A Letter from Jonathan

Sweet Jonathan sent me a letter and he drew some fruit on the back side. A big banana, apple and pear perfectly drawn to look exactly like the real thing. I am not sure how these Ecuadorian children are schooled, but they have perfect penmanship and are true artists. This has to be something taught at a very young age!

Anyway, here is what Jonathan said in his letter:

"Hi sponsor Heather,

I greet you together with your family especially to your daughters. I hope you are doing well and in good health. It is what I always pray to God for. I also tell you that my grandmother is doing well and she is selling the merchandise such as bed sheets and bed spreads. In a few days she will go buy other kinds of merchandise to sell. I also tell you that I am happy because I already started classes. I say goodbye with a big hug,

Jonathan"

Update on Kevin in Ecuador

Stranger things have happened, I guess. Remember the Summer Reading Packages? Well, I got an e-mail from CI about the package that arrived in Guayaquil. They were confused as to why there were so many children involved and they were not my children. I explained the situation, and everything was worked out. A week passed, and I got another e-mail from CI. It was about the 2 packages that I sent: 1 for Jonathan, and one for the child I share with Mack- Kevin. It turns out they read my letters and did not want to give them to the 2 boys because I wrote that there was a possibility that a friend would visit them when they were in Ecuador. So, my letters were rejected and tossed.

Well, I am guessing that they called Kevin and Jonathan to the center at the same time to retrieve their packages because both of their reports were updated on Thursday 4/15/10. My cover may be blown. I guess I will soon find out. Mack's double Guayaquil sponsorship secret is probably safe because I don't think she sent a package to her Katherine at the same time. Oh, well- My cover would be blown eventually anyway whenever someone pays them a visit (Mack is supposed to go next year and Steve is going at the end of this year). Maybe I can save up enough miles to go at the same time Mack does- I have my fingers crossed!

I am not sure where the family's income of $150 comes from since the father is deceased and mother is listed as a "homemaker". I wish these reports would contain that kind of information!

Here is Kevin's report:

Age: 9 Gender: M Date of Birth: 5/17/2000
Height: 4 Feet 1 Inches Weight: 69 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Black
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Mathematics
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing with friends
Chores at Home: Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $150.00
5. Name of Father: Roberto Age: Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
6. Name of Mother: Reina Age: 36 Occupation: Homemaker
(If not present, why?)
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name Jeremy Roberto Age 5 Gender M Name Julexi Age 14 Gender F
Name Roberto Age 1 Gender M
8. Child now living with: Mother

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: One multi-use room, One Bedroom
Cooking Facilities: Gas Stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Wooden beds
Home Construction: Walls Roof Corrugated metal Floor Wood
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source/Storage: Running water in home
Electricity: Non-regulated usage
Sanitary Facility: Septic tank

Update on Jonathan in Ecuador Part 2

Jonathan's report was updated on 4/15/10. It appears that his grandmother is still earning a nice income with their bedding IGP. The income is at $180, which is 3 times what their income was this time last year. I am so happy for them, and I know they are enjoying the benefits of not having to live from pay check to pay check.

Here is the update:

Age: 11 Gender: M Date of Birth: 1/20/1999
Height: 4 Feet 2 Inches Weight: 61 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Black
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Art, Mathematics
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing soccer
Chores at Home: Sweeping, Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Singing, Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $180.00
5. Name of Father: Jonathan Age: Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
6. Name of Mother: Cacilda Age: Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
7. Brothers and Sisters:

8. Child now living with: Relatives

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: Two multi-use rooms
Cooking Facilities: Portable gas stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Metal beds
Home Construction: Walls Roof Corrugated metal Floor Concrete
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source/Storage: Running water in home
Electricity:
Sanitary Facility: Latrine

Update on Jonathan in Ecuador

Jonathan is now 11 years old. You may remember he recently received an IGP from the MAC fundraisers. The field updated his photo at the same time. Strange thing happened after that. I noticed that his family income skyrocketed!! However, nothing else on his report had changed, and it was still dated 5/26/2009. I checked with CI to find out what was going on. It turns out that it is not time for his report to be updated, but they did want to report the positive effects of the IGP. He went from $60 a month to $180 a month!! Wow!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for helping Jonathan and his grandmother boost their income! Part of the funds will be used on transportation to and from the medical appointments he must go to that are far from where he lives. I know this is a big help for his grandmother.

