Dear Friends and Family,

I want to share something very important to me that I have decided to do for my Bat-Mitzvah project.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes almost five years ago. I have been very lucky and fortunate to have a loving family and the resources to help me manage my diabetes and learn how to live a healthy and happy life. Over the past several months I have learned about many kids and families with diabetes around the world who have not had the same opportunity as me, and I want to help them. For my Bat-Mitzvah project, I have chosen to help other kids with diabetes by supporting an organization called AYUDA by raising $10,000 to sponsor a parent and kids diabetes camp in Ecuador that I will also travel to participate in with my family this July.

AYUDA, which means HELP in Spanish and stands for ‘American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad’ in English, is a non profit organization that motivates young people with diabetes to live happier and healthier lives by empowering youth to serve as agents of change in diabetes communities abroad. The reality of the life of a child with diabetes in a country like Ecuador is very different than my life in the US. Many children do not have access to the diabetes education or supplies that they need to be able to manage the condition.

My goal is to raise $10,000 to sponsor a special parent and kids diabetes camp weekend in Ecuador. The project will be part of a program at the end of July called “Campo Amigo Ecuador” that is supported by AYUDA and run by AYUDA’s partner organization in Quito, Ecuador. I have already thought about how I am going to reach my goal! I’m going to sell t-shirts saying: Peace, Love, and Hope for a Cure both in English and Spanish. I’m going to sell bracelets saying, “Unidos por la Diabetes” which means, “United for Diabetes”. I’m also going to set-up an online fundraising page that will be linked to AYUDA’s website   that allows my family and friends to donate in honor of my Bat-Mitzvah project.

I chose this project for several different reasons. First, I love working with and babysitting kids. Second, I want to share everything I love to do with them. Third, I want to make the kids aware that even though they have diabetes, they can do anything they want to do. Lastly, I just started to take Spanish this year at school, and thought it would be cool to practice while I’m there.

AYUDA’S motto is, “Juntos somos más fuertes”- Together we are stronger. I am very excited to be a part of AYUDA and to volunteer in Ecuador with my family this summer. I know I can make a difference. 

Thank you for helping me make this difference.

Love,                                                                                                                              Peninah