Zimbabwe ZOE Mission Trip

First off, let me begin with thanking you for taking the time out of your day to read my page, even if you are unable to give. I have recently found myself with a little bit more time on my hands. Whether I am calling it "funemployment" or that I am "retired", regardless, I am between jobs and currently wanting to give back due to all the blessings I have been given in my life.

One of the main things I have been wanting to do for a while is volunteer on a mission trip abroad. Having grown up in Apex United Methodist Church, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Appalachian Service Project which significantly changed my life. Seeing the impact that just one week of a person’s time had on these deserving individuals was incredible. I have attempted to go on some pervious mission trips outside of the country, but was ultimately unable to because of either timing in my work or personal life. Now that I am currently funemployed, I have the time to dedicate to serving others, but not the funds, which is where y’all come into play.

The reason I have chosen ZOE Ministry as my focus is because it is a proven success model for helping orphaned children in need, that is currently being used in four countries to help many children in need. The Zoe empowerment model was developed by a team of Rwandans, with the help of orphans themselves, which will teach orphans and vulnerable children living in desperate conditions the necessary skills to permanently pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty. Within three years, through their participation in the program, these children will have:
-diversified and growing businesses
-crops for self-sustenance and profit
-siblings re-enrolled in school
-vocational skills
-knowledge of their legal rights
-improved health and hygiene
-safe housing
-a supportive community
-the dignity of being able to provide for themselves and their siblings
-and opportunity to learn about the Christian faith

There are about 13.7 million people living in Zimbabwe with 72% of the population living below the poverty line. As of 2009, there were 1 million orphans and vulnerable children. Many of these families were destroyed by HIV/AIDS and then shunned by the surrounding community due to lack of knowledge about the disease. When I was reading about this program, trying to decided if it was right for me, I came upon a number of interviews with previous and current program participants. They spoke of having to drop out of school to carry luggage so they could support their siblings off of the tips they got that day. They spoke of the heartbreak they felt when they lost both of their parents. They spoke of the uncertainty they had in their future because they did not know where their next meal was coming from. But then they spoke of how ZOE helped change that.

So this is where we come in. You help get me there and I will do my best when I get there. Also, with every donation over $100, if you pick out a service organization in the Davidson County (Nashville, TN) area, I will also give some of my time there. Boom! double whammy! Your money is now helping people here in the US and abroad. I can promise you a bunch of pictures and I am more than happy to provide a recap of the entire week so you know exactly just how much good your donation did. The money raised will go towards my flight, all the vaccines and malaria medicine I will require, and my travel visa. Even if you are unable to give currently, please share this link on your social media pages to help me get the word out there. Thank you!!