Jonathan's IGP Thank You

Check out all of the bedding items our money bought!! And you will never believe this, but I will tell you anyway... Jonathan was so happy that he used 2 pages to write his letter!!! He even drew 2 pictures :o)

Here is the list of items purchased for his grandmother to sell :

9 twin size bed sheet sets

9 full size bed sheet sets

9 queen size bed sheet sets

2 twin size bedspreads

2 full size bedspreads

2 queen size bedspreads

Notes from the follow up report:

The child and family were very happy, as with this business they will have the extra income will be helpful for the entire family.

The child's family will be able to start a business. This will allow them to have funds to cover their expenses.

Here is Jonathan's letter:

Hi, sponsor,

I attentively greet you wishing you are healthy. I am doing fine. Thank you for all of the gifts which are: (list of items purchased). Everything you provided will be very helpful at home. My grandma and my aunt now will get more money for our food and other needs we have. With this we will also cover the cost of transportation to the specialist as I have to go there every two months. Again I hope you are healthy. Your baby looks so cute in the photo. I am on vacation from classes and I already took a short trip. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a wonderful sponsor! I say goodbye with a strong hug, Jonathan

*Special note: I am without an online connection this weekend. We are out of town. I am currently in a restaurant using their "free" wi-fi. However, I will soon be heading back to great-grandma's house, and won't even have access to the car again until tomorrow. SO, please be patient. I will be able to answer e-mails from my phone, but it takes longer. I will not be able to access web-sites, so I am pretty limited. I can't wait to be back home! Oh, and Mack should be doing the raffle today, so I will update everyone on the winner as soon as I know. I may have to have Mack hack into the blog to make her own post :o)

A Letter from Jonathan in Ecuador

Hi, Mrs McLaughlin,

I great you from a distance. I hope you are doing well together with all of your loved ones. This letter is to thank you for your kindness in sending me the stickers. I am going to stick them on my work folders in order to show them to my classmates. I congratulate you for your beautiful family that I can see in the card that you sent me. I also wish you a happy year and may God fill you with joy and blessings. I deeply thank you for being a wonderful sponsor. I say goodbye with a big hug.

Jonathan

Heads Up!

Don't get discouraged! I know the raffles started off slow, then they hit a high point, and now are back to being slow... But, do not get discouraged. Remember what we have already accomplished in the span of just 10 days!!

Maila's fundraiser received all of the funds her family needed to purchase the furniture, including a table where she can do her homework! (I can't wait to see those pictures!!)

Jonathan's fundraiser received all of the funds his grandmother needs to get her business started. I have yet to see his grandmother smile, so I am hoping these pictures will include her with a big grin on her face!

Gema's fundraiser is really close to completion now. Only a little over $100 to go!!

Araceli's house fundraiser is almost halfway completed, and Mwanza's house fund came closer than it has ever been to looking like the just might get a home! Two homes for Christmas would be terrific!!!

I know everyone is feeling a little tapped out right now. Maybe next year's raffles, since we know they are coming up, will be more enjoyable. (where we can enjoy them all the way to the end).

Now, that being said, tomorrow is Friday, so I'm hoping it will bring more funds to the projects for pay day~ There are only 2 days of Christmas left!

Now, for those of you who thought the fundraisers and raffles weren't doing very much or were not so successful, here is the 10 day update:

The 12 days of Christmas raffle-thon at the 10 day mark has brought in a total of $2,282!! That is $228.20 per day!!! Are you kidding me?!?!?! Talk about awesome!

Here is the actual break down day by day of the 10 raffles so far:

Day 1= $19
Day 2= $40
Day 3= $411
Day 4= $64
Day 5= $113
Day 6= $28
Day 7= $1170
Day 8= $75
Day 9= $317
Day 10= $15

10 day total: $2,282

Ok, I know I always say this, but what more can I say: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!

