Where have I been??

Exciting news and updates!

I apologize for my long absence. I hadn't even stopped in to check messages prior to today, so I apologize for not returning your comments and questions.

Things have been busy, particularly on my end. I have taken on a new role at Linked Through Love as Internet Marketing Coordinator, which means I am in charge of web design, editing and blogging in addition to some Facebook stuff. So basically, any free time I would have used to blog over here, has been utilized over there. Which is okay, as this moment in time I feel my time is more valuable in assisting and supporting children from there.

Zahra is doing amazing, growing like a weed and steadily advancing in all areas. Quite frankly, things have been so low key, there really hasn't been anything that I can share to help you all along in your adoption journeys. I'm sure we will reach some milestones and stumbling blocks in the future that will have me back in this space, now that the LTL website is complete. Check it out by the way and tell me what you think! (Take it easy on me, I'm not a professional. ;) For those who want to follow via Facebook, you can find us here.

Some exciting news is the completion of the Mogra Playground. My smile is big, and heart is full knowing how much joy this will bring to every 123 children at Mogra. Also exciting is Mogra is in full swing of their adoption program, having processed over 20 children for adoption now!

We are also working in the DRC, on a few orphan care projects. We have fitted out a couple orphanages with shoes to keep them from getting Jigger infections. We are also still working on treating the children who have Jigger infections (which is sadly, most all of them in our partner orphanages). Yes, it's extremely nasty... and we have some photos and more information here if you have the stomach for it.

And, last but not least, we also got a new puppy. (Just in case I wasn't busy enough!)

Don't give up me, I'm sure I will be much more available come fall!

Mogra Baby House Complete!

I would like to present to you - the result of your hard work and determination. Many people chipping in has resulted in this amazing Baby Suite, literally changing the quality of these children's lives and providing a home to many others!

Thanks to the assistance of the Linked Through Love Foundation and some super awesome people across Canada, we were able to raise over $7600 to complete the Baby House at Mogra! This is over the $2600, that we raised while we were in Kenya!

The new baby unit has allowed Mogra to separate the babies from the younger children, allowing the babies to safely have floor time where they can learn to sit, crawl, walk, and stimulate their minds. The children are no longer forced to share beds with up to 5 other children at a time, and the caregivers are also given adequate sleeping quarters as well. Hygiene has improved, making it easier to isolate and reduce the spreading of illnesses. Best of all, it means that Mogra is able to accept more children, saving more lives.

The cloth diaper collection that I started so many years ago is finally in full swing. The donation of some washing machines, and the funding to finally be able to install them, means they can easily implement cloth diapers in their routine. This not only saves money, but it also means that they are not needing to burn those diapers, poisoning the air they breathe.

One year ago, this project seemed way over my head! We started with baby steps, collecting diapers, purchasing Kenyan goods for Dan to take back to Canada to sell, slugging bags of mortar up those stairs (okay, well... Dan did that!), etc. Then, when got our feet back on Canadian soil, we were so fortunate to be approached by Linked Through Love. We got to work, spreading the word and organizing fundraisers. People from all over jumped on board. Silent auctions, dessert events, face painting booths, birthday parties, Christmas card sales... you name it. We all came together and made it happen! I am so proud of what we achieved together! Thank you all so much!

Enjoy these pictures of what you helped create... and the happy faces that resulted from it!

Hurry!

There is still time to get your Christmas Card orders in! Send me some photos, choose a style from something I have posted, or one one the Internet, and I can customize a card for you. If you are a satisfied, I just ask that you please make a small donation of $10 to Linked Through Love to support orphan care projects in Kenya and the Congo. Full instructions here.

Please help us reach as many people as possible by sharing this post, lets get as much $ in to them as possible before the Christmas Holidays.

Thank you so much - every single dollar makes a difference!

Linked Through Love is now offering Gift Certificates as well. If you make a donation in honor of someone, I will send you a customized Gift Certificate like the following. I know there must be at least one or two hard to buy people on your list!

This certificate has the option of adding the specific purchase you made, such as 'Mattress', or '$25". Ones can also be made for the Congo Program as well...

 

More Christmas Cards by Donation!

Two sweet families approached me this weekend to design them a card. What fun!

 

This card was created in like to another design that Cara had found on the internet. Everything is almost exactly the same, except the wording and I made the font colour match their clothing.

