I'm sure you all know Lupita Nyong'o, a Kenyan actress who just won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her role of Patsy in 12 Years a Slave?
If not, it's time to put her on your radar. This young woman is not only an amazing inspiration to women around the world, but an incredible role model for our Kenyan daughters and African daughters in general.
Lupita recently gave an acceptance speech on Beauty at the 7th annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon that left the audience speechless.
A must watch.
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
Poop Diaries. Giardias Lambia in adopted children.
Warning: The following DOES show graphic poop photos and details. Finish your lunch first. This is a must read for all of you with children from overseas.
Disclosure - I am not a Doctor. I am research driven adoptive parent with more experience on this matter than I care to have.
This parasite infection has been quite a journey for us. Over a year long in fact. While I don't really like the idea of publicizing my daughter's medical (or poop!) details, I believe it's an important message.
Fact is, I have seen many photos of your children's swollen bellies on blogs and Facebook, and I happen to know there are many of you who have not gotten your children tested because you see no symptoms. Well let me enlighten you and gross you the heck out.
Honestly, I believe it to be very rare for any adopted child from Africa (and other third world countries) to be free and clear of parasites/worms. Many orphanages 'deworm' every 6 months, but let me tell you, this only kills some infections, and many others are simply building up resistance to these commonly used meds. A general dewormer (typically Albendazole) is not very effective against Giardia and other protozoans. In fact, Albendazole is known to be as little as 35% effective. I do not understand why it is so commonly believed and trusted to kill everything. Some parasites can, will, and do kill children, and yet they are completely unsuspected because the children are dewormed every six months.
I know, I know... your child is fine, no diarrhea, no stomach cramps. Heck, being the diligent parent you are, you even had him tested! (Big pat on the back for being proactive, seriously, but it's not over. Read on...)
Giardiasis does not always present itself with symptoms, and HAVING A NEGATIVE FECAL TEST DOES NOT MEAN YOUR CHILD DOES NOT HAVE PARASITES. You must test clear for a minimum of 3 tests!
Now for the mumbo jumbo technicalities...
Giardia Lambia is also known as Beaver Fever here in North America and is the most common parasite infection among adopted children. Because of this, I believe it is quickly becoming resilient to mainstream medicines.
Giardia, as with many parasites, coat the lining of the small intestines, blocking nutrient absorption, possibly causing lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome. This is a worse case situation for a child living in an orphanage setting. Often, these children lack great nutrition as is, so it is important that they can absorb as much nutrients as possible. Secondly, many babies are put on cows milk early due to the cost of formula. I cannot tell you how many illnesses and rashes we have seen due to lactose intolerance in Kenya.
What are the symptoms?
According to Wikipedia, symptoms include the following: loss of appetite, diarrhea, hematuria (blood in urine), loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach, projectile vomiting (uncommon), bloating, excessive gas, and burping (often sulfurous).
Disclosure - I am not a Doctor. I am research driven adoptive parent with more experience on this matter than I care to have.
This parasite infection has been quite a journey for us. Over a year long in fact. While I don't really like the idea of publicizing my daughter's medical (or poop!) details, I believe it's an important message.
Fact is, I have seen many photos of your children's swollen bellies on blogs and Facebook, and I happen to know there are many of you who have not gotten your children tested because you see no symptoms. Well let me enlighten you and gross you the heck out.
Honestly, I believe it to be very rare for any adopted child from Africa (and other third world countries) to be free and clear of parasites/worms. Many orphanages 'deworm' every 6 months, but let me tell you, this only kills some infections, and many others are simply building up resistance to these commonly used meds. A general dewormer (typically Albendazole) is not very effective against Giardia and other protozoans. In fact, Albendazole is known to be as little as 35% effective. I do not understand why it is so commonly believed and trusted to kill everything. Some parasites can, will, and do kill children, and yet they are completely unsuspected because the children are dewormed every six months.
I know, I know... your child is fine, no diarrhea, no stomach cramps. Heck, being the diligent parent you are, you even had him tested! (Big pat on the back for being proactive, seriously, but it's not over. Read on...)
Giardiasis does not always present itself with symptoms, and HAVING A NEGATIVE FECAL TEST DOES NOT MEAN YOUR CHILD DOES NOT HAVE PARASITES. You must test clear for a minimum of 3 tests!
Now for the mumbo jumbo technicalities...
Giardia Lambia is also known as Beaver Fever here in North America and is the most common parasite infection among adopted children. Because of this, I believe it is quickly becoming resilient to mainstream medicines.
Giardia, as with many parasites, coat the lining of the small intestines, blocking nutrient absorption, possibly causing lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome. This is a worse case situation for a child living in an orphanage setting. Often, these children lack great nutrition as is, so it is important that they can absorb as much nutrients as possible. Secondly, many babies are put on cows milk early due to the cost of formula. I cannot tell you how many illnesses and rashes we have seen due to lactose intolerance in Kenya.
What are the symptoms?
According to Wikipedia, symptoms include the following: loss of appetite, diarrhea, hematuria (blood in urine), loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach, projectile vomiting (uncommon), bloating, excessive gas, and burping (often sulfurous).
However, many times children will not show any symptoms, or the symptoms may be so insignificant, it goes unnoticed.
When we first got Zahra, she was a big healthy girl.
She certainly didn't display any signs of malnutrition. However - the very first thing I did was take her to the lab for Fecal testing.
Why?
1. She was big and healthy, but also sported this bloated belly. Z will always be curvy, it's in her genetic make up, but I had suspicions that this belly was a little bigger than it should have been.
2. Her stools were pale in color, thin and 'greasy' or soft. Now I believe this to be a key symptom to watch for, even if you child displays no other symptoms. I also believe that this is likely the most over looked symptom of this infection.
First time parents do not always know what color the child's stool should be, texture or consistency. Especially if the child is still on milk bottles and/or wearing diapers!
The answer is simple, the child should have stools like a healthy adult. Once a day is normal for a 3 year old, well formed and medium brown in color.
