Principle #3 – Discover what juices you – follow your passion for giving
Our Africa trip is coming to a close. During the last week of our vacation, we stayed in Johannesburg for two days so we could vote. We all felt it was a priority to vote because democracy and abortion rights were on the ballot. So, I made sure we could cast our ballots before we left for our trip. We gathered in our hotel rooms, voted on the internet, printed our ballots, and sent them off to California via DHL.
Here we are with our ballots. On our way to send them to California!
After we sent our votes off, we flew from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the capital of South Africa. Cape Town looks a lot like San Diego. In Cape Town, we visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. It’s one of the grandest gardens in the world, and it was gorgeous! Next, we went to the southern tip of South Africa to see the African penguins. They live in inshore coastal waters with temperatures ranging from 41-68 degrees. They are on the U.S. Endangered List, with only eight colonies having 87% of the South African population. Check out the video link, https://youtu.be/QKd2W9J_l6Q.
African penguins in Cape Town, South Africa.
We started our flights home on Wednesday and arrived in San Diego on Thursday/ Needless to say, it was a long couple of days. Now we start getting used to Pacific Standard Time! We had a blast in Africa, but five weeks is a long time for being away from home. It’s easy to travel in our trailer, Athena because we have our home with us. It made me think about the Ukrainian women and children who fled their homes due to war. I’m grateful to have a home to go home to, while they may not. Because of this, I want to help them however I can.
The Świetlica Dębniki Community Center, with the partners of Fundacja Let’s Help Together Psychotherapy Center offers individual and group therapy to help Ukrainians with war trauma. Art therapy is available for the youngest children.
The war has been long, and it looks like it will continue for a while. Millions of Ukrainian women, children, and elderly have fled Ukraine for other countries. The effects of the war haven’t just impacted Ukrainians; it has also affected the volunteers helping resettle them. Volunteers all across the world are supporting the relief efforts 24/7. There’s emotional and physical burnout, which is why KDU (Fundacja Kocham Dębniki) is offering psychotherapy sessions for volunteers. Here is what was posted on Facebook:
“We know how important it is to take care of ourselves and our resources. There are more and more people who need our help as the crisis continues with no end in sight. As helpers, if you feel it’s difficult for you and are having a hard time coping, we are here FOR YOU, too! Feel free to message us or call. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty tank. Take care of yourselves.” – Facebook Fundacja Kocham Dębniki
The KDU leadership team cares about everyone! I feel so fortunate to be working with the generous people of URI and KDU. Their hearts and compassion for all humanity re-enforce my hope for all humanity. URI + KDU: “1 + 1 = 1,000”
“Relieve the crisis. Thoughtfully. With Discipline and heart. Now.”
Thank you to all that have supported the Ukrainian efforts. I can’t thank you enough. Please donate if you or someone in your realm of loved ones want to help with psychotherapy for our volunteers and Ukrainian women and children. Details are at the bottom of the email.
We appreciate your love and support and for trusting us with your donations. And thank you for being on our journey with us. Please share our message about these humanitarian efforts. Be positive and stay safe. Hope for peace!
Much love,
Cindy and Dana
HOW TO MAKE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UKRAINIAN RELIEF INITIATIVE
All contributions are fully tax-deductible through HCC, our registered 501(c)(3) passthrough charity.
TO CONTRIBUTE BY CHECK:
Make your check payable to **Hispanic Community Council** – (VERY IMPORTANT: not to Ukraine Relief Initiative) and send it to the following address:
HCC – URI
c/o John Kersey
208 Liberty Street
Warren, PA 16365
Please indicate “Ukrainian Relief Initiative” in the check memo and include a note with your contact info (address, phone, email).
TO CONTRIBUTE ELECTRONICALLY BY PAYPAL:
Use this link: https://www.paypal.com/
In the memo, please include your name, address, phone #, and email so we can process your tax receipt.