Mary's taking a leap for Africa!

Hi friends, thanks for visiting my page!

As many of you know, I have been working for Give Us Wings since 2007. In the summer of 2009 I had the opportunity to spend a month in Kenya and Uganda, visiting with our community members and seeing first-hand the positive impact of previous support as well as the strong need for our ongoing partnership.

Give Us Wings works to build long-term relationships with community groups in Africa and we learn from those relationships. We see the people of Kenya and Uganda as their own best advocates and they guide us as we co-create a path by which they can become self-sufficient and support their families. Just as we are all individuals, each group in Africa has their own dynamic and needs a plan that reflects their needs. Together we work to address illiteracy, lack of quality health care, polluted water supplies, crumbling homes, the ongoing impact of HIV/AIDS and more. This unique collaboration, guided by the people's self-identified priorities, and our diligence sets Give Us Wings apart.

Well, now I have a new opportunity to demonstrate my deep commitment to this organization and our partners in Kenya and Uganda--I'm jumping out of a plane!

Though it's a bit petrifying to think of the logistics of skydiving (who ever thought calling it terminal velocity was a good idea?!?) this personal challenge pales in comparison to what our partners face every day in Africa.

I hope I can count on your financial (and emotional!) support as I approach the big day! I can guarantee you that the long-term impact of your support will be multiplied many times over by the hard work of the people of Africa. Your donation will change lives!

It just so happens that I'll celebrate my birthday about 2 weeks prior to my big jump, so consider a donation to my jump as the easiest birthday present you'll ever give.

Truly, from the bottom of my heart I offer my thanks for the many ways you support me in my day to day work on behalf of this incredible organization. It means the world to me and there are hundreds of families in Kenya and Uganda who are grateful that you care.

With gratitude,

Mary