And the Winner for Day 5 is...

Wow! Amazing turn out for this raffle. Thank you to all who participated & contributed a total of $97 today!!! Jonathan's fundraiser is only a few dollars short, so let's just call it complete :0)

Now, as you can see by the video, the winner is Bernie! Yay!

Check back in the morning for the next Portuguese style raffle!

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

my sponsor gave to me... 5 Comforter sets!

This raffle fundraiser is for Jonathan and his grandmother. It is VERY close to completion! With the money, Ms. Lidia (grandmother) will purchase several bedding items to sell as a street vendor. She will use some of the income to purchase other items to sell, and can therefore, keep the business going. This will provide the household will a steady stream of income which they so desperately need.

Remember, $1 is 1 raffle ticket, so the more you donate, the more chances you have to win! Here is the link to donate to today: Help Ms. Lidia

The item up for raffle today is one of the camera's pictured above. It is the black one you will win, should your name be drawn. Here are the details of this prize:

Warranty: 1 Year Digital Blue
Features:
 Easy to use: One-touch record with instant playback
 Flip-out 1.5” color TFT LCD screen
 Expandable to 2GB via SD card slot
 VGA video resolution
 1.3MP snapshot resolution
 64 MB memory on board
 Expandable to 2GB with SD card (not included)
 Magic Director storyboard scene mode with audio instruction
 TV output
 Built in microphone
 4x digital zoom
 Uses (2) AA batteries (not included)
System Requirements:
 USB port
 700MB free hard disk space
 Windows 2000 or XP, CPU: 800 Mhz or faster processor
 Vista: 800 MHz or faster processor
 128 MB RAM

I will draw and announce the winner tonight at 8:30PM CST, so make sure you get in your donations early! Good luck!

And the winner for Day 1 is...

The raffle tickets (above)

Katja Simon! Yay!! Katja, I do not have your info, so please e-mail it to me. I need your address to ship this gift out to you. Thanks!

And, a BIG thank you to all of you who participated yesterday! Jonathan's fundraiser received an extra $19!! Thank you so much!

Jonathan's Fundraising Raffle

On the first day of Christmas my sponsor gave to me...

One IGP!

Let me tell you a little more about dear Jonathan. He will soon turn 10 in January. He loves school and taking long walks with his grandmother.

Jonathan's aunt seems to be the one providing Jonathan and his grandmother with the things they need. She lives in a different house close by and give them approximately $60 a month to pay for food and other things.

Jonathan's grandmother had to stop working because of a health condition. The health condition is not serious, but it restricts her from doing the only thing she knows, which is sewing.

When CI approached Ms. Lidia (Jonathan's grandmother) she at first wasn't really sure what she could do for work. The CI staff worked with her a little and came up with the idea of a business selling bed items. She will sell the items to family, friends, and neighbors. Then, she will reinvest some of the income back into the business to buy other items that she believes she will be able to sell at mark up.

It is not too late to help Jonathan and Ms. Lidia~ only $123 more needed to start Ms. Lidia up with a business for the new year! Thank you everyone for your continued support!

http://www.firstgiving.com/igp4jonathan

World AIDS Day- The 1st Day of Christmas

December 1st- Raffle for World AIDS day! Starting now, you can join in on the first raffle! The raffle will benefit Jonathan who was orphaned by the world-famous serial killer known as AIDS. We have all heard of HIV & AIDS, but the statistics may astound you. I saw this piece that was put together by World Vision last year, and it makes my heart stop beating every time I see it. It reminds me that while we talk of the HIV/AIDS crisis, we don't really KNOW what it's like until we have been in their shoes... The mothers and fathers who are dying, the children who are watching their parents (who are supposed to care for them, by the way) wither away. I know it's hard to hear, but imagine how hard it is to LIVE. We are just talking about it, and they are living it every painful day. So, please pay attention to these few words that come in the intro of the program:

AIDS the largest humanitarian crisis ever

3 million people die every year

250,000 people die every month

brothers, uncles, fathers

57,533 people die every week

sisters, aunts, mothers

8,219 people die every day

AIDS

5 people die every MINUTE!!!

but no statistic can help you understand the suffering

of those who are dying with AIDS

and those who are left behind.

