Every year when I return from my adventures in Uganda I ask myself the same question: “What can I being doing to help AWF when I’m not at the orphanage?” I, like many others, get so wrapped up in work, friends, and family that I don’t set enough time throughout the year to devote to fundraising, organizing, educating, etc. So I’m challenging myself to set aside a certain amount of time every month to do something for the kids or for the Foundation as a whole. This includes meeting with other non-profits to see how we can combine our efforts, harassing my family for donations, writing letters to the kids and to my sponsor child, and networking with pharmaceutical companies connected to my work.

This month, however, I will be riding in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS (http://www.hillcountryride.org/site/TR/HillCountryRideforAIDS/General?px=1338842&pg=personal&fr_id=1090) with some close friends. The goal of the Ride is to raise money and awareness for those “living positively” in Texas. I’ve chosen to expand on this and use it as a way to raise awareness for the global HIV/AIDS problem and to hopefully network for AWF. In that vein, I’ve chosen to ride in the name of a little girl at Asayo’s Wish! The same little girl Rachelle speaks of with so much love (she obviously affected many of us). She will be in my thoughts as I conquer those hills, as will everyone who donated to the cause!

I challenge all of you to make Asayo's Wish an integral part of your life! 

“Because of you and this great community you are creating, this Ride is more than just a bike ride, or just a fundraiser.  We will always remember why we do this Ride, and will not stop riding until every person living with AIDS has the care they desperately need.  The services you make possible enable thousands of wonderful people to maintain a dignity and quality of life that we take for granted every day.

Whether you know someone with AIDS or not, thank you for realizing we are all in this together.  We will never forget the people we have lost to AIDS. They added an unforgettable joy to our lives, and continue to teach us what it means to really live.    We all stand on their shoulders, and will honor them with every mile pedaled, every hour of service.”

-David C. Smith, Executive Director, Hill Country Ride for AIDS