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Raising Trip Funds Selling HOW? Jewelry
by Holly Reese - Alpharetta, GA
June 19, 2008

In May of 2007, I received an Evite to attend a Heart for Africa Tea at Norma Tibshirany’s home. I didn’t know Norma or any of the other people who were attending the tea. If fact, I’m not sure how I got the invitation, but it sounded like a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I decided to attend. Like most Americans, I knew about poverty and destitution in African countries, but it never occurred to me to do anything about it. After we enjoyed our tea, Janine Maxwell with Heart for Africa spoke very briefly about orphaned children and various Heart for Africa projects. Now I’ve heard Janine speak several times since then, and I can say that the presentation this day was very mild. Even so, it really touched me. I think every time she speaks, she directs the same question to the mothers in the audience. How we would feel if our children were the ones left alone and suffering, and another mother on the other side of the world knew about it and did nothing? Since I have two small children, that question really resonated with me. I felt like I needed to get involved. After the talk, I spoke with Janine. I told her that my kids were too young for me to go on a service trip, but I wanted to help in some way. Of course, Janine tried to persuade me to go on a trip anyway. I told her that even if I enlisted the help of my family, I really couldn’t afford to pay to go on a trip. I knew I would never feel comfortable asking my family and friends to donate money for me to go. That is when I learned about HOW? Jewelry. The company sells a line of handmade jewelry and other items like candlesticks. The acronym H.O.W. stands for Helping Orphans and Widows. A lot of the jewelry is made by a group of grandmothers who lost their children to AIDS. They started selling the products to support and raise their grandchildren.

HOW? Jewelry donates all of their profits to Heart for Africa to help further the work of the organization. I learned that by hosting a HOW? Jewelry party in my home, that 30% of the sales would be donated directly to my trip account with Heart for Africa. I met Sue Malcolm, the HOW? Jewelry Coordinator, and I offered to throw a few home parties. When I went home that afternoon, I jokingly told my husband I was going to Africa on a mission trip, and I was going to raise all of my funds by selling jewelry. Surprisingly, he thought it was a great idea. As long as he didn’t have to go, and it wouldn’t cost us anything, he put me to the challenge. I knew it would be a difficult task, but I was eager to give it a try.

I started out by hosting several parties at my house. I picked up a kit and spread the products out on my dining room table. I sent out emails to everyone I knew, and I let them know that I was having open houses for the next three Sunday afternoons. They could attend at anytime on any of the days. People dropped by at their leisure. A few of my friends were so excited by the products that they offered to host parties in their own homes. One friend threw a party and invited her entire church to attend. My husband also got involved in the sales. His office is in an office park with several buildings. He spoke with the concierge office and talked them into letting me set up a table in the lobbies of a couple of the buildings. I was able to do this during the Christmas season, so people were in the mood to shop. I work at a preschool, and right before Christmas, the director suggested that I send out an email to all the parents about what I was selling. They were able to drop off their kids and shop for Christmas gifts all in the same place. My ladies bible study group bought hundreds of dollars worth of jewelry and supplied me with new people looking for unique gift ideas. The jewelry became so popular that neighbors and people I didn’t even know started calling me and asking for certain things. The jewelry really sold itself. Before I knew it, I had raised all of my trip funds.

I just returned from my first trip to Swaziland in June. I had an amazing and unforgettable time. Even though the trip was an experience I’ll never forget, I can say that raising the money to go was just as inspiring. I was able to see how God works when He has a plan for our lives. Last year I never dreamed that I would leave my family for 11 days and travel to Swaziland, but I listened to his call and obeyed. It was amazing to see how people opened their hearts and their pocketbooks to support a good cause. Now that the trip is over, I want to continue to sell the products because it is such a great way to raise money and awareness for the people and projects that Heart for Africa supports. If you have plans to go on a service trip in the future, selling HOW? Jewelry is a great way to raise funds for your trip and Heart for Africa at the same time.

