Coffee That Supports Our Cause

Coffee That Supports Our Cause

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, with over fifty countries and a population of nearly 1.4 billion. It is home to nine known environmental biomes with the equatorial belt cutting straight through the middle of Africa. Harvested all throughout this...
The Power of a Picture

The Power of a Picture

We’ve all heard the cliche, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” From four-story-high billboards and full-color glossy magazine to social media viewed on smartphones and wearable technology, great images stop us in our tracks. Images capture our attention because or...

Speedbumps

Our local neighborhood association recently lobbied our City Council to construct speed bumps along the main road leading into our subdivision. As a parent, I was excited to see them installed along that road because I’ve seen far too many near-misses between speeding...

Fundraising Magic

We are overjoyed to be the Global Ambassadors for Uganda Shoe Trees (UST). In our daily life, we are a Christian Illusionist team. We travel all over the world working with churches and ministries to draw in and entertain their audiences. As a part of our shows, we...
The Reluctant Traveler

The Reluctant Traveler

I was the VERY reluctant traveler. I hesitantly went to Uganda with friends who started, and have been working with what is now www.ugandashoetrees.com for almost 20 years. Not a “spa getaway.” Instead, doing the unknown in an unknown place with unknown...
My Favorite Part of the Job

My Favorite Part of the Job

I am often asked, “What’s your favorite part of the work you do for Uganda Shoe Trees?” For a number of years, it was quite difficult for me to answer because I really and truly love everything that I do with UST. I enjoy immensely the time I get to spend with the...
The Making of Uganda Shoe Trees Part Four

The Making of Uganda Shoe Trees Part Four

My time with Mike, as descibed in my last post, inspired me to think long-term about the future of what was now Uganda Shoe Trees. Over the past three years, I have spent nearly six months on the ground in Uganda developing the project and partnering with other...
The Making of Uganda Shoe Trees Part Three

The Making of Uganda Shoe Trees Part Three

One of the fundraising events I mentioned in my last post was a Christmas Blues concert. During the intermission between the opening and featured performers, I shared about the shoe project I was doing in Uganda and the opportunities available for people to help. I...
The Making of Uganda Shoe Trees Part Two

The Making of Uganda Shoe Trees Part Two

In the a-ha moment I described in my last post, I began to understand the magnitude of the need. Uganda is a nation of 45 million people.  It has the youngest population of any nation in the world. Uganda’s exponential population growth in the 21st century has...