tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33751482922765228782024-03-19T06:05:15.168-07:00House of Loveness, Zimbabwebetsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-57054288843298359522014-09-04T08:54:00.000-07:002014-09-04T08:54:12.312-07:00A Different Set of Wheeels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqcmS4Mppb7hxgp3B3tWHgdWZLq2SlED2Q54iR1VIC41YnB_4UemNyv15ZHaJSYEjLKkTtSKxAf1nqo72YKEbHDcgwTH7_pR8oQZt16_A9qIDqSj7k-3qY6kH0d5kzu0sKlNqw6pGM2E/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqcmS4Mppb7hxgp3B3tWHgdWZLq2SlED2Q54iR1VIC41YnB_4UemNyv15ZHaJSYEjLKkTtSKxAf1nqo72YKEbHDcgwTH7_pR8oQZt16_A9qIDqSj7k-3qY6kH0d5kzu0sKlNqw6pGM2E/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Giving opens the way for receiving."</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> -Florence Scovel Shinn</span></b></i><br />
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Last November, we launched a campaign on IndieGoGo to buy a car to use for safe transport of the children supported through House of Loveness in Zimbabwe. Over a forty day period, we raised enough money from many small donations to buy a car (just over $6,000) that would be used to help transport the children to and from school and appointments. We looked at cars for several months, but the conditions of the used cars were less than ideal and there were concerns about the costs for ongoing maintenance.<br />
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We have decided to turn the car money into a large donation to buy bikes ($80 per bike) in a rural area for children to ride to school. It is a much better use of the funds and the bikes don't require expensive upkeep like the car (yes, we still need a car!). <br />
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The children receive the bikes on Monday and return the bikes on Friday. They are responsible for keeping the bikes in good condition to maintain bike privileges. The Bike Project is a way for the children to get to and from school in areas where they may walk to school up to 25km one way. It keeps them in school and safe.<br />
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The remainder of the money is set aside to cover private school fees ($1,250 a year) for several deserving children (abandoned or orphaned) in Zimbabwe.<br />
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Please let me know if you have any questions. I appreciate your ongoing support of House of Loveness.<br />
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There are still some places open on the <a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/House-of-Loveness-Hero.html" target="_blank">Service & Safari Retreat in Zimbabwe</a> November 29 - December 6, 2014. Our group will be staying at a Wildlife Conservation Park in the area serving the Bike project. Please join us and see the difference the bikes make in the lives of the children in that area.<br />
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Betsy Blankenbaker<br />
<i>Founder, House of Loveness</i><br />
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<br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-46560078003983878452014-07-29T10:27:00.000-07:002014-07-29T10:27:26.775-07:00The Catalyst to Choose Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qoya class during the 2013 Service & Safari Retreat</td></tr>
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Earlier this year, I was invited to give a speech during <a href="http://www.catalystweek.com/" target="_blank">Catalyst Week in Downtown Las Vegas</a>. The speech was about<a href="http://vimeo.com/86375701" target="_blank"> a catalyst moment in my life</a>. I chose to speak about going to Zimbabwe to adopt a baby in 2008, only to discover she died just before I arrived.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betsy in Zimbabwe, 2008</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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I stayed.<br />
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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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2013<br />Some of the children supported by House of Loveness since 2009</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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Now, HOL has 501(c)3 status through the loving support of our fiscal sponsor From The Heart Productions. <a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/House-of-Loveness-Hero.html" target="_blank">You can make a tax-deductible donation to any of the projects we support</a> through the From The Heart Productions website.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moyo, Photo courtesy Wild Is Life</td></tr>
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This year, we are expanding our efforts to help with the animals which are the soul of the culture in Zimbabwe.<br />
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Our first project is to assist with the care and support of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkBUZZ4UGA4#t=22" target="_blank">Moyo</a>, a baby elephant that was found abandoned earlier this year.<br />
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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.<br />
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You can follow Moyo's story on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WILDISLIFE" target="_blank">Wild is Life facebook</a> page or donate towards Moyo's care on the <a href="http://www.wildislife.com/" target="_blank">Wild is Life website.</a><br />
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Or, you can meet Moyo in person and join us on the Second Annual Service & Safari Retreat with House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Second Annual Service & Safari Retreat</span></div>
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Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2014 Zimbabwe</div>
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<b style="text-align: start;">“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</b></div>
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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. </div>
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Daily movement and meditation classes led by Qoya teacher Betsy Blankenbaker. </div>
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Afternoon tea, champagne and a chance to meet Moyo at the Wild is Life Animal Sanctuary. </div>
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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.</div>
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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). </div>
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<b>SPECIAL RATE before September 10, 2014 is $2,500 per person. </b><b>A $500 non-refundable deposit holds your place. </b></div>
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Balance of trip due October 10, 2014. </div>
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Only 7 spots still available.</div>
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For more information or to pay by check contact: <span class="s1"><a href="mailto:mybetsy@mac.com">mybetsy@mac.com</a>. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/House-of-Loveness-Hero.html" target="_blank">Or reserve your spot online with a $500 deposit to From the Heart Productions.</a></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>“This experience has left an indelible mark in my heart, mind and soul.”</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>-2013 retreat guest</b></span></div>
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House of Loveness was founded in 2008 by filmmaker Betsy </div>
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Blankenbaker <span style="text-align: center;">to care and educate at-risk children in Zimbabwe</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-of-Loveness-Zimbabwe/147831968597092" target="_blank">Follow our story on Facebook!</a></td></tr>
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<br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-79241132811097403362013-12-30T07:20:00.000-08:002013-12-30T07:20:50.997-08:00This is What Love Looks Like<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheepo 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheepo, abandoned 2008</td></tr>
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Thanks to your support and love Cheepo is well-fed, well-loved and starting second grade in January. Here are some other accomplishments of House of Loveness over the past year.</div>
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<span class="s1">With your support:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Provided 6,000 meals for children</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Provided salaries for one caregiver, two teachers and two assistants</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Supported pre-school for 20+children</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Provided primary school fees for 5 children</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Provided 8 bikes for children in rural area who otherwise would walk 25-50km a day to school</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Provided new shoes, clothes and backpacks for 30 children</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Launched The Gratitude House project in Zimbabwe</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Raised funds to buy car for safe transport of the children </span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Graduated 20 children from pre-school</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Hosted the first Service and Safari Retreat in Zimbabwe (next retreat is Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2014, please join us!)</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Together We are dreaming Bigger Dreams for the children of Zimbabwe in 2014. </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Thank you for your support!</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bike Project launched by Imirie Wildlife Conservation<br /><br />In 2013, the owners of Imirie raised enough money to provide 45 bikes for children in rural areas to ride to school (a 25-40km walk every day). House of Loveness donated an additional 8 bikes but we would love to give more (the school has 350 children).<b> Each bike is $80</b>. You can <a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/House-of-Loveness-Hero.html?page=1" target="_blank">support this project through a donation of $80 or more through our fiscal sponsor From The Heart Production (a 501c3)</a>. <br /><br />We will email you a photo of the Bike Project in Zimbabwe to thank you for your support. </td></tr>
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2014 Service & Safari Retreat</h3>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Join us in Zimbabwe Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2014 for our Second annual <i><b>Service and Safari Retreat</b></i> with daily Qoya classes by Qoya founder Rochelle Schieck. Only 11 spaces available. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/House-of-Loveness-Hero.html?page=1" target="_blank">A $500 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot!</a></span></div>
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<br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-38181218665479197922013-12-06T01:08:00.000-08:002013-12-06T01:08:33.773-08:00Making A Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.</b> <b>-Nelson Mandela</b></i></div>
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Last week at a small one room school in Zimbabwe, thirteen women from the US and UK cheered as twenty-two children graduated from the school House of Loveness supports in Zimbabwe. The women and two of their daughters were spending a week in Zimbabwe with House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker for a <a href="http://house-of-loveness.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/africa-is-not-for-sissies.html" target="_blank">Giving Thanks Service and Safari Retreat. </a> The retreat group gave their time and their money to <b>make a difference</b> in the lives of these children. </div>
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If you would like to join us in Zimbabwe in 2014, you can hold two spaces for 2014 retreat through a donation as a <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride" target="_blank">House of Loveness Hero </a>on the current IndieGoGo campaign. </div>
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We Need A Ride Campaign on IndieGoGo</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqwtzCDLjEmUnNKZT3AG_NQj_5kRkT5RAITf7NZKfWWKoa3Z4nZlxUp1F54oSinqnFY0gbaRo0f1FJxl0eBKD5B-AWFQS43lutm7XitNIRj6SqHMPLVB4alO4Dq8P9pREQAG7CRnCkvk/s1600/101_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqwtzCDLjEmUnNKZT3AG_NQj_5kRkT5RAITf7NZKfWWKoa3Z4nZlxUp1F54oSinqnFY0gbaRo0f1FJxl0eBKD5B-AWFQS43lutm7XitNIRj6SqHMPLVB4alO4Dq8P9pREQAG7CRnCkvk/s400/101_0338.JPG" width="400" /></a>Thanks to everyone who has supported the <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride" target="_blank"><i><b>We Need A Ride</b></i> </a>campaign for House of Loveness. We are so close to our goal!<br />
