Hey friends!
**Hopefully** 2 months from today, I'll be on a plane to Benin City! That's crazy to think about. Still so much to do before then! So, this afternoon I got my yellow fever vaccine -- one step closer to being ready to go! I've also hit the over-$1,000 mark, which is AWESOME!! Thank you to everyone who's donated to get me to this point. It's so cool to hear from friends, family, and random acquaintances and community members who are interested in our trip. There's still a ways to go, and I look forward to hearing from y'all!
C
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Conference call #1: here we go!
Hey everyone!
A quick update... we had our first conference call last night. I met Andrew and Lauren in the Davidson SID office in the depths of Baker Sports Complex, as folks played pick up basketball and intramural volleyball just a few feet away. Over a box of Harris Teeter red velvet cookies (uh, yum), we called in to the first official -- virtual -- Nigeria team meeting. It featured the three of us in Davidson, Morgan (team leader) in DC, Eloise (Davidson '06) in Baltimore, and Sara Beth, our Samaritan's Feet contact in Charlotte (Lauren's sister Lindsay couldn't make it in for this one). How cool/crazy to be able to speak to so many different places at once on the phone! (I'm still fascinated that technology can do this kind of thing.) We "went around" and introduced ourselves, hometown, work, why we want to go to Nigeria, and favorite college sports team. (um, trick question?) Andrew then led off with everything from what we'll be doing, who we'll be involved with (we're partnering with a church in Benin City), and different elements of culture shock that we'll probably experience. Lauren and Morgan, having gone two years ago, were also able to chime in on what they had to adjust to most on their first trip. Sara Beth also shared some more info about Samaritan's Feet and how we will be involved with them while we're there. We also discussed visa and vaccination info and other logistical things of that sort. So much to do!
We'll be going to Nigeria from June 27 through July 6, and the sooner we purchase our plane tickets, the better; your support through prayer and donations continues to help me start to prepare for the reality of going! Talking to everyone and starting to figure things out makes it feel a lot more real. How crazy to sit in that office so close to the basketball arena that I love and think of all the steps that have brought me to this place, and what will take me across the ocean to a totally different world.
It's so wonderful to hear from all of you, and to know I have people behind me as I go through this, from close friends and family to acquaintances and complete strangers. It's a true reminder of the many connections we form, and I'm grateful to have the chance to go and create more important relationships.
Thanks y'all!
Claire
A quick update... we had our first conference call last night. I met Andrew and Lauren in the Davidson SID office in the depths of Baker Sports Complex, as folks played pick up basketball and intramural volleyball just a few feet away. Over a box of Harris Teeter red velvet cookies (uh, yum), we called in to the first official -- virtual -- Nigeria team meeting. It featured the three of us in Davidson, Morgan (team leader) in DC, Eloise (Davidson '06) in Baltimore, and Sara Beth, our Samaritan's Feet contact in Charlotte (Lauren's sister Lindsay couldn't make it in for this one). How cool/crazy to be able to speak to so many different places at once on the phone! (I'm still fascinated that technology can do this kind of thing.) We "went around" and introduced ourselves, hometown, work, why we want to go to Nigeria, and favorite college sports team. (um, trick question?) Andrew then led off with everything from what we'll be doing, who we'll be involved with (we're partnering with a church in Benin City), and different elements of culture shock that we'll probably experience. Lauren and Morgan, having gone two years ago, were also able to chime in on what they had to adjust to most on their first trip. Sara Beth also shared some more info about Samaritan's Feet and how we will be involved with them while we're there. We also discussed visa and vaccination info and other logistical things of that sort. So much to do!
We'll be going to Nigeria from June 27 through July 6, and the sooner we purchase our plane tickets, the better; your support through prayer and donations continues to help me start to prepare for the reality of going! Talking to everyone and starting to figure things out makes it feel a lot more real. How crazy to sit in that office so close to the basketball arena that I love and think of all the steps that have brought me to this place, and what will take me across the ocean to a totally different world.
