 KwaZulu Natal, South Africa February 5, 2007 Dear Friends,This is Melissa Trombetta and I want you to know what I will be doing during the next several months. First some background. In late January I turned 23. After getting a two year Associates Degree from a local community college at age 18, I decided to take a break from academics and pursue a career I had long enjoyed as a hobby: hair cutting, styling and giving people make-overs. People had been paying me to do this since I was 16 so I decided to get certified. It was also clear that being good at this artistic skill would, someday, allow me to work my way through the final two years of University. Since earning the certification, two years ago, I have worked at a hair salon/barber shop where five months ago I became the manager. Last Summer I moved out of a house with 4+ wonderful roommates into my own small, quiet apartment. Life was good: fun job, plenty of money, bought my own car, terrific friends and yet, something was missing... for many years I have wanted to go some place and do something for those who cannot help themselves. From a young age I dreamed of Africa: the land of deserts, rain forests, wild animals and unique people groups. In the past year I realized that it is time to live out this dream. For nearly two years I have worked with Bantu refugees from Somalia (Muslims). I help children with homework and English skills. Interacting with their families furthered tugged at my heart to go. After much searching to find 'the right place' I heard about God’s Golden Acre; and they accepted me as a volunteer. It is an orphanage located 35 miles North of Durban, South Africa, in a rural setting and quite isolated. The people in the area are from the indigenous Zulu tribe.  God’s Golden Acre is a non-governmental faith based organization that provides shelter for about 90 children who have been orphaned or abandoned as a result of AIDS or violence. They also reach out to rural communities with around 4,000 children. To learn more about these people Google “Zululand”. In the orphanage children are raised with Christian beliefs in conjunction with a focus on maintaining connection to their Zulu culture. Volunteers, 15-30 at any given time, come from a variety of nations and represent many different belief systems and political views. You may have heard about God's Golden Acre on the Oprah show as she brought it to public attention. Please watch this www.oprah.com/video/presents/ck/ck_clip_3_qx_f.jhtml" target="_top">video And don't get me wrong. This 'venture' is not going to be easy. Going to a foreign culture so far away and so different is quite scary. The living conditions will be spartan at best. Leaving my 'good life' behind tears at my heart. That's why I really need your prayers and emotional support. Yet I know that this is the right time to leave. In order to carry out this 6 month 'mission', which begins on March 1st, I also need financial help. Although I have savings, the total cost plus starting all over again when I return will deplete everything. Therefore any help is sincerely appreciated. Here are the estimated needs: Airfare = $2,300. (A 2 day flight in 3 different airplanes!) Immunizations = $350 Insurance = $200 Monthly living expenses = $300/mo. [Volunteers live 1-6 in a room with water and electricity (usually). Food is a personal responsibility so we ‘Westerners’ need extra money to go to town for supplies.] Travel expenses while in South Africa, as we get every other weekend off, in order to see surrounding areas = approx. $1800. Total = $6,650 - $2000 already promised = $4,650 for the entire 6 months (including airfare). There are two ways to contribute... 1. By check: a one time or regular monthly support, to my parents home: Melissa Trombetta 8502 NE 66th. St. Vancouver, WA 98662 (360.254.1998) 2. Online with PayPal. Send funds to newgrip@juno.com (my dad's account) Future plans, upon returning to Portland, Oregon, are to work part time and complete my final two years of University, in Cultural Anthropology and work toward a Masters Degree in Social Work. Please pray that the peace and love of God will flow through me and that safety and joy would accompany my steps. Thank you for considering my request, Melissa p.s. Please stay in touch and visit my online travel journal blog   Site Map Google Search: God's Golden Acre |