Category Archives: Russell Brunson

World Teacher Aid Trip to Kenya Day 6 Handing out blankets track jerseys shirts and School dedication ceremony drive back to Nairobi

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Tuesday July 24, 2012: Handing out blankets, School dedication ceremony, drive back to Nairobi

With all the track jersey’s I brought, I realized that many would not fit the younger kids as they were larger sized so I hooked up the cooking staff with some Solvay apparel, while the others were going to be handed out to other communities later after we had left.

After breakfast a group of us headed out to the other IDP camp on the other side of the school with the intent of distributing hand-made quilts that where brought over as gifts for the mothers with small children (aged birth-2).  They had done this last year as well and were overjoyed to see some of the mothers still using the same blankets.

The mothers and families were so happy to receive these to keep their babies warm at night.  Even though it never approached freezing, the body still acclimates and when a near 100 degree day ends in a 60 degree evening, this large drop in temperature can cause discomfort and even hypothermia, thus the need to stay warm.

As I was walking around in shorts for the most part many times while in Kenya so far, many locals were seen with long pants, sweatshirts and even scarf’s and hats at times.

We headed back to the school with the mindset that the school dedication ceremonies would take place, but such as is life in the developing world, it did not start on time and we walked around a bit and Russell Brunson and I did a couple videos together…Again, he is the reason I am here and why am I so grateful.  His Dot Com Secerts X marketing course allowed me the come as I won the contest they were having to come help build the school with them and World Teacher Aid.

Here I am reflecting on some of the trip this far

I was also able to give out many of the Solvay Concert band shirts I was given by our school to the working crew at the job site…Again, because these were larger shirts, they went to adults there.  It was great seeing them there all wearing the same shirt and then later when they were all working together wearing them like they were their new coveted uniforms.

Because things were going to be delayed we all decided to head back to the campsite one last time and have our lunch and make sure everything was packed up and ready to go back for our return to Nairobi.

After lunch we headed back for the ceremony to dedicate the school.  What could have taken a half an hour was many hours as many people from all over the country wanted to speak.  Not only did they speak “for but a minute” but they also spoke it Swahili in addition to English, thus doing their speech twice so that all in attendance could attend

We were a little curious as they continued to refer to us as the “donors” instead of properly recognizing us as World Teacher Aid. They also gave prominent respect to WTA’s contact in Kenya, which she rightly deserves, but it would have been nice to have heard them mention Stu and especially Amy McLaren who really spearheaded this whole trip and all the donations that came along with it

We ended up leaving much later than originally anticipated and had to travel later in the evening than we had wanted to due to the fact that not all drivers here follow proper protocol and the vehicles and streets are not in the best of conditions, compared to driving back in the United States.

After what seemed like a long ride home we were able to get back to the hotel in Nairobi where we checked in and headed down to the buffet dinner.  We all chatted away as we ate before retiring for the night somewhat early.  I think I was able to get online for a little while and sent a quick message or two home letting them all know what I had been up to and that all was safe thus far and that I was still having a wonderful time and happy to be there.

World Teacher Aid Trip to Kenya Day 5 Painting at school and donation giveaway where Lacrosse met Kenya

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Monday July 23, 2012: Painting at school and donation giveaway where Lacrosse met Kenya

The tent cot was actually not too bad to sleep on for this first night here, most likely due to the fact that the jet lag had set in and I could most likely sleep anywhere at this point.  There was an opportunity to run with some of the Kenyan’s who were training for future Olympics, though I ended up sleeping through their departure.  I think I would have been able to keep up with them for about 100 yards and then it would have all went downhill from there!

Instead I had a nice relaxing morning talking with those that remained behind as we waited for breakfast.  Our goals today consisted of more work at the school as well as going through all of the donated materials to bring to the school and teachers.

At the building site I was able to get back in the swing of painting as we were put into one of the new rooms being finished.  The local workers hooked us up with 6 inch brushes, where I would have loved to have had my 18 inch roller, tray and extendable pole and diluted the paint with some water to make it stretch a little further.

