Small Steps Lead to Big Goals

When you set a goal, it is always recommended to outline the small steps you plan to take, in order to bring it to fruition. Somewhere along your journey, it's natural to question when will you reach your destination; but, if you just keep walking, you will eventually see how every brave, thoughtful step worked together to bring your goal to realization. 

You walked with us each step of the way, as we strove to turn our dreams into a reality for these last three and half years. The benevolence you've shown for the children and youth in Liberia has allowed us to Reach New Heights in 2016, with acquiring and opening the Uniting Distant Stars Training Center. Now, as we move into 2017, you have provided the opportunity to launch our Vocational Training Classes, starting February 1st. 

Godfrey is holding one of the shirts selected for the vocational training students' uniforms.

We extend a whole-hearted "Thanks" for your unyielding generosity during our year-end campaign. You collectively raised $3,520 for our Tools for Success Campaign. Another $1,315 was added for the continuation of our Backpacks for Peace program, since sewing is one of the vocational training classes being offered at our center. This week our team in Liberia will be purchasing these Tools for Success to ensure our eager students benefit from our classes. 

During the first three weeks of 2017, Team Liberia has been busy with prepping for the upcoming classes. On Saturday, January 14, they held an informational program for students who passed the entrance exam. They invited people from the community and raised $110 in donations. $100 came from one of the guests, and $10 from a student who registered for classes; what a vote of confidence it is to collect this student donation! 

UDS Youth Leader Princess gives the opening address at the informational program.

You have provided a pathway for these young people to learn valuable skills.

Mrs. Audrey Johnson, who works at the airport donated $100 and gave an inspirational talk to our youth. 

The $110 donation was quickly invested in the ongoing renovations of our training center. They enclosed the open pathway between the property fence and the wall of building to create more usable space for our programs. They roofed it and cast the floor. 

Our team enclosed this pathway between the fence and outer wall of the building. 

UDS Co-Founder and Country Director, Kelvin Fomba, casting the floor for this new space. 

Our volunteers bringing in the sand and cement which will be hand-mixed before it is poured.

Thank you for staying the course with us, as we carry forward on our journey toward providing young Liberians with education and vocational training opportunities! 

2015 Reflection While Welcoming 2016

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.

We SINCERELY THANK YOU for:

Backpacks for Peace Service Learning Project: From February to June, 20 youth were trained how to operate a sewing machine, stitch together recycled drinking water plastic sachets into 150 backpacks, and appreciate the value of creativity and innovation.

  

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.

• City of Joy School in Congo Town on September 6.

• Rogma International School in Paynesville on September 13.

• Russ Wood Christian Academy in Congo Town on October 11.

Learning Center: Starting September, 40 to 50 youth visited our center after school each day to either work on their assignments or participate in our study classes. Our center provides what most schools lack: a library, science equipment, and tutoring support.

  

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.

Rochelle Gibbs: She created, filmed and edited the video from the Minnesota Lynx Game that features interviews and highlights of my honor as a Minnesota Lynx Inspiring Woman.

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!!!

Press Release: Uniting Distant Stars is now an accredited NGO in Liberia

Minnesota, May 4, 2015: on Friday, April 30, 2015, Uniting Distant Stars (UDS) received their Certificate of Accreditation by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning as a non-government organization (NGO) in the Republic of Liberia. We started this process in February to legalize our organization. We received our Certificate of Business Registration (Non for profit (NGO)) on February 20, 2015, a requirement for the accreditation. Now as a legally recognized organization, UDS plans to seek out additional support in Liberia for our youth-focused programming.

Uniting Distant Stars, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax deductible organization, is registered as a non-profit corporation in Minnesota, and registered/accredited as a non-government organization (NGO) in Liberia, West Africa. Its programs serve youth in Liberia. We have been providing educational support since 2011 with scholarships and distributing school supplies. We also offer innovative programming to cultivate future leaders. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.unitingdistantstars.com/ or contact us at info@unitingdistantstars.com.