March Update

Dear Friends of the Children:

Not much news from the orphanage this month as their internet is down---and in Africa that means a long wait for it to be fixed. Why this is so, no one knows. It's just that way. Kudos to Paula McKee, their Canadian volunteer, who has still gotten out their newsletter despite the difficulty in accessing internet. We received honorable mention several times: once for the arrival of six boxes of clothing and school supplies sent by Jim and Gretchen Cantoni, and once regarding the daily prayer program for the people of Hudson (and all who have generously donated through our little organization. ) Paula also sent some pictures, two of which will be the subject of our update.

Paula took this picture in late February. What I love about pictures of the children at the Home are their exhuberant, open, joyous expressions. Even their pouty poses come from innocence trying on different personalities--not really troubled expressions. These are children who, despite their many sorrows, are loved and well cared for. They are truly the hope of Zambia. Notice their hands--no sores, no bandages. They are healthy, well fed, and now, thanks to your generosity, enrolled in the government school. Claire tried in vain to get them to look more pathetic for donors, but no luck; their joy was irrepressible. Eddy, Simone, and many other adults make it their life's work to see that these children will have what they need to grow into healthy, productive adults and assume their place in Zambian society. Our little sacrifices make much of this possible.

The next picture is of the vulnerable children from the Musonda community, with whom Eddy also works.

These little ones are brought by their mothers to the nutrition center for food several times a week. They are weighed, and if there are trained personnel, get a health check-up. They are also fed. For awhile, residents of Musonda were part of a food distribution program; but that was stopped for political reasons. Somehow, Eddy continued to find meal for making shima for those families with infants who were not thriving. But with many hungry mouths to feed at home, the meal did not always go to the infants. Now they are fed right at the center, and their mothers receive instruction on nutrition and health care. Right now the center is just a dark, empty, one room building with rough benches along its walls. Eddy has dreams of a real canteen with tables and a stove and running water, where he can not only feed the most vulnerable babies, but also the children in the community school--a place where women can also develop their cooking skills.

I encourage you to print out these pictures and place them on your refrigerator. Especially during this time of Lent, let us remember these little ones. Whether at the orphanage or in the Musonda community, those kids want to keep on eating--every day!. It is our faithfulness that that helps to keep that food before them. Let us not grow weary of our small sacrifices to set aside a little something on a regular basis for them. Even a little, when added to other people's "little", becomes a life sustaining gift.

Those of you in Hudson, mark your calendars for April 22. We will be hosting a family event, "African Dreams", at the Hudson library on the orphanage and the partnership we have with them. There will be activities, singing and dancing, crafts and the opportunity to begin a correspondence with the children. Please let your friends and families know. Every new person adds to the "critical mass" that will sustain the orphanage and its work for the most vulnerable children.

Lastly, we are still seeking laptops. Please keep us in mind if you upgrade to a new one or if you know of any businesses that are upgrading. Eddy's computer school is ready to go--they just need the computers.

Welcome to our new partners and friends. It is always humbling to see how responsive and generous you are.

Penny