Adventures in Fundraising, Part 1

Source: The New York Times

As most of you know, in my free time I have been volunteering with Dr. Karl Weyrauch, founder of the Pygmy Survival Alliance (PSA). Dr. Weyrauch has been traveling to Rwanda for years, acting as an advocate for the needs of the most marginalized population in Rwanda, the Pygmies. They are the poorest and most underserved people in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Along with other dedicated community members and friends, Karl and I worked to make PSA a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the summer of 2009. Since we’ve been granted nonprofit status, we’ve created a website, built a strong board, and started planning for the next phases of our work in Rwanda. Some of our goals include reducing child and maternal mortality through cost-effective and locally-driven health, education, nutrition, sanitation and housing advancements. Please take time to look at our website to learn more about our history, mission and values and check out projects we've worked on in our blog.

Last year we completed the first phase of a terrace building project. This resulted in the harvest of over one ton of beans to combat malnutrition, the underlying cause of 50% of childhood mortality in the village. Now, we hope to raise $1600 to complete Phase 2 of our project. The money will buy food for village terrace-builders, hoes, manure, seeds and agricultural education. Completion of Phase 2 will result in doubling their harvest, and will further help to eradicate malnutrition.

Source

Because PSA is a 501(c )3 nonprofit, your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. PSA is currently run by a volunteer board that I serve on proudly as vice president. Therefore, 100% of your donation will go toward this project – giving you the opportunity to directly help this population so in need.

Consider this: $1 will feed a worker's family for a day. $2 will pay a person's health insurance for a year. $4 will buy a hoe, to build a terrace, to plant a crop, which will nourish a village, for a lifetime.

We need to raise $1,600 in the next two weeks before Karl returns to Rwanda. Please help today by sending a donation to Pygmy Survival Alliance at 1138 13th Ave, Seattle, Washington 98122. You can also donate online. It is fast, easy and secure. 

In return for your tax-deductible contribution for this critical project, I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of PSA and the Pygmies of Rwanda. Our success is critical to their survival. Please give what you can today.


Thank you for your consideration!


Sincerely,

Elizabeth Scallon
Pygmy Survival Alliance
Seattle, WA. USA
1.206.914.7603

PS: We are funded in part by Coffee Rwanda. When you purchase coffee from their website, you are also helping PSA. We appreciate whatever help you can offer.