To date, I’ve spent time volunteering in Brazil, Thailand and in September 2009, Ethiopia. Whilst these trips were great in terms of giving me experience of voluntary work abroad, working with other cultures, (I have some fantastic memories of the people and children I worked with) in each placement I felt something lacking and came back home feeling like it somehow hadn’t been enough, and with a sense of disappointment.

There was also the financial side, which to be honest, didn’t really bother me until my Ethiopia trip. I had paid a lot of money, approx £6,000, to the 3 organizations I went with and questioned myself as to where the money went. I came back from Ethiopia and decided I wanted to do something “more” which is why I decided to follow up on a magazine article that I’d read earlier in the year.  The article was about the lack of underwear in Africa and the problems this posed. I set about doing some research and sending emails to people who distributed underwear in Africa. My idea was to collect underwear and take them to “wherever.”

In October 2009, I found Rocky online and was introduced to Mothers Fighting For Others. Fair to say my plan was a bit flimsy at this point. Rocky was the first to reply to my email and straight off I knew here was someone who could help me. Rocky’s energy, passion and dedication to the aims of MFFO was impressive. Here was a mother of six who was working so hard to improve the lives of others, at the IDP camps and the girls I would soon get to know at Saint Monica’s. I got an email from Rocky one Saturday night at the end of November, asking if I wanted to go to Kenya as someone had canceled due to illness. There was no hesitation or wanting to think about it – I was 100% sure I wanted to go.

On January 3rd, I left my home in Scotland with 1500 items of underwear to meet Rocky, Ashley and Mary. Going to Kenya with MFFO was completely different to my other voluntary abroad experiences. I’m truly thankful that Rocky replied to my email as this allowed me to go to Kenya and be part of something really special. Standing at those IDP camps handing out underwear and talking to people one on one, will be an experience I will never forget. After we had visited all the camps, I remember saying what a brilliant day it had been and Rocky laughed and said “it gets better.”

She was right.

The reason for me going was to deliver the underwear that my family, friends, friends of friends and colleagues had collected. It was that simple. However I did not anticipate Rocky and Ashley’s dedication to the girls at Saint Monica’s to “infect” me! I can honestly say that working with Rocky and Ashley made me realize what I had been missing in my other placements. Yes, it was really hard work as we shopped till we dropped, as January is the busiest month for requirement shopping.  We were always on the go as we visited the schools to pay school fees, visits to the bank, and spending time at Saint Monica’s with the girls, but I wouldn’t change a single minute of it.

Every day brought something new, whether traveling on a matatu, or visiting a different school, or just learning the Kenyan way of life. Shopping was great fun! I likened it to a game of “hunt the treasure” as there were just some items I had no clue about, but we learned fast! In the other placements, I sometimes wondered why I was there. I felt inadequate in terms of being of use and able to contribute, but not in Kenya. Rocky and Ashley involved myself and the other volunteer, Mary, in every aspect of what they did. I didn’t want to come home. I felt I was leaving another “family” and part of myself behind.

I used three different volunteer groups for my trips to Brazil, Thailand and Ethiopia. I was trying to find that “something” with each one, but never found “it.”  Just to let you know, I’ve booked to go back to Kenya with Mothers Fighting For Others in April. I think that says it all!!

Best,
Maria Macnamara

The mission of Inspire The Child empowering girls to be strong and independent women of Kenya inspires me. Helping bring the confidence and determination to be all that they can be could be seen as a light at the end of their tunnel.

I’m reminded many times of the inspiration that children provide, often without recognizing they are even doing it.

Alexandra “Alex”  Scott was diagnosed with a childhood cancer shortly before her first birthday. She fought. She met many milestones that her parents, Jay and Liz were told would probably not occur. In 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, Alex told her mother “When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand.”  Her plan seemed simple in her mind… she’ll raise money from her lemonade stand and give it to the doctors so they can find a cure for cancer.

Did I mention Alex was a fighter? She passed away in 2004 at 8 years old, after being the inspiration for lemonade stands and fundraisers to donate over $1M to childhood cancer research.

Although Alex’s family lives in my area, west of Philadelphia, the lemonade stands spread the country. Many national companies have jumped on board in helping the cause, like Volvo and Applebee’s Restaurants. The family and board members continue growing Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to fight the fight and find a cure for childhood cancers.

Like I’m sure most of us have, I’ve battled some challenges lately. When I look at what Alex was able to accomplish while fighting the fight of cancer, I’m inspired. I’m humbled.

How can you help?

• Encourage a lemonade stand in your area – get the children involved!
• Commit to a 5K run or walk on October 25th – no matter where you are – join The 1st Annual Lemon Virtual Run/Walk
• Buy a $1 virtual cup of Lemonade at Volvo’s virtual lemonade stand
• Volunteer virtually. Find and Follow Alex’s Lemonade Stand on Social networks.
• Get your school involved

Sometimes just being yourself is an inspiration to others. Sometimes it is sharing your story. Sometimes it is creating a Foundation. But one rule is steadfast… don’t do any of it out of self-service … it just doesn’t work that way and it might bite.

“What are you doing for others?”

Martin Luther King asked this of us many year ago.  What is your answer?

This Monday,  January 19, 2009 is more than just a holiday to honor Martin Luther King’s birthday.  It is a chance to join people from around the country  in our National Day of Service.  Initiated by Congress in 1994, King Day of Service builds on his legacy by transforming the Federal holiday honoring his birthday to a national day of community service.

President-Elect Barack Obama has issued his own call to serve and asks everyone to join him by volunteering on Monday as he too will be serving the community on this special holiday just one day before his inauguration.

Imagine if every person in the US spent an hour doing something selfless and useful.  From helping in a soup kitchen to joining in a “Foreclosure Canvass” when you canvas a neighborhood hardest hit by Foreclosures…the options are as endless as your imagination.

What are your talents?  If you want to teach children about the environment, read a copy of Dr. Seuss’s Lorax.  Are you tech savvy….how about creating a blog and profile one worthy non-profit every single day or help a non-profit set up their own blog.  Handy with tools?  Offer to repair a non-profit facility, paint a group home, build a ramp for a disabled veteran.

On the official Martin Luther King Day website you can learn more about this celebration including tools and tips for MLK Day Mobilization and, most importantly, Find a Volunteer Opportunity close to YOU.  The Corporation for National and Community Service is collaborating with the Presidential Inaugural Committee and created a national registry of projects at USAService.org.

I entered my location on their site and it came up with 54 volunteer opportunities within 30 miles of my home!

Thank you to all of you!