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It’s been a bit more than a year since Monique Aiken found us online. Danielle Lewis found us at the same time and each one of these wonderfully loving, smart and caring women had their dreams come true in being able to make a difference in the lives of orphans.
They each have their own busy lives, but still make time to move the cause on behalf of the orphans forward in some way. Both have brought their friends and family into the circle and here we all are. Deitra Wynn Scott our medical volunteer in D.C. had a fund raiser in February, Danielle and Magda had one in March in Arizona and Danielle continues to help me build a network in Arizona. Isabelle created a Photo Book of the Children of Bamenda to raise funds in Houston on the project’s behalf. Monique is ever connecting with people as our Mobilizer in Chief in her travels out East. Christina and Nate continue to stay focused and their roles will increase when the construction starts.
And because of their help, Phase One of Angel of Mercy could be ready to take in its first 12 orphans by the end of 2012.
Relindis Moffor, director of Angel of Mercy, has generously donated land she personally inherited to her nonprofit Angel of Mercy. This is where the orphanage will be built. She is traveling back to Cameroon this month to get the land titled with Angel of Mercy as legal owner. This will ensure her work on behalf of the orphans will continue indefinitely. Mary M. Tjosvold, owner of Mary T Inc. and board member of Angel of Mercy from Coon Rapids Minnesota has agreed to help proceed with the project until completion. Mary has built two schools in Cameroon and her expertise gives us great comfort.
This continues to be an arduous process. Making sure that our hard work and your donations will indeed go to make life better for the children. We are in the middle of working through the legal details and project bids and all those fun things that go into building a project of this in a country far away.
We have acceptable architect bids for Phase One, which includes dorms for 12 orphans and a caretaker, a welcome center and office and the latrine, outdoor kitchen and a well. We also have the Rotary grant application almost complete for the well and we are confident the funds will be allocated.
So much has happened it makes me wonder what I will be posting next year at this time. If things go as planned, we’ll be introducing you to the Children of Angel of Mercy, as they move into their new home. If you want to be a part, we can easily enlarge the circle! There’s always room for more when helping the orphans.
It
takes a lot of effort from a lot of people to raise a little bit of money these days. It’s a good thing that a little bit goes a long way when it’s multiplied by God to help an orphan. Each day we remain encouraged that so many have embraced our vision on behalf of the orphans. Thank you to those who are taking action, so the the children will know they may be orphaned, but they are not forgotten. We can’t do it all, but we can all do something.
My vision early on was to put people with needs together with people of means. I hoped people would adopt projects that inspired them and they'd raise funds in some way for the project. How rewarding to see the vision becoming reality.
A Different Kind of Love
Deitra Wynn Scott still holds the babies from Cameroon in her heart. She hosted a “Different Kind of Love” Valentines fund raiser Feb. 18 in Washington D.C. Monique Aiken, 
our Mobilizer in Chief (pictured below on left), was our representative at the event. Dietra and company adopted the Angel of Mercy project and because of those who support our beloved Deitra, her fund raiser is helping Phase One of Angel of Mercy Home for Children get underway.
Sartell MN Gold’s Gym Spring Fever 5K Walk Run and Raffle
The Frozen Chosen came out for the race on a balmy midwinter Minnesota Day. Lori Fuchs, our race coordinator ordered the warm temperatures for the day. She and her lovely children and husband were there and Rachel, her 8 year old, was at the r
egistration desk and kept us all in line!
Runners from the midwest came out for our event, stayed for the raffle and the drawing for the IPAD. Summer Marthaler traveled from the middle of Wisconsin because she is determined to make this 
year her year to get fit. So glad she chose our race! It was her first 5k. Others came for the second year in a row, some were competitive runners, some came for fun. Many promised to return next year! All had a great time helping us raise funds for the Angel of Mercy Project.
It was heartwarming to see all those who came to support the orphans.
Jen Bakken, our PR Associate, brought her two kids and each one helped make the day a success…even selling our bracelets to raise a few dollars! Every little bit helps! Jen is working to write the Profile for Mercy Homes in India so we can find volunteers to adopt this project.
What’s next? Helping Hands Casino Night March 17 in Scottsdale… Planning is underway.
I’ll have slide shows of photos of each event on the website. Thank you everyone for your heart and hands in the work for the orphans.
You should meet Dietra. Everyone should meet Dietra. She is vibrant, fun loving and intense in all she does, including her work, play and passions for the orphans she met in Bamenda.