We were basically doing a primer coat and I ended up on one of the ladders (if you could call it that as it was more like a couple boards nailed together with no right angles in site!) painting the top portion with Mike, while many others helped to paint the lower levels.  When the ladder was in the way, though it left a small square that could not be painted, so I mastered my jump painting technique to get a layer where it needed to be.  Thanks to watching the Masai videos from the previous World Teacher Aid trip, I got the idea to take this method on.

Once we were done painting, while others were doing similar odds and ends jobs we all headed back for lunch and to go through the massive collection of goods we had brought over.  I myself had at least three bags of good, such as lacrosse sticks, clothes, sporting equipment and more that we were all organizing to determine where it would go.

I had envisioned being able to distribute each and everything, but the reality of the matter is that would take forever and would also present some chaos in the process with the mob of students wanting things.  World Teacher Aid had it all set in how we would approach the situation.

Large piles started to build that consisted of sporting equipment, schools supplies, clothes and miscellaneous items which we then packed up again to bring to the school


As we were fortunate enough to have the students in school sessions, we were able to see the schools rooms that had been built with the help of World Teacher Aid and all of their donors.  The kids were definitely full of energy and suspense in regards to what type of goodies they might pick out.  David Frey was getting them all ramped up in each class having them hoot and holler and later when they were all lined up outside the rooms in their respective classes by throwing a football around with them.

Before they all headed out of their rooms though, each student received a tote bag which contained a composition notebook, pencils, markers and more that were donated by Armand and Marianna Morin.  The looks on some of the faces was absolutely breathtaking. Smiles, joy, jumping up and down with excitement was truly amazing to see on these kids.

Once we got things squared away in each room, we had them all line up at the doorway and three at a time, they were able to come in and pick out something that they liked as well as some candy and a sticker.  My mother, who works with Disney Vacation club, helped with literally thousands of stickers that were soon being seen on shirts and foreheads all over the school.  We only gave out a couple rolls of stickers while we were there so they will have plenty to hand out over the next years.

As the kids picked what they wanted, another group of three would come in and see what remained.  The joy and excitement on their faces was amazing and very contagious.  When we see what little they are joyous, for while many back in the US take most things for granted, it makes you really change your whole mind frame in regards to why you might do what you do on a day to day basis.  As a teacher back home, most kids would frown or complain when you gave them a bag full of school supplies.

I had a large section of a sticker roll left over and started giving them out to a few kids who did not seem to have them yet, when I became mobbed with kids grabbing and pushing to get their so they could put one on themselves.  Some of them were grabbing for more when already given one and some of the respected elders (carrying the sticks) helped out and even they got some stickers to take back to their families as well!  It was an interesting scene to say the least.

As one of my main goals was to try to bring over, introduce and leave some lacrosse sticks at the school, I was able to have them grab the two bags of sticks and it soon become utter chaos…Sticks were going all over the places and balls were flying in every direction.  I was able to stick with a couple of kids who seemed to be able to grasp the concept rather quickly and were able to throw and catch the ball a couple times.

As we were limited for time, I was only able to spend a few minutes showing them how to do a groundball or throw properly and some were trying to do it underhand.  They seemed excited and when I was able to get some group shots and make a short video thanking those that donated, I was caught off guard and pleased at the same time, when the headmaster also made a statement of thanks in regards to introducing a new sport to their physical education program that will change it for the future.  I could not have asked for a better ending to the video as it was unrequested.

Just as in my experience overseas before as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Solomon Islands, I can only hope that while I am not there, the materials continue to be used and taken care of to the best of their ability…I guess it is incentive to get back there again to see how things are progressing in future years.

After all the excitement of the donations and seeing the extreme joy on the faces of the kids, it was time to head back for dinner and more networking.  It was funny as I had previously asked one of the younger people in the group what he wanted to do in college and he mentioned computer science.  I responded that this was a perfect place to be with the connections he could make here in regards to marketing and working online and he came back with something like, “I know, but they talk about it all the time!” which I found somewhat humorous.

I was more than ready with ears wide open to listen and grab any ideas I would to improve my online marketing business and could not dream of ever being in such a great group of people who are succeeded online and sharing their progress with the world in many ways, whether it be through knowledge or helping to build schools and feed students.  The fact that they make more money than most people is one thing, but the fact that they also give back to the communities around the world puts them above everyone else in the online community.

I challenge those of you with lots of success to experience this as well and build your own room in Kenya as part of World Teacher Aid!

