June Orphan Update- Mosquito Nets!!!!!!

Hello All!

We had another great event yesterday with our orphans. Once again, we were able to supply them with their monthly needs of food and medicines for malaria, stomach worms etc. School is on summer break for now so the kids get a chance to rest and enjoy the summer for 1 month. One observation our project manager noticed was that all the orphans were sleeping without a mosquito net. For the June distribution, we purchased mosquito nets for all our orphans. It is amazing how something so simple can truly save a life.

Malaria is one of the most severe public health problems worldwide. It is a leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries, where young children and pregnant women are the groups most affected. It is unbelievable how devastating Malaria is and also how treatable and preventable it is. For example and thanks to their sponsors, our orphans now sleep under nets treated with long-term mosquito repellant (prevention) and if they do get Malaria, we quickly supply the medicines for a speedy recovery (treatment). Without these 2 components, our orphans would be in the same boat as those children without any help. Check out the stats I pulled from the CDC and the World Health Organization. According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2009 and the Global Malaria Action Plan:

-3.3 billion people (half the world’s population) live in areas at risk of malaria transmission in 109 countries and territories.
-35 countries (30 in sub-Saharan Africa and 5 in Asia) account for 98% of global malaria deaths.
-In 2008, malaria caused an estimated 190-311 million clinical episodes and 708,000-1,003,000 deaths.
-89% of the malaria deaths worldwide occur in Africa.
-Malaria is the 2nd leading cause of death from infectious diseases in Africa, after HIV/AIDS.

It is interesting to note that in the Beninese culture, children that survive what is called "Palu" which is the local name for Malaria, sort of undergo a rite of passage. Many infants and children in Benin lose this battle with Malaria every year. Often times with those that survive, small marks are made on their checks to symbolize their strength and honor. While I dont condone tribal marking and cutting, in this instance, it sure beats the alternative! Thank you a thousand times to our sponsors. You really have no idea how you are radically changing the lives of our orphans.



Jace & Sarah

Some of our orphans posing for a pic....

She just got her mosquito net!

One of our workers showing the kids how to use the nets

The Nets!

Taking stomach meds for worms, parasites etc.

Haiti- Ca Ira Orphanage

I recently returned from Haiti on Tues night for the second trip there this month. It is tough to see the devastation but it is the small things that make me realize that God is there. It is the smiles on the children’s faces in the midst of hopelessness and chaos and the laughter you hear from people. It is the church services taking place among the ruins and even within half destroyed buildings. When you survey the landscape and take in the “big picture” it is easy to doubt if God is really here in Haiti. I don’t claim to be a huge world traveler but fortunately or unfortunately (guess it depends on how you look at it :)) I do think I have more experience than many in the third world. I have seen my share of tragedy, poverty and despair that goes along with the third world, but Haiti after the earthquake is some of the worst I have ever seen. Haiti was third world before the earthquake. This knocks it back to the stone ages. The little infrastructure they did have was lost. So we lost 230,000+ people in Haiti. A true disaster and a tragedy. So enormous, it is tough to wrap your mind around it. However, seeing Haiti with my own eyes and talking to the young men and women there, I know things are going to change. Without sounding flip or cliché, Haiti was literally shaken up and I see it in the mentalities and the dreams and hopes that are growing in Haiti. I spoke to many young people and each one had a common thread. They told me of their old life before the earthquake and spoke with monotone lifeless expressions. Some were students, others did small jobs for others. All knew what their life would look like. Then I asked their plans now. The pain still ran deep for the loss of family and friends. The students now see their schools and universities in rubble. Those that had jobs saw the stores and building flattened. While they had pain, you could see the hope in their eyes and hear it in their voices for a new future. That is an incredible thing. God has given me the privilege on several occasions to witness hope in someone. It is an awesome thing. Whether that be the wells we build in Africa or the adoption programs we start with orphans, hope has the same hue, the same shine and glow about a person. So I asked God again if there were hope for Haiti and He said “look at the people”. That made all the difference.

On this last trip to Haiti, Projects for Progress partnered with Victory World Church to build an orphanage for 96 children. The previous orphanage was destroyed in the earthquake where 7 children lost their lives. In 7 days, we were able to build a new orphanage and bring back some hope to the area. A big shout out to the construction crew that went down!! They did an awesome job! The favor of God was definitely on this trip and this building project. In addition Victory sent down a container of over 500 tents, 350 tarps, medical supplies, water and food that we distributed throughout the week as well as painted another orphanage we helped build last time. See some pics below.

going to the doctor

the orphans had their first doctor visit since being in the program, for some it was their first doctor visit period. serge and razack took all 22 for a wellness check up type visit. they had blood drawn, weight checked, poked, and proded. the nurses, serge, razack, and all children survived, which is amazing. i can not imagine taking 22 children to the doctor. the children will now get a medical notebook that will help us keep documentation on any sicknesses, medications, and all developments that they go through. this is all provided through our wonderful sponsors. these kids now will live a healthier year and not miss school because of simple sicknesses, how awesome!!! i am so excited about this program and the fact that these kids are getting much needed attention, love, and care they so desperately need. their lives are being changed, inside and out.

pictures from seminar

pictures from seminar

HYGIENE SEMINAR

Serge hosted a hygiene seminar this past weekend in the village of Sanson. You might remember Sanson from our second well project; it is a rural village outside of the city of Parakou. It was held at a school and 103 highschoolers were in attendance, which is amazing. Serge talked about health issues, hygiene, ie washing hands, and began talking about STD's. This is the first of several seminars that we plan to host. Some of the issues that are blocking progression in these villages have simple solutions that require little money,but much education, so we plan on educating the up and coming generations, to create a shift in their thinking, so that progression can move forward. When you couple this type of education with clean water and their new well, disease and common maladies will begin to lessen.

