Fundraising in the Netherlands

[Gil-Estel]

I just want to share this with you. Some of you might know I've been in Thailand last year due to a fundraising day we had here at the school I work. This year we're back! 

With just 3,5 weeks to go we're in a busy spot. We're working on a lot of stuff, pulling a lot of strings and our efforts seem to pay off. We're organising a concert with one of the most popular Dutch gospelartists around and even though the concert is planned for 2010, ticketssale are doing great. It looks like we're going to break the record of last year when we raised -with a small school like ours- 10.000 euros (12.000 usd.)

The goal this year is €15.000 which is likely to be reached. The organisation we're supporting is ZOA refugeecare. They are working in different parts of the world trying to help those who are in need. They supply people with the basic necessities like food, shelter and healthcare. Also they are helping people to get back in the area where they origin from.

For the day we're having a special goal. For refugeecamps in Thailand, where I've been, they're trying to set up educationprograms, or improve the existing ones. These refugees are coming from Myanmar (TCFKNA Burma) where they are being hunted just because of their culture. When the English left that country they wanted Burma to be republic where all minorities should have something to say. Sadly, Burmees government thought otherwise and all minorities are supposed to shut up. The Karen people, the refugees I'm raising money for, are not willing to shut up and therefor they have to flee, otherwise they are not safe. It is a sad sight and it confirms we're living in a strange world.

Luckily we can contribute and do something for those who are in need. Last year I sold cards for this goal, but now I'm running out . I do have some foils, willing to sell them for the good cause, but mainly I wanted to raise some awareness and maybe some thoughts from you.

I want to fill this day with small, nice activities for all to enjoy. If you know such activities which are a blast, please let me know!

Will open a special topic for the foil sale!

[Enola]

I'm amazed by your altruism and your will to help our fellow man in any cisconstance  .

Every day, we can act to improve life in society, it is enough to sometimes have a little bit of imagination .
 

I shall try to take some cards of your stock.

[Gil-Estel]

And yes, there it was! We have had our special fundraising day in the Netherlands. I started last friday with a hike of 37 kilometres from my house to my work. I'm not trained, was listening to The Lord of the Rings as a book on my MP3 player, and as the fellowship grew weary, so was I. I started 2.30 AM, arrived 6,5 hours later and my feet were soar, as were my legs. But I had raised over € 500,- on my own by this, and the pupils were aware that they weren't alone in this.
The day it self was great. There were a lot of people, the weather was great and people had a lot of stuff to do. We had a LAN party, gameworkshops, Thai cooking workshop, Settlers tournament, there was a hairdresser, we had a beauty salon, and many many things more.

I was broken, in victory though, last friday. I had a whole weekend to recover, and I was blessed with Enola, who let me win a game of LotR for the first time in, well in many games. Haha, just what I needed!

Thanks for the attention and the many bids I have received!