Though it is much later than planned, we finally published the 2014 Annual Report (see attached). Our apologies for this delay, but the wait is worth it. We are eager to share what was accomplished and learned in 2014 from your most generous support. Also, this report provides perspectives from our youth and country director about living through the Ebola Crisis. Our annual report is interactive, so please click on any hyperlinks and icons throughout this document. We plan to have the 2015 Annual Report published by the second quarter of 2016, which is our normal schedule.
Special Thanks goes to Diane, Kelvin, Miriam, Florkime, Anna, George, Princess, Patrick and Ishmael for either contributing to or editing this annual report!
We also launched our new Media page where you can access all our past Annual Reports, Audio and Video, News Articles and Press Releases related to our work.
Our learning center continues to get a flow of new students who hear about this from word of month. Since our youth has requested for more items, we asked them to share why this center matters to their education. The following student participated in our Backpacks for Peace training last year and is a second-year scholarship student:
Deborah values the opportunities she receives from UDS and does what she can to give back to others. Since we are always in need of volunteers, Deborah helps with study classes for younger students as shown below.
Deborah is one of about 50 students who utilize our learning center to help with their educational needs. We hope her story inspires you to support their wishes to add more books, tables and chairs, fans, computers and other learning materials. We have raised $1267.34 or 51% of our $2,500 goal. As little as $10.00 can do a lot to achieve their wishes. Please contribute by credit or debit card by clicking the DONATE BUTTON below.
Or by check payable to Uniting Distant Stars and mail to:
Uniting Distant Stars
4010 Lawndale LN N
Plymouth, MN 55446
Your tax-deductible contribution is an investment into the academic achievements of students like Deborah with lasting returns. Thank you for your generous support! Read other blog posts about our learning center:
We owe a debt of gratitude to all our STAR Supporters for making 2015 a successful year! Your generosity, kindness and prayers uplifted Liberian youth through the remaining days of the Ebola crisis, and inspired them to reach new heights with learning and skill building opportunities we provided throughout the year. Uniting Distant Stars (UDS) made great leaps with becoming an accredited and registered non-government organization in Liberia, and establishing our base in Monrovia. It took all of you--our village--to raise UDS up during the last 365 days.
Nobel Peace Prize Youth Forum Google Hangout: On March 6, 50 Liberian youth virtually connected with their Minnesota peers to listen to Nobel Laureate, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), share their mission of eliminating and preventing the use of chemical weapons.
Scholarships: On March 2, 15 students started the 2014/2015 shortened school year that ended in July. In September 16 students started the 2015/2016 regular academic year with two preparing to graduate from high school around July.
5th Annual School Supply Drive:In September and October, about 700 students enrolled in three schools received much needed school supplies to start their 2015/2016 academic year on the right track.
We are INFINITELY THANKFUL for Miracles, like the unexpected delivery of the 2014 school supply drive in August that made it possible for us to expand from one to three schools and equip our learning center.
We are EXTREMELY THANKFUL for the creative talents of some our supporters to helped establish our brand, visualize our presence, and develop our projects.
Anna Berch: She created, edited, and filmed our PSA video. Also, she has made updates to our website.
Kevin Cannon: He nominated for me for the Minnesota Lynx Inspiring Women Platform that I received on July 12. This helped increase our visibility.
Joyce Mallery: She fixed our logo, created my UDS T-shirt to wear while being honored as Inspiring Women at the Minnesota Lynx Game, and designed our brochure and flyers.
Mary Rosendahl: She continues to lead our Recipes for Learning Cookbook team. She tested more recipes for the team members to taste, and documented and photographed the ones that passed.
Rodney Johnson: He ensured our connection with each Google Hangout and provided photos, videos and stories of our activities in Liberia throughout the year.
We give a HEARTFELT THANKS to all of you supporting UDS as donors, board members, volunteers, partners, prayer warriors, and Sundance Family Foundation for giving us our first grant of $3,000 for our Backpacks for Peace project!!!
