Hi Everyone!!!

Two years ago, I came up with the idea for a non-profit that would help other non-profits, by providing them with free video production services to help them get their story told and their needs met! This Saturday, Oct 11th, I head to Africa for my FIRST GIG!!!!!!!  

I'll be going with E3Partners (http://e3partners.org/), an amazing charity that does work around the world! On this trip I'll be filming as we go to the cities of Bukoba and Shinyanga in Tanzania, Africa, to do work at special needs orphanages with deaf, blind, crippled and children with albinism.  

In East-African communities, albinos are horribly ostracized.  Most people believe they are cursed, a punishment from God, and carriers of bad luck.  They are abandoned by their own families, rejected by society, and being bullied, maimed, and killed is a very real daily threat.  Witch doctors (I learned, are very much alive and well!) hunt them for body parts (yes! today! in 2014! this is happening)!  Lack of knowledge and heavy superstition in the culture, unfortunately perpetuates the view of albinos as "less than human". The two orphanages that we'll be going to, provide a place of safety away from the persecution and a community where these children are actually welcome.  E3Partners have just begun their support of these orphanages (I believe this is their 3rd trip), and they hope to be able to continue to support them for years to come.  It is with GREAT hope, that the video that I'll be making for them, will help with that!

During this trip some children will be receiving prosthetic limbs, that they were fitted for during a previous trip (I get goose bumps just thinking about how incredible this will be to see)!  They will also continue learning about the never-ending love that God and others have for them, and that they are NOT cursed nor un-wanted.  
I personally will be bringing gifts of 150 beach balls, 50 matchbox cars, and (as many as I can fit in my suitcase) hygiene kits (toothbrush/ toothpaste/ bar of soap/ washcloth).

We will be gone from Oct 11th - 24th, and I ask for your prayers/thoughts/good vibes, for... the safety of our travels, the flawless functioning of my video equipment, and the success of E3Partners' work!

If you feel moved to... a financial donation (big or small) can be made here or on my website.  The cost of my travel expenses is $2600, and your donation here (on this site) will help me cover that :-)
If you'd like to help pay for any of the gifts that I'll be bringing with me, or for the other expenses that I'd had to cover, you can make a donation on my non-profit's website (www.LoveIsHereX.org).
If you have any questions feel free to email me: Veronica@LoveIsHereX.org, or call me (if you have my number)!

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH for reading this, and for your love and support!  

I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU THE VIDEO THAT I MAKE!!!!!!!

Love,
-Veronica :-)

P.S. PICTURES!!!!  Click on the link to see pictures of where we're going and the actual kids we'll be helping! http://loveisherex.org/About_Us.html