Mercy in Zambia

Hey, everybody!
I want to thank all of you who have contributed to buy beds for my little girl, Mercy, in Zambia. Her fundraiser has now moved from FirstGiving to Aura's House, and it is almost complete (only $80 left to go!). I won't ask for any more donations right now because it is not a Thursday, lol
I just got back photos from the Direct Package that I sent to Mercy around Christmas time. I want to share this sweet excerpt from the letter her mother wrote in response:
"Mercy is all smiles today because of the beautiful parcel she has received from you. She has promised to use them properly. She is so much in love with everything you have sent her. You have really changed my daughter's life for the better."
It makes me feel so good to hear things like this, and to know that I am making life a little happier for one child halfway across the world! I enjoy seeing Mercy's smile so much that I don't even care if she wants to use the things I sent her "improperly".
Mack
PS: The red shark that Mercy is hugging in one picture - I won it for her playing that game where you grab things with a mechanical claw. The same day, I also grabbed two stuffed hippos for Paola in Mexico to remind her of our trip to the zoo. I'm quite proud of my animal-snatching skills (but I won't mention how many game tokens I used up in the process!)

Easter Gifts for CI Children Announced

Here is the list of gifts for 2011- It looks like al but one of my children are receiving shoes:

Chile, All Children: A new pair of black shoes.

Barranquilla, All children: A stylish new pair of tennis shoes.
Cartagena, All children: A new pair of tennis shoes.
Quito, All children: New shoes for school.
Guayaquil, Children 2-10: A pair of black leather shoes and three pairs of socks.
Guayaquil, Children 11+: A new pair of black leather shoes.
Dominican Republic, All girls: A new blouse.
Dominican Republic, All boys: A collared shirt.
Guatemala, All children: A new pair of school shoes.
San Pedro Sula, All children: A backpack, shirt, toothbrush and toothpaste.
Jalisco, All children: A new backpack.
Manila, All children: Select a pair of shoes from a variety of styles.
Quezon City, All children: Choice of shoes, new socks and an umbrella.
Tabaco, All children: Select a pair of shoes from a variety of styles.
Legazpi, All children: Select a pair of shoes from a variety of styles.
India, All children: Two pairs of sandals or a pair of school shoes and socks.
United States, All children: Age-appropriate books, totaling $50 per child, thanks to a matching gift from Scholastic Book Fairs.
Lusaka, All children: A pair of athletic shoes.

Kevin Bryan Christmas 2010

Here is Kevin's new photo =)  This is the child I share with Mack.  We got an updated photo not too long ago and now we just got another... But, I'm not going to complain ;)

Dayana P - Colombia

This is 7 year old Dayana from Colombia. Her most recent letter reads:

"Dear and appreciated Ms. S,
I greet you in union of your whole family, I thank you so much for
the letter. Thank God you’ll graduate from your career. That’s the
goal I want to reach when I finish my studies. I am going to start a
career and be a great lawyer. I’ll try to find you so you can help me
with my homework. I am so happy because you’re moving, please send
pictures of your new house. Thank you so much for everything you send,
that’s all I had to say, Dayana."

I guess I’ll need to learn Spanish so I can help Dayana with her law
school homework in 10-ish years ... my very own protégé :) . I'm
flattered :) .

Anthony I - Ecuador

This stern-looking young man is Anthony, a 4 year old from Ecuador.
I’ve been sponsoring him for almost a year and a half. His most recent
letter, written by his mother, reads:

"Dear Ms. Sara,
Hello, it makes me happy to greet you. My son is in good health and
so is the rest of the family. He will finish pre-kinder soon. He is
playful and mischievous. It makes me happy to know he is an active
boy. Children go to school at the age of 6. When I read your letter to
my son, he got very happy and he said that he wanted to have a teacher
like your mother. He asked me what law was and then he said that he
wanted to be a lawyer. I wish you a happy graduation and that all your
wishes see light. We love you very much. Hugs and kisses from the
distance."

Mack's 2010 Trip #2.1 – Nicty Meets a Friendly Ghost

Post by Mack:

Gladys, of Children International Guatemala, arrived at our hostel promptly at the agreed-upon hour of 9am. I was ALMOST ready to leave, but not quite, as I was stressing out over rubbing my sunscreen in properly.

I had a little incident earlier this year with skin cancer on my face, so I wanted to be extra cautious while basking in the Central American sunshine. A friend sent me a link to the Environmental Working Group's 2010 sunscreen guide (http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen), and I'd invested a couple hours prior to my trip on researching and determining the best skin protection I could afford. I ordered some all-natural (and vegan!) cream, but upon application found myself looking like a zombie extra from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. Already pale to begin with, I was afraid that my death-like complexion would terrify poor Nicty!

As I struggled with my sunscreen (entirely unaware that it was going to rain most of the day, anyhow), Sam kindly helped to load my many bags of gifts into the CI van. A few minutes later, we were off to the local community center to meet Nicty!

First, a little bit about "my" sponsored child, Nicty, for those who don't know her:

She is 5 years old – about to turn 6 in October. She is technically my father's sponsored child … he pays the fees, but I make sure that he writes to her regularly and I handle the mailing of letters and packages.