It's so wonderful to hear from all of you, and to know I have people behind me as I go through this, from close friends and family to acquaintances and complete strangers. It's a true reminder of the many connections we form, and I'm grateful to have the chance to go and create more important relationships.
Thanks y'all!
Claire
Monday, April 18, 2011
A good start!
Only a few days into this journey, and y'all have already been so generous! It's amazing to have friends come out of the woodwork to give donations. THANK YOU!!!
We're having our first team conference call on Wednesday night, and I'll be sure to update after that -- it will be cool to talk and see how things are coming together!
Don't forget to check out the links over on the right -- Morgan and Lauren, two other team members, are raising money as well on their blogs, and you can always get more info on Access to Success and Samaritan's Feet by looking at their websites.
Thanks, everyone! Your thoughts, prayers, and donations mean so much.
-- Claire
We're having our first team conference call on Wednesday night, and I'll be sure to update after that -- it will be cool to talk and see how things are coming together!
Don't forget to check out the links over on the right -- Morgan and Lauren, two other team members, are raising money as well on their blogs, and you can always get more info on Access to Success and Samaritan's Feet by looking at their websites.
Thanks, everyone! Your thoughts, prayers, and donations mean so much.
-- Claire
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Adventure Begins
As many of you know, my years at Davidson College were deeply enriched by the Davidson Men’s Basketball Program. My adventures with the team as a writer and a fan have given me countless opportunities and wonderful, unexpected friendships that I can’t imagine being without.
One person that I’ve met through the program is former Davidson star forward Andrew Lovedale ’09. Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Andrew got the chance to play basketball at a prep school in England, and then at Davidson. An unstoppable force on the court and off, Andrew has consistently dedicated his energy and enthusiasm to serving the children of Nigeria. As a freshman, he began quietly taking his teammates’ discarded practice gear and basketball shoes home to Benin City. With each passing year, his endeavor attracted more local attention and energized the entire Davidson community; in 2009, “Kicks from ‘Cats: The Andrew Lovedale Shoe Drive” raised over $15,000 and 10,500 pairs of shoes were donated. That summer, a team of Davidson staff, alumni, fans and players traveled to Benin City and Lagos, Nigeria to deliver the shoes and lead basketball clinics with the help of the nonprofit organization Samaritan’s Feet. The 10-day trip deeply impacted everyone involved, and they returned to North Carolina inspired to continue working for Nigeria’s children.
In September 2010, Andrew founded his own nonprofit, Access to Success, based in Davidson. A2S aims to provide a firm foundation for Nigerian children through Andrew’s philosophy of sports, faith, and education. After successfully executing the third annual “Kicks from ‘Cats” event in January, the next step is clear: a return trip to Nigeria in late June, once more joining with partners and friends at Samaritan’s Feet. The trip will again consist of delivering basketball shoes, running basketball clinics and speaking to youth about the value of mind, body and spirit. It will also help lay the groundwork for establishing long-term A2S operations in Benin City.
More specifically, we plan to:
- Teach supplemental educational courses for under-served youth, run various sporting clinics (with a focus on basketball), and implement youth-driven and youth-led community service projects.
- Develop an A2S model in Benin City, Nigeria and establish partnerships by July 2011, through official volunteer training during a visit to Benin City in June.
- Establish A2S Benin City operations by June 2012 with an official office and classroom.
- Work with local churches, specifically in Benin City.
- Implement the A2S model in other cities in Nigeria and beyond, as deemed necessary and appropriate.
- Provide this service for no charge to our youth participants.
- Share Christian values, but open programs to youth of all religious affiliations.
You can donate by clicking on the secure PayPal link at the top of this blog, or mail any donation to:
Claire Asbury
c/o 3508 Chevington Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
For more information, visit Access to Success's website. In addition to pictures, videos and stories from the 2009 trip to Nigeria, you will find all the most up-to-date A2S news.
No gift is too small, and please know how deeply I appreciate your support. At first sight the amount appears daunting, but little by little, it can be achieved. While raising the money is imperative to my participation, I also ask for your prayers, which are equally important. I’m so grateful for your friendship and support, and I thank you for partnering with me in this exciting adventure!
All my best,
Claire
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