If your child is still in diapers, but on solid food, the stools should be the same. Actually, stools should be formed well enough that they can roll off the diaper into the toilet. Diaper explosions may accurately describe an infant with Giardiasis. Again, the key is to make note of the color.
I cannot stress this point enough and don't think I can get the point across without a visual. I apologize in advance, but you need to see this to know what I am talking about.
This is what we have lovingly coined in my house 'Parasite Poo' vs normal poo.
The key differences are: Parasite poo is softer, 'greasier', and pale in colour. It usually is not as well formed as it is in this picture, but more thin. (Sorry, didn't have a selection of photos to choose from.) It also usually stinks more, but hey - poo is poo and it all stinks, so you can't really rely on that.
THIS IS PARASITE POO.
It is not diarrhea, It is not grey, and it could easily pass by a unsuspecting parent as 'normal'.
Zahra went from passing a bit of stool every time she went pee (at the height of her infection), to having this stool once - twice a day.
3. My child was born and raised in a developing nation that struggles with clean water and sanitation.
Giardia is passed in Feces (poop). Typically found in untreated water, and therefore contracted when ingested. HOWEVER, It does not matter that your child came from the best orphanage, with world class hygiene, and clean drinking water. The problem is that many of the children (and staff) who come into the home are not from places that have clean drinking water sanitation, or good hygiene practices. If they have Giardiasis, it is very easily passed on in orphanages.
Giardiasis is contracted by swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces such as bathroom handles, change tables, toys, handshakes, swimming pools etc. I simply do not know how any orphanage can be free of this risk. Most orphanages bathe multiple children in the same bath water. Many orphanage staff workers will change several poopy diapers before washing their hands.
All it takes is for a microscopic trace of poo on the caretaker's hand, she grabs the hand of the next child to change their diaper, and the child later sticks his fingers in his mouth. Also, we all know children are germ spreading, filthy creatures. They will stick their hands down their pants and then finger all the toys... they don't care. How many orphanages have the children wash their hands with soap before they eat? Many do not have the resources to do so before every meal or snack.
You get my point. Almost impossible to prevent, and almost a guarantee that your child has it.
4. Zahra would periodically complain of tummy pain, particularly after eating. I didn't necessarily link it to an infection, in fact I was starting to wonder if she had sensitivities to dairy, but it was still a possible symptom of parasite infection.
Zahra tested positive on her first sample in Kenya. We immediately invested in a lot of hand sanitizer and became religious hand washers. (Although truth was, we were before as we knew the risks were high.)
Prevention is key. We were lucky that none of us contracted this parasite from her. No bath sharing, and lots of hand washing... (also a quick introduction to potty training) is what kept us healthy.
The Doctor in Kenya prescribed us a seven day course of Flagyl, also known as Metronidazole. This was absolutely a horrible experience for us as Z did not like sweet things and the medicine was compounded to taste like bubble gum.
I had to hold her down, plug her nose, fight her kicking and screaming to administer it! (The electrician actually came up to our 5th floor apartment one day to ask why she cries so loud. Then one day he witnessed it himself... and went away tsking and shaking his head.)
It was awful! If I knew then what I know now... I would not have treated her at this time. It was too early in our bonding period.
After treatment, she was better for 1 week until the symptoms returned. Months later, we repeated the treatment with the same results. I had a Canadian pharmacist confirm the doses, and the medicine was obtained from a Western Doctor in a upscale hospital, at a very reputable pharmacy. There was nothing wrong with the dosage, or the medicine - well, aside from the fact that it is not effective! (Doctors in your hometown will automatically assume that your child was not 'properly' treated due to the perception of lack of quality med care. In some cases this could be correct, but in the case of Kenya, it is not.)
Upon returning to Canada, we immediately had her tested again. She tested positive again as we suspected. Our Doctor wanted to subscribe her with Flagyl again. I refused. This medicine is not pleasant stuff... administering it, and on our little one's bodies. I refused to have her go through that again for nothing.
Our Doctor consulted with a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital in Vancouver for an alternative medicine. He simply recommended Flagyl. Once again, I refused.
Where the heck are the adoption specialist Doctors? I have yet to hear of a case of Giardias in an adopted child successfully being treated by Flagyl!
So I hit FB and the message boards to get an answer from the experts - Adoptive Parents.
What I discovered was many of them had similar stories! In fact, friends of ours had a little one (Baby 'B') who was treated twice in country (after 2 negative test results!!) and was referred to a specialist here in Canada who had him treated two more times with Flagyl before they would even consider other alternatives! 1 - 2 - 3 - FOUR times this 2 yr old was treated with Flagyl in one year, with no effect! (And did you catch it - he tested negative twice before being tested positive. This is a sneaky bug folks.)
What IS the effective treatment?
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Tinidazole.
This is what the parents were telling me, and my research confirmed it. Article after article listed Tinidazole as the most effective treatment. Why they continue to prescribe Flagyl is beyond me. Some articles even cited the effectiveness being 90% vs 35%! in Flagyl
Unfortunately, it took me 2 months to get my hands on this as the pharmacy later told my Doctor it was not available in Canada. I will not bore you with the details, but after contacting a compounding pharmacy 12 hours from me, I discovered this was not the truth. This drug is absolutely available in Canada. However, it is not available at your regular pharmacy. You must obtain it from a Compounding Pharmacy. In our case it took a couple weeks for them to get it in and compound it.
We were told it tastes like chocolate as that masks the flavor of everything. Wrong. This stuff has to be the most vile tasting medicine in the world. I tasted the smallest amount on my finger, and it was equivalent to chewing an entire bottle of aspirin and then swishing. However, it is only a single dose.
Zahra being older, and more trusting of us, it wasn't as nearly the painful experience as her other treatments. The reward (big buttered piece of bread - yes, she still loves her bread!) was worth swallowing this for.
Within a few days, we started to notice changes in her stools and eventually her belly came down.
She lost 1.75" around her waist, which is a considerable amount for her 21" inch belly!
