Get Behind Us!

We'd appreciate your support.  I'm going to be really honest here.  This means A LOT to me.  Personally, it feels like the catalyst of everything I ever hope to do.  Kind of like I'm putting 'me' (my vision and passion) out there and seeing what the response is, if that makes sense.  And corporately?  Well, I'd love to see a whole lot of money raised towards ending extreme poverty.  After all, we have enough food in the world to feed us all one and a half times over!  It's not like we don't have enough to share.  I'd love to see a few people put up their hands and decide that they'd like to do something to help.  People who aren't going to shy away from it, thinking it doesn't really have anything to do with us, but who realise that we CAN make a difference and we SHOULD. 

Ways you can help:
Pray and encourage us - this is hard, we need support!
Financially sponsor us - help us raise money for young people in Southern Sudan (more about them later in the post)
Tell everyone you know so they can do the same! (facebook, twitter, email, text - I will get you flyers if you want, just let me know!!!)

Please check out our page here for more information on how you can financially sponsor us...it is set up so you can donate online (or I can supply a bank account if you prefer that way).  You can think of it as similar to the 40hr famine, and sponsor us for completing it!  Or maybe you would consider making a foodie sacrifice yourself?  Coffee-free for a day ($4 if it is a bought one?)?  A meat-free meal, or just plain rice (one meal will not hurt you, you know! $5?).  Do a 'mini challenge' and feed yourself for $2.25 for just one day and donate what you would have spent on food otherwise? Or sign up for the full challenge yourself!? 

Not into (or able to) sacrifice your stomach?  What about walking or biking to work or the shops instead of taking the car (donate what you think the petrol would have cost)?  Maybe buy your next clothing item at a second hand store and donate the difference between the cost and what you would have spent buying it new?

I realise that money is often tight, and there are always demands on our pockets!  I don't want to burden you unnecessarily and definitely don't want to pressure you into doing something you don't want to.  But one thing I've noticed is that there are always ways to 'find' extra money when we really want to - it is all about how creative you can get!  Every little bit helps. 

This is where the money Boyo and I raise is going:
The Maridi Service Agency in South Sudan
Run by young people, this group is doing some amazing things!  Mostly, they are helping children and young people who were the victims of war (child soldiers for instance) to turn their lives around.  They've got a hard task, as South Sudan is not only a nation ravaged by civil war, but is currently facing severe drought along with many other nations in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda - you may have read/heard about this recently).  The New Zealand agency connecting us with the Maridi youth is Christian World Service, a well-respected agency supported by the Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist and Salvation Army churches of New Zealand (among others!).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/08/south-sudan-eight-facts

Boyo and I chose this project together.  We believe that all the projects suggested by Global Poverty Project for Live Below the Line are great, but this one touched our hearts.  These young people must have incredible courage and determination!  They need support.  They need to know that they are not alone in their fight.

 Thank you, in advance, for your support!

Amy