Newsletter

Spring 2010

It is so wonderful to see the true meaning of giving. Not long ago, our grandchildren were shown the DHSCLUBKIDS website with the pictures of the children at the orphanages. Questions were asked and answered about their lives. The next week Will & Carina brought an envelope to the office from Nick, our grandson, who is six years old. The envelope had writing on it and a ton of staples keeping it closed. We were told it was for the kids with no Moms and Dads. Inside was $1.39- all the money he had earned doing chores- and 2 plastic knives that he thought the kids might need. What a wonderful feeling to see a child so young feel for those in need! I don't ask that you give all you have, as he did, or even a lot. But, if you haven't given in a while or you feel you could give a little more, I ask you to consider the difference it could make for the children.

In Lesotho, South Africa, it looks like Faith Foundation will be taking over the economic projects- chickens, the garden, and the block making machine at Mants'ase Children's Home. It is believed that with this new management, these projects will be profitable and generate income for the home. A pump and motor will need to be bought for the garden irrigation system, as the old one has broken and costs too much to repair. Also Faith Foundation has been offered a home for use as a child care facility. It is about 4500 sq. ft., has a big kitchen, pantry. 2 full baths, and 9 other rooms. This home would address two issues there.

1. There are teen heads of household who are caring for preschool siblings, so they are unable to attend school. The probable daily routine would be to take the preschoolers during the day, so the teen caretakers can go to school. After school, the teens would come to the facility to study/do homework for a couple of hours, eat something, and then take their siblings home for the night.

2. Take in children, who have been orphaned, abandoned, etc, on a temporary foster care basis, until permanent placement can be made with relatives, or other families. Some children may be there for a short time, while others may be there for a longer term.

Before any of this can be done, some repairs, cleaning, painting and fencing must be completed and furnishings and appliances bought to handle about 25 children. Much is happening there and monies are needed to complete these projects.

In Kyrgyzstan, both Karakol and House of Hope are in great need for money to pay the heating bills, as it has been an extremely cold winter and the utility rates have been greatly increased by the government (which has just gone through an overthrow). Also more children have been taken in at Karokol. A couple of children were dropped off by their mother dying from tuberculoses, some other children were alone after their father died and others were living alone or homeless on the streets. These are just some of the situations that the new children, none over the age of 12, have endured. They are now in a safe,warm place and adjusting well.

The Grace Children's Home in Mumias, Kenya is nearing completion and a generator has been purchased for electricity. Hopefully, in the next newsletter I will have more on the situation there.

So as you can see, many good things are continuing to happen at our homes. Please remember that every dollar given, makes a difference. Please check our Accountability page to see how monies were disbursed this quarter. Thanks again for all you do!


Pat Burke