She also now eats a fraction (1/2) of what she used to eat in the orphanage a year and a half ago, but yet has literally grown through 2 clothing sizes within 3 months of being treated (50% to 78% on the growth percentile chart)!
*Update - Baby 'B', who first charted under the growth scale, was finally charting at 15% after one year (and a lot of effort on the parent's end). However, within 3 weeks of being successfully treated, he gained enough weight and height (3.5 cms!!) to be charting at the 35% mark!
In many of our visits and work with orphanages, we always wondered how on earth those babies could eat SO much, but yet remain so tiny! It all makes sense now... malabsorption. Food literally going to waste.
So there you have it, our poop diaries.
I hope this post will not only help you identify possible infection, but save you time and grief as well. Please, have your child tested 3 times upon returning to country. Giardiasis is typically not fatal, but many other parasite infection are and can also go undetected.
If your child is 3+ and has been diagnosed with Giardiasis, don't be afraid to ask for Tinidazole right from the start.
Baby 'B' was 2 yrs old and therefore was prescribed Nitazoxanide (Alinia).
I know poop isn't a glamorous topic, but it's important that we share this information. I couldn't find any blog posts on this topic when we were going through this, which is why it was important to me to write about it.
This is an important issue, one that all adopting parents should know about! Please share this with your adopting friends.
See the CDC page for information on how to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading Giardia infection.
1. She was big and healthy, but also sported this bloated belly. Z will always be curvy, it's in her genetic make up, but I had suspicions that this belly was a little bigger than it should have been.
2. Her stools were pale in color, thin and 'greasy' or soft. Now I believe this to be a key symptom to watch for, even if you child displays no other symptoms. I also believe that this is likely the most over looked symptom of this infection.
First time parents do not always know what color the child's stool should be, texture or consistency. Especially if the child is still on milk bottles and/or wearing diapers!
The answer is simple, the child should have stools like a healthy adult. Once a day is normal for a 3 year old, well formed and medium brown in color.
If your child is still in diapers, but on solid food, the stools should be the same. Actually, stools should be formed well enough that they can roll off the diaper into the toilet. Diaper explosions may accurately describe an infant with Giardiasis. Again, the key is to make note of the color.
I cannot stress this point enough and don't think I can get the point across without a visual. I apologize in advance, but you need to see this to know what I am talking about.
This is what we have lovingly coined in my house 'Parasite Poo' vs normal poo.
The key differences are: Parasite poo is softer, 'greasier', and pale in colour. It usually is not as well formed as it is in this picture, but more thin. (Sorry, didn't have a selection of photos to choose from.) It also usually stinks more, but hey - poo is poo and it all stinks, so you can't really rely on that.
THIS IS PARASITE POO.
It is not diarrhea, It is not grey, and it could easily pass by a unsuspecting parent as 'normal'.
Zahra went from passing a bit of stool every time she went pee (at the height of her infection), to having this stool once - twice a day.
3. My child was born and raised in a developing nation that struggles with clean water and sanitation.
Giardia is passed in Feces (poop). Typically found in untreated water, and therefore contracted when ingested. HOWEVER, It does not matter that your child came from the best orphanage, with world class hygiene, and clean drinking water. The problem is that many of the children (and staff) who come into the home are not from places that have clean drinking water sanitation, or good hygiene practices. If they have Giardiasis, it is very easily passed on in orphanages.
Giardiasis is contracted by swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces such as bathroom handles, change tables, toys, handshakes, swimming pools etc. I simply do not know how any orphanage can be free of this risk. Most orphanages bathe multiple children in the same bath water. Many orphanage staff workers will change several poopy diapers before washing their hands.
All it takes is for a microscopic trace of poo on the caretaker's hand, she grabs the hand of the next child to change their diaper, and the child later sticks his fingers in his mouth. Also, we all know children are germ spreading, filthy creatures. They will stick their hands down their pants and then finger all the toys... they don't care. How many orphanages have the children wash their hands with soap before they eat? Many do not have the resources to do so before every meal or snack.
You get my point. Almost impossible to prevent, and almost a guarantee that your child has it.
4. Zahra would periodically complain of tummy pain, particularly after eating. I didn't necessarily link it to an infection, in fact I was starting to wonder if she had sensitivities to dairy, but it was still a possible symptom of parasite infection.
Zahra tested positive on her first sample in Kenya. We immediately invested in a lot of hand sanitizer and became religious hand washers. (Although truth was, we were before as we knew the risks were high.)
Prevention is key. We were lucky that none of us contracted this parasite from her. No bath sharing, and lots of hand washing... (also a quick introduction to potty training) is what kept us healthy.
The Doctor in Kenya prescribed us a seven day course of Flagyl, also known as Metronidazole. This was absolutely a horrible experience for us as Z did not like sweet things and the medicine was compounded to taste like bubble gum.
I had to hold her down, plug her nose, fight her kicking and screaming to administer it! (The electrician actually came up to our 5th floor apartment one day to ask why she cries so loud. Then one day he witnessed it himself... and went away tsking and shaking his head.)
It was awful! If I knew then what I know now... I would not have treated her at this time. It was too early in our bonding period.
After treatment, she was better for 1 week until the symptoms returned. Months later, we repeated the treatment with the same results. I had a Canadian pharmacist confirm the doses, and the medicine was obtained from a Western Doctor in a upscale hospital, at a very reputable pharmacy. There was nothing wrong with the dosage, or the medicine - well, aside from the fact that it is not effective! (Doctors in your hometown will automatically assume that your child was not 'properly' treated due to the perception of lack of quality med care. In some cases this could be correct, but in the case of Kenya, it is not.)
Upon returning to Canada, we immediately had her tested again. She tested positive again as we suspected. Our Doctor wanted to subscribe her with Flagyl again. I refused. This medicine is not pleasant stuff... administering it, and on our little one's bodies. I refused to have her go through that again for nothing.
Our Doctor consulted with a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital in Vancouver for an alternative medicine. He simply recommended Flagyl. Once again, I refused.
