Mondays Offering...Reaching Out for Help

So my lovelies, here is my big news.... This March I am heading down, once again, to Medellin, Colombia! You might remember my pilgrimage down last year...found here In years past  I went down  as a Hair stylist doing up to 200 heads of hair during my time at our community center on Nativity Hill, a highly impoverished community on the mountain side of Medellin.

This trip I will be wearing a different hat. This time I go down as a Photo Journalist and Reporter. My wish is to take back the stories of those who do not have a voice in our world; and have them be heard.

Not only will I be interviewing and gathering stories from those who work and utilize our Community Center on Nativity Hill. I also hope to be going into other out reach programs that are happening throughout the inner city. Youth programs and Women's Programs set up to get mothers off the street and into a trade education so they can make money without having to prostitute themselves or their children. Once back home I will be publishing a book, giving voice to the stories of those who live in this generational poverty...a reality that is far removed from many of our personal lives. This will be my third time going down to Colombia. It is place that has held a piece of my heart since the first time I went 5 years ago. The organization I am part of is called Seeds of Love and Hope International Society run out of Maple Ridge B.C. and Medellin Colombia. It was founded, here, by my dear friend and brother Jorge Silva, a Colombia native who now resides in Canada. For more information about this organization you can go to our website here: http://www.solahis.com/

As volunteers we are responsible to come up with our own funds to cover our costs of flight/transport/food/lodging. I began saving soon after I came back from my trip last year, with hopes of being able to return, and to date have been able to cover all my own financial needs for this up coming trip. But this time, not only do I want to cover my own costs, I also want to be able to contribute in a bigger way. Every time I have been down there opportunities arise in which we can directly help out financially. This could be something as serious as getting a young child over due medical attention to a severely infected cooking oil burn, being able to buy groceries for particular needy families, or a pair of shoes for a child who has none. There are always other out reach programers that come and speak with us as well. Programs that are run on a dime...literally....along with the commitment and passion of those who work tirelessly to shift the devastation of poverty in their city. I have always been able to have  a little extra in order to give when these opportunities arise..but it has been a little. So this time I am asking for help. I am willing to do what it takes to get there, and I am willing to put myself in places where I know not all can go, but I need help to be able to offer more to the needs that I encounter when I am there. This I am not able to do on my own. I also will be needing financial assistance to hire an local interpreter to do my interviews and talk with the people. This is very important to the success of the book, a book which profits will be going directly to Seeds of Love and Hope. My intention is to raise $1500 + to take along with me to offer to specific programs, needs, given directly to the people on the ground; and also to employ a local interpreter.  If you can help in anyway please come on board and be my support. $10, $50, $100 it all makes a difference. No hand up is to small. If you would like to support me or have any questions please email me at: catscorner@telus.net  or leave me a comment and I respond.

If you would like your money tracked I will do my best to let you know exactly how it was used. Those donating $100 or more will receive a copy of the book for free.

I will be leaving March 18th, 2013.

Thank you for your time and please hold all those who live in generational poverty in your thoughts and prayers, that one day they too will live free as we do.

Love and Light Catherine