Summer Reading Package Received~ Perla in Mexico

A post from Susan H:
Perla from Mexico received her summer reading package!
What a delightful smile! She was so happy!

Special Needs Gift for Anthony

A post from Lisa:
I sent Anthony a SNG back in February and got the report today.

Anthony received:
Groceries
Cleaning Supplies
Toy Car
Ball

What were the Child/familys comments when the gifts were delivered?

Anthony and his mother were very happy to receive this donation. Mrs. Patate commented she is very grateful to the sponsor for all the support her son receives through the program. Little Anthony was very glad with the new ball; he will enjoy playing with it. Anthony and his mother sent the sponsor a big hug and all their gratitude and love.

How will the gifts benefit the child and/or family?
Thanks to the sponsor's generous contribution, little Anthony and his mother were provided with some groceries. It was something they really needed, because their economical situation is very hard. As Anthonys mother works doing laundry by hand, her income is very low, so they face a very difficult situation. However, thanks to the sponsors donation, they will enjoy a better and more balanced diet that will let them be strong and healthy.

His mom wrote:
Dear Sponsor,
Hello, it makes me happy to write to you again. Thank you for the groceres for our nutrition. My son is mischevious and affectionate. He likes to play soccer. He helps at home. Thank God, we have someone like you in our lives. You are kind and generous. Goodbye, warm hugs and kisses to you and your family.
Ana

Summer Reading Package Received~ Diego in Colombia

Diego makes me laugh. He has a hard time remember Jaden and Morgan's names, so he just guesses at the names and comes up with something like "Orga" and Jaden's name isn't even close. I have never told him that he isn't saying their names right, but this time in his letter he caught himself. Unfortunately, I think he forgot my name this time! LOL!!

Here is what he wrote:

Dear and appreciated sponsor,

I thank you so much for the gifts that you sent me. I received a table game, box of chocolate, dominoes, a soccer ball, a book, a hooded shirt, and a letter. Thanks. Happy New Year. I had a great time at the end of the year. My aunt and grandfather say hi to you and your precious daughters. Greetings to your family. I forgot to tell you that my aunt doesn't have the food recipe, but I will have one when I write my next letter. I am very proud of what you sent me. Thanks and say hello to your children Jaden and Morgan, now I remember their names.

Diego

Package to Brayan in Ecuador

A post from Lisa:

I got this report today from a direct package I sent Brayan in February for Easter.

His mom wrote:
Dear Lisa,
I greet you and I wish you were fine. Brayan is happy with all of the gifts you have sent to him. He is very happy with your package: a letter, four photos, crayons, a pencil, a box of colored pencils, two coloring books, and a stuffed toy. He is very happy with all his gifts. We are so sorry because you have lost your love one. I am happy because the date of his birthday is a special date for you. The pictures you sent him are very pretty as well as the dogs. Brayan likes them alot. The child thinks you are very pretty. You have pretty eyes. The baby is very pretty and your godchildren too. I say goodbye. Yanelis

Facebook Friends

Tamara wanted me to share this letter she received from CI with the group:

"Joy Ann has been enrolled in our program, but since you and Jhonalyn are friends on Facebook we are not able to assign Joy Ann to you, as it conflicts with our no direct contact policy. In order to protect the privacy and well being of our sponsored children and our sponsors, we have strict policies in place that do not allow direct, unsupervised communications between sponsored children and sponsors. This includes letters, phone calls, visits and any electronic social networking sites.

In addition to our internal policies, we follow the guidelines of InterAction, a coalition of over 150 U.S.-based non-profit organizations working to promote human dignity and development in more than 160 countries around the world.

InterAction’s child protection standards call for child sponsorship organizations to review all correspondence between sponsors and children for inappropriate material and to ensure that the children’s privacy is protec ted . We must supervise all phone calls, sponsor visits and any other type of contact between the children and their sponsors."

Final Hours of the Raffle!

If you haven't already done so, get yourself into this raffle for a nice Mother's Day gift! Not only is this purse beautiful, but you can add a special note to your mother that it was made by the hands of women living in poverty and trying to change their situation. Not only has your mother received a beautiful purse, but the women in Uganda received payment for this purchase!

A special raffle for Leydi to help her get the money she needs for her much needed bed! Right now she is sleeping on a thin mat on the floor. A bed would help her tremendously in staying healthy and getting the rest she needs. Plus, with her health condition, she sometimes finds herself sick at home. How cozy and comforting would it be for her to be able to be in a bed!!

I have purchased this hand woven banana fiber purse from the MIC group. It is up for raffle. $1 gets you 1 raffle ticket!! To get into the raffle, make your donation to her fundraiser here And, for those 7 people that donated before the raffle, you will all be entered into this raffle!! This raffle will go until 4/25 at 8:30 PM CST.