Where the heck are the adoption specialist Doctors? I have yet to hear of a case of Giardias in an adopted child successfully being treated by Flagyl!
So I hit FB and the message boards to get an answer from the experts - Adoptive Parents.
What IS the effective treatment?
Tinidazole.
This is what the parents were telling me, and my research confirmed it. Article after article listed Tinidazole as the most effective treatment. Why they continue to prescribe Flagyl is beyond me. Some articles even cited the effectiveness being 90% vs 35%! in Flagyl
Unfortunately, it took me 2 months to get my hands on this as the pharmacy later told my Doctor it was not available in Canada. I will not bore you with the details, but after contacting a compounding pharmacy 12 hours from me, I discovered this was not the truth. This drug is absolutely available in Canada. However, it is not available at your regular pharmacy. You must obtain it from a Compounding Pharmacy. In our case it took a couple weeks for them to get it in and compound it.
We were told it tastes like chocolate as that masks the flavor of everything. Wrong. This stuff has to be the most vile tasting medicine in the world. I tasted the smallest amount on my finger, and it was equivalent to chewing an entire bottle of aspirin and then swishing. However, it is only a single dose.
Zahra being older, and more trusting of us, it wasn't as nearly the painful experience as her other treatments. The reward (big buttered piece of bread - yes, she still loves her bread!) was worth swallowing this for.
Within a few days, we started to notice changes in her stools and eventually her belly came down.
She lost 1.75" around her waist, which is a considerable amount for her 21" inch belly!
She also now eats a fraction (1/2) of what she used to eat in the orphanage a year and a half ago, but yet has literally grown through 2 clothing sizes within 3 months of being treated (50% to 78% on the growth percentile chart)!
*Update - Baby 'B', who first charted under the growth scale, was finally charting at 15% after one year (and a lot of effort on the parent's end). However, within 3 weeks of being successfully treated, he gained enough weight and height (3.5 cms!!) to be charting at the 35% mark!
In many of our visits and work with orphanages, we always wondered how on earth those babies could eat SO much, but yet remain so tiny! It all makes sense now... malabsorption. Food literally going to waste.
So there you have it, our poop diaries.
I hope this post will not only help you identify possible infection, but save you time and grief as well. Please, have your child tested 3 times upon returning to country. Giardiasis is typically not fatal, but many other parasite infection are and can also go undetected.
If your child is 3+ and has been diagnosed with Giardiasis, don't be afraid to ask for Tinidazole right from the start.
Baby 'B' was 2 yrs old and therefore was prescribed Nitazoxanide (Alinia).
I know poop isn't a glamorous topic, but it's important that we share this information. I couldn't find any blog posts on this topic when we were going through this, which is why it was important to me to write about it.
This is an important issue, one that all adopting parents should know about! Please share this with your adopting friends.
See the CDC page for information on how to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading Giardia infection.
Friday, May 4, 2012
You think you love Africa?
Wait till you see this!!
Here's a little sneak peak... ;)
samburu moran - kenya
Two Masai Boys (by dvlazar)
These are just photos in Kenya - however, they feature all of Africa... and the music is pretty great too!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Mission - 'Cover a Tooshie'
The situation in Kenya is not unique. Orphanages around the world simply cannot afford diapers, cloth or disposable. What does this mean?
Many try to make do by tying a plastic bag around the babies and stuffing them with rags or cloth that are not changed frequently (more like daily), while others cannot even afford to do that. The babies simply soak themselves and their beds, staying wet constantly. Older babies walk/crawl around, peeing on the same floor that they play on, sleep on, and eat on!
 |
| Baby with a homemade diaper of towels and plastic bags. |
Imagine the consequences of this. Not only does it create unsanitary conditions, but it also creates severe urine burns and diaper rashes. It also does not create an appealing situation for staff and volunteers who need to be cuddling with these babies.
I have seen some horrible photos of these urine burns, and tiny newborns sleeping in cots that are soaking wet and filthy. The staff do their best... any amount of money they receive is needed to buy food and formula - diapers are a luxury. We all know how often a newborn can soil or wet a diaper... it is unrealistic to think that these orphanages can clean and change these babies that many times. The man power and the clothing/bedding is just not available.
So it is my mission to cover as many little tooshies as possible! I hope to fill a large suitcase to take over, and if I can get more - I will ship them. Once in Kenya, we will distribute them to where they are needed the most.
If you have some diapers that you no longer use, and would like to donate, please contact me by leaving a comment or send an email to thompsontreehouse at gmail dot com. THANK YOU!! ;)
 |
| Our first donation from a local Mama who managed to round up 34 diapers!! |
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Kony 2012
Let's spread the word... and help these children! Please share this on your Facebook and blogs!
Check out the Invisible Children website here.
Check out the Invisible Children website here.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Harsh Reality (Warning Graphic photo)
I have to share a story. It's a story of one, but has happened to many more before, and will continue to happen unless something is done.
The story comes from the director of the Upinde Baby Centre in Mombasa. As quoted from Facebook:
I apologize for this photo. I shared it on my Facebook ... and constantly have to quickly scroll by it. However, I think it is important to help us better understand how tragic this situation is.
We don't know if the Mother intended for the baby to die, or if she hoped someone would find him. Perhaps the Father or another family member took him from the Mother and put him there? We just don't know. What we do know, is this happens all the time. babies are left in trash heaps like this, they are left tied up in plastic bags, thrown out moving vehicles and tossed down pit latrines.
The fundamental problem - is obviously the poverty. People cannot afford to feed and house themselves let alone another child. The other problem weighing heavily in this equation is the fact that it is illegal to abandon your child in Kenya. In turn, babies are abandoned in secret, where no one will bare witness. No safe drop boxes, nothing.
(What can be done about this? I don't really know. Some law changes would be helpful... More education etc... I look forward to learning more and find out what we can do to help.)
