Sandra is living proof that angels do indeed live here on earth. This precious angel lives in Uganda. Several years ago, we learned of Sandra's story from our dear friend, Gordon Nicol, in Dallas, Texas. Sandra was one of many countless children left orphaned in the Genocide of 1994 in Rwanda in which approximately 800,000 people died. Sandra's own story is so painful that her therapist said it would not be safe for Sandra to answer the questions that we put together in order to write our stories for this article each month. So, in order to honor Sandra we've put together a tribute to her and her work.
At 15 years old, Sandra, recently orphaned left Rwanda when she was asked to use her gifts of song and dance to help teach the orphans in Uganda. Sandra used these blessings to bring healing and joy to the lives of these beautiful children and many others as the children now perform around the world.
Gordon first met Sandra several years ago while he was recording the group, Children of Uganda. He said, "a young girl appeared at my side, and without asking, helped shade my mixing console screen from the sun's glare. I didn't know it at the time, but Karigiwa Sandra had decided right there that I was going to be her new dad." Sandra later told Gordon that he reminded her of her own father.
Gordon, too felt a special tug at his heart. Gordon says, "Sandra is the most beautiful, loving soul I have ever encountered and we have a very special relationship. I went to visit her in 2002 and again in December of 2004. On my 2002 trip, I had recorded Sandra singing and put together a cd of her singing in French, Lugandan (Uganda), Swahili and English. She has a gorgeous voice and people are just struck by the clarity and beauty of it. I'm always giving Sandra lessons to live by and she told me that one thing that has helped her immeasurably was, "When you have no control of what's happening in your life, you must just let it go and not allow it to upset you."
There are literally thousands of children living today in Africa with the ghastly nightmares from their horrific pain from their devastating loss of family to predators. Sometimes, in our busy hectic lives, we feel overwhelmed with pressures; however, most of us can't even imagine the burden that is on these dear ones.
Sandra wrote to Gordon in one of their many letters: "never forget me in your life. I am in your heart." I know for Gordon and for anyone who hears Sandra sing this is impossible. She is an angel who has made her mark on all our hearts. Thank you for all you do to keep your voice in song and your light so bright for all to see, sweet girl.
For more information, visit Sandra's web site at www.sandrak123.com, or the Children of Uganda web site, at www.uccf.org.
Are you a Predators Survivor Hero? Do you know someone that was a victim of crime and has moved beyond his or her situation to make a difference for others? If so, we want to hear from you about this true survivor! Please send your suggestions to us via our Contact Us page.
Drinking and Drugs, a Dangerous Duo
Recently the Associated Press reported that substance abuse is increasing in its intensity on college campuses. You may ask, "Why is this relevant to safety concerns?" Years ago my former mentor and I were commissioned to survey 1,200 convicted rapists in one state prison system. Guess what were the two major causal factors leading to rape? The first was alcohol and the second was drugs.
This report becomes all the more reason to educate our young college-bound ladies as to the parties they attend and the "party favors" they use. Not only may they not get a chance to say "no," the date they are with may not be in the best frame of mind to hear or respect that "no" when uttered. Awareness, in order to be effective, denotes that one has their wits about them. We must stress to our young ladies that sobriety has its definite advantages relating to their personal safety, whether on a date or attending a party.
To our young men we also have a message - "moderation." As the report stated, it may be unrealistic to assume abstinence from alcohol on a college campus, but it is not asking a lot to expect moderation for the safety of others.
Thank you for writing - we love hearing from you! Each month we will post your thoughts and suggestions for healing in this section of the newsletter.
"It took a long time for me to stop feeling overwhelmed and to be able to move outside of my fear and back into life. It helped a lot to get therapy for my abuse that I endured as a child and later as a victim of domestic violence. Don't let someone else's sickness become your own..."
If you have something to share, please send it to us via our Contact Us page.
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Quote of the Month:
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt
Dr. Laura is available to help people with a wide range of personal, work, and familial problems. She "preaches, teaches, and nags about morals, values and ethics."
Safety Tip:
If you have an alarm for you car on your key chain, consider keeping an extra alarm for your car with you at all times in case of emergency at work or at home. The panic button can be one way to bring attention and frighten off an attacker.
Recommended Link:
Top Internet Scams to Look Out For - www.ftc.gov
The Internet has spawned a whole new lexicon and brought the world to your living room, 24/7/365. And while the opportunities online for consumers are almost endless, there are some challenges, too. As in dot con.
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days.
If you have been a victim of a predator related crime and would like to submit your story for the Predators book, please send it to us at info@predators.tv.
We would like to thank Matthew Upton at MNM WebWorks for sponsoring this newsletter and the Predators web site.