After dinner we all hung out around the fire and one by one talked about a defining moment in the trip thus far.  One of mine of course was the basic fact that I was there (even after the plane delays) with much thanks going out to Russell Brunson and Dot Com Secrets X as I had won his contest and came as his guess…which you can do as well as he in bringing more students in upcoming years…All you have to do is join DCSX HERE and take action when he tells you to!

I have always found that when I take action, I get results…simple process.

After we all decided it was late enough, Mike and I talked some more business ideas/background in the tent before heading to sleep ourselves a little later this night.

World Teacher Aid Trip to Kenya Day 4 Heading to Nakuru To Build A School

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Sunday July 22, 2012: 7:00 am departure to Nakuru with Danny/Church welcome, school hole digging

I had been changing the time on my clock and phone to reflect local time zones as I flew around to the other side of the world.  I thought I had set it all to go off at 5:30, which would give me plenty of time to shower, check my email and grab a nice buffet at the poolside, which Amy McLaren had highly recommended.  I was somewhat dazed when the alarm was not going off and I fell into a deeper sleep.

It did go off though at 6:30, due to my not actually changing the phone settings correctly for the time zone, which gave me only 30 minutes to do everything I wanted to do in an hour.  I was able to rush through everything though and showed up a couple minutes after 7 where my driver was now waiting reading the newspaper to take me to Nakuru and to meet up with the rest of the group.

We first headed out to pick up another American, Danny, from Texas, who had been working with a couple groups setting up businesses and had been connected with Irene as well.  He filled me in about a lot of the area and how people were here.  Hearing this reminded me of my times in the Solomon Islands and Belize.  The people are living in the poverty level, but still always looking to get better one way or another.

We enjoyed the country side and I soaked in the Great Rift Valley, but did not see too much animal life yet…this would come later on Safari for sure.

When we finally arrived at the school the main group was not there, but touring one of the Pipeline camps where many displaced people had resettled with their mud/stick houses (though with Tin roofs) as well as a plot of land with which to grow crops.  They soon came one by one from across the way along with many of the community members towards the church area we were waiting by.

I finally got to meet up with the group, much to my relief!

Slowly I was introduced to about half of the group, included the people who made this all possible for me, Russell Brunson and his wife (from Dot Com Secrets) as well as Stu and Amy McLaren (from World Teacher Aid) as they got right into a church service, praying in both Swahili and English.  There were times or prayer and times of song, times of dancing and playing the drums and times of quiet.  Stu gave a short speech as well and then we headed out as a group, otherwise we might have been there for a few hours more.

We walked back to the camp area where our tents were set up and I was able to introduce myself to the rest of this all star marketing group who had given so much to help this community build school rooms and start feeding programs.

People like David Frey, Armand Morin, Stu McLaren, Russell Brunson, Mike Lopez, Bill Harrison, Mark Jenney, Justin Bowen, Scott Brandley, Garrett Pierson and Ellyn Badder to name a few along with some of their guest which included business partners, relatives and spouses and children.

We had a quick lunch and I was able to get my gear settled into the tent I was sharing with Mike and I got to know some of the group better before heading to start our first work day at the school.

I grabbed my work gloves and changed my clothes quick and we walked back to the school.  In my mind, I had envisioned lots of heavy lifting and strenuous work to feel as though I was earning my keep here in Kenya, though this really never came on my part.  With the help of Marianna, Mike and Armand we were on hole digging duty.  They were setting posts to support the overhang in front of the school room and needed some holes dug to fit them in and set with concrete.  Me and Marianna ended up digging four holes which seemed pretty easy overall as the ground was mostly dirty/clay and not too many rocks to worry about.

 

There was a lot of down time as people were figuring where to put the holes and then setting the posts so we all were able to look into what some of the others were doing.  Jobs like slinging concrete/mortar into the stones, leveling floors with a piece of wood, mixing cement, carrying water, painting and other small task were taking place at the same time as playing with the kids, which was one of the most important parts of being there.

Show them how much you care!

They may remember that they got help in building a school, but what sticks the most is the relationships that develop.

