Rebuilding Sierra Leone One Child at a Time Campaign: Sponsored by Boutique Mix

Boutique Mix's "Rebuilding Sierra Leone Campaign"

Cecilia J. - Box of pens and pencils
Ibrahim Dabo - $12
Ishmael Dabo - $12
Renee Baker from Renee Baker Designs - $30
Stan - $2
Anonymous (30 individuals) - $110, 8 packs of pens.
Christophe Guibert de Bruet, Esq. - $12
Joyce Koo, Esq. - $12
Mary Brown, Esq. - $100
Randolph Shingler, Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor - $100
Miatta Dabo, Esq. - $250
Boutique Mix - $2000
Angela Holland, Esq. - $12
Delia Patterson, Esq. - $12
Bryon Wasserman, Esq. - $12
Sarah Gans - $12
Sherika Jones - $12
Basil Henderson - $12
Teresa Bernhardt- $12
Chandran Iyler, Esq. - $12
Ubes - $30
Pastor Bai Sesay $20
Daniel of Daniel's Counter
Mountain Girl from Mountaingirl's Musings
Abbey from Random Thoughtsof Life - School Supplies, Clothing, Cards
Jack Figura
SDSue from sdsiouxlakotaconnections.blogspot.com
Sierra Express Media Newspaper

We don't want the needs of the children to be lost in the "big" agenda. Let's face it, if we fix today and leave tomorrow still broken, then there really is no future. The present government will not be around in 30 years - those kids, the ones who need our help right now, will be running Sa Lone in 30 years. Let us start now before its too late. We don't want history repeating itself. Let's take a look at where the children have been over the last decade and in the following weeks, decide on how to move forward.

Rebuilding Sierra Leone Pledge

Please note that there is no criticism of the government here. This is a task for all Sa Lone folk. We can all do our little part to facilitate progress for the children. For those of us outside of the diaspora, sponsor a child, adopt a school and do a book drive, send pens or pencils, buy ten pairs of shoes and send for ten lucky boys or girls at a school of your choice (you can even go to payless for this). Ask each and every one of your friends and/or colleagues to donate one dollar (US) or one pound (UK) or one euro (Europe) a month for twelve months and at year-end, buy school supplies and/or clothing, and non-perishable goods and donate them to one or more lucky schools.

Ask for 50 cents a month if a dollar is too much. Ask your friends to donate all their old clothes or shoes so that you can send it to a trusted individual or organization that can distribute it to those who truly need it. Pledge to make each coming year of change for rebuilding Sa Lone - one innocent child at at time. Just sending pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons or whatever you can afford for one child makes a difference!!!

If you want to take the pledge, please let me know in the comments section below and update us on your monthly progress. We will support and encourage you all the way!!!! At the end of each year, I'll do a pledge post update. You don't need to send the cash to Sa. Leone. If you don't find a worthy school or organization to donate it too, then use the cash to buy books and other school supplies and send off to a worthy school in Sa Lone. Just check to make sure it goes to the intended recipient(s).

You can do it!! Support the children. They need us now, more than ever. Education is vital to sustain continued economic and social reform anywhere in the world.

We don't want that. We don't need that. They don't deserve that!!! Give them hope!! Give them dreams!! Give them inspiration!!! Give them ambition!!! Empower them to become leaders of tomorrow.

As a proud graduate of an HBCU, I can proudly tell you that "A Mind is a Terrible thing to Waste." When our children are not in school, the rebels will find something for them to do. You have seen pictures of our kids carrying guys. Our kids being trained to become child soldiers. Our kids being taught how to steal, rape and kill. A picture speaks a thousand words. It is wonderful that one of the main priorities of our new government is to tackle the pervasive corruption that has damaged Sa Lone. I applaud this priority and know that it will increase accountability of civil servants to the people. We must not, however, forget to implement changes in agencies responsible for instituting reform for the children. We can fight corruption all we want, but if we don't take care of the children, repair the extensive damage done to them, and provide a safe environment for them to heal, we will merely be "chasing our tails." The children are the leaders of the future. We must ensure that when the time comes they are able to be leaders that can carry our great nation into the future. We need to promote education and health reform for our children. These are not privileges - they are rights. Voting is a privilege. Education, food, health, safety and shelter are Rights!!!!!!

Let us do what we can to prevent rebels from hacking off the limbs of innocent babies!!! Be the voice of these innocent children. Help educate them. Help feed them. Help Clothe them.


HOW THE PLEDGE PROCESS WORKS - The Campaign started on 1/1/2008 and will continue for as long as you'd like to participate

1. Please leave a comment in the comments section of this post indicating that you will participate in the Pledge Campaign.

2. When you successfully get new pledge members or your campaign team, please send an update via email to me or the comments section so that we can all celebrate your success. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME YOUR MONEY!!!! You are accountable to your pledgees to PLEASE either use the money to buy books and/or school supplies to send to a desserving school or children's organization in Sierra Leone. Contact me at boutique-mix@hotmail.com for any assistance you need or before you start your campaign.

3. It is up to you to inform of us of your monthly pledge amounts or any campaign updates.

4. It is ok if some people just want to donate school supplies, clothes, book bags or shoes. You may keep all the supplies until the end of your campaign and send as a lump shipment or send as you collect. Choose your method.

5. We are operating under the honor system. I expect that you will collect and honestly account for all the donations/contributions you collect. If you find that this honor system does not work for you, please, please either buy school supplies immediately so that you don't have idle cash lying around or send the $$ to the deserving school/organization. Remember you are accountable to your team.

6. Please check in via the comments section or email me periodically so that we can all keep track of our progress.

7. On my end, I'm working to either take my campaign supplies to Sierra Leone and distribute myself or find a worthy school organization through which I can distribute the supplies.

8. This campaign is sponsored by Boutique MIX.

9. I am always eager to hear your comments via this blog or at my email address at boutique-mix@hotmail.com.

10. My biggest thanks and gratitude go to Sierra Express Media in Sierra Leone for posting this Sa Lone Pikin blog on their website in an effort to raise awareness about the campaign. Thanks to "borborh" for supporting this message!!!

11. My deepest gratitude to everyone for participating and/or spreading the word.

12. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

13. Please make a note of the names of all contributors so that we may list their names on the blog (if they have no objection) throughout the campaign.

We hope to keep the passion and momentum going each year. Thanks for all your help and support!! You Rock!!!

children 1 children 2 children 3 children 4 children 5 children 6 children 7 children 8 children 9

Thank you!!