February 19, 2012
Mick Hughes lost his battle to cancer earlier this month.
Mick was a generous supporter of COME UNITY’s Sponsorship Program and has sponsored one of our girls in Ilbissil since we launched our program. His daughter, Ashley, is the head of our Sponsorship Program and knows how many extra fees, charges and legitimate needs transpire through a program like ours. We would like to set up this fund to have resources for costs relative to our Sponsorship Program. These could be: providing for outgrown school uniforms, supplies, books, Bibles, feminine hygiene products, special speakers for encouragement. If there are remaining funds we could provide a scholarship fund towards one or two of our sponsor girls who plan to pursue further education.
On a personal note, Ashley has been one of the longest truest supporters of COME UNITY. She was part of COME UNITY before there wasn’t anything, really, to be part of. She has believed in COME UNITY even when I haven’t. I never had the honor of meeting her father, Mick, but in recent weeks I have heard plenty of stories to know that the extreme generosity, commitment, love and devotion that I have known through Ashley is an inherited Hughes family trait. What a world it would be if we all lived such intentional generous lives as Mr. Hughes did.
To contribute to the Mick Hughes Girls Sponsorship Support Fund, please make checks payable to ‘Compassion Corps’. Please write “Mick Hughes Fund” in the memo line. Send them to:
PO Box 63
Bridgeport, PA 19405.
God bless you, and God bless the Hughes Family.
Posted by kristin.
January 9, 2012
2012. The year of going big.
Two main things on my mind this morning, as I prepare to head off to McCarter Theatre. They’ve been selling our goods at their lobby boutique since October, and I’m hoping they want more!
6K!!! Last year we were pretty excited that our race expanded from the bounds of Philadelphia to the rolling hills of the Midwest. One race in 2010. Two in 2011. And in 2012, we’re going for four or maybe FIVE races!!!! Our races usually boast about 200 walkers,... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
December 17, 2011
Happy Holidays from COME UNITY!
At a recent Board of Directors retreat we learned a good lesson that to avoid growing weary it is a good practice to document your successes. As 2011 comes to an end, here’s the short list on what we’ve been up to!
In 2011 we…
-took a team to Kenya
-held two 6k races in Indiana and Pennsylvania
-started a new well in Ethiopia and took on new sponsor girls in Kenya
-raised nearly $15,000 for our future water and sustainability projects
-completed... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
December 11, 2011
Dear Friends,
It has been an awesome year for COME UNITY . Two 6k races, one dance event, volleyball and sailing fundraisers, one team trip to Africa and to date 5 clean water projects around the world, 15 sponsor girls, 9 cows, sustainability projects and much more. In the works are a clean water project in Sheda, Ethiopia--- and the reason I write you today: Pokot, Kenya.
The Principal at Alale Primary School in Pokot told us, “the 7th and 8th grade girls are most vulnerable.... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
November 3, 2011
Last week I sat on my bedroom floor and cried as I opened my email to find 16 beautiful faces, and 16 heart wrenching stories of the girls we have committed to finding sponsors for. We heard many similar stories when we visited their homeland of Pokot, Kenya this past July. Perhaps it shouldn’t take my breath away quite as much as it did--- but, then again, injustice this weighty shoud never cease to take our breath away.
One of our girls writes, “I am sixteen years old. My Father di... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
September 23, 2011
Last weekend was Fringe Fest. This was the BIGGEST collaboration of dancers we’ve ever attempted, and it was a sheer success. It was incredible to look at the blank stages as dancers from all regions--- NJ, NY and Philly blanketed the stage with their tendues and plies. Ballet dancers. Jazz dancers. Modern dancers. They all shared the same generous spirit. Some friends from Lustigdancetheatre have been doing events like this since 2007. They are the tried and true COME UNITY veteran... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
August 3, 2011
Just in July I had the privilege of taking our first team to Africa. What a joy for me to watch my teammates experience Africa through their own eyes. I was so excited to share a world with them that has been part of my life for so long, and part of their lives as well--- yet, from across the ocean. As incredibly smart, observant generous individuals it was awesome to see them take in Africa--- and to learn from the things that impacted each of them in profound ways. They respond differen... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
July 6, 2011
Well I have arrived home safely and have readjusted to life in the USA (well at least to the time zone.) Week one in Kenya was an experience, it started off with Kristin and I arriving late but safely in Kenya. We were warmly welcomed by the Cassel family, their beautiful home, comfy beds and loving hugs were a welcome treat. We spent Monday catching up on sleep, and hugging and kissing giraffes (a huge highlight for me, as a giraffe is my absolute favorite animal). Early Tuesday morning we... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
June 29, 2011
We now continue our trip in Keyna. The rest of the Come Unity team has arrived! We met beaming Niall, Rachel and Peggy in Nairobi yesterday morning. We ventured to the Maasai Market shopping, had lunch out, and have since spent
the evening back at our host's, the Cassell family, home. It was so fun to see them, and everyone is doing well.
Today we will spend the day with Charles Mokaya, visiting Kibera slum and a few projects his organization participates in Thursday we leave for Ilbissi... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
June 26, 2011
I write from a internet cafe in the Addis airport. One week has gone quickly in Africa, each day feels like three days in one--- getting up and doing the morning, travel during the day, visit new communities at night. This is the first time we've been on a computer all week, and in a few hours we'll arrive in Nairobi. But first, an update on week one, Ethiopia. The world can be a tiny place. On our flight from Istanbul to Addis I sat next to a man who actually knows my cousin Mike. The ma... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
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