Seriously - I just find it shocking that no church or orphanage has just built a large wooden box, painted it red and put it in the center of Kibera's trash dump... or etc. (Since all of Kibera is essentially a trash dump) Upon seeing this ... it would be obvious, and it would be used. A volunteer could do a walk thru once a day. BUT, where do you put the babies then? And, I supposed this is why they haven't done it.
So don't be surprised if I start 'operation red box' while I'm in Kenya and come home with a dozen babies!
The story comes from the director of the Upinde Baby Centre in Mombasa. As quoted from Facebook:
Today I recieved news from a friend in Kibera that a baby was thrown away in the slums. It was asked whether Upinde would work with Kibera and of course, we said yes. Sadly, this is the baby he was referring to, a baby boy who died there from hypothermia (he simply got too cold waiting). Upinde has offered to network so cases like this can come here but there is more to be done. We want to set up a safe place for babies so we can reach them before they die. Keep an eye on the blog as we roll out our plans... www.tokenyaforever.com Rest in Peace sweet boy
I apologize for this photo. I shared it on my Facebook ... and constantly have to quickly scroll by it. However, I think it is important to help us better understand how tragic this situation is.
We don't know if the Mother intended for the baby to die, or if she hoped someone would find him. Perhaps the Father or another family member took him from the Mother and put him there? We just don't know. What we do know, is this happens all the time. babies are left in trash heaps like this, they are left tied up in plastic bags, thrown out moving vehicles and tossed down pit latrines.
The fundamental problem - is obviously the poverty. People cannot afford to feed and house themselves let alone another child. The other problem weighing heavily in this equation is the fact that it is illegal to abandon your child in Kenya. In turn, babies are abandoned in secret, where no one will bare witness. No safe drop boxes, nothing.
(What can be done about this? I don't really know. Some law changes would be helpful... More education etc... I look forward to learning more and find out what we can do to help.)
Seriously - I just find it shocking that no church or orphanage has just built a large wooden box, painted it red and put it in the center of Kibera's trash dump... or etc. (Since all of Kibera is essentially a trash dump) Upon seeing this ... it would be obvious, and it would be used. A volunteer could do a walk thru once a day. BUT, where do you put the babies then? And, I supposed this is why they haven't done it.
So don't be surprised if I start 'operation red box' while I'm in Kenya and come home with a dozen babies!
Monday, January 9, 2012
This child...
This child...
...his parents, considering him a mistake, abandoned him. He was found still unwashed, naked, unfed and with his umbilical cored tied off with a piece of string at 3 days old.
And this child...
And this is why we are so driven to help. Adopt. Sponsor. Volunteer.
Please help, hope, pray, give - in any way you can. These children need our help!
...was found here, "in the local dumspite (rubish tip) tied up in a sack. She was surrounded by dogs which thankfully alerted a village elder that she was there and he took her to the childrens department."
This child...
...and his twin sister...
...were actually thrown into a ditch from a moving vehicle!
This child...
...his parents, considering him a mistake, abandoned him. He was found still unwashed, naked, unfed and with his umbilical cored tied off with a piece of string at 3 days old.
And this child...
...was left to die in the bottom of a pit latrine (out house).
And sadly, these are the lucky ones.
The remaining abandoned babies who's cries were never heard, will die cold, lonely and hungry.
The ones that do survive, will have to contend with this...
And this is why we are so driven to help. Adopt. Sponsor. Volunteer.
Please help, hope, pray, give - in any way you can. These children need our help!
Friday, December 9, 2011
A Friday Pick Me Up!
Waka Waka (This time for Africa)
LOVE this song! I think it's going to be my new theme song... to keep me going! There are some lyrics in there that speak to me.
We are the first family to enter the Kenya program with our agency (just found out about another family who signed on though!! ;)... making us 1 of 3 Canandians families adopting from Kenya since 2008 and the Hague. We are pioneers... paving the way. 'Pick yourself up, dust yourself off' - geez, how many times do you have to do that in the adoption journey? 'Don't wait in line'... ha, after almost 2 years - I'm read to push way to the front! 'You paved the way'. - I hope too!! etc... i think you get the idea. ;)
Waka Waka means - Do It - and the other lyrics are in Fang -a Central African language. Lyrics from a song that was sung for the freedom in Africa in the 70's and 80's.
*I edited this post to add the version with the lyrics.
LOVE this song! I think it's going to be my new theme song... to keep me going! There are some lyrics in there that speak to me.
We are the first family to enter the Kenya program with our agency (just found out about another family who signed on though!! ;)... making us 1 of 3 Canandians families adopting from Kenya since 2008 and the Hague. We are pioneers... paving the way. 'Pick yourself up, dust yourself off' - geez, how many times do you have to do that in the adoption journey? 'Don't wait in line'... ha, after almost 2 years - I'm read to push way to the front! 'You paved the way'. - I hope too!! etc... i think you get the idea. ;)
Waka Waka means - Do It - and the other lyrics are in Fang -a Central African language. Lyrics from a song that was sung for the freedom in Africa in the 70's and 80's.
*I edited this post to add the version with the lyrics.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
World AIDS Day 2011: Remembering the suffering children
Today is World AIDS Day.
I never knew the significance of December 1st before now.
Why now? Because I have become aware that there are 15 million AIDS orphans in Sub Sarahan Africa. No, this does not necessarily mean they are inflicted with AIDS. This means that AIDS is the cause of their orphan status. Their family members have died... leaving them orphaned.
But wait.
AIDS does not affect the people of Africa only. AIDS is everywhere and does not discriminate between their victims. It doesn't care about what continent you live on, or what colour of skin you have.
We need to educate ourselves and our children about this. So many of us are in the dark.
Some quick facts...
AIDS is caused from HIV. HIV that is left untreated.
The typical timeline for AIDS to develop from untreated HIV is 10 yrs.
HIV is treatable. Treated with ARV's... people infected with HIV can live long, healthy lives without ever getting AIDS!
You need to get tested! The earlier HIV is discovered, the better it responds to treatment. Without testing, HIV can go undetected until AIDS develops!
