MIC Group on Ebay

Well, I am still waiting to hear back from one of the partners of Ebay's World of Good. I thought it would be all set up by the time the Ugandan items arrived, but it has not been set up still (after over 2 months of preparation). Because of this, I decided to see what the items would do on regular Ebay, at least until we have a World of Good account. Please take a look at their items & purchase the ones you like. All of the pieces are awesome! I wish I could show everyone in person what they look like because they are totally gorgeous!

I am trying to raise as much as possible by Thursday because I will be sending a wire to Uganda on Friday. As of this moment, the women have earned $82 from the sells of their items. I hope to be able to send them at least $200 on Friday.

Mario in Chile

These are the latest photos of Mario taken upon receipt of his Saint Valentine's day DP and before the tragic earthquake. It is surprising that he still looks so happy after what he has been through over the last few months.

For the information of any new blog readers first of all Mario, his mother and older sister, Javiera had to leave the family home due to domestic violence taking with them only the things that I had bought for them in the past. They were fortunate enough to find a temporary refuge in a church facility. Even luckier that Steve and other anonymous sponsors provided funds to provide a necessary mattress, a chest of drawers and wardrobe for their clothes and possessions.

Just recently, they had to move to a rental accommodation which leaves them only $40.00 a month to live on. Though the mother was offered an IGP or job training she refused possibly due to lack of confidence after years of abuse.

And, now, like thousands of other Chileans they are going through the fear and uncertainty left after the massive earthquake. So far, I haven't received any news to say if they were affected in their new rental accommodation. One can only wait and hope that they still have a roof over their heads. In spite of everything Mario has been through he is doing extremely well at school as can be seen from his latest letter. Rather than send any frivolous gifts this time I sent mostly school supplies as requested by his mother due to their lack of financial income. You can also see that Mario is still able to ham it up for the camera and both he and his sister, Javiera, are wearing the bracelets made by Heather.

Dear Madrina Barbara

I hope this letter finds you keeping healthy. Thank you for all the presents you sent me: sweatshirt, bracelets, band aids, wooden elephant pencil holder, mini-stapler, pens, pencils, eraser, exercise book, dictionary, and maths set.

Madrina, I am fine and healthy. I am on Spring break and it is too hot here because we are in summer. I want to tell you that I was promoted to 3rd grade with 6.8 (A), only two points under the maximum mark which is 7.00 (A+).

Greetings

Mario

Questionnaire from Kikomeko Derick

Here is Derick's questionnaire:

How old are you: 12

How many brothers have you: 6

How many sisters have you: 1

Who do you live with: my mother

What is your favorite animal: rabbit

I am 38 inches tall

My eyes are brown

My hair is black

My favorite food: bananas and meat

My favorite game: soccer

My favorite thing to do: washing and mopping

My favorite color: yellow

What do people like about you: running

What things can you do well: mopping the house

What are some of ways you show others you care: helping them to get home, giving them my food, loaning them my pencil

Who is your best friend: Filbert

What other friends do you like to play with: Reagon

What other things do you like to do with your friends: ridding bikes, swimming

Questionnaire from Simbwa Henry for Morgan

Simbwa Henry is Morgan's only sponsor child. They hooked up last August as pen pals, and then, we decided (or I did) that $37 wasn't much to pay to just sponsor him. Morgan has sent him drawings and letters, but we have never gotten anything back. One reason for the lack of letters is that, for example, his mother can not read or write, so there are only a handful of people to help the children write letters.

When Morgan began sponsoring Henry, she chose him because he was 4 and she would be 3 in a few months. Well, typical for Uganda and other countries such as Haiti, Henry has no birthday. However, they do know he was born in 2002, which would mean he either is or will soon be 8!! OK, maybe it's just me, but he doesn't look 8 at all to me. Maybe because he is sitting down, or maybe because since for the past few months I have been thinking he was 4 because that is what I was told.

Anyway, here is Henry's questionnaire:

How old are you: 7

What is your birth date: 2002

How many brothers have you: 2

How many sisters: 0

What is your favorite animal: rabbit

I am 33 inches tall

I weigh 25 kgs

My eyes are: brown

My hair is: black

My favorite food: matooke (bananas)

My favorite game: riding a bike

My favorite thing to do: eat

My favorite color: purple

What do people like about you: I am a good boy. I do not fight.

