Meet Lilian!

This is Lilian.  A friend told me about an organization that allows sponsors to write letters to the children for support, while someone else chooses to send the monetary donations.  This is perfect for me since my family is at poverty level in annual income.  I can not make sponsorship donations.  However, it is so easy to send a letter, and the children really appreciate it!

I have been writing to Lilian for almost a year now.  Her information was just updated.  Here is her updated information:

Birthdate:	8/5/1999
Information last updated:	11/1/2011
Schooling
US School Grade Equivalent:	6
School Performance:	Average
Child is attending school
Family Duties
Washing clothes Gardening/Farming Running errands Cleaning Carries water Child care Gathers firewood
Hobbies and Sport
Group games Hide-and-Seek Running Reading Jump rope Singing Other ball games
Guardians
Grandmother
Natural Parents
Marital status of parents:	Now married
Natural parents are together Father is alive Father is supporting child Mother is alive Mother is supporting child
Employment
No Father or Male Guardian Mother/Female Guardian is at times employed Mother/Female Guardian is a farmer

She writes very sweet letters, and I send her a letter from myself every 2 to 4 weeks.  It has been a very fulfilling relatioship.  I have since added 2 more children to my account and write to them regularly as well.  I don't even pay for stamps because I write the letters via their web-site!!

Vanesa

 Vanesa is the child most directly in front of the camera

Vanesa is the girl in bright pink-above is the picture of my original 12 children in CUS in 2009

For those of you who have not been following what has been happening with CUS, they have a new sponsorship program.  I know many are unhappy with how things were done before, so this is a sweet relief for those who still want to support the children. 

These are the same children whose mothers are a part of the bead making and doll making cooperative Miracles in Caring.  That cooperative is growing as far as profits.  Profits have doubled this year compared to last year.  We are hopeful that having the dolls available for sale for our CHZ program will bring the women regular pay they can count on every month. 

Originally, 2 years ago, I was sponsoring 12 children in the CUS program. However, due to the strange happenings with the coordination, I couldn't keep throwing my money into what seemed to be a hole to nowhere.  Now Maureen is running the show, so I went with the first two I had started sponsoring first back in 2009.  Vanesa is the girl that  had chosen because Jaden wanted her for a penpal.  Vanesa is back in our "family" now that I know the money will get to where it needs to go.  (I will let you know who the second child is tomorrow)

Waird

Here is the second child I took on from Tiffany's group.  Tiffany was able to get a photo of Waird holding my letter and stickers, too.  What a cutie!  I can't wait to get the letters that Waird and Jenina write to me! 

Jenina

 Jenina has the orange top on

I know I am a little behind the times when it comes to grass-roots sponsorship programs.  Tiffany has been doing this program in Uganda for awhile.  I have only just in the past two weeks picked up two children from her program.  Jenina is one those children.  I sent her a letter and stickers right after I signed up as her penpal.  Tiffany took a picture of her with her letter and stickers and I got to see it today.  Jenina looks so haunted.  I will need to get a few minutes to put a small package together for her. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the MIC Group!

In regular retail fashion, we are celebrating Black Friday with a discount! From now until November 30, 2010 at 11:00PM CST, you can get beautiful items like the dolls (above), necklaces, bracelets, and purses for 20 % off everything! The coupon code to get this great deal is THANKYOU When you check out, you will enter that code in the "shop coupon code" field and then click on "apply". 20% will be taken off of your merchandise total. As always, 100% of the profits go to the women's cooperative Miracles in Caring in Uganda. Here is our shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/makeachange?ref=seller_info

Miracles in Caring Update

Check out these cool necklaces!! The pictures do not do them justice at all, but believe me- There necklaces are gorgeous!!

The MIC group has still been making sells, though we had a dry month or so of no sales. For whatever reason, we had a boom of necklaces sell 2 weeks ago. Most of the necklaces that people are wanting to buy are the long (approximately 60" average in length) multi-colored necklaces. These necklaces can be doubled and tripled up depending on what length you want.

When I saw all of these long multi colored necklaces selling, I contacted Hellen (the person responsible for putting together the women's cooperative in Uganda that makes the beads and the beautiful neklaces). I told Hellen that I was running low on this particular style of necklace, so she sent on some more.

These new multi-colored long necklaces are even better than the first ones!! Most of them have metallic seed beads for spacers, and even these large and small beads they have made out of paper are colors such as purple, pink, and lots of pastels.

If you want to get your hands on one of these beautiful necklaces to give as a Christmas gift or just to keep for yourself, they are $10 each plus shipping. You can order by sending an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com Enjoy!!

MIC Items on Sale!

Bracelet #111 above and #112 below

Bracelet #113 above and #114 below

Bracelet #115 aboce and #116 below

Bracelet #117 above and #118 below

Bracelet #119 above and #120 below

For those of you who don't know, things have gone from bad to worse for Hellen and Innocent. Hellen is still recovering from malaria, and Innocent has been injured in an accident. They are both recovering but now homeless. The hospital bills and being without work have been too much to keep up with. Hellen has been living in a part of the school that has not been finished. Of course, she didn't want anyone to know and worry for her.

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 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, and they can even fit in with a letter!! And, for the bracelets that don't have charms, you can get a charm added for no additional charge! I have the following charms available: "friends", Hello Kitty, "love", and "laugh".

