Neighboring School kids. We are very excited to announce that a Dream for us is coming into reality.
For sometime I have been wrestling about what to do about Africa... Everytime I would see something on TV or come across some kind of article on Africa it would wreck me ... Inside I just wanted to do something but did not know where to start. Now I know there are many well meaning and good organizations in Africa that are making a differnce but me writing a check and sending off a few dollars so someone else could do something seemed sort of 'not me.' 'I MUST do something for my sake and for my family's sake' was what keep running in my mind.
So after 6 months of searching and talking to several people ... as of this week its official. I have purchased land in Africa. No we will not be moving there but we will be investing our lives into there and for generations our family will shed some of us into that continent. It is in a small villiage in Western Uganda - about one hour from the Congo Border. Right now our land is being planted with banana trees to help feed the school kids who are on the land right beside us. We have plans for buildings and more. There is so much behind this story that we will probably deidcate a web space to it specifically [blog or something].
I will be starting soon to report on it because we really want to share this journey with others but if you want to see the area we purchased here are the coordinates 0° 1'40.69"N 29°56'13.42"E. For those of you who use google earth you can view the placemark here.
For sometime I have been wrestling about what to do about Africa... Everytime I would see something on TV or come across some kind of article on Africa it would wreck me ... Inside I just wanted to do something but did not know where to start. Now I know there are many well meaning and good organizations in Africa that are making a differnce but me writing a check and sending off a few dollars so someone else could do something seemed sort of 'not me.' 'I MUST do something for my sake and for my family's sake' was what keep running in my mind.
So after 6 months of searching and talking to several people ... as of this week its official. I have purchased land in Africa. No we will not be moving there but we will be investing our lives into there and for generations our family will shed some of us into that continent. It is in a small villiage in Western Uganda - about one hour from the Congo Border. Right now our land is being planted with banana trees to help feed the school kids who are on the land right beside us. We have plans for buildings and more. There is so much behind this story that we will probably deidcate a web space to it specifically [blog or something].
I will be starting soon to report on it because we really want to share this journey with others but if you want to see the area we purchased here are the coordinates 0° 1'40.69"N 29°56'13.42"E. For those of you who use google earth you can view the placemark here.
9 comments:
Wow. How did you come up with this idea? Are you paying people to farm your land or simply allowing them to cultivate it?
What was it that prompted you to buy land their as opposed to something else? Who was the money paid to, and how much exactly if you don't mind my asking? It's just totally fascinating to me...
Your answers will go a long ways in the Global Studies classes I have this coming semester. Sorry for the barage of questions, feel free to answer as many or as few as you wish. Good for you...
By the way TIA is one of the coolest phrases ever.
Whoa, very cool! Can't wait to hear more about it :)
What a beautiful place. Like I've said to you on the phone, parts of sub-Saharan Africa are very dear to my heart, so to meet someone like you, work together, and then find out that you're doing something very real, and profound, is amazing.
Congrats, and I hope that someday we can work together (somehow!) in this new vein, to build something not "virtual". :-)
andrea
Boomer
This is an idea that just came to me in my wrestling with what to do... there is much to be said in this story... its really about the right people coming together at the right time in the right place.
Of course with buying land we are making a committment that will be a lifetime and beyond... that is our intent... the land is in the dehoog name... so our children will own it and hopefully our grandchildren.
We have made connections with people who are hands on in the country who will keep the flow of finances going where it needs. Needs to be for Ugandans by Ugandans... we will be very national driven.
OH my goodness Mark...
Wow.
I'm speechless...
If you go...take us too...
Africa has my heart as well...
oh mark.
its OUT!
yay!
Now that I have seen...I am responsible. Faith without deeds is dead. (Brooke Fraser-Albertine)
Wow, your faith is alive and well! I can not wait to hear more about this. It is probably one of the most innovative ideas I have hear to help the beautiful country of Africa - and more importantly to help the people. Fill us in when you can. xx
Man, Mark, I cannot believe that. Props. I would love to hear how you went about this purchasing land in Africa.
You really are an inspiration to me, and many others. We love your proactive approach.
mark your mia on msn.... we should connect sometime soon...
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