Emergency: Fundraiser for Lakota orphanage house

Dear friends,

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Many of you know that I was adopted into a lakota family near the Pine Ridge reservation. This is one of the poorest areas in America. The people on Pine Ridge have one of the shortest life expectancies of any group in the Western Hemisphere: about 47 years for men and 52 years for women. My mother Barbara Dullknife runs a children home here for neglected or abused children between the ages of 0 and 12.  

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This is the only place in the reserve where underprivileged youth can be cared for, and this project is close to my heart. Since its opening in 2017, they have already been able to take care of 350 children. For me, this feels like caring for the new generation of Native people.​

 

There is no government support for their work and their survival depends entirely on donations.​

 

In recent years, a portion of Butterfly Circles income has always gone to this project. I am currently visiting here and the situation is truly dire.​

 

For the past year a severely autistic boy has been staying here who caused a lot of destruction to the house. Barbara is relieved that a better shelter was found for the boy where the support can be more professional for the boy's benefit.​

 

Right now, there are many little children on the reservation in trouble. The intention is to refurbish the place so that they can soon give new children a warm home. 

In the video above, you can see what innovations need to be made. I would like to sum it up below. ​

 

- Repairs to the floor
- New doors
- New bunk beds
- New mattresses & baby mattresses
- Closets for the children
- Repairing and painting the walls
- Renovation of the bathroom
- Sofa & dining table for the living room
- New children's outdoor play area

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Specifically, we have 10,000 euros to raise to renovate and maintain this place to ensure the future of the orphanage. 

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If you feel like making a contribution (small or large) you can do so directly to my account number: BE.... 

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This way I can hand them the pennies and know that it will directly impact the future of the children. After the deposit, please also send an email to dimitri@butterflycircles.com stating your transferred amount. 

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That way we can keep good track of how far we are in reaching our goal. Thank you. ​

 

We are also going to organize some fundraising events in the near future. If you have any creative ways in mind to help raise money, super welcome! For example, someone is already organizing a sweat lodge and donating the proceeds to the project. Do you have any ideas of your own? Send an email to dimitri@butterflycircles.com.​

 

Thanks and lots of love,
Iris & Butterfly Circles team​​