John's Birthday Fundraiser
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Make a Difference Inc$1,675
raised by 20 people
$1,000 goal
John's Birthday Fundraiser
Thank you so much for your generous donations! We are more than halfway to reaching our goal - and I know we can do it!! Please read the important update below:
We just received a sad message about Gift, one of the students we became friends with while in Tanzania. We visited Gift and his mom at their small mud and stick hut. Gift, is an amazing young man; kind, generous and humble. During our visit he brought us each a sun-ripened banana from their backyard as a treat, because he was so proud that we came. He and his mom had next to nothing, yet he wanted to share. I will never forget this act of kindness and generosity.
Gift is suffering from seizures due to a possible head trauma as a child. While he was cooking food for his mom over an open fire he had a seizure. He fell into the fire where he was found by the villagers. It took 3 hours before they could get him to a hospital where he is now. His nylon clothing melted into his body and caused severe burns on his entire back down to his knees. Gift will be in the hospital for at least 3 months, but he is expected to recover!
When John heard this story, he decided that he wanted all of his birthday donations to go to Gift to help him heal. The hospital in Tanzania does not provide the necessary medication or food or water! We want to provide Gift with all of these necessities so that he can heal and still have a good life!
Make a Difference Now focuses on providing quality education for the youth that they support. If you wish for your donation to support the educational efforts instead, please let us know and we will allocate accordingly. Otherwise, we are beyond grateful for your help in giving Gift his life back.
(Below is a photo of us all with Gift and his mother).
Thank you,
John & Tove
In June 2017 our family visited a group of students in Moshi, Tanzania. The students are all sponsored by an organization called Make A Difference Now (www.gomadnow.org), a non-profit with the mission of providing quality education to vulnerable children through scholarships, school improvement and career training programs.
The "MAD students", as they call themselves, have all been given a second chance in life after having endured unimaginable hardship and loss. We are excited to work with this organization to help provide an education for even more students.
In lieu of gifts for his 50th birthday, John has asked that you please consider a donation to support our friends in Tanzania.
Thank you!