Letters from the children

I have been meaning to put a couple of Efrain's letters up on the blog all week. I just get so lazy when it comes to translation. It's weird because I am comfortable reading, writing, speaking, & listening in Spanish, but putting Spanish to English and English to Spanish exhausts me!! I know why, so let me explain myself a little. I first took 4 years of Spanish in high school. I guess that was a good starting point for grammar and things of that nature, but not very beneficial for speaking to someone. So, this is how I learned from that point...
When I was 24 I fell in love with a Mexican who had just come to Texas 8 months before (his name is Mauricio). He didn't speak a word of English, and so we spoke in Spanish. Instead of learning the English equivalent to the Spanish word (whatever new word I heard him say), he explained what the word was until I knew what he was talking about. This was a VERY effective way to learn, and I would recommend it to anyone (not the boyfriend part, but the immergent way). I was with Mauricio for a year (until I found out he had a girlfriend waiting for him in Mexico!!) After that one year of intense language immerssion, I took it one step further and went to live in Mexico. I lived with a Mexican family in Colima for 4 months. I rarely spoke English there, so once again, I had to learn how to explain what I wanted to say, if I didn't know the word for it...
There are some words that I don't know the English translation for, unless I look them up. For example, "travieso" was in the book I read to my daughters last night. I have no idea what the word is in English, but I know what it means. It is similar to a trouble-maker. Now, that I have given that long introduction, here are the letters to and from two of Efrain's children for the "other" agency (I intend to come back and translate later today):

Las cartas que te estoy transcribiendo abajo son mis respuestas, las cuales contienen una transcripcion de las cartas que recibi de ellas. (The letters that I am transcribing below are my answers which contain the transcription of the letters that I received from them.)
Mi carta para Dxxxx dice asi (my letter to Dxxxx says this):
13 de junio de 2009 (June 13, 2009)
Querida Dxxxx, (Dear Dxxxx,)
¿Cómo estás? Espero que bien. Yo estoy muy bien. Recibi tu carta que dice lo siguiente (How are you? I hope you are well. I am very well. I received your letter that said the following) :
“Querido Efraín (Dear Efrain)
Querido y estimado patrocinador (Dear and esteemed sponsor). Recibe un saludo muy especial departe de mia y familia (Receive a very special hello from my family and me). Espero que este muy bien (I hope that you are very well), esperando que Dios todo poderoso te proteja y te ayude a conseguir un trabajo y te conteste todos tus sueños y lo más importante para mí y mi familia, que este bien de salud (hoping that the all powerful God protects you and helps you to find work and answers all of your dreams and the most important for me and my family, that you are healthy). Mis estudios me estan hiendo muy bien gracias a Dios (My studies are going well, thank God.). Al estar la crisis mundial, mis padres ya no están trabajando pero tenemos la fe y la esperanza de que nuevamente Dios les permita conseguir otro trabajo (With the worldwide crisis, my parents are now not working but we have faith and hope that ultimately God will allow us to find other work). Yo me estoy dedicando a estudiar porque quiero ser maestra para ayudar a mis padres (I am dedicating myself to my studies because I want to be a teacher to help my parents). Mi materia favorita es lengua española (My favorite subject is Spanish Language). También me dibierto mucho jugando con mis amigos/a (I, also, am having a lot of fun with my friends). Yo conozco la computadora (I know how to use the computer). Que la paz de Dios este con usted y su familia y le yene de muchas bendiciones y prosperidad para tu vida (That the peace of God be with you and your family and fill you with many blessings and prosperity for your life). Hablar con usted me hace feliz (Speaking with you makes me happy). Con mucho amor me despido y que Dios los bendiga a usted y sus familiares (With a lot of love I say goodbye and that God may bless you and yours).”
Eso dice tu carta palabra por palabra (That is what your letter said word for word). Gracias por todas tus bendiciones (Thank you for your well-wishes). Realmente no voy a buscar trabajo, voy a hacer mi trabajo yo mismo en la forma de un negocio propio (Really I am not going to look for a job, I am going to make my own work en the form of my own business).Tus padres van a conseguir trabajo pronto si es que no lo tienen ya (Your parents are going to find work soon, if they haven't already). De todos modos tu familia no está desamparada; hay mucha gente que los quiere mucho a todos ustedes comenzando por mí (In any case, your family is not deperate; there are a lot of people that love you a lot beginning with me). Me complace mucho saber que estás dedicada a estudiar (It pleases me a lot to know that you are dedicated to your studies). La escuela puede ser la diferencia entre tener éxito o quedarse atrapado en la pobreza; si algo debes seguir haciendo es seguir yendo a la escuela (School can be the difference between success and staying trapped in poverty; if there is something that you ought to continue doing it is to continue going to school). Eres afortunada, Dxxxx, mucha gente nunca piensa en el prójimo (You are fortunate, Dxxxx, many people never think of their fellow human beings). Tú eres una de esas personas con más probabilidades de dedicarte entre otras cosas a ayudar a tus semejantes cuando seas adulta (You are one of those people with a high probability of dedicating yourself between other things to helping others when you are an adult). No sabes todo el bien que a mí me ha hecho el simple hecho de patrocinarte. Yo quisiera que tú también llegues a conocer esa satisfacción. Especialmente porque ahora veo que estás creciendo. Tu forma de escribir es diferente, más madura. Ahora estoy sin trabajo. Me he dedicado a practicar mi escritura. Voy a dedicarme a escribir cartas de petición de fondos para instituciones de ayuda al necesitado. Espero que en tres o cuatro meses tenga suficiente confianza como para aventurarme a escribir mi primera cartade petición. Me despido, también con mucho amor, especialmente al saber que hablar conmigo te hace feliz. Eso me hace feliz a mí también. Espero tu próxima carta.

