Photo by Daniel Juare

This past October we celebrated our 5th Annual Gala: A Hand Up, Never A Hand Out at El Cortez in San Diego, California. We are happy to report that we were just shy of reaching our goal of $300,000.  We would love to reach this and even go beyond, please continue to read to see how you can help.

The evening could not have been made possible without the generosity of El Cortez for its fabulous space as well as all guests present. MBK Associates went above and beyond to ensure a beautiful event occurred and Jared Cohen, our keynote speaker and founder of Google Ideas was the icing on the cake.

Mr. Cohen spoke of the huge impact technology is having in Africa and how we will all benefit from the growth of entrepreneurship and creativity on the continent while embracing their innovation. Our Master of Ceremonies Joseph McClendon III was amazing and on fire. Our other guest speakers Brendon Burchard (Global Humanitarian Sponsor) and David Smotrich, MD (Donor of The Smotrich Kitchen) were fantastic and helped emphasize the importance of our Hand Up and Never A Hand Out philosophy in developing countries such as Uganda.

Photo by TRJ Photography

We honored three very talented and important women who have supported Just Like My Child extensively. Dr. Puja Shah was honored as a woman changing the world in the category of children’s health because of the tireless work and effort she has put forth at the Bisop Asili Hospital dental cllinic in Luwero, Uganda; we honored Monica Nyiraguhabwe for her work empowering girls who’s voice would often never be heard without her help; and we also honored Judith Akware, our extraordinary head teacher at The Children’s Academy for the Collective Heart. Judith has chosen, against all odds, to be different, we celebrate the life-saving differences she makes in our communities. We honored these women for their astounding work and contributions to The Just Like My Child Foundation.

Photo by Daniel Juare

Professional entertainment provided by Pro Motion Entertainment and Rezident Management was incredible and the food was memorable.  Fiscal Sponsors and donors of food and beverage include: The Burchard Group, The Collective Heart, Bert Lei Family Jewelers, The Lost Abbey, Bice, Magners Irish Cider, The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel, Solare, Culinary Concepts, searsucks, Mitch’s Seafood, Catalina Offshore Products, Coast Catering by Barry Layne, Stone Brewery Co., Twin Treats, Nika, Cien Anos, Cupcakes Squared, Sweet Thoughts, Todd Ichinaga, Green Beans Coffee, and Sushi James.

Photo by TRJ Photography

We had the best photographers in San Diego to capture the evening and make everlasting memories: Daniel Juare Photography, Christalle Clear Photography, and TRJ Photography.

I hope I didn’t forget anyone. Thank you everyone for the awesome turnout and supporting Just Like My Child Foundation. Also, please help us reach our final goal of $300,000 by donating here. Small or large amounts go a very long way in rural areas of Uganda and assist us with showing Ugandans how to create sustainable businesses, educate children and adults, and maintain healthcare, to name a few.

Wekembe!

George William

Construction Supervisor

George William was the fabrication Genius behind JLMCF’s Universal Education Program. He worked with our Project Coordinators to create school building plans and then transforms those creations into safe and shining learning environments where eager and knowledge hungry Ugandan children can thrive.

George William was a person whom you would never hear gloat, but we will not hesitate to brag about the wealth of experience that this accomplished man brought to our team. A moment in his presence told the story of an individual with a steady and true wisdom that comes with years of life and building experience. He was well known and respected within the communities we serve and came highly recommended by our Project Coordinators. Before joining us on our first ever school building project, George William worked for decades in building schools with Plan International. He never failed to continually design feasible and appropriate blueprints, budgets and plans that incorporate JLMCF’s methodology and vision. He commanded a quiet respect within every community he worked with, while at the same time setting an essential standard for ethical building practices. George William had a knack for transforming perceived community constraints and limitations into opportunities for creative building solutions. He acted as a professional mentor and guide to both skilled labor and unskilled volunteers, who were contributing to the building process with an aim to achieve capacity building, community ownership and participation. Since joining our team as Construction Supervisor in 2008, he had proven an efficient builder, maintaining quality and safety, while still coming in under budget, which allowed for JLMCF to spread our resources across a larger population of communities in need of school buildings. George William had a gift for turning our big ideas and inspirations into real life sanctuaries for learning. Our favorite grandfather who certainly got the job done will be greatly missed and always honored.