 

Seriously! What cute kids!

 

This one was a lot of fun for me, as this family recently accepted referrals for 2 boys from Africa! So exciting! (I did cover their faces and change this families name for the protection of the boys they are waiting to adopt.) You may recognize this as design #12. from my original post.

 

Don't you love the little boots and maps!? Sister is quite the cutie too!

Thank you families for entrusting me to your family Christmas Card designs and supporting Linked Through Love - Orphan Care Projects!

If you are interested in getting your own custom Christmas Photo Cards (in exchange for a small $10 donation to a great cause), get the info here!

First Custom Card!

Thank you to the Wilkinson Family for being the first to order a Custom Photo Card!

If you want to learn how you can get your own custom card and assist in an orphan care project at the same time - check this out!

Free Giveaway to help the Orphaned Children of Mogra!

You recall when I introduced you Mogra? After my heart was ripped from my chest when Baby Daniel died...

I shared it with you here. 

I took on the challenge of making a change in his honor, so his death meant something.

I asked and you gave! Putting big smiles on the children's faces here!

Then, I celebrated the accomplishment of transforming Mogra into a facilitation home for adoption here.

To date we have raised $2500 for the Baby House, and we were fortunate enough to be in Kenya when construction started, to physically help in the process.

 

Since coming home, I have jumped on board with a wonderful organization, run by Mom's like me with a heart for the orphaned. They have agreed to assist us with our Baby House Project!

 Linked Through Love is 100% volunteer run, to ensure that every dollar gets to where it is needed the most. These are Mom's who have adopted, who have been to these developing countries and seen the devastation. Moms who have been left with the haunting memories of the faces of the children left behind. Let me tell you, this is something that never leaves you.

Children like little Jordan here, who suffers from a skin condition that we cannot get diagnosed.

 

Those of you with similar conditions, or sensitivities, know how expensive treatments are. Well imagine having to pay hundreds just to see a dermatologist, the cost of hypoallergenic soap in Kenya, lotions, special non lactose baby formula, etc, etc. These are things you do for a child with sensitivities. Has Jordan had any of these? Sadly, no ... there is no money to support this. Don't worry though, I'm working on this problem behind the scenes, to find a solution for Baby Jordan.

Then we have children like little Sharon here who was so neglected before she came to Mogra that she clings to the slightest bit of attention. Put her down, and her world collapses. She goes limp, and thrashes around. She is the child that you simply cannot pick up or hold, unless you have hours to spend, simply because it breaks her heart every time you leave.

 

 

Every child has a story.

 

Every child has suffered trauma.

 

 

Every child is deserving of Love.

 

 

Every child is deserving of a Home

What can you do to help?

 

Ultimately, it takes money - but there are so many other ways you can really help (and be entered into the draw!)! SEE BELOW!

 

If helping these babies wasn't incentive enough, I am going to sweeten the deal for you!

Once we have reached $100 in donations from this blog post, I will be giving  away this beautiful, hand made in Kenya, paper beaded necklace.

Once we have reached $300 in donations, I will give this bag away.

Hand made in Kenya by the girls at Mogra.

 

Padded, with zippers in a local Kenyan fabric - your sure to love it!

 

 

How can you be entered in this draw?

 

1. You will receive one entry for sharing this post on your blog.

 

2. You will receive one entry for sharing this post on your Facebook.

 

3. You will receive TWO entries for heading over to Linked Through Love and donating as little as your morning coffee money!

 

IMPORTANT - to complete these entries, you MUST leave a comment here on this blog post, indicating that you shared on your blog, fb and or donated - or combination thereof.

If you do not comment, I will not know to enter you in the draw!

 

I will be shipping the above items at my own cost to North America only.

Contest ends September 30th/2013.

 

 In the end, your dollar, or assistance in achieving these dollars, will help to give these babies a bigger home. Giving them more room, means that more babies will be saved, and more babies will have the opportunity to be adopted. And for the ones who cannot be adopted? They will have better quality of life. Right now, there are 38 kids in a 2 bedroom apartment! That is no way to live.

 

Please help us help them.

Thank you for making a difference in these children's lives!

 

Catch all the info and photos not shown on the blog here:

Thompsons to Kenya on FB

Mogra Rescue Centre on FB