La siguiente carta es mi respuesta a la carta de Gxxxx, la sobrina de Dxxxx. La carta de Gxxxx fue escrita por Dxxxx:
13 de junio de 2009
Querida Gxxxx, ¿Cómo estás? Espero que bien. Recibí la carta escrita por tu tía Dxxxx, que también yo patrocino. La carta dice lo siguiente:“Querido Caro, Efraín Querido y estimado patrocinador. Recibe un saludo muy especial ennombre del dulce amor de Jesucristo. De parte de mi sobrinita Gxxxx nuestro familiares espero que usted encuentre paz y prosperidad en este nuevo. Mi sobrinita está muy bien gracias a Jesucristo. Para ellalos dos son muy importantes, Santa Claus y los Reyes Magos. En busqueda de un trabajo, nuestra familia bamos a orar por usted para que le consiga un buen trabajo. Gracias padrino que en medio de tu situacion siempre me quiere tener muy presente a mi y a mi sobrina. Ella quiere verte muy pronto para conocerte porque cuando biniste ella estaba muy pequeña. También yo deseo que venga muy pronto para que usted pueda ver que ya yo no soy timida. Dios te bendiga hoy, mañana y siempre”.
Mi Gxxxx, tú tenías solamente meses de nacida cuando fui a visitar a Dxxxx. Allí fue que te ví y quise patrocinarte. Tenías un año para cuando comencé a ser tu padrino. Ahora tienes 6 años, ¡cómo pasa eltiempo! Si ya pronto vas a poder escribirme tú misma. Voy a poner un negocio propio. Oren para que mi negocio me vaya bien. Tengo muchas ganas de verte yo también, y quiero volver a abrazar a Dxxxx. Dxxxx debe de haber crecido mucho. Quizás ahora sí podamos tener la conversación que la otra vez no pudimos tener. Es posible que tú seas tímida conmigo. Ahora me despido. Te envío un abrazo con esta carta. Dale un beso a tu mamá de mi parte y dile que te cuide mucho. Dale un beso y un abrazo a Dxxxx de mi parte por escribir la carta.
Te quiere mucho,
Efraín

Fundraiser Update

Maybe I should do an update every month, so that we all know what is going on with the projects. It has been awhile since I talked about the order of the upcoming fundraisers, so here it is (with an explanation to follow):

Project #9 ~ Yoselyn (Holly): http://www.firstgiving.com/helpforyoselyn

Project #10 ~ Diego (Heather G)

Project #11~ Jhonalyn & Angelito (Tamara)

Project #12~ Nisha (Jennifer)

Project #13~ Mercy (Mack)

Project #14~ Wilmer (Robyn's 2nd project)

Project #15~ Nsenzeni (Barbara's 2nd project)

Project #16~ Jonathan (Heather's 2nd project)

Project #17~ Crystal & Gema (Su's 2nd project)

Project #18~ Maila (Steve)

Project #19~ Nohel (Candace)

Project #20~ (Stephanie's 2nd Project)

Project #21~ Yamileisy & Jose Manuel (Dee)

Project #22~ Jerry (Wilfredo's 2nd project)

Project #23~ Joyce (Heather G's 2nd project)

Project #24~ Maria (Holly's 2nd project)

Project #25~ Ariela (Camille)

Project #26~ (Tamara's second project)

