Africa Trip 2011

Hello,

Well we just returned from Africa last week and I wanted to fill you in on our amazing experience. We were fortunate to team up with Meriwether Foundation and visit their orphanage in South Africa (while also crossing over into Zimbabwe and Botswana). The kids were amazing and inspiring as always. Every time I go out to Africa I am reminded of how we are all different yet really all the same. I'm reminded of how we all desire a life of happiness, freedom, peace, and health. I look at the children in the orphanage, some of whom are orphans or vulnerable children who struggle with poverty or even HIV/AIDS, and I am inspired by their strength and by their ability to find happiness from within. I truly believe and have seen with my own eyes that happiness is not really something that we get from our relationships, the car we drive, the house we live in, the job we think that defines us, but rather happiness is something we tune into from within. It's an amazing experience to just be out there with the children and to be exposed to their daily reality and be able to play with them and inspire hope, showing them that we care about their well being. It was so fun to just play with them, to see them smile, to hold hands together, and to just witness their strength and bliss from within.

Nicky from WMO2H playing with the kids!

Since starting With My Own Two Hands Foundation it has been a year filled with lots of lessons, inspiration, and also challenges. But when we were with with the children, I am reminded of how all the time, energy, and effort has all paid off because I know that we were able to make a difference, both by helping their project, but also just by being there with them. I am so fortunate to be able to participate and run this foundation, as I find this the most rewarding "job." I really have found my passion in being able to try and inspire people to make a difference in the lives of those in need, remembering that we are all connected...all one!

It was an eye opening experience reminding us to be grateful for the abundance that surrounds us. We are looking forward to this upcoming year and expanding and reaching out to projects in need of our support. We want to thank all of our supporters. We also want to thank Meriwether Foundation for a great trip and being a part of their orphanage. We were ALL able to make a difference for these beautiful children in Africa.

Light and Love,

Lindsey Pluimer