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NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER GIVE UP

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When the stock market went wild in the world last September, I was in a hotel room in Kigali.  What little access I had to TV gave me dire predictions of an international financial meltdown.  Fifteen minutes, twice a day, from CNN World and the BBC was more than enough news a year ago.

A year later, I wait to return to Rwanda.  Indeed, some of those dire predictions have certainly come true.  But others have not.  Life goes on. Not as we thought it would and for many of us our future may be different than the one we envisioned.  But I know that we must continue to do the right things right.  We must continue to choose to make a difference in the world.  And those who are so much less able to bear the changes continue to need our assistance.  And NOTHING does more to buoy my spirit then when I have the opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Itafari has given so many of you that same opportunity.  And I’m asking you to support us once more.

Itafari just celebrated its 4^th birthday!  And our work has just begun.  Like any four year old, we’re learning our way, struggling to do things that maybe a bigger kid (foundation) would only have the courage to try, and finding that our efforts are working – but not as quickly as we would have hoped.

In spite of all the challenges, we continue.  So many of you continue to support Itafari. 
THANK YOU again for all you do. 

 Our challenge now is to finish our commitment of $250,000 towards building the Kigali Parents Secondary School.  An amazing school that will support the Kigali Parents Primary School (KPPS).  KPPS has consistently had the highest scores in the country for their children in the national tests.  The highest.  And the school is open to all children, regardless of race or ethnicity.  A school we are proud to partner with. 

And so what better way to build this school than brick (itafari) by brick (itafari). 

The government recently required that all buildings be complete before they can be occupied.  (we were going to build the school in phases).  Our goal is to open the school for the January 2010 term.  The building has begun!  You can see the pictures on the website under VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER or on the presentation that’s also on that same page on the website.

MY REQUEST:

• BUY A BRICK FOR $75 – your name will be placed on it and in the school.  It’s the perfect symbol of the Itafari Foundation and will change the life of a child forever.  Forever.  $75. 
• LEARN ABOUT how the Itafari Foundation is helping to build hope in a country
• MAKE A DONATION OF ANY AMOUNT - $75 may be more than you can afford.  If so, please give what you can.  You may also want to give a larger amount.  Naming opportunities are available for gifts over $10,000 and other specific amounts can also be designated and acknowledged in the school.  Let’s talk about your dreams and the legacy you’d like to leave.
• Share this blog with others...friends, loved ones, co-workers.
• JOIN US - VIRTUALLY - this weekend, Friday - Sunday, September 25 - 27 for a Fundraiser to complete the building project of the Kigali Parents Secondary School.

A unique and personal gift.  An incredible remembrance of a loved one.  A statement that you believe in the power of education.  A reminder to yourself that anything we do, large or small, changes the world.

You can donate online at the website, call me, or send your check to
Itafari Foundation
27 El Greco
Lake Oswego, OR  97035
503.636.3692

Your gift is 100% tax deductible.  We will give you a beautiful personalized gift certificate.  And you know that this brick, this itafari, is a sign for you and the children of Rwanda that we must never ever ever ever ever give up.

I hope to be back in Rwanda in January or February to see what we have accomplished together.  Itafari by itafari by itafari.

Warmly,
Vicky