It’s amazing what brings people together.
About six months ago, I got an email from a woman who was inquiring about my journey to Kenya and specifically about the girls at Saint Monica Children’s Home. She had been there the year before and was asking how everything was. We exchanged email addresses and phone numbers and quickly realized we lived within an hour of each other.
When I met Sally Hayes, I knew at that moment, we were going to be friends. She has traveled the world. She has taught English in China, volunteered in Kenya, Tibet, and installed solar power home systems in Nepal. She has started a non-profit called Step-Wise, and I knew we were suppose to meet when I read their vision:
“We envision a world where all children have access to quality education, health care and nutrition so they can grow into happy, healthy, self sufficient adults and in turn provide the same for subsequent generations.”
It all sounded and felt so familiar. About a month later, Sally was in my house. I was amazed to be in the presence of someone who understood and felt the way I did, simply because she had encountered and had seen the same things. We just hit it off. We started rambling about Kenya and the girls. It was delightful. We shared stories of our past journey’s and hopes for future ones over lunch. Sally would soon be off
once again to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. But this time, she was taking underwear, about 400 pairs.
In April 2008, Sally and her friend Tracey-Anne (who is an all the photos below), stayed at Manna Rescue Home in Fort Portal, Uganda. Manna Rescue Home is run by Carol Adams of Youth Encouragement Services. They were able to pass out new underwear to all the children there. As you can see by their faces, they were happy to receive them!
Thanks Sally for helping out Underwear For Africa. I know this is just the beginning. I know the two of us will work together to attain the dreams we both have. Thank you for your passion, your work ethic and your dedication.
I look forward to the future!
Great work ladies… I am so glad to have read about such an amazing person!