So it has been a holiday since thursday and today Monday, once again, is another holiday?? I suppose I am used to the american way of life of "gotta get back to work". SO many things are closed in town, including our favorite internet cafe that allows us to use our memory sticks. So no pictures or posts that we worked on during the long holiday weekend.
Saturday was the 2nd annual easter egg hunt at Family Hope Sanctuary. It was a crazy day I must say. The night before Annie and I got some things ready which included sitting in front of the stove and popping 2 full garbage bags of popcorn. When it came time to give them out, of course the kids ripped and ravaged the bag and most of it spilled on the ground outside, but this of course did not stop them from scooping it up. It was a task just to keep them outside the gate until we got all the eggs hidden (9am). Some kids were going aroudn the gates and trying to poke at the eggs to get an early start. After they all rushed in, many of themhording as much candy as possible, we all danced a little and then got everyone to sit down so that they could watch a movie on the projector we rented-tom and jerry, lion king etc.... This kept them calm until the clown came. Now that was a sight to remember. I have never seen those kids be more attentive than they were with the clown. Not even in school are all eyes on the teacher. SO it was a joy to see them laugh and be amazed, I have to give out many props to the clown for keeping those kids attention, a moment of peace. WHile this was all happening of course the kitchen was bustling to get things all ready and cooked. We had to get a braai to cook all the chicken. We had two huge bins of rice that they mixed with hotdogs, we cut cabbage for, im not kidding you, 2 hours to make cole slaw, had a huge pot of vooerworst stew and a bunch of fat cakes to pass out to curb their hunger whle we were getting all of this ready. Not to mention we went through two huge garage bins of juice. Of course the water coming from the leaky sink in the bathroom that has about 2 inches of standing water in it. It was a sight to watch all of this go down. We fed about 200 kids and some mothers. Everyone was trying so hard to wait patiently in their chairs while a buncho f volunteers passed out the food. After that was all over, the mothers roun3d up their containers (the ones that helped during the whoel thing) and took the rest of the food with them home for later. We gave the kids packs of these fruit loops type things and tried to sent them on their way.. many left but many also stayed which of course turned into a major dance party! We dance for a good 45 minutes and then finalyl got most people to leave.
Needless to say, we were EXHAUSTED by then time 2pm rolled around!
Another succesful easter egg hunt at FHS!
This week we are buckling down and getting things ready for the big hand out at Christa's on saturday. Once a month she does food parcels and formula and ther will be over 100 babies and their mothers, plus kids that will fill her house for their monthly stipends. now that will be a sight!!!
We have pictures of some of the kdis we will be sponsoring at FHS and we still need a good 5 more.
Spend Spend Spend will be the next two weeks themes!
Thanks for all your support and encouragement!
Take care,
Mary
Our Mission
African Community Health Inititiave (ACHI)
Provide basic health care services to those lacking access to such care in both rural Nigeria and urban Namibia.
These services include:
*Overall Physicals (including Fasting Glucose levels, Vitals, HIV/AIDS testing etc..)
*Medication Management and Maintenance programs *Disease Management
*Health Education that addresses disease prevention, hygiene and nutrition
*Consultations and referrals
Mount Sinai
A program started by Katutura State Hospital Nurse Christa Biart-Vega, who works in the ARV (antiretroviral) pediatric clinic, Mount Sinai provides HIV counseling, health education, well baby checks, formula, water and sippy cups for 105 babies and their HIV+ mothers. If the child is tested HIV- after 6 weeks of being breastfed, the hospital or clinic refers them to Christa. At this point it is important to discontinue breastfeeding: replacing breast milk with formula means that the baby will remain HIV-. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds Christa has to limit the number of mothers and babies in her program because it is a commitment to feed each child for six months. Christa did receive land in Katutura for the clinic, but lacks the funds to begin building. Not only will this building be used to continue the program that Christa has started, she also envisions it as a safe place for moms and their children, as well as a hospice for children with AIDS to peacefully die in instead of out on the streets. Your donations will go towards formula, sippy cups, water and overall costs. More money means more women can enroll in the program and with your help Nurse Christa will finally be able to have a building to go along with her amazing, life saving program!
Family Hope Sanctuary
FHS is a community based program run by Abigail Maposa located in the extremely poor settlements of Hakahana. FHS’s program helps in two ways: first, to empower women, most of whom are HIV+, TB, single mothers who are raising orphans; and second, through its school readiness program. This program reaches children who are not in the school system and provides them with an education and a safe place to stay. More importantly, the heart of FHS is its kitchen: it feeds hundreds of children each day, which for most is the only meal they will get that day. Lacking the most basic necessities of life, all of these kids are grateful for such a meal, and are in dire need of a formal education before it is too late. Your donations will go towards education, food, clothes, shoes, water and other necessities. Amazingly, $20 sends a child to school for a whole year (books and uniforms included)!
Monday, April 9, 2007
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