I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to help

Dear Friends May 22, 2007

Yet, again, I am using the wisdom of another’s words as my blog:
I will share the two emails I received from Eleanor Lambert, a 12 year old girl who makes me proud to say I am an American. That has not come too easily the last few years
Following them will be my response.

To: Marie
Wait till you read this! I meant to tell you about this when we spoke today. Eleanor is so precious. She & her brothers make their Confirmation the Sunday of Memorial W/end. I have sent her your e-mail address. Loveyou! -clw (Carolyn Williams)

Dear Mrs. Carolyn. Hi! Did my mom tell you I wanted to work with the kids in Africa?I think it would be fun!My mom took me to this blog about your friend Maria and i would REALLY like to email her.But I can't find her email address on her blog.Could you send me her email address so I can help.I keep seeing on TV about these kids and families and one said that about 28,000 kids will die tomorrow I think because of malaria or something and I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to give money to help find a cure or something that will help the kids that are orphaned,sick, dying or don't have a lot to eat. I have $100 saved up(or by the time you get this I may have more)and it is for those kids! By the way I was exploring her blog and there was a picture of her and some friends,a cute dog ,and you she was saying “thanks”. I hope on some of those pictures of kids they will be happy and healthy because of all the people that are helping.Love,Elliep.s. I am running in a track meet tomorrow so wish me luck! To MarieHey this is Ellie,Mrs.Carolyn's friend, I am only 12 but would really really REALLY like to help I have saved over $100 and could send it to you by mail? Anyhow on your blog it says your b-day was a little while ago happy late b day!Just tell me how to get the $ to you and I will send it.I will still be saving up.Do you think I should reach a total then send the $ to you or send it whenever I get some? I will save up and keep the kids and you in my prayers. Bye Ellie P.S my real name is Eleanor(you most likely knew that)but everyone calls me Ellie P.S.S I just thought of this: you know those socks, the woolly real comfy ones they are like $5 they fit any size If any kids need socks I can use some of the $ and buy some of those and send the $ and the socks, unless there is a store that sells them there!

Dear Ellie May 19, 2007
What a nice email and wonderful idea.! Of course, I know who Eleanor is (Carolyn speaks of you frequently) but now you will be “Ellie” to me.
It is nice to see a young lady be so thoughtful of children across the continent from herself.
The children here in East Africa (Uganda) are wonderful and fun and very kind to each other, although most of them have lost one or both parents from AIDS. Some live with their grandparent, but most live on their own, with some support from their community. That is what St. Francis Hospital- Mutolere does: helps support these children and educate them, so they may have a better future then they have now.
I spoke with my Supervisor, Sr. Justine (you read about her and her adorable daughter Olivia in my Easter blog) and she was very moved by your kindness. We have been discussing different ideas but no decision has been reached, perhaps you can help us. Suggestions are (1) mosquito nets for the new Paediatric (yep, that is how they spell it here) Building which is to open in August.We all use mosquito nets at night to prevent the mosquito’s from biting us as some carry the malaria bug. (2) For the AIDS Orphans; we thought perhaps some sweets ( they never get candy, cake or soda or even chips ) . I have even considered having a party for them after lunch some Saturday. We could name it the”Ellie Party” and have balloons and music and cupcakes and soda pop. What do you think of that idea?
There are 90 children weekly so that would leave about $1 to spend per child ….Although I sometimes wear socks, rarely do I see the children wear them or even shoes for that matter. It is a warm climate and even when they may have a sweater on in the morning, they still have bare feet.
(3) Another idea is to sponsor a childs school fees: Just yesterday I accompanied Agnes, a co-worker, to visit a 13 yr old boy named Emmanuel because he has not been coming on Saturdays to the program, or attending school. He is a double AIDS Orphan (meaning he has lost both his parents to AIDS). He said he would like to attend boarding school but did not have the money or clothes (they must wear uniforms ).It cost about 210,000 shillings ($100.00) plus uniforms a full year.. Emmanuel lives in a one room shack with his older brother, who was not at home when I was there. He seemed a very nice boy and spoke to me in English when I ask his name in his local language Rufumbria I said “Witwande?” and he responded ”My name is Emmanuel, how are you?” I responded “Meza neza wakoze , Umaze Ute? “ which means “Very well thank you, how are you?” I then asked Agnes to tell him that I would really like to see him at the program and that I had come all the way from America to meet him. He looked up at me for the first time (up to this point he was looking down as he knew he was in trouble) and said ”Yes, I will come tomorrow”
I am pleased to say he did come today. Perhaps this is the start of a better future for Emmanuel, just one of many AIDS Orphans in Africa.
Boarding schools are popular here and education a privilege and the only real opportunity for a better life. The children take their studies very seriously.
Well, Ellie, I have gone on and on about Emmanuel because I just met him yesterday and already feel a connection with him. and you, as you are close in age.
Today the children have taught me many new words in Rufumbria , as well as lessons in basket weaving(after they braided my hair with straw-smile) . I served the children breakfast ( a liquid porridge) and lunch of beans, potatoes, cabbage and pumpkin( looks more like what we would call squash) . We sang songs ( they teach me one, then I teach them one-smile). Anyone who has known me for very long will recognize that I was teaching the children ”I believe in the Sun” in the above photo.
I then taught them the Mexican Hat Dance (wore me out!!) and they performed some local dances for me. It was a full, fun day, but---- I was able to walk ¼ of a mile to my very comfortable dwelling while they walked several miles to a one room shanty with no electricity or plumbing. Worse than that; often no one to welcome them home.
I am humbled and touched by their beautiful smiles and jubilant spirits amidst such poverty and loss.
Well, dear Ellie, I believe this letter has turned into a blog, so I hope you won’t mind if I publish your wonderful offer to help the children
Let me know what you think of my ideas and we will come up with the perfect way to use your $100.00 to help the children of Africa.
Thank you and may God bless you and your family
Marie

Photo's from AIDS Orphans Day-

Birthday Blogs are the Best!!!

