My name is Amy and I want to do something amazing.  With your help I know I can accomplish my dream.  Ten years ago I met a person who would change the course of my life simply by bringing me into a world I never knew existed.  Nigeria is a bad word to most, corruption, fraud, thieves, romance scams.  I am here to tell you, all that is true, but it is SO much more.  It is a country filled with hope, smiling in the face of suffering and some of the kindest, humble, joyous people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

I have a dream - a realistic dream.  I want to make a difference, change the way Nigerians think of themselves, bring them into the global market place, and start a paradigm shift that will change a nation.  I know it is not your ground, there are people needing help right here in America, but you know what?  If I change them, I change all of us. Someone told me you can't teach a goat - I plan to prove them wrong.  Moreover, I plan to show them a changed goat can alter the whole herd.

Help me reach my goal of raising $6000.00.

Here is a 10,000 foot view of what I plan to do:

• Start a for profit and non-profit business teaching at risk kids how to think critically, develop their passion into a product or service, market, sell and build a business on that passion
• Create leaders from these kids - help them start a business that will help others
• Bridge the gap between the very poor and the very rich
• Change perceptions to see the value in themselves and their country

How?

• We are starting small in two ways - partnering with schools to offer courses in leadership, teamwork and critical thinking and artistic workshops making t-shirts, jewelry, and photography to raise funds for the schools and the non-profit
• As we grow we will offer seminars and workshops to those who can pay and use funds raised in the non-profit to cover costs for those who cannot

What does your money get us?

• Office and workshop space with supplies - Due to the high rate of corruption and fraud it is necessary to have a brick and mortar location people can visit and witness our work
• My team - I have assembled a team of like minded individuals in Nigeria and the US to kick this venture off - artists, marketers and financial advisors and ME - the creative genius behind the plan
• Cover costs of registering the organizations (lawyer is already working on it for me)
• Travel expenses - to get me on ground so I know what is happening and get us off on the right foot and help me send materials over
  
• A mini-van because the poor cannot afford transportation to come to us and we need a way to get around
• A Canon 5D camera and supplies for art photography - cards, posters, original prints
• Supplies for tie dye and photo transfer to create t-shirts for fund raising
• Our web site - so we can start marketing and get people motivated

Any questions you have, please ask me.  Any assistance you can give is greatly appreciated, whether it is a donation or sharing our message.  Please share this with everyone you know - we need help.  I promise to keep you up to date and let you know how we are doing.  Thank you so much and God bless you for your efforts.

By the way - the picture is of some of the kids closest to me in Lagos.  They inspire me, motivate me, and most importantly - they give me a reason to do more.