I’m not sure if I believe that everything has a purpose and a greater design… What I do believe is that this story has a purpose.
Here in America Its all too easy to overlook the everyday suffering that falls outside of our incredibly pampered existence. In 2004 I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Africa. It was an amazing experience to say the least and one I’ll never forget. With open arms, Uganda embraced me as I found myself immersed in the culture and its people. I found it incredibly humbling and inspiring that despite all their sadness and hurt, the eyes of those I met in Uganda were still filled with such hope and their spirits (though bruised) remained strong. In Uganda so many lives have come to a brutal and heart-wrenching end but for the children there is a new story being written. With themes of hope and possibility, organizations such as Invisible Children and Krochet Kids are empowering both Ugandans as well as you and I to add our own pages of love and support to Uganda’s developing story. And this is my purpose. Since returning from Africa, I’ve realized it’s not easy to get involved in a country that’s thousands of miles away, but I’ve also realized I’ve been given a gift that makes it possible for anyone to be instrumental in the positive change taking place in Uganda. Thus, I’ve created a clothing line which dedicates 100% of it’s profits to aid the people of Uganda—it’s orphans and widows. I know I will go back to Africa some day and hopefully many times after that, but to see such a place, such beautiful people in such pain does not sit well with my heart, especially knowing that I can’t get back as soon as I’d like. So I’ve decided, if I can’t get back, the least I can do is give back—to a people and a culture that has given so much to me.
