Just shy of year ago, I took a leap. I had no idea what was going to happen. I had no idea how things would end up. I had no idea how much my life would change in such a short period of time. Just about a month from now Dear Zanmi will celebrate its first birthday. This has been a year like no other...the best one of my life. Since last September, I have been to Haiti three times. I have spent time with several of our pen pals. I have built some amazing, life-long relationships. I have entered into a new project, New Hope Orphanage, with 2 partners and gotten more accomplished than I ever thought possible. This year has shown me that a few people banded together can do a whole lot of good. It has shown me that having faith and pushing forward, even when the challenges ahead of you seem insurmountable, pays off. It has shown me one of my purposes in life. I recently read a quote that said "the most fortunate people on Earth are those who have found their calling." I am most definitely feeling fortunate for all that Haiti, the Dear Zanmi Project and New Hope Orphanage have brought me this year.
As with all good things, there have been challenges along this journey. Things haven't always been easy. It's been difficult making sure that pen pals on both sides are keeping up with letters. It's been difficult to relay expectations across cultures. It's been difficult to get letters to and from our friends consistently. I know that things have been a bit quiet on my end this summer and it's not because I have forgotten about you or this project. It is quite the opposite, actually. During my last trip and in the weeks since, I have taken a lot of time to really evaluate what is working and what isn't. I want this program to be better for you. I want this program to be better for our pen pals in Haiti. I want everything to run a bit smoother. I think I have come up with some solutions to continue pushing this program forward. I have set up a new partnership in Haiti with people I really trust and have found some new ways to get letters to and from our pen pals.
So, for those of you who are still interested in participating...I would love to hear from you. We may have to make some changes to who you are partnered up with to make this program work, but I have faith that we will have a better system this school year and that you will receive letters from your pen pals on a more consistent basis. The Haitian school year starts in October and I have our first delivery set up around that time. So you have about a month to get me your letters. Please email me at [email protected] to remain in the program and get some more details about this mailing.
In addition to these exciting improvements, I have some other, even more exciting news! This week, I officially sent off my paperwork to become incorporated as a non-profit in South Carolina. When I receive the approval back, the next step will to be apply for federal 501(c)(3) status...which will make this an official non-profit organization. I am incorporating as the "Zanmi Project." Dear Zanmi Pen Pals and New Hope Orphanage will be two of the programs supported under this organization. I am so excited about the opportunities and possibilities this will open up for all of our current and future programs.
I want to thank you all for your encouragement and involvement. I love to see others excited about helping Haiti and building friendships. I am thrilled about all that has happened over the last year and excited about what the future holds! Although I have faith that it will be amazing, I have no idea what this next year will bring...and I kind of love it!
As with all good things, there have been challenges along this journey. Things haven't always been easy. It's been difficult making sure that pen pals on both sides are keeping up with letters. It's been difficult to relay expectations across cultures. It's been difficult to get letters to and from our friends consistently. I know that things have been a bit quiet on my end this summer and it's not because I have forgotten about you or this project. It is quite the opposite, actually. During my last trip and in the weeks since, I have taken a lot of time to really evaluate what is working and what isn't. I want this program to be better for you. I want this program to be better for our pen pals in Haiti. I want everything to run a bit smoother. I think I have come up with some solutions to continue pushing this program forward. I have set up a new partnership in Haiti with people I really trust and have found some new ways to get letters to and from our pen pals.
So, for those of you who are still interested in participating...I would love to hear from you. We may have to make some changes to who you are partnered up with to make this program work, but I have faith that we will have a better system this school year and that you will receive letters from your pen pals on a more consistent basis. The Haitian school year starts in October and I have our first delivery set up around that time. So you have about a month to get me your letters. Please email me at [email protected] to remain in the program and get some more details about this mailing.
In addition to these exciting improvements, I have some other, even more exciting news! This week, I officially sent off my paperwork to become incorporated as a non-profit in South Carolina. When I receive the approval back, the next step will to be apply for federal 501(c)(3) status...which will make this an official non-profit organization. I am incorporating as the "Zanmi Project." Dear Zanmi Pen Pals and New Hope Orphanage will be two of the programs supported under this organization. I am so excited about the opportunities and possibilities this will open up for all of our current and future programs.
I want to thank you all for your encouragement and involvement. I love to see others excited about helping Haiti and building friendships. I am thrilled about all that has happened over the last year and excited about what the future holds! Although I have faith that it will be amazing, I have no idea what this next year will bring...and I kind of love it!