November Totals

November brought us closer to our $5000 goal. We are now just $258.93 away!
Last month you Gave Up birthday presents, chai, eating out, event tickets, meals, pizza and the contents of your change jar. And that means together we Gave $215! These small everyday decisions keep making a difference. In just 11 months of this Giving Up To Give movement we have been able to contribute thousands of dollars to the work of Giving Back To Africa, work that is impacting the lives of Congolese children in immeasurable ways.

But we aren't done yet. We have one month left find ways to Give Up $258 (or more! we can always surpass our $5000 goal!). Christmas is a busy time for all of us, and often a time where we focus on what to buy and what we want. Let's not forget to make Giving Up To Give a part of our Christmas this year. Give in honor of a loved one instead of buying them something they don't need. Ask for a donation in your name instead of a gift. Get your family involved--this is a great way for kids to see the power of Giving Up for others.

And just in case you need another reason to join Giving Up To Give, listen to what Bryce Smedley (who works at the US Embassy in Kinshasa, Congo) said about the work of Giving Back to Africa.

"I am very impressed with the school and its curriculum...I believe that this project can serve as a platform for advocacy to change the education system in the DRC. I have been able to travel to most of the provinces in the DRC and have visited countless schools. So far, I haven' t visited any school that can compare itself to [this school], it is truly remarkable, the students, teachers, etc."

Giving Up To Give from Dr. Jerry's perspective

Dr. Jerry is the Congolese program director for Giving Back to Africa. Every day he makes the one hour trip from his home to College des Saviors (the new name for Centre Salisa) where he tirelessly works with the teachers in training and developing, and with the students in learning and in empowering them as servant leaders.

 Dr. Jerry embodies the spirit of Giving Back To Africa. He models servant leadership every day for the teachers and students of College des Saviors. And he embodies the spirit of Giving Up To Give as he gives of himself, and even of his salary, to give towards building the future of Congo. Dr. Jerry took the time to write his reasons for why each of us should Give Up To Give and how your Giving Up To Give encourages him in this work. 

"Everyone on earth enjoys gifts from others. Even Jesus Christ when he lived on the earth, from childhood to adulthood, enjoyed gifts from other people he knew and people he did not know. For example, Mary took care of Jesus Christ raising him(with all that it takes to raise a child), people who came to worship Jesus Christ with gifts, and even the disciples who were at the service of Jesus Christ, gave to him. Jesus Christ received many gifts and also gave to the world the precious gift of himself.

For us as humans, we have all benefited from the care of our parents. Everyone has or has had the opportunity to communicate with people he doesn't know (as even communicating is a gift too ), everyone benefits from the gifts from others(even the air we breathe is a gift ... . )

Because of all this– the fact that each of us receives in one way or another gifts from other people, and also because God wants us to GIVE--why not to give gifts in our turn to others?

When I think about what GBA is doing, how they are investing in others to help children from DR Congo to be useful in society I am motivated and grateful."

Dr. Jerry and his wife Angel

Giving Up To Give a birthday gift

Early this month, my niece Lydia Gave Up one of her birthday gifts so that we could make a donation to Giving Back To Africa. Here's why she joined Giving Up To Give...

"I gave up my birthday gift so that kids in Congo could have the main necessities that I already have. I am glad that I could give back to a country that gave my cousin to me."

Thank you Lydia for joining us in helping to provide quality education to children in Congo!

We have less than 2 months left in our Giving Up To Give year. Will you help us to finish strong and reach our goal of $5000? Click on the calendar button so sign up for you Giving Up day!

October Totals!

October was a slower month for Giving Up To Give, but we still made progress. The total Giving was $204.65.

This makes our year-to-date total $4626.07!

We are less than $400 dollars away from our goal of $5000.

So many exciting things are happening with the teachers and  students we are supporting through Giving Back To Africa. A learning garden is in the works. Children who used to be shy are finding their voice and speaking confidently about what they have learned. Teachers are learning new empowering techniques and they are training other teachers. Community members are asking where these remarkable children attend school. Students are learning more than just information, they are becoming servant leaders in their community.
And because you make a decision to Give Up To Give, you are a partner in all of this.
Thank you! And keep Giving Up To Give!

Giving Up To Give: The Wehr Family

Earlier this month, the Wehr family joined Giving Up To Give. Amber explained where they found a place in their life to Give Up To Give...


My family and I don't eat out a lot, but on road trips, it is just easier to go through the drive thru and get food. On Saturday, after participating in the Orlando Buddy Walk, we decided to bypass our favorite fast food restaurant and instead eat leftovers from the fridge where we were staying. We are donating the money we would have spent at Chick-fil-A to Giving Back To Africa

Thanks Wehr family! 

September Giving Up To Give totals

September totals are in, and we are so close to our $5000 goal!

During September together we Gave Up enough to Give $828.87, which makes our year-to-date total

$4,421.42!!

