2010 Global Seva Challenge: South Africa - THE BASICS

Friends, Hello, and Welcome to my blog, intended to spread the word and keep supporters in the loop about my Global Seva Challenge: South Africa.

Your WHAT, you ask?

Precisely. I'm so glad you're here.

First, I'll just give you the basic details of WHAT this is! Very soon I'll invite you into my psyche and heart by sharing the WHY behind my endeavor.

The Global Seva Challenge is an act of selfless service through a US non profit organization Off the Mat, Into the World. Each year OTM selects one community in crisis in an under-served population, and asks participants to commit to raising significant funds for a collection of powerful local projects aimed at creating lasting positive change. The changes in Cambodia and Uganda as a result of Off the Mat's former projects have been nothing short of DIVINE.

This year's challenge is focusing on the crises of HIV/AIDS, orphaned youth, illiteracy, hunger, poverty, and the widespread devastating effects of apartheid in Cape Town, South Africa. The mission includes supporting a beautiful orphan home, building a half way house, whole grain bakery, district-wide after school classroom serving 688 children, modern high school library, peer mentorship services, and more. It is likely that OTM will raise nearly $500,000 for these projects that have the power to radically transform this region and provide an outlook of possibility and hope for a currently devastated youth population. A portion of the total amount raised will go to support the continued expansion and sustainability of the Urban Seva Project (Los Angeles), as well as administrative support for all OTM programs and projects.

Inspiring, right??? Right. And this is where I come in.

I HAVE COMMITTED TO RAISING $20,000 FOR THIS PROJECT BY DECEMBER 15, 2010!

And, once (and only if) I reach this goal, I will personally travel to South Africa in February of 2011, to provide hands-on Seva (selfless service), and Bare Witness to these projects' miraculous manifestations, connect and support those who will be touched by the work, and share the journey with you all every step of the way.

Sara, how on EARTH are you going to raise $20,000?!?!?!?!

That, my Friends, is where YOU come in! I need your help, and I offer you a chance to be part of something beautiful, divine, miraculous, and powerfully loving through my efforts.

The best ways to begin?

• Follow my blog.
• Invite your friends.
• Donate personally, if you are able.
• Invite friends to donate.
• Spread the word about the blog via Facebook, Twitter, Email, and social media.
• Brainstorm whether you know anyone who may wish to give or links to media to raise awareness.
• And perhaps comment here, to give me a little LOVE. You have no idea how much it warms my heart and helps me move forward to continue to do this work.

Thank you all for visiting, for reading, and for being in my life. May your day be filled with Love, Light, and Wonder.

NAMASTE.