the tattoo project and Africa

Blogging. It’s such a funny word and fickle thing. But it comes with great responsibility, too. I can use this platform I have to tear down or build up. And today I’m hoping there’s a lot of building up: of people, of money, of prayers, and of encouragement. Let me introduce you to Carly…

Hi guys! My name is Carly and I’m the blogger behind Texas Lovebirds. You might recognize me from Copycat Linkup, which I co-host each week with Mary. I’m a 7th grade Language Arts teacher turned SAHM to my son, Gunner. I love Dr. Pepper, reading, bad reality television, baby cuddles, and big bowls of cereal for dinner. At Texas Lovebirds, you’ll find my thoughts on faith, motherhood, fashion, and whatever else crosses my mind. 

I’m so grateful that Mary is letting me take over her space today. What I’m sharing today is no small matter. It’s not an easy DIY or a 30 minute meal, although those things are pretty awesome. What I’m sharing today is a calling, a calling to take care of the orphans.

Did you know that 8 out ofevery 10 children who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa? In the sub-Saharan region there are more than 34 million orphans, 11 million of them have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. In fact, the number of orphans in sub-Saharan Africa would be declining were it not for HIV/AIDS. But because of the disease’s spread, the number of orphans is increasing exponentially. In sub-Saharan Africa, 12% of all children are orphans, compared with 6.5% in Asia and 5% in Latin America and the Caribbean (all statistics via UNICEF).

 

As a mother who feels called to international adoption (read more here), those stats are heartbreaking. I want to do something about it. And as a Christian, there is no doubt in my mind that we must do something about it. In fact, James 1:27 makes a Christian’s role in orphan care pretty clear…it reads, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

So, I decided to do something about it. And so came the idea of “The Tattoo Project.”

My goal is to raise $1,000 during the month of January. $1,000 provides for FOUR orphans for one year. The money will help provide safe housing, protection, food, education, spiritual direction, medical
attention and vocational training.

And what will I do when the funds are raised? I’ll get that BIG tattoo I’ve always wanted. The tattoo I’ve always made excuses to not get. This project is now the motivation, the meaning behind that tattoo.

All donated funds will be directed to Mocha Club, a non-profit organization who is helping to rehabilitate the people of Africa in so many ways. If you’d like to read more specifics on how Mocha Club is taking care of the orphans, you can read about that here. They are doing some awesome work, and I am so excited to be a part. 

Today, I can excitedly tell you that almost three weeks into The Tattoo Project, $610 has been raised! That means TWO orphans are being provided for for ONE year. But, there’s still work to do. There is still $390 to go until we reach our goal. There are still two orphans out there waiting for our help. 

You can help in two major ways…

1) SHARE! I’d love for you to blog, Tweet, Facebook, Instagram about this project and get the word out there! Share it with your friends, your family, your town. We need your help.

2) Today, I would love for you to prayerfully consider donating to The Tattoo Project. Every single bit helps, every single bit counts. All donations are tax deductible. 

Please know that your donation will go to these children, it will not, in any way, go toward the purchase of my tattoo. 

Again thank you to Mary for letting me take over her space, and thank you for letting me share my heart and my project!

Let me know if you stop by the blog. I’d love to say hello!