I was asked to write about my experiences during this first project.
Well, when I started this project in December 2008, in my head all I was doing was sending stationery for some children in Freetown Sierra Leone. What I didn’t realise was that it would end up being much bigger than that!
I chose Freetown because I thought it will be easier for me to handle, you know ... just send a few items over … easy ... piece of cake. Let’s just say that if God had shown me the whole picture, I would have said no thank you ... maybe another time!
I went there on holiday in December 2008, not really knowing why I was going (because none of my friends were going) but somehow I knew that I had to. A friend of mine actually nicknamed me 'Billy No Mates', because of how desperate I was to find someone who was travelling to Sierra Leone at the same time that I could hang out with.
My first challenge was to find the schools, but I needn't have worried because God handed them to me on a plate. As soon as I met the children at the two schools that I chose, I knew it was the right thing … although I was still 'kicking and screaming' and very apprehensive; I convinced people that I was simply doing some investigation for someone I knew who was thinking of doing a project.
I returned to London in January 2009 with all the information I needed, but didn’t have a clue how to go about getting the project 'out there'. The journey had now well and truly begun:-
First, it started with setting up the project, choosing the right logo, proofing the flyers and wondering how the website would be done and by who. I must say, God has sent the right people into my life at the right time.
Second, there was Sophia who took the vision to the next level with her professionalism.
Then came Basil the best website designer ever.
Along came Richard who caught the vision and interpreted it through the logo and flyer.
Katrina then introduced me to her brother who blessed me with so many wonderful reading books way beyond anything I could have imagined.
Then came Martyn, Dion and Yvonne with their constant support and encouragement.
And finally, Denise with her eye for details.
Telling my family was the hardest part for me … I so wanted them to approve of what I was doing, especially my brothers.
The first person I shared the vision with was the Bishop at my church, then that same evening I called a family meeting and told my family. My mother and my brother Stephen were very happy, my mother because I named the project after her mother and Stephen … well because I am his little sister!
I was always apprehensive about whether or not I could do it, especially during the times when no donations were coming in and I had to think of ways to remind people to donate - as deadlines for shipping was approaching fast.
I think one of the scariest of parts for me during this whole thing was when Sophia arranged for me to appear on Colourful radio to talk about the project. I couldn’t sleep for days! I kept on thinking about the types of questions I would be asked and the fact that I may not be able to answer them. But in the end it turned out well.
I have learnt so much in these past months e.g. I now know my 'jpeg' from my 'pdf' and about double-sided gloss finish flyers, one or two colour single or double sided bags and t-shirt printing. I now appreciate the time and cost of these things and will think twice in the future when I’m misusing the plastic bags at the local supermarket!
I was very apprehensive in the final week of the project, looking for some kind of affirmation and approval from my family. I was so afraid that the project would not be a success, but it was.
When I saw the happiness on the faces of the children I was blown away and it made all the anxiety, self-doubt and sleepless nights I had worthwhile. I thank God I was able to experience it and survive.
The Gift of Giving
I was asked to write about my experiences during this first project.
Well, when I started this project in December 2008, in my head all I was doing was sending stationery for some children in Freetown Sierra Leone. What I didn’t realise was that it would end up being much bigger than that!
I chose Freetown because I thought it will be easier for me to handle, you know ... just send a few items over … easy ... piece of cake. Let’s just say that if God had shown me the whole picture, I would have said no thank you ... maybe another time!
I went there on holiday in December 2008, not really knowing why I was going (because none of my friends were going) but somehow I knew that I had to. A friend of mine actually nicknamed me 'Billy No Mates', because of how desperate I was to find someone who was travelling to Sierra Leone at the same time that I could hang out with.
My first challenge was to find the schools, but I needn't have worried because God handed them to me on a plate. As soon as I met the children at the two schools that I chose, I knew it was the right thing … although I was still 'kicking and screaming' and very apprehensive; I convinced people that I was simply doing some investigation for someone I knew who was thinking of doing a project.
I returned to London in January 2009 with all the information I needed, but didn’t have a clue how to go about getting the project 'out there'. The journey had now well and truly begun:-
Telling my family was the hardest part for me … I so wanted them to approve of what I was doing, especially my brothers.
The first person I shared the vision with was the Bishop at my church, then that same evening I called a family meeting and told my family. My mother and my brother Stephen were very happy, my mother because I named the project after her mother and Stephen … well because I am his little sister!
I was always apprehensive about whether or not I could do it, especially during the times when no donations were coming in and I had to think of ways to remind people to donate - as deadlines for shipping was approaching fast.
I think one of the scariest of parts for me during this whole thing was when Sophia arranged for me to appear on Colourful radio to talk about the project. I couldn’t sleep for days! I kept on thinking about the types of questions I would be asked and the fact that I may not be able to answer them. But in the end it turned out well.
I have learnt so much in these past months e.g. I now know my 'jpeg' from my 'pdf' and about double-sided gloss finish flyers, one or two colour single or double sided bags and t-shirt printing. I now appreciate the time and cost of these things and will think twice in the future when I’m misusing the plastic bags at the local supermarket!
I was very apprehensive in the final week of the project, looking for some kind of affirmation and approval from my family. I was so afraid that the project would not be a success, but it was.
When I saw the happiness on the faces of the children I was blown away and it made all the anxiety, self-doubt and sleepless nights I had worthwhile. I thank God I was able to experience it and survive.