HIV and AIDS is not contracted through casual contact or even saliva for that matter!
HIV and AIDS is contracted through unprotected sex and blood to blood transmission.
.... therefore, HIV and AIDS is 100% preventable. Wrap it up!
What can you do to help?
I never knew the significance of December 1st before now.
Why now? Because I have become aware that there are 15 million AIDS orphans in Sub Sarahan Africa. No, this does not necessarily mean they are inflicted with AIDS. This means that AIDS is the cause of their orphan status. Their family members have died... leaving them orphaned.
But wait.
AIDS does not affect the people of Africa only. AIDS is everywhere and does not discriminate between their victims. It doesn't care about what continent you live on, or what colour of skin you have.
We need to educate ourselves and our children about this. So many of us are in the dark.
Some quick facts...
AIDS is caused from HIV. HIV that is left untreated.
The typical timeline for AIDS to develop from untreated HIV is 10 yrs.
HIV is treatable. Treated with ARV's... people infected with HIV can live long, healthy lives without ever getting AIDS!
You need to get tested! The earlier HIV is discovered, the better it responds to treatment. Without testing, HIV can go undetected until AIDS develops!
HIV and AIDS is not contracted through casual contact or even saliva for that matter!
HIV and AIDS is contracted through unprotected sex and blood to blood transmission.
.... therefore, HIV and AIDS is 100% preventable. Wrap it up!
What can you do to help?
- Learn and educate others
- Raise Awareness
- Support zero discrimination of those infected
- Be an activist
- Donate to an organization that provides AIDS/HIV education and treatment
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Let's get real - and - what I really want to say.
It's Tuesday, so let's be truthful.
When I first started this blog I wasn't quite sure what direction it would take. It was initially started as an adoption journey journal. Many people keep several blogs. One for adoption, one for homeschooling, one for recipes etc. I don't homeschool (yet), but I do have other interests and passions. Certainly not deserving or interesting enough to require their own blog however. So, I have decided that this blog will simply just resemble me! With a main focus on adoption, and other bits and pieces thrown in for good measure! I am a researcher at heart, granola wannabe, and I think I'm a decent cook - so from time to time, I will throw out some product recommendations, green ideas, and some recipes. Because...the truth is, I would do the same thing if you were sitting here in my kitchen having tea. (or wine ;)
Another thing which I have teetered back and forth on... is about how real I should present myself. And here are my thoughts.
You know those blogs... the ones where the person behind the keyboard eats glitter for breakfast and lunch?
Where nothing bad ever happens?
They live in a fluffy world where the glass is always full?
The ones that make you want to vomit in your mouth?
Yeah.. those ones.
Well, here's the thing... I don't think they help anyone really. It certainly can't help the writer to be in denial about reality - not ever able to unleash some dissatisfaction. (Every therapist will tell you, journaling is good... get your feelings out!) AND - I know, as a reader it really actually only makes me feel bad about myself or my situation.
No... the fluff doesn't rub off, it just aggravates.
What does make me feel better is to read that others share in my own miseries. To hear of their shitty experiences and how they overcame them! And let's be truthful - if you are not being honest and truthful about your adoption (etc.), your experience - then really, you are misleading others, and you are not helping. In fact, you could be causing damage. Most people blog to journal or to help and inspire others... Fluff does not have category. Sorry.
So, here I am in all my glory. (No bells, whistles or firecrackers... lol) What you see is what you get. In my everyday life I live authentically. I think everyone should own and accept who they are. I don't have a secret me, or a different personality behind closed doors or with different people. If I'm angry with the hubby for example, you will know it. If I am excited, I can't contain it. If I have a problem, I will voice it. The thing is - it is what it is, and nothing else. I'm not perfect and I'm not afraid to admit it. I have nothing to hide. I realize this may rub people the wrong way, and I'm okay with that too... cause I can only be what I am. I won't put on a facade because that's what I think you want to see. It's more important to me that I am content with who I am, and knowing that I live my life as genuinely as possible.
By my own admission, I suffer from an uncanny ability to be negative... so bare with me. I am a work in progress and have been making strides in being able to see things in a more positive light. Adoption, surprisingly is a good exercise... you have to be able to find the positivity and the hope, because without it, you have nothing.
Wow... now that I've rambled on way too long about myself, I would like to put out there exactly what I would like to say to people when they ask stupid questions.
****
The other day, I had a woman come to my door to pick up some stuff I was selling. We got on the topic of adoption. She asked where we were adopting from, and I no sooner got out, "Well, we were going to adopt from the US...." and she interjected with "Why aren't you adopting from the Ministry?".
Standing there with her lovely 2 yr old on her hip (after informing they that they are trying for another)... she announced she was a social worker and really started to make me feel as though she was grilling me for making the wrong decision. In her eyes, I should be adopting from the ministry and everything I had to say about it - she answered with, "That is not always the case...".
So, although my typical response is to be polite and defend myself, I need to strategize here. I want some real humdinger responses. I want to answer a question with a question. Not to be rude, or to hurt. But to make them think, "Did my mouth just say that?". Educate... not hate. I don't have these answers yet... I'm still working on it. BUT - I do know what that little voice inside my head says and what I feel like saying...
Said by social worker lady...
Why don't you adopt from the Ministry? Why don't you?
Said by my lawyer's legal secretary...
Why would you want to do that (adopt from Kenya)?
I don't know... 147 million orphans in the world. 50 million of them Africa. 1 in 5 will die before their 5th birthday. The lucky ones? They will suffer from famine and disease. They will be raped and abused. They will survive only by salvaging what they can from landfills and by selling their own bodies.
I guess you and your children are just darn lucky to have been born in the Western world so you didn't have to suffer the same fate - because if you were, you would really have to hope that there were people in the world who weren't as ignorant as you and actually gave a shit.
Said by family member...
Why don't you adopt from China?
Do you know how racist that sounds?
Do you have a problem with Africa or Africans?
Why the HELL not Africa?
Said by someone I know...