New Shirts from Chandler
May 23, 2008

Mulibwanji and Jambo. This is Chandler Gilliam again. I am finishing my freshman year of high school in Alpharetta, Georgia. I can’t wait for the summer to get here, just like everyone. I am also very excited for the opportunities God has placed in my life for this summer! I will be going on a double mission trip – first to Merciful Redeemer in Kenya and then Emannuel Khayelethu in Swaziland. This will be my third and fourth mission trip with Heart for Africa.

I want to thank all who bought my wristbands online and tell you about my newest project. With your support on the wristband project, I was able to hand a check to Bishop David Thagana for $1950 in January. This money helped pay for the water tank at Tumaini Children’s Home in Kenya. Last night, I was able to give another check for $1,500 to pay for a playground at Tumaini. Even though I had been to Malawi, spending time with the kids at Tumaini last year was that “Afican Moment” you always hear about. These children of God have and will always have a real special place in my heart. Four years ago, I lost my mom in a car accident. This July while in Kenya, I plan to go to Tumaini and dedicate the new playground in loving memory of my mom Jacquie. So again, I thank you for the wristband purchases that say “I Have a Heart for Africa.” I still have about 70 remaining. If you would like one, they are $5 plus a dollar for shipping. You can purchase them using Paypal.

"I have a Heart for Africa" Wristbands - $6 including shipping and handling

But the purpose of this note is to let you know about my new project that really has created a lot of excitement in my school. I had a very talented artist in my community, Jeffery Gribble, create a t-shirt that all kids and adults can wear. It is a blue shirt and it is a very high quality. It is kind of fitted but stretches as well. It is a Stuph shirt. By purchasing one of these shirts, you will help raise more funds for projects just like the two described above. The shirts are $25 each including shipping and handling.

If you live in the Alpharetta area just email me at chanman1992@comcast.net and we can arrange drop off or pick up.

If you live outside of the Alpharetta area, please use Paypal.

Heart for Africa T-Shirt - $25 including shipping

Size	SmallMediumLargeX-Large

I hope you like my shirt and I hope to see you in Africa this summer.

Chandler

“But you know all about it the contempt, the abuse. I dare to believe that the luckless will get lucky someday in you. You won't let them down: Orphans won't be Orphans forever.”
Psalm 10:14

HOW? Jewelry, Saving Lives and Providing Hope
May 16, 2008

HOW? Jewelry is a company in Alpharetta, Georgia that works with African women who are living with AIDS, caring for children whose parents died of AIDS or are orphans themselves.

All of the jewelry is made in Kenya and brought to North America to be sold through home jewelry parties, hosted by friends, supporters and volunteers of Heart for Africa. It is beautiful jewelry ranging from $10 - $30. Many trip volunteers have sold this jewelry to help raise funds for their own travel to Africa as 30% of their sales goes directly to their trip.

All of the profit from the sale of the jewelry is used to help fund the Heart for Africa organization and to help with project on the ground. Recently HOW? Jewelry profit was used to buy a wood burning stove for 3 children’s homes in Swaziland (El Shaddai, New Hope and Emmanuel) so the children will be much warmer on the cold winter nights. Funds were also used to build a nursery and an inside bathroom for the children at the Emmanuel home in Swaziland.

The hard part of this great story is that many of the women who make the jewelry are from the Mathare slum in Nairobi. This slum was the hardest hit during the post-election riots in December. All of them were displaced and ALL of their children have not been able to go back to school – the very school that the jewelry profits helped fund. On May 11th the women returned to their homes and have resumed work. They need us more than ever now to help rebuild from nothing.

If you can help them by hosting a HOW? Jewelry party in your home or community please contact: sue@howjewelry.com today!

Here is a note from Pastor David Ngugi celebrating the women moving home.

Dear Friends,

Hoping you are doing well as I do. Today is our 4th day since we returned back to Mathare and started working again after a long period of unrest!!! Praise God!! We at TUMAINI BEADS CRAFT are very grateful for your effort, support, and prayers during that time of need. We now know that you are truly our Friends!! With a very sincere heart, I send our appreciation to you all, may our Almighty God extend his blessing to you all and your entire families. May God remember and answer you when you call Him at time of need.