Take Russell Brunson for example…He is a trained wrestler and figuratively got his butt kicked over in Kenya by a group of little kids.  All kidding aside, he spent quite a bit of time running around and having them jump all over him.  When he headed back at the end of the day, it looked to me as though he had been drained of his last bit of energy after a grueling match with someone twice his size.  All in a day’s fun though.

I ran away from some myself in games and held many little hands along the way.  They would just come up to you as a total stranger and grab your hand or a finger in hopes of developing a relationship…or in an attempt to “have my gloves!”

We had yet to give all of our donations out that we brought, but they were not shy at all to ask for things that we had like our sunglasses, hats, shoes and more as they had such a need for these.  With an easy “I need them still” they were quick to move onto another subject.

After a few hours at the build site, it was time to head back to camp to clean up and get ready for our dinner…Most of our meals included rice, potato, cabbage, beef/chicken and a type of curry which I was ready and willing to eat all of when the chance presented itself.

We all got to know each other more as we sat around the table and later the fire sharing stories from the day as well as our past.  As many of the group are involved in online marketing and related professions, much of the discussions were based on this field, which was to my enjoyment as I was ready to absorb whatever bits of information I could.  Being a sponge was a side goal of this trip in addition to helping out in building a school and bringing over supplies and sporting equipment.

Many of us headed to the tents to call it a night much earlier than I am used to going to bed, but after all the travelling and jet lag, I was ready as well.

World Teacher Aid Trip to Kenya Day 1 Delays and more

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Thursday July 19, 2012: Flying to Kenya (supposedly as ended up being cancelled twice!)

The day started out as planned as my dad picked me up at the house to bring me to the airport to begin my trip of a life time as a guest of Russell Brunson, as the winner of his Dot Com Secrets X first annual trip to Kenya.  This was a trip associated with World Teacher Aid, which was headed by Amy and Stu McLaren (WishList Member software) to go help continue the building of a school in a community in Kenya that they had been visiting for the past couple years.

Things looked good this day until I got the airport and realized that the first flight out ogf Syracuse, connecting to Newark was already delayed.  Not a problem as I was a bit early and the delayed flight would still get me to my connecting flight with time to spare.  But then of course it was delayed, which would force me to miss a connecting flight.  We scrambled around to get me on another flight which instead of arriving the next night around 10 pm (Friday) would now bring me to arrive at 6:30 am the following morning (Saturday) via Washington, DC, London and Nairobi.

As fate would have it, 20 minutes before we were to board the plane, they cancelled the flight heading to Washington, which just about put me in a nervous breakdown.

I had talked this trip up to so many people, collected donations from friends, family, school businesses and more and felt as though it was coming crashing down on me where I would not be able to go and result in the whole ordeal to turn out as a failure.

Fortunately I was able to connect via email to Amy McLaren who said I just needed to focus on getting there and they would arrange transport for me to come out and meet them when I did arrive.

So again, I headed to re-arrange my flight plan, now for the next day, arriving a full day after the rest of the group and missing the first days events together.  I was very frustrated about the whole situation, but my wife came and picked me up and reminded me of the fact that I would still get plenty of good time in Kenya to help out and go on safari as well.

I went home and re-arranged the flight in the morning again with the help of customer service for United Airlines as I did not want there to be any issues with flying to Newark first thing in the morning.  Newark apparently has been notorious for delaying and cancelling flights.

Camillus Chamber of Commerce Helps out with trip to Kenya

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Before I headed off to Kenya with Russell Brunson and World Teacher Aid back in July 2012, I was able to go to another Chamber of Commerce leads breakfast.  Here we get together for about an hour and share how we can help the group and ask how the group can help us.

I gave some background to the trip itself as well as how I could help them/ask how I could be helped from others.  Next thing I know people were giving me contributions and supplies for the trip.  Check out some of the great pics and chamber members/companies below that helped me out with things like cash, sporting equipment and school supplies!

Sollecito Landscaping Nursery

Total Wellness Center

Cam’s Pizzeria

Smile-Therapy

D & S Disaster Kleenup, Inc.

Anne Frank

 

 

 

World Teacher Aid Trip To Kenya Starts Now

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As I sit in the airport, ready to leave on my long anticipated trip to Africa, I have already started with a delay, which will put me close to missing my connecting flight.

