PROVIDING HOPE
In a three-day effort to benefit Uganda-based nonprofit Sole Hope, Young Living members and employees came together during an international service project from November 9–11. The D. Gary Young, Young Living Foundation partners with Sole Hope to, in part, protect children in Uganda against a parasitic foot infection called jiggers by providing them durable footwear made from upcycled jeans. To help with their efforts, over 20,000 members from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia gathered for “shoe cutting” parties to cut out several thousand pairs of shoes from old jeans.
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Social media and the Foundation’s website were buzzing during the three-day service project. “This recent Sole Hope Party that I hosted was my first experience with the Young Living Foundation,” said Young Living member Alexandra Rivera from Virginia. “This experience has motivated me to be on the look out for other opportunities to give back through this Foundation, and I love that 100 percent of donations goes directly to the projects and partnerships.”
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Senior Director of Young Living Global Philanthropy Nikki Davis was excited to help spearhead the effort. “Because jiggers are misunderstood in Uganda, infected children are often ostracized and cast out of their village without treatment and support,” she said. “We are proud to partner with Sole Hope to provide services that will change the lives of children in Africa and empower them to rise above their circumstances.”
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During the event, Sole Hope’s Executive Director Drü Collie visited Young Living headquarters and shared the story of his organization. “We are grateful for the overwhelming support from Young Living and its members,” he said. “The Foundation’s efforts have enabled us to change lives by providing hope and treatment to hundreds of individuals every week.”
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In addition to helping provide thousands of shoes, the Foundation—thanks to Young Living members’ generosity— will be breaking ground on a new outreach house, where Sole Hope will be able to provide much-needed resources to victims who have been shunned from their communities. Sole Hope’s remarkable efforts don’t stop at footwear and housing, however. The organization also strives to offer hope, healthier lives, and freedom from foot-related diseases through education, jobs, and medical relief.
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This mission aligns in profound ways with that of the Foundation—which envisions a world where children are provided with the resources and opportunities necessary to become confident, self-reliant leaders, who can take control of their own health, provide for their families, and positively change their communities. You can help this vision come to life. Simply visit YoungLivingFoundation.org to find how you can connect your passions with service.