You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘orphanages worldwide’ category.
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
You’ve met Monique, Danielle and Christina. Now let me introduce Leo Pelekh, co founder of Hey Guy, a NYC indie band. Monique shared her passion in our cause with Leo and couldn’t help himself. He had to do something too.
Leo and his brother Boris along with Hey Guy founded Rock Good, a charitable organization with a mission to galvanize indie rockers to use their talent for good causes. The primier Rock Good concert event brings together the talents of seven local indie rock acts to the Knitting Factory and with participation of Q104.3 FM radio station aims to raise money for House of Precious and 200 Orphanages Worldwide.
Leo was born in Moscow Russia, one of two children, where he enjoyed a privileged upbringing by soviet standards, he said. ”I was sent to some of Moscow’s best schools to study violin and was groomed for a life of a musical prodigy.” Leo performed at a few notable concerts while still at a very young age.
After the Pelekh family immigrated to the United States, Leo needed to provide for his family. He let go of some of his musical dreams and ambitions and pursued a degree in technology at NYU. In the transition, Leo pursued charity work, organizing toy and book drives, distributing food for the homeless and volunteering computer programming work. It did his heart good to do something more for those less fortunate.
Now he has come full circle. Most recently, Boris and Leo founded Hey Guy, the energetic textured rock act and enjoy some prominence on the NYC indie rock scene, Leo said. He has combined his gifts and talents and formed a high technology consulting business and a record label Naughty Brains Records with the primary purpose of giving life to his brother’s art. And he’s not forgotten the sense of purpose he drew from participating in charitable causes. Now combining his passions, Rock Good was born.
After hearing about the children with HIV/AIDS, and especially Precious, who died before having a home to call his own, Leo mobilized his friends to do a Charity Concert. Now, we are working together to build an orphanage so children like Precious won’t pass into the next life without a home of their own.They may be orphaned, but they are not forgotten! Watch this video to hear from Relindis Moffor, executive director of Angel of Mercy
Thanks Monique! Thanks Leo! Thanks everyone! See you at the Concert!
For the children.
Jan
Jan
It never ceases to amaze me what the work of a few dedicated people can do. Last night I met some of the women I will be traveling with to Cameroon. Monique, Danielle, Isabelle, Rhonda, Dietra and Christina. They hosted a wonderful event in Houston to help build the orphanage in Cameroon. It was a great success. The silent auction went well, Monique and friends secured more than 60 items and people were milling about all evening.
The food: Delicious. Ouisie’s Table donated delightful wines and food. The Alliance Francaise provided space for the event and volunteers tore down, set up and worked the floor all night.
Monique’s last words to me last night: “I am happy.” The children will be blessed.
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.
Help us build the project Select: Angel of Mercy USA in Cameroon
Monique, her sister along with life-long friends are embarking on a life changing journey together… A very intentional fulfilling of lifelong dreams to make a difference in the lives of orphans. They each have different motivations, dreams and inspirations, but with one goal, to make a difference in the life of an orphan.
Monique tells her unique story: It was on my heart to do something for children since 2007. While attending a women’s conference at Hillsong in Sydney, Australia, I saw a presentation by Watoto Children’s Project in Uganda, which recreates a home environment by pairing widows and orphans.
Busy, like we all are, I put the idea of volunteering somewhere on the back burner. By day, I am a Commodity Derivative Salesperson for an Investment Bank, and I have a lot of hobbies. I take weekly French and Tenor Saxophone lessons, biweekly Pilates lessons and am training for my 2nd half-marathon in August. In January, I joined the Board of a Houston based non-profit. Busy. So, the catalyst for why I decided to find a project now, was the innocent words of one of my nephews, Victor age 8, this past Christmas day, December 2010.
In my family tradition, each person present shares some of the notable things and blessings that they experienced that year, and perhaps those things for which they are grateful, before we open gifts. Victor said that he was thankful for his parents and family, and for having a house to live in because some kids do not have either and are homeless and that he felt really badly for those kids and that he prayed for them. The earnest truth of words touched me and I began to cry. I thought, I have to do something about that and I have to do it now. I started my search to find the right organization and right project to support when I returned home from that holiday.
After a considerable amount of research, I found 200 Orphanages Worldwide and was inspired by their amazing work around the globe serving orphans. The opportunity in Bamenda, Cameroon, as presented by Angel of Mercy, suited my desire to be part of a project from its inception. The Bamenda Project also gives my sister Christina, a LEED certified architect, a chance to realize one of her childhood dreams: to design an orphanage. It is an honor to be able to work with people who truly embody Gandhi’s words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. We all have limited resources in terms of time and money, but we can all do something. That which we do, is our legacy.
