The Catalyst to Choose Love



Qoya class during the 2013 Service & Safari Retreat

Earlier this year, I was invited to give a speech during Catalyst Week in Downtown Las Vegas. The speech was about a catalyst moment in my life. I chose to speak about going to Zimbabwe to adopt a baby in 2008, only to discover she died just before I arrived.

Betsy in Zimbabwe, 2008
Losing the baby was a catalyst moment because I had the choice to leave immediately and never return to Zimbabwe (which was my first instinct) or to stay in Zimbabwe and spend eight days grieving a baby in a country I'd never been to, among people I didn't know.

I stayed.

I spent most of the next eight days taking care of a crew of abandoned children that lived at a local hospital. They reminded me to go beyond the wounds and sadness and Choose Love.



December 2013
Some of the children supported by House of Loveness since 2009
By the end of the following year, I had returned to Zimbabwe seven times, and founded House of Loveness (HOL), an organization to care and educate abandoned and orphaned children.

Now, HOL has 501(c)3 status through the loving support of our fiscal sponsor From The Heart Productions. You can make a tax-deductible donation to any of the projects we support through the From The Heart Productions website.

Moyo, Photo courtesy Wild Is Life
This year, we are expanding our efforts to help with the animals which are the soul of the culture in Zimbabwe.

Our first project is to assist with the care and support of Moyo, a baby elephant that was found abandoned earlier this year.

Moyo was transferred to Wild is Life animal sanctuary where he has been being nursed back to life by Roxy Danckwerts and her team of animal handlers.

You can follow Moyo's story on the Wild is Life facebook page or donate towards Moyo's care on the Wild is Life website.

Or, you can meet Moyo in person and join us on the Second Annual Service & Safari Retreat with House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker.




Second Annual Service & Safari Retreat
Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2014 Zimbabwe

“Thank you so much for the adventure of a lifetime . It was an amazing, heart opening, inspirational journey.  I can't wait to come back!” -2013 retreat guest



The retreat includes service at local schools, seven magical nights and gourmet meals at a safari park with game drives, an elephant ride, rhino walk and horseback riding. 

Daily movement and meditation classes led by Qoya teacher Betsy Blankenbaker. 

Afternoon tea, champagne and a chance to meet Moyo at the Wild is Life Animal Sanctuary. 

A portion of the cost of the trip will be donated to towards The Bike Project (buying bikes for children in rural areas to get to school) and for Moyo's ongoing care.
 
Cost is $2,750 per person and includes 7 nights of shared accommodations in Zimbabwe, airport transfers, all meals and transportation within Zimbabwe, game drives, elephant ride, rhino walk, horseback ride. Daily Qoya classes. Price excludes air travel to and from Zimbabwe (flights to Harare HRE are about $1,500 from NYC). 

SPECIAL RATE before September 10, 2014 is $2,500 per person. A $500 non-refundable deposit holds your place. 

Balance of trip due October 10, 2014.  
Only 7 spots still available.

For more information or to pay by check contact: mybetsy@mac.com. 
Or reserve your spot online with a $500 deposit to From the Heart Productions.






“This experience has left an indelible mark in my heart, mind and soul.”
-2013 retreat guest

  
House of Loveness was founded in 2008 by filmmaker Betsy 
Blankenbaker to care and educate at-risk children in Zimbabwe
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