Kimberley Clark Kartchner lives in Mesa, Arizona, USA where she has plenty of space for her Arabian horses, which she loves. The horses bring her peace and tranquility and allow her to meditate on projects she is working on.

Kimberley loves spending time here with her children; motherhood is something she takes very seriously. The second love of her life is her brothers and sisters in Africa. She is co-chairman for UGANDATOUCH.ORG, something which was initiated by her father Donald Clark. The objective of the foundation is to serve the people in Africa who are impoverished with suffering and disease, abandoned and physically and mentally challenged. Uganda Touch also sponsors a secondary school for orphans, the ultimate goal is to help rehabilitate and empower each child or individual through a proper education in order to give back to their community as an adult. Kimberley works on many different projects, anything from sponsorships of students in the schools to working alongside an engineer in Rwanda on a reservoir project in Burundi.

Kimberley has witnessed firsthand suffering and death from disease, losing a sister to Leukemia and a brother to AIDS. These events led her to focus on those less fortunate, particularly after witnessing the ongoing poverty whilst travelling to Africa. Each experience she encountered played a role in shaping her character. The term "providing miracles in the midst of hopelessness" is not merely a statement for Kimberley. It is a call to action by serving others both in deed and word.

First and foremost, my family and being a mother has always been my most important role, which provides a foundation for overall happiness in my life. Motherhood has come easily to me, as I am involved in my children’s life by providing an example of love and respect, and that through challenges we become stronger. Ultimately, my hope and desire is that when my children are adults they recognize the significance of giving back to those less fortunate. My motto has always been that no matter how small the deed, it matters that we continually give to others, which is where true happiness is found.

Second, the Uganda Touch project, the vision is to support and empower hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda and Burundi, as we help them facilitate the development of self-sustenance as individuals. This includes addressing basic needs such as proper nutrition, medical care, personal hygiene, and providing educational opportunities for those who have no means on their own. There is also an on-going project to build a self-sustaining reservoir in order to bring much needed water to a village in Burundi that will impact thousands of people. For my family and the people of Africa, happiness is ultimately the realization that I must never view my blessings as something I am entitled to; but something that has been graciously granted to me.

I imagine a world where ALL children are valued and loved. If I had an opportunity to talk and instill to every child in the world respect and the significance of each individual and making it a better place, I would try to instill the following: • Teach the importance of respecting other’s rights and beliefs • Teach proper morals and values. • Teach about the importance of education. • Teach the importance of work and responsibility • Teach that love and tolerance is the ultimate cure for all of problems in the world.

But placing a value on a person’s worth can only accomplished if people are educated and taught that the joys in life come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what true love is, and it all begins in the home. A wise man once said: "No other success can compensate for failure in the home". I believe that if parents hold the needs of children equal to their own in importance, their attitudes for the future and mankind would portray trust and benevolence. This would also set a foundation in the world for ending war, conflict and suffering, as love and respect would be the ammunition for mutual identity and peace. Love can move mountains. If can shake the foundation of which people live.

Love can work miracles in the hearts of those who receive it, and we have the power to give it.

Interview | | Image Courtesy Of Kimberley Clark Kartchner