What things can you do very well: sing

What are some of the ways you show others you care: help them, fetch water, wash plates

Who is your best friend: Mwanguzi Joshua

What other friends do you like to play with: Onyango Erry

Questionnaire from Nakaiza Vanesah for Jaden

Vanesah is Jaden's sponsor child in Uganda. As of yesterday, her mother will now be a part of the MIC group and start making beads!! We haven't received any letters from her, but Jaden has written several times. Luckily, Hellen sent a stack of letters along with the MIC items, so we were able to get something from her. This is what her questionnaire said:

Ways I show others I care: by loving them, sharing and playing together

Things I can do really well: washing plates and mopping house

What people like about me: (the person who was writing everything for Vanesah wrote her opinion) She is a bright girl and hard working.

Things I like to do with my friends: playing together with them.

My best friend is: Kayemba Isaac

Other friends I like to play with: Tracy Kuza, Jackline, Junior, Stella, Robin

MIC Group Letter~ Orebo Denis Oscar

This is Mack's sponsored student, Oscar. He and a few other students are participating in the MIC group making beads because they can not continue their education for whatever reason. I am working with some ideas that I think may help all of the students, but it will take time to get everything figured out and in place. For now, he will just do the best he can, and participate by making beads to earn a living.

Here is his letter to Mack:

Hi, my sponsor,

How are you? Back to us, we are fine. I am called Orebo Denis Oscar, a Ugandan by nationality, a boy of 21 years old born on the 12th Feb 1989.

I sat my "A" level examination in 2009 and I am still waiting for the results. I don't have any hope of continuing my education because I am having only my mother who is a peasant farmer. She has been struggling to fund my education since I was born, and it has reached a point where she can not manage. My father died when I was still a baby, I was told. Though, I have never seen his face.

Besides the above, I did a combination in "A" level called PEM/E which contains physics, economics, mathematics, and entrepreneurship.

With the grace of God, I have a vision of doing either one of these courses and they are:

Civil Engineering

Accounting

Bachelor of procurement and logistics management.

But my first option is Accounting followed by Civil Engineering.

I would grateful if you consider my letter. These are my hobbies:

playing football

reading stories and novels

prayers

singing gospel songs

bicycle competition

doing calculations

drawing pictures

May the almighty God bless you as you are reading this letter.

Thanks,

Oscar

Yet Another Raffle!!! Easter Quilt

Front of quilt (above) & back of quilt (below)

close up of quilt (below)

This quilt has been offered up by a generous lady that doesn't even have a fundraiser going on! Mack's mother Carolanne has made this Easter quilt to raise money for our current fundraisers. As you can see it is big enough for an adult but soft enough for a baby!! The back is made of snuggly flannel. Perfect for the days when you feel like staying home & snuggling up on the couch/bed/wherever your comfort spot is!! Perfect for a rainy day or snow day!

So, the deal is a $1 donation = 1 raffle ticket, and you can donate to either of our two current fundraisers to enter! The raffle will go until 3/14/10 at 8:30PM CST. Here are the links for you:

Rosalie's fundraiser

Maria's fundraiser

Welcome to Fundraiser #23!

Meet Rosalie! This fundraiser was originally sent up to be for Jeffrey in the Philippines. However, you may remember that Tamara sponsors a lot of the children that are graduating from the sponsorship program. Jeffrey was one of those children. He was scheduled to graduate the sponsorship program last month. Since Tamara wanted to maintain contact with the family and continue to help them, she decided to sponsor his little sister Rosalie!

This fundraiser is for home repairs that will benefit the entire family! They only need a little over $300 to fund this project, since $60 has already been raised. If you would like to help Rosalie, Jeffrey, and their family, please make your donation here

Plus, stay tuned for more great news! By the way, make sure that you forward your pictures and letters as you get them from our Summer Reading Packages & our completed fundraisers!

