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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.
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.
We are currently being featured on Travelanthropy.com
Linda Chew contacted me from Travelanthropy when I first started 200 Orphanages a few years ago. She blogged about my trip to Peru and now my travels to Rwanda. Thank you Linda!
I have been so touched by the many people I’ve met on this journey. I have met the most wonderful people on earth. It is really the best part of what I do. So many people want to help the children and help us raise funds for the orphanage projects. This touches me daily. Here are just a few of the awesome people I am privileged to know.
Angel of Mercy: Relindis Moffor is executive director and works day to day at St. Judes Medical Clinic in St. Paul. Her dedication to orphans in need is amazing. We’re helping her raise funds to build housing for HIV/AIDS orphans she cares for in Cameroon. When I first met her, she worked two jobs, one for her lovely family her in the states and the other to send money to provide medical care and education to HIV/AIDS babies in her care. Lori Fuchs is organizing our 2nd Annual Spring Fever Charity 5K for February 26, 2011 to help raise funds to get the project in Cameroon started.
Nibakure Children’s Village: Soon NCV will house 36 orphans and 12 care givers… Executive Director Floriane Brown is working steadily to help the children from her country have a better life. We were able to send money to provide a security fence around Phase 1 of her project, and are now helping them raise funds for Solar power for the Village. Attend their event, and help them start taking kids in early next year.
DAYA Home in India: I received artwork from Rev. Shantipriya Basiston, who cares for the orphans here. The work was created by the orphans and I plan to have them framed for sale and use the proceeds to raise funds for partner projects. They need our help, like so many others.
I am planning a Children’s Art Show and Sale where these and other pieces will be available for purchase. Stay tuned.
We can’t do it all, but we can all do something! Here’s something you can do:
You can help us organize a fund raiser before the end of the year. It doesn’t have to be huge, just a small cocktail party in your home for the holidays with friends and family… Host a Holiday Party For A Cause…
Let me know if you want to participate! I will help in any way I can!
In all activities of this past year including traveling to build the fence in Rwanda, handing out donated items to the children, helping the woman’s cooperative in Rwanda, our mission couldn’t be more clear:
We exist to raise funds and awareness for building projects to better serve orphans. Here’s an example of why we do what we do! I just received a video from an organization in India seeking our help. One look at the face of these orphans inspires me to do something more. Just a little bit helps these children that have so little.
To that end, we’re working on three primary fund raisers next year in Minnesota and hope to eventually have similar events in other cities, particularly Arizona. Lori Fuchs, a very effective board member has inspired me to build on the events we’ve already started… she’s heading up our 3rd 5 K in February and I am hosting a small house to house event to mobilize local supporters…
2nd Annual Fast & Furious Silent Auction
Next year’s fund raisers will be a Charity 5K in February, A Golf Tournament in June and an International Culinary Event and Art Auction in November. Lucia, a good friend, just stopped over and she offered her help in organizing the Culinary Event…We are excited and looking for more bodies to help!
Another direction is to encourage your gardening friends to have house parties for products featured on this website. We recieve 40% of the profits sold, so if you have a $500 party, the orphans get $200. That means 10 friends need to spend $50 on items for gifts or their own garden. What do you think?
We have our work cut out for us! But, it’s clear people are catching the vision to to get involved and DO SOMETHING!
For the Children!
Jan
Look at this! Here’s a more recent photo of the fence we funded and help build in Rwanda for the orphans! The gazebo funded by Villanova University is also taking shape. Yipee!
On a serious note: After my trip to Rwanda, the stories of the Genocide were disturbing. Those events were unspeakable and no one has answers to the whys of that period in history. What I took home with me was the concept of national forgiveness. My sister happened to read a story in the Minneapolis Tribune published while I was in Rwanda about yet another Minnesota couple that travels to Rwanda twice a year to bring “Forgiveness Training” to the people of Genocide. Reverand Arthur Rounder and his wife Molly founded the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation. Forgiveness in Rwanda is a national policy in order to achieve reconciliation among people left with the affects of the genocide… those who commited atrocities and the victims of atrocities. Forgiveness heals…and it works.
