03/12: A happy Happy Birthday gift
Back when Village Help for South Sudan was getting started, my daughter had a boyfriend named Brandon Zimmerman. He's been one of our staunchest supporters. When he was received into the Catholic Church, he asked well-wishers to donate to rebuilding the church in Wunlang. It was falling down when I visited in 2008; now it's rebuilt in beautiful traditional style.
Last year my daughter and Brandon were married. Brandon's birthday is in January, and he's having a party. His birthday-party invitation reads in part:
"If you feel so moved, bring some money to donate to the non-profit that my Mother-in-Law helps to run - http://www.villagehelpforsouthsudan.org/. This organization helps to build and fund schools in rural south Sudan, using local labor. If everyone who comes donates $10, we can easily raise a few hundred dollars."
And you, too, will have a birthday in 2010. Or maybe there's a graduation or bar or bat mitzvah coming up.But let's not get ahead of ourselves: in 2009, the holidays are upon us. All are opportunities to follow Brandon's example and to put a donation for Village Help for South Sudan on your wish list.
Last year my daughter and Brandon were married. Brandon's birthday is in January, and he's having a party. His birthday-party invitation reads in part:
"If you feel so moved, bring some money to donate to the non-profit that my Mother-in-Law helps to run - http://www.villagehelpforsouthsudan.org/. This organization helps to build and fund schools in rural south Sudan, using local labor. If everyone who comes donates $10, we can easily raise a few hundred dollars."
And you, too, will have a birthday in 2010. Or maybe there's a graduation or bar or bat mitzvah coming up.But let's not get ahead of ourselves: in 2009, the holidays are upon us. All are opportunities to follow Brandon's example and to put a donation for Village Help for South Sudan on your wish list.