Iniabi Free School and Miracles in Caring are partnering to help Widowed Mothers in East African Uganda

A partnership to help the women in the MIC group has been established. I am meeting up with the director of Iniabi Free School today. She has graciously agreed to partner with us, & help make change these women's lives. The women will get some of the donation, and the school (Iniabi Free School) will get the other portion. This should help the women sell their items quicker, and will allow us to purchase a tailoring machine & get more items shipped. AWESOME! Here is what the memo to the Iniabi Free School Supporters looks like:

"Iniabi Free School Partnering with Miracles in Caring

In This Issue
Miracles in Caring
$25 Donations
$50 Donations
$75 Donations
$100 Donations
$125 Donations
$150 Donations

Iniabi Free School and Miracles in Caring are partnering to help Widowed Mothers in East African Uganda

Iniabi Free School and Miracles in Caring are partnering to help widowed mothers in Uganda support their children. 100% of all donations go directly to these women and support the tuition of students in need of sponsorship in the Iniabi Free School Apprentice Program. Payment options can be made by contacting
director@iniabifreeschool.com

Widowed Mothers Supporting Families

Miracles In Caring is about giving parents the tools they need to provide for their families. In Uganda, for example, a long civil war has left many children fatherless and without homes. These families have moved to the capital city Kampala to escape the violence in Northern Uganda. When the families finally made it to Kampala, they found they had no skills to compete for the jobs there. These women and their families were farmers, and self-sufficient in Northern Uganda. Now, they are without land, and live in whatever home they can put together with the scraps they find.
These hard-working women have found one job that will take them in. This job is breaking rocks from big pieces to smaller pieces. They sit down in the rock quarry and hammer at the rocks all day long. For 12 hours of work, they make about 50 cents! To do the math for you, that is 4 cents an hour!! Because the pay is so small, most mothers HAVE to include their children in the work. Instead of going to school, the children break rocks right alongside their mothers to put food on the table. These are not bad mothers who want to get rich off of their children. These are mothers who have two choices: put their children to work alongside them, or watch their children starve to death!! Their children should be in school, there is no doubt about that. An education is the key to breaking out of poverty. The problem is that these children are just trying to survive. When you don't even know if you will have enough to eat one meal the next day, it is a matter of survival. What good is an education if you will be dead from lack of food and dehydration tomorrow? Our organization is going to change the lives of these women and their families. We have set them up with a business that isn't so back-breaking, and gives them more profit. This will allow their children to attend school, and allow the mothers to have the resources they need to take care of their families. They have already lived through a civil war- Now it is time to restore their peace of mind! There could not be a better time to help.

*East African Handmade Beaded Necklaces

Donate $25 and receive a beautiful East African necklace. These are only a small sample of the various necklaces that we have. Every donation over $25 will receive a necklace.

*East African Handmade Apron

Donate $50 receive an East African apron and a necklace.

*East African Handmade Large Bag

Donate $75 receive a beautiful East African large bag (various styles available) and a necklace.


*East African Banana/Olive Fiber Purses/Clutch

Donations of $100 receive an East African banana or olive fiber purse or clutch and an East African necklace.

*East African Triple Strand Necklace

Donate $125 and receive a beautiful East African 3 strand necklace and a single strand East African necklace (at the top).

*East African Dolls

Donate $150 and receive an East African Mama and Baby doll pair with a Young Girl doll and a necklace!

Want to help, but can't make a large payment today? Contact me at director@iniabifreeschool.com to schedule a payment arrangement that fits your budget!

Our mission here at Iniabi is to teach our students to create new businesses that are not only sustainable, but also globally conscious. This fundraiser couldn't have been a more perfect fit! The women of Uganda thank you, and our sponsorship students also thank you!


Best,
Shella Zelenz
Iniabi Free School"

A Motorized Boat & Fishing Supplies

This is Maria. Her family would like to start a fish vending business. Her father is a fisherman. However, his profits will skyrocket if only he can purchase a motorized boat to fish in. Holly is Maria's sponsor, and she will be providing a big chunk of the funds needed for Maria's family to start the business. We need your help to fund the rest. We only need $371 more!

Once the fundraiser completes, the family will receive the money they need to purchase the boat and fishing supplies. Pictures will be taken and shared with the group. Once the business has been going for a few months, we will be able to get updates on how the business has helped the family. It is very exciting to see the family progress this way, with just a little nudge from well-wishers!

To help Maria and her family start their fish vending business, please donate here

Who are you helping by buying the MIC items?

Miracles In Caring is about giving parents the tools they need to provide for their families. In Uganda, for example, a years long civil war has left many children father-less and without homes. These families have moved to the capital city Kampala to escape the violence in Northern Uganda. When the families finally made it to Kampala, they found they had no skills to compete for the jobs there. These women and their families were farmers, and self-sufficient in Northern Uganda. Now, they are without land, and live in whatever home they can put together with the scraps they find.