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There is still time to receive some great perks for your donation towards a new car for safe transport of the children in Zimbabwe. All money raised over the goal goes towards the continued care and education of children in Zimbabwe. We are so grateful for your support!<br />
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Here is the link to donate or to share.<br />
<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride">http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride</a><br />
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Gifts Ideas To Benefit House of Loveness</h2>
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Portland-based jewelry designer Lauren Harkness creates unique, sensual pieces of jewelry handmade with love. Harkness is donating a portion of sales through December 15 to several amazing organizations including House of Loveness. Visit her store in Portland or the website <a href="http://www.laurenharkness.com/">www.laurenharkness.com</a>. Use the code GENEROUS to save 40% and support great causes.</div>
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House of Loveness Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela</h3>
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betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-99959519127639852013-11-22T07:59:00.000-08:002013-11-22T07:59:01.354-08:00Following My Heart<h3>
"It is the heart that gives; the fingers just let go." -Ibo tribe, Nigeria</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE_toQJhdNvgSO8pNmPq9p6QA8wfVL1AZR-fb-chr7qDjki9UE-oMlAoo5LWoLAbze44T24D_tGWtkogIW0iEGRhwfqKiUfYkLfGvXKrmvYxvldXmmiyBg-mCf94OizkSuY4TwDQ1ztM/s1600/IMG_4408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE_toQJhdNvgSO8pNmPq9p6QA8wfVL1AZR-fb-chr7qDjki9UE-oMlAoo5LWoLAbze44T24D_tGWtkogIW0iEGRhwfqKiUfYkLfGvXKrmvYxvldXmmiyBg-mCf94OizkSuY4TwDQ1ztM/s320/IMG_4408.jpg" width="280" /></a>In the next 48 hours, ten women and two of their children are joining me for a <a href="http://house-of-loveness.blogspot.com/2013/06/africa-is-not-for-sissies.html" target="_blank">week long retreat</a> in Zimbabwe. I am filled with gratitude for the sacrifice they are making to leave their families during the Thanksgiving holiday, pack bags full of supplies to bring to the children and fly 20 plus hours to Zimbabwe. I have to believe the decision to come to Zimbabwe was made from their heart. Their head might have given them another answer. <br />
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On my first trip to Zimbabwe in 2008, I arrived to the news the baby I was to adopt had died. I spent eight days in Zimbabwe to get her buried and in my head I knew I never wanted to go back. But my heart led me to return again six weeks later with a wheelchair for Kuda, one of the abandoned children I met whose legs were so atrophied that he scooted on his hands across the dirty hospital floor. No one ever thought he would walk but I wanted him off that hospital floor so I brought him a wheelchair donated by Susan and Nick Noyes and <a href="http://www.makeitbetter.net/">www.makeitbetter.net</a>.<br />
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It's now five years later and I've returned to Zimbabwe nearly twenty times. Kuda doesn't need the wheelchair anymore, he is walking. Actually he is running.<br />
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I'm glad I listened to my heart.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjR00KEnjwrxj8Gr7cHP-qCMbNEFkAn41PwWuIdsoru1s0xSPgt9Nl5zyiEBUrVDT_ZcTg316PzjVyzNUP4uqEytAtAyJeZ7wBYNN8_7lKYz-CcrGDkICMYRbQylc0dmehDaYHFTyYFc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjR00KEnjwrxj8Gr7cHP-qCMbNEFkAn41PwWuIdsoru1s0xSPgt9Nl5zyiEBUrVDT_ZcTg316PzjVyzNUP4uqEytAtAyJeZ7wBYNN8_7lKYz-CcrGDkICMYRbQylc0dmehDaYHFTyYFc/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuda, November 2008</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWs2wVQkTSq_MCXnk7fRiBsWziu0oTQSrOPLViJZbdsIoYc04GtJ6bUk2KJrefXF_-F7bj2EujEk9kBbIF8QACpsEHk0IQPzi8cjDQt3NqIE0sqmvbIsDEAh0SA5Iy8k9rs2-lX1gQUfY/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWs2wVQkTSq_MCXnk7fRiBsWziu0oTQSrOPLViJZbdsIoYc04GtJ6bUk2KJrefXF_-F7bj2EujEk9kBbIF8QACpsEHk0IQPzi8cjDQt3NqIE0sqmvbIsDEAh0SA5Iy8k9rs2-lX1gQUfY/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="249" /></a>House of Loveness has a current campaign on IndieGoGo to raise funds to buy a car in Zimbabwe for safe transport for the children. One of the perks for a $60 donation is a heart stone hand made by a sculptor in Zim. <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride" target="_blank">We would love your support! </a> Other perks include a week long all expenses paid trip for two in Zimbabwe in 2014 (air fare not included) to visit the children, work at the school and spend time on safari.<br />
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All $10 donations receive a postcard from our holiday party in Zimbabwe. We would love to send out hundreds of postcards!<br />
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http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride<br />
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Sending love from Zimbabwe,<br />
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<i>Betsy Blankenbaker</i><br />
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betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-21598428020178178742013-11-09T06:02:00.000-08:002013-11-09T06:22:13.476-08:00Turning Rocks Into An Education<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker meeting Primrose (November 2008)</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">When I first met Primrose, she stared me down. She was only three years old but her gaze pierced my soul. She didn’t smile.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Primrose was ‘living’ in the children’s ward of a hospital in Zimbabwe but she wasn’t sick. She was abandoned, or a dumped baby, as they call them in Zim. There was no room in the nearby orphanages so Prim lived with six other dumbed babies in two cribs at the hospital. The week before there had been ten babies sharing the cribs but four of them died. I had arrived in Zimbabwe to adopt one of those babies, a five week old infant named Loveness. I buried her instead.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In a country where a child under the age of five has about the same chance of living as dying, I didn’t want to see Primrose and the other dumped babies left at the hospital. What kind of childhood is this?</span></div>
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With the help of friends and family, I founded House of Loveness, an NGO to provide emergency and longterm care for at-risk children in Zimbabwe. The children now live in a private home and are looked after by a wonderful GoGo (grandmother).<br />
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<span class="s1">In 2010 we gave the seed money to open a local school that educates thirty-six children. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">This Thanksgiving, House of Loveness is hosting a <a href="http://www.rochelleschieck.com/qoya-in-person/zimbabwe-qoya-service-retreat/" target="_blank">Service and Safari Retreat</a>. The trip is sold-out but there are more opportunities to join us in Zimbabwe in 2014 with a tax-deductible donation to our current fundraiser on <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride/x/19685" target="_blank">IndieGoGo</a>.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7G4rcWtqu0ZXWcAT1oCBkpMjuf_qZ0K_ICOJBcWYlw2FKiDZ0yVpk9xRlfCYHzWxraqMVrdXA4y8m60U8VUWZLRf7r69u4Tx-Bp_tH7M6oAnYbhHXSg24lDq32YAsH4fQM-qmeBbFek/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7G4rcWtqu0ZXWcAT1oCBkpMjuf_qZ0K_ICOJBcWYlw2FKiDZ0yVpk9xRlfCYHzWxraqMVrdXA4y8m60U8VUWZLRf7r69u4Tx-Bp_tH7M6oAnYbhHXSg24lDq32YAsH4fQM-qmeBbFek/s320/photo.JPG" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primrose 2013</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">It’s been five years since my first trip to Zimbabwe.</span> I am so grateful to all the wonderful helpers along the way who support House of Loveness. Please come visit us!</div>
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The future of Zimbabwe looks brighter through the eyes of these children.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tariro and Primrose (Jan. 2013)</td></tr>
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Turning Stones Into Hearts <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Sculptor Leofold Ndemera</h3>
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Local Zimbabwean sculptor Leofold Ndemera crafts beautiful hearts out of local stones. Your <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-a-ride/x/19685" target="_blank">purchase of a stone heart made with love in Zimbabwe</a> will fund the education and dreams of these remarkable children. </h3>
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betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-76471474709468380722013-10-22T06:49:00.000-07:002013-10-22T06:58:06.154-07:00Expanding Our Borders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Coming Home</span><br />
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This past week I arrived from the US into the airport at Shannon, Ireland. I was excited to be coming home. I've only been to Ireland a few times but each time I connected strongly with my Irish roots. My mother is a Murphy and her family immigrated to the US during the Irish potato famine in the 1850s along with two million other Irish people who left their homeland to start new lives in the US, Canada and Great Britain. <br />
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When I passed my passport through the hole in the glass to the customs agent at the airport, he thumbed through my passport at the pages and pages of stamps, including one from being in Ireland just a month ago. Then he glanced at my customs form.<br />
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"You're a teacher?"<br />
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"I teach a movement class for women," I responded, not going into the explanation of <a href="http://www.rochelleschieck.com/" target="_blank">Qoya</a>, the class I would be teaching in Ireland this week.<br />
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He scanned my passport.<br />
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"You travel for fun?" he asked. "Why are you going to all these places?"<br />
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I didn't know how to answer his questions. I travel to discover, to connect and to follow my curiosity. I travel to be of service. I travel for stories and for inspiration. <br />
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"Why are you back in Ireland so soon?" he continued.<br />
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How do I explain how clean the energy feels in Ireland? Or that I'm teaching a class that is helping women to connect to their sacred source of wisdom on an island the ancient Greek considered to be the Body of the Goddess? And, I want to finish writing my book on the land that has nurtured many writers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianLBwG3NMIliDKlNEPLy8VccDE-md81cd0re_PjPXio324tJDnip6MISLsMfTAGD7ML42SvfbTgB7wDvgnXoEAbPG7PMbyUUGaW-0JtE2Qtm7zpTJeH-pW_6GSCCzdbpp9Gc3VOyti5Y/s1600/IMG_9745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianLBwG3NMIliDKlNEPLy8VccDE-md81cd0re_PjPXio324tJDnip6MISLsMfTAGD7ML42SvfbTgB7wDvgnXoEAbPG7PMbyUUGaW-0JtE2Qtm7zpTJeH-pW_6GSCCzdbpp9Gc3VOyti5Y/s320/IMG_9745.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costa Rica 2013 photo by Lori Berkowitz</td></tr>
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"I'm visiting friends," I said. <br />
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The customs agent slowly inspected the pages of my passport: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Norway, Ireland, England. And those were just the stamps from the past year. It felt odd to be questioned about wanting to come back into a country where I have roots. Why do we have borders stopping us from going anywhere in the world?<br />
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<i>It made me wonder what borders we put on ourselves and how we live every day? Who do we need to give us permission?</i><br />
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He finally pressed his stamp firmly down on one of the few open spaces on my passport and slid my passport back to me and without another word, waved me through. I think my Irish ancestors must have been smiling.<br />
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Next month, I will be returning to Zimbabwe to host the <a href="http://www.rochelleschieck.com/qoya-in-person/zimbabwe-qoya-service-retreat/" target="_blank">Giving Thanks Service and Safari retreat with Qoya founder Rochelle Schieck.</a> Women from the US and UK will be joining us for a week of service at the school supported by House of Loveness, a visit to <a href="http://wildislife.org/www.wildislife.org/The_Wild_story.html" target="_blank">Wild is Life Animal Sanctuary</a>, games drives at a safari park and daily Qoya classes.<br />
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<b><a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/House-of-Loveness-Hero.html?page=1" target="_blank">There are a few spots still open for the retreat</a>.</b><br />
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If the soul of Africa is calling you (and you would like to wake up and<a href="http://house-of-loveness.blogspot.ie/2013/09/springtime-in-zimbabwe.html" target="_blank"> go for a walk with a rhino</a>), please consider joining us for a magical week in Zimbabwe.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker at home in Zimbabwe</td></tr>
