Amelia and Tiffany

Yesterday morning we started the day, by attending the US Embassy and listening to several speakers and asking questions. Just as the meeting was about to start, we were joined by three friends. Two of them, Tiffany and Amelia, I had met and had several great conversations with last year.

For Annie G. and Molly C. and Kenzie and all the other students who want to do something in Africa or somewhere soon, Amelia epitomizes the "can-do" spirit of many over here making a difference. Amelia was the English teacher who last year, I met after she came in from the bush, she is teaching English at a school, a couple hours away from the main road. She saw a need and answered the call. She is teaching at a school and has accepted that her daily life is not easy, but bringing education to her students is very important to her. Btw, students she is on facebook,
and she would love to hear from you, and you can also see pictures of her work. I know you need her last name, but I will get that to you soon. **** (Amelia Hirsch) She was telling me that all of the students she has taught, have never seen a color crayon in their life. She is working soon in Nashville to raise money for these students and her school. She is going to combine students' artwork with a portrait picture of them, and sell them somewhere in the states. Again, she did not listen when the first four or five people told her "No., she could not do this." She just found a way to make a difference.
She was with Tiffany who is leaving this week after completing a two year assignment with Invisible Children in Uganda. I was telling both of them, about how I had shared Amelia's story with students who were passionate about getting here, passionate about making a difference in peoples' lives. Tiffany had a great point, she got a real "boring" degree, Accounting. Yet every NGO (non-government organization) needs "boring" people, etc. accountants, IT people, etc. And it was through her ability and education in accounting that she spent 2 years in Uganda---watching "the numbers" making a difference, putting cash in the debit column, and education and dreams in the credit column. Taking contributions from all of you who have contributed to and making sure this giving can build a sustainable model of education for Ugandans. Without the "boring" people like Tiffany children in Uganda would still be invisible, but with infrastructure and quarterly reports and income statements we now know their names Amos, and Jennifer, and Emmy, and ......

Shout out to all those accountants like Tiffany and teachers like Amelia

I am honored and humbled to share words and friendship with both of you,

John