Kwero!

It's In The Works!

2010-08-30T17:27:00.001-05:00

Even bigger and better than last year! Go here for more details!

Update on Project Hope Worldwide

2010-07-01T17:17:00.001-05:00

Project Hope Worldwide has had some difficulties officially obtaining the land title which has delayed our actual purchasing of the land. However, on Tuesday, June 29th, we sealed the land sale! Andy (the Westerner that we have hired), Tony (Cathy’s cousin that found us the land and that we have also hired), and the surveyor met with the owners of the land again. They walked the boundaries of the 20 acres and obtained a written agreement that states the land has been sold to Project Hope Worldwide!

A percentage of the total payment was paid as a deposit and the remaining balance will be paid upon the receipt of land title (which should come by August 2010). Because of this, we are able to move forward with construction as we wait for the land title! We are still on schedule to have children by November!

Thanks so much for praying for this situation! We will continue to keep you updated with the progress!

Here's a few pics from the Project Hope Worldwide June 2010 trip...

"Kwero!" Was a Huge Success!

2010-07-01T17:09:00.000-05:00

Update and final numbers on "Kwero!"...

We raised a net amount of $43,495 from the evening - far exceeding our goal of $30,000! This amount, combined with other investors, private contributions, and individual donors, we now have $174,102 dollars and are going to be able to start the construction process in June!

Thank you to everyone who helped make "Kwero!" a huge success and be sure to look for another fantastic event in 2011!

KWERO!

2010-04-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

Do you know what a “kwero” is?

A. A rare, tropical fruit found in Puerto Rico – similar to a sweet pineapple in taste

B. A large, flightless bird, originally from Australia, that is valued for it’s soft brown feathers

C. A Ugandan word that means “PARTY!”

If you guessed “C”, you are correct!

Project Hope Worldwide* invites you to "Kwero!" - an exciting, enchanted evening filled with fun people, delicious food and wine, fabulous auction items, entertainment...and a few surprises! And all for a great cause - to raise funds to build an orphanage and medical clinic in Lira, Uganda.

Saturday, April 17th

6:00 p.m.

Bailey Medical Center (106th and Garnett)
Owasso, OK

As you may already know, there is a huge need in this area due to many Ugandan citizens contracting the AIDS epidemic and 23 years of war with the rebel forces of Northern Uganda, leaving many children parentless and families unable to obtain decent healthcare.

Our motto is "Your Hand, Your Help, Their Hope" and it truly demonstrates the spirit of this event. It is our goal to raise a minimum of $30,000 and this can only be accomplished with your generous donations.

You can truly make a difference in the lives of those who could use your support the most so please consider attending this exciting event! We look forward to seeing you at "Kwero!" and feel free to invite your friends and family, as well!

Tickets are limited and are sure to go quickly! You can purchase tickets one of several ways...

* You may purchase them on-line on the Project Hope World Wide's website here or from Surcee' Gifts in Owasso.

* You may call 918-720-4010

* You may send a check to:

Project Hope World Wide

PO Box 1798

Owasso, OK 74055

We thank you in advance for supporting those in need in Uganda!

Project Hope's Mission

2010-04-11T21:11:00.000-05:00

(Please be sure to stop the music player in the right hand column so you can hear the video!)

(Video by Kelley Compton)

"Kwero!" In the News!

2010-04-10T07:35:00.005-05:00

Channel 6 News with LeAnne Taylor

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

(Please turn off the music player on the right hand column of this page in order to hear the sound from the news segment.)

FOX 23 News

Friday, April 9, 2010

(Fast forward the video to 13:14 to view our segment.)

Value News

April 2010 issue

Owasso Reporter
December 31, 2009

The Team Times

Owassoisms Blog

Owasso Magazine

February-March 2010

Changing Lives – One Child at a Time

By Kelley Compton

When I first went to Uganda back in the summer of 2008, I was blown away by the kindness of the people in the midst of absolute poverty. Growing up in America, I have seen pictures of 3rd world poverty and I’ve seen pictures of children that were less fortunate than me, but it wasn’t reality for me. It was across the world - out of sight, out of mind. Before my trip, it was easy for me to dismiss these images and go about worrying about my own problems and my own life. It wasn’t my problem, nor my responsibility.

That all changed for me in the summer of 2008. Those pictures and 3rd world poverty became reality. I could no longer dismiss it. It became personal because those pictures now had names. For me, their names were Laketti and Scovia. I became attached to these little girls. I would watch them - playing and entertained so easily for hours with silly games that we would play. They took care of each other and they took care of their little brothers and sisters. It wasn’t uncommon for me to see a 5 year old carrying a baby on her back. The more attached I became to Laketti and Scovia, the more my heart began to break for what life was ahead of them. Being submerged in this culture, even though it was for a short 2 weeks, I realized what the future held for these girls - poor education, lack of food, a huge risk of being exposed to AIDS, the risk of dying of malaria, and the realization that they would be used for one thing- to become a wife of many to one man and be valued on how many children they could have.