Now, I put Steve's, Candace's, Dee's, and Dana's fundraisers at the bottom of this list because the special needs were only just recently requested (so they probably won't arrive for another 6 to 8 weeks). That being said, if either of theirs arrives before any of projects #14 through #17 start, I will bump them forward (since these two sponsors have not yet had a fundraiser).
Remember that, especially if your fundraiser is coming up soon, you contribute at least 25% of the amount of your fundraiser to others in the group BEFORE your project begins. For example, my project, which is #15, is for $500. Therefore, I have from Project #9 to Project #15 to donate an additional $4 (I already donated $121 total to date).
In all honesty though, I hope that everyone will look into their heart and donate from your feeling of compassion for kids in general. With these larger projects coming up we will need to be an "all for one and one for all" group. I plan to donate a lot more than $4 in the next 6 fundraisers. The reason I will donate is because I love my sponsor kids, so I know how everyone else must feel about theirs. Let's make these projects happen for all of the kids!!!
I really HATE that we have a percentage in place of how much you should donate. However, I know that it had to happen in order to compel some people to donate. Donations do come from sponsors that do not even have a fundraiser in place,and that helps us to make our goals. That is how ideally we should all be... Donating because we want to help a child and their family, regardless of whose sponsor child it is.
You guys (I live in Texas, so by nature, I want to say "Ya'll", but I don't want to torture the northerners) have done a GREAT job so far!!! We have already funded 8 projects!!
For those of you who do not see your name on the list, please e-mail me an update. Chrystal, which child did you want to do next? Tamara, I have your request for the next round, but I need to see what you are going to do for this first round first. The other projects are too far out to request for yet, but these people might want to go ahead and send me the child ID of who they want for their second round of fundraisers:
Jennifer
Mack
Steve

Now, last thing... All of you who have a fundraiser on the list above, and haven't sent me your info, I need the following:

Photos (7 if you can)
Write up for how you would like the fundraiser to read
Your "thank you" greeting that will be sent when people make donations

Now, let's change some lives!!

Update to Project #8 for Alia

I promised an update as soon as I got it, so here it is... Alia's family has decided that they want to do an income generating project! They want a small fish business, and you won't believe how much this will cost... brace yourselves... $110!!! Wilfredo is adding an extra $10 to her fundraiser, so here is the new breakdown of what will be purchased with the $210 raised:
items
fish (variety of fresh fish)
bowl
styrofoam
chopping board
weighing scale
pail
Total cost= $110

The second part of the fundraiser, the $100 will go to get things that the family is in need of most. This could be food, clothes for Alia, or a number of different things. When we get the pictures back from Ci, it will be exciting to see what they chose to buy with the money.
Thank you, everyone for supporting Wilfredo and Alia in this fundraising project!

Did you blink?

If you shut your eyes for a second, you probably haven't noticed that fundraiser #8 is now complete!!! Can you believe it?!
Now, it is Yoselyn's turn for a fundraiser. She is Holly's sponsor child from Honduras. Just like fundraiser #8, we do not have the special needs break down back from CI yet. However, once we get the reports back from them I will update everyone on what the money is going for. I was promised some reports by next week, so you should be seeing them soon!
In the meantime, here is Yoselyn's fundraiser: http://www.firstgiving.com/helpforyoselyn
And the emergency fundraiser is still going on for Kanika whose family lost their home and everything in it: http://www.firstgiving.com/emergencyproject
Thank you everyone!!!

Project #9 is now LIVE :0)

The smile of hope

I asked CI to look into something for Diego. I told you guys his story before, but he is sad and depressed in his letters and pictures. I want to do something to give him hope. The field office went out to his house and discussed different options with his aunt (his caretaker). Then, they took some pictures. This is the best I have seen Diego look all year!!! He must know what is going on (that someone is going to help his family) because he has a smile of hope on his face!!

I did not know what all he was going through, and the report that came back will be so helpful. Now that I know what he faces, I know what to do. One of the disturbing pieces in the report is that he can't go to the public school near his house because of his illness. He has to go to a private school far from home, which his aunt can barely afford. He has to wear a uniform, but they can only afford one. His aunt washes his uniform after school each day, so that he will have a clean one for the next day.

Here is the report that I received from CI (by the way, I will let you know when I know how his fundraiser will be completed. It is times like these that I wish I could win the lottery & take are of everyone!!):

Currently, Diego Armando doesn’t own the house where he lives, for that reason it is not recommendable to make any repair to it. This house was given by heritage by Diego’s grandmother to her 4 children (uncles of Diego).

Diego has other urgent needs, which we will describe at the end of this report. Following, we are providing a background of part Diego’s story, which allows us to support their current needs.

Family

Diego suffers from an illness which was transmitted from his parents who already died. This child is living with an aunt from the father’s side who is in charge of him. Diego is everything for his aunt. His grandfather visits him frequently (he is in some of the pictures attached to this report).

Diego’s Feeding and treatment:

Diego is receiving a complete treatment supported by the Government Health System and the sponsorship program. A good feeding is important to keep the child’s defenses up, which will allow to extend his life’s expectations.

