Starting out

When I started the My Arms Wide Open Foundation, I really only had a vision of what I wanted to accomplish. A vision of something I have been passionate about my whole life; working along side women and children to create a future. A future they could believe in. I knew that we would help save lives, solve some important problems, and give more people in rural South and Southern Africa a chance to live their dreams. Our Annual Board meeting at the end of April this year really underscored the importance of us doing what we set out to do, with your support.

Working from a philosophy where there is zero dependency on the initiating NGO

My Arms Wide Open® is a Canadian Federally registered foundation that was established to work with mothers, children and youth to create change in rural communities by stimulating and creating economic activity around autonomous, sustainable community based businesses, food security, infrastructure, education systems and mentoring and leadership focused entirely on the needs of their communities. The first community based business established, was Karoo Furniture Manufacturers in Cradock, Eastern Cape, the next is Bergnek Community Projects in Bergnek, Limpopo, which will be a brick-making business.

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Buying 'Groupons' or 'Living Social' and other discount deals? Check this out! A really GREAT way to support @MyArmsWideOpen with NO additional cost to you when you buy a 'Groupon" or other discount deal as a member of the GettingGives Community.

Overcoming Poverty: One brick at a time

Vancouver, BC, February 24, 2012 - Vancouver Observer features editorial on My Arms Wide Open, Bergnek Community Development Project.

"Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”

Nelson Mandela