What a Great Day!!!! Yesterday our PFP team in Benin had the "official ceremoney" of the second well we put in. The village elders came to give their thanks/blessings etc. It is so awesome to see how lives have already been drastically changed since the well went in and started operating in Sept 2009. We are already hearing reports that the overall health of the village is better and our team on the ground reports that all the women are telling them "the water tates so good". People are coming from all over to get this fresh, clean water. This well alone provides clean water to about 10,000+ people. What a great testimoney to Christ!! I have attached some pics as well as a few pics from the previous drinking sources.

Orphans- Food Distribution Day!!!

Well yesterday we distributed food to our orphans in our sponsorship program. Serge, our project manager had all the orphans to the office and handed out the food to them and their respective surrogate families. It was an incredible time. Serge said the gratitude of the orphans and their surrogate families was overwhelming and that the children were so grateful to their sponsors. We provided all the essentials for a healthy diet including rice, milk, soja (which is soy product with a lot of nutritional value) oil, soap etc etc. along with critical meds for malaria andstomach meds that rid the body of parasites, bacteria etc. Next Tuesday, we have an appointment with the hospital for medical check ups of all our orphans. In most cases, this will be the first time they have ever been to the doctor. We will be given a medical card for each child so we can identify ailments, issues etc. This will provide a good baseline so we can accurately know how to monitor and handle each child's medical conditions on their regularly scheduled medical appointments going forward. On a personal note, those of you who are sponsoring 1 of these 22 orphans are so awesome. You have no idea the impact you are having in their lives. Literally, you are giving them a chance at success. I love that. If anyone is interested in adopting, please let us know. Unfortunately, we have lists of kids that need help.

Living Love

I have been fasting for the last 12 days (I know the bible says I shouldn't tell someone I am fasting but rather anoint my head with oil you know like modern day cologne, tuck in my shirt and put on a big smile) but I tell you that not for the sake of simply telling you I am fasting in order for you to think "wow he is really spiritual" or "a super christian" because I am not. Really. I am weak, irritable, and really want a big cheeseburger. This blog is not about how spiritual I am and how everyone just needs to follow my lead. Quite opposite really. I didn't realize how religious I have become. I love Jesus and I love people but my gosh how I got so religious and didn't even realize it. You know that is such a powerful tool of Satan. I thought I was awesome. Look at me with this and look at me with that. Wow. Just pride. God I repent of that. God has shown me a few things in the last 12 days. Well several but I want to talk about one. The idea in itself is not hard or complicated or really profound but it is to me. It's about the idea of living love. It is exactly what Jesus told us to do. It is so easy to get so spiritually bloated so you can't even get off the couch. It is easy to gorge yourself on God's word and become what the bible talks about being only a hearer of the word and not a doer. It is so easy to question God. It is so easy to sit back and say "Jesus take my life" but not really mean it and it is so easy to remain idle because you are "waiting on God to direct your steps". What does that really mean? Absolutely you should seek God's plan for your life. Jeremiah states it pretty clearly in that God knows the plans he has for you, plans to give you a hope, future etc etc... But you know what? God also says we should feed the poor, clothe the naked, take care of widows and orphans etc. I think in the wake of my "sitting around waiting on God to direct my steps" God would be just fine with me doing things while seeking direction from him. After all, I would be doing what he tells me I should do right?. I think too many people are like me. They miss the boat completely and are so busy with their heads turned towards heaven, they forget to look down and see the opportunities we have to be Jesus to people right in front of us. I am learning to live love. I am just a pupil on this but the whole verse that I should daily die to myself and take up his cross really starts to make sense. On the note of livng love, here is a plug... (and there is only 8 people following this blog so I will know if you checked him out :)). I have a great friend named Drew. Drew launched an organization called Project Live Love here in ATL. This guy gets it. Check him out on facebook....http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Live-Love/105597662912?ref=ts


Jace

this weekends meeting

jace had a great meeting this weekend with our contact from the bill gates foundation on saturday. things are moving along, but we are still in need of funding so if you know someone who would be interested in the project, both on a large or small scale, please let us know.

be on the lookout

greg has been working hard on the website and it is looking awesome! it is in the final phase, so be on the lookout for the final product.

check this out

See the attached article. Again, just re-affirms how crucial clean water is for developing countries. Not to minimize AIDS and malaria relief or anything like that but in order to lift a country out of poverty, the foundation has to be built around clean water. We put wells in for $15,500. It provides water to 15,000+ people forever. That $1 provides clean water to that person, his family, his children's family, his children's chidlren's family etc. Amazing how far money can go in poor countries.

AIDS, malaria eclipse the biggest child-killers - Yahoo! News

Source: news.yahoo.com

Diarrhea doesn't make headlines. Nor does pneumonia. AIDS and malaria tend to get most of the attention.

orphan program

we only have 3 orphans left that need to be adopted. it is a year commitment at $35 a month. this donation will provide food for the family that is taking care of them, food at school, and any medical issues or malaria medication that may be needed throughout the year. if you are interested let me know via email, sarah@projectsforprogress.com pass this along to anyone whom you might think would be interested. thanks for the continued support.

their old source of drinking water at sanson village