Also, this past month has been amazing as I’ve been contacted by three talented, passionate individuals who want to use their talents to help us help them.

Please welcome our new staff associates: Callie Unruh, Development Associate, Jen Bakken, Publicity Associate and Judy Wolters, Administrative Associate. Each have committed to help us build and grow in 2012.  Each brings a heart for fund raising and a desire to help orphans.  

Callie Unruh: Finding Callie is a story in itself. Since our budget for 2012 calls for lots of fund raising events, I knew I’d needed help. So, after much whining and prayer, I searched online for help writing a job description for volunteer fund development officer. The first site that came up was www.Idealist.org and it appears that Callie used those same key words to seek for a volunteer fund development opportunity! Even better, she lives in Tempe Az. We exchanged emails, met over lunch and now she’s agreed to serve as our Development Associate. She’ll be my right arm in Arizona, alongside our other volunteers. We met with Danielle and Magda our medical volunteers to Cameroon to plot strategy for an upcoming fund raiser.  Callie has a BS Journalism and Biblical Theology from Multnomah University | Portland, OR. She’s starting her Masters in January in Non Profit Management focusing on International Development. Callie intends to incorporate her Journalism degree writing and communicating through email marketing, online communications, public relations and corporate writing. She will work on a quarterly donor newsletter and help prioritize our database.

 The same week, I received an email from our website from Jennifer Bakken. Jen lives in Buffalo MN and found us after searching for an organization that serves orphans in Minnesota. Jen currently works as a preschool teacher, in Minnesota, and is working on her bachelor’s in communications with an emphasis on fundraising and volunteer management.  Having worked in journalism, story telling is her passion and she has won two Minnesota Newspaper Association Awards. After volunteering in an orphanage in Mexico, a passion to personally volunteer in orphanages around the world… was ignited. Now she wants to help as many children as possible. She has agreed to serve as our Publicity Director and is already working on our media kit…(her idea!). She will be writing the stories of our partners projects and the orphans in hopes of getting more publicity nationally.   

Judy Wolter found us on Volunteermatch.com. while seeking a place to make a difference. Judy has been a stay at home Mom for many years, prior to that she worked as a group home manager. She brings many creative ideas to help get families and civic groups involved in our efforts. Judy is currently taking online courses in nonprofit management and is hoping to further her knowledge while helping such an extremely worthwhile cause.

We Are Building Safe Shelter So Orphans Can Have A Place To Call Home!

 With that said, I have a post-it note that reads: “I am so far behind, I think I am first.”  But, we just keep moving forward, step by step. We still hope to break ground in Cameroon by year end and have Phase One  built and children moved in by next year to receive the daily care they so need.

There is much to do.

On my last visit to NYC, two taxi drivers, one a Muslim from Bangladesh and one a Nigerian expressed their gratitude for America. The man from Bangladesh, living here for 17 years, worried over our nation’s  economic troubles. He told me he talked with his brother who still lives in Bangladesh the night before exchanging ideas on how to help our economy. He added, “Anyone who wants to see America fail is wrong. Who would help the world if America goes down? No other wealthy country on earth gives to the poor like America.”

The Nigerian man, here for 16 years, told me about the opportunities he’s had here, allowing him able to support his family here and back home.  Both men and their loved ones have been blessed by America’s bounty and have benefited from the generosity America.
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For me, and many of you, the blessings of America come with a somber call to gratitude and good stewardship. We don’t take these blessings for granted. This Thanksgiving it’s with a humble heart I give thanks. As many Americans, I honor and acknowledge our nation’s bounty are a gift from God. And knowing that, I intentionally cultivate a generous heart. So,  be blessed, hug your loved ones, your children and grandchildren, live generously and most of all…give thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

JH

Now that we’ve been there, we’ve seen. There is a great sense of urgency to complete the work set before us. Dietra and Monique, Danielle and Magda, Isabelle and well all of us, have plans for fund raisers for the project. We are getting the word out, with much fervor, making artistic greeting cards and t shirts from the finger paintings of the first children who will reside in the home. We have plans to make quilts of the African Fabric and art work to raise funds … Lots and Lots of ideas! Each one is as enthusiastic and motivated as ever.

People from all across the U.S. are hearing and doing. Meet Carly Ward:

People with a heart for orphans are doing what they can. Remember: We can’t do it all, but we can all do something!

Our co founder Fred Cornforth introduced us to Carly Ward from Boise Idaho who is working with the local school districts to incorporate international philanthropy to the kids.

She’s introducing our Adopt a Project concept and finding classrooms and schools to adopt one of the 200 Orphanage Worldwide projects. Her vision is to have kids help the kids!  Our local Boys and Girls Club is getting involved as well. Very exciting stuff and we’ll keep you posted if you want to have your school involved.

Please watch for our updates. If you want to be added to our mailing list, reply to this post. For the Children, JH

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

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.

Doing a good work in the world takes people like Leo, Veta, Michelle, Steve and Monique…thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors and the bands and fans that came out.

We’re going to build an orphanage for 40 HIV/AIDS orphans. We can’t do it all, but we can all do something!

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

In Leo’s words:

“As some of you may know Hey Guy was long looking for a way to get involved in a good cause while doing what we do best — manning coatcheck … playing music. We are very fortunate that 200 Orphanages Worldwide and Angel of Mecy House of Precious have presented us with such opportunity. In late September fifteen volunteers are going to Cameroon to build an orphanage for HIV positive children, as part of a bigger effort to build two hundred orphanages in places where they are needed most.”

The event is at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn September 15 at 7 p.m.  VIP tickets include all you can drink, swag and a warm fuzzy feeling from helping a great cause. Register at http://rockgood.eventbrite.com/

For the Children!

Jan

PS: If you see ads on this blog, I apologize. Please disregard and resist clicking on them. For some reason WordPress started letting ads on blogs.

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.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW

Also: I met Monique in person for the first time today, after months of phone conversations and what a delight!

We also went to  Memorial Spring Branch Rotary Club and were able to introduce ourselves and talk about the fund raiser. A few people requested invites afterwards. What a great club, by the way.

Monique is excited now for her first fund raiser for the project, she and her team have rounded up more than 60 items for the silent auction, not to mention raffle and door prizes, an African Drummer, top of the line food…Ok, I said it once before,  just stay out of her way! These women are serious about building that orphanage!

Relindis arrives tonight, Christina tomorrow and she’s bringing the plan sketch with her…