Meet Julia

The Little Girl Who Saved Her Pennies And Inspired The Julia Project

I'm so excited for you to meet Julia, my special little friend who inspired the name for our project. Here we are in the snow wearing our Somali-style dresses. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture, but we really wanted to share it with you.

When we asked Julia why she started saving her pennies, she told us the idea just popped into her head. She said, "If I were poor, I would want somebody to help me." And so at five years of age, she collected any and all change that she could get her hands on. Sometimes even at the expense of her Dad's coffee money!

Julia saved one thousand, seven hundred pennies!

At that same time, my husband Jim and I were able to carry Julia's money with us on our first trip to Kenya, with the promise that we would be sure it met a need there.

We were able to purchase three soccer balls at the local market with Julia's money and donate them on her behalf to a school in Garissa, Kenya.

During the three weeks that I volunteered at the school, Rukia, the headmistress, asked many times abut Julia and her family. She was more than impressed that such a small child wanted to help others.

Out of their poverty, the school staff had two Somali-style dresses made for us to bring back to Julia. This gesture of thanks from the children of Africa was well received by Julia. She even wore her new dress to bed!

Knowing we had to do something more to help these beautiful African children, when we came home it seemed like the next logical step to match Julia's desire with our own. And so, The Julia Project was born!

Meet Julia, A Very Special Girl

Julia is the third born of four children in her busy household. Her favorite subject at school is English.

Julia is a true "girlie-girl." She loves to wear jewelery and to dress up. Frills and tiara's were her style from the time she was little, and her favorite color is pink. However, Julia isn't afraid to get dirty either. She loves to go camping and fishing with her family.

Julia's parents say from the time she was born she's been easy going, sensitive and tender-hearted.

Since she was very little, Julia would take one of her toys or Barbie dolls and wrap it up and give it to someone, or share a snack or treat with someone who wanted it.

At Christmastime, Julia was asking what sorts of things the children in Africa would get. When she was told nothing, she said, "You mean not even ONE Barbie?" Again, wanting to help, this special family pooled their resources and sent a financial gift for the children in Garissa, Kenya.

I'm so glad you've had the chance to meet Julia who is now 10 years old.

Julia has a great big jar at her house saving money for the children in Africa. She said, "It would be fun to buy all the boys Hot Wheels and the girls Barbies or Baby dolls to play with someday."

Knowing Julia, we think she'll do just that!

Would you like to help make Julia's dream to help children in need a reality?


Donate to help kids. Together, we really can make a difference!

Learn More About The Julia Project Here