Ok, the peanuts. I bought 7 kilos of peanuts from the Women Cooperative and brought them home. I didn’t know what to do with them, so I tried roasting a few in my oven. Delicious. I think they could sell those peanuts to people like me and make some real cash! I’m just sayin’.
I am writing this post post trip. I have been home for a few days now and am almost fully recovered. Still taking the malaria pills, although I probably saw all of one mosquito the entire trip. I hope to be able to recap my last few days on site in Rwanda and give everyone the desire to go along with me next time!
It’s hard to believe I spent only a few short days in Rwanda. Floriane really knows how to pack it in. She had four groups including me there helping, her largest crowd yet. The Scottish group, the students from Pennsylvania and finally the Belgians.
On Saturday I had the pleasure of working with the students from Villanova University from Pennsylvania. 
The service trip was part of their class on the Rwandan Genocide and organized by their Professor. The university gladly funded
the Gazebo and the kids worked really hard. I enjoyed interacting with them and was told by Katie that people from Princeton don’t work this hard… So, her name from that moment on: Princeton. Here she is working hard. Her team helped with the fence, the clean up around the site and on the Gazebo. Mostly they helped haul cement made of mud and water in containers with holes in them. Even though it was hard, dirty work. they all appeared as if they had great joy in what they were doing. 
The Belgians were introduced to Floriane through a friend who is a member of the Rotary. They caught the vision and organized a run to help pay for the furniture for NCV. The run was held in Rwanda and it was widely publicized and a great success. It was a real run, by the way…these were serious runners making their way over the hills of Rwanda. My hats off to them.
The Belgians also were the first people to stay onsite. They brought their packs and running shoes of course and camped in one of the houses. 
The furniture is lovely and will last a long time. These homes will house 12 orphans and two widows. The facilities have a kitchen, running water and two full bathrooms, complete with toilets, showers and three sinks. The facility will be of high standards and create a sense of safety and well being for staff and children alike.
But, in the meanwhile, Floriane arranged for water to be brought in so the Belgians had a few creature comforts. The furniture was delivered Monday late and after their first night they were served coffee in the morning by one of the neighbor women. It was obvious their joy in being there working on the site and being a part of this wonderful work.
We went to church on Sunday…4 hours of singing and dancing in a lively, but humble facility. The people were not poor by any means. The one room building was covered with canvas, the chairs plastic. These people were rich in faith and joy. They provided us with interpreters so we could enjoy the spirit and the message. This is a dancing people, they break out in dance and clapping much easier than we Americans.
Francine is the Cooperative's President
On Monday, we all made it back to the site. It was a full crowd, all of us in attendance. Floriane and I were to meet with the women cooperative again on Monday and we found Marie who agreed to help coordinate the effort. She will work with Rick from East Africa Metamorphosis project in administering the micro financing. Rick has agreed to take on the women and help them get started successfully. Marie works for Brussels Airways and is a law student…so she will help us at least get the program off the ground here. The women were elated and broke out dancing for joy.
We met for about an hour or more and they brought two business plans with them that they prepared previously. One was for raising cows and selling the
The Cooperative
milk the other for chickens. Marie is translating the business plan so Rick can read it for the chicken business. We hope to start with a small amount so the first project can be a success. If we help these women, we help the families.
The Genocide: Never Again
I joined the Villanove U students on their trip to the Memorial. This period in Rwandan History is not easy to understand. It’s not up to me to judge why or how this could happen. But, being a part of the restoration even in a small way is the right thing to do. There are memorials everywhere, as the Genocide wasn’t an isolated event. It was a nationwide massacre. Many of the killings took place in houses of worship as this is where people fled for safety. The merciless haters didn’t care. 
So, here in Nyamata, the village where the Orphanage is, the church stands as it was 16 years ago.
