Just over a year ago, I raised $1100 for secondary education in Kenya. So, when I took off to travel, I thought I’d ride the wave, so to speak, and keep at it. I am amazed at the money and support everyone has given to Sole Purpose and most are from people I’ve never even met. Together, we put $1135 towards Sole Purpose projects for education and micro-lending this past year. That’s $2235 over the past 15 months, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m not a huge fan of asking people for money- I’d rather spread the word about projects and let people decide to donate in a no-pressure way. But, at one point on this trip, I did plead for donations and the response was great! Now that my trip and my fundraising have concluded (for now), I’m trying to decide my next move. I’m very grateful for everyone who supported my cause by stopping by to read about it. I’m not done fundraising, but am searching for a method with longevity. Until then, here’s an overview of all of the projects and the amazing people that made a financial contribution!!
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Education Project: Questscope
Project Information
Amount: $35
Donors:
Jessica & Joe
Sherry: Ottsworld.com: A travel writer that inspired me to start this blog actually, Sherry is a phenomenal storyteller. Not to mention she takes amazing photographs.
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Micro-lending Project: Video Show in Kenya
Project Information
Project Update
Amount: $195*
Donors:
Beat the Brochure: Beatthebrochure.com: Beating travel agents. Beating brochures. Beating press. Beating websites. This online booking site has been beating brochure prices for over 5 years online, offering customers the very best priced travel services available on the internet for many destinations world wide.
Wanda
Quirine
Joseph/MJL Renewables
Sharmila: Cheekychilli.com: Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you visit her food blog, be prepared to drool over some pretty amazing recipes and excellent food photography.
Derek: Wanderingearl.com: Derek (i.e. Earl) runs an entertaining travel blog and his wanderings have taken him to 67 countries.
Heather: Theresnoplacelikeoz.com: Heather is on my list of “Favorite people I’ve never met in person but hope to soon” She is taking a career break to travel, work, and live in Australia.
Glen: Glen’s Travel Blog: Glen is on a 10 year trip (yes I’m jealous too!), photographing some of the most exquisite places around the world.
Diane: NPCO.org: Although Diane personally donated, I wanted to spotlight the organization she works tirelessly for: Non-Profit Chiropractic Organization, which provides chiropractic care in poverty-stricken places around the world.
*I gave an additional $220 to complete the project which the boys are not required to pay back.
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Education Project: Back to School Foundation
Project Information
Amount: $210
Donors:
HotelsCombined: HotelsCombined.com helps you search all the best travel sites at once and find the cheapest price.
AmberLoraine*
Chad & Beth*
*These donations were made in my final month of travel but I decided to give them to this project.
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Education: Big Brother Mouse Books
Project Information
Amount: $40
Donors:
Joseph/MJL Renewables
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Education Project: Baan Dada
Project Information
Amount: $435
Donors:
Jenn & Adam
Marcela & Juan
Chris: TheAussieNomad.com: Chris can be found traveling & working his way around Europe and maybe downing a few beers along the way.
Spencer: TheTravelingPhilosopher.com: A fellow Southerner, freelance writer, and seersucker enthusiast, Spencer just relocated to Costa Rica and will be sharing exciting tales about island life.
Katie
Cindi
Michele
Sarah: ShesInLoveWithTheWorld.com: Sarah recently completed a trip around the world & went to some places that are still yet to be crossed off on my travel list.
Andrew: GoOverseas.com: Andrew runs a fantastic site full of teach, study, and volunteer abroad resources.
Mom & Dad
Natalie
That’s awesome – congrats on raising that much money!
Thanks Abbie!
Such fantastic projects!!
And just our mutual pal how often I’ve talked about you — you’re on my fave list too in case you weren’t quite sure :-)
Phew, what a relief ;) Hope to catch you back in the States in a few months!
Congrats on all of the amazing work you did!!! You should be SO proud of yourself.
Thanks Andi! It makes me proud when I see happier people with more hope as a result :)
Laura – I was so thrilled to be a part of your project even if it was only a small part. You were someone who completely captured me with your story and your drive; I was really in awe. It has been a joy to follow along on your travels; I don’t follow that many people these days…as I have my own hands full…but your story was important to me. I just hope that I can be as effective at giving back as you are.
I can’t wait to see where you end up. I will be watching closely! As I do hope to meet one day in person!
Sherry,
I really appreciated all of your support along the way! I’m watching closely, as well, to see where I end up! Not really sure where yet, but things always seem to work out :) Hope to catch up with your in person soon as well!
Congrats Laura! It’s so true you have done an amazing thing!
Reading your blog has planted the little seed in my mind that maybe one day I’ll do something cool like that!
Thanks Annie! It’s been fun!
Look at you, with all these amazing good deed you done. Proud of you girl.
Congratulations! That’s an amazing achievement. :)
Very cool, Laura! Congrats on doing such an awesome job!
It was a worthy cause and since I couldn’t be there with you mate a few $$ thrown in your direction was the least I could do.
You have done a great job, hope to catch up with you at some stage and get to know more about it than just what I can read from your blog posts.
Its inspirational that people are willing to go out of their way to collect money in this way to help others. You should be very proud of yourself:) Russ