These hard-working women have found one job that will take them in. This job is breaking rocks from big pieces to smaller piece. They sit down in the rock quarry and hammer at the rocks all day long. For 12 hours of work, they make about 50 cents! To do the math for you, that is 4 cents an hour!!

Because the pay is so small, most mothers HAVE to include their children in the work. Instead of going to school, the children break rocks right alongside their mothers to put food on the table. These are not bad mothers who want to get rich off of their children. These are mothers who have two choices: put their children to work alongside them, or watch their children starve to death!!

Their children should be in school, there is no doubt about that. An education is the key to breaking out of poverty. The problem is that these children are just trying to survive. When you don't even know if you will have enough to eat one meal the next day, it is a matter of survival. What good is an education if you will be dead from lack of food and dehydration tomorrow?

Our organization is going to change the lives of these women and their families. We have set them up with a business that isn't so back-breaking, and gives them more profit. This will allow their children to attend school, and allow the mothers to have the resources they need to take care of their families.

They have already lived through a civil war- Now it is time to restore their peace of mind!

There could not be a better time to help. To order, go to the MAC webstore.

MIC Group Information Regarding How to Order

I have had a couple of questions about ordering, so I wanted to give a more detailed post. First of all, all of the dolls except one of the mama and baby dolls are still available. All of the hand woven purses and clutches are still available. The tote bags are still available minus one of the design #6 and design #7 bags (look back at the posts to choose your items). I have over 400 necklaces available, and all but one of the aprons are still available. I can get you whatever color & size you are looking for in the necklaces, so just let me know.

To order, you will find some of the items here. Tonight, I plan to add a lot to the Make a Change store. You can order by sending a paypal payment and e-mailing me your request. AND, you can even mail checks or money orders to me at:

Heather McLaughlin
P O Box 847
Anna, TX 75409

I do have the DBA for MAC, but I have not yet opened an account at the bank, so please don't write the check to Make a Change or I won't be able to cash it.

I will be working on the MAC store tonight to add everything I can. I can add a total of 30 items, so that is what I'll do. If you prefer to do everything off-line, just mail the check, but do make sure to let me know what you want before you send the check so that I can put it to the side for you.
Hope this clears up some confusion! Let me know if you have any more questions!

And the Winner for Maria's Raffle is...

Susan!
Holly used random.org to pick the winner

Susan - 1-25
Steve - 26-50
John - 51-80
Lisa - 81-90
Susan - 91-100
Heather - 101-105
Sara - 106-110
Chrystal - 111 - 116
Dee - 117-121
Heather - 122-126
Barbara- 127-132

The winning number was 3 which is Susan!!

Thank you every one that helped make this raffle a success! Susan, Holly needs your address, so send it when you can.

Very Informational Understanding the MIC Group

The picture above shows Hellen visiting the people in the stone quarry.

This is a you tube video that is full of information that will help you understand what the MIC group women and students do if they do not have the MIC group items to make & sell. We are offering a VERY important outlet for these women and students. Without our group, they are stuck in the back-breaking work of the stone quarry. Check out the video here

Most of the items I have posted over the pact week are still available. If you would like to help these women, please look at the items and see what you would like to purchase. So far they have sold:

one of the mama and baby dolls

2 of the tote bags (#6 & #7)

and a few necklaces

Total earned: $68

There are approximately 30 people in this group business, so that money will not go very far. I do have some other outlets that I am trying to sell on, and I am working hard to get these items displayed in multiple locations (not just here).

If you see something that you like, please show your support of this group and purchase the items. 100% of the profits go back to Uganda and are distributed amongst the group that made the items. If you are looking for something in particular, just contact me and let me know what it is. I have not posted pictures of all of the necklaces because there are over 400! I can tell you that I have every color and size imaginable!

A Letter from Henry in Colombia

I have sponsored Henry for almost 3 years now. He is 9 years old. I was his first sponsor. He is the reason I have taken on so many sponsor children. He is just a sweetheart. His letters are full of details that give me a glimpse into his life, and he is so grateful for every small or large thing. He even makes it a point to wear the clothes I gave him when he poses for pictures.