I first met Dietra in Houston through our dear friend Monique Aiken. Monique introduced me to many of her friends and family as she mobilized them around 200 Orphanages Worldwide and the Angel of Mercy Project. Dietra lived and worked in Houston and had just decided to move to Washington D.C. Her profession 
is nursing instructor, she’s a registered nurse and helps others become as good a nurse as she is. And you should see her with the kids. Love pours out of her and well, she just wouldn’t put the kids down! And they loved every minute of her attention.
Dietra is a fire ball and her energy is
contagious. She springs to life at the sound of music and her feet and body all move in time to the beat… and
Dietra Winn Scott taught with Danielle Lewis and Magda Peronel at the Nursing School in Bamenda. Her ability to connect with the students was amazing.
this is just in the crowded van on the way from the Airport to Bamenda. She is full of life and laughter and at the same time she is intense in her passions. Once Deitra heard about the cause for the HIV/AIDS orphans from Monique, she was in. And when Dietra is in… she is in all the way. That’s just how she rolls.
Her heart is filled with love for those in her life and now for the children she met in Bamenda. I received her email today on Valentines Day about the event she’s planning in Washington D.C. It is a special love letter to her friends, family and acquaintances.
She Writes:
“I hope that you are doing well and feeling grateful for the love of all the special people in your life. I’m writing to tell you about my new love and to invite you to share it with me. I am a part of 200 Orphanages Worldwide, a non-profit organization with the mission of building sustainable orphanages for the neediest of children across the world. This past September our group visited children in Bamenda, Cameroon and although some were sick and all need a home, they made us smile and showed us the love that only children can. You can see pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150760273303332.508737.584268331&type=1&l=447931ca7b. My heart is full of desire to ensure these innocent children have a home with safety, medical care, education, and a sense of love and belonging.
Helping children comes at a cost, so we are trying to build financial support from progressive world citizens like you. You and I have been extremely blessed in many ways. It’s actually amazing to think how even what we consider a little bit can go a long way in impacting the lives of children and changing their futures for the better. The home we’re building for 48 HIV+ orphans in Cameroon has been designed by our volunteer architect to allow the children to participate in maintaining that sense of security they haven’t known before. The orphanage will have gardening areas for children to plant their own fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. It will have a rainwater harvesting system that uses a merry-go-round to pump collected rain water so the children create clean water while they play!
None of us can do everything, but we can all do something. My next something is throwing a fundraising reception in honor of the orphans and celebrating the people who support them. What will be your next something? How about making a difference through a tax-deductible donation? You can buy a brick and plaster for $2, a window for $33, an exterior door for $255, or anything in between and beyond. At 200 Orphanages Worldwide, 100% of all donations go directly toward building the orphanage. Just visit this secure website: www.200orphanagesworldwide.org, click ‘Donate’ and select ‘Angel of Mercy Building Project’ from the drop down menu. Anything you give will help the children more than you could imagine; and we would love to keep you posted on the orphans whose lives you make better.
If you’re in DC, I hope to see you at Tabaq Bistro, 1336 U Street NW, Washington DC this Saturday, the 18th for a happy hour from 5pm to 9pm. We’ll have food, activities, pictures of the children, and music. A portion of the bar proceeds will go directly toward building the orphanage, so cheers to you and your big heart! Thank you in advance for being a blessing to orphans, and may you continue to be blessed in all that you do!
Thank you Dietra for hosting this event and for your love for the children. Remember, every bit goes a long way because God’s economy uses multiplication….!
Blessings to you and all those who invest in the project.
Raffle Quilt Made With Fabric From Cameroon
The first month of 2012 came and went. How did that happen?
Life has kept me busy! Just days into the new year, my daughter had complications in her pregnancy so I was summoned to Washington state to help care for her family while she was in the hospital. She delivered our lovely grandson a month early and thankfully both are fine. That makes for 11 grandchildren, and I feel very blessed.
This is one reason the work to build safe shelter for orphans motivates me. They have no one but kind hearted strangers who want to make a difference in their lives.
Also, my father in law passed away January 19. He lived a great life and passed peacefully at 86. So, I flew from Washington to Minnesota to attend his funeral in Wisconsin. He, by the way, was an orphan at 6 years old and lived in an orphanage for some time before a loving family took him in. The kind act of a stranger taking him in made a huge difference in his life and of those he touched. And suddenly it was February.