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<br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-33624156584360827492013-09-17T17:08:00.003-07:002013-09-17T17:08:36.314-07:00Springtime In Zimbabwe<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VQdN8Ub4xbJilVQyesO8E_LOdx6Lz2ysfDeBJXTceARj_rzKcOCPglWbRdEBRHprRtC9bxRXrNduF8p9vq5noLNf4SlV8_yD7gKxm154_o2wd5vfN-WLIzIwY6-C3beTqS59fcaJ82w/s1600/making+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VQdN8Ub4xbJilVQyesO8E_LOdx6Lz2ysfDeBJXTceARj_rzKcOCPglWbRdEBRHprRtC9bxRXrNduF8p9vq5noLNf4SlV8_yD7gKxm154_o2wd5vfN-WLIzIwY6-C3beTqS59fcaJ82w/s200/making+friends.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making friends at Wild Is Life</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">I spent a week in Zimbabwe in August. I really didn't want go. I'm so grateful I got on the plane anyway.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Before I left, I was feeling frustrated about the recent elections in Zim and how the results would affect the citizens. I was also frustrated because House of Loveness needs a new car (the kids are taking buses and hitching rides to school). I was frustrated because I desire to move the children to a better home but we don’t have enough money to make it possible. I was frustrated because we are having problems getting birth certificates for the (abandoned) kids and they need these to go to boarding school. I also felt pressure to stay in the US for the release of my new film so I could pay my own bills. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The trip ended up being filled with deep connection to the children, the animals, the people, the land and the sunsets. My frustrations turned to gratitude.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKcemvvwGlEiF2okySwV20ItocgxIvowQt115UhTf0aefdFLzkAgQ1-jHxwdSxxsU9VDVM32DsTP915-GTGevKkEZy4j7Bk7HcoO0RBtkHlfEEnPrWS0dmzUUAHuodfrhftt-kjk1zQA/s1600/photo+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKcemvvwGlEiF2okySwV20ItocgxIvowQt115UhTf0aefdFLzkAgQ1-jHxwdSxxsU9VDVM32DsTP915-GTGevKkEZy4j7Bk7HcoO0RBtkHlfEEnPrWS0dmzUUAHuodfrhftt-kjk1zQA/s200/photo+copy.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My walk with Tatenda</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">My first morning in Zimbabwe, I woke up early for a walk with three rhinos in <a href="http://www.imire.org/" target="_blank">Imirie safari park</a> as the sun was rising. That afternoon, I spent time with a beloved shaman who gives healing and hope to Zimbabweans while taking care of many local children who otherwise would go without. </span><br />
<span class="s1">In the following days, I enjoyed time with locals <a href="http://www.borrowdalecountrymanor.co.zw/catering.php" target="_blank">Ann Hamilton-King</a> and her husband Roger. Ann has been a mentor, sister and inspiration to me in Zimbabwe. Roger, an interior designer originally from England, has Alzheimer’s and I’m always grateful when he remembers me on my return trips to Zim. During an afternoon tea in a local restaurant, I even met a couple who knew a person I met on a ship two years ago. </span>The world is indeed small. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bjBgXTay5u3dI0gExfKTy-5qrSYkbQrz5ZcPWfXpTaDnZq2mPz0YFt3QOFJ9Jta6O8-s0h1RtjnM9nVNTyob5G8HFaXF0qVTz3JqBIdcyPICsihptdhW0FhRhfp3nMUgX1IT0mwj0JQ/s1600/prim2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bjBgXTay5u3dI0gExfKTy-5qrSYkbQrz5ZcPWfXpTaDnZq2mPz0YFt3QOFJ9Jta6O8-s0h1RtjnM9nVNTyob5G8HFaXF0qVTz3JqBIdcyPICsihptdhW0FhRhfp3nMUgX1IT0mwj0JQ/s200/prim2.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primrose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHLWUi-b310hbaISiO9_1GxnGZ0S6Vz4AFntO5IJ8eIlHAA9DWeVvZRcNtGxE3MLZ26J73jo76DLptCBNgqSjMGu8ls6If6K3pDSIevVBqOBOae-bDIa5N2crIAN30sAzzw9EMn9uzDI/s1600/report+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHLWUi-b310hbaISiO9_1GxnGZ0S6Vz4AFntO5IJ8eIlHAA9DWeVvZRcNtGxE3MLZ26J73jo76DLptCBNgqSjMGu8ls6If6K3pDSIevVBqOBOae-bDIa5N2crIAN30sAzzw9EMn9uzDI/s200/report+card.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tariro's report card</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">It was fun to see the recent report cards of the children. Tariro was one of the sickest children we took in four years ago. She is now number #1 in her class. Her report card is glowing. Primrose’s report card was not as good. Her teacher writes she needs improvement. In everything. What her report card doesn’t reflect is the happiness in her smile and the dance in her step. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">A highlight of my trip was a visit to the <a href="http://wildislife.org/www.wildislife.org/The_Wild_story.html" target="_blank">Wild is Life</a> animal sanctuary founded by Zimbabwean <a href="http://wildislife.org/www.wildislife.org/The_wild_me.html" target="_blank">Roxy Danckwerts</a>. This is a woman truly living her passion. Roxy’s home sits at the base of the property that has been taking over by a collection of animals brought to her who were abandoned, orphaned, abused or very sick. One by one, Roxy nurtures each animal back to life and gives them a place to live out their lives. Roxy is as remarkable as the animals she cares for. <a href="http://wildislife.org/www.wildislife.org/How_to_Donate.html" target="_blank">Please support her work</a>. Or even better, make time to visit the Wild Is Life animal sanctuary when you come to Zimbabwe.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger, Ann, Betsy, Roxy with Matthew and Marimba at Wild Is Life Animal Sandtuary</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_K-yFB-E9keN4dicLqMhxbIehm9ZlvnBpwzZHojfC9DP6EvSOJUs1O0iCCA4PjJUYrrYWi1ONZgxGk8sS7W-SblROHwiIo56kAQY9k-qXSU8ZYWAVFThFQE6iP04iOVwpueF8pq-50k/s1600/wild-is-life-trust-the.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_K-yFB-E9keN4dicLqMhxbIehm9ZlvnBpwzZHojfC9DP6EvSOJUs1O0iCCA4PjJUYrrYWi1ONZgxGk8sS7W-SblROHwiIo56kAQY9k-qXSU8ZYWAVFThFQE6iP04iOVwpueF8pq-50k/s320/wild-is-life-trust-the.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxy Danckwerts with Joe</td></tr>
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The sanctuary is open five days a week for small groups to visit the animals. A highlight was watching the lions being fed and meeting a sweet pangolin, a nearly extinct species that dates back 50 million years. Marimba had just lost its mate the week before and it was beautiful to see the bond between this mammal and caretaker.<span class="s1"></span></div>
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<span class="s1">After a tour of the lions and cheetas housed by Wild Is Life, we enjoyed an afternoon tea on the property with visits from Mirabelle, a young giraffe, and other animals who were happy to share their space with our group of visitors. Our evening ended with <a href="http://wildislife.org/www.wildislife.org/Grand_Champagne_Bar.html" target="_blank">rose champagne and savory </a>appetizers as the deep orange sun was setting. In the background, we heard a chorus of lions roaring in the nearby cages, reminding us of the sacredness of Africa. I felt privileged to be sharing the same space with these beautiful animals. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjLV3FxfcD6aV9YebQiC9bHQCuQuZHAPCXJYfgDS6AsGO-Co145Ra12rD1Q_2mqjDP95sJXttAS-vaNXbYyMc8_og5ruFq3pvyANNhwo8JD7pDYjTZlVzezhHtQclAAF4u8sL0BaxP18/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjLV3FxfcD6aV9YebQiC9bHQCuQuZHAPCXJYfgDS6AsGO-Co145Ra12rD1Q_2mqjDP95sJXttAS-vaNXbYyMc8_og5ruFq3pvyANNhwo8JD7pDYjTZlVzezhHtQclAAF4u8sL0BaxP18/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the time I left Zimbabwe on August 22 to head to NYC for the release of my new <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/aperfectmatch" target="_blank">film</a>, I knew the right Helpers would show up at the perfect time to buy a car for children's safe travel, I knew we would eventually find a house in Zimbabwe and money to buy it so the children have a better place to sleep and I knew Primrose would eventually focus in school and get grades that reflected her abilities.<br />
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The Zimbabweans were filled with so much hope, it reminded me to do the same.</div>
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I will return to Zimbabwe in November with seventeen people for a Giving Thanks Service & Safari retreat with <a href="http://www.rochelleschieck.com/" target="_blank">Qoya founder Rochelle Schieck</a>. The trip is sold-out but please email me at <a href="mailto:mybetsy@mac.com"><span class="s2">mybetsy@mac.com</span></a> if you would like to be on a mailing list for future trips. We have plans for Service & Safari trip in March/April and a two week summer program for ages 17-22. <br />
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With love from Zimbabwe,<br />
Betsy</div>
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<i>Special Thanks to Carole Dean and From The Heart Productions. FTHP, a 501c3 serves as a fiscal sponsor<u> </u><a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/House-of-Loveness-Hero.html?page=1" target="_blank">for House of Loveness, Zimbabwe</a></i></div>
betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-80696278736797668592013-06-15T15:14:00.000-07:002013-06-15T15:14:15.864-07:00Africa is not for sissies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDMRu_tWqz2ppgwETBuZwv6roAgoiPQCV5WMwWZjlsFziW3Rt6i8o77YQhDFJzh70iJi4ODirm1IOFtGmzzmiKKpU6UxQtsbUypWKbZvkon9W40R6PMCyuy2-TBhgRtB8VOc-4Z37IhQ/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDMRu_tWqz2ppgwETBuZwv6roAgoiPQCV5WMwWZjlsFziW3Rt6i8o77YQhDFJzh70iJi4ODirm1IOFtGmzzmiKKpU6UxQtsbUypWKbZvkon9W40R6PMCyuy2-TBhgRtB8VOc-4Z37IhQ/s400/IMG_1717.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<i><b>The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. -Gandhi </b></i><i><b> </b></i><br />
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During trips to Zimbabwe, I end most days sitting on the verandah
of the B&B I stay at when I'm visiting the children supported
through House of Loveness. After a day of travel to villages and working with the children, I enjoy digesting the day as I watch
the African sky change from blue to a rainbow of soft colors as the sun is
setting.<br />
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One evening a man on the porch greeted me as I took a
seat. He was Zimbabwean and was surprised to hear my American accent. He didn't live in Zimbabwe anymore. He was even more surprised when I told him I traveled
alone to Zimbabwe (and other parts of Africa) several times a year.</div>
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<b>"Africa is not for sissies," he said to me. </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLTExhP3tdR2WXbAYqPs3iMrnVbSvHw5m5JsQjK8ezbhE3qh_UIInhUufHcQsyKd0i2iz0yqbtSQo4CiyQsKAJAxeBVrVI2V6tAwJX4LUG_0JQXLmTlOBSUk4KhGeUb7z-OiRnwkKeHM/s1600/IMG_3866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLTExhP3tdR2WXbAYqPs3iMrnVbSvHw5m5JsQjK8ezbhE3qh_UIInhUufHcQsyKd0i2iz0yqbtSQo4CiyQsKAJAxeBVrVI2V6tAwJX4LUG_0JQXLmTlOBSUk4KhGeUb7z-OiRnwkKeHM/s320/IMG_3866.jpg" width="240" /></a> He had a hard time understanding why I would come to Zimbabwe to help
the children, rather than just go on a vacation and relax at the beach. <br />
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I do get the benefits of a vacation when I'm in Zimbabwe (tourism and
recreation) but I also benefit from the self-discovery that comes with
being out of my comfort zone and being of service to others. <br />
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On a traditional vacation, I return home many times feeling exhausted. When I return from my retreats to Zimbabwe, I feel energized from spending so much time in nature and more alive from being engaged with people, especially with children who need our help. <br />
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It's been a desire to share the beauty and soul of Zimbabwe with others. Later this year, I am leading a retreat to Zimbabwe (November 23-30, 2013). Our group will spend time working at a local school, visiting a local hospital and orphanage, and ending every day on the verandah before we enjoy a delicious meal together. Daily meditation and movement classes will be offered by <a href="http://www.rochelleschieck.com/why-qoya-2/about-rochelle/" target="_blank">Qoya founder Rochelle Schieck</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsErQDq25OLdZBeuH1MO6CmZ-kkMQnaBUZiuL1Ktf0sGB1r7Qi6Krl5-dcQsTWM41mUd6YtDOuzSYyGvPPOelSS-HxJKgyjokDLFXvJaa6s3IIK3S-9kDkzdllfCcH2rPtrIooswz_kG4/s1600/IMG_4425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsErQDq25OLdZBeuH1MO6CmZ-kkMQnaBUZiuL1Ktf0sGB1r7Qi6Krl5-dcQsTWM41mUd6YtDOuzSYyGvPPOelSS-HxJKgyjokDLFXvJaa6s3IIK3S-9kDkzdllfCcH2rPtrIooswz_kG4/s320/IMG_4425.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your breakfast table at the safari park.</td></tr>
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The second part of the trip will be spent on safari where we continue
our Qoya classes followed by daily game drives, horseback riding, rhino walks and dance parties in the
evening under the magic of the African sky. <br />
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Thanksgiving Day (for anyone coming
from the US) will begin with the option of an elephant ride at sunrise,