Now, if you think you are strong enough to watch these short clips, they will inspire you to make a difference in these children's lives:

One Life

Hidden Faces of AIDS

Now, I want you to know that you can make a difference. All of the money earned between 11/30 beginning at 6:30 PM CST and ending 12/1 at 11:59 PM CST that is donated to Jonathan's fundraiser will go to help children orphaned by AIDS. Once Jonathan's fundraiser is completed, the excess funds will go to other children orphaned by AIDS who are in the Children International program. I hope we can make a big difference in their lives and wipe out all of their bad memories of what the virus has taken away from them!

To enter the raffle, make a donation here. For every $1 you give, you will receive 1 raffle ticket. Make sure to leave your e-mail address in the comments section of the donation page, so that you can be contacted if you win. Today's prize is a 6 piece ceramic mug set and 2 bags of flavored coffee. All items are brand new, and ship out in time for Christmas gift-giving.

Description of prize:

Cities around the world stacking mugs set of six 10 oz mugs in chrome holder

Boca Java Hightide Hazelnut 8 oz ground coffee (smooth and creamy toasted hazelnut. A subtle hint of nutty flavor and a nice finish. This coffee will help you sail through the day.)

Boca Java Tropical Kiss 8 oz ground coffee (Chocolate coffee with a smooch of coconut, coupled with sweet chocolate and tropical coconut. Cupid is sure to take aim at the coffee lover in you!)

There are more great gifts to come... Tomorrow's gift ships directly from Portugal! So, stay tuned!

Jonathan's Package Pictures & Updates for MAC!

These are the pictures that I didn't include in Jonathan's post last week. I got them scanned when I scanned the last batch of items yesterday. As you can see, he got the same things that Mwanza did in his school package. I especially like the top picture that shows him using the US Maps book. So sweet!

Now, for the updates about Make a Change... I want to thank all of you who have followed this blog, shown support to the children, helped fund the projects that we have done so far for over 15 children and their families, and CONTINUE to do so!!! You all are amazing!!! This group has evolved and grown because of your support, so thank you!!!

We have some great things planned for the near future, some are under wraps for now but will be released at the appropriate time (I promise!). Without going into all of the details, I just want to give you fair warning... You will want to be here for the November 30th post, and for all the posts that happen at the beginning of December. It will be fun, and will help us kick off the Christmas holiday.

Now, I have a question for all of you. If you are reading this post, then you are probably a regular contributor to this group. I want to get your feedback. Here are my questions for you:

1. Do you have a wish list for Christmas? If so, what is on your wish list?

2. What are some of your favorite things you have ever gotten for Christmas?

3. What are you planning to give others for Christmas this year?

In answering these three questions, please keep your answers to gifts that are $25 or under. This will be a big help on the surprise Christmas project that I will announce at the end of this month.

Thank you for your help!

A Rainbow of Colors

I have some more GREAT jewelry for anyone who would like to help complete Jonathan's Fundraiser & help out Steve! Jonathan's fundraiser only needs $150, and Steve's fundraiser could use $150+.

I just finished making some bracelets for Steve, and the above bracelets were two of them. Each bracelet is unique, but they all have two things in common- They have all 6 rainbow colors and sterling silver spacers in between. These type bracelets, also, look great with sterling silver & one or two solid colors alternating. For example, you might choose the 3 colors in the child's country's flag.

