I was finally able to send the application for tax-exempt status to the IRS for Project for a Village, Inc.. Why did it take us so long to get everything together and get it in the mail? I have asked myself that question almost daily for the past year. The main reason is that we wanted to submit the best possible application, and I feel that we accomplished that goal through the hard work of one of our board members.
One of the things that I ask myself when I get bogged down with paperwork and the day to day running of things at Project for a Village is “Why are we doing this?” Is this going to make any difference? I was so happy to see the headlines on the National Geographic website, “Regular People who Changed the World and How You Can Too’” http://bit.ly/1xKfwj7, an interview with Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn about their new book, “A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity.” I immediately ordered the book from Amazon.com.
So, why do we do this? Why do we care? I truly believe that we who live in the developed world were fortunate to be born and raised with access to education and health care that most of the world does not even know exists. Emma Watson, actress and United Nations Goodwill Women’s Ambassador, recently spoke to The United Nations about the “He For She” http://bit.ly/1nsZOnH campaign. In her speech Ms. Watson spoke about her father and how she was fortunate to be born to a man – who supported her “feminist ideas.” In countries like Nepal it is not easy to be a girl and we are trying to empower girls by giving them the opportunity to learn from young women who have broken the barriers and achieved their dreams.
So as I examine all of this I think the answer to the question, “If not me, who? Is clear. For some reason I ended up in the middle of a valley in Nepal, surrounded by faces that were void of any hope, begging for the opportunity to have a better life. I don’t think that by myself I can change their lives, but with your help, we can do this together. If you are interested in joining us please help in any way. Even a small donation of $20.00 will supply lunch for the children during their Saturday TEJ, English and Computer classes. For information about these projects please see projectforavillage.org.
Namaste!