a game drive and a lavish Thanksgiving Day buffet in the safari park,
featuring a few surprise guests.<br />
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So do you need a vacation this year, or maybe a retreat instead? Only seven spots (of 10) still open. If you reserve your place by July 1, you save $250.<br />
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<a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/product.php?productid=17589&cat=252&page=2" target="_blank">Click here to reserve your spot with a $750 deposit</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RvkciCoA2FJnxoxEe1FkOqekE8KDHsGINt-Vp9xqnWR9xTW4fEG1pajW9LWgTgadPSU0ssa2T2bj4R290Q_OgLIMGz27f7pd6vzoCKtqASURN6EBkD2i0VHjkuMYxqhsrIyEjbperDg/s1600/IMG_4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RvkciCoA2FJnxoxEe1FkOqekE8KDHsGINt-Vp9xqnWR9xTW4fEG1pajW9LWgTgadPSU0ssa2T2bj4R290Q_OgLIMGz27f7pd6vzoCKtqASURN6EBkD2i0VHjkuMYxqhsrIyEjbperDg/s320/IMG_4745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker in Zimbabwe</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Will you be Giving Thanks in Zimbabwe November 23-30, 2013?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">House of Loveness Service & Safari Retreat </span><br />
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<span class="s1">Join House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker and Qoya founder Rochelle Schieck.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Includes daily Qoya classes led by Rochelle, <b>three days of service at local school and hospital</b>, <b>three magical nights at a safari park with daily game drives,</b> an elephant ride, rhino walk and horseback riding. <b>A special Thanksgiving Day celebration in Zimbabwe</b> (Thursday, Nov. 28) includes a game drive to see elephants, lions, zebras and rhinos followed by a beautiful buffet in the safari park surrounded by the natural beauty of Zimbabwe, with a few surprise guests. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Cost $3,000</b> includes 7 nights of shared accommodations in Zimbabwe, airport transfers, all meals & transportation within Zimbabwe, game drives, elephant ride, rhino walk, horseback ride and special welcome presentation from local Zimbabweans.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Excludes air travel to and from Zimbabwe. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">SPECIAL RATE before July 1, 2013 $2,750 ($250 discount). </span><br />
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<span class="s1">*The Qoya classes are for women only but you are welcome to bring your partner or children on the trip (same price). For more information: <a href="mailto:mybetsy@mac.com"><span class="s2">mybetsy@mac.com</span></a> </span></div>
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<span class="s1">House of Loveness was founded in 2008 by filmmaker Betsy Blankenbaker to care and educate at-risk children in Zimbabwe. <a href="http://www.house-of-loveness.blogspot.com/"><span class="s2">www.house-of-loveness.blogspot.com</span></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVE9s9UZmprJCLH1M41W-LiEmXTb_cBJLu4e7RPFl5NaOb9usGQ8mgqzrWcCm8pN_SuOTRQp3b3_mIe0Q8pc0NwQtADm6QuC_SxqAaieeT0wHL3-b4lH-OsxWULpJUxSu_qy1L7JkKRE/s1600/IMG_3516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVE9s9UZmprJCLH1M41W-LiEmXTb_cBJLu4e7RPFl5NaOb9usGQ8mgqzrWcCm8pN_SuOTRQp3b3_mIe0Q8pc0NwQtADm6QuC_SxqAaieeT0wHL3-b4lH-OsxWULpJUxSu_qy1L7JkKRE/s320/IMG_3516.JPG" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day 2012 in Zimbabwe </td></tr>
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betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-18283223380772371912013-04-27T06:37:00.000-07:002013-04-27T06:37:09.238-07:00Giving Thanks in Africa: Join us November 23-30, 2013<br />
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<b><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdnyTVLc0CWFnoGwdqIrGbqASz3WH7jAHVVXFUySQWuTbl0ImnCOna-ZY5XAmIfZ1Z1Aembk3bMUBOEREoN4GbGQIsTpWKibEAmCk1o_nVTTaCA64DJQmduau1e6SGgWWHjMCjAhu4ig/s1600/IMG_4454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdnyTVLc0CWFnoGwdqIrGbqASz3WH7jAHVVXFUySQWuTbl0ImnCOna-ZY5XAmIfZ1Z1Aembk3bMUBOEREoN4GbGQIsTpWKibEAmCk1o_nVTTaCA64DJQmduau1e6SGgWWHjMCjAhu4ig/s320/IMG_4454.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">"</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy."</i></b><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px;"><b>-Ernest Hemingway</b></i></div>
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The air in Zimbabwe is called champagne air. It's crisp and bubbly, like the tingle of the first sip of champagne on your lips. It makes you want slow down and savor every moment. <br />
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Zimbabwe sits a mile above sea level just north of the border of South Africa and while news reports may keep you from coming to Zimbabwe perhaps you will listen to the whispers of your soul, come to Zimbabwe and take a deep breath in. <br />
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I have been going to Zimbabwe several times a year since 2008. There is something about the champagne air, the kind smiles of the locals, the dreamy colors of the sunsets, the radiance of the stars lighting the dark African sky, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-sissons/zimbabwes-safari-industry_b_943066.html" target="_blank">the beauty of seeing elephants and rhinos living in their natural environment</a>. <br />
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There is something about the spirit of the Zimbabwean people that remind me to live in a <a href="http://house-of-loveness.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=4" target="_blank">state of gratitude</a>, giving thanks for the sunrise everyday, giving thanks for unexpected rains, just giving thanks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjypa4ZBU35diBb5c2JVLmOAjYAJ21MnYhNBNcZ4YOWXoIjjPBj_bKXtXAlfP4i7BY-RUnDMV1NmQr8Ow2fn3yY5-lFv5hQIJYmAlbr9FXL_vcrKoq3co3PH70LN2dZOPT5VQBQmwGtE/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjypa4ZBU35diBb5c2JVLmOAjYAJ21MnYhNBNcZ4YOWXoIjjPBj_bKXtXAlfP4i7BY-RUnDMV1NmQr8Ow2fn3yY5-lFv5hQIJYmAlbr9FXL_vcrKoq3co3PH70LN2dZOPT5VQBQmwGtE/s200/IMG_4542.JPG" width="144" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ9sdb0N9IoAH_w6EZ4S_Qkc9ECgqbfPjjZdjTSsyZJBOdNJe4MYn1GyHFE4GuHNUm8arP5yiKAsQvUiAlB3Gyy1ek4uOtttXKdQr7r-S5OSvvufBwGIwbBHgXuONRMaAIbZse3JD9fU/s1600/messagepart-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ9sdb0N9IoAH_w6EZ4S_Qkc9ECgqbfPjjZdjTSsyZJBOdNJe4MYn1GyHFE4GuHNUm8arP5yiKAsQvUiAlB3Gyy1ek4uOtttXKdQr7r-S5OSvvufBwGIwbBHgXuONRMaAIbZse3JD9fU/s320/messagepart-2.jpg" width="320" /></a>This November, over (the U.S.) Thanksgiving week, we are offering a very special <b>Giving Thanks</b> <b>Service & Safari trip to Zimbabwe</b> with the <b><a href="http://www.rochelleschieck.com/why-qoya-2/about-rochelle/" target="_blank">founder of Qoya, Rochelle Schieck</a></b>. <br />
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Join House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker November 23-30, 2013 for daily<a href="http://www.embodyqoya.com/?page=aboutqoya" target="_blank"> Qoya classes lead by Rochelle</a> under the African sky, three days of service at a local school and hospital followed by three magical nights at a <a href="http://www.imire.org/" target="_blank">safari park </a>with daily game drives, Qoya classes, a sunrise elephant ride, rhino walk and horseback riding. </div>
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Your <b>Thanksgiving Day in Zimbabwe</b> (Thursday, Nov. 28) will be celebrated with a game drive to see elephants, lions, zebras and rhinos followed by a beautiful buffet in the safari park surrounded by the natural beauty of Zimbabwe, with a few special guests. In the evening, we will do a community Qoya class under the African sky.<br />
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<b>This is a once-in-lifetime trip. Will you join us? Only TEN spots available.</b></div>
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<b>Cost is $3,000</b> and includes 7 nights of shared accommodations in Zimbabwe, all meals and transportation within Zimbabwe, game drives, elephant ride, rhino walk, horseback ride and special welcome presentation from<a href="http://www.borrowdalecountrymanor.co.zw/catering.php" target="_blank"> Zimbabwean Ann Hamilton-King</a>. A portion of your trip costs goes towards the education of children in Zimbabwe.<br />
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Price excludes air travel to and from Zimbabwe. Flights should be booked to Harare (HRE). You are required to have travel insurance for trip, available through http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com (or sometimes through your credit card)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Special rate <span style="font-size: large;">o</span>f $2,750 if you book before July 1, 2013 </span><br />
<a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/product.php?productid=17589&cat=252&page=1" target="_blank"> Click here (link takes you to fiscal sponsor, fill in amount to purchase trip)</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Qoya classes are for women only but you are welcome to bring a partner or children with you to Zimbabwe. Please email Betsy if you have more questions: mybetsy@mac.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here is a sneak peek <span style="font-size: x-small;">of</span> the schedule:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">House of Loveness Service & Safari Qoya Retreat with Rochelle Schieck November 23-30, 2013</span></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJNyHdRWyHQjAnyeMN9dZGM25BWxEgO7bUEctmVXy0nTGuWQBIpdooPK8sEfnWoWfeIZj6Huq47HwbP4h3bNRBdLDRuqW0cSF8lLUCAcE1y8pt9W-__7D8pWY_5w3egnCnQ7tkdON4mY/s1600/IMG_4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJNyHdRWyHQjAnyeMN9dZGM25BWxEgO7bUEctmVXy0nTGuWQBIpdooPK8sEfnWoWfeIZj6Huq47HwbP4h3bNRBdLDRuqW0cSF8lLUCAcE1y8pt9W-__7D8pWY_5w3egnCnQ7tkdON4mY/s200/IMG_4745.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JUZJkmTpvw0yAUyI760qTK7tQ5YpKMZszSz0Wr4fCTqBonRediAG_c2sE7D-ps6RxQCA1KfylBlnjrqEc8j7j4XmNsR3Bm_AQC6EL3wBSoM2n9TH3vM9SRvi3SoAwuzoaI6sf8-kGXA/s1600/IMG_4736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JUZJkmTpvw0yAUyI760qTK7tQ5YpKMZszSz0Wr4fCTqBonRediAG_c2sE7D-ps6RxQCA1KfylBlnjrqEc8j7j4XmNsR3Bm_AQC6EL3wBSoM2n9TH3vM9SRvi3SoAwuzoaI6sf8-kGXA/s200/IMG_4736.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;">Saturday, November 23th Travel Day (Arrival)</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All day arrivals into Harare (HRE) Z<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">i</span></span>mbabwe<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">, </span></span>transportation </span></span><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: x-small;">to</span><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.borrowdalecountrymanor.co.zw/the_brook.php" style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Borrowdale B&B </a><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6pm Welcome Dinner<br />8pm Opening Circle and Gentle Qoya class before bedtime</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunday, November 24th Welcome to Zimbabwe</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7.30-8am Morning breathing exercises, Meditation </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">8-9am Breakfast<br />9:30-12 Qoya class in garden</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">1-2pm Lunch</span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2-5pm Afternoon free time<br />5-6pm Welcome to Zimbabwe by local Ann Hamilton-King 6-7:30pm Dinner<br />7:45pm-9pm Gentle Qoya/Meditation before bedtime</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Monday, November 25th Service with House of Loveness</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7-8am Morning breathing exercises, Qoya<br />8-9am Breakfast<br />9:15am Transportation to HOL sponsored school<br />10am-1pm Small teaching groups, Qoya class<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">,</span></span> lunch with the children </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">Qoya founder Rochelle <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">Schieck</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1pm Transportation to local hospital</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1:30pm Tea with hospital officials followed by tour of children’s ward </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3pm Transporation to B&B<br />4-6pm Free time<br />6-7:30pm Dinner</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7:45pm-9pm Gentle Qoya/Meditation before bedtime</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tuesday, November 26th Service with House of Loveness</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7-8am Morning breathing exercises, Qoya<br />8-9am Breakfast<br />9:15am Transportation to HOL sponsored school<br />10am-1pm Small teaching groups, Qoya class with locals, lunch with the children </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1pm Transportation to craft market</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3pm Transporation to B&B<br />4-6pm Free time<br />6-7:30pm Dinner<br />7:45pm-9pm Gentle Qoya/Meditation before bedtime</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wednesday, November 27th Service <span style="font-size: x-small;">& </span>Safari Day</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7-8am Morning breathing exercises, Qoya in garden<br />8-9am Breakfast<br />9:15am Transportation to HOL sponsored school<br />10am-1pm Qoya class and party (at school) for locals and children </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1pm Transportation to Safari Park (box lunches) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5n7dlAbPaOyvif66StXxRulfdLn8rwsx7XDXYCUrOF82PBe6SWiQh4lYETP7v1-oGWZ7DrJmLPRwJjqymuMnczXgD98Kf92Ce3pYJO7AeboGleqR9ZHX4yW-Empjdcpj2VCaWpSj0uo/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5n7dlAbPaOyvif66StXxRulfdLn8rwsx7XDXYCUrOF82PBe6SWiQh4lYETP7v1-oGWZ7DrJmLPRwJjqymuMnczXgD98Kf92Ce3pYJO7AeboGleqR9ZHX4yW-Empjdcpj2VCaWpSj0uo/s200/IMG_2968.jpg" width="163" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3pm Check-in at Safari lodge<br />4-6pm Sundowners and Sunset Game Ride </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6.30-8pm Dinner<br />8-9pm Outdoor Circle & Dancing at Fire Pit</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thursday, November 28th On Safari (Thanksgiving Day in the US)</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7-8:30am Morning breathing exercises, Qoya in garden<br />8:30-9am Breakfast<br />9:30-3.30pm Game Drive and Thanksgiving Day Brunch (with surprise guests!) