Grant Granted
I was told on several occasions to apply for grants to aid in the work of my Non-Governmental Organisation ( NGO ).
In 2019 I partnered with a local NGO to put on a public education campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking . This campaign caught the eye of an international NGO that was looking for local entities to supply a sub-award to aid in child trafficking prevention .
They sent us the application documents and encouraged us to apply . With no prior experience , I labored into the wee hours working on it with the help of a friend . What followed was unprecedented . The NGO realized by our application that we did not know what we were doing , so they called us and helped us fill out pertinent documents . They sent us into training , they provided partnership and oversight from another established NGO , and then AWARDED us the grant . Upon receipt of this grant , the donors came back and told me that they noticed our inexperience , but saw potential and wanted to work with us to develop us .
When I started the NGO , I was not working a steady job . I also HATE begging money , and honestly , God continues to work on this area . Needless to say , every time we have needed to give gifts , or support to the ladies that we serve , there are always leftovers . Whether we have leftover money in the bank , leftover care package supplies , or gifts – there has always been a surplus .
So Just Wing It ?
Even though there are many things I am learning on the job so to speak , I have not stayed ignorant and fumbling . I am growing in the areas that I need to for what God has purposed me to do . I attend training and speak to coaches and consultants and push myself to be better . However , I want you to understand that some of the execution of your purpose is messy . I started without skill and connections .
Every life moment is a harbinger for the purpose I continue to walk in . My favorite author says it this way “ God is the God of human history , and He is at work continuously , mysteriously , accomplishing His eternal purposes in us , through us , for us and in spite of us .” ( Elliot , 1996 ) Our job is to trust and obey , because “ cause and effect ” are solely up to God .
So , when thinking about executing the vision God has given you …
Do it . Do it with or without a “ good story ”. Do it with or without some mind-bending talent , or significant connections . But do it with God .
And what about connections ?
Calls I have made to important people have been ignored and prominent pastors have dismissed me . At the same time , others I never knew of have supported us , and my local community continues to champion us . In three years , we have gone from an idea being prayed over in a small room to a registered charity with its first international grant and our names known by government officials , police force , private sector institutions , and international NGOs .
I am Stacy-Ann Smith Director of an NGO and Ministry that serves the needs of sexually exploited women , and it is God who executed my purpose .
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