THE GIFT OF GIVING – BY FIONA LUKE

I was asked to write about my experiences during this first project.

Well, when I started this project in December 2008, in my head all I was doing was sending stationery for some children in Freetown Sierra Leone. What I didn’t realise was that it would end up being much bigger than that!

I chose Freetown because I thought it will be easier for me to handle, you know … just send a few items over … easy … piece of cake. Let’s just say that if God had shown me the whole picture, I would have said no thank you … maybe another time!

I went there on holiday in December 2008, not really knowing why I was going (because none of my friends were going) but somehow I knew that I had to. A friend of mine actually nicknamed me ‘Billy No Mates’, because of how desperate I was to find someone who was travelling to Sierra Leone at the same time that I could hang out with.

My first challenge was to find the schools, but I needn’t have worried because God handed them to me on a plate. As soon as I met the children at the two schools that I chose, I knew it was the right thing … although I was still ‘kicking and screaming’ and very apprehensive; I convinced people that I was simply doing some investigation for someone I knew who was thinking of doing a project.

I returned to London in January 2009 with all the information I needed, but didn’t have a clue how to go about getting the project ‘out there’. The journey had now well and truly begun:-

• • First, it started with setting up the project, choosing the right logo, proofing the flyers and wondering how the website would be done and by who. I must say, God has sent the right people into my life at the right time.

• • Second, there was Sophia who took the vision to the next level with her professionalism.

• • Then came Basil the best website designer ever.
  • Along came Richard who caught the vision and interpreted it through the logo and flyer.

• • Katrina then introduced me to her brother who blessed me with so many wonderful reading books way beyond anything I could have imagined.

• • Then came Martyn, Dion and Yvonne with their constant support and encouragement.

• And finally, Denise with her eye for details.

Telling my family was the hardest part for me … I so wanted them to approve of what I was doing, especially my brothers.

The first person I shared the vision with was the Bishop at my church, then that same evening I called a family meeting and told my family. My mother and my brother Stephen were very happy, my mother because I named the project after her mother and Stephen … well because I am his little sister!

I was always apprehensive about whether or not I could do it, especially during the times when no donations were coming in and I had to think of ways to remind people to donate – as deadlines for shipping was approaching fast.

I think one of the scariest of parts for me during this whole thing was when Sophia arranged for me to appear on Colourful Radio to talk about the project. I couldn’t sleep for days! I kept on thinking about the types of questions I would be asked and the fact that I may not be able to answer them. But in the end it turned out well.

I have learnt so much in these past months e.g. I now know my ‘jpeg’ from my ‘pdf’ and about double-sided gloss finish flyers, one or two colour single or double sided bags and t-shirt printing. I now appreciate the time and cost of these things and will think twice in the future when I’m misusing the plastic bags at the local supermarket!

I was very apprehensive in the final week of the project, looking for some kind of affirmation and approval from my family. I was so afraid that the project would not be a success, but it was.

When I saw the happiness on the faces of the children I was blown away and it made all the anxiety, self-doubt and sleepless nights I had worthwhile. I thank God I was able to experience it and survive.