A Message from Derreck Kayongo
To all that supported my CNN Heroes nomination, I was and continue to be humbled by all of your kind words.
I’ve received so many thoughtful comments over the past few months, I am overwhelmed by all the love. At the end of the day, together we will continue to bring a little bit of heaven here on earth for the least among us.
There were a lot of celebrities at the CNN Heroes event on Sunday, but my wife Sarah and I were most star struck by the other nominees. All of us deal with very different and very somber problems in the world. But each person nominated had a radiant, positive spirit that came through in every conversation. It’s not hard to see how they are changing the world. I am so very honored to have met each one of these people and count them as friends.
Robin Lim, the winner of the CNN Heroes Award for 2011, is a beautiful, gentle soul. We are so happy for her and her organization, Bumi Sehat Foundation International. Robin’s work to reduce maternal and child mortality is a mission close to my wife Sarah’s heart, as her own career in humanitarian aid has been built around helping women and children around the world.
I want to also take a moment to thank all of the volunteers, the GSP Board of Directors and our team that manages our operations, administration, research and every effort that keeps the Global Soap Project moving forward. The team at Hilton Worldwide joined our effort recently and have been great supporters throughout their network leading up to this event. And we look forward to doing amazing things with Hilton in 2012.
The Kayongo Family
Now, Sarah and I are going to settle down for a while and focus on the holidays with our children. I want you to know how grateful my entire family is for your overwhelming support. We sometimes can’t believe everything that has happened to us since our journey from Uganda so long ago.
I ask that you do not forget the spirit of the CNN Heroes event. Every single day you have the opportunity to do something heroic for another person, to make their life a little bit better than it was before. Please apply your talents and passion and you will be rewarded.
Peace, Derreck
My Kirk family has known Sarah and her parents, brothers and sisters since she was a child. We have been talking about how excited my parents are as they watch… Elizabeth Mooney Kirk and Elmer Kirk. They would be so happy and proud of them. I have only met Derreck, once at Sarah’s college graduation. His big smile is still with me. Love, Marian
Marian,
I just want to thank you, Joyce, John and the entire Kirk family so much for all your support and Prayers! You can imagine how exciting it was for me to be back in California for such an event as this one. I couldn’t stop talking about your mom and dad—CNN Heroes recognition is part of the journey, as I stepped off the plane at LAX, i recalled with deep emotions my very first trip to the USA in 1994 and your parents waiting for me —–this recognition was in their honor, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. Elmer and Elizabeth Mooney Kirk (R.I.P.) my HEROES!!!
BEST,
SARAH K.
Derreck – Thank YOU for your inspiration and diligence. It is easy to support someone with so much energy and exuberance. Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family from ours.
Tim Dineen
Victor Martorano
And – Cybil, the Wonder Dog
Derreck –
Congratulations on being named a finalist, and Happy Holidays.
Alen
Derreck and family,
It was such an amazing evening learning more about each nominee and the difference they were making in our world. Everyone has such a gift and large giving spirit, it was truly inspiring. Thank you for everything you do and for being such a terrific role model to others. Your enthusiasm on stage and inspiring words truly touched hearts all around the world.
Thank you and have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas with your adorable family.
From my family to yours – Merry Christmas!
Jack Harvey
Jack – on behalf of Derreck, the Kayongos and the entire GSP family – we literally could not have done it without you! Special thanks to you for the nomination!!
Beth,
Thank you! It was simply an honor to nominate Derreck and so wonderful to see the journey to the Top 10. When I met Derreck a few years ago our connection was immediate. Having spent 13 years in eastern and southern Africa to a medical family, everything about Global Soap struck a cord. On top of that Derreck is such a terrific person.
All the best in 2012!
Jack
Jack-
I would like to second Beth’s appreciative comment. We at the Global Soap Project are grateful to you for helping to bring attention to our organization and the work we do.
Liily Dimling
Lilly,
What a fun time to be part of such an amazing organization. My hat is off to you for all you do. Keep up the great work!
Jack
Hi Derreck, It was an honor to be at the award ceremony Sunday afternoon and hearing your story. As a person born in the States, it was a great reminder to be thankful for what I have and to use my resources to bless others. Sometimes these solutions are as simple as recycling soap! Thank you for instilling hope and inspiring me. Your passion to help others is contagious
May God continue to bless the work that you do and your family!
P.S. I forgot to mention…can we recycle crayons into soap to?
Derreck,
Thank you so much for having the courage, passion, and commitment to see a need and follow through on it. I became a fan of yours the first time we met and immediately shared with our director that we needed you on our regional team at Amnesty International. It’s a delight to see you living out your life’s calling. May you, Sarah, your children and the GSP continue to impact lives in such a way that foster greater community among all.
Have a very Merry Christmas and an extraordinary New Year!
Many blessings.
Pamela
Derreck
You & what you do are awesome!
Derreck,
When l saw you on Sunday, Dec 13th 2011 at the CNN heroes event… l didn’t expect the tears… tears of gigantic pride, tears of enormous joy and great humility. All the conversations we’ve had, all the dreaming we’ve done, all the struggles we’ve been through and all the laughter and tears we’ve shared. Above all, the incredible strength and persevering Spirit that our incredible mother passed on to each one of us. Seeing you there and knowing all these things… l knew without a shadow of doubt, not only have you given hope to many around the world, but that you have given me, your little sister one of the greatest gifts this year! the hope and boldness that even l can still DREAM BIG!
Ekitibwa tukidisa mukama!
thanks for making us proud bro!
Love you always
Daisy
Hi Derreck,
Mukwano kulika nnyo. I am so proud of you and all you have done and continue to do. It is such a blessing knowing you and Sarah. I miss you guys greatly but it is achievements such as this that make me trust that you still have a mission to complete back in the States. We give praise and glory to God. Mukama abakuume and a very merry Xmas and a happy prosperous new year.
Blessing,
Stella
I couldn’t have said it better than Daisy. May God Bless the concept and cause of GSP. May the leadership, volunteers and all GSP partners always be focused on the vision. May that kid some where in a poor region testify that they were able to live yet another day, because they received a bar of soap from GSP. Good work Mr. and Mrs. Kayongo!
Hi Derreck,
Congs for being nominated and even if you did not win CNN Heroes Award for 2011, to me you had already won and you will always be a winner!
Watching you on Sunday, Dec 13th 2011 at the CNN heroes event… l was filled with pride and joy knowing that I know you. The humility you showed after the winner was announced shows the kind of person you are and will always be. Keep up the spirit and God be with you and your family.
Henry
It was nice seeing your family. I would say I shared the joy with you, in spirit and in thoughts. Thanks for putting our country on the headlines, and for a good cause. May-God bless all the people involved and may he support the cause plus give the project wings to grows. A lot of kids need soap, while others may take this for granted, to some its a luxury. I hope more people get involved in improving and balancing the basic principles, such as health in the lives of all God’s children.
Best Regards
N.B I can’t wait to see the CNN recap on the 24th of December; I have just seen the above picture, What a lovely family, still beautiful as always.
Derreck
Congratulations. Just watched you while in Vermont receiving your CNN Hero award. We head back to Hong Kong soon and would love to see if we could get Hong Kong hotels to help out too – Mandarin Group, Peninsula, Shangri-la for which we have contacts. Let me know if you have lredy reached out to them
God bless and Merry Christmas
Derreck
I am doing a report on you for my school. I would like to congratulate you for all of your great work; you have been doing amazing. I would think of it as the most excellent thing in the world if every single person in the world had access to sanitation. I have had a blast volunteering at the warehouse, and I hope to return again.