Cura Village Blog: February 2013

Thanks to kind friends in Virginia, The Compassionate Journey Foundation is encouraging its sponsors and friends to support Cura this month. Thank you, Tami and Scott!

Dear Friends,

The Compassionate Journey Foundation was established in honor and memory of our son, CJ, so we can be his eyes to see the good in all, his heart to heal the broken, and his voice to comfort and bring peace. The objective of the Foundation is to support various organizations through acts of kindness and compassion throughout the world.

CJ had such a tender heart, kind and compassionate especially for those who were disadvantaged, impoverished, bullied or had difficult life circumstances. He was truly passionate about trying to make a difference in the lives of others through acts of kindness, great or small. It is who he was, what he believed in, and why it is so important for our family to carry forward CJ’s legacy by inspiring and supporting those striving for positive change for a compassionate world.

This week during Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb 11-17, 2013, the Compassionate Journey Foundation is challenging schools and students to participate by choosing one of the kindness projects below for Cura Orphanage in Kenya, Africa throughout the month of February.

Cura Orphanage is a residence for children who have lost their parents to AIDS. Fifty children, ranging in ages from 4 to 13 currently live at the home where they find safety, health and the comfort of a new family. The children attend the local pre- and primary schools, and are an integral part of the local village.

We learned about Cura through Mary Strickler, who is a teacher and yearbook adviser at Harrisonburg High School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Mary has an ongoing relationship and sponsorship with the school and even designed and published a yearbook for Cura. We enlisted Mary’s help in providing us with ways to best support Cura. To learn more about Cura, visit their website www.curaorphanage.com. You may also email Mary with any questions at mstrickler@harrisonburg.k12.va.us.

If you would like to participate in a Compassionate Journey to Cura Orphanage, please choose one of the options listed below or call us if you have an idea that is not on the list. When your project is completed, just give us a call, and we will pick up your project for shipping, or you may ship directly to the International Director, Hayden Bixby, with a note that your school is participating with the Compassionate Journey Foundation.

PROJECTS FOR CURA

A. Purchase Life Straws for the Kids - $19.95 eachhttp://eartheasy.com/lifestraw

B. Make health/first aid kit and/or dental kits

1. toothbrushes, toothpaste (could get donations from area dentists)

2. sanitary napkins

3. band aides - (fun ones)

4. large pads and tape for bigger wounds

C. Make Something Special - (We need 55 of whatever you make)

1. spirit Buttons – that say Cura United or have African terms

2. make friendship bracelets

3. make bookmarks

4. make fun “sunshine” cut out posters that say good morning/rise and shine - someone in America is thinking about you - for above their bed.

D. Create Fun Bags - (collect 55 party bags)

Fill bags with balloons, stickers, string to make their own bracelets, small boxes of crayons and small coloring books for each child.

E. Make video and upload to YOUTUBE or share on Google docs

1. sing a song (they love songs) about friendship

2. make a video showing what life is like in your area.

3. make a video demonstrating soccer techniques

If you have any questions, please call us at 434-989-8316. On behalf of The Compassionate Journey Foundation, we humbly thank you for your compassion to Cura and wish many blessings be returned.

Tami and Scott