Monday, September 5, 2011

Si Mweraba … Tunalabagana!


As my amateur Luganda states above, this is not “goodbye” but “see you later.” I am writing this short note to you, my inspirational colleagues at African Children’s Haven, and to all of our many ACH donors and friends. It is with great sadness that I stepped down from my position on the ACH board this month due to a job offer and an impending move to Uganda. The job is one I feel I have been working my whole life to be considered for and it will allow me to live on the African continent – a place that has utterly captivated me since I first visited almost 10 years ago to the day.

Yesterday, while cleaning up and packing I found an old journal and flipped through the pages. On one page, written not long after my first trip to Africa, I wrote: “I am now totally fixated on going back to Africa. I think my purpose will be found there.” How serendipitous it is that exactly 10 years later I am moving to Africa to fulfill that prophecy.

Of course, leaving so many loved ones here in New York brings with it much sadness, as does leaving the ACH board. I was young and somewhat inexperienced when Ed took a chance on me and invited me to work with ACH. But, through his guidance, mentoring, and the support of his adorable wife Linda and the lovely Ginny I found my place in the organization. It has been a joy to watch ACH grow so rapidly – a powerful testament to the value of the work being done. Recent developments, particularly our membership in Aid for Africa will ensure this growth can be sustained and even accelerated.

I will forever support the work of ACH, visit its projects whenever I’m in the area, and continue to network people with ACH projects they can assist. I look forward to learning how the children benefiting from our projects are progressing and of the new ways ACH finds to enhance the support it provides.

To all ACH’s friends and donors, I thank you. Your support has enabled ACH to become what it is today and is truly making the world a better place, one child at a time.

All my love,

Skye Dobson

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