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4-6pm Free Time, Swim, Rest<br />6.30-8pm Dinner<br />8-9.30pm Thanksgiving Gratitude Despacho <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;">&</span></span> Qoya<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT;"> </span></span> at Fire Pit</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Friday, November 29th On Safari</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6-8am Sunrise Elephant Ride </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">8-9am Breakfast<br />9:30-Noon Qoya class in garden <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUGJN_UhjRTP-kocv0ZQzMyGMBX4rVul-RMTeYCb8927beeW66JeKlcwOFnMJC_9l0JhyQJXSwEvM15BXM7bouYMx1yaPK_D9aCjRHBCrRlPVrqod4_roTSJTWhygRk7NVssmSudvnw/s1600/IMG_4163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOUGJN_UhjRTP-kocv0ZQzMyGMBX4rVul-RMTeYCb8927beeW66JeKlcwOFnMJC_9l0JhyQJXSwEvM15BXM7bouYMx1yaPK_D9aCjRHBCrRlPVrqod4_roTSJTWhygRk7NVssmSudvnw/s320/IMG_4163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">12.30-1.30pm Lunch</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3-5pm Free Time, Swim, Rest<br />5-7pm Sunset Game Drive<br />7.30-9pm Dinner<br />9-11pm Closing Ceremony and Qoya Dance Party under the African Sky</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Saturday, November 30th Travel Day (Departure)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6-8am Sunrise Elephant Ride </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ArialMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">8-9am Breakfast<br />10am Transportation to airport (book flights out of HRE for 1pm or after) </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Saturday, November 30 - Monday, December 2 </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Optional two night add-on to Victoria Falls if there is enough interest. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please email mybetsy@mac.com for more information.</span></span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where will you be this Thanksgiving? <a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/product.php?productid=17589&cat=252&page=1" target="_blank">Reserve your spot today.</a> </b></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” </span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/875661.Rumi" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Rumi</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">House of Loveness is grateful to have <b>From The Heart Productions</b> as <span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span> fiscal sponsor. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> FTHP is a 501 C 3 organization </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Donations can be made to FTHP for the benefit of House of Loveness </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">For more information on FTHP<span style="font-size: x-small;">: fromtheheartproductions.com</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/product.php?productid=17588&cat=252&page=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clic<span style="font-size: x-small;">k here to</span></span> make a do<span style="font-size: x-small;">nation</span></a> </span></span></i><br />
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betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-76298338741360756262013-04-26T12:08:00.000-07:002013-04-26T12:08:17.627-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first trip to Zimbabwe in 2008</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px;"><b>"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find how you yourself have altered."</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px;"><b> -Nelson Mandela</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I
have been traveling to Africa several times a year since 2008 when I
went to Zimbabwe with dreams of adopting a baby girl that had been
abandoned. She was named Loveness by the hospital staff who <span style="font-size: small;">cared for her</span>
after she was delivered to the hospital in a dirty wheelbarrow. A
local man had found Loveness and three other babies, all a few <span style="font-size: small;">weeks</span>
old, abandoned in the nearby fields. This was the height of the cholera
epidemic and the collapse of the economy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After I received the call about Loveness, I
arrived in Zimbabwe a few weeks later with six suitcases of supplies
for the babies donated by friends and family in the United States. <span style="font-size: small;"></span>I was <span style="font-size: small;">thrilled</span> <span style="font-size: small;">to becom<span style="font-size: small;">e</span> a mother again.</span> Sadly, <span style="font-size: small;"></span>I arrived to the news that the baby I wanted to
adopt died a few days earlier. <i> I've read that sometimes the worst thing
that can happen in your life, can pave the way for some of the best
things to happen.</i> That's what happened to me in Zimbabwe. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOL founder Betsy with Cheepo in 2009</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I founded House of Loveness (HOL) to care
and educate at-risk children out of a desire to help some
of the abandoned children I met that first trip.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Cheepo, Kuda, Primrose and
Tariro lived in the children's ward of the hospital where Loveness was
being cared for <span style="font-size: small;">before she died</span>. They shared <span style="font-size: small;">cribs</span> and <span style="font-size: small;">clothing</span> and<span style="font-size: small;"> used old</span> towels for diapers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After burying Loveness on December 2, 20<span style="font-size: small;">08</span>, the matron of the hospital
helped me move the children into a private home with a caregiver. They
had little chance of survival at the hospital. That trip, I left Zimbabwe without a baby but I did have a list of needs <span style="font-size: small;">for the children that had been abandoned. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Now, four years later,
all these children are in school and we all are living beyond the wounds of th<span style="font-size: small;">e past.<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">The gift for me <span style="font-size: small;">has been the <span style="font-size: small;">kindness of people from all over the world <span style="font-size: small;">who have volunteered time<span style="font-size: small;"> or given money to su<span style="font-size: small;">p<span style="font-size: small;">port these children. Thank you.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSpOUueR-1MhPx2fG8Bp6Lyv26uYMb_DbpHJaB6rT0KE9Krm0EBouV4ShE32be6WIJagvVuepgPCegdCrTWTtg5dnure1ZXH6IrUOaPq7-qF6sRx9GAAy1k0FqM6_J1gkHZZE_2IA63A/s1600/cheepe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSpOUueR-1MhPx2fG8Bp6Lyv26uYMb_DbpHJaB6rT0KE9Krm0EBouV4ShE32be6WIJagvVuepgPCegdCrTWTtg5dnure1ZXH6IrUOaPq7-qF6sRx9GAAy1k0FqM6_J1gkHZZE_2IA63A/s400/cheepe.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheepo at school in 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Even in Z<span style="font-size: small;">imbabwe,</span></span> a country with 95% unemployment, many locals have volunteered to help improve the
lives of the children supported through HOL. Zimbabweans have helped put in a well so the kids had water at school, given seeds to start a vegetable garden for the children, donated books, delivered groceries and driven the kids to doctor
appointments. The local doctors have treated the children free of charge. <div style="text-align: left;">
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This
past December, the local community gathered to celebrate as several of the HOL
children graduated from first grade. This was an amazing accomplishment
in a country where many children drop out of school. Or never go to
school at all. </div>
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With
the help of local Zimbabweans and the support of donors in the US, UK and
Finland, the HOL children are beating the odds. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Loveness children Tariro and Cheepo at their graduation in December 2012</td></tr>
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Yes! You can make a <a href="http://fromtheheartproductions.info/product.php?productid=17589&cat=252&page=1" target="_blank">tax deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor<span style="color: black;"> </span>From The Heart Productions.</a></div>
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betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-46425573877332964812012-12-31T14:41:00.000-08:002012-12-31T14:41:20.019-08:00Christmas in Zimbabwe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>When it's over, I want to say: all my life<br />I was a bride married to amazement.<br />I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. </i></b></div>
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<b>-Mary Oliver </b></div>
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After many years of celebrating Christmas together in as a family
post-divorce with my ex-husband and our four children, this year I made the
decision to go to Africa for the holiday. It was a last minute decision after
much soul-searching. </div>
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I really wanted to be with my four children on Christmas this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My children are ages 17-22
so time is limited with them as they create their own lives outside of family.
I especially needed to be with family after losing my stepfather on November
30, 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and my soul father John</td></tr>
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My own father died twenty-four years ago when I was twenty-five.
My stepfather, John, came into my mother's life seventeen years later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called him my soul father because
calling him a stepfather just didn't seem good enough for a man like John. My
mom and John met and married when they were in their seventies. It was
wonderful to watch their love story during the eight years they were together.</div>
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I treasured long conversations with John and hundreds of email
correspondence from him. I was able to ask him the questions I never got to ask
my own father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My soul father
responded with long soulfully written emails on every question I asked him from
What you are most proud of? to What was your favorite time of life?</div>
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The morning of November 30th, I received a message that John was
in the hospital in distress. His health had been declining so it wasn't a
complete surprise. Within two hours I joined my mom in the hospital and we
moved him to hospice. Previous trips to the hospital over the past year focused
on getting John well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we
were told he was dying.</div>
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On the afternoon of November 30th, I rode with John in the back
of the transport to move him from the hospital to hospice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very grateful to the driver sent
to organize the transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
gingerly raised John's stretcher into the van and then offered me his hand to
help me into the seat next to John. Once John and I were buckled in, the driver
put on classical music and he drove so carefully, it felt like we floated the
five miles to hospice. </div>
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Later that evening, my mom snuggled next to John in the hospice
bed. With her arms wrapped around his body, I could feel his energy melt into
hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His breathing slowed and
softened. In the arms of his beloved, it was safe to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held his hand and whispered <i>thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you</i>.