As you know, last year, we chose Angel of Mercy as our primary project and had hoped to get started building the orphanage in Cameroon. But we are still working out the budget based on drawings and once that gets all settled, we hope to still have time to get it built by next rainy season. We were able last year help Haiti Outreach Mission build their fence and Nibakure Children’s Village build an outdoor kitchen and latrine. In the meanwhile, we have our sites on a project in India for 2012 and hope to provide more information on that in the next few weeks.
We’re completing the preparations for Gold’s Gym’s Spring Fever 5K Walk Run and Raffle in Minnesota February 25th 10 a.m. and beginning preparations for the Helping Hands Casino Night and Silent Auction in Arizona March 17. We have plans to have some kind of event, small cocktail parties and intimate events every month this year. Our Giving Trip volunteers are working their contacts in Texas, New York and Washington DC. So, these are achievable goals.
Our hope is to continue raising funds for Angel of Mercy until we completed the Phase One of the project in Cameroon. When finished, it will be home to 12 HIV/AIDS orphans providing them safe shelter and consistent day to day care as they live with their illness.
Also, I am so happy Jen Bakken is on board helping me with press releases, phone calls and helping us tell the stories. It means so much in the midst of busy and eventful lives when people stretch beyond themselves to do something for those who suffer. Jen is a Gem. As is Monique, Danielle, Asia, Ubong, Deitra, Isabelle, Christina and Nate, Magda and Lori and Jesse and…. well I could just go on and on now couldn’t I! They are giving from their hearts making a difference in the lives of HIV/AIDS orphans. They are living their faith, doing their part and it really warms my heart.
Danielle and her group in Arizona are working hard to make the casino night happen (all the while studying for their boards in medical school!) We hope to build awareness and raise funds while having a great St. Patty’s Day Party! Danielle and Magda will be telling their story about their trip to Cameroon.
There is so much to do and our group of dedicated volunteers is making it happen.
You can help make the life of a child who doesn’t have a home or family, just a bit brighter. You can donate to our silent auction, raffle or sponsor at one of the levels available. Also, please attend our events. They are not only fun, but they are for the children.
We can’t do it all, but we can all do something!
For the children,
jh
Upon arriving in Cameroon, the words, “You’re Welcome,” ring out. We all had to get used to the salutation as it seemed to be missing the customary “Thank you”. We adjusted… but what really threw the Cameroonian’s off was when they said thank you and we said ”You’re Welcome.” No international incident to report over it, just a few good laughs.
Our Giving Trip team of 8 couldn’t be more excited about our trip to Cameroon. Danielle pictured at the Angel of Mercy Clinic said we reached a whole new level of productivity! 
And I couldn’t agree more. Our short time there demanded that we push hard to get in all that we had wanted for the children. Here is an overview of the trip and I am 
asking the volunteers to share a short summary of highlights for the next blog.
While there, we were blessed to meet some of the children who will live in the orphanage after it is built, we met the village leader who donated the land to Angel of Mercy, we met the architect, the project manager, the Bamenda Rotary Club and the staff of Angel of Mercy. Much of these meetings were ceremonial in nature, and others were working among and with the Angel of Mercy staff and patients.
Medical Care: Three of our volunteers are in the medical profession and couldn’t have been more touched as they were able to use their gifts and talents to comfort the people of Cameroon. Three of their days were spent consulting with patients who came from miles away to be seen.Angel of Mercy provides periodic free clinics and word spreads for miles.
The Building: We spent quite a bit of time at the site with the architect and project manager. Workers cleared the land so we could see what the elevations were really like and we were able to visit a building supply store. Christina now has a better picture of the land and Angel of Mercy’s needs. She will work with the local architect to finish the design based on the new information and hopefully we can get started by November which is the dry season. According to the architect, they manufacture the block onsite and it takes 2 months for them to dry. So, that is a consideration.
We decided it would be best to start in Phases when the raining season ends, which is November. Phase one will be one dormitory for 12 children and a caretaker and an administration building with a small clinic. This made more sense given the funds we’ve raised and the immediate needs. The first building will be a model for the 3 others on the land.
The Well: Unfortunately, we won’t have funds to put in the well before construction. This is a challenge, but not insurmountable. A well and security fence is expected to be fully funded and in by next August. The plumbing and sceptic will be in before the water and electricity.
