My $11,250 goal for The Fistula Foundation

I have found my charity.

One of the goals on my bucket list and on my list of 50 Challenges is to raise $10,000 for a charity, I was just unsure which one. When I first thought about it I was leaning towards cancer research, but I wasn’t 100%. At the start of the year I found the charity – it’s The Fistula Foundation.

What is Fistula?
Many people might not have heard of it, because with increased medical care in Western countries it is not such an issue. In a nutshell, a traumatic birth, which often results in the death of the baby as well, puts so much pressure on the mothers body that a fistula is formed. It is basically a hole where the pressure from the baby being stuck during childbirth causes some of the mothers tissue between the birth canal and other organs to die. It results in the mother being unable to hold her urine and sometimes bowel movements. She is shunned by her husband and community, yet it is treatable.

A mother in Kenya – photo courtesy of The Fistula Foundation

Why did I choose to support them?
There are a few reasons I selected Fistula Foundation. I think part of it is timing and the thoughts I have had lately. I am very focused on my family. I had a problematic birth with my first daughter and had I not been in hospital, she would have died. That would have been traumatic enough, but to have the issues these women face on top of that would be horrendous.

I have been thinking about what I wanted to do to give back. I used to be Mormon and paid a tithe. I still want to donate time and money to help others and have been thinking about how I would do that.

In the first few days of this year, I bought some old magazines to help create my vision board. In one of those magazines was an article on what you can do to help others with websites and some excellent suggestions. As I read through them I thought they were all good causes, then when I got to Fistula Foundation I just knew. This was it. This was my charity. I cried as I read the 1 paragraph in the magazine about it.

A mother from Uganda – Photo courtesy of The Fistula Foundation

What will I do?
It costs just $450USD for the operation for one woman and it has a 90% success rate. My original plan was to raise $10,000 then I decided since that would help almost 23 women, why not round it up to 25?

My goal is to raise $11,250 for Fistula Foundation and help 25 African women live their life again.

How will I do it?
I have quite a few ideas. For starters I have placed an ad on my sites for the foundation. I can’t track how much is raised through that unless those donating put “Kylie Ofiu” as their reason for donating, but just knowing more women will get help makes me happy.

For the month of February 10% of the sale price of 365 Ways To Make Money will be donated. Also, I am hoping that some of you will donate. I have placed ads for them across my sites and will be promoting this on social media as well as letting friends and family know what I am doing.
The Body Shop – My friend has just started as a Body Shop Rep so I am having a party for her on the 26th Feb. Instead of taking hostess gifts, I will be donating the proceeds.
Facebook auction – I am going to have an auction on my Facebook page in March. I am setting this up at the moment, getting businesses on board to donate items. If you have something you would like to donate or want to be part of this email me.
I have an eBook I will be launching in a couple of months, with proceeds going to this.
Hoyts do a movie night where I can book, get tickets for a discounted price and sales from the candy bar go towards the fundraising as well.
I’m organizing a workshop with various speakers and topics including ways to make and save money, fashion/style advice, health and organization.

I have set up a specific bank and Paypal account for this and gave the log in details to the Fistula Foundation so it is all transparent. And anyone who does donate, please leave your details so The Fistula Foundation can personally thank you.

My aim is to raise the $11,250 by the end of the year.

If all of you who read my blog here donated even $1 I would more than reach my goal! That’s right, with a one dollar donation each we can change the lives of 25 women.

You can donate using the PayPal button below or donate directly through The Fistula Foundation here, I just can’t track my goal unless you mention Kylie Ofiu as the reason for your donation.

What have you found to be great ways to fundraise?
Do you have a particular charity you are passionate about?