The clothing of its victims on the pews, blood still on the altar where slayings occured and a few machetes and weapons left behind. No photos are allowed, which is just as well. It isn’t a tourist stop, but a memorial, a sacred place to honor the lives of those cut short by insanity of hate. There are stories too gruesome to repeat here, and there are stories of bravery and self sacrifice, even martyrdom.
There is a whole culture of forgiveness being built in Rwanda. It’s redefining their national identity as they recover from the genocide. It appears that after such an atrocity, there is no punishment suitable for the crimes. The hope to heal their nation is based in forgiveness. There have been plenty of trials and justice meted out, mind you. But, when that’s all said and done, without forgiveness hatred still has a root. The nation recognizes that without forgiveness, healing can’t begin.
Our last day together was July 20 and we were able to all get together for lunch. It was a great time to relax and enjoy each other over a meal.
What stands out most in my mind after traveling these many miles to among other things carry buckets of cement and level fence posts, is the joy that comes from doing this work. It’s not just me, look at the faces of the volunteers.
Is there anything better?
Making Connections…Building Fences
The third and fourth day were work days. Friday and Saturday were spent mainly at the site working but, I did get a chance to go to Alex’s orphanage for some introductions Friday morning.
Floriane kindly arranged to have her driver take Alex and I to Gisimba Memorial Center, District of Nyarugenge where Alex lived as an orphan. If you remember, Alex is from Rwanda, but he is going to school to be a pastor in southern Minnesota. He brought a team with him to Rwanda from Minnesota the same time I arrived. We arrenged to get together while we are both here, and againwhen we both return.
As we walked into the complex, Alex immediately pointed out a bullet still sticking out of the metal window frames. It is painted white as is the frame so it’s hard to identify it as a 
bullet. But it remains there as a memorial; one among many in this nation.
Alex introduced me to the group’s Patron of Communications, Niyongana Ildephonse (that’s easy for you to say…I will call him Alphonse). He would tell me the history of the orphanage as well as update me on their current needs.
Stories In Rwanda:
Alphonse told me that the orphanage was started as a private initiative by Melchior Gisimba and remains so. The Grandparents started the work in the 1950s caring for the orphans after WWII. It began by taking in a few children into their home. People continued to flee Rwanda through years of unrest and war, and the family fled to Congo for a time. They returned to Rwanda in spite of the unrest. And shortly thereafter the father died. The son Peter (Pierre) carried his father’s vision, and now the Grandson, Damas. During the Genocide, people began to bring their children, their neighbor’s childrenand themselves to the home for refuge. At one point, Damas had 400 people in hiding. He bribed the militias and authorities to have them turn a blind eye to the children, they all were God’s Children. It appeared to many that the home had the normal amount of orphans, as most were hidden in the ceilings. Finally, the good graces and money ran out and Damas himself had to go into hiding. A pastor stepped in and protected those in hiding. He negotiated with the one responsible for the killings. The government official saw the tide turning on his killing spree and made a deal that would have a photo taken making it appear the he was helping those in hiding. He then would provide army soldier protection for the children to be moved to the protection of the Rwandan liberators. The deal was struck and all of those in hiding were marched with armed soldiers protecting them from the militias to their rescue.
Every person in Rwanda has a story about what happened to them or someone they loved in the genocide. This horrific 100-day massacre of the Tutsi’s is their recent history (1994, not 16 years ago). It remains for some unspeakable. It also remains an untold story in the international community. Its painful part of their personal and national history inflicted intense trauma, so the wounds are just beginning to heal. More and more people are talking. Each time we drive to the building site, we drive over a river and the passengers get silent, as if we entered a sacred place. I learned it was in this river where many people were mercilessly killed, their bodies left to float downstream. Stories of murder as children were tied to their parents’ hands and one of them shot and thrown into the river to save bullets. These are ugly stories…things most people try to forget. So you can imagine the raw pain that remains here in this lovely country. The stories are 
heartless and cruel, unimaginable and unspeakable. But healing is on the way.
