Spare Change...

As you probably know, last year I traveled to Malawi Africa and helped build a library at a school in a dirt village. (thats how this blog started) I paid for that on my own because I was too proud to ask for help… I’m still paying for it.  Later, I biked 200 miles and raised about $1,700 for Multiple Sclerosis.  I was shocked to find out that some people really did have a heart for helping.  To them, I am forever grateful and all of this has made me want to do more in this world.  I’m lucky, you’re lucky… others are not so lucky.

I’m currently trying to raise money for my 2012 school build in Papua New Guinea.  I’ve learned that raising money isn’t easy… we all have our wants and our needs.  Sadly, “wanting” to help someone else isn’t always on the top of our agenda when it comes to money.  Understandable…  money is tight these days.

Here is what I am proposing… donate your loose change.  Gather up the pile of change on the dresser, out of the bottom of that drawer, dump some extra weight out of your purse and donate it to Be The Change Volunteers.  We’ll call it “Be The Change, CHANGE!” BTCC

I will pick up your BTCC, sort it, count it and get you a tax deductible receipt if you desire!

This is a win-win situation.  Your change adds up and you honestly… probably wont miss it.  You can make a difference… and I NEED YOUR HELP.

Can we do this?  Will you ask your friends to do the same? Its as simple as grabbing a plastic cup and setting it where you dump your car keys… dump your keys, then dump your change.  I will pick it up from you in the central Missouri area on a few week or monthly basis, if you live far away, you can cash it in at your bank and mail a check to made out to Be The Change Volunteers.  This adds up… YOU can make a difference and not change our lifestyle… just your daily habit with that pesky change.

Comment on this post and/or drop me a note at: dusty@beingthechangeblog.com and lets do this!!!

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BE THE CHANGE!

Today you get mostly pictures...

Its a good day when you wake up with electricity!  My shirt and shorts still pass the sniff test, by local standards.  I washed them last Thursday but have been wearing them since we got here.  (Don't worry, I do shower, use deodorant and change my underwear.)

The locals learned to make french toast yesterday so guess what they fixed today! 
We are getting ready to load up and head to the build site as soon as a vehicle gets here... we'll start dragging our shelf parts as we go, trip by trip.

Last night we ate and had our usual game of Catch Phrase.  Its funny what you learn when people try to give clues for a word.  Apparently there was a war called the Veterans War in the US, people in Ireland wear a vest under their shirt, "coin" is pronounced "kine"  there also. Apparently "korchine" rhymes with fortune... and yes, an American college student invented that word.  Its a good thing we all love each other.

I tool several pictures as we went through the day and instead of jabbering, I'll post what we see most days...

These shots are a typical ride to the build in the morning.  

The van load... like sardines.

The local prison... they say you dont want to be locked up here.

The road is littered with pedestrians and bicycles.

Even the dirt roads going to the village...

I'll be you couldn't do this... but they do it every day and this is a small load.  Usually it is firewood, charcoal or sugar cane.

 

Arriving at the village... they see us...

Doug greeting a few of the kids.

I just gave this crew candy... and made some great friends.  Sam is in the wheel chair, the little guy I worry about is in the back row, second from the right.  He's sick.  :( 

It was time to put some shelf sections together and my crew that got candy showed up so Cristi and I had them hammering nails.  We're on Africa time so there is no hurry... the kids loved helping us out and did a really good job.  I have to say, I was proud.  Its good that they feel that they contribute to their school and library.

This little guy needed a little help with the equipment.

Sam enjoys hammering... and does a good job of it.  Fingers clear, please.

This little guy thought he needed to carry the rake.

After building the shelves and letting them hammer... and starting the day with a little candy, these two didn't want to let go of my hand.  It breaks your heart when a little kid walks up to you and grabs two fingers of you hand and is just happy to stand there with you.

All they want is your time, your friendship, and your love.

Glenn and Doug start glazing the windows into the front door of the library, John is working on the side windows...

John "The Irishman"  ( I love this guy.)

Glenn, or "O.G." as we now call him.  (Original Gangsta)  Everyday is a great day with Glenn.

Doug... "Our Doug"  Always a happy and helpful Doug!

The contractor's crew finishing the pointing on the back wall and finishing the cement around the edge.  This allows the water to run off without undermining the foundation of the structure.  They do great work considering what they are working with!

Then we went to the village for lunch...

This is the Invest Resource Center at Makalani Village.

Lunch Inside...

Actually a very good lunch, Nsima, Beans, Potatoes, Greens (not so good), Tomato soup (I skipped that) and local tangerines, that were green, but good!

 

Megan and company have been painting the name on the building.

Then there is time to play...

This is a basketball goal, African village style.  :(

I played ball with this crew today, a ball made out of tightly rolled walmart bags, shown in my right hand.  (Works well)  They would have been happy to play it all day.  I'll admit, it was fun.  We made a good team.

Then, leaving the kids is always kinda hard.

They do the Peace Sign Goodbye...

Hug your kids, and don't forget your conversations with God.


-Dusty

The constant thought...

Jimi said the first day that building schools is important but building relationships with people is just as important.

I find myself thinking about the people probably more than the build most days around here. Everyday brings about new interaction that really can't be described in words.

As I lay here on a dirty mattress (with clean sheets) on the floor in front of the bathroom door, I still realize how good I have it here.

Everyday there is a little boy who wanders around the build site.  He doesn't talk and it is really hard to even get him to smile. He is probably about 4 years old, maybe 5... most days he is dressed in very dirty clothes, today in layered dirty pajamas and barefoot as usual. He has chronic nasal drainage that is caked in his nose and upper lip. Grant was trying to talk him into a wheelbarrow ride and as we stood there, he coughed a deep croopy cough and his eyes watered.  His little jaundice eyes are watery and any smile you get from him is forced.

I am helpless in this child's world.  That is a terrible feeling.  I fear a much larger problem looms on his horizon.

As I walked across the school yard shortly after this, I took a picture of Jimi talking with the headmaster of the school and shaking his hand.  Turns out he was saying goodbye because he was headed out on his bicycle to one of the far villages for a funeral of one of the students who had just died of AIDS. A third grader.  It is tragic here and the infection rates are very high.  No telling how many people we run across on a daily basis that are infected with HIV or AIDS.  Its too sad to think about.

We provide opportunity for these people. A hope. An ability. A drive and determination for a positive outcome through their education and hopeful progress in life.  It honestly is their only hope.

I wont be reading this post to the group in the morning as usual because I don't want to dampen their spirits... they all know it too well.  It would not be a morale booster for them.  I assume plenty of them are laying in their beds right now thinking similar things.

What I am asking though is for your help.  Go to the BTCV web site. http://www.bethechangevolunteers.org.  I believe there is a contribution link on there.  Help this organization out.  Maybe you know someone who has greater financial means that can help to a greater extent.  Contribute or contact them to see how you can help.  Maybe you have a healthy way to generate revenue for this organization?  I can honestly say it is money well spent.

Its about people. I am glad none of your loved ones... nor mine, were born into this.  THANK GOD.  That seems selfish, but it is the truth.  Im not man enough to deal with watching my child go through something like this.

Do what you can, if you can.  Give a special thanks to God for what we have at home and pray for these people.  He does bless them in many ways but in a very different way.  It is very obvious that God lives in so many of these people because they radiate it in so many ways.  Africa is so much different than I ever imagined.

Goodnight from Africa.

-Dusty