Jessica's Emergency Fundraiser Pictures!

Post by Lisa:
Here are the photos from the wheelchair fundraiser for Jessica and from the walker I provided. The left over money was used for ankle braces for Jessica that she needed in order to safely use the walker. They also used money for her to see a specialist and they had a doctor and therapist come with them when they went for the walker and wheelchair so they were assured they were getting the right size.

Fundraising Project #26 has launched!

A post from Dana:
Franklyn is my first ever sponsored child, and I have had him since early 2006, so nearly 4 years. He is a quiet, yet polite young man who has always been nothing but respectful and grateful for everything. I know that with the help of this fundraiser he will be able to make a life for himself and help his family as well, and he will.
To see more details of what this fundraiser will provide for Franklyn click here.

Summer Reading Package Received~ Paula

A post from Chrystal:

Letter:


Hello sponsor Chrystal


I am Paula, I want to thank you for the books, the dolls and the car for my brother and the stickers, I will put them on my and my siblings notebooks. What I liked the most was stickers, and I will put all my efforts at school, because soon school year will begin and summer recess will be over. Probably I will be attending another school. I hope you and your husband are having a great time. Good Bye


From you sponsored child who always remember you,


Paula

Mwanza's 2010 Picture

I was very excited to see an updated picture of Mwanza in my account today. Isn't he handsome?! He has really grown and looks much healthier than when he joined the CI program 2 years ago. I should be getting the report from his special needs donation soon. I can't wait to see and to tell all of you what is planned for him and his siblings! It is very exciting!

Leydi's Fundraiser & Raffle

Don't forget there is still time to get in on the raffle for a handwoven purse from Uganda! This purse has been woven piece by piece (and each tiny weave secured by thread!) from banana fibers. It is 6" by 7" and can be used as a clutch or worn over the shoulder! To get in on this raffle, make your donation here. $1 gets you 1 raffle ticket! Good luck!

20 Posts of Sale Items

I just finished the last posting of the sale items. To find all of the items on sale, scroll down until you get to 4/20/10- That date has 10 posts of items, and 4/17/10 which has another 10 posts of items. No one has ordered anything from the 4/20 posts, so there is quite a lot of new things to browse through! I am removing the items as they are purchase, so you will notice that the posts from 4/17 do not contain as many items as before. As stated before, most of the bracelets can be slipped into a letter, so they are perfect for a sponsor child! Thank you for helping these wonderful women!

Steve's Colombia Itinerary

Steve's Colombia Itinerary has not been posted! Happily, my two children Diego and Henry are meeting on different days. Unfortunately, I already mentioned that I sponsor them both in letters to both of the boys so that it wouldn't be a surprise. Now, I find out that I could have kept it a secret- It must have happened for a reason, I am sure. It will open up dialog between myself and both boys. I explained to Diego that I chose him because of my great experience with Henry. I told him that Henry had shown me how wonderful Colombian boys are, and that I wanted to therefore sponsor another child in Colombia (Diego).

It looks like both of my boys are going to be surrounded by beautiful girls! That should be fun for them :o) I am so anxious to see the live video of my boys that I think I could burst from excitement!!! Thank God for Steve!

Monday, April 26 – Diego, Isaura, Sonia and Karelys in Cartagena

Tuesday, April 27 – Yiseth, Henry and Evelyn in Cartagena

Wednesday, April 28 – Travel day

Thursday, April 29 – Nevis and Yulianis in Barranquilla

Friday, April 30 – Jhojaris, Brayan, Yuselfi, Keyner and Daniela in Barranquilla

Making a Change

“What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change.”
—James Orbinski
(1960-); Former President Of Doctors Without Borders

Thanks to several wonderful people, the Ugandan women receive another wire today!! The wire that was sent today was for $70 plus a $8.55 wire fee. Thank you for making a difference in their lives!! By the way, I did ask Innocent to take a picture of the group receiving their money. However, the camera that they had is ruined. He was borrowing a friend's camera, but that friend is no longer living in Kampala. Because of this, we will not have pictures for a while. A cheap camera in Kampala would cost $180!!! So, my thought is, if anyone has a digital camera that they no longer use but is in working condition, we could send that for them. Please let me know. I am willing to pay the shipping cost, as I think we would all love to see these women and the good that the group is doing!! If you have a camera to donate, please contact me at macandmic@gmail.com TIA!

And the Winner of the Box of Toys is...

Here is the breakdown for the toy raffle:

Victor = 1-50

Holly = 51-52

Molly = 53-63

Heather G = 63-64

Chrystal = 65-112

Bernie = 113-161

Winning number = 151 = Bernie!!! Thank you to all who helped this fundraiser finish! Kevin will be very happy, and so will his mother!

Don't forget that there is a raffle for a handwoven purse for Leydi's fundraiser. This would make a great mother's day gift!