When we were finished talking, I asked Alex to take a photo of the places in the home that are most meaningful to him. He immediately went over to the “mums” who were gathering for the morning. The women are hired to care for the daily needs of the children. They were not his own mum, but the idea obviously is that their role as caregivers in the lives of orphans is so critical; going to his mum was his most favorite place. We saw his dorm, the kitchen, the yard where he played. I learned parts of his story as we conversed on facebook before this meeting. It’s written in his own words briefly here. I hope to help him tell his story; how God saved his life and gave him a future. Contact us if you’d like to arrange a speaking engagement.
Building the Fence
Well, finally, Friday was my first real work day on the site. I was quite excited to actually get sweaty and dirty. We carried make-shift buckets of mixed mud to fill the holes for the fence posts. This concrete is made up of dirt and water. Mud, really. But, their baked mud is like concrete. If you saw these workers with a pick ax for hours upon hours pounding away at the packed ground to make a hole for the fence posts, you would understand. This hasn’t got any cement mix in it, just rock and mud and water. Oh, by the way…that metal makeshift shed in back of me and the guy in green? The bathroom. Yeah… I never have to go, imagine that.
We went into town again for lunch at the locally owned buffet. The bill amounted to $18,000 Rwandan francs, which is about…$30 for 12 people.
When we returned, Floriane distributed donated clothes to the local children who 
frequent the site. They are all poor children as you can see, living in rural community with not much to do. So they come watch the muzungu. This is shouted at me whenever we drive by. It’s not derogatory, just a term for white person…often used in delightful glee by a young child waving frantically.
We continued to make more dirt for the cement mud mixture. This requires working the ground to loosen it and pile it to mix with water and granite stones. Quite a bit of work, but we all could do it. The one Rwandan woman helping us knew how to work the ground she would pound it to loosen it up and then begin to hack and wack at it. It’s a very 
effective way to make mud.
Everyone moves slowly here, more slowly than the volunteers that come. But, I think the locals pace themselves for heat and altitude. The altitude is about 5,000 feet and that might explain why I was out of breath and light headed a few times. I am pretty hearty, so I don’t expect a problem. It’s important to stay hydrated, well fed and try not to be in the sun. Oh, yeah, that’s funny. There’s no shade at all where we are working, so we are in the heat of the sun all day. It’s not too bad though, 84 degrees or so with a slight breeze and no humidity. In Kigali, the average temperature is (70° F ). A long rainy season lasts from February to May and a short one from November through December. So, the weather is temperate and very pleasant. But, even so, doing physical labor all day in the sun is exhausting.
Floriane rounded us all up and we left the site and went to our hotel to clean up as we were going to a concert after dinner and then to Floriane’s friends’ house again for supper. The concert was a Christian Revival service and was delightful. I felt moved as I heard and saw the sea of black faces singing and dancing with joy. The preacher preached about peace and forgiveness; I know this because it was translated in English. The songs were beautiful, very talented musicians, a choir from a local church and these were not translated. I know they were singing about God, but I couldn’t make out a word.
At Marie’s house we enjoyed more delicious Rwandan food. We were treated to a local delicacy: spicy grilled kidney-skewers for appetizers. Lovely Congolese cheese. We also had fried plantains, sweet potatoes, fried Tilapia, steak fillets on skewers, peas with coconut milk, fried potatoes and much more. Then we were served a lovely fruit salad for desert. This woman knows how to entertain! When I got back to the hotel, I crashed in bed. No Africa tea for me tonight!
The fence is making great progress. We have all the posts in and on Monday and Tuesday we may be able to run the wire. YEAH!
We will be meeting with the women from the Cooperative we met the first day near the site. Rick Barkley with East Africa Metamorphis Project in Texas agreed to help the group and we’ve found a volunteer, Marie, Floriane’s friend, to help oversee the program. It’s very exciting as Floriane and Rick will be able to work closely with Marie and the women to help them build a better life for themselves and their families.
Here are a few more pictures to enjoy:
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