There is a story about a child and a starfish that I heard once. If you don’t know it, it goes like this:
An adult found a child on a beach throwing starfish back into that water on a beach where hundreds had washed up to high during the tide. The grown-up asked the child what they were doing. The child replied that they were racing to throw them back in the water, so they wouldn’t die. The adult said that it was a waste of time because there were too many starfish out there, so they would never be able to save them all. And the child replied, well, at least I’ll save this one. Like the child in the starfish story, we can each do something, and maybe save one. Each orphan we will house, is a starfish to me.
Learn about Christina and Danielle in our next few blogs. JH
There are many opportunities to give in this world, we all see that. And we all want our gifts to make a difference…where it counts.
I, like you, try to give my time, talents and funds to people I trust. One of my goals with 200 Orphanages is to provide you with trusted places to give, so you really can make a difference in the lives of orphans.
How we work: That’s why I or someone on my board personally meets representatives from our partner organizations before we agree to help them raise funds for their projects. In order for our partners to recieve fund raising help, or project funds, we request that a representative from their group serve on our board. That way we recieve regular first hand progress reports in order to verify funds use. This way we also are able to help them build wider awareness and support for their often remote project. We are vigilant in focusing our energies on projects that will build brighter futures for orphans.
In case you are wondering, I don’t take a salary or receive any percentage of your donations. To date, like so many of my partner organizations, I personally fund the administrative costs and donate personally to the projects so all of our funds go to the project to serve orphans. This being the case, you can be sure I watch where our money goes!
Well, you know the needs out there are many. We can’t do it all, but we can all do something. I hope you know that even a small amount makes a huge difference. Please consider donating to one of our partner projects today.
Giving Trip To Cameroon: Thanks to our Texas Friend Monique Aiken, her sister Christine and other friends and cohorts…we will be taking a group to Cameroon to lay the groundwork for the Orphanage in Cameroon. This group even built their own cause site on facebook at Bamenda Orphans-Cameroon. Executive director Relindis Moffor is in Cameroon right now making arrangements with the architect, the children and the staff. We hope to help build a well, clear the land and harvest crops. You can help us while we’re there by donating online to the Cameroon Building Project in the drop down menu. There is lots to do and Monique and Co. are committed to seeing this project all the way to completion! 
Haiti: That being said, we’ve recently been updated on our gift to Haiti Outreach Mission based in California. President Reginald King, a friend of our co founder Fred Cornforth, sent this email and request:
Jan I’m sorry it took so long to report to you on the street kids facility you helped fund. Now that the Cholera patient load is slowing down at our remote clinic we are catching up on other work. The use of the building is now expanded to function as a day school for the 215 orphans. Merv is now providing them education thru 6th grade. (see photo). We are in motion to add another building for needed classrooms. Raoul will go to Haiti next week to pour the concrete slab then we will assemble the additional building. These buildings have canvas sidewalls so it is important for security to get them enclosed with concrete block walls…a big deal in Haiti! We are providing the new building, slab, windows & doors and wondered if your organization would supply the funds for the security wall which will cost $2500 to $3500 ?
We already know how much a security wall helps change the culture and provides peace of mind for the kids and the helpers. So, if you’re inclined to give to a work in Haiti, we will match funds up to $1,500.
Nibakure Children’s Village Rwanda: We’re still helping Floriane with her work in Rwanda. I get updates at each board meeting and am happy to report, she is preparing to take in her first kids into Phase I. I am so happy to see her dream come true of providing safe shelter for orphans and widows in her home country. She needs help funding solar power for the projects. If you feel strongly about this, please donate and select this project in the drop down menu.
Halo Foundation: We have been able to send $150 to Halo Foundaiton to build a chicken coop to provide food, farming and commerce. We will get an update shortly which of their site will get these funds, either Uganda, Kenya or India.
We will keep you posted on our progress, fund raising events and new opportunities in case you would like to donate with confidence.
Donations of Any Amount Are Welcome.
Great News… Preparations are underway for a Giving Trip to Cameroon in September to get started building the orphanage.
A group of about 6 volunteers contacted me and we are all making preparations to not only raise funds, but gather necessities such as shoes and schools supplies for our trip over. We have big plans, but know that flexibility is key! The volunteers are all friends and they’re excited to be a part of Angel of Mercy’s orphanage!
Once in Cameroon, we’ll do a site visit, meet the staff and community leaders. I plan to attend a Rotary Meeting while there and we might even get to harvest crops, maybe help clear the land for the well and the project. We’ll meet with the architect and contractors. We also plan to do some work with the kids at the school, making their lives a little brighter!
If you can’t travel with us, donations of any amount will help get the project built. If you donate online, select the Angel of Mercy Project and your donations will fund:
- The well that will serve as irrigation for crops, water for construction and the orphanage water supply
- The architect fees
- The initial clearing of the land
- The foundation and structure to be built before next rainy season
This is really getting exciting! I will keep you posted on all developments.
For the Children,
Jan Hanson