George William’s capacity building contributions to our programs and his expert building plans will continue to be drawn upon by JLMCF. Our school building projects are currently being carried out by his skilled apprentice, Mr. Akwong Janan Wilson, who has now graduated to Construction Supervisor through George William’s guidance and support.

Sara and Maria

Todd was a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia training and consulting with local non-profits on project management using a gender lens and educating teachers and children on environmental issues.

Todd’s professional experiences inspired her to dedicate her career to serving marginalized groups and advocating for justice, which makes her a perfect fit with Just Like My Child Foundation’s initiatives and goals.

Todd also has a personal blog called My Life in Uganda.

You know how every time you go to a conference; you’re given a mass-produced tote bag with the logo of the sponsoring organization?

Well, this year, Traffic Geyser, Inc. did something a little different — and it created a BIG change. Exhibiting it’s commitment to global consciousness, Traffic Geyser purchased conference bags for its Social Media Marketing Machines event from women at the Asili Hospital in Uganda who are on AIDS treatment and ready to come back to life!

Each bag is handmade, and through this income-generating project women are sending their children to school and supporting their families. Each bag represents a woman whose heavy load has been lifted just a little bit by being given the opportunity to create her own solutions.

But Traffic Geyser didn’t stop there! The Social Media Marketing Machines event and Main Street Marketing Machines events were held this past Spring and helped raise enough money for the Just Like My Child Foundation to purchase a desperately-needed new vehicle for Asili Hospital in Uganda, invest in small businesses for over 500 families recovering from AIDS, and helped to fund badly-needed medical equipment!

Entrepreneurs on this side of the world helping entrepreneurs on the other side of the world to be self-sustaining are one of the fastest ways to alleviate poverty. So thank you, Traffic Geyser!

For more information please contact us by clicking here or just donate here.

and we would love for you to be a part of this special evening. On Thursday, October 13th, 2011 from 6 – 9PM, we will celebrate at the historic and iconic Don Room at the El Cortez on 702 Ash Street, San Diego, CA 92101.

The attire is Black Tie OR your most fun cultural garb that you never get to wear!

Opened on Thanksgiving Day 1927 and nestled atop San Diego’s Cortez Hill stands the historic El Cortez. The carefully restored landmark is this year’s host to Just Like My Child Foundation’s annual gala.

In one of the most exquisitely designed rooms in the state of California, we will honor those individuals who have truly helped us make a difference on the other side of the world. Since 1927 Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, William Jefferson Clinton and Barack Obama have all entertained in the 24k Don Room.

And stars from Elvis Presley to Spencer Tracy to Jimi Hendrix have spent time in this amazing space.

In attendance will be an intimate host of celebrities, spiritual and personal development experts, and passionate supporters. Join us for this exclusive autumn gala and enjoy an intimate audience with VIPs from Hollywood, publishing, personal development and more.

Plus, you’ll learn directly what life is like in the field and how your contributions are eradicating poverty permanently for thousands and thousands of people.

Please take a moment to secure your admission by clicking here.

Once you register, we will keep you updated on confirmed celebrity attendees, event details and the unbelievable live auction items we’ll have for you that money just can’t buy.

CAPACITY IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO 230!
(NOTE: We have had a waitlist of 100 in the past – Tickets will sell out rapidly and we cannot increase capacity.)

My husband, an entrepreneur, was so blown away by how we’re helping to create thousands of entrepreneurs on the other side of the world, that he created this video:

And he’s helped us to raise thousands of dollars to give people the hope, dignity, and freedom of economic independence. You can too by clicking here, just a little goes a long way in Uganda.

