By Mitch Lewis | Executive Director
Global Community
Recently I was watching a UNICEF video recapping events from 2015. I was struck by the dedication of their community of volunteers. It also became apparent to me that UNICEF is just one of a global community of organizations whose staff, volunteers and supporters all share in the common mission of making our world a better place. I am so proud that Arts To End Genocide is part of this “community of caring.” I am also so proud of all of our team, including Board members, volunteers, students and especially you– our donors, who make everything that we do possible. There is so much that is wrong with our world. But the outpouring of love and support that I see, for our project as well as for other wonderful GlobalGiving projects, gives me hope that ultimately we will triumph.
As I reflect on 2015 I am so pleased to report, as Frank used to croon “It was a very good year.” We brought the Heeling Our World project from a theoretical concept to it’s first successful field test in a rural village in Mozambique. We also began creating a pathway to economic empowerment by implementing of our first cottage industry for making shoes in Maputo. In American schools we continued to work with middle school and high school students raising awareness about the plight of the barefoot children in Africa and giving them a pathway to advocacy. KLEM shoes made by our students were delivered to a Social Services Director for distribution to vulnerable children in Mozambique. We also began laying the groundwork for bringing the project to Uganda. Looking ahead, some time in January children from an orphanage in Uganda will receive KLEMs, and then have the opportunity to Skype with the U.S. students who made them.
For me personally, this has been the most exciting and rewarding experience of my life. I hope that you too share in that excitement. Please know that this journey was only possible through your faith and commitment to our cause, and towards a shared humanity for all.
Thank you. My best wishes for a joyous and healthy New Year.
Mitch Lewis
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