In spite of the aunt prepares healthy food for Diego, Doctor recommended that he needs to take a multi-vitamin complement daily, Its commercial name is “Pediasure” which Diego is not taking currently because of lack of economic resources. The supplement, that costs $150, would cover the purchase of 12 cans of 400 gr. each. Diego should take a cup of this treatment once a day (1 can is enough for 2 weeks). Therefore, this treatment of 12 cans of “Pediasure” would cover 6 months of treatment.

In this case, we would coordinate the services of the pharmacy that provides our sponsored children with medicaments. Then, Diego will be able to get a medical order to periodically collect the vitamin supplement.

Income Generating Business:

Diego’s aunt is a 60 year old-lady who works very hard selling food for masons at construction areas far away from her neighborhood everyday. She lends the food ingredients very early in the mornings, cooks and sells the food, and recovers the profits returning the loan to the provider in the afternoon. She needs 60 a day to buy the ingredients of the food that she sells, working 14 days a month.

This lady owes the food provider $600 since one year and a half ago, which has been difficult for her to collect and this is generating lot of stress on her that has affected her health.

She pays partial fees between $46 and $137 each 15 days. She doesn’t pay interests because this debt is represented in food she got from the public market. There is not a document that supports this debt. This commercial relationship is based on the confidence, because of the length of it and because the lady has made all the partial payments in time. This kind of informal commercial relationship is very common among our community’s vendors.

We are searching for this provider to determine its legal constitution and way to document the payments in case this donation is approved

With a capital of $250, Diego’s aunt would cover 5 working days and the preparation of 226 lunches. Each lunch has a cost of $1.83. This means that she would make $413. Taking into account the capital support ($250), she would have a profit of $163. Diego’s aunt can reinvest such capital in order to use the profits in the house’s maintenance and Diego’s school and basic needs. Also, she will be save part of the profits to face any calamity that Diego’s illness may brought.

If the debt of $600 is paid, we expect that with this capital support and monitoring from the Agency staff, she receives profits during an indefinite time, as long as she keeps the good health to work cooking and selling food, or until any out of control factor affects the business.

School and transportation:

Diego is attending a private school located far away from his neighborhood, because he has been rejected by other children living around and he is not accepted in public school due to his condition too.

Currently, Diego has 1 uniform and the aunt needs to wash it every afternoon to keep it ready to wear early the day after. The school has a monthly cost of $23.

Diego’s aunt takes him to school every morning by bus. After class, Diego takes a bus with his teacher’s help, and he get off the bus in the place the aunt sells the food. Then, they both go back home together in the afternoon. The transportation cost also depends on the support and income generated from the food business.

Current Diego Armando’s need list:

*Food supplement: $150
*School Fee ($23 from May to November): $161
*Textbooks: $70
*Single bed with mattress: $210
*Clothing for the child: $200
*Bed sheets and pillow: $18
*Electric fan: $42
*School Uniforms (T-shirt, pants, sport uniform and shoes: $73
*Debt of the aunt: $600
*Refrigerator (The one they have is not in good conditions
and it is not working well to keep the business’ ingredients
well conserved): $400
*Capital to buy food ingredients for the business: $250

Total: $2,174

Meet Holly's Sponsored Child Yoselyn!

This is Yoselyn. She is 7 years old and lives in Honduras. She is the next one up for a fundraiser, so I wanted to give everyone a little introduction. She has been sponsored by Holly for a year now. A special needs request was sent to CI to find out what the family is most in need of. I have not received the response back yet, but it should be here by next week (I am guessing). The fundraiser will be for the usual $215. I will start up her fundraiser as soon as Alia's is funded. Alia's only has $55 to go. I still haven't donated to it yet myself, but it is not for lack of wanting to. I was short-changed on my pay check by over $500. I am still trying to work out the issue with the company I work for, so I have a feeling that Alia's project will be funded before I ever get a chance to donate. Sorry, Wilfredo! I will make sure to take care of you on your next fundraiser.

Here is Yoselyn's report:

Age: 7 Gender: F Date of Birth: 2/6/2002

Height: 3 Feet 8 Inches

Weight: 44 Pounds

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

2. Health problems, if any: None

3. Attends School: Yes

4. Favorite School Subjects: Science

Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing with dolls

Chores at Home: Running errands, Sweeping

Talents or Hobbies: Singing, Dancing, Painting

Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:

5. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $211.006.

Name of Father: Carlos Roberto Age: 40 Occupation: Bricklayer(If not present, why?)

