One Country AIDS Free: My swollen face and $31,000

My Beloved and Me: He paces me and I draft him. It's a good lifelong deal!

Well folks, the job is done. When I looked at this shot, I wondered where the swollen face came from, then realized it was the three doses of motrin I took to survive the ride. Nothing like fluid retention in a 55-year-old woman.

My goal was to raise $20,000. With one off-line donation of $6,000, and several donations still trickling in, we raised over $31,000.

I cannot believe it. The UN says we have 12 years before the effect of global warming will have permanent and catastrophic effects on the environment. We are going to hear a lot from the powers that be about why we cannot prevent this outcome. My answer, " Just open the hearts and minds of the billions of good people on this planet, and lead them well, and we will find many solutions".

Thank you for opening your hearts and minds. Your generosity has buoyed me and given me hope and strength. That's all I need to keep leading this effort that will see Lesotho AIDS-free. If the human race can end AIDS, and believe me, it can, the human race can do anything.

These funds will be used to build a new foster home in Lesotho. We will break the ground for this home next month as a team of 10 travels to this 'home' of my heart. Here is the magical piece: 4 young men who were raised in the foster homes we support have graduated from high school and gone on to acquire a trade. They will join the team of contractors who will build this new home.

That is successful and sustainable international development and my pride and joy.

WE DID IT!