dōTERRA Offers Second Matching Grant to Clearly Essential!
The Healing Hands matching grant fundraiser in April 2018 was the first chapter, and the rest of the book is still unfolding. In reality, however, the foreword for this story began when I attended my first dōTERRA convention in 2013. That was when I first caught dōTERRA's vision to make a huge impact in the world, and I got a glimpse of what the company's charitable foundation, Healing Hands, was doing around the world to make a difference. I was only watching convention online that year, but it was enough for me to know I had found the company with which I was meant to align my goals and future dreams.
When I attended convention in person the following year, I couldn't hold back the tears as I watched the Healing Hands updates, Co-Impact Sourcing stories, and the announcement of the 2014 Elevation Award winner. A seed was planted in my heart, and I began to wonder if someday dōTERRA might somehow partner with the mission organization I work with in Tanzania.
In 2017, my husband and I were thrilled to have the opportunity to travel to Guatemala on a Healing Hands/Co-Impact Sourcing trip. I already loved the company's sourcing model and vision to help eradicate poverty, but being on the ground, seeing it with my own eyes, and meeting the people whose lives have been forever changed helped me believe I could be a bigger part of the change I wanted to see in Tanzania. The trade school built by Healing Hands in Sika'abe, Guatemala was the catalyst that gave me the courage to apply for a matching grant in 2018.
Truth be told, even then my vision was too small. I originally asked for $5,000 to be matched for a total of $10,000, but after reviewing the project and needs at Crower Trade School, Healing Hands gave me the opportunity to match $10,000 for a total of $20,000 so that we could build a cooking school building with a large, multi-purpose dining hall and dormitory, which would be a welcome addition to the sewing, carpentry, masonry, and welding options already offered at the school. Since Tanzania doesn't offer public education beyond about an 8th grade level, the trade school fills in the gap for young people who cannot afford high school or college but have the determination to learn a vocation.
Those five or so weeks of fundraising were an exciting, sometimes nerve-wracking blur of activity, giveaways, emails, phone calls, text messages, and–above all–prayer. For several days our fundraising total remained at $911, and I began to fear it wouldn't grow. That looked like a big 9-1-1 emergency to me, and I had to dig deep to believe, trust, and work hard to meet my goal. In the end, we sent exactly $20,911 to Africa!
The timing was perfect. Well before we knew I would get the grant or how long the process would take, my husband and I had planned our first family trip to Tanzania in July, and the money was wired to Tanzania just in time for us to see the newly laid foundation, quickly followed by the walls going up. I also had planned a trip with the ministry board in October, and what a joy it was to see the project completed! The staff and students were so excited, and the head matron gave me a beautiful gift to thank me for my efforts. I was on an emotional high and couldn't help thinking how that building was built with one drop of essential oil, one drop of belief, and one sacrificed dollar at a time. I am so thankful to every person who prayed, gave, and believed with me.
That was chapter 2. While I was in Tanzania last October, I noticed some needs at ChristHope Orphanage in Arusha. I personally sponsor a handful of orphans there, and many of my friends and family members also sponsor CHO children. I loved meeting and spending time with each one of those precious children whose lives have been marked by pain, tragedy, and poverty but now have a home, love, and a bright future. I was standing in the sunshine enjoying the view of Mt. Meru from the orphanage grounds, and CHO's director asked me, "What do you see here?"
"A lot of empty space," I admitted, noting the land around the orphanage where the children played on a lone swing set and kicked a soccer ball through the field.
"What do you think we can do with it?" he asked.
"Fill it," I replied. "I want this to be the best orphanage in Arusha–not because we have more things here, but because the children have all that they need, are well taken care of, and love being here. Our orphanage should be known as the best in Tanzania!"
A huge smile spread across his face. "Yes, sister. Let's make this the best orphanage for these children."
We continued talking about our dreams and some of the details, and I asked what the children ask and pray for. He and some of the other caretakers told me that the orphans get bored and would love some bicycles and playground equipment, which would enhance their physical, emotional, and mental development.
I also learned that the government had just dealt quite a blow to the orphanage: The mission would be required to build a concrete block wall around the entire perimeter of the property of the orphanage at a tune of about $30,000. The purpose of the wall is to protect all of the children, but especially our boy with albinism. Tragically, many people with albinism in Africa are persecuted, maimed, and even killed, and the Tanzanian government is actively getting involved in attempting to put these horrific acts to a stop.
I left Tanzania last October with hope in my heart to help relieve the burden of that wall and make the children's dreams of bikes and a playground come true.
On January 16, 2019, I received word that dōTERRA's Healing Hands Foundation had approved my grant request and would give me the opportunity to match up to $15,000 for a total of $30,000. Even though they don't normally give grants to the same organization twice, they made an exception because the first grant was for the trade school almost an hour away from the orphanage, and they are indeed two separate entities that fall under the same U.S. 501(c)3. Even though they don't often give grants of more than $10,000, they offered $15,000. Both exceptions felt like a miracle. I was happy and excited–but first I was nauseated, and I don't mind admitting I feel a bit like throwing up as I type these words. Living out your life mission from a place of crystal-clear vision is exhilarating, but it can also be just plain terrifying.
I can't adequately express what this means to me personally because I know the significance is more than even I can comprehend. These grants change the future of Crower Trade School students, ChristHope Orphanage children, their families, the region, and their country. The domino effect is beyond my understanding, but I have a faint idea of the impact this will make.
"Thank you" is hardly enough to say to everyone who helped, prayed, and donated toward the first grant. Because I have already seen the tip of the iceberg and know many of the students, children, teachers, and staff personally, I can humbly and gratefully ask you to donate again. I don't like to ask for assistance, much less ask for money. However, I'm learning that part of teamwork is being willing to ask for help, and part of making a difference in the world is being humble enough to accept that help.
I hope you'll be a part of the big group effort it will take to raise $15,000 for some precious kiddos in Africa by February 28. Will you help in the following ways?
Pray!
Donate as you are able. (See instructions below.)
Watch my Facebook page for fundraising giveaways and promotions, and share the posts with your contacts.
Share the vision and the link to donate with everyone you can.
Together, we can accomplish this goal, bless the children of ChristHope Orphanage with answers to their prayers, and give them the protection they need and that the government requires. The goal is 50% larger this time, and that feels like a huge mountain to scale in five weeks. However, I know in my heart THIS. IS. HAPPENING! When it does, I will give all the glory to the One who has shown me repeatedly that dreams do come true with a combination of prayer, obedience, and action.