Newsletter

May 2009

Wonderful things are happening at our Children's Homes around the world because of our dedicated DHS Club Kids 2009 Partners. I want to thank them for their continued support. Most have been faithful monthly givers for the past few years and it is because of them that I have great things to share.

First, let me tell you how we discovered our newest Children's Home to support. A pastor working in Mumias, Kenya took in the first three children when a family member died of AIDS. Within a very short time, he and his wife were caring for 15 children, plus four of their own. Mumias is a very poor area that has no electricity and water comes from a surface well by bucket. These people have only the bare necessities. These fifteen children are staying in a little mud house, now called Grace Children's Home, behind the pastors own small house. The little kitchen behind the mud house has no stove or cabinets. They cook by campfire. The children have so little, but now they are being well taken care of by this wonderful couple. A milk cow has been bought, which helps immensely, since the price of food is very high. Another cow is needed to help them trade or sell milk for food. Therefore, we have sent $1000.00 to purchase the cow, food and clothes.

At Karakol Children's Home, the children are all doing well. They are currently building a shelter there for two milk cows. These will help the Home to become more self-supporting. The goal is to have cows, pigs, chickens, and a place to grow potatoes and vegetables. Then the children can be taught the needed skills to not only take care of themselves now, but for life. Recently, the Kyrgyzstan government formed a committee to investigate all children's orphanages in the country. They recently arrived, without warning, and praised the Home. The committee leader said that our Children's Home should serve as an example to others because the paper work was all in order , the kids were all clean and well dressed and the Home was being run so well. Great job!

Last year a house was bought for the older children from Karakol to help them make the transition of being on their own. It is called the House of Hope. They have completed most repairs and painted, but are now in the need for a bathroom, including septic tank and plumbing. We will be sending the needed money for this.

This past year, you didn't hear much about Casa Heidi, the Children's Home being built in Campur, Guatemala. They had all the funds needed, but the building process has been a long one. The completion and occupancy is expected sometime this year. On the first floor are all the necessary facilities to house at least fourteen children and four babies. The second floor has a two bedroom apartment and office for the director and other personnel. But before any children can be placed here, a seven foot cement block wall must be built around the property for security and safety reasons. We will be sending $300.00 towards this project.

At Mantsase Children's Home, the new dormitory is complete and they
will be moving the children in soon. In our next newsletter, I will hopefully be able to update you more about the happenings there.

As you can see, much good is done with what is given. My hope is that we will continue to get more faithful Partners this year. We believe that we are sowing seed in good soil, so that we will see a return in lives being changed and blessed.


Pat Burke