We say this every  month, but it really is true: YOUR--OUR--Giving Up is making a difference. This community of intentional Givers has taken everyday, small-but-meaningful, ways of Giving Up and has turned it into over $4000. And this money makes a huge difference for how Giving Back to Africa can train teachers, empower students, and change a community. 

With 3 months to go before our year of Giving Up To Give comes to an end, we believe we can reach and ever surpass our goal of $5000. Will you join us (again) to help make this possible?

The Ripple Effect Of Our Daily Activities

Words from Becky, a Giving Back To Africa board member...

"Giving Up To Give reminds me to be more aware of my daily activities and how they have a ripple effect. I frequently get so caught up in the schedules, to do lists, and deadlines, that I miss the abundant life all around me.  Life is short and I have to think about how will I return the abundant blessings I have received.  One of my favorite quotes sums it up for me "Our brother's and sister's needs become our own, because they are taking the journey with us as we go to God.  Without us they would lose their way. Without them we could never find our own.""

Thank you Becky for your wise and inspiring words!

Our August Giving Up To Give Totals

Our Giving Up To Give totals are in for August. Last month we Gave Up enough to Give $295.27, which brings our year-to-date total to $3592.55!!

We are well on our way to reaching $5000 for the entire year! Can you help us make that amazing goal a reality? We believe that together we can use the remaining days and months of 2014 to find even more ways to Give Up so that we can Give towards the work of Giving Back To Africa. We believe that together we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of children in the Congo.

Remember, the Giving Back To Africa board members have filled each day of September on our Giving Up To Give calendar. So be thinking of creative ways you can Give Up in October.

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What can you do?

Today, Margaret is Giving Up and latte, and later this month, more lattes and a lunch out. Read on to hear why she is Giving Up and her challenge to you.

"Several years ago I was living in Kampala, Uganda and working with an organic fruit company. I drank instant coffee or none at all, rarely ate dairy, and often made a meal from the fresh fruit and veg seconds from the company's farm. Back in the U.S., I am spoiled again in this Western life. I treat myself to a latte or expensive fruit/veg juice once a week and eat lunches out way too often.

Last spring, I found out about Giving Back to Africa, a Bloomington, IN-based non-profit that works with Democratic Republic of Congo schools to integrate servant-leadership learning into existing curriculum. In doing so, students get members of the community involved in their learning, leading while positively impacting their community.

I miss Africa. It takes hold of you. So giving up a latte for a cup of hot water (so much better than it sounds - try it!) and eating some homemade guacamole and crackers instead of heading out for lunch not only allows me to donate what I might have spent to this worthy cause, but also connects me to the simpler life I led in Uganda.

It doesn't take much to Give up to Give. What can you do?"

 

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Giving Up To Give: Eating out

Beginning this month, Kerry has committed to Giving Up To Give one lunch out. Thanks Kerry for finding a simple and tangible way to support students in the Congo!

Kerry is a member of the Giving Back To Africa board. The entire month of September has been generously filled by members of the Giving Back to Africa board.

 

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Giving Up To Give because you CAN

Our Giving Up To Give calendar for today and yesterday has been graciously filled by Christina Embree. She Gave Up her lunch yesterday and pop on her date tonight. And here's why...

"We have been blessed with so much in this country from fresh water to comfortable shelters to abundant food resources. It's not hard to find something to Give Up so that someone else, a child, can have just a fraction of our blessings. I'm Giving Up To Give because I can. And, so can you."

There are lots of reasons you "should" Give Up To Give. But maybe today you just need to do it because you CAN.
Thanks Christina for reminding us that we CAN Give Up To Give!

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Celebrating Carter

Earlier this month, Chris and Emily Tiedeman Gave Up nonessentials at the grocery store. But today they are Giving Up To Give again, this time in memory of their son Carter.

Born with Cerebral Palsy, Carter faced tremendous obstacles. His body never allowed him to move on his own or speak but is his eyes communicated his strong spirit, his enthusiasm for life, and his love for his family. Carter was deeply loved by his parents and his siblings and today they celebrate his physical life that ended too soon.

And we celebrate and honor Carter with them. Thank you Emily and Chris for using this day to Give Up To Give. May the legacy of Carter's life be honored through this generous gift for children in the Congo.

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July Giving Up To Give Totals (we hit a huge goal!!)

July found our Giving Up To Give community packing lunches, emptying change jars, doing haircuts at home, reducing coffee consumption, skipping the farmer's market, eating less food, and Giving Up gatorade and chocolate, gas station drinks, car washes, and date nights, dinner out, clothing purchases, and nonessentials at the grocery store.

And all that Giving Up added up. Together we gave $500.10.

Which brings our year-to-date Giving Up To Give total to $3,297.28!

Amazing! Our $3000 goal has been officially surpassed!

But we aren't stopping here. We have 5 months left, which we believe is more than enough time to bring our Giving Up To Give total to $5000.

Will you help us reach this new goal? We have seen what we can do when we all Give Up together. Let's keep it up, as others to join us, and find more ways to turn our Giving Up into Giving.