Angel of Mercy We were able to visit the Angel of Mercy store where supplies are sold to make money for the center. Relindis has high expectations of her staff and she has great compassion for those suffering with HIV/AIDS, especially the children. She is building a self sustaining organization, one that will remain viable to serve those with the greatest needs in her home country. She works so hard to make this happen it’s an honor to assist in even a small way.
We spent time with the staff, orphans and patients of Angel of Mercy and were able to give the gifts that were donated to the kids. It seemed like an early Christmas for us, doling out the toys, clothes and candy to all the kids. Click here for A Slide Show With More Photos
All in all, we accomplished much. And of course, now we have much more work to do. Everyone is already brainstorming on their next fund raiser, knowing we have some dollars to go before we can get Phase 1 built. Our Spring Fever 5K is in February and we hope to have a cook out in Arizona in November. Others have plans for a D.C. event… Stay tuned! We thank you for your help and support! For the children!
Jan
My dear friend Floriane Brown returned from Nibakure Children’s Village, Rwanda. After a summer of interviewing and taking in children, they now have 16 orphans to care for. She’s back in the states with her family.
Here are a few stories of the children Floriane has taken in.
One 11 year old girl was orphaned by both parents. She is in second year of primary school. She does well at school, her favorite food is rice and she loves to dance. Another, 13 year old, was orphaned by both parents, her father left her with a benefactor family when she was two. She hasn’t any relation with her caregivers. At school she is 7th in her class. Another group of 3 siblings was orphaned as both parents passed away recently (from HIV). They are joyful still and do very well at school. These children were cared for by an elder sister prior to coming to Nibakure. There is another sibling group of boys abandoned by their parents after returning from a refugee camp in Uganda. Each one is settling into their new home.
The stories of these children will now change. They will have hope and a future.
I am amazed, touched and moved beyond words at the wonderful work Floriane is doing in her country. As one of our partners, there isn’t anything more fulfilling than seeing the faces of the children now in her care! I am sure there will be adjustments, but the children will be well cared for, educated and have warm food daily. What joy!
I noted in the photos she shared the fence in the background. It wasn’t much, but we provided the initial funds so there would be a sense of safety for the staff and children. This is a small thing, but it made a difference.
We can’t do it all, but we can all do something! I am very proud to be associated with Floriane Brown and NVC.
Building a home for orphans is hard work. Times are tough and people give what they can. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much in many parts of the world to make a real difference.
Last year, I traveled to Rwanda and helped build the fence we funded around the first three homes of the Children’s Village. Our part was small, we did what we could. Many others before us donated time, talent and money to build the three buildings and furnish them. We did what we could and sent money for a fence to provide security and safety for the staff and children. We can’t do it all, but we can all do something.
I had lunch yesterday with Floriane Brown, executive director, and got the great news that Nibakure Children’s Village took in their first orphans this week. Floriane Brown is staying true to her vision, providing a home and a future for orphans being cared for by widows on staff. Slowly, slowly, step by step, her dream is coming true.
Meet the first children and their care taker.
Meet the ones this work is all about.
Thank you for your part in making dreams come true.
Danielle Lewis goes to school in Phoenix. She and I met through Monique Aiken her friend from Houston. She’s one of the three women mobilizing the Angel of Mercy fund raisers and Giving Trip. There are now 8 travelers who are making their way to Cameroon to help build the orphanage for 40 HIV/AIDS orphans.
Here’s Danielle’s story:
“Since I was in High School I have always had 2 dreams; to work with people who have HIV/AIDS and a desire to take a trip to Africa. This root of my passion comes from finding out that the person that studied the Bible with me had AIDS. For years she didn’t know because she was happily married and didn’t know she was at risk.
My desire to go to Africa comes from seeing it as such a beautiful continent that is going through so much. Africa is one of many places that a little bit of strategic help can make a drastic difference is many peoples lives. Who knew that simply putting a wall up around an orphanage in Rwanda would make the children there feel so much more secure.
I never in a million years thought I would have the opportunity to fulfill both of my dreams at the same time. On several occasions I approached teachers, non-profits, and doctors about how I could make my dreams come true. For years I was either turned away or I didn’t feel comfortable with the projects that were presented to me. Until now.
When I first met with Jan Hanson who is the founder of 200 Orphanages Worldwide I knew this was the perfect project for me. It is very important to me that the projects I get involved with be SUSTAINABLE. I also appreciate being able to help non-profits that involve people who are trying to give back to their home countries. Bamendas Orphans project encompasses all of these important objectives.