To help Steve further & finish out Jonathan's fundraiser, here is how you can get some of these bracelets:

1 bracelet= $3 ($1.50 to Maila & $1.50 to Jonathan)
2 bracelets= $5 ($2.50 to Maila & $2.50 to Jonathan)
5 bracelets= $10 ($5 to Maila & $5 to Jonathan)
20 bracelets= $35 ($17.50 to Maila & $17.50 to Jonathan)

These prices include shipping to anywhere in the US! To order, you just need to make a payment (half of the payment should be donated to Jonathan's fundraiser & the other half to Maila's fundraiser) After you make both payments, send me an e-mail with your address and how many bracelets you would like to order. I, also, need to know the sizes you want:

small- fits age 3 to 10
medium- fits age 11 to 15
large- fits 16 to adult

These will make great Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, and EVEN fit in to a letter to your sponsor child!!

http://www.firstgiving.com/igp4jonathan

http://www.firstgiving.com/householditems4maila

Jonathan's Letter & Fundraiser Update

I received a letter from Jonathan that went along with the questionaire that he filled out. This is what he said:

Hi, Heather!
I am writing this letter to answer your letter. I enjoy so much all of the things you send me. The beautiful phrases make me so happy. When I read your words they are very nice. I answered your questions, and I loved doing it. I even drew some pictures for you. I also tell you I am in good health.
I thank you very deeply for being a wonderful sponsor! I say good-bye with a big hug!
Jonathan

Now here is the fundraiser update:
Steve sent a donation of $25 yesterday. He never requested any bracelets, and after all he has done for all of us (visiting, photographing, videotaping, and giving gifts to our kids)... I just HAD to offer my bracelet services!! For any one who knows Steve, you know I am going to be busy making bracelets for awhile!!! He has 25 sponsor kids! Of course, that is the least I could do!

His donation brought the fundraiser to $334. Now, I have more great news...
Tomorrow, Alice will be purchasing some fundraiser items (8 bracelets and 25 calendars!!!) She will be making a donation to Jonathan's fundraiser for that of $54! That will bring his fundraiser to $388!!!

I am really in shock! That means that he only needs $153 to complete his fundraiser! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! He is going to have a GREAT Christmas!

http://www.firstgiving.com/igp4jonathan

Jonathan's Questionaire

I have sent a questionaire to each one of my sponsor kids. I just recently realized that I had never sent the questionaires out to the children I took over a year ago, so I jsut sent them out about a month or two ago.

This is where I got the questions from: Book of Memories

I only ever sent 4 of the pages. These are the pages I send:

Sobre mi mismo

En mi tiempo libre me gusta...

No me olvide de cuando...

Mis actividades escolares

Now, here are the answers that Jonathan gave:

Height: about 3 feet 8 inches

Weight: 60 pounds

Eye color: black

Hair color: black

His favorites:

Book: Sport magazines

Movie: Chucky

Subject: Math

Color: Yellow

Music: Reggaeton

TV Show: Sports

Food: Rice with tuna

Famous person: Ronaldhino, the soccer player

Sport: Soccer

Animal: Dog

Hobby: Playing soccer

(ok, I think I get that he likes SOCCER! LOL!)

*In my free time I like to... Play soccer, read and play marbles.

*My goal for the future is to... continue studying to become a great policeman.

*I will never forget when... I went on vacation with my aunt and cousins to the beach. We sailed in a boat to see the dolphins. It was really beautiful.

*A funny moment: My friend was playing soccer and he kicked the ball so hard his shoe flew onto the roof and his pants ripped!

*A special memory: When I lived with my parents. They spoiled me so much. Now they aren't with me anymore, but they are with God. I miss them a lot.

*My school activities: First thing when we get to school, we stand in line. After that, we go into the classroom. We write the things the teacher writes on the blackboard.

*My activities after class: When I get home I do my homework that the teacher has given me. I, also, study the multiplication table and division for the next day.

***special note, to get a similar questionaire for your English-speaking kids, check out this All About Me mini-book. I only send 4 pages from that one as well.

Something I Forgot to Mention

Tiffany brought up a great question. I do have lollipops that can be purchased for the Ugandan children as well. These are the jumbo round gourmet pops. Some of the flavors offered include:

Cherry Snow
Caramel Apple
Strawberry Shortcake
Blue Rasberry
Banana Split
Wild Cherry
Watermelon Slice
Cherry Cheesecake
Bubble Gum
Buttered Toffee
Root Beer
Rasberry Lemonade
Red Rasberry
Blueberry
Cotton Candy

If you would like to include a lollipop for your Ugandan child, they are 50 cents a piece. Don't forget to include your child's name with your order and flavor preference if any (quantities of each flavor are limited, so please choose first, second, and third choice for flavors).