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Giving Up To Give: A Family Dinner Out

Earlier this month Gretchen and her family Gave Up eating a family dinner out and instead chose to dine in. Though just one meal, the money they saved is more than enough to pay a GBA teacher's salary for a month, or help to fund one of the amazing Community Service Actions the students are doing. Just one meal, but a huge impact. Here's why they chose to join Giving Up To Give:

" The main reason that we chose to Give Up a family dinner out is because we truly enjoy helping other people and knowing who we are helping. It is so easy to go spend $50 on a dinner out, but that $50 could go a very long way for those who do not have what we do. I also think it is important to involve our children in Giving to those who are less fortunate than we are. I think it influences them to continue to do these things in life, and I have seen it have a positive impact on my 9 year old son."

 

Thanks Gretchen and family! We hope others are inspired by your choice to Give Up To Give.

 

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Why We Keep Giving Up To Give

The work of Giving Back to Africa is growing and expanding--thanks in part to your continued Giving Up To Give. Remembering why we Give Up is important. We aren't throwing money at a "problem." Our efforts to Give are allowing funds to be allocated towards learning that is empowering and sustainable. These pictures help to tell the story of how your Giving Up is connecting you to real children, a real community, and real hope.

Students practicing English in the new English club The latest Community Service Action: arm

measurements to check for malnutrition

 

Students practicing a skit for the community fete

Teachers gathered for training.

 

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June Giving Up To Give Totals

June Giving Up To Give totals are in. They aren't as exciting as our totals for May, but every time we Give Up and Give money to Giving Back to Africa, we make a difference. Every time we make even a small sacrfiice we add to the amazing and transformative work of GBA.

When together we Gave Up frozen yogurt, bedtime snacks, new sandals, meals, date night, new toys, birthday gifts, sugar, Amazon purchases, fast food, and eyebrow waxes, we did more than just Give money to GBA. We made a statement. We said that our momentary comfort is not more important than a quality education for a child in the Congo. We said that the way we live can make a difference for someone else. We said that our sacrifices (even small ones) can empower others.

Our total for June was $178.65, which brings our year-to-date total to: $2797.18

We are so close to $3000! Just over $200 gets us to a pretty exciting number. So join us (again) during July. Get a friend or a family member to join with you. Get creative and make a statement about hope and empowerment for children in the Congo.

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Congolese Independence Day and 30 (easy) ways to Give Up To Give

Today Congolese celebrate their Independence Day--a day commemorating their freedom from colonial Belgium rule in 1960. Freedom to be an independent nation was won, but the fight for true freedom in Congo contines today--and you can join! Will you choose to walk alongside students and teachers as they continuue that fight, away from war and poverty, and towards independence, education, empowerment, sustainability, and innovation?

During the month of July we have made joining easy for you. You can choose one of this month's pledges, from $2 and up, to provide curriculum, instruction, and nutrition at our partner school in Congo, and to continue the fight for true freedom.

 

All you have to do is pick a pledge and leave a comment about what day you are Giving Up To Give in July--it's that easy!

 

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May Totals (hint: it's a lot!)

The month of May was a HUGE month for Giving Up To Give!

Together we Gave $1249.82!!!

Which brings our year-to-date total to...

$2618.39!

Through Giving Up fruit, birthday gifts, Mother's Day gifts, driving, art supplies, anniversary gifts, date night, coin savings, Starbucks, eating out, sugar, doughnuts, and flowers, we made a huge impact for Giving Back To Africa. Giving Up together really does make a difference.

Thank you for joining us. We are almost halfway through our 365 days of Giving Up To Give. We need your help to finish the second half strong. Keep thinking of ways to Give Up. Keep signing up on the calendar. Keep making a difference in the lives of children in the Congo.

 

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Giving Up To Give: Garage Sale Edition

It's Summer, so garage sales are popping up everywhere, and today the Beitings are Giving Up the proceeds from their garage sale to Giving Back to Africa. We think this is a Giving Up To Give first and we love that the Beitings are choosing to Give Up money that could easily be spent on fun family activities instead.

 

"We gave up the proceeds from a recent yard sale. While it's a very small sacrifice for us, we're hoping it can make a big difference in the lives of the Congolese children. Ryan (our oldest son) very graciously gave up some of his "lemonade stand" proceeds as well. This was a great lesson for him, and he felt proud to be in a position where he could help others. Our connection to the Congo began when we were able to welcome Oliver into the family. He is so dear to us, and we are truly blessed to have him in our lives."

Chances to Give Up are all around us every day. Help us keep looking for these Giving Up opportunities--Giving Up To Give only works when ALL of us Give Up together!

 

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Giving Up To Give: the first baby donor

Today our Giving Up To Give calendar has been filled by a 1 year old. He has generously (with the help of his equally generous mother and father) Given Up the purchase of some new baby toys.

We would ask for him to comment on his Giving Up, but unfortunately his vocabulary is a bit limited. But actions speak louder than words, so let the children lead us.

Thank you Charles! (and say thanks to your mom and dad for us too).

 

 

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