Peace to All Beings

For more information about Village Health Works or to donate more, please go to http://www.villagehealthworks.org/ways-to-help/other-ways-to-help

I have wanted to do PEACE (acronym) t-shirts for a long time.  I struggle internally, as I imagine many of you do as well, with knowing that there are people in the world today that have had to face (or are facing) the atrocities of war.  

Village Health Works is working with those who have survived war to rebuild and move forward.  I wanted to find a project that was well designed and truly exhibited peace and healing.  Being that I have worked with a few organizations in the past, and also studied international relations and development projects; I am keenly aware of how programs can have problems in meeting the goals of community led and sustainable, growing endeavors.  This project is a model for other communities.  

"You will not pay a penny for this road.  We become so much sick because we are poor, but we are not poor because we are lazy.  We will work on this road with our own hands'  The next day a hundred sixty-six people showed up with pickaxed, hoes, machetes, and other tools.  One of the volunteers was a woman who came to work with a sick child.  When a friend of mine and I looked at the baby, we saw that the baby was sweating.  I then asked the mother why she came to work with a child that was sick.  And she said to me, 'Well, I've already lost three children, and I know this one is next, whether I stay at home or come to work here.  So it's better for me to join others and make my contribution, which hopefully will help to save someone else's child, who will be sick but alive when you have a clinic in Kigutu."

The quote above is from the book http://www.amazon.com/dp/0812977610/ref=asslpdtflc?tag=villhealwor0b-20&camp=14573&creative=3276... Strength in What Remains, by Tracy Kidder.  The book is how I came to know about the project.  It is the story of Deo  http://www.villagehealthworks.org/story/deos-story an incredible survivor who persevered in ways most of us can never imagine.  He has worked and continues to work tirelessly to make important changes in the world.  Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world.  Do a small part by supporting this project and help to spread compassionate action in the world and reduce needless suffering.