Mathare is now safe, and we thank God for that. It’s my hope it will continue like that hence forth. Once again thanks very much for everything you do to us, especially PRAYERS.

BLESSING TO YOU ALL,
PASTOR STEPHEN N MBURU,
CHAIRMAN TUMAINI BEADS CRAFT 

Superhero of the Quarter Award
May 16, 2008

Catherine Cowley was honoured by SAP Canada as Superhero of the Quarter on Wednesday May 14th during the SAP Canada Town Hall meeting. President and Managing Director, Bob Courteau, congratulated Catherine on her tireless efforts to raise funds and bring awareness to various causes both within SAP Canada as well as during her time outside of work.

Bob cited Catherine's work with Heart for Africa and the fact that she journeyed with Heart for Africa to Kenya last July to help build a school in Kenya. And that Catherine will again be taking another trip this Fall with Heart for Africa to act as a mentor to young entrepreneurs in Kenya. Catherine's work with Junior Achievement and the Toronto Ronald McDonald House was also noted, and her constant drive to do more and to get more people involved was applauded.

Catherine received a cheque for $250.00 which she will in turn donate to Heart for Africa! Congratulations Catherine.

A Someday Becomes a Reality - by Mandy Parrino
April 07, 2008

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of traveling to far away places. I often asked my mother when I could go to such places and the answer was always the same, “someday”. On March 8th, I began the adventure of one of my “somedays”.

We had a small group of ten, each of whom had different reasons for joining this trip to Swaziland and different stories of how we got to that moment in our lives. Despite our differences, one common thread was evident; God had led each of us to be a part of this journey together; none of us was there by mistake.

Each morning we planted gardens. Although we were doing the same activity, each garden we planted held a completely different experience from the one before. Sometimes we were greeted by children, other times by gogos (grandmothers). We were blessed with smiles, lessons in SiSwati, and occasional produce from the garden. Each garden was a rewarding adventure.

We spent afternoons painting at New Hope Center, which usually included help from several children. A bright rainbow of colors now adorns the walls of the new primary school, as well as our clothes.

My favorite moments were spent with the amazing children at New Hope. Thanksgiving time sits high on my list of highlights. Reflecting on the day, each person from youngest to eldest shared what they were thankful for.

The following moments are etched in my mind and will not be forgotten anytime soon; they are all on my thanksgiving list:

• Riding in the back of Jabulani’s small pick-up truck to plant our last garden. The ride down the mountain was in torrential rain and we sang the whole way down while getting completely drenched. We had prayed for rain the day before!
• Hearing the gasp of the children at the community school when they were told they would each receive five pairs of flip-flops; one for themselves and four more pair to bless their families.
• Watching Anastasia dance and listening to Joanna sing at our Purim celebration.
• Helping Debrah cook dinner in the kitchen. This quiet time allowed me to experience a real day-to-day aspect of New Hope and provided time to talk with an amazing girl.
• Listening to Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Samuel Hynd speak of their experiences. They are two incredible people and are a wonderful example of what God is capable of accomplishing through a person who will listen.
• Seeing the largest birthday cake I have ever seen as we celebrated Ruth’s 8th birthday. It was so much fun to see the cards the children made for her and hear their blessings.

While my mind is filled with many additional memories made in Swaziland, I must limit the list for the sake of time and space. I would highly encourage anyone contemplating a trip with Heart for Africa to put aside any reservations and just do it. Just imagine the memories of your own that you could bring home to share. I know that I plan on returning as soon as God provides a way.

Our time in Swaziland passed by too quickly. When it was almost time to leave, I was not ready. I had left my comfort zone of home and traveled to a foreign country expecting to experience culture shock. I was surprised to find that a place so far away could feel like home.

A few days ago, as I got ready for work, I put on a pair of white socks and turned down the top which exposed a ring of orange paint; I just smiled as I remembered those amazing moments and knew a piece of my heart is forever in Swaziland.