I have more that I will post- It just takes time to get them photographed and posted. I will make another post with more bracelets within the next few hours. Feel free to not be specific. I can send you a mixture of several different bracelets, 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.

All of the proceeds will go to help Hellen and the rest of the women with what they need to survive. I, also, have plenty of necklaces available still, so please let me know if you are interested in those. Thank you for your support of Hellen and the rest of the MIC group!

MIC Group Sales

The MIC group is slowly growing in sales. The total they have received thus far is $160!! The funds were split amoung the 30 group members. I want everyone to know that the women are EXTREMELY grateful for this opportunity to make a better life for themselves. They wanted everyone to know that they appreciate the sacrifices the group has made for them.

Because of the dire needs, I have been granted permission to sell a bulk of the items at a fraction of previous cost. Hellen's health is not good, and the families are all in great need. In order to get them some money quickly to help everyone. I will be posting the items at special prices later today. Of course, I will be, also, putting them on public selling forums.

Thank you, group memebers, for making a difference in the lives of these 30!!

Miracles in Caring is finally part of World of Good!!

After months of work, MIC is now able to sell on World of Good!! That means that our trust provider that we linked up with, Empowerment Works, thinks that we are worthy of their support! The trust provider checks to make sure that our coop is ethical and abides by the "fair trade" rules. From now on, if you are looking for something made by the women of Uganda, check this store. I am still working on it, but I have some necklaces already posted. See what the store looks like here. And don't forget to check out the latest MIC news here

Books that were sent to CUS for Christmas...

I sent the first wire for income to the MIC group on Monday. Innocent was able to pick it up today. They are all so grateful from every one's help, and they wanted me to let you all know that. There is another wire being sent to them this Monday. There will be a small "shop" set up at a local charity gig on Friday where (*fingers crossed*) 50 necklaces will be sold.

Now, in news about the school age children, Innocent said that they have really been enjoying the books that we sent. They have found the books very interesting and have a hunger for more!! That is very exciting!! I have lots of children's books to send that I will gladly donate again. If anyone would like to pay for shipping, please contact me. No amount is too small. I will send as many books that I can for the amount of shipping raised.

*I know a lot of you are disappointed in the lack of pictures from the school. I will be taking pictures before I mail them, and you can see that the kids are enjoying them... But, I can't guarantee any pictures on the Ugandan end. We did receive a picture of the box that the books were in last time, but not the kids receiving the books. We sent over 110 books for $110- so, about $1 per book!!! There are now approximately 300 children at the school now, so we have only provided a book to 1/3 of the children (though they are accessible to all).

Introducing Proscovia (Prossy for short) Nalubombwe

A post by Barbara:

Just before Christmas I began sponsoring a three year old street child called Precious. Once sponsored she was due to start baby class in February. Unfortunately, the lure of their homeland in the north is so strong that even destitute families make the trek back at holiday time but then cannot afford to return. This appeared to be the case with little Precious who still has not returned.

Taking Heather's advice I decided to sponsor another child instead who would be more likely to remain at the CUS school. The problem was that I had already bought things for Precious even a necklace with the letter P. Looking for a child of a similar age I had an Ah Ha moment and asked Kate if Brian Kasumba's little sister had a sponsor. Since Macky sponsored Brian I figured that we could help the family more together since the mother has four children to support as outlined in previous postings.

Fortunately, Prossy's former sponsor was not able to sponsor her this year so I became her new sponsor - and the necklace is now hers!!!

According to Kate - Prossy was an adorable little girl. The photo I took of her where she is looking into the camera is one of my favourite photos of all the children. She was shy but warmed up to me very quickly and soaked up any attention given to her. I noticed Prossy was also very mature for her age (about 6), she didn't have to be told twice to do something and was very respectful.

For example, the little children would come and shake our hands or give us a hug, while the older girls would come up and go on their knees to greet us. Prossy did exactly like the older girls. She also helped care for babies by carrying them on her back or helping feed them. When we went to Didi's World (an amusement park outing) she was just so excited. She squeezed my hand and whispered to me "Auntie, I am so happy now." That moment prompted me to take her photo where she's waking up the stairs to go on her first ride. [If you look closely you can even see Kate reflected in Prossy's shining eyes!!]

So, now it will be my turn to spoil Prossy and hopefully make her as happy as she was on that day.

MAC & MIC now accept Credit Cards!

Well, you know I listen to you, and I hear everything you say. Sometimes it takes a little while to work out whatever it is you have requested, but I can usually get it done. You now do not have to have a PayPal account to shop in the MAC store! You can use almost any major credit or debit card using google check out! You asked for it, and now you've got it!!!

We are trying to raise a minimum of an additional $200 to purchase a used tailoring machine and fabric, so that the women can make dashikis and other apparel to sell. They will be making more dolls and purses as well. Once they are set up making those items, I will display all of their crafts at a local trade show that will, hopefully, raise enough money for them to feed their families for several months, add more Ugandan business mothers, and buy more cloth to make more items.

I know that most of the people that follow this blog are CI fans, and it is hard for you to get excited about this IGP. I wish that we could do something similar to this with our CI families, and maybe one day we can. We just have to take everything one step at a time, just as we have been. This is a great group to see progress, and it will be exciting to track their progress so closely.

To celebrate the launch of google checkout, you will get a free necklace for every $30 you spend in the store! To check out the items and order, go to the store

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.

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.

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

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"