7. Name of Mother: Mariana Elizabeth Age: 37 Occupation: Homemaker(If not present, why?)8. Brothers and Sisters:

Name Carlos Leonel Age 13 Gender M

Name Jessenia E. Age 10 Gender F

Name Kevin Josue Age 12 Gender M

9. Child now living with: Parents

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:

10. Description of Home: One multi-use room

Cooking Facilities: Kerosine stove

Sleeping Accommodations: Beds

Home Construction: Walls Concrete block Roof Corrugated metal Floor Concrete

11. Facilities and Services:Water Source/Storage: Running water in home

Electricity: Available

Sanitary Facility: Toilet

You guys are incredible!!!

We just started fundraising project #8, and there is only $55 left to raise!!! We will be on to funraiser #9 before the week is over!!! Our CI contact said that she has several special needs requests returned that should be ready by next week. She is waiting for the pictures for them, and then, she will send me them all at once. So, good things are coming!!! It will all start moving quickly soon. Thank you for your continued patience and continued supprt!!

http://www.firstgiving.com/barenecessities

Emergency Project Fundraiser #1

The special needs request provided was to start an IGP. Due to the cyclone, the money may be better spent building a new home. I am providing the special needs break down. While the money could be used for the IGP, it will be up to the family (with CI's assistance) to decide what they need the most. $500 will go to the field office in India,who will contact the family and determine their urgent needs. Here is a few paragraphs from Camille (Kanika's sponsor):
The project that Kanika's family would like to start is a rice business. They would purchase rice from a wholesale market and sell the same rice in the retail market. They would require 12.5 quintals of rice to start, which would cost $304.00 and would be very beneficial to the family and enable them to earn an extra $16.00 a month approximately.They also need:1 bicycle1 wooden table2 plastic chairsWhich would cost $100. I think they would be using this to transport the rice and as their vending table. So the total that they need if we were to fund both parts would be $404.00
They currently are 5 people in the household (with no house)- mom, dad, an older sister (4 years older) and a relative. They make $21.00 a month. She is 9 years old and loves school and drawing. She has been warming up and opening up more in her letters- it is sweet. her father is a daily worker and her mother a homemaker. They lost their mud house in the recent flooding 3 weeks ago and are currently displaced and living with relatives in the area. Their house is completely ruined, all of their possessions are gone except for the clothes they were wearing when they had to evacuate their home. Thankfully, they are all safe and healthy but in miserable conditions with all sorts of disease festering in the standing water and mud. They used to get their water from a community pump and the only sanitary facilities are an open field. (Which also contaminates the water now I would imagine...) They are receiving aid from CI and another agency- like all of the people in their area. They fortunately own the land their home was on and have a title to it. It is possible that they can go back and rebuild a stronger structure in the future- which I would like to be able to work towards.
It is so sad because they had been making strides towards a happier, healthier life- I had been able to fund having electricity put in their home so they had light at night (just one bulb), and had purchased furniture and kitchen utensils, pots and pans etc as well as food and clothing and shoes. But it is all gone now. Very sad.

http://www.firstgiving.com/emergencyproject

Fundraiser #8!

A message from Alia's sponsor Wilfredo:

I am so excited be able to help raise funds for Alia and her family. Alia is from Manilia, Phillippines. She is 9 years old and has a brother, age5 and has two sisters, one age 3 and a newborn. Her father (Age: 36) is alaborer and mother (Age: 29) is a housekeeper. The Family's monthly incomeis only $ 38 Dollars a month. Alia's home has a palm leaf as a roof anduses a community pump for water and a community latrine.

Alia is a very smart young lady. According to CI, she has made it to honorsclasses in school. In her letters she explains school is very important to her and she studies hard to get good grades. Alia also helps her mom with heryounger siblings and around the house. She expresses her appreciation for all that I do to support her.

Based on the information that was provided to me, I would like to raise moneyto help improve their lives. CI has informed me they are in desperate need of food and would like to have some clothes for Alia and maybe pots/appliance.

(The special needs request should be back from the field any day now, and the exact break down of what the money will be used for will be added to the page when received.)

Thank you again for supporting Alia and her Family. They will be so grateful for the funds raised.

http://www.firstgiving.com/barenecessities

Speaking of a Minga...

Photos taken from the CI news courtesy of Reuters

I have been approached by a fellow sponsor regarding an emergency situation. On of our own google group sponsors has been affected by the recent disaster in India. Her sponsored child Kanika and Kanika's family lost their mud home to the disaster. Now homeless, with only the clthes on their backs, they need our help.

At first I wasn't sure about what to do. We have fundraisers lined up that are waiting for special needs break downs from the field, and I don't want to push those fundraisers out of the way. After a couple of days of thought, I came up with a plan.