From Hawaii to Africa - by Malia Peer
April 07, 2008

Nearly 3 years have past since my mother turned to me with tears in her eyes and told me that she had something important to tell me. A look in her face that I had never seen before made my heart sink. I feared the worse, someone must be dying. But who? My mom? My dad? My mind began to race and I felt a panic rush thru me. I sucked in my breath to brace myself and managed to ask "What’s wrong, Mom?"

Her answer to me that day would set me on path that would change my life just as it had changed hers. It was on that day that I learned that God wants to live with us, talk to us, share His heart with us and take us places we never imagined. My mom, my regular, middle aged, American Mom, had heard a statistic six months earlier that broke her heart so thoroughly she could hardly speak it aloud. She had heard that the World Health Organization was predicting that "by the year 2010 there would be 40 million African Orphans." Before I could take my sigh of relief that my parents were not dying, the enormity of the prediction hit me and I wept with my mother for the millions of children who had lost parents and were on their own. My mother explained that she had been praying for the children for several months and believed God wanted her to “hold them.” That is when I knew that she was going to Africa and that I would go too.

In 2006, my mother(Jane), my brother,(Kona), our friend (Mark) and myself joined a Heart for Africa team and traveled to Swaziland and Malawi. As we worked in Africa, we met the most amazing children, most of them orphaned. Their stories were heartbreaking and disturbed us terribly but their incredible smiles and ability to love restored us completely. Each day they taught us lessons about resilience, hope, and good will. Lessons I will take with me where ever I go.

A year later, in 2007, Mark and I returned to Malawi and Kenya on another Heart for Africa trip hoping to give back, in some way, for all that the children had taught us. We tried to put into practice the giving lessons we had learned but we still ended up on the receiving end. We simply couldn't out give them. Compared to them, we were rookies. It was in this sharing and receiving of each other that I realized that it wasn’t money, government, or strategies that were going to fill the deep needs of the orphaned in Africa, it was people. People are God’s “plan A” for reaching the needs of the millions of vulnerable children living on their own. It is up to us to let these little ones know that they are valuable and that God loves them and so do we.

On March 22nd 2008, Malia (Tauanuu) and Mark Peer were married. Mark is serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in Florida and Malia is continuing her education in Hawaii. They hope to return to Africa one day.

Congratulations Mark and Malia from the entire team at Heart for Africa. We love you and hope to serve alongside you both again in Africa very soon.

Volunteers Represent Heart for Africa at Hawaiian Conference - by Susan Page
April 07, 2008

Last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at HIM our exhibit booth once again attracted a wide variety of people: some with a deeply held longing to serve in Africa; some on the fence who needed a nudge of encouragment; some who were just curious. Forty-three people signed our Contact Log, which means they want to be contacted and encouraged. One woman whose heart God had already broken for Africa’s children stood at the edge of the booth and just cried. She was indeed the “Jane Tauanuu” of this year’s conference. God had led Jane to the Heart for Africa booth in 2006 after a long process of preparing her heart for work in Africa. Praise God.

Once again the faithfuls: the Tauanuu family (Jane, Frank, and Malia) and the Walkinshaws (Rick and Ann) who are multiple trip travelers with Heart for Africa helped man the booth. A few people came by just specifically to buy “It’s Not Okay with Me” as they had heard of it or wanted an extra copy to send a friend. We even sold the last of our HOW jewelry.

One of the keynote speakers on the main platform of HIM, Pastor Tony Evans of Dallas, TX, used the famous story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David knew, as his frightened army of Israel didn’t, that he couldn’t slay Goliath, but that God could. He saw that the giant had no spiritual covering (vs 26: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”) and was therefore conquerable. It reminded me that Heart for Africa has a spiritual covering and the “Goliath” that is HIV/AIDS, poverty, hunger, and those who abuse has none. God can conquer this giant, too, and our faith must be unwavering - like David’s -in that assurance. As we continue to follow His call, He gives us authority to witness to the many who are frightened and faithless about how faithful and powerful God is.

God’s purpose for participating in the annual HIM Conference is largely unknown to us. The mysterious ways in which He will use those who visited our booth may not be manifested in tangibles. But we know His blessing flow in intangible ways to His purpose and our faith will be a beacon unto others.