🦋 💜 🌿 Hi!

How are you doing?

I wanted to tell you about some inspiring things.

Sometimes I get discouraged about the direction the world is going in, so I have to collect those sparks of inspiration and hope.

First, I finally got to watch a documentary I have been looking forward to for a really long time - Common Ground. ​

It recently got added to Amazon Prime, making it easier to watch or rent online.

The movie shares facts about how we can combat climate change with the power of conserving and improving our soil and through changes in how we grow food.

​Whether you grow plants in your backyard or select food that supports regenerative farming, there are many ways that everyday people can be a part of improving the planet. ​

If you didn't know, I've been working with an organization called Her Future Foundation as a volunteer for about five years, helping them fundraise and serve girls, boys and women who need help in Sierra Leone.

The last few years since I learned about this, I've been talking to my partners in Sierra Leone about how we can use regenerative agriculture to help local people there to farm crops they can eat, as well as improve resiliency against flooding and other disasters. Still lots to learn to execute the idea, but they are really open to the idea.

2. Speaking of disasters in Sierra Leone, recently intense winds destroyed a school that was helping 115 students to avoid human rights abuses like child labor in mines, child marriage, and FGM.

Let me just give thanks that this school was ever created.

The story of its creation is a miracle in itself.

It began in 2015 when Ariefa Kumara, the founder of Her Future Foundation, heard about a girl in the community being married off.

She was a 8 year old orphan, and the community scheduled an FGM ceremony for her.

She would be married afterwards to an older man.
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Ariefa thought it was wrong. Long story short: Ariefa and his mother convinced the community to stop this event.
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He was successful and instead of child marriage, the girl became a student. They started a community school to enroll the child in.

That school continued to serve over 100 students a year until right now. Ariefa also went on to create Her Future Foundation, create a second school and many other programs to empower women, girls and boys.

Because of the natural disaster, the school is out of commission but they hope to rebuild.

​The Her Future Foundation organization is running a GoFundme fundraiser to rebuild the school if you'd like to contribute. Even small donations like $20 go a long way. ​

Whatever happens, the school has made an amazing impact on the community, and I'm so thankful. It shows the power of someone to create change in their community for the better.

3. I'd also like to once again thank everyone in my community for your help in previous fundraisers I've shared for Her Future Foundation over the last six months.

​(You can read more about Her Future Foundation, and the fundraisers we successfully completed together in 2025 on my website here.) ​

As a result of your help, we were able to send two young women to college in Sierra Leone.

By we - That's me, and everyone who reads my emails, or knows me, basically. We were the ones to fund this.

Below is a note from Aminata, our latest student aid recipient, to say thank you!

From Aminata:
"I hope this message finds you well. I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to you and all the generous donors who have supported my academic journey.
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Thanks to your kindness and financial assistance, I am now eligible to sit for all my tests and exams this academic year. Words cannot fully express how grateful and overjoyed I am. In a world where many prioritize their own needs, your selflessness and willingness to help someone you’ve never even met is truly inspiring.
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Because of you, a girl who once thought all hope was lost is now filled with renewed determination and a strong desire to learn and succeed—not just for herself, but to make you all proud. I will always hold your support close to my heart and remain forever indebted to your generosity.

With heartfelt thanks,

Aminata Kargbo"

Year 3 Pharmacy Student
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Once again, thanks for your help in making this donation to Aminata possible.

(Note: We will fundraise again for our 2 college students including Aminata in 2026, which is when the next funding deadlines are due for them.

In the meantime, Her Future Foundation, our partner in Sierra Leone is trying to rebuild a school: go here for details).

In Sum

There are so many ways to make a difference and no one has to do it exactly the same way.

I hope this reminds you that even small things like giving $25 for a cause, or spreading the word about something you care about can ultimately be so powerful.

It can change someone's life.

So can growing a plant in a pot, or selecting a different farm to buy your beans from. There are little things we can do to make the planet better.

Focusing on what you can do (even if it is small) versus what you can't is a way to stay sane.

Usually I talk about writing, ideas, making progress and things like that,

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but putting energy into causes I care about is another way to sustain motivation and momentum, because it gives life meaning--

and otherwise I'd be too depressed to get out of bed in the first place.

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I hope this brings inspiration to you and helps you start to think about small things that you could do to bring meaning to life this week.

Thanks for reading

​​ Visit my website ​​ ​ Get writing with me: ​ ​* Activate your writing: Self-study 7 Layer Writing Activation E-Course ​ ​ * Get motivated + optimistic: Self-study Optimism Program​ ​ ​* Write to serve others: 2 Month Faster Progress Package​ ​​ * Organize your ideas: Self-study Digital Organization Club​

​P.S. If you want to skip all emails about Her Future Foundation, click here. ​