A ginormous THANK YOU!! to all who have helped us make a difference this year.
2011 was a huge year for us. We opened our first Tajikistan office, we drew up training plans, we filed for IRS tax exempt status, we hired, we recruited, and we are beginning to see the first fruits of the seeds so carefully planted.
That said, I am looking to 2012 with even more excitement, apprehension, and pause. Some bold action will be needed and the plans laid in 2011 have set a challenging course.
This year we will review, adapt, and multiply our Tajikistan project from our one office to three. This will require much time and careful consideration. To train additional personnel will demand patience, wisdom, and a great deal of clarity. It will be a very sensitive process. Small mistakes will have a lasting impact on hundreds of lives.
I will also begin recruiting an Afghan organization to run our first project in Afghanistan. This assessment and negotiation will be vital to our work across the border. Much will ride on how effective my ability to read people and situations is. This will be even more challenging due to my limited experience in the area. The only upside is that there really isn't anyone who really understands how to work over there period, which is why we are determined to fumble our way through it.
With all of these challenges, with all of these obstacles, some could advise us to pull back or delay the plans. But poverty is not delayed, the hungry do not forget their hunger. Others do not have the luxury of time. I don't know how it will all work together, but I trust that it will.
I hope that you will consider allowing our vision to become your vision. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, please give me a call at the number posted on togetherforabetterlife.org under contact. I would love to do coffee and share adventures, dangers, as well as heartwarming moments from Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Our greatest needs in 2012-
1. Approximately (no official budget yet.. soon though) $12,000 by late June
2. An experienced director to oversee our Tajikistan/Afghanistan projects
3. A growing number of interested followers of our work.