I was blessed to see that I was able to get my first two bags for free, whereas normally they would charge $100 a bag to Kenya, as the United attendant helped me check in and get squared away…He was on the phone talking all over the places trying to get the appropriate codes to add the other bags in, when after a good 35 or more minutes he had the damage!

$200 a bag for all additional bags over the first two.  Seeing that I had two extra, my credit card just took a punch in the gut for a $400 baggage fee, which puts me back in the $100 per bag category.

Want to help offset the cost of the bags with me?  Just look over to the top right and see you can donate, or you can get some great items in exchange with my Kenya Believe This Marketing Event HERE >> http://KenyaBelieveThis.com/BeADonor

I am viewing it with good Karma of course as I will be able to bring some great items over with me to Kenya.  I have had some help thus far in donations from wonderful people that led me to filling 4 large duffle bags in a short time span.

Here is a sampling of what has been provided from my community and family:

  • about 20 plus lacrosse sticks
  • 60 plus t-shirts
  • 100 or so track and field uniform tops and/or bottoms
  • 2 big vinyl duffle/equipment bags (what I put the goodies in)
  • lanyards and keychains
  • balls from all different sports
  • paper, binders, pens and pencils
  • about 10,000 Disney stickers!
  • Caribeener clips and safety whistles
  • multi-purpose tools
  • soccer cleats
  • and last but not least CASH!

It is awesome that I am able to bring over about 150 pounds worth of equipment, supplies and goodies for the students and communities we will visit over in Kenya.  All this as one person is kind of cool and I wish I could have brought more over.  Those couples who are going in our group could bring in the two bags each for “free” and be set!

You can still help out and benefit yourself with out Kenya Believe This Event at http://KenyaBelieveThis.com/BeADonor

All contributions and aid is greatly appreciated by myself, World Teacher Aid and the people of Kenya.

If you participate, please allow a time  for response as I will of course be in Kenya and will process all packages upon return.

I will be posting when I can, but there will be limited access to internet providers….but I will be doing a series for sure when the trip is complete.  Here is a preview of what we will be doing though.

1) Helping to build a school room in Nakuru community

2) Visiting communities and orphanages

3) Going on a safari with the Masaii Mara tribe!

It will be a jam packed 9 days in Kenya and an experience I will never forget and highly anticipate…if I can only get out of the airport!

As a refresher, I won Russell Brunson’s Dot Com Secrets X Online Marketing contest back in May and am able to participate in this trip as a guest of his.

I would highly suggest checking his course out, if even for the 30 days he is providing for just a $1 donation which goes to help the Make a Wish Foundation and of course, World Teacher Aid.  If you are a marketer, this is a must see product with tons of training that has helped me to develop my business.

Stay tuned for more…I will post when I have internet access as much as I can!

Dave Gardner

PS: If you want to win the trip to Kenya next year, you have to start working in Russell Brunson’s Dot Com Secrets X course now!

Get a free squeeze page generator to build your list with

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http://thedavidgardner.com/FreeSqueezePageGenerator

In this video I show how to use Russel Brunsons 90 Second Squeeze Page Generator.

This new software from Internet Marketing Genius Russell Brunson, is so easy to set up that you do not need to know much about technology, but be able to copy and paste some code.

In 6 steps, with guided instructions, you can easily set up a headline, body, lead capture opt in form and an exit pop, so that you increase your chances for a conversion.

http://thedavidgardner.com/FreeSqueezePageGenerator

You will either get the lead when they opt in, sending them to your very own email list in which you will need an autoresponder service for this and I highly suggest GVO: http://TheDavidGardner.com/HostWithGVO  as well as to the registration page for the 90 Second Squeeze page Generator….

…or if the decide to leave your page, you can set up your exit pop to link to you own opt in for the same list on another web page, or send them to another affiliate offer you may promote.

Russell Brunson’s new 90 Second Squeeze Page generator really does make things easy, which is what most people want.

Keep in mind when you watch the video, I had only made two at this point, so it took me a couple minutes, but you should get the idea quickly once you are in.

Grab your free list building 90 Second Squeeze Page generator here: http://thedavidgardner.com/FreeSqueezePageGenerator

How to become more valuable in online marketing

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The other day I was home and folding the laundry while listening to my ipod.  This sort of makes the house work a little lighter, especially as I am listening to marketing audios and not just music.  So the pain of not being at my computer is lessened becuase I can still learn and improve my knowledge.

