Please copy and paste into your browser to access the article about the shoe drive at Middle School West; courtesy of St. Michael Patch.com.

http://stmichael.patch.com/articles/st-michael-albertville-middle-school-west-puts-shoe-on-other-foot#pdf-9645483

Thank You Middle School West for all the difference you have made!!!

MADI is amazed by the courage of Kirsten Langen and Collete Bersie senior and Junior respectively of Dellano High School for coordinating, collecting, transporting, sorting, packing and storage of 1540 pairs of shoes. Delano high has set the record for the most shoes collect by any school in a single drive to support MADI’s initiatives in Africa. We look forward to growing our partnership with Delano High School. Our sincere appreciation to the Delano High staff for the opportunity for their school to make a difference in the lives of the poor in Africa. Checkout our photo gallery!

Please!!! Do not miss this historic moments. The STMA Middle School West is on track to breaking Delano High’s record of most shoes collected by a single school for MADI, and to reach the goal of collecting 2,400 pairs of shoes by Friday, April 13th and have the opportunity to see Ms. Heizelman proudly show-off her pink hair.

I had the opportunity to share my experiences just less than 24 hours of my return from Uganda. The students of STMA Middle School West listened in Silence and curiousity as i recount to them the different stories of children and women suffering because of the effects poverty and how a pair of shoes can make all the difference. I took the pleasure to share the pictures and videos of the distribution in the different villages in North Eastern Uganda. The students have been collecting shoes and selling donuts to raise money for MADI. So far, over 900 pairs of shoes have been collected and $260.00 realized from donut sale.

It is truly amazing to see our youngsters taking the challenge of making a difference not only in their communities but in other communities around the world. The students of Middle school west are proud of what they are doing and after my presentation, most of them expressed that they have a renewed desire to help even more. With the world fast becoming one global community, they said it is imperative for them to help when and where they can to make this community a better place for all. The coordinator of the drive, Ms. Michelle Heizelman challenged the students to collect over 4000 pairs of shoes and she will dye haer hair pink. I told the students as we talked after the presenatation that this may be their only chance to see Ms. Heizelman in a pink hair so they should take on the challenge.

As president of MADI, i will like to extend my sincere appreciation to the students and staff of MS West. I will like to assure you that your generosity have lifted the broken spirits of tens of children and given hope to even hundreds. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the destitute and you should be proud of what you have done.

It’s been a good trip here in Uganda. The last month has been nothing but inspiring. We came and we created dreams and instilled hopes in hundreds of children, men and women. Now we are faced with the new challenge of helping these people realize their dreams. I am excited about the partnership with Soroti Hospital, the creation of the youth group in Mbale and the possible merger with CHEHRI. I believe that we have come a long way by changing lives in this region in Africa which have attracted these organizations to join forces with us.

I am very thankful to all that make this mission possible both in the United States and in Uganda. Most of all i thank God for his grace by which we were able to accomplish all that was done. I ask all of you for your continuous support to touch and change the lives of the less fortunate. I am open and will to share my experiences to individuals and groups. All you need is contact me and we can work out the rest. It is my obligation to create awareness about the plight of the poor in Africa and hopefully inspire those who are able to make a difference.

Roller skates happen to be part of the donations in the container to Uganda. I really did not know what these will become but as God has His way I met a group of students who love to skate. I approached them and offer to help them with some skates but suggested to them if they will like to formerly become part of MADI in Mbale as a youth group with the mission of sensitizing their peers on issues of health, education, social issues, and community service. They were so happy with the proposal and even more excited by the fact that they can have someone who can inspire them to be productive young men in their community. We had a long meeting laying down the modalities of the club and a frame work on how to begin. We talked about membership and training and the need to have guiding principles for the club. I promised them that I will ask for donations of roller skate for the club’s use.
Roller skating is rear in Africa and especially in this community of Mbale, Uganda. These young men draw crowds even with limited skills each time a few of them are on roller skates in public. Young men are particularly attracted to this kind of activity which presents a perfect opportunity for outreach.

I realized from these young men that many youths like them in Africa are hungry for a change. They understand fully the plight of their communities but feel helpless to do anything about it. They said that my ideas are what many youths like them need in Africa which basically is to change the way they think and asked themselves what they do to better themselves. I see the opportunity of these young men using roller skates to spread the message of change and inspiration in their community and building a generation of responsible young men. It is my desire that MADI stands by them to support them in spearheading the much needed behavioral change in their communities. I hope and pray that volunteers from the United States will come alongside and travel to Uganda to help these young men change their lives and those around them.