Those were the last words he heard.</div>
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John always gave me great advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He probably would have told me to go to Africa for
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was aware of the
angst in my family around my ex-husband having a baby with our former
nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The baby news was a
surprise to our four children and myself and an even bigger surprise to the
woman who had another child by my ex-hubbie, a little girl whom we all love and
adore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That child had been in the
care of our former nanny until the nanny quit the job and began dating her
former employer, my ex-husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their baby is due in January 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I send their baby blessings. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kids in Vail 2012</td></tr>
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Just days before I was to meet my four grown children and my
ex-hubbie in Vail for Christmas this year,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I woke up very clear that I was NOT going to go. I decided
the kids needed to be alone with their dad before another unexpected sibling
was born. I decided I had twenty years of great holidays with my family pre and
post divorce. I blessed those memories and then released them and booked a
ticket to Zimbabwe to be with the House of Loveness (HOL) children for the
holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOL is an organization I
founded four years ago to assist with the care and education of orphaned and
abandoned babies and children in Zimbabwe.</div>
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I arrived in Zimbabwe December 22nd with 200 pounds of supplies
and Christmas presents for the children. I noticed the days before Christmas in
Zimbabwe felt like any other day of the year. It was a huge contrast to the
flurry of activities, shopping and parties in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just twenty hours earlier, my layover
in the Detroit airport was filled with Christmas specials in the shops and
holiday karaoke in the terminal.</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
In Zimbabwe, there were no decorated trees in the homes or
lights hanging outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one was
stressed about last minute holiday shopping or standing in line at the Apple
store to claim mini iPads for gifts before they sold out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did see a Santa display outside a
grocery store I was shopping at in Zimbabwe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I finished my shopping and walked outside, a small girl
came up and asked for money. She was hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn't feel like Christmas in Zimbabwe. </div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
Within a few hours of that little girl asking for money,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in my friend Ali's car
crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I am not tough like
the Africans girls," I cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"I want to go home".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<b><i>I was crying for all the children who were hungry and needed
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was crying because there
was no running water, fresh water or food at the place I was staying my first
two nights in Zimbabwe. I was crying because we had to keep borrowing cars
because we don't have funds for a permanent car for House of Loveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was crying for my own family and not
being together at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
crying about losing my soul father after we spent the past year hoping he would
get better.</i></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
"Let your tears water your garden of gratitude," a friend once told me. And after the tears were released, that's just what I did.<i> </i></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJHnqtQzI-v3wHOmGg5mIkaVmvfO7gFTIvavn7Ug5cfvxXCZQEhthXjIgnkmeV72aKyoW1hLI_IoTGCWb9Ela5h_tuLvqR6S2_Q519K88oNhf-036WPQkuArRX8jYSAeX5EpxqCrNzK4/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJHnqtQzI-v3wHOmGg5mIkaVmvfO7gFTIvavn7Ug5cfvxXCZQEhthXjIgnkmeV72aKyoW1hLI_IoTGCWb9Ela5h_tuLvqR6S2_Q519K88oNhf-036WPQkuArRX8jYSAeX5EpxqCrNzK4/s320/shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primrose and her new shoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
On Christmas Day, the House of Loveness children woke up to a
gift from Father Christmas and more gifts from donors across the US, Canada and
England who donated to the House of Loveness Holiday Wish List campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the children in the country
woke up to nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
When I gave the children their gifts, they looked at the boxes,
thanked me and set them aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They didn't know to unwrap them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had never received a gift wrapped in holiday paper before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they finally got the gifts open,
it felt more like Christmas at my own home when my children were younger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was assembling Legos with Brighton,
painting with Primrose, making beaded necklaces with Tariro and helping Kuda
open his safari kit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All at the
same time.</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18E51swTdHi5wYRay8c5vcrVZxqmaQ9dTbzxZANCsmmZF7cYCeA_EWHRqSnV6BAplyUG9bzoKG5dXoIxljJQRDLb-UdV2p0f3QvQZGWzPKgaMuoPLhBBk9scTsByu-hb2JWonkXQ5L7g/s1600/gogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18E51swTdHi5wYRay8c5vcrVZxqmaQ9dTbzxZANCsmmZF7cYCeA_EWHRqSnV6BAplyUG9bzoKG5dXoIxljJQRDLb-UdV2p0f3QvQZGWzPKgaMuoPLhBBk9scTsByu-hb2JWonkXQ5L7g/s200/gogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betsy, GoGo and Granny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
While there were no physical gifts for me to open on Christmas,
the presents were wrapped up in richer moments of time spent with good friends
and children in Zimbabwe who have adopted me into their lives and treat me like
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was sitting outside
on a straw mat at a rural farm with local African women rain sprinkled down on
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The rain is blessing
us," one of the women said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That felt about right.</div>
<div class="Body1">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZgQUVyYB_BL9YoFGkv-Upfb8kg7Y-kd5C6OjBsghiGlw47xFggR7Z-zORmhD954xogi7oGF23YKn0deuWE6Tr22oFc_1TmGLLT4_z0LA30nzKTUfaDhcMpKiefl7eL-q0BGx5sZVpgY/s1600/photo-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZgQUVyYB_BL9YoFGkv-Upfb8kg7Y-kd5C6OjBsghiGlw47xFggR7Z-zORmhD954xogi7oGF23YKn0deuWE6Tr22oFc_1TmGLLT4_z0LA30nzKTUfaDhcMpKiefl7eL-q0BGx5sZVpgY/s320/photo-6.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mentor in Zimbabwe, Ann, and her husband Roger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
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<div class="Body1">
The gifts and blessings continued to arrive in all forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The full moon beaming from a stunning
African sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being treated to
lunch with dear friends, one who has Alzheimer's and I'm grateful he still
remembers me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opportunity to
see a Shona wedding on December 25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friend Ali's mother who is being treated for breast cancer still
offering to take five of the HOL children for the holidays if needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A legendary spirit healer welcoming me
into her home and feeding me sadza and greens.</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
Another gift was my mentor in Zimbabwe, Ann Hamilton-King,
offering me the use of a car for my last five days to make it easier for me to
get to the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car
battery died just as I was leaving for the airport to head back to the
States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My last memory of Ann
before I left is her pushing the car with two other people to get a jump
start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I mention Ann is in her
seventies?</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
I had gone to Africa to help children and was filled with wonder and amazement
as people there offered to help me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt connected to the pulse of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt much like being in the hospice room with my mom and
soul father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt Zimbabwe wrap
its arms around me.<i> <b>Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you</b></i><b>.</b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<b>There are eight days left in our Dream A Bigger Dream campaign for the children in Zimbabwe. Thank you for your support.</b></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/dreambiggerdreams" target="_blank">http://www.indiegogo.com/dreambiggerdreams</a></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjca-Ijy25z6g1FcktGGfnzW3qQt8J0uCcYBDYC3sOl2yNWucNpb5lValvHwjwbr-mPD_KKoU7Yj7Dr4TobVHHHzMnbxS1Q5Yr_Fm9X_ixS7tbfBpFpjvyqbDc2y9HHK7fMG9rzervZCiM/s1600/girls%253A12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjca-Ijy25z6g1FcktGGfnzW3qQt8J0uCcYBDYC3sOl2yNWucNpb5lValvHwjwbr-mPD_KKoU7Yj7Dr4TobVHHHzMnbxS1Q5Yr_Fm9X_ixS7tbfBpFpjvyqbDc2y9HHK7fMG9rzervZCiM/s400/girls%253A12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tariro and Primrose, Christmas 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-14679123506840721872012-12-11T08:11:00.000-08:002012-12-11T08:11:17.748-08:00Blessings and Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMcMINzihRrkr8bcy_dBkNbrNk6VSByBLSpvg4Nn7soBYCCaE4UvSFfYrxar0SgEfKRPkzH66gMczhZyZUKu1NjG-GF4QAY-zJ6T_rX9_wMLJCJIgA7_rLGW6PItmvSUVjsXt_5LvxR8/s1600/graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMcMINzihRrkr8bcy_dBkNbrNk6VSByBLSpvg4Nn7soBYCCaE4UvSFfYrxar0SgEfKRPkzH66gMczhZyZUKu1NjG-GF4QAY-zJ6T_rX9_wMLJCJIgA7_rLGW6PItmvSUVjsXt_5LvxR8/s1600/graduation.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tariro and Cheepo November 30, 2012 Graduation Day</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i><span class="sqq">“Education is the great engine of personal
development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can
become a doctor, that a son of a mine worker can become the head of the
mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a nation."</span></i></b><br />
<b><span class="sqq"> -Nelson Mandela</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="sqq">November 30, 2012 was a special day in Zimbabwe. Thirty-two children celebrated their end of the school year graduation from the school supported by House of Loveness. In a country where many orphans drop out of school by first grade, these children were beating the odds. It was a moment filled with blessings, resourcefulness and grace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="sqq"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="sqq">The <b>blessings</b> were for a school that opened in May 2010 after a conversation House of Loveness founder Betsy Blankenbaker had with a local foster mother in Zimbabwe who wanted to teach but there were no opportunities. The local schools that <i>were</i> open were staffed by teachers who had had no resources for books and supplies and many parents couldn't afford the school fees. With initial seed money from House of Loveness, a school was opened to serve the needs of orphaned children and local children in an underserved community. </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="sqq"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="sqq">It took <b>resourcefulness</b> by the teachers who made sure the children had something to eat when they arrived at school and before they headed home. The children thrived and learned even with modest teaching supplies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="sqq"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwxXaE-Tnj0dfP1Z_1j8Q0ma7bHEF18SpTL819IDhZi5XTGT6ec5tZQsxE_1GEMuJKoDNxruVw5_Fn7L9elCQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
And when all else failed <b>grace</b> filled in. <br />
<br />
When the school first opened, there was no water so a mother would get up at 4am and walk water to the school every morning. Then a local man offered to build a well at the school and people in the community pitched in to make it happen. Seeds were donated and a beautiful garden blossomed next to the school. Books were donated by our angel in Zimbabwe Ann Hamilton-King. Backpacks, supplies and school fees were donated by people in the U.S. and U.K. When the needs of the school weren't being met, somehow grace always stepped in and made it happen. <br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sqq"> We are so grateful to all of you who made graduation day possible! </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sqq">Thank you for helping us dream bigger dreams for the children of Zimbabwe.<b> </b></span></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVs0g_KMwn9TDm9fSv42EB1yeukDyuWWxKrAruXS4Y1sPU-e3mFLx0mgmPl3fOu_GqXEhT8szcwAM4TIvFhsiIARyS4tzq7zeEyaNpQZVqdpWRdC8ahrXJ65OYp2-hsQdn6nUGV0F7oY/s1600/graduation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVs0g_KMwn9TDm9fSv42EB1yeukDyuWWxKrAruXS4Y1sPU-e3mFLx0mgmPl3fOu_GqXEhT8szcwAM4TIvFhsiIARyS4tzq7zeEyaNpQZVqdpWRdC8ahrXJ65OYp2-hsQdn6nUGV0F7oY/s1600/graduation2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduation Day, November 2012</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sqq"><b> </b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sqq"><b>As the children grow bigger, so do their needs. </b></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="sqq"><b> </b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: x-small;">We
have urgent needs to upgrade their home and provide a safe car for
their transport (see video below of former car used to transport 5-10
children to and from school). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: x-small;">Please consider making an end of the year
(tax deductible) donation to House of Loveness. </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: x-small;">We have some fantastic
perks to thank you for your support including a Service & Safari
trip for two to visit Zimbabwe in 2013.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: x-small;">Please visit us in Africa!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/dreambiggerdreams/x/19685" target="_blank">http://www.indiegogo.com/dreambiggerdreams/x/19685</a></div>
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<span class="sqq"><b> </b></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx3N8SEhQF4nNaaRuYYL7oZTs4JxKAtN70lHmRM2oEWcHnq9NdIMr7ji84EoyYtnXIqpwifXoN7i4teZ3K0zg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-74992982124881157382012-06-30T14:26:00.000-07:002012-06-30T14:26:29.396-07:00Meeting Primrose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULcsbDBvWjXOkKV8TkehTFY9GnAqbucK483NKbfsH7fULQU6imDnpKVskKCgY64nH2QJA1YQ2XD_tAPUuQBJv8d6rVyRt4p4JkBG964NMM835pZr521zuQilfDKd8YX9w-3CzQ1hddaM/s1600/meeting+Prim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULcsbDBvWjXOkKV8TkehTFY9GnAqbucK483NKbfsH7fULQU6imDnpKVskKCgY64nH2QJA1YQ2XD_tAPUuQBJv8d6rVyRt4p4JkBG964NMM835pZr521zuQilfDKd8YX9w-3CzQ1hddaM/s400/meeting+Prim.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
This photo means a lot to me. You know the phrase, <i><b>You’ve come a long
way baby? </b></i>That’s what I think when I see this photo.<br />
<br />
I was just off a 24
hour flight from the US to Zimbabwe.
