Tanzania to Haiti with a Song

We tell the story of the mission of Hearts in Unity over and over.... of our dedication to help feed, clothe and educate the orphan and at-risk children in our villages on Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.

We invite people to open their hearts to our Tanzanian children and to join us making a difference as we change lives... one precious child at a time.

Sometimes, however, a non-profit organization can get so entrenched in the mission that they have committed not only to paper but also to their hearts, that they lose sight of the basic foundation of the work that they are doing.

Isn't every charitable organization really built on a foundation of helping others in need? A foundation of caring and sharing?

I admire the non-profit organizations that keep their mission close to the heart, but who react with swift and decisive action to adjust to the ever-changing and urgent needs of the world that we live in.

One has to look no farther than organizations such as the American Red Cross, or World Vision, or Soles for Souls -- and their current focus on and committment to those in Haiti -- to see a ground swell of hearts opened to helping others. The efforts of organizations such as these are a testament to the impact and difference that our individual contributions CAN make when we come together in unity for others.

At Hearts in Unity, we don't want to lose sight of our mission to help the children of Tanzania, but at the same time, who would we be if we were to close our eyes and turn on backs on the children of Haiti?

In this time when there are so many children around the world with an urgent need for food, clothing and shelter, we at Hearts in Unity want to do our part to help the children of Haiti just as so many around the world have reached out to help our children in Tanzania.

And it is in this spirit that we are so very pleased to announce that, for the next 2 weeks, our long-time partner CDBaby will make a Haitian Earthquake Relief donation of $1 to the American Red Cross for each of our Roland Maanga "Omba!" music CD's purchased online.

In addition, Hearts in Unity will also donate an additional $2 to the American Red Cross for each online "Omba!" CD purchase through CDBaby. The remainder of the purchase price of every CD goes directly to the ongoing programs through Hearts in Unity to continue to help feed, clothe and educate the children of Tanzania.

Produced by Hearts in Unity, the "Omba!" music CD features original Tanzanian music by Roland Maanga, accomplished musician and the Tanzanian co-director of Hearts in Unity. The song lyrics are mostly in Swahili, but the music itself transcends all language barriers. Besides, each CD includes a wonderful booklet with all of the song lyrics in Swahili and English so you can sing along!

Listen to song clips on the CDBaby website, and feel the joyous beat of hearts overflowing with compassion for the children of the world as this amazing music flows around and through you. The music will fill your soul with the same hope that we wish for the precious children of Tanzania -- and now also, for the Haitian children who need your support now more than ever.

The children of the world are MY children... they are YOUR children... they are OUR children.

Let's join together, with hearts in unity, to make a difference. Take a stand for the children of the world and purchase a music CD for yourself and one for someone in your life that you hold dear in your heart.

Until next time, I'll leave you with a favorite quote from Charlotte Lunsford...

"We won't always know whose lives we touched and made better for our having cared, because actions can sometimes have unforeseen ramifications. What's important is that you do care and you act."

Asante sana -- Thank you very much.

Barnes and Noble coupons are always available for literary donations to deserving children.