Growing up my family always had a huge jar that we kept in our garage. The sole purpose of this jar was to be filled with coins and bills that we found lying on the sidewalks, parking lots, parks, and so on. We collected this money for people in need. I remember the excitement I had as a little girl when I would find change...even something as little as a penny. I would put it in my pocket until I was home and could drop it in the jar. Each time a coin landed in the jar and made a clank, we would all get excited at the thought of the jar filling up one day. And it has been filled many times over. Although my family is scattered all around the world, we still collect the change we find to give to someone else.
As I've moved back from Africa and have embarked on this new adventure of starting my own photography business, I've had something on my mind. The thought of my new venture being simply a business isn't enough for me. I want more...and I know in my heart the Lord wants more from my business, too. I've been praying about this idea... asking the Lord for the right guidance and a pure heart. And so, I present to you a new aspect to my photography... Jars of Change. Ten percent (10%) of each of my photo shoots will be donated to one of three organizations listed below. As a client, you can choose which organization will receive the 10%. Essentially, each of my shoots will be filling up these jars of change...to make a change in the lives of people in need. I am excited to donate to these organizations as they are close to my heart.
Donations from your photo shoot will go to one of the following.
1) Charity Water: Charity water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Think about this... just $20 can provide someone with water for TWENTY years...wow. I've visited many places where water is very hard to come by. We so quickly take water for granted but for many,water is hard to come by....clean water is even more difficult. Everyone deserves clean, safe water. http://www.charitywater.org/
2) Tirrim Project: When I went to the desert in Northern Kenya I visited Tirrim School, a school in the middle of nowhere. The students there have to walk miles a day just to go to school. Many of these children don't even have shoes and yet they walk so they can learn. Can you imagine? And to think I thought packing my own lunch was difficult! Each day the children risk their lives hoping they don't step on a scorpion or a deadly snake...or get blisters that may turn into a deadly infection. The money donated to the Tirrim Project will provide leather sandals for these children and peace of mind on their walks to and from school.
3) International Justice Mission: International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems. Your gift enables IJM to bring rescue and restoration to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. The Lord has really challenged my heart in this area... it's hard for me to fathom someone enslaving another human being. If I can help in some way to free at least one person, I will. http://www.ijm.org/
