August 20, 2011
Dear Friends:
I am following a leading to go to Africa. It came about last December at the Climate Change summit COP-16 in Cancun. I knew the next one was in Durban, South Africa, this December, but never considered going. Then suddenly I knew I was to go. I had been thinking I would like to go to the World Conference of Friends in Kenya in April, 2012. I realized that if I ever got to Africa I would want to stay some months to learn about life there. December 2011 to April 2012 seemed the right amount of time and fits within my commitments in Belize. I contacted the African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI http://www.aglifpt.org/) to volunteer from January through March. They ask volunteers to raise funds for their trip and set up a contract which includes a contribution to the AGLI project where the volunteer will be involved (see budget below). 
I tested this leading by convening a Clearness Committee with two of the four adult Friends living in Belize. They listened to my description of the leading and we discussed the excellent questions posed in the AGLI application process. They found me clear to follow this leading.
So, my time in Africa has three components:
1) COP-17, the Conference of the Parties (countries) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. At COP-16 in Cancun I was one of five representatives of Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW). Last year I wrote a blog reporting each day http://judylumb.com/cop-16/cop-16.html. I plan to do the same this year.
 2) AGLI volunteering. I expect to be documenting their Healing Our Communities program. My goal is to experience and learn about life in Africa, and then to share that experience. 
3) World Conference of Friends is being held under the theme “Being Salt and Light - Friends living the Kingdom of God in a broken world.” I applied and was accepted as an at-large delegate. 
I am asking for contributions to support my time in Africa because I was asked to do so by the AGLI. Without their requirement, I would not have considered fund-raising. I am not asking Atlanta Friends Meeting to establish a fund, but asking individual Friends for contributions. The following is a budget of the major costs:

Transportation			
	BZE-NBO/NBO-BZE		 $            2,400 	
COP-17				
	NBO-DUR		 $                800 	
	Housing-Youth Hostel	14 days @ $15	 $                280 	
	Food	14 days @ $15	 $                210 	
AGLI				
	Donation		 $            1,200 	
	Food and Lodging	$400/month	 $            1,200 	
	Visa and AGLI expenses		 $                770 	
				
FWCC				
	Fee (Registration, Lodging and Food)	 $                900 	
				
Total			 $            7,760 	

If you  want to make a tax-deductible contribution to support this effort, please send checks to AGLI/FPT, 1001 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104. On the memo line write Judy Lumb. You can also make donations online at www.aglifpt.org.

Thank you very much!               Judy Lumb