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Hometown

Hollywood, CA

Joie de VIVre

Spending Sunday in bed with my fella, OneKid OneWorld (my nonprofit), dClutterfly (my business), hiking the Hollywood Hills with my dog, dinner with dear friends!

VIV Moment

In June 2006, a childhood friend asked me to help him on the first project for his newly created nonprofit, OneKid OneWorld. Though I knew it was time for me to start giving back, I had no idea what kind of impact, if any, I could have. I soon learned. In our first six months we were able to raise more than $50,000 to benefit the Nyamasare Girls’ School & Orphanage in Mbita, Kenya! With that money, we covered tuition for more than 200 girls, built a science lab and bought beds, mattresses and mosquito nets for the dorms. We also built a fence around the property for the girls’ protection and purchased textbooks for a generation of students.

While these accomplishments feel like a string of VIV Moments, I think my true VIV Moment was the first time we drove up the road to visit the school. We had no idea what would greet us. I’d seen pictures of the school but had no heart-and-soul connection to it or the girls.

When we rounded the corner and crested a small hill, ahead of us — under a tree — were about 75 of the girls, singing a greeting to us. Singing in the most beautiful, joyous voices I had ever heard. Singing songs of thanks. In that moment it hit me — we are all connected. The money I had raised in Los Angeles could and will make a significant and direct impact on the lives of people who need it. One person can make a difference.

We went back to Kenya in November of 2008 to watch 40 of the girls graduate from Nyamasare. It’s amazing to think that two years ago, there were only two classes now there are six classrooms, beds for the 150 girls who live at the school and a solar-powered computer on its way. The school now is ranked nationally in Kenya.

It’s so easy to think about what’s tough regarding our own lives, but there is always someone who has it tougher. Much tougher. It is our responsibility to give back what we can. “Life Is Short. Make a Difference” is what we say at OneKid OneWorld. Every time I come back from Kenya, I am recommitted to making a difference every day.

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