Starting now, we will, also, have emergency projects for times like these. Emergency projects will run concurrently with the regular fundraisers. To qualify for an "emergency" fundraiser, you would be a sponsor that receives a call from CI notifying you of your child's precarious situation. Due to the situation, we will set up a fundraiser to raise $500 to be used as the family needs it (without waiting for a special needs request to be returned). However, you (as the sponsor) will still need to abide by the "pay it forward" concept to get your fundraiser started. This is a "one for all and all for one" group, so I am thinking we are all on the same page about this.

Be thinking of Kanika and the others that were impacted by the most recent disasters. I will be posting her fundraiser as soon as I get the site up.

Here is more information from CI's web-site regarding the Cyclone in India:

Kolkata, India – A team of relief workers from Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization, is assessing the damage left in the wake of Cyclone Aila which hit Kolkata (Calcutta), India, on Monday, May 25. Hundreds of children and families supported by the organization are seeking shelter in schools and emergency centers after the rains flooded their homes and destroyed their belongings.

Officials report 70 mph winds damaged over 4,000 homes when the cyclone made landfall. The high winds uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and knocked out communications, while resulting floodwaters washed out public transportation as well as 5,000 acres of land which these farm communities rely on to support themselves.Children International is providing emergency assistance in the form of food, medicines, water-purification tablets, and other supplies.

Calling a Minga

This is still about the Me to We book and concept. The big project that I am planning would be referred to as a "Minga" in Ecuador. I found this part of the book extremely interesting. In Ecuador, a Minga is a get together of the whole community to get something accomplished. In Ecuador,if you are at work, working in your garden, cleaning the house, or whatever you are doing, you will stop what it is you are doing if someone calls a "minga".
The purpose is that everyone stops to help someone else in the community TOGETHER. Maybe it is repairing the neighbor's house that was destroyed in a storm, or whatever it may be... Read this part of the book, as you will be inspired. The section ends like this:
"... success is never a solitary pursuit... It operates on an 'all for one,one for all' basis. Caring, not competition, is the order of the day. We is as important as Me."

Me to We Part 2

What makes you happy? One of the interesting things mentioned in this book was happiness and the connection with money. Since, we would all like to have more money than we have (and I think my reasoning for having more money is legit since I would be able to help more people...), I found this interesting. I am sure that you have heard the saying before "Money can't buy happiness".
There was a 1500 person poll done to rate people's happiness levels. When their income increased from $50,000 to $100,000, there was no difference in happiness levels. The reason? "The more you have, the more you want."
If you have already bought the book to read, I would like you to read "The Rich but Poor Phenomenom" for in the book. This is an awesome finding. For those working in jobs to make the most money, spending every hour at work trying to get ahead. Here is a part from the book:
"In the struggle to meet deadlines, impress clients, and advance through the ranks, it's easy to become so focused on accomplishing specific tasks that we lose sight of how our actions impact our personal well-being,not to mention that of those around us. Many of us fall into a trap and work long hours because of a sense of responsibility to others, not being able to say no at work, or trying to provide 'only the best' for our family. We make choices with good intentions, but in the end they are not the best for our family,or ourselves. We get sucked into a way of life that doesn't fulfill us."

Me to We

I am always up to something... Right now, I am turning ideas around in my head trying to get a plan of yet another big project. The next big project is still not even close to happening, but I have it in my head that it will happen one day... This book has been a great boost for me. I got it on CD to listen to in the car on the way to work. It is filled with so much inspiration that I have finished the book & started it back at the beginning to listen to it again. This is not a religious book. It is just about how you can make a difference by changing your thinking from "me" to "we".

I think it is interesting to note that is exactly what we are doing with the fundraisers. Instead of just focusing on our own sponsor kids, we are helping all who want to be a part. By coming together as a group to make this happen, we have already helped 6 families in 2 months!!!

I will post more about the book later, but I wanted to leave you with this quote from the book:

"At a tender age I discovered that it isn't doing spectacular things that makes you remarkable in the eyes of God, but instead, it is when you light just one candle to dispel a little bit of darkness that you are doing something tremendous. And if, as a global people, we put all the little bits of good together, we will overwhelm the world."-- Archbishop Desmond Tutu

I will share more of the book in later posts.In the meantime, you might want to read it for yourself:

Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World by Craig and Marc Kielburger

Has anyone gotten any letters/photos?

Everyday when I go out to the mail box, I am hoping for a letter/photos from my sponsored children. I have some packages that I sent, so I should be getting photos any day now, and special needs requests that I am waiting on should be here soon. It seems like I don't get enough of them! Maybe I will get a letter & photos from all of them all at one time! I am waiting unpatiently...

Perks of the job!

