CRWRC ‘We Have Faith Caravan’ | Karmen Goes to AFRICA

Hello Everyone.  For those of you who do not know me, I am Karmen Meyer.  I am a photographer, a traveler, a wife, a daughter, a big sister and a Christian.  I love adventure, laughing and the kindness of others. It is all these things that have brought me to where I am today.  And, why I have been presented with such a fantastic opportunity, the opportunity to use my passions to help bring attention to a people and a planet that is truly suffering. A little more information on this:-“Over 13 million people are affected by the crisis in the Horn of Africa. That’s six times more than those affected by the Indonesian tsunami in 2004 and four times more than those affected by the Haiti earthquake. Despite this need, attention to this most recent humanitarian crisis has been woefully inadequate.” (CRWRC website, http://hornofafrica.ngoaidmap.org/p/highlights)-“Climate change has been described as one of the biggest threats to development and livelihoods in our time. Consensus has been built among climate scientists … that the current climate crises have been caused by human action, and that urgent action is required to save the planet. The impacts of climate change in Kenya and Africa cannot be underestimated, with the recent cases of devastating droughts and floods in many parts of Africa, as well as increased intensity of tropical diseases like Malaria.” (NewsFromAfrica.org)-The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) will take place in December in Durban, South Africa.It is against this gloomy backdrop that African youth organizations join with faith communities, faith leaders and networks from all over the world to form the We Have Faith Caravan. “There hasn’t been a similar climate caravan before. It will be challenging, tiring, time-consuming, even strenuous but most significantly, it will be enlightening, impactful and world changing; and just maybe it’s the difference we’ve all been wanting to make...” (newsfromafrica.org) I cannot begin to describe how honored I am to be a part of something so important. To use the gifts God has given me to help His people, His Creation.  It is more then I could have ever asked for.Joining me on this amazing mission is Ruth Terry (a journalist) and Ryan Geleynse (a videographer). Together we will represent the CRWRC. We will document the dancing, theatre and music used to teach, to encourage and to remind the world not to let these communities perish. We will document the African Youth meeting with leaders, as well as, signing and collecting petitions to be presented at the COP17. We will introduce you to the participants, tell their stories and share what their goals are for their countries. We will do all this in hopes that you might see it and be called to action.In order to do this we will need your prayers, encouragement, and financial support.  If you feel called you can donate by sending a cheque made out to the CRWRC (with my name in the memo) to:Iona Stewart-BuismanGlobal Volunteer & MPP Program Coordinator, CRWRC3475 Mainway PO Box 5070 Stn LCD 1Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8Or donate online at http://www.crwrc.org/pages/crwrc_donate.cfm.  Where it asks you to choose a Designee you will need to check the box ‘I would like to make a gift to a person not listed’, then type in my name, the amount you would like to donate, as well as, your information so that they can send you a receipt.Or cash can be donated directly to me.  It will be used for the purchasing of visas, extra travel costs and incidentals; any money not used will be put back to the CRWRC.Thank-you and God Bless,Karmen Meyerkarmen@kmeyerphotography.comkmeyerphotography.com780.660.0807 P.S.  Here is a downloadable version of this letter --> wehavefaithcaravan.   If you could all share this post or e-mail this letter to just one person it would help immensely!  THANKS!