It is easy to help.

About 2 weeks ago, we received an email from Tonie, whom Duncan and I met in Kampala back in April.

Tonie started a small orphanage for street children in Kampala after he had grown up on the streets himself. He has also created a small band out of the boys who he has helped get off the streets, and they perform to raise money for the orphanage (and, Dunc and I were lucky enough to see them in action).

The band plays at the end of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_zNhVB_LbA

Tonie emailed us to ask for help. Two of the boys were very sick in the hospital and they had no way to pay for the hospital bills that were coming.
“…Davis lost his senses on Thursday, last week, and he was admitted to Mengo Hospital. And, on Friday, he was put on oxygen. Right now, he can not talk — he is still unconscious. Doctors are trying to do whatever they can. We are so worried about him. Bryan was also admitted to Mengo Hospital, yesterday. He has malaria, cough flu, and pain inside the body…”

We found out the bill was going to be about $220 USD. So, Dunc, Chelsea (a friend of OA), and I sent out a few emails to our close friends asking for small donations of between $5 and $20. In less than 3 days, we raised almost $400 dollars from donations of $30 or less from people who don’t have a lot of money.

Had to share this as it is such a great example of the “Power of Plenty” (what our friends at Givemeaning.com advocate and facilitate) and how anyone, if they want, can make a huge difference with very little effort. But more than that, this exemplifies the increase in power that a group of people has over individuals in being able to make a difference.

Lesson: Get some people together and actually make a difference.

Gavin