Kizito, my God-sent angel

Kizito and I getting votes at Caribou during a storm!

Kizito was my God-sent angel in this competition and there is NO WAY I could have gotten as many votes as I did in the last round without her help. I have known her for less than 3 months, yet I feel like we have been friends forever. She lives in Belgium, but was our neighbor for a few months. Here I was worried and trying to brainstorm ways to get more votes and wondering how I was going to win, and God puts Kizito in my life. She was lost, and randomly stopped at my house to ask for directions. We started talking and hit it off! At the end of our conversation I asked if she would read my story and consider voting for me. Shortly after, she promised to not only vote for me, but help me win the competition!

During the last voting stage of the competition Kizito campaigned with me over 6 hours a day for two weeks straight. Her family allowed us to use their laptops as voting stations and they made fliers that we passed out all over town to help share the story of Ioana's Music Lessons. Some of the places we went to include the Student Union and The Pit, and libraries at UNC, Open Eye Cafe, The Station, Caribou coffee shop, Weaver St. Market, Time-Out, Food Lion, and New Hope Church. Kizito was relentless, to say the least. When I was tired and wanted to quit, her energy was persistent. She even went campaigning with my husband when I had practice and lessons to teach. She was so compelling and shared my vision with such energy and honesty, you would have thought she was in the competition!

Kizito and I getting pumped at Open Eye!

The competition also allowed Kizito to realize her own strengths. Kizito is excellent at talking to people...she has no fear when she believes in a cause and is a great motivational speaker. Thus, she has started a non-profit organization to support good causes. She also recently started a blog, please check it out: http://kizitogoodcause.wordpress.com/ If you have a good cause and need support, she is the person to go to!

Thank you, Kizito, for you help, and example of selfless giving, and most of all for our new friendship. Not many people would have extended their time and resources for someone they just met, but your generosity and support were sincere and touched my life. Thank you for believing in me! You are truly a kindred spirit! Wishing you safe travels back to Belgium. Chris and I will really miss you and your family.