Letter From Dave Mann
Dear Friends,
I had always heard footsteps emanating deep within my soul nudging me towards a life of giving. In the past, I was adept at ignoring them and justifying my ignorance of them with various excuses: “I am too busy”; “what difference can I make?”; “problems are too big”; “I am already doing more than my share”; and my personal favourite: “if everyone lived with my principles, there would be no problems on this earth.”
My pivotal moment came one morning as I was getting ready for work. Suddenly I had tears in my eyes and a realization that I was wasting whatever talent I had and I was not being true to my inner self. This realization scared me as I felt I had a great life, a job that I loved, a beautiful house, two handsome boys and a great wife. I tried to push this thought aside because acknowledging it would mean serious changes to my life of ease. Somehow this thought persisted and after taking off many layers of my ego and my programs, I have surrendered to a life of unfeigned humility and unconditional giving.
Upon deciding to dedicate my life to this purpose, I knew deep down that I will be working with children and the environment. I felt that the children, especially ones with no parents, are the most innocent and disadvantaged. My two sons are the best parts of my life and for me to imagine them as orphans and its related psychological effect on them would be an unbearable thought. Then what makes orphans throughout this world any less precious or any less deserving of my love and dedication? For this purpose I have established the Mannkind Charitable Society; for other like-minded individuals to join me on this on-going journey toward a common purpose.
Our goal is to adopt, build, enlarge and run orphanages. To run them like academies and to take the stigma out of the word “orphan”. To provide not only shelter, clothing and food, but to provide healthcare, education, access to arts and athletic programs, jobs, and love. To raise children that will be well adjusted and contributing citizens of this planet. To perpetuate this wonderful gift for future generations to give and maintain.
Our humble goal is to adopt one orphanage this year hopefully as many as ten in the next ten years. We know that this task is daunting but I am confident that the universe will conspire for us to achieve this and much more. God and the universe will bring to us the means, the people, the energy and the devices that will accomplish this good deed.
We strongly believe that Mother Nature deserves our respect and devotion; for this reason, it is also one of our goals to plant 1000 trees annually. It is important for all the young people to be exposed to this spirit of responsibility, and giving, as they will be the future custodians of this vision.
Feeding the homeless is one of our priorities. Mannkind has made a commitment to First United Church in the eastside of downtown Vancouver, to come in and feed the homeless on a regular basis. Ultimately, our hope is to continue this tradition in other countries as well.
Arts are the essence and the language of our souls. We will strive to promote Arts where there is no hope of exposure. Arts of the under privileged will be given a voice.
The task ahead is very challenging, but I am certain that all obstacles will be tackled and solved. I am looking forward to tomorrow and all the adventures it shall bring. May God bless us all in our endeavours.
Sincerely,
Dave Mann