To order, you can do the same as I stated in the post right before this one. You can donate to Jonathan's fundraiser or send a payment through Paypal (hhamilton2002@hoptmail.com). Then, send me an e-mail to that same address with your order information (or if you pay through Paypal, leave a note on the Paypal comment section). I have finished making the necklaces and bracelets, so the only things left are these items that anyone might want to add (calendars and lollipops).

Thanks!

Another Small Fundraiser for Jonathan

I am really pushing to get Jonathan's fundraiser complete by the end of November, so that he and his grandmother will have a Christmas surprise. I am working on a few more necklaces and bracelets, to get this package out to the children in Uganda. It is looking like the package will be a lot bigger than I imagined. I can't wait to show everyone how much will be headed to Uganda!!! It is quite exciting!! All of the children will be elated, I am sure!

Now, here is one more thing I came up with to help Jonathan's fundraiser. The cute mini calendar above can hook on to a belt loop, backpack, zipper chain, or practically anything. I chose these 4 designs: M&M's, Puppies, Butterflies, and Tin Toys. These are calendars for the new year-2010. Every month has a new exciting picture, and will be treasured dearly by boys and girls alike.

The other great thing is that these calendars come wrapped in clear plastic, so I am able to write the children's names with a permanent marker on the outside of each one. I can include these adorable calendars in the Uganda package for no extra shipping cost to you!!

If you would like one of these calendars included for your child/children in CUS, all you have to do is make a $2 donation for each calendar to Jonathan's fundraiser:
http://www.firstgiving.com/igp4jonathan
or to my paypal account (hhamilton2002@hotmail.com)

Then, just shoot me an e-mail with the full name of the child you are buying for and which calendar you want to give them.

In the meantime, I will be finishing up these bracelet and necklace orders :0)

Thank you for all you do!!! Jonathan and all 50+ children at the school in Uganda are going to be very happy with their gifts!!!

Package for Jonathan

I missed out on scanning Jonathan's pictures, so you will just have to use your imagination for now. I sent him a small package in a flat rate envelope. It contained a blank notebook, coloring book, box of Crayola markers, box of Crayola colored pencils, pencil sharpener, and a Spiderman beach ball. This was the thank you letter he wrote:

Hi, Heather McLaughlin!

My grandmother and I say hello. We are doing well. I have good grades in school. (Then, he goes on to list the contents of the package he received) They are nice, and I am very happy because I will use them all. I like reading too. I say goodbye with a big hug,

Jonathan

How are we measuring up?

We are doing so terrifically on these fundraisers!!! If you haven't had a chance to pat yourselves on the back, go ahead and take the time to do that now :0) This is how it stacks up for the current 3 fundraisers:

Maria and Ullysette's fundraiser target is $535. In only one month's time, $190 has been raised for this project!!! That is incredible! Only $345 to go!

http://www.firstgiving.com/betterlatethannever

Jonathan's fundraiser target is $541. In two month's time $243.10 has been raised! Only $297.90 to go!

http://www.firstgiving.com/igp4jonathan

Gema & Crystal's fundraiser target is $391, & $151 has already been raised! That leaves only $240 to go!

http://www.firstgiving.com/icecreamigp

Remember that you can help these fundraiser by purchasing magazines/cookie dough with the magazine fundraiser link on the right. Or, how about purchasing the Christmas cards for your sponsor kids through the card link on the right. Both of these links provide income to our fundraiser. We didn't sell any magazines or cookie dough last month, but Christmas is coming, so now is the time for these great products!

You don't have to buy the items to help the fundraisers, there is another way to help. You can do as Alice did, and just spread the word! She was able to generate sales, and then, able to tell me how she wanted the revenue disbursed. Go to the link, and from there, you can send an e-mail directly to anyone on your contact list.

Any revenue you generate, you can decide where you want the money to go. So, the more people you tell, the more opportunities for money going to your fundraiser!