One of my various part-time jobs is a mystery shopper. You didn't know that, did you? There are some legitimate companies out there, and those are the ones that I work with. Yesterday, I had to shop at Tommy Hilfiger, and purchase $10 worth or merchandise (which will be reimbursed). I found this shirt. It is heavy, so it would be perfect for the winter. I bought one for Mwanza in Zambia and one for Diego in Colombia. The shirt was $4.99!!! The original price was $99.99!!! Too bad it was in the adult store, or I would have gotten all of my boys one. I had to just get one for the two oldest. Mwanza is turning 14 in September, and Diego is turning 12 in July.

Presents from Guatemala

I was surprised to see this new photo of Yessica in my account because I was expecting a new picture for another 6 months or so.

Yessica made me a card out of construction paper, stickers & markers

A long letter to me was written inside the card

a piggy bank

small pottery

a small decorative bowl... I am not sure what it is made out of

a cloth napkin (I am not sure if she made this or bought it???)

If you are a CI Google Grouper, you already know Steve. He went to Guatemala in April and offered to meet some of our children for us. He brought us pictures, video, and even souveneirs and moments from our kids!!!! I had told Yessica that he was coming about a month in advance, but everyone who has sponsored children knows how long it takes coorespondence to get back and forth... So, I am guessing that is how she got the impression that I was coming to visit her. It makes me feel bad, really, to read her card in which she welcomes me to Guatemala. The whole letter is filled with anticipation of my arrival and it hurts me even now to think about it because I don't know if she got my letter before she got to the field office. Or did she go to the field office expecting to see me? :0(

Anyway, I am still grateful for her thoughtful card and souveneirs. This is what her card said:

Dear Heather,

I welcome you during this visit. You are visiting me in Guatemala and I am very happy to meet you personally. You have come to know a lot of places of this country, Guatemala. I thank you for being my sponsor and supporting me in my studies. I went to a place named Baja Verapaz and I learned about the Quetzal,national bird, and La Monja Blanca, national flower. I send you some memories from Baja Verapaz: a guacalito, a small jug, a piggy bank, a napkin, some drawings. That is what I am going to send you. I hope that you like all those things. May God bless you, and I hope that you get back home safely.

Love,

Yessica

Jester's Fundraiser~ Update!

We only have $193 to go for Jester's IGP fundraiser to be complete!!! We have come a long way. Though I have not received the info needed to start Wilfredo's fundraiser, I want to make sure that his fundraiser can start as soon as I get what I need from CI... I have big hopes that it will come this week.

With that being said, I have something to sweeten the fundraiser. In addition to getting the raffle tickets for the blanket that Stephanie knitted, I am offering something. For everyone who donates $50 or more, I will send you a keychain (like the ones above) with your sponsored child's photo. On this keychain, there is room for 2 different photos (one on each side).

Even better, you can include the amount you have already donated!!! Make sure that after you donate, you send me your name and address & photo attachments in an e-mail. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing. Thank you, everyone for your continued support of our children!!!

Letters from Barbara's sponsored children

I apologize that I do not have pictures to go with these letters right now. I will post some soon.

"Dear Barbara

First I'm greeting you and your friends. I hope you are all fine. Nsenzeni and I we are fine. Yes, she had malaria but now she is very well. Barbara and you too are so special to our family. I appreciate very much but those chickens you have mentioned here in Zambia I can't raise my standard of living. I just say if you can boost my business so that it can grow well I will appreciate very much. [This relates to a small start up micro-enterprise I sent last year to start selling vegetable, dried fish and beans].

Leya, she's doing fine with her youngest daughter and name is Ailedi. Barbara, Nsenzeni is saying your living is very well. She is asking when are you coming to visit her? Blessing Banda is not our relative. On Christmas day we celebrated in Church. Thanks very much, Yours Lontia and Nsenzeni."

The second one is from Pearl Daphne from Quezon City in relation to the visit from the two CI representatives. The letter is beautifully written and well spaced and she is only six years old.

"Dear Barbara,

Hi Greetings from beautiful Country of Philippines! I'm glad that you send another letter for me. Yes,I enjoyed shopping during my Easter gift. You are alone. Are you happy with that? [She is referring to my single status and lack of family here in Canada].
I saw the pictures of your country it's very beautiful. Someday, I wish I could visit your place.
With regards to Sponsor's visit I had thought you are the one visiting me here. But even I couldn't saw you in person I am so thankful and excited that day. Thank you. Always Pearl Daphne.

The last one is from Marelyn and yet another one from her mother Carolina.

"Dear Sponsor Barbara

This letter is to thank you for the wonderful gifts which you sent me. I received [followed by the usual boring list of gifts!!].....Let me tell you that here in Guatemals the summer is so hot and for that reason I drink iced drinks or iced water. Let me tell you that my family is well. I love you very much. Marelyn Magdalena"

Amongst the gifts I sent was a child's writing pad and I was delighted to see that Marelyn's mother, Carolina, made use of it and wrote me a three page letter.