Why do you want to travel and adopt from Africa? Africa is full of AIDS, there is a good chance your kid could have aids too.
What?! Are we living in the 80's here?! Your right, there are a lot of people with AIDS/HIV in Africa. Most orphans are AIDS victims. Although all the children are tested for HIV, there is a chance that they could have HIV. HIV is manageable with medication and many HIV positive people are able to live long, healthy, normal lives. It is almost a non issue nowadays. The only issue, unfortunately, is the stigma attached to it, created by people such as yourself. (Which unfortunately, is the only thing that gives me pause in considering adopting a positive child!) HIV positive children are just as deserving as any other orphan.
Now, as far as your worry about travelling in a country 'full of AIDS', you must be concerned that I will catch it. You will be happy to know that I do not intend on having sex with anyone there (other than hubby that is), nor will I be sharing needles with anyone. You will also be happy to know that outside of these 2 activities - my chances of catching HIV is MUCH lower than getting struck by lightning. That's right... you should be more concerned about the local weather patterns.
Said by family member...
There are many children in our own country that need help too, why aren't you adopting one of them?
Seriously? What do you really know about the children in need in Canada? Have you researched this? This is a typical, safe response. But actually shows your ignorance about adoption in the real world.
And, the last time I looked - this was our 'own' planet, and there are many children on our 'own' planet that are in need. There are several reasons why... but I am tired of explaining myself, so let me ask you this...
Why don't you adopt one of these children?
Why do you care where the heck I adopt from?
Wouldn't you agree that adopting a child from Africa is better than not adopting a child from anywhere?
And last, but not least... (words of wisdom from a dear friend of mine - 'xome')
Would you be so concerned about the way I build my family if this child came from my own VAGINA? No...? I didn't think so.
When I first started this blog I wasn't quite sure what direction it would take. It was initially started as an adoption journey journal. Many people keep several blogs. One for adoption, one for homeschooling, one for recipes etc. I don't homeschool (yet), but I do have other interests and passions. Certainly not deserving or interesting enough to require their own blog however. So, I have decided that this blog will simply just resemble me! With a main focus on adoption, and other bits and pieces thrown in for good measure! I am a researcher at heart, granola wannabe, and I think I'm a decent cook - so from time to time, I will throw out some product recommendations, green ideas, and some recipes. Because...the truth is, I would do the same thing if you were sitting here in my kitchen having tea. (or wine ;)
Another thing which I have teetered back and forth on... is about how real I should present myself. And here are my thoughts.
You know those blogs... the ones where the person behind the keyboard eats glitter for breakfast and lunch?
Where nothing bad ever happens?
They live in a fluffy world where the glass is always full?
The ones that make you want to vomit in your mouth?
Yeah.. those ones.
Well, here's the thing... I don't think they help anyone really. It certainly can't help the writer to be in denial about reality - not ever able to unleash some dissatisfaction. (Every therapist will tell you, journaling is good... get your feelings out!) AND - I know, as a reader it really actually only makes me feel bad about myself or my situation.
No... the fluff doesn't rub off, it just aggravates.
What does make me feel better is to read that others share in my own miseries. To hear of their shitty experiences and how they overcame them! And let's be truthful - if you are not being honest and truthful about your adoption (etc.), your experience - then really, you are misleading others, and you are not helping. In fact, you could be causing damage. Most people blog to journal or to help and inspire others... Fluff does not have category. Sorry.
So, here I am in all my glory. (No bells, whistles or firecrackers... lol) What you see is what you get. In my everyday life I live authentically. I think everyone should own and accept who they are. I don't have a secret me, or a different personality behind closed doors or with different people. If I'm angry with the hubby for example, you will know it. If I am excited, I can't contain it. If I have a problem, I will voice it. The thing is - it is what it is, and nothing else. I'm not perfect and I'm not afraid to admit it. I have nothing to hide. I realize this may rub people the wrong way, and I'm okay with that too... cause I can only be what I am. I won't put on a facade because that's what I think you want to see. It's more important to me that I am content with who I am, and knowing that I live my life as genuinely as possible.
By my own admission, I suffer from an uncanny ability to be negative... so bare with me. I am a work in progress and have been making strides in being able to see things in a more positive light. Adoption, surprisingly is a good exercise... you have to be able to find the positivity and the hope, because without it, you have nothing.
Wow... now that I've rambled on way too long about myself, I would like to put out there exactly what I would like to say to people when they ask stupid questions.
****
The other day, I had a woman come to my door to pick up some stuff I was selling. We got on the topic of adoption. She asked where we were adopting from, and I no sooner got out, "Well, we were going to adopt from the US...." and she interjected with "Why aren't you adopting from the Ministry?".
Standing there with her lovely 2 yr old on her hip (after informing they that they are trying for another)... she announced she was a social worker and really started to make me feel as though she was grilling me for making the wrong decision. In her eyes, I should be adopting from the ministry and everything I had to say about it - she answered with, "That is not always the case...".
So, although my typical response is to be polite and defend myself, I need to strategize here. I want some real humdinger responses. I want to answer a question with a question. Not to be rude, or to hurt. But to make them think, "Did my mouth just say that?". Educate... not hate. I don't have these answers yet... I'm still working on it. BUT - I do know what that little voice inside my head says and what I feel like saying...
Said by social worker lady...
Why don't you adopt from the Ministry? Why don't you?
Said by my lawyer's legal secretary...
Why would you want to do that (adopt from Kenya)?
I don't know... 147 million orphans in the world. 50 million of them Africa. 1 in 5 will die before their 5th birthday. The lucky ones? They will suffer from famine and disease. They will be raped and abused. They will survive only by salvaging what they can from landfills and by selling their own bodies.
I guess you and your children are just darn lucky to have been born in the Western world so you didn't have to suffer the same fate - because if you were, you would really have to hope that there were people in the world who weren't as ignorant as you and actually gave a shit.
Said by family member...
Why don't you adopt from China?
Do you know how racist that sounds?
Do you have a problem with Africa or Africans?
Why the HELL not Africa?
