March 24, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,
I have been home from South Africa since November. Our Journey has accomplished a lot in the last year: we have sponsored 6 children with uniforms so they can attend school,

we have provided nourishment to many families,

delivered over 300 blankets to the needy who sleep on dirt floors in mud huts,

created and funded an after-school program which has over 100 children attending.

We are currently working with Zimele, a South African non profit organization that helps these people become self reliant. Zimele which means (standing on your own two feet) offers teaching and mentoring programs to assist local people (specifically women and children) in creating and growing their own businesses. Our Journey purchased sewing machines, scissors and material for a local group of women to make children's clothes for resale in the community, therefore helping them support orphan children in their homes. We also helped establish a community garden by supplying a water pump, piping, fertilizer and seed.

As our list of accomplishments grows, so do our goals. This year we will triple the number of people receiving blankets from our blanket project, purchase uniforms and school supplies for additional children, we will help establish two more community gardens by supplying water pumps, piping, fertilizer and seed and sponsor three local Zulu women with scholarships allowing them to get formal training, to receive an early education. accredited certification which not only supports Our Journey's after school program, but will also (and more importantly) provide long term change in the community, affect the disastrous unemployment in the area and continue to foster future hope for the residences of the community.

Since 2005 it is estimated that there were 1.2 million South African children orphaned by AIDS, many of them are left with only child-head-of-household families as the parents have all died of AIDS. In July, I will be going back to poorest valley in South Africa. For the following 6 months I will ensure that every dollar donated improves the lives of as many families and orphans as I, and our other volunteers, can reach.

For a $20 donation we can purchase a blanket to keep a child warm during the winter months, for an $85 donation we can purchase a school uniform, shoes and supplies so a child can attend school. A $2.00 donation will purchase a winter knit hat.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Cash, stock and real estate may be donated to help support Our Journey's projects in South Africa. Donations may also be included in wills. Since Our Journey is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) public charity licensed in the State of Georgia all contributions can be tax deductible.

Receipts will be provided for tax purposes. Please send your donations or questions concerning contributions to:

Our Journey, Inc.
Fred  G. Mills , CPA, LLC
Route 4, Box 3133
Townsend, GA 31331 USA

Much love,
Maureen
ourjourneyinc@aol.com;
www.ourjourneyinc.org

PS, this is Brita's work, an amazing 80 plus Swedish lady knitting clothes for the children in South Africa. 4th year the Our Journey Sewing Club is making quilts and ponchos knitted by the Burlington Church of Christ ladies.