June 28, 2008

Dear Friends,

Often times I look back on the past couple of years and think about the journey that has transpired and gotten me to where I am today. I think back to my sophomore year of college when I took my first yoga class and became hooked after noticing the subtle differences that occurred in my mind, body and spirit. I began practicing on a daily basis and saw my life slowly transform before my eyes. As I practiced and listened to the words of my teachers, my passion for service was relit, and I found myself wanting to get more deeply involved with causes I cared about.

In the spring of 2005, I hopped on my bike and rode from San Diego to Los Angeles in support of Camp Laurel, an organization that empowers children and their families affected by HIV/ AIDS. This was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only did I witness the power of community, I also realized the limitless capacity to make a difference in the lives of others.

After spending the majority of 2006-07 traveling the world and experiencing poverty, grace and love in ways I never could have imagined, I returned to the States with a developed awareness of my commitment to making a positive impact for the greater good. Upon my return, I was approached by Hala Khouri (co-creator) to be a part of Off the Mat, Into the World® (OTM®), a yoga program which guides individuals in finding and defining their purpose in hopes that they become active in their local and global community in an effective, joyful and sustainable way.

Each year, as part of their charitable giving, OTM® will launch a national fundraising challenge benefiting a global organization/cause. As the yoga team coordinator for OTM®, I have been deeply involved with this year’s Seva (‘selfless service’) Challenge, which is benefiting the Cambodian Children’s Fund, an organization dedicated to helping Cambodia’s poorest, most undereducated and most vulnerable children realize their potential through education, training healthcare and community work. Those individuals who raise $20,000 by December 31, 2008, will travel as a team to Phnom Penh, Cambodia with Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling (co-creators of OTM) in 2009 for a leadership training and fieldwork experience to work directly with the kids, their families, and nearby villages.

When I first heard that OTM was going to launch this fundraising challenge, I immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of it. I felt very connected to this cause, because I was adopted from a foster home in South Korea, and over the last several years I had discovered a passion for making a difference in children's lives. As I thought about the challenge and ways I could get personally involved, I thought back to the Tibetan family that I magically connected with a top a mountain in a rural community in Northern India. The family had very little in terms of material wealth – the kids were dirty, had no shoes/ ripped clothes, and had never gone to school. I will never forget the little girl who had a runny nose. I gave her a pack of my tissue; she grabbed my hand and then wrapped her little arms around my legs, smiled and would not let go. To this little girl, the Kleenex was like gold. I left the village imagining the children’s excitement if they had the opportunity to receive an education, especially if a pack of Kleenex had meant so much. To this day, I keep a picture of the kids up in my room to remind me of the effects of extending a hand. I am also reminded daily of how my own family extended their hands and hearts in order to provide me with an opportunity I may have never had.

Thus, given this opportunity to help the kids of the CCF receive an education and a better life away from the dump, domestic abuse, and sex trafficking is exactly what I have been looking for since my days in India. It creates an opportunity to allow me to fully engage in my passion and be a conduit for the children that aren’t able to speak for themselves. I am asking the community to join in my efforts to raise $20,000 by December 31, 2008. I will be putting on a number of events throughout the year that I hope you can join me at. I am also going to be running the Denver Marathon in the fall and will be taking pledges for the run. If you would like to get involved in my project, please email me at annalise@handinhandforcambodia.org.

Let us join hand in hand as a community to bring a little more light into the lives of these children. Together we can make a difference.

In gratitude,

In Collaboration With

Goal Updates

To date, Annalise has raised:
$10,781

Click below to see those who have extended their hands in support of Annalise.
See the Community Quilt!

Time remaining to reach the goal:
2009-1-1 00:00:00 GMT-07:00

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