As mentioned in the June newsletter, at the recent AGM meeting, Tenille Defreitas and Siobhan Kennedy, (daughter of Tom and Eileen Kennedy), closed the meeting with a thoughtful presentation of the work they are committed to in Africa, namely locating water and digging wells for people in remote villages.  For those of us in the US, it is difficult to imagine the reality of life without easily accessible water.  For example, the young children whose job it is to walk for miles to get their family water, face danger daily from predators.  Without running water, the food supply is unsafe. Without effective hygiene, many children refuse to go to school on a regular basis.  Having fresh, accessible, local water has such a positive impact on village life, it is difficult for us in the US to imagine.

Tennille and Siobhan inspired us with their descriptions of locating the source of the water and then overseeing the excavation to make the concept a reality.  They described obstacles they have overcome in their efforts to succeed.  These young women are role models for us all in what a few dedicated people can do and how you CAN make a difference.  It was a lesson we could all benefit from.  For more information on their work, visit their website at EPIC.

UPDATE: At the most recent HOPe meeting, members voted to contribute $15,000.00 to a well in Weru, Tanzania through EPIC.  The project will start in 2 months. 

In order to keep our friends up-to-date as well as expand our reach, we have created a facebook page www.facebook.com/hope-charity .  Please visit our page, tag yourself if you see a picture you are in, comment, spread the word to your friends.  We need to grow our membership to include young people if we are to keep helping others around the world.

We have also added a LinkedIn page, which is a business version of Facebook.  If you are on LinkedIn, please join our group at www.linkedin.com/hope-charity and spread the word about HOPe!