Send Amy to Africa!
Donation protected
I remember a time in College after going to a campus lead ministry, I had this feeling in my heart that I needed to go to Africa and do humanitarian work. I remember calling my mom and saying,
"I'm going to Africa," and feeling her smile through the phone as she said, "Ok, tell me more" and listened in her "holding things lightly" way that she does so well.
Long story short, I didn't end up going, and this dream sort of faded from memory.
In April of 2013, I had the opportunity to join an organization called Africa Yoga Project (AYP) as a mentor. As a mentor, I committed to meeting with a newly trained yoga teacher in Africa over Skype every month. I committed to helping this person and empowering them in their teaching and leading.
I met my mentee Donattah and my world changed. . . Talk about shifting perspective! I thought I had it hard finding teaching jobs. Try talking to people who have never heard of yoga and getting them to hire you. Try teaching in all kinds of conditions... in a dark classroom because the power is out. Not only that, it's over crowded so children are spilling into the hall. Try teaching outside in the dirt because there is no where else. In a prison. Teaching to deaf people. Teaching to blind people.
AYP has and is transforming the lives of Kenyans with yoga. Why yoga? You might ask. Yoga teaches us not only to be flexible in body but also in mind. Yoga brings an inner awareness and self reflection. Many people who came out of AYP's teacher training transformed talk about how they used to steal and kill, and now they have found peace. As my friend Walter from Kenya said,
"Yoga has inspired me to face life couragesouly and not to hide. It has inspired me to live happily with whatever I have and be really authentic. Yoga transformed my life because when I look 3 years ago, i could not even support myself. I have moved into a new life and it is much more truthful and authentic; I am not in the slum getting in trouble anymore. I have this freedom now, I can do anything and walk anywhere."
AYP offers FREE yoga every Saturday to over 300 people. People travel from ALL over to take these classes. They provide the skills through their teacher training in Baptiste Power Yoga (the style I was trained in) to help young Kenyans find jobs teaching yoga, and in doing so bring stability both financially, and also spiritually mentally and emotionally. All training graduates have mentors that start from day 1 and continue to 5 years! They are supported and guided every step of the way to empower themselves and their community. AYP has educated and trained 100 teachers. They in turn teach over 300 FREE classes per week and empower 6,000 people per month!
Now, I have the opportunity to help assist in leading a teacher training in Kenya in March of 2016. I'll have the chance to assist Kenyan students eager to make changes in their lives and their world through the practice of yoga! I'll help with content and empowering each prospective teacher to be their best self.
My desire to go to Africa is coming back full circle. Not quite in the way I expected, but it's excited and it gets my heart beating fast just thinking about it!
I am paying my own way and also fundraising money for this incredible organization.
1/3 of the money ($2,000 being asked here) will go toward my plane ticket/deposit/tuition fees and travels there.
I will be raising another $4,000 specifically for AYP on a separate page. (all contributions are tax deductible) if you prefer to donate there instead, I'll keep you posted!
I will also be offering some donation based classes in the Seattle area in the coming months so ifs for you live in town, stay tuned!
Any amount helps. Any amount gets me closer to Africa and to following my dreams. Any amount furthers the good of this incredible organization. Thank you for considering, for reading, and for being a support in my life!
Oh yes, you can find more out about this incredible organization I love at www.africayogaproject.org
Amy
"I'm going to Africa," and feeling her smile through the phone as she said, "Ok, tell me more" and listened in her "holding things lightly" way that she does so well.
Long story short, I didn't end up going, and this dream sort of faded from memory.
In April of 2013, I had the opportunity to join an organization called Africa Yoga Project (AYP) as a mentor. As a mentor, I committed to meeting with a newly trained yoga teacher in Africa over Skype every month. I committed to helping this person and empowering them in their teaching and leading.
I met my mentee Donattah and my world changed. . . Talk about shifting perspective! I thought I had it hard finding teaching jobs. Try talking to people who have never heard of yoga and getting them to hire you. Try teaching in all kinds of conditions... in a dark classroom because the power is out. Not only that, it's over crowded so children are spilling into the hall. Try teaching outside in the dirt because there is no where else. In a prison. Teaching to deaf people. Teaching to blind people.
AYP has and is transforming the lives of Kenyans with yoga. Why yoga? You might ask. Yoga teaches us not only to be flexible in body but also in mind. Yoga brings an inner awareness and self reflection. Many people who came out of AYP's teacher training transformed talk about how they used to steal and kill, and now they have found peace. As my friend Walter from Kenya said,
"Yoga has inspired me to face life couragesouly and not to hide. It has inspired me to live happily with whatever I have and be really authentic. Yoga transformed my life because when I look 3 years ago, i could not even support myself. I have moved into a new life and it is much more truthful and authentic; I am not in the slum getting in trouble anymore. I have this freedom now, I can do anything and walk anywhere."
AYP offers FREE yoga every Saturday to over 300 people. People travel from ALL over to take these classes. They provide the skills through their teacher training in Baptiste Power Yoga (the style I was trained in) to help young Kenyans find jobs teaching yoga, and in doing so bring stability both financially, and also spiritually mentally and emotionally. All training graduates have mentors that start from day 1 and continue to 5 years! They are supported and guided every step of the way to empower themselves and their community. AYP has educated and trained 100 teachers. They in turn teach over 300 FREE classes per week and empower 6,000 people per month!
Now, I have the opportunity to help assist in leading a teacher training in Kenya in March of 2016. I'll have the chance to assist Kenyan students eager to make changes in their lives and their world through the practice of yoga! I'll help with content and empowering each prospective teacher to be their best self.
My desire to go to Africa is coming back full circle. Not quite in the way I expected, but it's excited and it gets my heart beating fast just thinking about it!
I am paying my own way and also fundraising money for this incredible organization.
1/3 of the money ($2,000 being asked here) will go toward my plane ticket/deposit/tuition fees and travels there.
I will be raising another $4,000 specifically for AYP on a separate page. (all contributions are tax deductible) if you prefer to donate there instead, I'll keep you posted!
I will also be offering some donation based classes in the Seattle area in the coming months so ifs for you live in town, stay tuned!
Any amount helps. Any amount gets me closer to Africa and to following my dreams. Any amount furthers the good of this incredible organization. Thank you for considering, for reading, and for being a support in my life!
Oh yes, you can find more out about this incredible organization I love at www.africayogaproject.org
Amy
Organizer
Amy Andrews
Organizer
Bainbridge Island, WA