Only a few hours earlier at the airport in Johannesburg, I had sent one last text to my family in the
US: <i>Arrive in Zim in a few hours and will be holding Loveness soon</i>.
Instead, when I got off the plane in Zimbabwe, I was told Loveness had
died. This photo was taken a few hours after that.<br />
<br />
I had been taken to the hospital where Loveness’s body was in the
morgue. I still wanted to hold her. But first with a heavy heart and
tears in my eyes, I passed through the Children’s Ward at the hospital
and met these three children, all abandoned. I am holding Tanya, Cheepo
is sleeping in the crib they all shared and staring me down is Primrose. There were a total of six abandoned children in the hospital on that day. Four infants, including Loveness, had died the previous week. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPNdrWScTqFCvykwAWPp0Uwfkb0DEtPAWRfrDDKSJRRZ1PF387GOLSYjIA2ZxgTr7u0zP8RXsR4V-EFM8DBBYx7V_8IutUHlu8CDHSkOSUCS5gDkt2qPojUptSd19iGynEYAFE59C4hc/s1600/IMG_3297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPNdrWScTqFCvykwAWPp0Uwfkb0DEtPAWRfrDDKSJRRZ1PF387GOLSYjIA2ZxgTr7u0zP8RXsR4V-EFM8DBBYx7V_8IutUHlu8CDHSkOSUCS5gDkt2qPojUptSd19iGynEYAFE59C4hc/s640/IMG_3297.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuda, Primrose, Cheepo, Tariro and Brighton (May 2012)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nearly four years later, you can see Primrose and Cheepo next to each
other in the photo we are using for the <i>Share Your Heart</i> campaign on IndieGoGo (link below) to raise money to send the children to private boarding schools in Zimbabwe. All these children have been supported through House of Loveness
since that first day I met them (Tanya was placed in another orphanage).
Primrose will be the <i><b>first</b> <strong>girl</strong></i> to attend boarding
school from proceeds to the House of Loveness <i>Share Your Heart</i> campaign.<br />
<br />
This photo reminds me that
sometimes your tears can water the seeds of what is to bloom next.
Primrose, You’ve come a long way baby.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/share-your-heart" target="_blank">http://www.indiegogo.com/share-your-heart</a><br />
<br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-69742813343029755702012-05-30T19:30:00.002-07:002012-05-30T19:30:56.487-07:00Seeing The Faces Beyond Kony<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5a9k1c07mEqxytzG6NlHvtt4acSbVqXS-cH8_SodU4P4omhOCL7w8iJcAOplsxyenS-mqwlhcX05kB4VN3zSiKK11zRAl8cjfZmfbwisvr3gVir7Bfn-UI68L6e6V-ykeeR1MkftGUM/s1600/Brighton2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5a9k1c07mEqxytzG6NlHvtt4acSbVqXS-cH8_SodU4P4omhOCL7w8iJcAOplsxyenS-mqwlhcX05kB4VN3zSiKK11zRAl8cjfZmfbwisvr3gVir7Bfn-UI68L6e6V-ykeeR1MkftGUM/s400/Brighton2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brighton, age 9 (March 2012) supported by House of Loveness, Zimbabwe</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've had to spend some time collecting my thoughts about the recent Invisible Children campaign. The minute the campaign went viral and I saw the urgent appeal on Facebook from my friends and their children, I was perplexed. The outpouring of urgency from the campaign didn't make sense because I knew Kony (the head of the LRA) that the campaign was focused on capturing (with your donations) was no longer in Uganda AND no longer a threat. His damage was done years ago. The children that survived his atrocities do deserve our help. The focus should be on empowering the children's future, not on making Kony a household name.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have never met the filmmakers of Invisible Children but I do know they spoke at my own children's school 2 years ago. They pulled in on their bus, showed their film and got the children engaged in conversations about Africa and how to help. I know their intentions were good and I don't doubt that they have made a tremendous difference in the lives of some of the children in Uganda. I do feel uncomfortable about their methods of raising money, from the Disney-esque, Michael Jackson inspired video released in 2006 featuring the filmmakers in dance scenes that could be straight out of High School musical (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6QWdVD4zsc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6QWdVD4zsc</a>) to the recent Kony2012 video that over 80 million people viewed which NEVER mentioned that Kony is no longer in Uganda. Both these videos raised a lot of money for the Invisible Children, US-based organization. Some of it went to the children in Africa.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you want to see more of your dollars working for these children, take a look at Sam Childers' organization (<a href="http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/">http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/</a>). There was a recent movie made about his work in East Africa not only rescuing the children from the LRA but staying on in Africa and empowering them through the gift of education. </span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-82484554041187294802011-10-18T08:36:00.000-07:002012-05-30T19:17:00.457-07:00Are You Living Your Legacy?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b> <span class="body" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="body">-Steve Jobs</span></b></div>
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There is always some magic that happens to me every trip to Africa, some connection to my humanity that is exposed. I go to Zimbabwe for the children but I leave feeling like I've given myself the gift of living my legacy by immersing myself in another country and another culture. Africa turns on a whole new set of neuro pathways in my body, mind and soul. I feel more connected to everything when I return...more connected to my family, my friends and my work. I feel more connected to my ancestors and to a fully lived life.<br />
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I am especially inspired by African music and dance. I love the way the women of Zimbabwe move when they dance. Their movement reveals their life force and their connection to their ancestors.<br />
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I've had a similar connection to music and dance through Qoya classes, a combination of dance, yoga and sacred movement. Qoya is the same energy I see in the women of Africa. In Qoya I am dancing my legacy.</div>
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I'm very grateful that Qoya founder Rochelle Schieck is joining me on my next trip to Zimbabwe, Dec. 6-11, 2011. This extraordinary trip will combine daily Qoya classes with service at the school sponsored by House of Loveness and a holiday party with the children. It will be a joyful way to begin celebrating the holidays that leaves a lasting imprint on your soul. Let's see what legacy we can create in Africa...together.<br />
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<b>*LOVE Note: The Qoya Service Retreat to Zimbabwe is being re-scheduled for 2013.</b> </div>
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<a href="http://www.rochelleschieck.com/qoya-in-person/zimbabwe-qoya-service-retreat/">Zimbabwe Qoya Service Retreat</a><br />
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<span class="body" style="font-size: x-small;">Highlights:</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Daily Qoya classes under the African sky</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Volunteering at a local school sponsored by House of Loveness </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Hosting a Qoya class for the community where we will dance with </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Holiday party with the children supported through House of Loveness</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">-One day safari to Imirie Game Park</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- Sacred Mana (full moon) ritual our final night in Zimbabwe</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Some 'Love' notes:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>-No prior experience needed to take a Qoya class.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>-The Qoya classes are for women only (and girls) but men are welcome to join you on the trip for other activities outside of Qoya.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>-You aren't required to take any shots to go to Zimbabwe. We have info on recommended vaccinations on the retreat info page. Please consult with your doctor.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>-Most international flights to Harare, Zimbabwe (HRE) go through Johannesburg, S.A. It is very easy to transfer in the Jo-burg airport (and great place to Duty Free shop!). You will be met at the Harare airport by Betsy & the HOL team.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">-Your visa for Zimbabwe will be giving at the airport when you land ($30 fee</span>).</i></span></div>
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<b> Please consider being a 'Love' donor to </b><br />
<b> House of Loveness</b></div>
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<i> Your donation will sponsor another women </i><br />
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For more information:</div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/3robf47">Qoya Service Trip 'Love' Donor</a><br />
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</div>betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-28896081843979993202011-09-18T10:16:00.000-07:002016-01-29T01:06:55.475-08:00Remembering That We All Count<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A Birthday Wish by Susie S.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Once a year, no matter what else is going on, people in my life, friends, family and co-workers have taken the time to celebrate the moment I came onto the planet. I'm so grateful for that. Imagine not knowing?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Birthdays have always been special for me. I was born on my youngest Aunt's 7th birthday and there were always two cakes so we each were special. Then, as the years passed I met more friends who were born the same day in August. Marcia, Geoff, Shelly, it is so fun to celebrate with you!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">When I was 11, my mom bought me a horse for my birthday. One of the best moments in my life.</span> I had to do a scavenger hunt all over town and ended up in my Grandma's yard where he was waiting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On my 16th birthday I passed my driver's test. <br />
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">When I turned 30 I threw a huge party for 100 people. It was so much fun we did it for 8 years in a row</span>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We use our birthday so many times every day. We take it for granted. You need your birthday for your passport and every other piece of ID you have your whole life. They use it on your tombstone and your death certificate too. It's how you look up your horoscope and many of you even use it for your passwords!<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">At its simplest essence it means you counted.</span> That the moment you were born was considered important enough by society to be marked. All the celebrations that followed are the wonderful bi-product of the simple truth that you counted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The abandoned and orphaned children supported through House of Loveness in Zimbabwe count too</span>. I want to remind them of that. They've never had a birthday or blown out candles on a cake. They don't know the day they were born or their exact age. <b> <span style="font-style: italic;">They have never made a birthday wish...</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">In honor of my 40th birthday in August 2011 this is my birthday wish. </span>I hope that instead of buying me a drink, taking me to dinner or giving me a gift, you will celebrate a virtual party with me to benefit the children of Zimbabwe supported through House of Loveness. So please celebrate with me (again)...the gift is to be counted and still counting! But this year let's do it this way: save the postage and the card and the texting fees...and instead purchase a virtual celebration for me to benefit the children supported by House of Loveness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Every donation for my birthday will receive some special birthday swag because I know you all like gifts as much as I do!<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">At the end of this 40 day campaign the children are going to have a party for me in Zimbabwe. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I pro</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">bably won't be there. But it will be the most important one yet. Let's see what kind of wondrous amplification our fun can have. I'll buy the real drinks in gratitude.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">xoxooxox</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Susie</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">The Impact: Empowering Children Through Education</span></b><br />
