When Great Expectations' Tracy offered me their high priced membership, I told her no; that every extra dime I have goes to taking care of Brazil's Highlands' street children. I explained since 2001, I have been the only provider for them world-wide in 5 locations. In Brazil, street children as young as 4 yrs old are shot and killed by the police and former police. I have service that protects them, feedsthem, clothes them and trains them. All is from my borrowing money each year and paying it back to borrow more for the next trip.
Tracy (if thats her real name) said that she was so pleased that I came because Great Expectations does successful fund raisers; just completed one for a motorcycle accident victim; and was looking for another worthy cause. Tracy told me the vice president of Sheridan Hotels offers their ball room free; that Great Expectations does a wonderful job selling raffel tickets to raise money; that the winner of the raffel usually donates their winnings to the cause. She named big industries and companies in the Miwaukee area that have contributed to their fund raising. She made a phone call and said it was ok. All I had to do was pay for their dating service and I would from their experience receive a lot of money through their fun raising. She asked me to give her photos and documentation. And I did within two days.
No fund raiser was done. I made many trips to Milwaukee's Great Expectation to complain and many phone calls to them. The manager told me they never do fund raisers and that with their dating service one gets out what they put in. The manager also added that I have low self-esteem to be spending money on children I don't even know.
Because I spent some of the money on Great Expectations' expensive membership, my trip was substantionally delayed. When I couldn't show up at specific locations in Brazil until later, sources there told me many of the street children took to the streets and were either killed or just missing.
I still have nightmares seeing their little faces waiting for me ever since. Recently, on Fox 6 TV in Milwaukee I told my story of desception with Great Expectations. Unfortunately, telling my story doesn't bring back those beautiful children.
Barry
kenosha, Wisconsin
U.S.A.