Welcome RainMakers & ChangeMakers!
RainMakers & ChangeMakers is my second Substack (my other Substack, The Creative Convergence, continues to share my essays, art, and other stories). Read on to learn more about what you will receive as a free subscriber and how you can do more by becoming a paid subscriber. All content is free here!
It started with a challenge… This Substack started with a 61-day art and storytelling challenge (completion date: July 31, 2024). I invite you to read my introduction post to understand more about the 61-day project. I also invite you to read my origin story, how I have lived my life as a RainMaker and ChangeMaker throughout my life.
It doesn’t end with the challenge! Starting August 2024, I transition to a two-to-four post per month newsletter going more in-depth on each organization that I’ve highlighted during the series. More art, more photos, more stories!
Why Subscribe to RainMakers & ChangeMakers?
First, it’s likely you haven’t read the kinds of stories that I am writing about nor have you ever met or read about the kinds of people I am featuring. Take for instance, Brenda Katushemerwerwe of Uganda who is running a community development and service-themed campaign for Member of Parliament. Or Dee J Essy, the first Syntropic Agroforestry trainer of Kenyan origin who is “ReGreening the Kenyan Desert” with the Kwetu Regenerative Hub. There are 61 stories of people like them here on this Substack. And, more to come.
Second, these are fascinating stories about amazing people! I’m featuring small-time givers and doers - the RainMakers & ChangeMakers of the world, specifically in Africa and their supporters. Their stories often remain hidden, below the radar of any social media post. My goal is to share the ones that I know here… through cameos, art, creative writing, photo journaling, and video. The reason? I want to not only honor their work but encourage others to join in. Working together, taking small steps, and doing big things is not only rewarding it’s frickin fun!
Third, each post will leave you more informed with a greater perspective about life and its challenges, obstacles and opportunities in various parts of Africa. The more we participate in collaborating with others for change, the more we welcome, invite, and experience positive change in our own lives. The more we open up to and engage with others who are unlike us, the deeper, richer, and more meaningful our experience of this short life becomes.
And finally, I hope as a result of subscribing that you will make new friends and find a loving and supportive community here. I know I have! And, I wish that for all of you. Many of the ChangeMakers I’ve highlighted here have made new relationships with one another as a result of reading and engaging with this Substack! We are starting to see more cross-collaboration and community building across cultures and country borders.
Join me in celebrating and honoring the work of RainMakers and ChangeMakers. I hope you will share your stories as well. I hope you will be inspired to do something local and small or big and universal. Anything is possible!
Go Paid. Become a RainMaker. Support ChangeMakers!
Content will always remain free here! But, I’ve turned on paid subscriptions to give you a way to contribute to the organizations I’ve featured here. All organizations receiving donations must be a registered community-based organization in their home country. 100% of paid subscriptions (I will cover Substack and Stripe fees) will seed a “RainMaker Fund”, the proceeds of which will be donated (along with any other one-time donations made to my BuyMeACoffee site for the same purpose) to the 35 ChangeMakers highlighed during my 61-day art and storytelling project.
To launch the fund, we need at least the equivalent of 70 paid monthly subscribers (subscriptions are $5/month) in order to deliver $10/month support to each of the 35 organizations.
Accountability via photos and stories will be provided to all subscribers through monthly posts describing how the funds donated were used by the recipient organization.
Donate to the RainMaker Fund!
Anyone can make a one-time donation to the RainMaker Fund. Whether you’re a free or paid subscriber. I’ll pool funds received each month from subscriptions and donations to my “BuyMeACoffee” site and donate 100% of the funds received as soon as we reach a minimum number of 70 paid monthly subscribers. Your one-time donation can help get us there quicker!
GiveBackStack Directory
If you have subscribed to RainMakers & ChangeMakers for the GiveBackStack Directory, welcome! The GiveBackStack Directory is an “always free” place to find other Substacks that donate all or a portion of their paid subscriptions to charitable purposes… like this one. The GiveBackStack Directory lives as a separate Section on the RainMakers & ChangeMakers publication. You can learn more about what a GiveBackStack is and how to get listed here. And, to visit the Directory which is regularly being updated, click here.
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