July 15, 2005
Dear Friends and Family,
As part of my Bat Mitzvah I am committed to doing Zedekiah and Mitzvah to enhance my understanding of this important time in my life. On our recent trip to Africa I was so moved by what I saw. We visited local schools, villages and a local orphanage. You must understand that Zambia (one of the countries in Africa) has over a 50% unemployment. The workers who do have jobs make less than $3 per day. Over 45% of the people (including children) are infected with HIV/AID’s. There are more children than grownups because their parents have died from HIV/AID’s. At a local school I noticed a sign that said, “You are either infected or affected by AID’s. This was at an elementary school.
I realized how lucky not only I am but how lucky as Americans we are. We have hope but most of these people do not. I feel the best chance these children have for a better life is by getting a good education. With a proper education (learning to read, write, math etc.) they can go out and get a better job and hopefully become educators to others in their village.
That’s why I have decided as my Bat Mitzvah project to try and help educate children (build a school, add a library with books, add desks, help hire educators etc.) in one of these poor villages in Zambia. I am asking for your help. The more I can raise the more schoolrooms, chairs and books I can provide.
Well today my project has expanded to not only building a primary and secondary schools, science labs, medical facilities, assembly halls where their children can learn and have seminars, but also orphanage housing to get these children off the streets and into a safe place with food and most of all, a future. We have also set up a 501C3 non-profit so your portion you want to go to the school in Africa can be tax deductible. Please make that check out separately to “Hope Through Education”.
Thanks for your help. You can help change the lives of not only these children but also children of generations to come through education.
Love to you all and thank you so much for your generosity,
Devon Esrick
|