On March 26th 2012 a donation of a range of medical supplies, medications and hospital linens were donated to the Soroti Regional Referral Hospital under the partnership of Friends of Soroti Hospital (FSH) and Making a Difference International Inc. (MADI). In attendance to receive the donations were the members of FSH Club lead by the coordinator Dr. Gilbert Elijah, the Hospital Administrator, the Senior Surgeons, and, Senior Nurses. It was indicated that the donations are made possible by the generosity of Allina Hospitals and coordinated by MADI to benefit the Soroti Hospital. The hospital and administrator expressed gratitude on behalf of the hospital and pledge to work with FSH and MADI to see that further help can come to the hospital because they are really needy.

It has been a while since i had the chance to update this blog. Unfortunately i have been without internet access now for more than a week. Thank God i am able to have access today to update on the activities here in Uganda.

Obviously It is all about the distribution and the difference that is being made in people’s lives. In the past week we were able to support distributions in the village of Ajonyi and two shelters in Soroti. To save time and resources, neighboring villages to Ajonyi village were invited to join and benefit in the distribution in Ajonyi. These villages assembled under two mango trees that provided the much needed shelter from the scorching sun and heat. The distribution took place on Sunday and beneficiaries had the chance to attend service before that. About 800 men, women and children came through the distribution ground by the end of the day. With the help of the Pastors and church leaders, we managed to avoid a chaotic situation as we were almost run down by the anxious and exciting crowd.

Children and women were served first and then followed by men. The whole atmosphere was filled with excitement as every kid was putting on a smile and you can see them compare and comment with their friends about the things they have received. The looks of joy on their faces were priceless. The women were doing the same while the men look curiously with anticipation of more things to come.
Before the distribution started, I had the chance to sensitize the population of the need to be self-sustainable as person and then as a community. I challenged them to take control over their lives and see to it that they get themselves and their families outside the circle of poverty. The most important step towards this accomplishment, i told them, is to change the mindset that they currently have in regards to aid from abroad. Aid over the years has created a dependency syndrome which has caused many in Africa to literally sit and wait for handouts from humanitarian organizations. I told them MADI offers immediate and short term support but is ready to engage the community in long-term sustainable solutions to get rid of poverty. I challenged them to do double more of what they are doing right now to become economically viable.

MADI volunteers will continue with the distribution of clothes and shoes to the other villages scheduled to receive donations as they find the means to do so. Right now, the donations are secured and oversight has been established. In a few days i will be packing my bags to head back home. It has been a great experience for me and an inspiring one also. I feel like i have received more than i have given in this trip. The big difference in the little things i have seen during this process is a huge blessing for me. I encourage all you to join me in making the world a better place for all to live. These poor people need for than just clothes and shoes to get them out of poverty. The element of behavioral change is a priority and a key ingredient to restore livelihoods.

My sincere appreciation to Pastors Joseph, Daniele, and Robert. These men have sacrificially stood by me and have given me all the support I needed while in Uganda. I pray that God blesses and grow their ministry in the villages of North Easter Uganda.

Yesterday was a very exciting day. To see the men and women receive the donations of clothing and shoes brought great joy and comfort to my heart. I hope it does the same for those of you who have been very supportive to make this initiative come true. We had about 600 men, women and children who came out to the Cornerstone church where the distribution took place. After a short worship services the distribution started and lasted for about two hours. I am grateful to the leadership team of the Cornerstone church for coordinating the distribution. I look forward to a few more distribution before i return home. I will make updates on my blog as the events unfold. I wish to thank everyone for their prayers and support. There have been some really challenging times but I see the evidence of your prayers as each obstacle is overcome

The pastors who have been a big blessing this far are arranging a vehicle to transport the clothes and shoes to Soroti which will then be taken to the different villages. Unfortunately, they do not have the resources to transport all of the stuff to the different villages but are working with local officials and churches to figure out other means of transportation. My sincere appreciation to Pastors Joseph, Daniel, and Robert, for their time and dedication to see that MADI succeeds in its missions.

The Soroti radio have been singing MADI’s praises for being a part of the cleaning up campaign in Soroti Hospital last week and better still, the Soroti hospital is planning an official ceremony for the handover of the medical supplies donated to them by MADI. The reception here is really edifying and i really wish you all were here to feel it like i do. Today i visited Kumi town. We got there late this night after spending some time on the way due to car troubles.