When Oprah's Angel Network published "The Idea Behind CampCaribe" on their Web site, I was in Las Vegas at a trade show buying for my small Oakland boutique.  In fact, I was chatting with a vendor when the light on my Blackberry started blinking and I ignored it for about an hour because I was so focused on what I was doing.  When I finally took a moment to sit down, I checked my messages and saw the subject line "Your Story Has Been Published."  Seriously?  Seriously.  The angels are watching.  The ultimate validation.

Every day, I wake up with CampCaribe on my mind.  And every night, I go to bed thinking about what my next steps should be.  There is an imbalance in the universe with regard to the lack of opportunities for children of color and I aim to change it in my small way.  But it's hard.  A month ago, I was depressed, frustrated and about to give up because everything wasn't lining up perfectly.   Today, I have regained my focus, CampCaribe has a fiscal sponsor and if I have to go out and get a personal loan, CampCaribe will happen. 

I sent out my first batch of fundraising letters last week; and I am working diligently to partner with non-profits that want to empower a local girl.  I have committed to sponsoring my Little Sister from the Big Brother Big Sister program and just sent her mom $100 so that she can get her first passport.  I have quasi-commitments (i.e., no completed registration forms) from 3 parents and I found an Oakland grant program that I'm going to apply for.  I'm trying not to get frustrated at the cost of group round-trip airfare and am praying for an(other) angel to just comp the whole thing.  I have sent for samples of staff and Adventurer camp t-shirts and I need to make up a cute camp song so that Adventurers will have a song that reminds them of this awesome adventure once camp is over.  I strategize, I pray, and I am proactive.

I plan to report a success story to the angels at Oprah's Angel Network (come hell or highwater) and I need your help to do it.  These girls' lives will be forever changed after 10 days of environmental education and awareness, cultural education and awareness, water & beach activities, learning excursions, making new friends, etc.  Whether you donate $20 (the cost of a ground transportation voucher) or $1995 (the majority of the cost for one Adventurer), please consider donating to this cause.  It is 100% tax deductible thanks to CampCaribe's fiscal sponsor, The Kemet Foundation.  If you have a contact at an airline, can offer free screenprinting services, or know a really cool camp song, your help will not go unappreciated.  Anything else that you might be able to do to bring this learning adventure to fruition would be a Godsend. 

Thanks for listening.  And thanks for giving a damn.