Holiday Update 2008

Dear Friends of the Children:

In the midst of miserable economic news, I have very promising news from both continents. First from Zambia. As you know, Eddy and Simone are Congolese. With the recent trouble in Congo, and the resentment toward them in Zambia right now, they have decided to turn the running of the program in Kitwe over to two very capable Zambians while Eddy begins works on a degree in social work. This degree is strongly recommended for his position as Director of Ubumi Africa, which he will retain. He and Simone, with their family, will move to South Africa for the duration of his studies. Meanwhile, Masauto Phiri, who has served in several capacities in the Ubumi organization, and Mrs. Dorcas Nsofu, who has been Chair of the Ubumi Board in Kitwe, will assume responsibility for operations in Kitwe. Both are highly qualified and very capable, and we look forward to working with them.

Masauto Phiri Mrs. Dorcas Nsofu

Before moving to South Africa, Eddy will be joining me with a study group from Case Western Reserve University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to spend two weeks with Grameen Bank studying microfinance. Mohammed Yunnus was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in economics for his work in making small, no-collateral loans to persons, mostly women, living in abject poverty. He is the founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, and his work has brought hundreds of millions of people in developing nations out of poverty. This is an exciting opportunity for myself, and we are delighted that Eddy will be able to also gain this experience as he begins his social work program. I have been preparing for the trip by reading Yunnus' books: Banker to the Poor, and The End of Poverty. They are an easy read, even for someone like myself who has no experience with economics beyond the dismal daily reports we are now getting. I strongly recommend them as an antidote to the current news, as they are both delightful, inspiring, and filled with hope for people in circumstances much more dire than ours. I am looking forward to reporting back to you on this trip.

More good news. Nyuma, Nfumu, Mpundu, Jackson, and Happy have been reunited with their extended families. This is especially good news for Nyuma and Nfumu, twins who came to the orphanage at 2 and have been waiting six years for their older sister to be capable of caring for them. Mary, Angela, and Wendy, who were being propositioned on their way to and from school, have been moved to a more secure home. Staff from Ubumi continues to visit with all the children in their new homes, and to provide assistance for their continued education and other needs. Harriet and Novi have completed their first year in boarding school, are visiting family, and will spend some time at the Transit Home before returning to school. And now the home is accepting new children in addition to the six they currently have.

Now from the home front: With the assistance of Hudson's Community First and the Hudson Schools, and with the support of local media and City Council, we are embarking on a Kids Campaign to collect signatures from Hudson's children requesting City Council to adopt Ubumi as Hudson's Orphanage. The Campaign is being spearheaded by For Kids, the middle-school leadership group. They will attempt to gather a minimum of 1500 signatures in January and present them to Council with their request in February. They are enthusiastically working on their campaign plans before the holiday vacation.

Adoption of the orphanage by the city will move the issue of AIDS orphans and the situation of other vulnerable children world wide to the front burner locally. Although the the city would not provide any funding, adopting an orphanage would promote exploring these issues in Hudson's schools, and validate working with businesses and organizations on fundraising strategies. Our hopes are that with a broader base, fund-raising can be still be very soft, and not interfere with other charities and with the difficult economy. Even a little money goes very far in Third World countries. While Ubumi will be officially named Hudson's orphanage, the resolution also grants inclusion and greater visibility to other groups within the city who are working on behalf of orphans. If you are not living in Hudson, we still welcome and need you as our partners in this important work. Broadening our base will insure that this work can continue without exhausting anyone, and extends the wonderful benefits of direct communication and service.

The holidays are on us, and if your gift plans can permit something to the children in Zambia, may we recommend buying a chicken for the new poultry run. $10 will include the chicken, training, feed, vaccines, and help pay for the project. Of course, we will not turn down offerings toward education, or Christmas gifts for the children. Please make your checks out to: Children of Ubumi, and send to the address below.

If you would like to send a Christmas card directly to Dominic, Memo, John, Bernard, Steven, Junior, Harriet or Novis--you can address it to them at: Ubumi Africa, 7178 Nile Close off Nile Avenue, Riverside, Kitwe, Zambia. Affix 94 cents in postage. If you can, they would love to find included a picture of yourself or your family.

Wishing you every blessing for the holidays. When I next write, I will tell you all about Bangladesh.

Penny