My involvement with The HALO Foundation began nearly 4 years ago. At the time, I was unaware to the depths that my involvement and passion for HALO would grow. I feel very fortunate to have experienced all aspects of HALO: working closely with our dedicated volunteers, our supporters and donors, and the children that are supported by HALO. I recently was able to make the journey to India, Kenya and Uganda to meet our HALO supported youth in these communities.

I realize that it is rare to be involved in so many aspects of an organization or company. To have the opportunity to see first-hand the impact that our supporters and volunteers are having on these highly-deserving youth is remarkable. On a daily basis, I work with volunteers who dedicate time out of their very busy lives, with the goal of improving lives of children across the world and in our own communities. Our volunteers allow us to make the most of the funding that comes to HALO.

After visiting a majority of our HALO supported homes, the impact I witnessed was staggering. It's difficult to imagine these kids at one time living on the street- with no consistent shelter, care or food. School was at one point a distant and impractical goal. To know that because of our volunteers and supporters, these same children now have the opportunities they deserve to have.

With each volunteer, each donor, each person sharing HALO's mission, it is one step closer to giving more kids the opportunities they deserve. In the past 4 years I have been involved with HALO, it has been astounding the growth that we have experienced and continue to experience. I feel very proud to work for an organization that I believe in so strongly."

The stars are bright in the Kenyan sky

The last several days have been spent visiting our 2 HALO supported orphanages in Kenya. I was able to meet up with Rebecca, Josh and Tracie. So happy to see them all. After spending one night in Nairobi- we traveled to Naibor and Timau. There are about 23 boys living in the Timau Home (our first stop.) They were so sweet and very shy at first, but eventually our visit there turned into a dance party and a baseball game. The boys there consider each other brothers. It's very much like a family and there is a lot of care and love between everyone in the home.

Later in the week, we traveled to Naibor, where around 34 beautiful HALO supported boys and girls live. The night we were in Naibor, I looked up at the sky and saw the brightest stars I have ever seen. Before getting ready for bed, I took turns spinning some of the younger kids around while looking up at the stars. It was so wonderful to get to know several of the kids whose faces I've gotten to know over the last few years. Our time there was short but sweet.