My goal is to be able to use Naturopathic Medicine along with the treatments that are currently being used to help improve the lives of the Orphans in Bamenda, Cameroon. I feel blessed that I will be apart of this project from it’s inception. I am so glad that the wait payed off. I firmly believe that everything happens when it is supposed to happen.”
I met Danielle in Arizona and she’s working between finals and studies to raise funds for the orphanage. She invited Relindis Moffor, executive director with Angel of Mercy and I to speak at her school.
Since then, she’s organized a Pet Beauty Contest and it was a great success, then she had an informational fund raiser at a Poetry Night Open Mic. She hopes to expand her Pet Beauty Contest this August. Her dreams are coming true. And soon the children’s dreams will come true as well.
Thank you Danielle! For the children!
Precious
I was introduced to a young boy in Cameroon named Precious through Relindis Moffor, “Angel of Mercy” USA director. I asked Relindis to have the children in her care draw their hand art for me during one of her trips there, and I am blessed to have one from Precious.
Precious lived in the Village where 
the orphanage is to be built. He was about my grandson’s age, so seeing his photo about a year and a half ago and learning about his story touched my heart deeply. It made me realize the work I am doing makes a difference in the lives of children like Precious.
I learned he was a sick boy and under the care of the “Angel of Mercy” staff. He suffered with HIV/AIDS; his parents were infected and passed away. Precious lived with relatives, they did what they could, but they had very little to help him. Angel of Mercy stepped in to provide for his medical, nutritional and educational needs. They became his extended family. He was so excited to finally have a home once the orphanage was built.
Precious is not the only child living in poverty and disease; sadly, there are so many and really so few of us who know about them and their needs.
A few weeks ago, May 29th 2011, I learned that Precious had passed away. It saddened me as I am traveling to Cameroon in September with a group of volunteers. We are helping raise funds to build the orphanage Precious was to call his home. I won’t get to meet him, and he won’t see the building that would have been his home. He is my poster child of orphans that we are helping.
“Angel of Mercy” USA has a staff of medical personnel caring for the day to day needs of children just like Precious; such as Una, Emmanuel, Sandra, and Jenabou. These are the children of “Angel of Mercy”.
They are all Precious to me.
Today, I am even more inspired and motivated to see the children have a place they can call home, a safe shelter where caring people provide for them daily. Helping Angel of Mercy meet the needs of the children who have no one else really makes a difference.
Please help us help them! It’s not only about donating money. You can help us help them by simply telling your friends about what we’re trying to do. You could host a fund raiser. You could travel with us to haul block, move brush, pull fence.
We can’t do it all, but we can all do something.
So, you may get tired of hearing about my passion to raise funds to build safe shelter for orphans. But, recently I have learned I am not alone. There are others out there like me who decided one day to do something. The catalyst was different, but we all have the same heart.
Meet my new friend: Christina Aiken-Yulfo
I was introduced to Christina by way of the World Wide Web along with a group of women who found our website while seeking to use their talents and gifts to change the life of an orphan. You heard from Monique last post and about the spark that started her to take action was simple comments from her nephew at Christmas.
Christina has a dream. She wants to use her architectural skills to design an orphanage. Well, she’s going to be able to do much of that for Angel of Mercy. In her words now:
”I am truly excited about the opportunity to go to Cameroon and fulfill a lifelong dream of building an orphanage for the children of the Angels of Mercy organization. Helping children with HIV/AIDS in a way that will greatly improve their quality of life is an awesome responsibility that I commend the organization for and am grateful to be a part of. As a Christian, it humbles me to be able to be salt and light to these children. I am eagerly anticipating the trip to Bamenda, Cameroon to set the groundwork for designing and building a new orphanage.
When I was about 13 or 14 years old, I was inspired to design, build and operate an orphanage. My rudimentary plan was simply a layout of dormitory and classroom building however, the vision I had resonated with me and put me on a path to where I am today. Architecture has provided me with a platform to address my social concerns for issues such as low-income housing, urban redevelopment and cultural communities. Providing a space that creates an experience and improves the quality of life for the inhabitants is a challenge that I have given myself as a architectural designer.
The dream I had nearly 20 years ago waned over the years however this orphanage project has reignited the passion in me and I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of such a life changing endeavor.”
Thank you Christina! The children in Cameroon will be blessed because of your dream.
