Want to help ?

Prior to leaving for our trip we’re doing a bit of fundraising for the Rwandan orphanage (http://www.prefer-rwanda.org/) , so if you’d like to contribute, there are a couple of ways that you can do so :

1) We will be packing 4 suitcases of items to be given to the orphanage. So anything the children can use would be appreciated (new/gently used clothes for kids aged 2-6, crayons, pencils, stickers, light colouring books, medical supplies etc..)

2) We have set a goal to purchase 25 goats for need Rwandan families. Yes that’s right..goats. A goat costs about $35 USD in a Rwandan market, so if you would like to donate $40 CDN, we would take the money to Rwanda and have the charity founder accompany us to purchase the goats (so that we don’t get charged foreigner prices) and then distribute them to needy families. If there’s any excess money, we would give it to the charity we’re volunteering with.

Why goats ? The Rwandan government has initiated a program where needy families can receive a goat upon the condition that the goat must be sustained (ie not served for dinner). Goats are useful because
• They supply a family with several quarts of milk each day -- important nutrition for undernourished children and extra milk can be made into cheese or yogurt and sold to make extra money
• Their manure can be used to fertilize gardens and fields
• They often have two or three kids a year, enabling families to start small dairies

Those who donate $40 for a goat will receive
• An email with a photo of the their goat, us and the family that received the goat (assuming the family allows it)
• Exclusive rights to name their goat (Billy, Justin Bieber and David are already taken)
• A TELUS Goat Critter

Here's a fantastic link and excerpt that shows the impact of a goat bestowed upon a family http://www.preferpreschool.org.uk/goats.html .  "It always amazes Cathy to watch the transformation in the receiving families. They arrive at the preschool quietly and seem to be trying to make themselves small. When the goats are presented the grins begin, and when all the goats have been distributed and each family is holding their very own goat, now, believing it is really true, they just seem to swell with pride. They stand taller; talk a little louder, cannot stop hugging me and saying thank you, and want to hurry home to show off their newest and best possession."

A big thank you to all those that have supported us and this project already ! We can't wait to witness and experience this joy and then share it with you !

If you’re not able to make attend our GOat AWAY party on Saturday August 21st but would like to contribute, email Dave at djp55@hotmail.com and we can work out logistics.