This is what his latest letter says:

Dear Mrs. McLaughlin,

We hope that you and your family are well. We are well. During vacations, everything went well for me. My uncles (and aunts possibly) took me to spend some time in Barranquilla and other days in Valledupar, which is another city in Colombia. I was at home for Christmas. On Christmas day, we went to visit my father's parents for awhile and then a little while at the mother's parents that live in the same neighborhood as we do. At the last day of the year, we made a special dinner for good luck, and we had a lot of fun. Now, I am about to go back to school, and I am very happy for that. With no more to say, I say good bye with love and affection,

Henry

MIC Group~ Handmade Necklaces- Make your own set!

I have put these into sets for the convenience, so that you can tell me which group has the necklace you want.

You can purchase these necklaces individually, or in a set.
The set of 3 is $15
The set of 4 is $20
Individually, they are $6 each

Shipping is:
1 to 4 necklace: $1.39

5 to 9 necklaces: $1.75

10 to 15 necklaces: $1.99

16 to 21 necklaces: $2.29

22 to 25 necklaces: $2.59

These are all the medium length, and run 18" to 20" from end to end. If you would like to purchase them, please send a paypal payment and make it as "gift" (so that the women will get all of the money) to hhamilton2002@hotmail.com Make sure to give me your address and which set number you want!
*Update: The women have now made a total of $68.

YOU are MY hero!!!

I wanted to let each and every one of you know that you are my hero!!! You have done so much for children and families worldwide! I know the children and even the parents must feel as I do, that you are their hero!! Their guardian angel, and the one who has made impossible dreams POSSIBLE!!! You have given over $13,000 in less than 1 year!!! You have helped countless families, and you can see their faces in the slide show. Here are just a few of the people you have helped (the ones that have benefitted from the MAC group fundriasers and your generosity). A million thank yous are not enough to express how grateful I am for you! You are my HERO, and a hero to these children:
1. Janet in Zambia
2. Miguel in Mexico
3. Katherine in Ecuador
4. Henry in Colombia
5. Fabiola & Alejanda in Mexico
6. Brenda in Guatemala
7. Jester in Phillippines
8. Alia in Phillippines
9. Yoselyn in Honduras
10. Diego in Ecuador
11. Angelito & Jhonalyn in Phillippines
12. Mercy in Zambia
13. Barbara~ Nsenzeni in Zambia
14. Jonathan in Ecuador
15. Maria & Ullysette in Phillippines
16. Crystal & Gema in Guatemala IGP
17. Maila in Philippines
18. Yamileisy & Jose Manuel in the DR
19. Carla in Chile
20. Jerry in Philippines
21. Michelle in Philippines
Emergency Project #1 Kanika in India
Emergency Project #2 Araceli in Chile
Special Project #1, group child: Paola in Mexico
Emergency Project #3 Jessica in Ecuador
Emergency Project #4 Brayan in Mexico
Home Project #1 Jenie
Home Project #2 Mwanza

28 projects in total is what I have down on my list. We haven't even met the one year mark yet!! I am positive we will hit the 30 fundriaser mark by then (one month away). There is less than $400 needed on the current and last large fundraiser for Maria (AND, there is still time to get in on the raffle for the $25 gift card! $1 donated= 1 raffle ticket!)

MIC Group Letter~ Abasa Moses

Dear Madam Sarah,

I take this opportunity to surly thank you after getting the assurance from Pr. Hellen that you are going to help me earn money to fund my education. Thank you very much!

I am a 17 year old boy living in Uganda. Since my childhood I still have both of my parents. Thanks be to God for both of them and what they have done for me. We live in a humble home with my other 3 brothers of who 2 stopped studying because of financial problems. One brother continues on in his studies with help from the government.

I always had a dream of studying a business course but my dream was shattered. I had to stop studying 2 terms ago because my father could not finance my education. My father was let go from his job 5 years ago. He struggled after that to continue to fund my education using the small shop he set up using his small savings. I still believed that God would one day allow me to achieve my dream of attending school again.

I am really happy having the great news. I sincerely promise to you and my God that I won't let you down. Thanks for the rescue. I am really touched and grateful for your help. Let the almighty God bless you very much. ENDLESSLY

Yours Sincerely,

Abasa Moses

*Abasa Moses needs 400,000 UGS in order to get back into school this term. He is in Senior 4. The total need for the term in US dollars in approximately $200. There are many ways you can help Moses:

1. Purchase some of the items that he has helped make (necklaces, aprons, bags, etc)

2. Make a donation toward the business. The group needs a tailoring machine to begin making outfits like the one you see Moses wearing. Those will sell for more than what the other items they are selling go for, so it would help immensely. I am not sure how much the machine will cost, but I am getting a quote. For sure we will need at least $100, but I am pretty positive it will be much more.

