A Chance to Make a Difference

Long ago, within a month of our family making the decision to adopt from Africa, our hearts were opened to the desperate plight of the people that live there. We had been aware of the situations before, but now we were *really* watching, listening, to all events in all countries.

We began watching movies and seeing them through newly opened eyes. Suddenly these people had become so much more real to us. For instance: It is easy to think of the planet Mars as so far away, because it is. It is somewhere that we are not likely to ever go. But what if you had a friend that went to Mars. Suddenly, it becomes a real place. You become more aware of what is going on there. Even if you don't ever get there.

Well, Africa became personal for us. I got defensive once when a guy tried to tell me that in Africa they are 'backwards'. Backwards?! There are so many factors as to why they are poverty stricken, and ravaged by AIDS. But not because they are backwards!! And no, most Africans are NOT having lots of children. Would you, knowing that you might not be there to raise them? Or that they would likely die of AIDS?

When we began our adoption we were informed that finding siblings close together in age was rare. Why? Because women are not *trying* to have babies!

Africans are not backwards as that man so ignorantly stated. They are doing they best they can with what they have and with the cards that life has dealt them!

Much of this is due to government issues - not the people's choices! The point here is that for the first time when I heard an ignorant comment it struck my heart, because now the continent - the whole continent - of Africa is my children's homeland!

Maybe it takes adoption to open our hearts and eyes to other places. Bad? Yes, perhaps. But at least they are now open and will not be shut!

We always knew that when we went to get our girls we wanted to do a power-packed missions trip while there. It is an opportunity of a lifetime to get to be in Africa. It is a two-fold trip. Adoption and missions.

It is our goal to accomplish as much as we can in as short a time span as possible! I have written a letter to give in our church bulletin next Sunday. I am posting a somewhat edited version here for your viewing.

I hope that if it is in your heart to give that you will do so. If every person that reads this blog gave only $10 we could raise a lot of money. Please know that it is our intent to use very wisely any money or donations given to bless those in desperate need.

There is a PAYPAL tab on the top sidebar of my blog. This can be accessed for those with Pay Pal accounts. Those that wish to donate items or mail cheques for this endeavor may email me at:

mum2boys@telus.net

When we return we will be posting pictures of all the work that we were blessed to be able to do.

Thank you in advance. (Following is the letter we gave to the church)

Ray and I, and our two oldest sons are going to Ethiopia sometime in August to pick up our newly adopted daughters. While we are there, we want to take advantage of the opportunity and do as much missions work as possible. We want to give back to a country that has blessed us greatly by allowing us to adopt two of their children. Children that we would not have if it were not for famine and AIDS.

Right now Ethiopia is in crisis. Two successful years of failed rains have precipitated a severe drought – the worst in a decade. The farmers have lost their spring harvest. Due to this, what little food there is is now costing 2-3 times the original price. According to UNICEF, six million children are at risk of malnutrition. They have said they need food aid in the amount of $197,000,000 (US dollars) to get through these next months.

We have contacted an organization called Canadian Humanitarian. They have projects that provide care to 500 children in 400 families. We will have the privilege of doing home visits where we will be able to see the needs of some of these families and then meet these needs by going to the local markets and purchasing food for them.

In addition, Ray with our boys, is arranging to teach construction skills to an organization called SSCM – Support Street Children and Mothers. It is may also be possible for him to build some playground equipment at an orphanage (this last option will be dependent on materials being available).

A third plan is to help the Liga School. This school has 244 children with children in grades 1-3. Canadian Humanitarian built them a new school three years ago. Prior to this, they had a dirt floor and tarps that provided walls. Canadian Humanitarian supplies school uniforms and shoes for the children, plus the teacher’s salaries. An education is a big factor in these children having a future. Unfortunately, the school operates with very little in school supplies.

A friend recently visited the Liga School and donated art supplies to them. While she was there, she noted that they had only one shelf with teaching aids. They are in desperate need of the following items:

* Flashcards
* Pencils
* Construction paper
* Crayons – packs of 24
* Erasers
* Scissors
* Paint brushes
* Pencil crayons
* Broad tip markers
* Calculators
* Glue sticks
* Protractor sets
* Water colour paints
* Tempera paint powder
* Easy readers (stories that cross the cultures: animals, bugs, simple stories)

One adoptive parent that I know went to the LIGA School. She took bananas that day. She noticed the children ate half their banana only. The teacher told her that they would take the other half home, as that was probably all they would eat that day. It is our hope to buy boxes of granola bars to take to these children on our visiting day!

Our final plan is to reach a few of the orphanages that have little to no support. In Ethiopia, there are hundreds of orphanages, and many, many of them are run lacking the most basic supplies. They sleep 3-4 babies per crib, and barely have enough to feed and diaper the children.

Our hope is to be able take money with us to buy formula and diapers for these little ones. They are also desperately in need of over the counter medication. This is hard to come by in Ethiopia, and therefore we will be taking those items with us.

We will buy what we can there to help the local economy, and because we simply cannot carry very much with us. We have only five suitcases available for filling with donations. Please help us fill them.

Needs for Orphanages and LIGA School:

* Underwear
* Socks

* Children’s pain relievers

* Children’s multivitamins
* Antibiotic ointment

* Cough and cold medications
* Antifungal creams

* Bandaids
* Gauze and tape

* Toothpaste

*Soccer balls – please donate a pump with one or two balls, as they will not have a pump in the orphanages.

We would ask that you prayerfully consider donating items from the above lists, and / or cash with which we can purchase food items, blankets, diapers, and formula while we are in Ethiopia.

We will be taking many photos while we are gone and will be thrilled to share with you what your generosity has accomplished. If you would like to send your family picture or a picture of yourself that we can give to the people at the LIGA school or the orphanages. Then they can see all the loving people who cared about their children.

Just to show you how impacted these people are by other's generosity, let me tell you this: One girl I know told a story of a grandmother that cried when she was given a blanket. She couldn't believe that someone way over in Canada cared about her.

Thank you for being part of our exciting adventure!