CLASSROOM UPGRADES with DOTTIE BURNLEY

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

When we asked Dottie which of our South African schools’ Top 10 Wishes she would like to raise funds for and help complete while volunteering in South Africa in February 2024, she chose Classroom Renovations. When we asked why, she said, “I think that will do the most good for the most kids.” That impressed us but did not surprise us. While Dottie has never been to South Africa, she knows some things. Her mother Anna traveled to South Africa with us in 2013 and was gifted a poignant reminder of the chasm-of-opportunity between her own one-year-old child and the weeks-old infant she held. The girls were one year apart in age but infinite miles apart in hope: a privilege rooted in chance.

We are touched and grateful that Anna will soon return to South Africa with us, this time with her husband Tyler and Dottie, now 12. As volunteers, the family will share their entrepreneurship, nutrition, wellness, and construction talents, and work with students in English, art, boxing (!), dance, and penpal updates. They will also get a Xhosa cooking lesson from a local chef!

Best of all, perhaps, is that central to their experience will be their fulfillment of one of our partner-schools’ Top Ten Wishes: which is a perfect way to make a mark that is both inclusive and sustainable. Universal Promise prides itself on the fact that locals guide our efforts, as they should. That’s how Dottie came to choose classroom renovations. It is a wish of those we serve.

With your Round 1 gift, we repaired and painted classroom walls and ceilings, installed electricity, whiteboards and bulletin boards, replaced broken windows, and purchased academic posters for a primary school (K-7) of 550 children in rural South Africa. Now we are on to Round 2, which will raise funds to replace or repair dilapidated desks to compete our march to create sacred and dignified places-of-learning. Make a difference every day forever. That’s what education does.

DOTTIE’S TEAM

Ainsley Perry
Alana A. Silva
Alexa Boone
Amy and Tom Jenkins
Andrea Jenkins
Andrew Paris
Anne Jenkins
Anne & Chris Loftus
Brianna Ferrara
Carol Perry
Christen Meyers
Clare Kirwin
Claudia Rotondo
Corinne Beaudoin
Courtney Cunningham
Debbie Amarant
Don and Helene O’Neill
Dottie Berube
Hagan Family
Heather Julian Llanos
Jacquelene Henderson
Jodi Paquin
Julia and Pearl Hoffer
Kajsa Kempenaar
Karen Jenkins
Lynda Paylan
Maggie Stark
Malinda Roderick
Marisa Livesay
Martha T. Cummings
Mary Hayes
Meghan Spooner
Michaela Cochran
Michele Jemo
Miscellaneous Donors
Mist Fitness Studio Workout
Nicole Mondoor
Sarah Shoen
Shore Creative, LLC
Stacey Hughes
Tim Straus
William Foster
William Zachary

UPLIFTING WORDS

Go, Dottie, go! I am so excited for you all, and I can’t wait to see all you accomplish.
Maggie Stark

Dottie! We know you can do this because your parents and you are forces-of-nature! Here we go!
Martha T. Cummings

Dottie, you (and your parents!) inspire us greatly! What a beautiful MISSION. We look forward to hearing all about it. Safe travels! XO.
Alexa, Kevin, and Laina Boone

Way to go, Marley! Pretty awesome to advocate for your friend.
Christen Meyers

Excellent work, Marley and Dottie. Thank you for thinking of others! Keep the peace, and spread love always.
Andrew Paris

Excellent work you’re doing, Dottie. Thank you for helping these children get a better opportunity to learn.
Gram Grams

Go, Dottie! This is amazing!
Corinne Beaudoin

What a wonderful cause.
Helene and Don O’Neill

Dottie, I am so proud of you!!! Can't wait to hear all about your trip. LOVE YOU!
Julia and Pearl

I’m a good friend of Tim’s from upstate New York! Great work you are all doing here. I know you are making such a wonderful and important impact in these people’s lives.
Stacey

Very inspiring!
Heather

We all need more kindness. Good for you, Dottie.
Mary

Dottie, I am so lucky to call you a friend and so proud of you! Keep smiling, and have so much fun!
Elisavet

Dear Dottie, your mission to raise money for classroom renovations in South Africa is so inspiring! Wishing you all the best of luck and keep up the good work.
The Hagan Family

What an amazing mission, Dottie!
Amy and Tom