You guys. In January 2016 my youth in the village and I began discussing and planning for their next project for the year. They told me their number one idea was a poultry farm because it was income generating and something new they wanted to try. We worked SO hard to research, plan, get quotations, fundraise, in kind, and discuss. We were surprised by the Fiji Ministry of Youth and Sports who chose us for their small grant opportunity. It was exciting and wonderful. Due to some miscommunication and pressure to turn the grant information in only a week after being notified it was available....we ended up with 89 live day old chicks in 2 boxes on our "doorstep". It was hard to complain..they were free. But we were not prepared yet. We first needed the building materials, feed, lighting, etc that we planned to fundraise for and seek assistance from Peace Corps. We kicked it into high gear and people donated roofing iron, wood, and cement from their own homes. People gave the small change they had so we could purchase feed. People from our village with jobs in the city sponsored us with buying lights and feed. It was a bit stressful but we did it with only losing a few chickens (a miracle seriously). I kicked it into high gear and got the remaining info needed to write our Peace Corps proposal. It took me 4 HOURS to write the final grant proposal in July. I turned it in..phew! Then there was a long delay in the grant review process. We were finally notified on September that it was approved!!!.....the same day I was being sent to America for medical. But no worries, I would be back in two weeks, right when the money would be cleared. WRONG. Yet another obstacle. Because I was "medically separated" from the Peace Corps I no longer could accept the (finally) fully funded grant (over $3000USD). This amount is less now due to the youth being forced to in kind and get creative the last 4 months.
While I am going back to Fiji and the village and youth have only expressed well wishes for my health...it is not fair for them. Or me. We put in SO much work. You have no idea. And so I decided to raise money. I need a little bit to help me get back there (no more Peace Corps stipend). And then I want to be able to show up with some of that expected financial support. The village fed me often, kept me safe, gave me a house and most importantly have become my family. I can follow through on this promise to them. But..I need your help.
Please consider donating. I will post updates on my blog of how the project is going. Here are some pictures from the the last 4 months.
****having issues with the link...will be fixed shortly..but for now please copy and paste it into your browser.
https://www.gofundme.com/missy-back-to-fiji-and-dakuivuna-2uxmtysk?ssid=778045777&pos=1
