So I realize that it's been quite a while since I posted anything in my blog. A lot has been happening, from our first year anniversary to thinking about buying a house (we still have tons of questions and haven't even started), to being very irritated by our mouse "friend" in our apartment. Those are all very recent. However, I think I'll start with something else.
Almost a year ago, my husband and I went to a small community festival that his band (he wasn’t a member yet at the time) was playing at. A gal named Kali made a presentation for a project she was getting started called Operation Net – a project design to raise money over the course of a year to purchase 1000 mosquito nets for men, women, and children in Uganda to prevent the spread of malaria.
Malaria is spread through mosquitoes, and affects about 500 million people a year – 1 million of which die. Mosquito nets only cost $9.50, but this is a near impossible thing for a Ugandan family to buy, since most live on less than $1.00 a day. I’ve been keeping track of Kali’s updates since I heard about it, and recently she completed her goal and God provided even more: Kali was able to collect $11,900 or enough for 1,260 nets. The most extraordinary thing that I think there is to her story is that she is 18 years old – highlighting the fact that people can make a difference at any age. I decided to ask her some questions about how Operation Net got started after she went on a trip to Uganda in May 2008.
Y: What did you do there, and how old were when you went to Uganda?
Kali: For one week we were in a smaller village called Luwero. Every morning we would have conferences for the people of the church and I gave lessons to the ladies. Then we would eat lunch (which we provided for everyone) and had an afternoon session, with lots of singing and dancing. We then would go hut to hut praying for the elderly, sick and orphans. We visited many people and heard about their situations. The second week we were in the capital, Kampala and did the same thing there but at a different church. We also spent a lot of time going hut to hut and meeting new people and helping them out. I was 17 when I went, and just turned 18.
Y: How did you first think of Operation Net? (I.e. was it a class or something else)
Kali: Upon returning home from Uganda I knew I had to do something to help the people suffering there. I felt God pulling at my heartstrings to do something. At first I wasn't sure what to do but I got the idea after talking to some of my new Ugandans friends about malaria..and how it was effecting their lives. My friend Ivan's mom was sick with malaria and because of it he couldn't afford to go to school. Little stories like that made me choose to focus on malaria in my project. I created Operation Net shortly after and created the details of it as I went.
Y: What happened to your friend's mom, who had malaria? How old was Ivan when you met him?
Kali: Ivan is my age. His mother is sick on and off (which is how malaria works) It just hits you and when it hits you are down for usually a couple of weeks. So it is when she is sick that he cannot go to school. They have received nets so they are doing better.
Y: What was your process and planning like a year ago when you first had the idea?
Kali: First off I had to educated myself more about malaria and what can be done to prevent it. I then researched the cost of nets. Eventaully worked it out with the Bob-Gad, who planned our trip, that he would buy the nets in Uganda (to help their economy) and distribute them. I also had to set up an account with the bank and get all of the legal stuff out of the way. I then began to set goals (always set them very high). Once I had the that figured out I made posters, a website, business cards, and started spreading the word. I then also began speaking at venues about it and started receiving donations. As Operation Net flourished I added on the letter to Congress, t-shirt fundraiser, smencil fundraiser, and began contacting newspapers about it.
Y: Were there people who were skeptical?
Kali: There were people skeptical of my trip to Uganda and as I expected Operation Net. I had some people tell me I was wasting my time, that I would never reach my goal of 1000 nets, and that I should help people here rather than in Africa. Some of them were very nasty about it..but the best way to handle it was to be polite, answer their questions, and try to get them to understand the need in Africa. At times I was discouraged by it..but at the end of the day I had way more people supporting me than not so it was okay.
Y: Who were the people that supported it from the beginning? How did they encourage you?
Kali: God was my main source of encouragement. He gave me the idea, made it happen, and changed lives. My parents and my family supported me right off the back. They kind of already knew that when I was passionate about something I did it..And did it for real. So they were there for me the whole time and were a huge help. I also had a group of close friends, called Team Net, who helped me out and were excited about it. My church also was very supportive, as well as a group of family friends.
They encouraged me by prayer, kind words, and getting involved. A lot of them donated money right away which told me they believed in the project and cared. Others spread the word about it and helped me reach more people with my message. Most of all they were simply there for me when others said I was wasting my time. They believed in me and took time to learn about it.
Y: What are your next steps from here?
Kali: From here I will still be involved with Operation Net..but more on the side line rather head. I have handed the leadership over to a friend in NC since I will be going to college in the fall. I will be attending Eastern University to major in economic development and minor in communications. I hope to study abroad in Uganda and eventually work for an organization that does development work there. I know I will return to Africa..and Uganda. I am going to work hard and learn more so I can better help those in need in the future.
Y: What sort of advice - as a young person - would you give to other young people who want to help with global issues but feel overwhelmed by how many issues face the world?
Kali: I myself often feel overwhelmed with the world and its problems. Coming home from Uganda..and still now I lay awake at night upset with the amount of people suffering. I break this feeling by telling myself I am one person with one life, and even though I am just one person I can make a difference. You have to tell yourself that even if you just help one person or save one life it is worth it. No contribution is too small. It only takes one person to make a difference. It doesn't matter how young you are...you can change a life. See the big picture but realize you cannot save everyone. You cannot change every issue. You are one person. But then focus on something you are passionate about and do something about it. Aim high and dream big. Take every high and every low and learn from it. Use your life to make a difference. Get others involved. Yes, you are only one person but you can make a big difference.
"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito." - African Proverb