I remember this last summer, when I couldn’t go back because I was having a baby of my own, the desire to give Laketti and Scovia something that they could use and help them. I sent a care package with the team for these little girls filled with clothes, shoes, medicine, and mosquito nets. I remember the anxiety that I had just worrying whether or not they were still alive. Had they been exposed to AIDS? Had they died of malaria? Had someone taken advantage of them? These were realistic worries that I had.

It is estimated that there are over 2 million Laketti’s and Scovia orphans in Uganda – this is about 20% of the population of children. The United Nations states that “the worst place in the entire world to be a child is in Northern Uganda.” The crazy thing is that it’s so easy to change this! The amazing thing is that it just takes people in America deciding that this is our responsibility - that this cannot be placed out of site and out of mind anymore.

It became personal for myself and two others - Lynn Becker and Derk Madden. And because of this, we have decided to do something about it. To see a great need as we saw and possess the resources and gifts to meet that need, but to remain indifferent, would be too great a burden to carry. We felt strongly that this had become our responsibility to act upon this conviction. In addition, as followers of Christ, we can’t help but be compassionate about what God is passionate about- and that is the poor, the widows, and orphans.

Project Hope Worldwide is founded on these convictions and is clear in our mission statement, which is – investing, equipping, and providing hope to the poor, the oppressed, the widows and the orphans around the world. This will begin in Lira Uganda.

Our vision for Lira, Uganda is to care for and provide hope for orphans who have been most impacted by the AIDS epidemic and 23 years of war with the rebel forces of Northern Uganda. This will be accomplished with the building of an orphanage called “Calo Me Lare”, which means “Village of Redemption.” Our goal is to provide a nurturing home, a quality education, sufficient medical care, and an effective character-based mentoring program that will empower the children to break out of this cycle that is all they know and become leaders of their community.

We can’t imagine not being legitimate stakeholders in affecting lives in such a tangible way as this. We can only imagine impacting children in a place where it’s not desirable to be a child, being proud of our contribution, and knowing being involved in this is changing our lives. I know we can’t solve the world’s problems, but we can be a part. We are allowing ourselves to be a part of change, a part of something other than just ourselves, and a part of something beyond Owasso, Oklahoma. It has changed us.

"Kwero!" Entertainment Provided by Arthur Thompson

2009-12-18T02:05:00.000-06:00

Our music for the evening will be provided by Tulsa's own, Arthur Thompson and his African dance troop for A Taste of Africa! According to his website, "the incredible rhythms of Arthur Thompson have not only contributed to numerous music genres for over twenty years, but have influenced generations through his teaching, mentoring and creative genius. Arthur's passion for drums and music brings energy to every soul he touches." It goes on to say, "As a professional musician, he tours, plays and records. A member of Wayman Tisdale's band, he has also recorded with artists such as Tom Braxton, Marcus Miller, Jared Tyler, and Toby Keith." We are really looking forward to Mr. Thompson's creative talents!

Tribute to Wayman Tisdale, Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, Oklahoma February 6, 2010
With Toby Keith and Tom Braxton

Our Kwero Sponsor

2009-12-18T02:00:00.002-06:00

On behalf of the Project Hope World Wide Board of Directors and the Kwero! Event Committee, our sincere appreciation and delight is expressed to the following sponsor for helping us in our endeavor to help those in need in Uganda break free from a life of despair into a life of freedom and opportunity!

"Kwero!" Silent and Live Auction

2009-12-18T01:55:00.015-06:00

The goal of "Kwero!" is two-fold:

1) To raise $30,000 to help Project Hope Worldwide build an orphanage and medical clinic in Lira, Uganda; and,

2) To create awareness of the Ugandan project within our own community.

Won't you help us in this exciting endeavor to help those in need half a world away?

"Kwero!" will host a Silent and Live Auction featuring FaBuLoUs vacations, services and exciting events! You may view a complete listing of the items on our "Kwero Auction Items" blog here. Be sure to check back often as new items are added daily! Please remember, you may only bid on an item if you attend "Kwero!", so please purchase your tickets today!

How YOU Can Get Involved With "Kwero!"

2009-12-18T01:50:00.003-06:00

Project Hope Worldwide* invites the Tulsa/Owasso, Oklahoma area to be involved in "Kwero!" - an exciting, enchanted evening filled with fun people, delicious food and wine, fabulous auction items, entertainment...and a few surprises! And all for a great cause - to raise funds to build an orphanage and medical clinic in Lira, Uganda. As you may already know, there is a huge need in this area due to many Ugandan citizens contracting the AIDS epidemic and 23 years of war with the rebel forces of Northern Uganda, leaving many children parentless and families unable to obtain decent healthcare.

