I wondered why somebody didn’t do something. Then I realized, I am somebody. ~Author Unknown
It never ceases to amaze me how just one person can make a difference in the lives of so many.
I recently met a woman who is ‘somebody’.
She lives in Wisconsin, USA, and has had a major ongoing impact on the lives of sixty-three people, living in South Africa. Her name is Constance Thornton and she works as a Front Office Manageress at the Raddison Hotel, Milwaukee.
At the beginning of this year Constance decided, that for her 32nd birthday, she wanted to give rather than receive.
She has a heart for empowering and equipping young girls and teenagers to live their lives to the fullest. She loves travelling and had always wanted to visit Africa so she googled ‘orphanages’ in South Africa and Anja, from the Sisanda Fundaytion, responded almost immediately. The Sisanda Fundaytion “is a non-profit organisation working with volunteers to influence the lives of disadvantaged children in South Africa through recreation, education and inspirational fun.”
Constance committed herself to raising funds for a Connect Day and promptly started a Go Fund Me campaign. To date she has raised $1 070 which when converted into South African currency is R14 336.29 which is a lot of money! There was enough money for a Connect Day as well as money to buy the girls from Ikhaya le themba items from their Christmas wish list.
A few days before Constance was due to arrive in South Africa for her birthday, Anja and a few volunteers went out to Ikhaya le themba – Home of hope to start making Constance’s
birthday present – a map of Africa. Each country ‘designed’ by the girls from Ikhaya le themba who went on the Connect Day.
On the morning of the 23rd October, 32 girls from Ikhaya le themba and the volunteers from the ‘Sisterhood’ together with other volunteers embarked on a day of fun and friendship filled with pizza and birthday cake.
This day will live on in the memories of the girls and volunteers for a very long time and was only made possible because someone decided to be ‘somebody’ – ‘somebody’ decided to bring joy, laughter and friendship into the lives of those less privileged than herself.
Constance believes life is about connecting, about being able to tell someone ‘I love you, you are beautiful, you are special’ – about giving back to others who do not have the resources that she has.
Constance finds her inspiration from her mom and dad, her husband, friends and family. Her heart’s desire is to empower and inspire girls to achieve their potential in life.
Can you imagine what this world would be like if we all decided to be ‘somebody’?
What an inspiration Constance is to me – one woman in America impacting the lives of so many people in Africa.
Below is a one of Constance’s much loved quotes:
“The universe responds to our inner yearnings by mysteriously bringing people into our life to answer our questions and help quell our conflicts. Every time you follow your intuition, your personal vibration intensifies. This can be likened to turning up the volume on a stereo. The more your personal vibration is intensified the more you will pull people into your life who carry messages for you. It is a universal law.” ~ Denise Linn
Constance certainly pulled a lot of people into her life whilst here in Africa and one of the cards she received from a child at Ikhaya le themba sums it all up:
UNDER A JUNIPER TREE 