I’ve been a part of Lisa Jo’s Five Minute Friday Community for almost as long as I’ve had this blog. Some of my favorite posts of all time have been scratched out with her prompts. I am thrilled to be partnering with her for this project.
Yesterday, I told you that there was going to be a lovely love thing happening on Friday.
There is a love flash mob happening today! And I want you to join it (no crazy dance moves required).
Last night, Malone asked for a carrot. I walked to my refrigerator, took one out, peeled and cut it, and handed it to him. Love in action.
But on the other side of the world, getting a carrot isn’t so simple. It isn’t as easy as walking to the refrigerator and pulling one out. If you want a carrot, you’ve got to grow it. And if you want to grow it, you need a garden. On top of that, not everyone has a mama to get that carrot.
The Muabane Community is home to 150 adults and 250 orphans and children. They live north of Pretoria, South Africa. They live in community with each other and women love on babies that are not their own. Because, love does.
It is a place Lisa Jo Baker holds close to her heart. She lives in the States now, but she’s originally from South Africa. Three of her siblings were adopted from this community. Her family visits on a regular basis. This community is a place she calls home.
It’s a place where woman dream big dreams for their kids, pray big prayers, and rock babies back to sleep at 2:00 am. They might live a half a world away from us, but our motherhood truths are the same. They make dinner, they braid hair, they worry, they kiss boo boos, and break up fights between siblings.
Same motherhood, different continent.
They’ve got a God sized dream to build a garden, a community kitchen and welcome center, community outreach hall, 12 classrooms, and a playground.
They’ve got the plans drawn, the permits ready, and a sustainable and scalable action plan. The only thing they are missing is money.
These mamas need our help.
The first phase kicks off today with a goal to raise $5000.00 for 2500 square meter vegetable garden. A space where little hands can get dirty learning how to grow carrots of their own. A space that will feed their community and give them a product to sell at the markets. A space that will change their world. This garden will be watered from a community watering project that a similar flash mob funded last fall in 12 HOURS. 12 hours!
They’ve got the space marked out. For the price of a latte, you can help make this garden happen. Because we both know that love is a verb.
And it might be the greatest action word of all.
I’ve already made my donation. Will you partner with me and make one too?
If you would like to learn more about this project and their phases, click here to be taken to their main page on Pure Charity. Update! Phase one of this project fully funded in about 10 hours time on Valentines Day! Can you believe it? This project has moved to phase two, which will raise funds to build a community kitchen and welcome center!
Thanks for sharing this amazing story and cause with us, NJ! Love is most definitely a VERB and one we need to exercise every day!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted..What is Love?
I would be absolutely honored to make a donation!! Love is a verb and this is the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and love that I can imagine. Thank you *so much* for writing about this today!! Mwah! –Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..Pinterest Nightmare #350: The TwoDaLoo
” They live in community with each other and women love on babies that are not their own. Because, love does.”
YES!!! I love this reminder that we are all the same… even when an ocean separates us, we are not divided in how we love our Littles, or how we dream for a better future for them!
I love that we get to sow into this garden together… and watch God grow it into this larger than life miracle that goes beyond a garden and a one time harvest!
~Karrilee~ recently posted..An Invitation to Fall in Love – Five Minute Friday
Wow – it’s already funded! I will save my donation for the next phase of the project – what a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Dana recently posted..The evolution of Valentine’s Day
Uggh, you had me at flash mob and I WAS going to bring all my crazy dance moves. Instead, I will join you in celebration. FULLY funded 1st phase. WOOHOOO.
Alia Joy recently posted..On Rationing Love and Planting Gardens
Wow, this is amazing. I will donate a percentage of the proceeds from my next crayon roll order to this cause, NJ! Thanks so much for sharing.
Nancy recently posted..Slice of Life #6
Oh yes LOVE is a Verb! What an inspiring article. Thank you so much for sharing Visiting from SITS.
Myrah – Coupon Mamacita recently posted..I Love You to the Moon and Back Wall Decal ONLY $4.90 Shipped!