URGENT CALL FOR ACTION!

Warm greetings to you!

I am writing you because our charity is facing urgent times, but also great possibilities.

I know that there are many great and amazing causes in this world and that they are all as important, I just want to bring a voice and importance to this one. We are still struggling to shine light on this cause in a way that captures the mind and hearts of people. It has been a challenge personally for me dealing with asking for help, getting people to feel sorry for [at some level] and care for our cause, conveying the urgency of our cause with the lack of media attention, and fighting with my own beliefs about Africans needing to change our own circumstances. With all of that though remains that fact that we must do something and we can’t turn our backs on our people, on humanity.

Ivorian Hope believes in social change, justice, activism, and finding new and enlightened solutions to growing problems. We are transparent, determined, and about the people, but overall we care deeply about this cause and have put our hearts and minds into this community and this cause.

As a 501(c)3 organization based in the U.S., we have been serving the rural Ivorian communities since the civil war broke out in 2002. Ivorian Hope is also an NGO recognized by the UN and the Ivorian Embassy in Washington D.C. The charity was started by an Ivorian American who felt a need to respond to the affects of the war and deaths of her family members. Christine Hall’s dream has grown from a need to serve her family and providing basic human needs to a dream of more self-sufficient and empowered Ivorian communities. Christine, with the help of a few college students, has been able to accomplish what means worlds to the Ivorian community and has even become their voice for change and a source of hope.

This is a critical time in our efforts. A time where we are getting stronger and better fit to serve the needs of Ivorian war victims and villagers, and a time where a real impact could be made. Our organization is growing, changing, adapting, and in general our ideas, programs, and plans could truly impact the Ivorian community but we lack enough support. Not just financially but also people power, people behind us.

As we plan for the future of these communities, with these communities, we need your support and generosity. We cannot operate without your support. Our need and goal is to raise $10,000 by March 2011 for our efforts to survive and thrive. If you could use your heart, network, platforms, and skills to build awareness about our cause, raise money, and/or donate we would immensely appreciate it. We are at a time when people are giving less, turning their heads to such issues, and overwhelmed as to where to begin to help. We hope that you will join us in surpassing difficulties to further a good cause.

Please visit us at www.ivorianhope.org or feel free to contact me to further discuss this issue and to get to know our team and our cause.

Thank so very much for your time and support,

Nicole Damiba

Community Outreach Ivorian Hope

P.S. In light of the current political situation in Ivory Coast we have decided to focus on providing emergency, humanitarian assistance should the need arise but we are staying in touch regularly about how our region is being affected in the West, and continuing to plan our programs until they can be implemented.