3. Make a donation towards Moses's education. To do so, just make a regular donation, and specify that you want it put toward Moses's education. The first term is 400, 000 UGS ($200), and his second term will cost 368,000 UGS ($184).

A Child receives one of the 12 Days of Christmas Items!!

You may remember the 12 Days of Christmas items that were raffled, and the push to get so many fundraisers funded. I had a few bilingual laptops that I offered to anyone who donated $50 to a fundraiser. Chrystal was one of the people that took me up on the offer. Instead of me shipping the laptop to her, she added some extra money, so that I would ship it directly to her sponsor child Paula. Here is what Paula wrote:

Dear Sponsor:

I hope this letter finds you well. I am fine beside my family. I want to tell you that my family is very close; my sister already graduated from high school. I would like to thank you for the present you sent me, it is very nice. I spend a great time for my birthday and Christmas. I like attending school and playing with my classmates. I send you a giant kiss and hug.
God bless and take care of you always.

Greetings
Paula

List of items:
1 card
6 sets of batteries
1 toy laptop

Packaged received by CI: 1/8/2010
Packaged received by Paula: 1/18/2010

Now, who is excited for the pictures and letters to start arriving from the Summer Reading Packages? I know I am!!!

Malaria, How do you feel when you have it?

Have you been to CI's homepage lately? They have a VERY timely article under "latest feature" about malaria. If you have been following this blog, you know that our MIC group partner Hellen was hit with a horrible bout of malaria. She had been battling it for a few weeks when she collapsed in town and was rushed to the hospital. She is recovering, but still VERY weak. Her family is caring for her as she stay in bed and off of her feet. Please keep her in your prayers!

Here is CI's article from their homepage called "Battling the Bug" written by Garrett Kenyon:

A staff member of Children International-Zambia wages the fight of her life.

Malaria is the number one cause of death in Zambia and a leading killer across Africa. In the spring issue of Journeys, we present a story about malaria and a sponsored child who battled the disease and won. As we were doing the preliminary work on this story, our communications coordinator came down with malaria. Once she had regained her strength, we asked her to answer some questions about her experience with this deadly infection.

When did you first realize you had contracted malaria?

I had been down with a flu for four days when I realized that I wasn’t getting any better at all. I began to get very frightened. I was beginning to convince myself that I had contracted the swine flu, but I wasn’t sure how that could have happened. From where could I have gotten swine flu? Little did I know, I was dead wrong. I had malaria.

What did it feel like?

I can’t imagine anything else that could cause a pounding headache like that. It felt like someone was hammering on my nerves with a steel hammer. I could hardly get out of bed because my vision was blurred and my eyes could not stand bright light.

I was experiencing chills that shook me despite the hot African weather with temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). I covered myself with two very thick quilts, but it was no good – an hour later I would feel so hot that I would begin to sweat profusely.

I got very dehydrated, my mouth was constantly dry and I remember drinking almost five litres of water a day. I would wake up countless times each night to drink more water. Every muscle in my body was aching.

Were you able to eat anything?

No. I would vomit just at the sight of food, and my mouth was so bitter that I couldn’t even taste anything I tried to eat. I vomited so much that I was left with nothing. This continued to an extent that I almost vomited bile. As a result of being sick so much, my esophagus became raw and painful.

You must have been afraid.

At that stage, I realized that I would not survive if I didn’t seek medical attention immediately. I summoned all my strength and managed to get myself to the nearest hospital where I was diagnosed with malaria and immediately admitted. I vaguely recall the nurse telling me she was going to give me an injection to relieve the pain. Then I was given Coartem, the malaria drug.

Three days later I was on the road to recovery, although I still couldn’t taste anything. My appetite was very bad. All I could keep down were fluids.

How long did it take you to make a full recovery?

When I was discharged from the hospital, I was still so weak that it took me another five days to gain my strength back.

Now that it’s all over, how do you feel?

Having malaria was the weakest point of my life. I was hopeless and out of control of my own body. Now that I have fully recovered and am strong again, I realize just how lucky I really am to be alive. I feel sorry for the people who are unable to afford to see a doctor when they have malaria. That’s why I’m so glad we provide treatment for sponsored children who become infected.