Yesterday, I wrote about how this all started last year, and here is how it progressed.
From the moment that we came back (after that first week) to discuss what was on our hearts, I felt like everything moved really fast! (but at the same time, moved slowly too!) Isn't that a strange phenomenon?? It seems like that feeling comes when something important is happening!
I didn't know how, but I knew something important was building here.
In the midst of us beginning to plan how to ignite his dreem, COVID robbed him of his job. I should have been devastated for him - but, I wasn't. On the contrary - I saw this as an opportunity that now we could move forward with building something new. Do I recommend that people quit their jobs so that they can pursue their dreem? Absolutely not. But in this case, there was really nothing we could do about the situation. We could ONLY move forward, and now the silver lining of this seeming tragedy was that he had a LOT more time on his hands to research about the BEST way to proceed.
We outlined a plan.
We didn't just look at how to make the next few months successful. We looked at how to grow this, month by month - year by year. How to grow the business. How to make it sustainable and scalable. And the most exciting part? Predicting when it would be secure enough to start training children in need - giving them a trade! Giving them security and a future! The plan was to have them apprentice for a year - receiving training, nurturing and even a meal at "work". Then, when they had learned the skill, another apprentice would be brought in the following year. Would the first child be let go? No. The first child would be instrumental in helping the next child to learn and grow.
A familiar model
Yep - it's the same model we used at Uptrennd University (the program I began to teach newbies how to thrive in crypto-blogging). We taught, and then asked that the students took what they've learned and allow it to overflow into the next generation. It's beneficial for the student, for the tutor, and for the entire project. That's a win/win/win/win. (always has to have at least 4 wins for me to deem it worthy!)
And here is the part that excited me!
My husband and I were prepared to financially help build this dreem. We always try to bless others in a HEALTHY WAY. There are plenty of people who will take from others instead of working for what they need. We always try to NOT just give money away foolishly. Wisdom and discernment is key - when to say yes and when to say no.
But we didn't need to do it alone.
Others found out and wanted to contribute. Just like EyeOnSparrow, people saw the chance to be a part of helping others. Affecting change. Pooling resources. Investing in a community. Before we knew it - the funds were all supplied, and we were embarking on this journey together. DREEMING about a community halfway around the world that would be affected FOR LIFE (we hoped and prayed!) because we all committed to help this young man IGNITE HIS DREEM.
It was hard work!
And there have been setbacks. One of the things that impressed me was his willingness to NOT STOP LEARNING, not stop working. He would often come home absolutely exhausted from a day of back-breaking work. But I thought -he's serious! This is not a handout to him - these are the keys to his new future, and he is taking this VERY seriously. Even with all that, there were times when we were scared that the project might be doomed! But in all this, God was always faithful to provide a way out, a solution, a rescue!
And six months from the start, he was ready to make his first harvest.
And then - we had a surprise for him!
More tomorrow ❤️