Today, in the midst of all of our housing drama, when it seems our world is a bit unstable and the idea of change is unsettling, I got an email reminding me that it is time to renew the scholarships for the little girls in Guatemala that Carlos raised money for and has sponsored the last couple years.

To be honest, my first thought was that we have already done a lot, that our life is crazy and the timing is bad so maybe we could find a co-sponsor.  I told Carlos that money was due ($720 in the next month) and he didn’t skip a beat.  “I’m on it” were his words.  I suggested that we find a co-sponsor and he wouldn’t have it.  He is determined to raise the remainder of this money and continue to sponsor these girls.  I am a very proud mama and yes, of course that’s what we are going to do.

If you want to read more about Carlos’ efforts – click here or here for the Inside Bainbridge story.  

If you want to donate, know that your money will help Louisa and Irma go to school another year.  Included in that they will get new shoes, nutritional supplements and school supplies and  an education that will change their futures.
 

Carlos has raised over $2,000 to help support these girls and their family over the last couple years.  Along with schooling, Carlos wanted to  spend some of the money to help improve their daily life.  Little things like a birthday gift or food basket for the family. 
Their family now has chickens, a table and chairs, gardening tools, beds and their kids are going to school!  It’s pretty amazing.

 So our girl has a glitch – nursemaid’s elbow.  It is not such a fun thing to deal with as it is basically her elbow becoming dislocated without much having to make that happen.  First time was me taking her pajama sleeve off, another when a brother was helping her up, my mom putting pajamas on – you get the idea.  It’s fixable (I have learned how to put it back into place) but it’s incredibly painful.
After 6 dislocations, we knew something had to be done. A visit to Seattle Children’s and the orthopedic specialist landed her

This year I was asked to write a little something about why the Island School was so important to our family to encourage people to donate to the Annual Fund.  Sounds easy, right?  We LOVE it and are so incredibly blessed to have our kids be getting this education and more than that, the foundation for just being great people. 
As I sat down to write, though, I realized that it really is hard to put into words what this school means to our family.
Dee and I have made life long friends with other parents and the faculty, the boys have become amazing, confident, free thinking little people, Erin already thinks it’s her school and feels welcome to snuggle up on a couch and read and ALL of our foster babies have been showered with love there.
I can’t imagine being anywhere else and feeling the same way. 
So what does it take to get people to contribute?  That’s my question.  I want what I write to inspire.  This school has 100% of the Board and faculty contributing but it’s always like pulling teeth to get donations from the parents.  That I just don’t get.  It’s not about the amount (of course the bigger the better, right!?) but participation.