"Kwero!" will be held on Saturday, April 17th, 2010 and it is our our goal to raise a minimum of $30,000 to put towards the actual construction of the buildings. To pull off an event this big, it takes the efforts of many skilled and talented people – someone such as yourself! We are looking for volunteers to assist us with the following committees:

* Public Relations/Advertising
* Decorations
* Invitations
* Music/Entertainment
* Sound and Lighting
* Photography
* Food
* Acquiring Auction Items

There is a position for anyone who is interested in volunteering their time! If you’d like to be a part of "Kwero!", we can find the perfect place for you! Please contact Kelley Compton at kcompton@discovertheone.com and thank you in advance for joining us in our excitement of this great endeavor to help orphaned children and needy families in Uganda!

2009-12-18T01:45:00.000-06:00

The Master Plan

2009-12-18T01:40:00.000-06:00

Below is a detailed phasing plan over a time span of five years...

This is a view of the orphanage home...

Below is a virtual image of what the actual orphanage home will look like...

Bill and Melinda Gates Interview on "Meet the Press"

2009-12-18T01:35:00.000-06:00

Check out this video of Bill and Melinda Gates as they express the huge need of investing in poor cultures around the world and what we can do to help make a difference! (Be sure to stop the music player in the right hand column so you can hear the video!)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Kwero Planning Committee

2009-12-18T01:30:00.000-06:00

* Amy is the Kwero Chairperson. A communications graduate of Oral Roberts University, Amy moved to Owasso in 2002. She and her husband Doug are the parents of delightful, 8 year-old twin girls. Amy loves her career in real estate and is in her fourth year with McGraw Realtors. Her Owasso volunteer projects include the Owasso Library, Head Start, Timmy & Cindy Project, Funtastic Island Park, Baptist Children’s Home & Owasso Public Schools. She is an on-going children’s teacher and event coordinator at Discovery Bible Fellowship. A long-time Tulsa community volunteer, Amy served on the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House, was a staff member of the Tulsa Area United Way and member of the Tulsa Jr. League.

* Kelley is the Kwero Volunteer Coordinator Chair. Kelley first traveled to

Uganda

in 2008 as part of a church planting project in the village of Mkombe. She was deeply impacted by many things she saw, specifically the orphans. Being submerged in the Ugandan culture, she quickly realized that women were not valued, were not given opportunities to reach their potential, and were viewed to do one thing; to be one of many wives to a husband and produce many children. This reason alone was a burden that led her to pursue providing a place of opportunity for the orphans of

Uganda

so they can break out of this cycle of life.

In 2003, Kelley captured the title of Miss Oklahoma and spent her year speaking to over 350 schools and 50,000 students under the program “

America

cares for children”. She also was a spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Health Department’s Campaign “Walk this Weigh” as well as a spokesperson for the “School’s for Healthy Lifestyles” state program. During her years of competition, Kelley’s honors included: Top-ten finalist at Miss America, two-time recipient of the Kiwanis Club community service awards, two-time recipient of the Miss America community service awards, a citation recipient from the Oklahoma State House of Representatives and Senate, and over 80,000 dollars in Scholarships.

Kelley is a graduate from Oklahoma City University with a Masters and undergraduate degrees in Accounting, and a minor in vocal performance. Upon graduating, Kelley worked for 2 years at Ernst and Young as an Auditor. However, she currently is the worship ministries leader at Discovery Bible Fellowship in Owasso.

* Rita is the Event Chairperson of KWERO. She currently enjoys being a realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Owasso, Oklahoma, and has held her real estate license for four years. Rita holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with teaching certificates in the areas of Elementary Education (K-12), Science (7-12) and Physical Education (K-12). Rita was previously employed with Oklahoma Public Schools for twelve years. Rita is the mother of Andrea Scott Vaughan (33), Kelley Scott Compton (29) and Taylor Scott (18). She is married (33 years) to husband Steven R. Scott, dentist in Claremore, Oklahoma. She and her husband are devoted to mission work and have helped develop a dental clinic in Juarez,

Mexico

, alongside Missions Ministries and Discovery Bible Fellowship members. Twice each year they travel to the poverty stricken areas outside of Juarez providing dental services to those in need. Rita enjoys volunteering at her church, Discovery Bible Fellowship in Collinsville, Oklahoma. Other interests include painting, interior design and gardening.

* Christy is the Kwero Media Chairperson. She has been married to her husband, Steve, for 17 years and they have two very sweet girls, ages 10 and 7. An Oklahoma State University graduate and former school teacher, Christy now homeschools her girls and is the President of Heritage Homeschool Co-Op of Owasso. She has a love for volunteering and has served with the Owasso Moms Club, the Owasso Library, her homeschool Co-Op and her church. Christy also has a decorative painting business that she does on the side and has done volunteer painting for several local churches and organizations. Christy’s family currently volunteers at the John 3:16 Mission in Tulsa and enjoys every opportunity to serve others when there is a need.