*and, while you don't currently see all additional 10 posts of jewelry yet, I will be putting the up today. The posts will magically appear BEFORE this post, but you will be able to find all of the jewelry on sale by looking at the posts from 4/17 and 4/20. Have a great day every one!

MIC Items on Sale! Additional Post 10 of 10

The aprons in this post are all child size/small adult size, so there is an extra $1 discount to make them $4 each!
Because of the urgency of the needs in Uganda, these aprons are on sale! You can get one of the beautiful handmade aprons for only $4!!! Each one is unique, so it is first come first served. Send me an e-mail me at heatherlecount@yahoo.com telling me which necklaces, bracelets, beads and aprons you want. I will confirm that they are all still available. Then, I will give you a total price including shipping and send you an invoice. These would make great gifts!!

You now have 20 full posts of necklaces, bracelets, beads, and aprons (look back to the posts made on 4/17/10 to see the first 10 posts full of necklaces and bracelets). Feel free to not be specific. I can send you a mixture of several different bracelets and necklaces, if you don't have a preference. I still have several that I have not photographed, so I can send some of those to anyone who does not want anything specific.

MIC Items on Sale! Additional Post 9 of 10

This post is to tell you that you may, also, purchase hand made beads in bulk! If you are a crafty person and want to make your own jewelry, these beads will be sold in 20 piece sets. The cost for 20 loose beads is $2. Let me know if you have a color preference. If not, I will send a mixture. Not all colors are available, but I will let you know if it is.

Send me an e-mail me at heatherlecount@yahoo.com- I will confirm that your color choice is available. Then, I will give you a total price including shipping and send you an invoice. These would make great gifts!!

You now have 19 full posts of necklaces and bracelets (look back to the posts made on 4/17/10 to see the first 10 posts full of necklaces and bracelets). Feel free to not be specific. I can send you a mixture of several different bracelets and necklaces, if you don't have a preference. I still have several that I have not photographed, so I can send some of those to anyone who does not want anything specific.

MIC Items on Sale! Additional Post 8 of 10

butterfly bracelet #3 above

Because of the urgency of the needs in Uganda, these bracelets are on sale! You can get one of the beautiful handmade bracelets for only $2!!! Each one is unique, so it is first come first served. Send me an e-mail me at heatherlecount@yahoo.com telling me which bracelets you want. I will confirm that they are all still available. Then, I will give you a total price including shipping and send you an invoice. These would make great gifts!!

You now have 18 full posts of necklaces and bracelets (look back to the posts made on 4/17/10 to see the first 10 posts full of necklaces and bracelets). Feel free to not be specific. I can send you a mixture of several different bracelets and necklaces, if you don't have a preference. I still have several that I have not photographed, so I can send some of those to anyone who does not want anything specific.

MIC Items on Sale! Additional Post 7 of 10

child necklace # 30 above & child #31 below

child necklace #32 above and child #33 below

child necklace #34 above and child #35 below

child necklace #36 above and child #37 below

child necklace #38 above and child #39 below

The necklaces in this post are all child size, so there is an extra $1 discount to make them $5 each!
Because of the urgency of the needs in Uganda, these necklaces are on sale! You can get one of the beautiful handmade necklaces for only $5!!! Each one is unique, so it is first come first served. Send me an e-mail me at heatherlecount@yahoo.com telling me which necklaces you want. I will confirm that they are all still available. Then, I will give you a total price including shipping and send you an invoice. These would make great gifts!!

You now have 11 full posts of necklaces and bracelets (look back to the posts made on 4/17/10 to see the first 10 posts full of necklaces and bracelets). Feel free to not be specific. I can send you a mixture of several different bracelets and necklaces, if you don't have a preference. I still have several that I have not photographed, so I can send some of those to anyone who does not want anything specific.

MIC Items on Sale! Additional Post 6 of 10

child size necklace #20 above and child #21 below

child size necklace #22 above and child #23 below

child size necklace #24 above and child #25 below

child size necklace #26 above and child #27 below

child size necklace #28 above and child #29 below

The necklaces in this post are all child size, so there is an extra $1 discount to make them $5 each!
Because of the urgency of the needs in Uganda, these necklaces are on sale! You can get one of the beautiful handmade necklaces for only $5!!! Each one is unique, so it is first come first served. Send me an e-mail me at heatherlecount@yahoo.com telling me which necklaces you want. I will confirm that they are all still available. Then, I will give you a total price including shipping and send you an invoice. These would make great gifts!!

You now have 16 full posts of necklaces and bracelets (look back to the posts made on 4/17/10 to see the first 10 posts full of necklaces and bracelets). Feel free to not be specific. I can send you a mixture of several different bracelets and necklaces, if you don't have a preference. I still have several that I have not photographed, so I can send some of those to anyone who does not want anything specific.