Besides all the mango madness, we had some serious business to attend to at the Asili Dental Clinic. My son got to make friends and play soccer the real way – barefoot and with a deflated ball – that’s what breeds the tenacity in the great African soccer players. He also delivered school supplies from his fundraiser to over 60 orphans and vulnerable children and to four of our six schools.

It was also the first time the Just Like My Child team members were all in Uganda at the same time. We had so many great discussions, long and fun evenings with some Nile beer (because as the Nile slogan goes, “You’ve earned it!” and we certainly did). We had to install a dental chair; Dr. Shah and Lidia had a lot of dental practicing both with and without the new dental chair.

Photo by Lidia Trainer-Domagalska

So, my amazing friends and gracious supporters of the Just Like My Child Foundation be sure to stay tuned because we have a lot to share with you, especially with the many upcoming project updates, events, news from abroad, volunteer spotlights, and quite possibly a little more mango madness.

Be sure to sign up to receive our newsletter by clicking here and if you want to continue to see amazing change in rural Uganda donate here.

This is to acknowledge that every day you do the best you can, no matter the obstacles.

This is to let you know that your children notice, even if it doesn’t always seem that way.

This is to acknowledge that a Mother’s Love has the power to change the course of the world, and it has.

Enjoy your recognition this day as Mom, Mommy, Mama, Mother, or any of the thousands of names around the globe we call the face of comfort.

Today, and every day, I acknowledge your commitment, your heart, your love.

If it means the Oryang family, including their extended family orphaned by unimaginable events, goes hungry for a week so the children can stay in school, then those bellies will be uncomfortable but their minds will be fed. Both parents are firm believers in the power of education and are dedicated to ensuring knowledge does not escape youthful minds. Beatrice was once overheard saying, “We will not eat if it means we can’t pay for school fees!” And she meant it. She has become a role model and an inspiration to budding educators.

According to the World Bank and EFA Global Monitoring Report, “There is good evidence to suggest that the quality of education – as measured by test scores – has an influence upon the speed with which societies can become richer and the extent to which individuals can improve their own productivity and incomes” (2007, par. 6). Furthermore, “research shows high private returns to primary education, as long as it is measured in terms of attainment of basic skills and not years in spent in schools” (par. 7).

Envision the children of Uganda with bellies and minds full. This reality of this vision can lift entire communities up and out of the cycle of poverty. Just Like My Child glows when these youthful minds shine and when people like Ben and Beatrice relentlessly encourage education. Support our partnership with leaders like Ben and Beatrice and help us feed AND educate our future. Take a moment and check out how much we have accomplished by visiting our Project Universal Education page. After you have check that out find out how you can support Just Like My Child here!

But the most fun and fulfilling part of the trip was spending a lot of time with the six children we are sponsoring in boarding schools as part of our Mandela Project. Just three short years ago, these children were destined to live a voiceless, nameless existence in one of the poorest villages in the areas we serve — they, like so many others, were at risk of death through early pregnancy and marriage. Several of their parents were on the verge of death from AIDS. These six children have grown and have become such an inspiration to their villages and have made me so proud.

Today, our kids are BIG (they’ve grown so much).  They are speaking English, reading fluently and at the top of their classes. Their parents are on AIDS treatment and they are healthy with new income-generating businesses that are alleviating their heavy burden. The students are full of ideas and fun and have a bit of attitude like all good teenagers. Healthy teenagers!

Witnessing their growth and development is like a metaphor for all of our work in Uganda — slowly by slowly the seeds have been planted, the roots are strong, and the fruit of our work is ripening. The communities are thriving, the children are healthy, and the elders are growing stronger. With so much community in the air it makes one realize how small efforts make tremendous differences.

If you would like more information about Just Like My Child and it’s specialized programs, contact Vivian Glyck at info@justlikemychild.org.  To donate please click here