If you--yes YOU! The fortunate individuals of the western world--how children, families, men, and women exist in third world nations. Daily routine? What is yours? What is theirs? Do you want to "die" if you don't get the latest & greatest ersatz haute couture in the 'hood? Or, do you think you might die if water, food, shelter, life-sustaining healthcare cannot be found for your family, you, your community? This vast difference abounds and the western world hides behind a veil of vanity & complaints over the inane. I know blaming my fellow Americans serves the betterment of no one. My photo with mom and dad depicts a true image of how fortunate I feel--I'm loved, appreciated, educated, and hold on tight to these two souls--without whom I would never have lived to say: The World Does Not Revolve Around Me! Sadly self-centered & depressed for years, my family proved to be a greater support system than I ever imagined. Today, inspiration feels beautiful and comes from my heart--the heart created by their hearts. THAT SAID, the three of us differ in my choice of career and current & future global endeavors. However, mom and pop know I felt a call to bring help & hope to the people of a nation--all of whom know little of our world. And, they "let go" at long last...Perhaps they know I will always seek to do this work and trying to hold me back doesn't help anyone. This story blows me away from every aspect! You see, I learned of a Kenyan NGO through UONGOZI.org. After much research & communication, I soon venture to Kibwezi, Kenya for a significant purpose: to do all I can for the children, families, and individuals to help provide basic life sustaining elements that way too many of us take for granted. My connection over the months with UONGOZI's Executive Director, Eddie Mwanzia, evolved into a grand virtual friendship and plan to enhance and expand their mission and vision: "UONGOZI exists to empower the marginalized and vulnerable communities (and their members) through knowledge, experience, and capacity building. UONGOZI seeks to contribute to and participate in the harmonious creation of rural communities that are fair, free, & empowered. We believe in and promote an individual's inherent right to equal access to and control of available resources necessary for a dignified life." I shall join Eddie this October in Kibwezi, Kenya to go and live among the people, learn from them, plan with them; start with what they know, build on what they have; teach by showing, learn by doing; not a showcase, but a system; not a piecemeal, but an integrated approach; not relief--but release! -- UONGOZI Participatory Rural Development CREDO - Peace, Amy Adams