by Jim Haverlock, President
Making a difference, especially in Uganda, is a top priority of mine.
Why? When I was five (5) years old, my deepest desire was to be a missionary and go to Africa to help the poorest of the poor. That desire continued through my young years and at age 14 I headed off to Seminary to study, with this same goal in mind. Then came marriage, eight children, 18 grand children and my dream still did not die. Then, five plus years ago fate kind of pushed Africa on me, in a kind and gentle way. With this gentle push came first hand knowledge of the suffering that eighty (80) percent of the world's population lives with each day of their life. The words of the young and old of having absolutely no hope, no encouragement, one small meal a day, searching for water, no electricity, no education to enable them a chance to get out of the poverty they are stuck in.
Then I realized how easy we have life in most of the USA, the UK and other nations. We roll out of a comfortable well made bed, flip a switch and have instant light; go to the kitchen, turn a faucet and have either hot or cold running water; cook a meal on an electric, or gas range; our closets are full of clothing and shoes; a car(s) parked in our garage or drive; a well built home to shelter us; a job; money to spend, and the list continues. Compare that to - no bed but sleeping on dirt floors; no electricity; no kitchen or range; no water unless we trek miles and carry it in jerry cans; chop down trees and chop that up to cook a one small day's meal; a grass/mud one room hut to call shelter for a family; no clothing, or just one outfit that is badly worn, no shoes; no car or other transport except your own feet; no job or chance of getting one beyond carrying water for someone else; and then you realize why they have no hope, no dreams. If we each took just one month to live in their bodies, we would all be so willing to help each other. This has been my dreams, or nightmares.
Presently (and in past years) Sponsoring and paying tuition for several young people, who truly desire an education so they in turn can help their families and communities, has blessed my life immensely. So much so that I talked with several caring people and decided to put together a non-profit, charitable, organization and obtain the IRS designation of 501C-3 - which enables anyone making a donation to use that amount on their tax returns. The intention was (and is) to provide more poor children from single parent homes, those who have no hope or future to look forward to, to get an education and enable themselves to be productive, caring, compassionate citizens.
The approval came in December 2007 after many months of research, working through the corporation paperwork and status, then applying for the 501C-3 approval. There are eight (8) board members and you can see their individual profiles by using this "Directors" link. My own profile is James Haverlock.
In February 2006 I also took on the responsibility of raising funds to implement clean and safe water wells for a small college (540 students) and 3 surrounding villages. This project is now complete and the students now have 2-3 hours more each day for study. They had to each carry water (not even clean or safe, but disease borne bacteria invested) in jerry cans over a distance of 2.5 miles one way, daily, for drinking, cooking and bathing.
Through my work during these past years, it was made known that many other people would love to help those less fortunate, but they also said they did not know how, or where to start. (Many friends, acquaintences, and people met in airports, bus stations, cafes or on the street, have said this similar thing) This was a huge part of the decision to form a non-profit organization that others could be a part of, in their own way, and at their own level of giving.
I mentioned earlier about the blessings, or rewards, I have received from helping. So you understand what I mean - I will explain just a little. Four (4) children I have, and am, helping in Uganda, lost their father to Malaria at a tender young age. This left an uneducated mother to raise them on her own. She made grass mats to sell, the only thing she knew how to do, and worked a small garden for food. She, along with the 4 children, lost all hope, all dreams for ever moving forward. Then I came along and got the oldest into school where she has excelled after being made fun of because she had no shoes, one outfit to wear. But as the other kids learned how smart she was, they would seek her out to help them. This young woman who had no confidence, no self-worth, now has courage, strength, loads of confidence and continues to grow and excel. She has already been providing much help to her own family, to her community, to others. She is caring, giving, and focused now with a goal of being a nurse. For the first time in her life she is able to dream big, to set and reach goals, to have many friends. Then she lost her mother in May of this year, 2008. I am her remaining family. She and her siblings have, and do call me Daddy, and come to me with questions, concerns, seeking advice on every facet of life, including "boys" and how to handle them. These kids have blessed my life, rewarded me far beyond the few dollars I have provided, the little encouragement I have given. They have taught me so much about - giving, loving, caring, sharing, living life - yes, I consider what they give me as the richest reward one could have in this lifetime.
Being a part of Compassion Care Foundation is the culmination of a lifelong dream of providing a way to give hope and care to at least a few of the 80 per cent of the world's population that lives on less then one dollar per day. A vehicle for those who want to help but don't know how or where to begin. A way to provide hope, encouragement, love, sharing and caring to more of these absolutely marvelous people who continue to be a huge part of me. And now, hopefully, you, too.
I ask you to ...
JOIN US IN HELPING THE POOREST OF THE POOR
THROUGH - COMPASSION CARE FOUNDATION
1shop4u.com believes in aiding others less fortunate, and are asking you to support Compassion-Care.org. Compassion Care Foundation is "Healing the World - One Person at a Time." One such project has been, and is, the - UGANDA WATER PROJECT.
There are several projects that you can choose to support, such as the deaf children at our Gabba Centre for Deaf, Blind Children, kids school fees, all by shopping online with over 1,000 stores that have agreed to donate a percentage of each sale. 1shop4u.com is proud to be one of those stores who will donate a percentage of each sale to the charity of your choice. We hope you choose Compassion Care as your favorite. Start shopping HERE and you will be helping those "less fortunate".
A new way for you to give and help the poor, without spending an extra penny, is - the Compassion Care Credit Card. Apply for this no yearly fee, low interest, credit card and when you are approved, the bank donates $30.00 to Compassion Care and then gives 3% of all purchases you make with this card to Compassion Care. Just make your normal purchases of gasoline, food, clothing and etc., and you are also helping feed the poor.
Or, Sponsor a Child - take one under your "wing" and become their family. Feel the reward and blessing I receive each day.
Thank you for any assistance you can give - they will appreciate it very much.
Katonda akukuume era akuwe emikisa (God Bless you and keep you safe)
Webale Nnyo (thank you very much)
Jim
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