Danke. Gracias. Merci. Terim Kasih. Salamat Po. Khob Kun Ka. Asante. Webale Nyo. Thank you.

As I was starting to write my blog today I had to count the weeks from when I launched The Bernie Project....you should have heard the surprise in my voice when I counted 6....6...really...just 6...6. huh...6 weeks. It feels MUCH longer than 6...not in a bad way...just longer than 6. In fact I just went back to count on my calendar...still 6.

There have been numerous times since June 21^st where I have been overcome by the love, support and generosity of friends, family and strangers. On more than one occasion I have asked myself “How do I adequately express the gratitude I have for the love and support I have experienced since launching The Bernie Project?” 

On June 21^st I sent an email to pretty much everyone in my address book about the launch of The Bernie Project. I received my first PayPal notification email (PS- Love those emails!) from Roger from Visions Made Viable the non-profit incubator who manages all my administrative and financial needs. My first donation was substantial and from a former colleague and her mom. That email made me realize for one- this was real and two- people were already behind me. I cried. Since then, the donations that have come in both small and large with their own stories and reasoning behind why they support me, why they support The Bernie Project and our mission to positively impact the lives of the kids at the Wakiso School of Hope, has been awe-inspiring and overwhelming. 

The notes from friends who have shown their kids The Bernie Project website and had discussions with their kids about what life must be like in Uganda and how they can help their peers half way across the world. From selling their own beloved possessions, donating part of their allowance or raising money for The Bernie Project for their birthday instead of accepting gifts is a tremendous display of generosity.

The collaborative discussions with old friends about how the US organizations they work with can partner with The Bernie Project whether it’s creating a pen-pal program, planning a trip for 2014 and or raising funds and awareness to The Bernie Project is so awesome.

The examples above are just a few of the amazing  moments that have happened since the launch of The Bernie Project. I’m 11 days away from leaving on a 9-day trip to Uganda. It is action packed and I can’t wait to share with you all the fantastic things you have made possible.

I’ll continue to express my thanks on my blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, in handwritten thank you cards (yours will be in the mail soon, I swear), in person, out loud, via text and in my head. I don’t know when I’ll be satisfied that I’ve adequately expressed the gratitude that is in my heart.  Until then….Thank you.

With Abundant Gratitude,

April

Leaping

At the beginning of the year I chose two words "Leap" and "Stretch" as my words for the year. Leap because I knew I wanted to do something big by the end of the year that would take the most courage I have yet to personally express and stretch well because creating a yoga habit is forever on my annual list of New Year's intentions. While my down-ward dog needs improvement most of you now know that I have definitely leapt.

In January I started mulling over what it would take for me to leave my life as I know it and move to Uganda. I had a few ideas: I could work for an established NGO, I could create a tour and travel company, I could go back to being a TD or I could create my own non-profit. I then had to decide what life changes I was going to need to make in order to be comfortable with quitting my job and moving to Uganda. I moved out of my apartment and into a house with roommates cutting my rent in half and I put myself on a serious spending diet. I have sold a lot of what I own and I plan on selling the rest in the coming months. The moving sale I had in February I made $1100 in 2 days, I can tell you I don't remember what I sold and I clearly don't miss any of it.  People say "ahh you're not going to put anything in storage? but what about all your stuff?" People it's just stuff, ask anyone who's ever had their house blown away, burnt to the ground or flooded....you can always get more stuff.

I then started plotting out The Bernie Project, which at first was just the project's code name, but after trying out a few other names, The Bernie Project stuck. I love it, some of my friends love it, some of my friends don't love it. I'll tell you why I love it, it's a constant reminder for me why I'm doing what I'm doing. When I hear Bernie, I automatically think of Mahadi, which then makes me think of the other kids at the school and how I know they deserve better and how we will make it better.

I don't know how long I'll live in Uganda. I don't know if it will be for 6 months, the rest of my life or somewhere in between. Jack and Josephine both think I'm soft. I'd be willing to say they have a side bet between the two of them to see how long I stay. I'm not sure they realize how stubborn I am. I fully suspect some full on come aparts, when I'm hot, frustrated and things aren't moving as fast as I'd like or someone won't negotiate with me in the market or I'm lost or hungry or thirsty or craving Starbucks or all of the above.

For now this move is to be closer to Mahadi on a more consistent basis. I have no expectations of what will happen with this move. I don't know if he will live with me. I'm not seeking to adopt him. I just know I need to be there.

The Bernie Project will be my primary professional focus beginning in 2014. I will still keep a big toe in the event and meeting planning industry which will give me the opportunity to come back to the States a couple of times a year and execute a couple of fundraising events as well.

I'm really excited about what The Bernie Project has in store for not only the school, but for everyone who comes in contact with the project. The ways to engage with The Bernie Projet are endless and I can't wait to see them all come to fruition.

For all of you who have given your support, thanks! It's going to be one hell of a ride and I look forward to sharing it all with you the good and the bad.

xoxo,

april