With Love,
Kasidee
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Last month we partnered with Kids' Food Basket and were able to help so many kids who face childhood hunger because of YOUR help! This month, we wanted to expand our reach even further than West Michigan.
#StandStrong:
In February, our jb and me Marketing Coordinator Kasidee, went to Haiti for a week with an organization called I'mME. I'mME was founded by former NFL Football Player David Nelson, and his brothers Patrick and Daniel Nelson. The biggest thing that I'mME seeks to do is to stress the importance of family in Haiti. After the earthquake in 2010 killed over 160,000 Haitians, the country was left not only in ruins, but thousands of children were left homeless. Here are a few stats on Haiti:
- 78% of Haitians live on less than $2 per day
- 40% of the population is under the age of 14, and of that 60% are orphans
- 72% of Haitians are illiterate (can't read or write)
I'mME challenges these odds with three main components to their organization: Orphan Care, Prevention, and Stewardship. They currently have a house and staff that cares for 10 orphan children. They began an after school program that teaches Writing, Dance, Theatre, Sports, Art, and Science to over 200 children in the community. And they also employ, train, and teach local Haitians to cultivate their skills in order to ensure growth and success for all family members.
What We're Offering:
This month, stop in either jb and me boutique and purchase a scratch-off card for $5. 100% of your purchase will go directly to I'mME. What will you get? Your scratch-off card will provide a hidden discount for you to use on your next purchase: 15%, 20% or 30% OFF one item!! There are a limited number of scratch-off cards available at each store so get yours before they're gone!
From Haiti with Love:
Below are photos from Kasidee's trip to Haiti as well as a blog piece and video that she created for them. To find out more about I'mME's mission, and how YOU can help, click here.
Kasidee with two boys in the after-school program in Port au Prince, Haiti
Teaching English to a class in the after-school program with friends.
Kasidee with the boy that she sponsors, DaeDae.
Baby Taina, one of the orphans under I'mME's care, learning how to color.
Bensley, another orphan under I'mME's care, taking a pretend phone call.
Watch the Video:
Read the Blog:
I LEFT MY HEART IN HAITI
I’ve always thought the popular saying “I left my heart in ____” (fill in your designated place) was cheesy. Adorned on bumper stickers, novelty t-shirts, coffee mugs, you name it. We constantly claim to have left our heart somewhere, multiple places even.
After making the decision to go on an I’mME Vision Trip with my bible study group of Preserve the Light members I was overwhelmed with anticipation. It would be my first trip abroad that was not a vacation or family visit. What would I experience? What would the people be like? Would I see or maybe feel God’s presence?
Never did I think of what consequences could come from that decision. I have to say, I may have paid a higher price than I ever imagined, because I left my heart in Haiti. I left a piece in the mountains of Kenscoff, the crumbled stones and red dirt of the trails that gave way to sporadic blades of grass. I left a piece at Kingdom Kids, in the walls that witness learning and growing and changing. I left a piece at the playground, with the squeaking of the metal chain swings. Most of all, I left it with the people who so lovingly welcomed us into their homes, lives, and testimonies.
I paid a price by going to Haiti. But I didn’t come home empty handed. Through serving meals, teaching English, dancing, giggling, testing fears and limits, language barriers, and worshiping on the roof under the stars, I brought back the ultimate richness of God’s love. Witnessing strangers embrace and songs being sung in different languages opened my eyes to a new, more full kind of love. I learned that God does not speak one particular language, but all. He speaks in smiles, in hugs, in dancing. And He speaks to the deepest part of you. I’m not interested in the surface stuff anymore.
I’m not interested in only the bumper sticker. I may wear my Haiti jewelry and t-shirts more than any other item in my closet now, but it’s only because I want you to ask me about it. I want you to understand what taking a risk for God means. I want to share with you the new and refreshed faith that I was able to take back with me. I could talk and write for hours about every experience that was offered to us in Haiti, but seeing it for yourself is worth so much more. This video is the best way that I know how to show you why I left my Heart in Haiti. And I am so happy to never be fully at home again.