home. Not only are these beads a wonderful gift, but they’ll also give your loved one a taste of Ugandan culture.

Valentine’s Day isn’t exclusively about romantic love, it’s also about the love you bring into a community and the world. The women and children we work with at Hope for Hearts have so much to give to the world, but it takes your support to help them share it. These beads of hope give the woman of Uganda the gift of a future.

Get your handmade necklace today!

Sending love, hope and happiness.
Cristen Lyn