Hi everyone, most of you have followed me from the beginning, last July to be exact, when I visited Vietnam, and was inspired to create a charity for children with disabilities in developing countries. Ability Beyond the Horizon, *http://www.
We now have a fully functioning non profit corporation in Florida. We have a powerful, capable, and devoted board of directors. We have two projects blossoming in two different countries, India, and Vietnam, all in less than a year. Ability Beyond the Horizon will make huge differences in the lives of children with disabilities, with your support, these children may be able to attend school with their non-disabled peers. What this means is that children with disabilities will have an opportunity to be successful in their communities and in life. We are beginning with visual impairments, but we plan to expand to support infants and toddlers of all disabilities, so that every child with a disability may have the greatest opportunity for success.
Money from the developed world, like the US and Europe, is incredibly powerful. You can hire a teacher in Vietnam for part time work, for a month for $40. That teacher will be able to work with 10-15 students. Many people think that because they are not Wall Street gazillionaires that they can't make a difference. In the developing world, any contribution, even $10 has an impact. Our first goal is to get the $750 that the US government requires to file for 501(c)3 status, which allows all contributions to be tax deductible and for us to apply for grants. We have 400 in the bank from contributions already, thanks to those who gave in advance. We NEED to get to $750 first, then your money will go to hiring staff in Vietnam and India, setting up operations in those countries, and getting me over there to recruit and educate. I am working for free for Ability Beyond the Horizon, but there are operating expenses. I know the economy is difficult right now, any contribution you can make will be unbelievably appreciated. Lets show people that we can make a difference, even when times are scary, we will still make a difference where it is needed. This is your chance to have an impact on the world's stage.
In the developing world, people with disabilities often have no opportunities for the same things we take for granted every day, like an education, or a supportive family that believes they are capable of success, where would you be if you did not have that opportunity? With our help, and a quality education with their non disabled peers, these children can move closer to having the opportunities we all enjoy.
Many of you have contacted me along the way to ask me how you can help. We're building a ship of opportunity to take people in the developing world beyond the limitations of their horizon, so that those with disabilities can become part of their society in meaningful ways. We have built the first ship, its small, but capable, and more will follow. We have gathered the crew; now we need your help to provide the power to get it sailing, your support will put wind in the sails. You can donate directly from the website, at the Get Involved link at the top of the page. Its through Paypal, which is the same bank Ebay uses. You can also send a check made out to Ability Beyond the Horizon, 5789 St. Joe Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32311
If you have any questions at all, please write me here, or call me at 850-766-2814.
Lets make a difference for children with disabilities, lets do our part to provide education and opportunity to those who live in countries without the means to allow for the success of people with disabilities. In addition to your financial support, you can also make a HUGE difference by telling the people you know, your word of mouth is priceless. Forward this message onto your friends, and friends of your friends. This is an email forward to be proud of. Be sure to remove the FW: from the subject line when passing this along, as people tend to just delete those. I know we can do it, and I look forward to moving toward success for these children with your support.
~Mickey
