Newsletter

Winter 2009-2010

As we end one year and start another, I want to thank all of the Partners of 2009 who were so faithful, even with the hard economic times of this past year. Yes, we did not take in as much money as in years past, but I must say, I believe the money spent this year was the most rewarding for our children. Let's look at some of the things accomplished this past year.

At Karakol Children's Home we take care of many of the everyday needs, such as food, clothes, and the huge winter heating bill. As it is now winter, it was time to purchase boots, winter coats, leggings, a turtleneck and sweater for each of the 53 children, which we have sent money for. The home improvement this past summer was to paint all the walls with colors rather than the white wash which would rub off on their clothes. The new wall colors gives the home life and cheerfulness. Also this past year, 2 cows were purchased and a shelter was built for them. These cows not only provide milk for the children, but teaches them trade skills, as some of the milk is sold. This past year, 11 children graduated from this home to the transition home - House of Hope. This new home was renovated to accommodate these young adults, including the completion of two bathrooms and furniture.

Our home in Campur, Guatemala should be almost complete, pending government approvals, to take-in and care for the orphans there. This past year, your donations helped to build a seven foot cement block wall around the property, needed for security and safety reasons, and install the kitchens on the first and second floor.

As for our orphans in Lesotho, South Africa, we are not only supporting Mants'ase Children's Home, but many other orphans in that area. This past year, your donations helped complete the new dormitory at Mants'ase Children's Home, but more importantly to help the whole area become more self supporting (making bricks, farming, sewing, raising chickens for eggs, etc.). With so many orphans still out on their own, area families, working with Faith Foundation, supplied daily dinner meals for these children. If not for this support, many of these children would go days without any nutritious food.

Finally, I feel, the most wonderful thing your donations accomplished this past year was to help our new home in Mumias, Kenya. It started with 15 children taken in by a pastor and his wife to stay in a small mud hut behind their own small home. Since then great things have happened! First, money was sent for food and clothes. Then a cow was purchased and its milk was used not only for the children, but for trade of other needed items. Then at the DHSClub VIP Italian Convention, my husband Dick shared the dream of helping to provide new housing for these children, and that we would earmark the monies donated at the European Conventions for that purpose. As many of you know, this dream was made a reality. Through generous giving, money was sent for the needed materials for the children to make the bricks and then to build their home. This project is not yet complete, as inside walls and windows still need to be installed, but we have sent $650.00 more to help with the completion.

So, did we take in as much money this year as last? No, but the money you, the 2009 Partners, gave was some of the best spent! Dick and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued faithfulness to these children. We have some new ideas for 2010, which we will be sharing with you soon. Finally, if you are reading this and you are not a Partner, please consider the difference your contribution could make, no matter how small, because it's clear that the support this past year has changed the lives of many children.

Pat Burke