On the other end, Nicty's big sis, Heidy (age 12), does the same thing. She writes letters to my father on her young sister's behalf. I was looking forward to meeting Heidy, as I consider her my colleague in Correspondence Assistance. I also wanted to inquire about the correct spelling of our little girl's name, as CI calls her "Nicty", but Heidy always writes "Nicti" … but, umm, I forgot to ask. However, I've decided to use "Nicty", because when I came home yesterday, I found a letter from Heidy waiting for me … she used both "Nicti" and "Nicty" this time around, so I guess the name can go either way?

Now, that the Nicti/Nicty debacle has been addressed, on with the story …

We soon arrived at the community center to be immediately greeted by the vivacious Nicty. She is a very animated and outgoing little girl, and there were no shyness issues as she hurled herself first into my arms, then into Sam's. We met the rest of the family: Nicty's mother, Heidy, and Brian, the 18 month old brother. While the others waited downstairs, Nicty tagged along during our tour of the community center (videos to one day appear on LiftOne).

Before we piled into the van, I first wanted to show Nicty a short video I had taken of my father and his dog at the park, so she could understand who her REAL sponsor is. Because there is no sound during playback on my camera, I had memorized a Spanish script so I could narrate along with the movie. When I came to the part about the dog liking to chase rabbits in the park, I got flustered and stumbled on the word "conejos" (rabbits). Instead, I said a more familiar word that flowed off my tongue a bit more naturally – "cojones". Yep, you all know what THAT means! Gladys was quick to correct my verbal slip-up before the family became too confused!

The "plan" was to take Nicty's family shopping, meet up with some other sponsored kids for lunch, then return to visit Nicty's home at the end of the day. After some further inquiry, I determined that we'd be better off going to the house first, to drop off the gifts I'd brought before loading up the van with even MORE purchases. Gladys was dubious about the change in agenda ("Just how much are you planning to buy???"), but left the decision up to me. It turned out to be for the best that we go to Nicty's home first, because:

1. 1. We could have NEVER packed everyone into that van along with all of the gifts/purchases.

2. 2. Since Nicty's family was dropped off first at the end of the day, the other kids would have had to wait for a long time in the van while I was showed around the home.

3. 3. Nicty was overdressed in a hot sweat suit, and the trip to her home provided an opportunity for everybody to change clothes.

to be continued...

Christmas Packages

Many of you have been anxiously awaiting the announcement of the Christmas Package Fundraiser. For those who have no idea what this is, I will explain in a minute. For those of you who participated in the Summer Reading Packages at the beginning of the year, pay attention to the changes. Here is the program for Christmas:

The object of the Christmas packages is not just to provide our children with nice gifts for Christmas and ship them at a group rate... It is, also, a fundraiser. 100% of the money goes directly to our MAC fundraisers!! This should get several fundraisers completed in record time and provide families with special needs gifts.

I will be posting pictures of the items that are for sale, and I will be posting them grouped together by type- one post with choices of books, one post with choices of bracelets, one post with choices of toys, etc... The posts will start tonight!!!

Now, here are the changes: To order these items, you will send an e-mail to Heather G and Holly G at hgriffins85@yahoo.com. They will keep track of which items are available and let you know if all of the items yo requested are available. Once you have your merchandise total based on availability of the items, they will let you know which fundraiser to donate to. It will always be the current fundraiser, but since there are two, they will be having one person donate to one fundraiser while the next person donates to the other fundraiser. This way it will be an even distribution. As one fundraiser completes, we will launch the next in line to donate to and so on.

Now, for the shipping. Once all of the orders are received for one country, I will weigh each person's items. Based on the total weight, I will divide the cost of shipping according to the weight of each person's group of items. Heather and Holly will let every one know what their shipping total is, and they will give you a paypal address to send payment to. Once everyone has paid their share of the shipping, the package will be shipped. We would like to only take a few days for each country, so this will move rather quickly. You will be told what country we are doing and the due date for orders as soon as the fundraiser starts (later tonight).

Now, for those of you who sponsor with CHILDHOPE Zambia, you will get a chance to order as well. However, those donations will go toward the food and medical account to purchase mosquito nets and food at distribution.

For those of you who sponsor with CI in Zambia and Manila, Philippines, those centers will not be getting a package. Since they still have not confirmed receipt of the packages that were sent earlier this year, I do not want to send an additional package for it to get lost too! Sorry :o(

Ok, stay tuned for pictures of the items for sale! Let's get this party started!!

Question Regarding MIC & MAC posts

I received a question that I know many of you probably are wondering, too. The question is: "Why so many MIC posts & where are the MAC posts?"

The answer is quite simple:

1. I currently have no MAC posts to share (if you would like to send me your child's letters & photos & responses to direct packages or SNG, feel free to e-mail them to me).

2. Soon we will have a massive amount of posts about the MAC group because we will all soon be getting the responses to the Summer Reading packages that were sent- 73 children will be sending pictures and letters from that alone. Plus, we will have the pictures and thank yous from many of our completed fundraisers soon.

This is the perfect time to deal with these MIC items because of this lull. Since I can only list 30 items in the MAC web store, it is perfect that we are not currently selling items for direct packages. I have posted the MIC items for sale there (since the MIC web site only allows me to post 5 items in the store).

I have NOT abandoned CI, are you kidding me!? Do you know about my strong bond with my children in the CI program? I couldn't abandon them!

Steve will be visiting two of my CI children in April (as long as it can be arranged for them to be at the center). If Steve is visiting any of your children in Colombia, and you would like to send them a necklace, an apron, or a doll, let me know. These are all small items that he can fit in easily into his bag. I am sending him necklaces for his girls there, and I can include anyone else's items if you want.

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

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.