Dear Friends May 6, 2007
Only a day to my Birthday and unlike last year , when I chose to ignore my natal day(by the way it was a dud of a day) I am celebrating ME and the wonderfulness of my life. and the “amazing” friends God has placed in my journey
If you happen to be a part of this happy group I call” friends” ---thank you for all your support and love and birthday goodies. If not—well come aboard ---you are missing out!
My plan is to go to town with Justine(my friend and supervisor) and have a sauna and massage. It is difficult to imagine that in this town( Kisoro) there could actually be such a thing as a massage therapist, but apparently the “Tourist Hotel” has such an amenity and I intend to take full advantage of it.
Thank you “Miracle Workers” Carolyn, Carol, Cynthia and Bonnie for the Birthday Care Package.: chocolate( marshmallow eggs, bunnies and Ghiardelli mint and raspberry filled candies), hooks, tacks, shampoo, skin lotion with SPF 15, Tuna and Salmon in sealed packages, a million DVD’s(I just rewatched Diane Keaton in “Somethings gotta give”) So much better the second time around. And the best of all Pink Canada Mints(there is a God!-smile) I am one happy birthday girl.
Then to top it off I am 20 pounds thinner than when I left the USA. Now that is something to celebrate. Why you ask? Well butter is hard to come by and I must walk 3 or 4 miles on an average day, so even with the goody care package, I should be able to keep my girlish figure(ha)
I’ll write more later when I have time and I am again able to download photo’s onto my computer. Thinking of all those lucky people who share a May Birthday with me, especially my friends Bill N Robbye F A Marilyn Band Jeff R. I will conclude with a birthday wish for myself and all the May folk. In my life.

When you were born
You cried and the world rejoiced.
Live your life in such a manner that
When you die
The World cries and you rejoice.

Marie
Ps Photo taken last Aug when I stopped to visit Rebecca Wilson Southard on my way to LosAngeles, California to start formation to be a missionary with Lay Mission Helpers.
Rebecca thought it absurd that I chose to not celebrate my birthday while in South Africa, so gave me a spontaneous birthday party with the most gorgeous pink cake!!!!The fact that it was so sweet even I could not eat it, made it even more fun for Rebecca, her husband Steven and son’s Asa and Ari and me, the birthday girl(HA)

AIDS Orphans Day at St. Francis Hosp.

Girl walking home after a full day----------------Boys being silly and making hats!

Dear Friends May 1,2007

I want to tell you a little about “Orphans Day” which is every sat. at St. Francis Hospital , Public Health Department.. About 80 to 90 children from age 7 to 16 yrs find there way here for a day of breakfast, lunch, play, and learning .Beautiful children .who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. None of these children seem sick themselves but I don’t believe they are tested unless they have symptoms .
Breakfast is a liquid millet porridge which I happily serve but couldn’t get myself to try-smile. Then we all go outside to play. The girls seem to like to jump rope , but they don’t use a rope rather some vines tied together And they don’t twirl it around in a circle , just back and forth. The more experienced the girl is, the faster the rope goes back and forth. I found it pretty compelling to watch., almost wanted to try it myself-ha
I recall many years ago at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, when skateboarding also looked appealing but my career was short lived as I fell flat on my back the very first time I put my foot on the skateboard. So, maybe I’ll wait a bit before I try the jump rope circuit.
The boys play with a soccer ball but it seems they are just throwing it around, no official game that I could see .I spent time with a group of 10-11 year old who were braiding some straw to make hats and bags to sell. I , having braided hair for years,. . thought this would be a breeze Wrong again! Seems there is another move besides your basic braiding and the boys found it quite funny that I just couldn’t seem to master it. Maybe it had something to do with having six or seven teachers at the same time? Ha.
The boys know more about geography than I knew at that age and definitely more about American history than I ever knew about a country not my own. . But like most adults in Africa, they thought all American were rich , no one had AIDS, and everyone ate 5 meals a day and gave their pets the left overs. Admittantly the eating part is true among some, but I told them we have many very poor families in the USA who struggle just to have a meal a day. We talked about AIDS in the United States: how many had died and many were taking ART to survive.
After washing their hands , for lunch. I helped pass out plates filled with beans, rice and mashed pumpkin, which is eaten African style (that is with your hands) Then another hand washing and everyone gathers for some local singing and dancing . I took some terrific videos of the dancing but seem unable to send any videos, no matter how short.
The spirit of song and dance is such a natural part of their culture. While watching , it is hard to imagine that some of them go home to a single meal a day ( usually at school) and often there is no adult caregiver. Many live with their grandparent, but some at 14 yrs are the eldest of several children. You would never know their struggles in the photo’s I took, they seem like typical silly adolescents .
I don’t know too many individual stories yet but two of my language teachers grandsons attend , while their granddad Everest counsels the children on AIDS and Malaria and how to protect themselves.

Someone donated a TV and video machine to the program but no one was able to hook it up. Well, all those years of experience came in handy when yours truly was able to make it work. There were hoots and hollers of thanks, when all they had to watch were films about disease and the importance of hand washing. Bless their hearts, they sat enraptured as if it were a Kung Fu movie..
As time goes by and I get to know some of the children , I will tell you more about them .For now I hope you’ll like the photos I’ve enclosed.
I am not sure when I will be able to blog or download photos again as my computer is acting up and the computer expert that examined it today was unable to fix it. He is optimistic he will be able to, if I bring the correct Dell disc with me next time. Hum….
More soon
Marie

Every saturday is AIDS Orphans Day!

Children celebrating their local dance

Children eating lunch(African Style)