This is the key to becoming more valuable in online marketing.  Educating yourself.  The more you educate yourself and improve your knowledge database, the more likely you are to be able to solve someone else’s problem.

When you reach that point, people will start seeking you out and not the other way around.  Do not take this to mean that you can now stop learning as learning is a lifelong process and will always take you to higher levels, whether in your current job or the one you are aiming for.

By just sitting back and hoping for the best, or changes to come, they never will.  You mush take action to grow and educating yourself is the best way there is.  Often you can do this in school or college, but you can also self teach yourself through courses online or book and guides which are all of course much more cost effective than going back for another degree.

I have spent a lot of money online in courses, software, hosting advertising and much more and still have not reached what it cost for me to do my undergraduate or graduate degrees.  Assuming you act on the content, you can make good with spending a fraction of what you might spend for a degree that will not guarantee you a job anyways.

That is why I am working to provide you will some great materials to set you on the right path and help out school children become educated as well.  I have partnered with top level marketers such as Ben Jacques, Omar Martin, Mike Filsaime, Daegan Smith and more to bring you some of the best products out there over the last couple years that still hold much weight in the growth of your business.

You can find out all about these items at http://KenyaBelieveThis.com/BeADonor.

Go there now and grab yourself some materials to learn from and come back here and leave a comment on what you think about these great packages.

Marketing to help others with Dot Com Secrets X

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One of the best things about being in business is the idea that I get to help others.

This could be getting them started with their own businesses, solving a problem for them, making something work easier or faster for them or many other possibilities.

Being able to give back to people who want to start their own business online or off, has been very gratifying for me as well.  To see their growth is a wonderful testiment to the fact that when you take action, you see results.  You just have to make sure the actions you are taking are on the right path.

Whether you follow a few people or many, you want to make sure you develop a system that works.  Then you will be able to help others as well.  I think one of the best things I have gotten out of Russell Brunson’s Dot Com Secrets X course is learning while I helped others in the Facebook Group.

The other thing I am extremely happy about it that I took action and it paid off in a major way in that I WON his first trip to Kenya to help build a school.  Now who can think of another way greater than this to help give back and help others.

Russell Brunson made a committment to help out and donate funds to the World Teacher Aid and bring one of his students along to physically help build the school…and do some other super cool things, because it is AFRICA after all.

Russell is going to be doing this again I believe and you might even be the next student to win and come along in the summer of 2013.  You just have to take action and it all starts with the Dot Com Secrets X course.

Another way to give back of course, just like Russell Brunson has done over and over again is though fundraising/donations.  I am heading down this path as well and am looking to be able to bring more with me to help out more as well and have put together a group of packages to incentivize you into helping out from your end.

You can find out about this and the great marketing packages I am hooking you up with for helping out at http://KenyaBelieveThis.com/BeADonor

Dot Com Secrets X winner going to Kenya with Russell Brunson

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If you have not heard, I am the first winner of the Dot Com Secrets X contest to go to Kenya to help build a school. We will be leaving in July and I will be going as a guest of one of my internet marketing mentors, Russell Brunson,

With less than 2 months to go before I take off, I will be providing as much content and advise as I can here on this blog as well as working to raise funds to help cover parts of the trip outside of the contest, such as additional travel, immunizations, baggage fees for bringing over items I am going to donate and much more.

Now, before I go any further, I wanted to let you know there will be more winners for next years trip as money continues to be donated to the cause and I believe that Russell Brunson will be bringing more people the next time around, but you have to be a member of the Dot Com Secrets X course. 

Now only will you be helping yourself to improve your knowledge of Internet Marketing (and basically for free for the first month of training) but you will also be helping out a phenominal cause with World Teacher Aid.

Stay tuned for more updates and to find out some of the great products I am going to be hooking you up with for helping out in donating to the trip to Kenya.

In the meantime, you may click the link above that says “Donate to Help” or you can click on the “Donate” button on the right sidebar.  You will be brought to a page that is linked to Paypal and goes to Barefoot Enterprises, LLC, which is my company.