" Dear Barbara;

I hope that you are well when you receive this letter. I want to share with you many things about my family. Well, during the Holy Week here in Guatemala I and my husband Luis sold [candies] in the city during the Easter processions for a week so that we could take Marelyn and her siblings to Esquipolas to visit the black Christ, located in Chiquimula. Then we took them to a beach called 'Dorada' . Let me tell you that Marelyn enjoyed the trip, playing all day in the water near the bank of the lake.she loves the water, but she cannot swim I would like to send her for a swimming course. As you know when people can swim, the most they enjoy. The summer here in Guatemala is so hot, but we drink iced drinks, which are so delicious. We were all so very happy.

When Marelyn receives your direct packages she is always so happy and likes everything that you send her. She likes the many photos that you sent her, because through them she can see the beautiful places of Canada. She says that she would like to visit them herself one day. Marelyn always remembers you every moment. She is a beautiful young girl and very intelligent. Anita, Luisa and Fernando also can't wait to see the photos that you send to Marelyn so that they can see the places that you visit and the gifts that you send to them. I want to thank you for the joy that you give my family. Thanks to you they share happy moments. May God pour out his Blessings on you. I say goodbye with much love. Carolina."

I need feedback

Travel cosmetic bag/ bag to carry your bath items in ($10)

Hair barrettes ($4 each pair)

Squishable, huggable caterpillar pillow ($10)

Candy shaped fruity lip gloss ($2)

Lollipop shaped fruity lip gloss ($2)

Popscicle fruity mini-lip gloss ($2)

Cupcake shaped lip gloss with cupcake flavors to match ($3)

Muddy piggy bank ($12)

Bone shaped calculator ($13)

These little animals hold photos or memos ($3)

These wire 6" stands hold photos or memos ($3)

Photo frame comes in large ($10)

Photo frame comes in small ($7) or large ($10)

Butterfly alarm clock makes a kissing sound to wake you up ($15)

Rooster alarm clock says "Cock-a-doodle-doo" to wake you up ($15)

Dog alarm clog barks to wake you up ($15)

Animal key chains/zipper pulls. The limbs are posable & the animals are so cute ($3)

Large dog tote bag ($22)

Make your own envelopes & cards template kit ($3)

Large cat tote bag ($22)

36 count mini colored pencils ($4)

12 count mini colored pencils with pencil sharpener ($3)

I am setting up a web-site designated for Jaden and Morgan to sell items for non-profit use. Eventually, I would like to create a non-profit that would help out our sponsored children and their communities. My big idea is to create volunteer vacations where several volunteers would come together in places like Ecuador, Zambia, etc. and spend a couple of weeks/months building something for that community... Maybe a library, latrine, well, school, and bring joy and hope to the children and their families.

Children International will not allow volunteers to go to work with them because they don't have the staff to take care of a group. However, there is nothing to stop a person from starting their own non-profit that will benefit these same children and their families. This would not go against CI, but work to improve the whole community that CI serves.

That is just the big picture of what I am thinking. For now, I am starting low. Jaden and Morgan are convinced that it is us (me and them) that can bring smiles to the kids' faces, and that we need to go to each country to help them. Unfortunately, we have to START somewhere. before we can get to that point.

The items above are items that they could sell on the web-site. I am curious to get feedback on what the rest of you think. Which items draw your attention, and which items do you feel would not sell? A few months down the line, I plan to put other items pertaining to our sponsored children as well. For example, if you send us a picture attachment of a drawing(s) that your sponsored child made you, we will make it into Christmas cards. All of the proceeds will go to whichever sponsored child we are focusing on at that time. We have several children that have BIG needs, so if there is a large fundraiser for one of our sponsored children going on at that time, the funds will be added to that project.

Other items that I plan to sell on the site are embroidered burp cloths, bibs, hand towels, and custom embroidered/monogramed items. These are VERY cute, but I don't have any examples to show right now. I plan to have a few in a week or two.

Eventually, I would like to use the site to raise funds for a volunteer trip & the supplies needed for that project. Of course, I have a lot of work to do to get details for all of that. It will be in the works in a few months... Maybe I can get everything set up by the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012. That is when I plan to make a trip to Ecuador and Colombia. It would be nice to stay there for a few weeks or months & make a difference before we leave. Is anyone else on board for that?

OK, my questions to you are:

Which of these items do you think would/would not sell?

Are you interested in a volunteer trip to help our kids' communities?

Now, here is the web-site that I have set up for Jaden and Morgan's fundraising:

http://kidscanchangetheworld.webs.com/