I have been involved with building a brighter future for the people of Pandytown, Roatan-Honduras since last year. I met two amazing men, Scott Mortensen and Pastor Hank Stanley, and joined in thier efforts to build a Youth Center in Pandytown. The vision is simple: to unite individuals of various backgrounds to help build opportunity for youth, preserve the ecosystem and maintain cultural dignity for the poeple of Roatan.
Imagine you grew up on an island where there was no internet, where work was scarce, but disease, poverty and drugs were not. How would you survive?
I felt specifically called to the young women in Pandytown who were hungry for job opportunities. We are in the process of creating a handbag line that the women will be able to make and sell to the tourist that come to the island.
On Dec. 29th I will be embarking on an adventure of a lifetime- Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania-Africa. The trip started out as an opportunity to do something new, and has evolved into an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the non-profit (which we are in the process of getting our 501c3 status). Scott Mortensen, who summited Mt. Everest last year, will be my guide, and more importantly my partner in fundraising for Pandytown.
As the holidays are quickly approaching I am reminded almost daily how blessed I am. I had the opportunities of higher education (College, and Graduate School) and have an amazing career with Guess Jeans, Inc. I struggle with the fact that there are women around the world that don’t have that same opportunity to become formally educated, and to have a career in a field of thier choice.
It only takes one person with a dream, a hope, a vision to make a change in the world, or at least in a community, or even just in one life. Check out www.pandytown.com and www.peeece.com, join Pandytown on Facebook.
If you are interested in sponsoring Scott and I in our climb to the top of Africa- email me at mslorusso8@gmail.com (100% off the proceeds are going to Pandytown).
M. Lorusso
Los Angeles, CA
Love the dedication and hard work you’re doing for Pandytown. You inspire us all!