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<span class="body"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Education is the most powerful weapon which you </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">House of Loveness serves the emergency and long-term needs of at risk children in Zimbabwe. The birthday donations will go towards school fees and supplies for the Angel Academy in Chitungwiza. This school survives solely on the support of donations to House of Loveness. Currently the school has 36 students age 2-9. For all of the children, it's their first opportunity to be in a classroom.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Your donation will give them the gift of education.</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Your donation will remind them that they count.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* Special thanks to the uber talented singer/actress Carla Duren for allowing us to use her song "belove" for the campaign. For more information <a href="http://www.carladuren.com/" target="_blank">www.carladuren.com</a> or look for her in the new indie film "gone Elvis" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*If your donation is made in the US it is tax-deductible through the HOL fiscal sponsor From The Heart Productions.</span></div>
betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-9069176093189453612011-09-06T18:02:00.000-07:002011-09-07T09:30:47.603-07:00Zimbabwe is MY backyard<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> If we wait to feed, educate, and meet the healthcare needs </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> of every American child before we look beyond our borders </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> then what will the rest of the world look like? <br />
-Lucy Griswold (activist/humanitarian)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
<i> Improved technology, population growth and globalization have </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> made today's world increasingly interdependent. Therefore, putting </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> your own country's interests first, at the expense of others, can have </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> serious consequences. What we need to do is think of humanity as a </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> whole, and develop a sense of concern on a global level. <br />
I refer to this as having a sense of universal responsibility. <br />
-Dalai Lama</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i><br />
</span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've had wonderful local and global support for my three year old organization, House of Loveness (HOL), but I still get the occasional comments, <b>"Our children in the U.S. need help: why are you helping the children in Africa?" </b>and <b>"There are children in your backyard who need help — you should spend your money here." </b><br />
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While I admire the movement Think Globally, Act Locally, I also know that my own back yard extends well beyond Indiana where I am based at the moment. I grew up with parents who were do-ers. T<b>hey gave their money to help a person in need — and, more important, they gave their time. If they saw a need that they could help fix, they didn't turn away.</b> I will always be grateful for the example my parents, Richard and Virginia Blankenbaker, set for me. They consistently modeled for me what it looked like to give back in one’s own community. My father died too young, at the age of 59, before he could be fully appreciated for his generous spirit. Twenty-three years after his death, I still run into people in Indianapolis who tell me that my father (quietly) helped them in some way. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNw6d0hBNKdeHqqSjdbzbS5_GXwzjbBgKsn0QTvpShrQ5I5evGKdfdMckNqnUU8s6LJy2pGNZilE_LDFOy4jlkKqaujrvWIIW2RwNhEijvx3UbNeK9AeS6qgzaJkN1j7Wu5iUuiVsTLU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNw6d0hBNKdeHqqSjdbzbS5_GXwzjbBgKsn0QTvpShrQ5I5evGKdfdMckNqnUU8s6LJy2pGNZilE_LDFOy4jlkKqaujrvWIIW2RwNhEijvx3UbNeK9AeS6qgzaJkN1j7Wu5iUuiVsTLU/s200/photo.JPG" width="149" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> My father, Richard Blankenbaker</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My mother, after serving for 12 years as an Indiana State Senator, lost (questionable) elections for the Indianapolis mayor’s office and for the U.S. Congress. Her constituents’ loss was our family's gain. <b>After her loss in the election for Congress, she retired from politics and eventually won an even better victory. She met and married an incredible man, John Williams, nearly 20 years after my father died. </b> John too embraces a generous spirit. John sent me a supportive but sobering letter before I left for Zimbabwe for the first time — providing a serious case for looking for a more stable country for adoption. I went anyway: and John and my mother have cheered me on every trip since then.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvhsPt4eruSwhxBfF17DRe8f8lWLUiKccZoZ40KAwaJBkgjJNGnHYpOxAcH9AKKhzfrLEK3Y33e5t35SCSQrNKSHR2KDXUBNj-xH0_4uo2t8DvzVlewmINjxUHJXKPwF1a5ont6mOPpk/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvhsPt4eruSwhxBfF17DRe8f8lWLUiKccZoZ40KAwaJBkgjJNGnHYpOxAcH9AKKhzfrLEK3Y33e5t35SCSQrNKSHR2KDXUBNj-xH0_4uo2t8DvzVlewmINjxUHJXKPwF1a5ont6mOPpk/s200/photo.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> My mother Virginia and my soulfather, John Williams</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;">HOL came about after a trip to Zimbabwe in November 2008 to adopt a baby girl that had recently been abandoned. One day during the height of the cholera epidemic in Zim, a man wheeled a dirty wheelbarrow into the local hospital. Inside were four babies less than three months old, all abandoned in the nearby fields. One was a girl and three were boys. The nurses at the hospital gave them names. The girl was named Loveness. <br />
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I learned about Loveness through a friend, and immediately sent a letter advising the CEO of the hospital that I wanted to adopt Loveness. I spent the next three weeks gathering the paperwork I needed for Zimbabwe (I had never been to Africa) and preparing my home for a new baby. <b> I left for Zimbabwe with 300 lbs of donations from family and friends for the four abandoned babies.</b> I was not prepared for what happened next. <br />
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I arrived to the news that Loveness had died just before I got there: all the babies had died. After 20 hours of flying, I found myself on the way to see her in the hospital morgue. I looked at Loveness wrapped in white gauze but I couldn't bring myself to hold her, a decision I regret to this day. Eight days later, on December 2, I buried Loveness in a local cemetery in a field of fresh graves. In a white coffin, Loveness was surrounded by four baby boys whose unclaimed bodies had been in the morgue for more than week. I threw dirt on all five coffins while nurses from the hospital sang beautiful African songs.<b> The moment I buried Loveness, Zimbabwe became my back yard.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB0-6xlpEgQXBqzAs565L6rWfRavqZh065f-gvzdFP4fBi-ZwXHEeOmjib80HgnWDDTscMl9qUV4nqRseq_MG0uwgv40JDf3FajoPQwrPCbUEte-0irVoPPi3TL-oO8txYE21wJKu-vI/s1600/IMG_0674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB0-6xlpEgQXBqzAs565L6rWfRavqZh065f-gvzdFP4fBi-ZwXHEeOmjib80HgnWDDTscMl9qUV4nqRseq_MG0uwgv40JDf3FajoPQwrPCbUEte-0irVoPPi3TL-oO8txYE21wJKu-vI/s200/IMG_0674.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Burying Loveness and the boys</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;">During the rest of the trip, I spent my days at the hospital caring for six other abandoned children who were 'living' in the children's ward. Two of the children, Kuda and Primrose, had been at the hospital for over two years. This was no place to spend a childhood. I asked about moving the children. Within four months (and three trips later) the six children had been moved to an orphanage — and into a private home donated by a local foster mother. Now, three years later, House of Loveness has provided emergency and long-term care for nearly a hundred children. All of the HOL children are now in school. <b>In a country where one in four children dies under the age of five, the HOL children are now beating the odds.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> HOL founder Betsy Blankenbaker in Zimbabwe</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">So when you ask me, why Africa, why Zimbabwe, or why not the U.S., my answer is this. I experienced a heart-wrenching problem in Zimbabwe and was given the choice: act or walk away and I chose to act. <b> Burying Loveness reminded me that I'm human before I'm American. Staying on in Zimbabwe to help, reminded me that I'm a Blankenbaker.</b></span><br />
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-<i>Betsy Blankenbaker, House of Loveness</i></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Tax-deductible donations to <i>House of Loveness</i> can be made through </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> our fiscal sponsor, <i>From The Heart Production</i></b></span><b><i>s</i>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Special thanks to Carole </span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Dean of FTHP for believing in the future of these remarkable children.</span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></b><b>http://tinyurl.com/2fcfmv2</b><b><br />
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</span>betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3375148292276522878.post-30887553838239171482011-08-30T17:38:00.000-07:002016-01-29T01:09:24.707-08:00We All Count<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Loveness children at school</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/we-all-count?a=19685&i=addr">A Birthday Wish...</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Six months ago I was having dinner with my friend Susie S. in London. I was on the way back to the U.S. from Africa where I had been visiting the children my organization, House of Loveness, supports in Zimbabwe. London was an overnight stop on flights home that were pieced together through frequent flier mileage. I always leave Zimbabwe happy but broke. On the 20+ hours of planes home, I look at the videos and photos I took with the children and I organize my lists of things I need to raise money for my next trip to Zim: 32 pairs of new shoes in sizes 1-5, books for the school we support, donations to cover tuition for the children and an additional teacher, new school uniforms, the list goes on and on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">When I arrived in London, I was grateful for the time with Susie, an expat from the US, now living and working in England. I had just celebrated my birthday (by myself) in Cape Town before I went on to Zimbabwe to see the children. I told Susie how much I enjoyed my birthday in one of my favorite cities in the world. I asked Susie what her birthday plans were this year. I knew she loved a party! <b>When she turned 30 she had a massive party that was such a hit her friends begged her to repeat it the following year and they did...for the next 8 years</b>. This year she is turning 40. How could she possibly top her previous parties?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Susie looked at me and said. "I want to do something meaningful this year. I'd like to skip my party and have my friends donate to the children you support through House of Loveness." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And so in August 2011, Susie turned 40 and began a 40 day crowd-funding campaign on IndieGoGo for House of Loveness. <b>Her goal is to raise $4,000 to go towards the education of the children supported through HOL</b> In just 2 weeks the campaign has raised over $2,500!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The children will celebrate Susie's birthday with a party in Zimbabwe given in her honor at the end of the campaign. None of them have ever had a birthday cake or made a birthday wish. Their birthdays come and go (they are abandoned & orphaned so we don't know most of their real birth dates). <b><i>This year the cake for Susie's 40th birthday will be filled with candles for Susie and all of the children supported by House of Loveness</i>.</b> <b>Susie's wish is a wonderful reminder that we all count.</b></span><br />
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"<span class="agText"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">At the end of this 40 day campaign the children are going to have a </span></span><br />
<span class="agText"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> party for me in Zimbabwe. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I pro</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">bably won't be there. But it will be </span></span><br />
<span class="agText"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> the most important one yet." -Susie S.</span></span><br />
<br />betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708378066161909965noreply@blogger.com0