Said by someone I know...
Why do you want to travel and adopt from Africa? Africa is full of AIDS, there is a good chance your kid could have aids too.
What?! Are we living in the 80's here?! Your right, there are a lot of people with AIDS/HIV in Africa. Most orphans are AIDS victims. Although all the children are tested for HIV, there is a chance that they could have HIV. HIV is manageable with medication and many HIV positive people are able to live long, healthy, normal lives. It is almost a non issue nowadays. The only issue, unfortunately, is the stigma attached to it, created by people such as yourself. (Which unfortunately, is the only thing that gives me pause in considering adopting a positive child!) HIV positive children are just as deserving as any other orphan.
Now, as far as your worry about travelling in a country 'full of AIDS', you must be concerned that I will catch it. You will be happy to know that I do not intend on having sex with anyone there (other than hubby that is), nor will I be sharing needles with anyone. You will also be happy to know that outside of these 2 activities - my chances of catching HIV is MUCH lower than getting struck by lightning. That's right... you should be more concerned about the local weather patterns.
Said by family member...
There are many children in our own country that need help too, why aren't you adopting one of them?
Seriously? What do you really know about the children in need in Canada? Have you researched this? This is a typical, safe response. But actually shows your ignorance about adoption in the real world.
And, the last time I looked - this was our 'own' planet, and there are many children on our 'own' planet that are in need. There are several reasons why... but I am tired of explaining myself, so let me ask you this...
Why don't you adopt one of these children?
Why do you care where the heck I adopt from?
Wouldn't you agree that adopting a child from Africa is better than not adopting a child from anywhere?
And last, but not least... (words of wisdom from a dear friend of mine - 'xome')
Would you be so concerned about the way I build my family if this child came from my own VAGINA? No...? I didn't think so.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Just a wee bit scary...
This is from a BBC news report issued today.
"Al-Shabab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage told the BBC Somali service that his fighters would attack Nairobi.
Kenya launched an air and ground assault on the weekend, in response to several recent cross-border abductions it blames on al-Shabab.
The hard-line group, which controls much of southern Somalia, denies carrying out the kidnappings.
Mr Rage said: "We will defend ourselves. Kenya doesn't know war. We know war. The tall buildings in Nairobi will be destroyed.
"We have fought against governments older and stronger than Kenya and we have defeated them."
Submitting our dossier at this time is difficult. Once our document is submitted, there is no turning back... we are committed. Once our referral is issued we have 90 days to move there. If we do not follow policy, we lose the referral and in all likelihood, we would not be considered for another match.
Once again, another control issue that I am battling with... hand over the papers, hand over control. I think we are likely just going to have to decide to take this leap of faith and trust that it will work out. We do want to feel that it is a measured risk though and that we are not jumping into a full out war zone!!
The one comfort is that al-Shabab has made threats to Kenya in the past but has never followed through...
Just released - news report from National Post.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Are you ready for this chocolate lovers?...
Rage against the Minivan has done it again. A fabulous thought provoking, informational post.
The bitter truth is that chocolate bar you are eating, was very likely created from cocoa beans cultivated by child slave labour! Yes, Cadbury US, Nestle, Hershey and Mars are all guilty. Read here, "let me ruin your Halloween for you..."
Yes, Kristen... we are breaking up with Chocolate too. Thank you for raising our awareness!
This Halloween, please consider an alternative to unethical chocolate. If you have a Costco nearby - I was able to find a pack of 80 mini Play-Doh for under $10.
Below is a 5 part documentary (a must watch! - even if you can just get in the first one)... They are very well done and show in depth, the effects of unethical cocoa (same as coffee too!!) farming.
The bitter truth is that chocolate bar you are eating, was very likely created from cocoa beans cultivated by child slave labour! Yes, Cadbury US, Nestle, Hershey and Mars are all guilty. Read here, "let me ruin your Halloween for you..."
Yes, Kristen... we are breaking up with Chocolate too. Thank you for raising our awareness!
This Halloween, please consider an alternative to unethical chocolate. If you have a Costco nearby - I was able to find a pack of 80 mini Play-Doh for under $10.
Below is a 5 part documentary (a must watch! - even if you can just get in the first one)... They are very well done and show in depth, the effects of unethical cocoa (same as coffee too!!) farming.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
I'm not crazy, watch this - (Famous, Rich and in the Slums) - and see!
It IS easy to be so secure in our own lives, that we don't have to think about other people's lives.
While we sit and read this by the monthly paid internet, on the expensive computers, in our large heated houses with SUV's parked in the garage, sipping a hot cup of espresso, waiting for our spa appointment - these people are dieing! Oh, wait... they are living a life of hell in squalor and then they die. I know... who cares. I don't have to think about it - it's out of my realm, a world away. And what the heck can I do about it anyway? Well if everyone would get off their leather couches, away from from their flat screens, ipods and computers - and give this some consideration, we can collectively do something about it. Even one changed life is HUGE! You have the ability to change someones life! YES, all of us... rich or poor. If you are reading this, you have the means to support a child to go to school or to get AIDS meds.
I am riled up, so you will have to excuse me. This video is the most profoundly moving show I think I have ever seen. Perhaps more so because it is close to my heart... taking place in Kenya. However, I challenge all of you to please watch this and see if it doesn't move you too!
*insert sidetrack*
A while ago, I was made aware of a comment that a distant relative said about me. "What is 'Jo' thinking!?"
For some reason, this has really bothered me and I think about it often. Not that I give a rats arse what this person thinks - but I think the fact that they are so incapable of 'getting' it, is what really bothers me. It bothers me that the human race can not only be so self indulgent that they can not see beyond their lives, but that they are unwilling to as well.
People think I'm (we're) crazy. Well to all those people that stalk my blog because they think I'm crazy - I have one thing to say to you.
Watch this video and then honestly tell me that I am crazy. You know what I think is crazy? Not doing a damn thing to help people who are in this position! ...You're crazy!
Let's get on with the show... Famous, Rich and in the Slums is a documentary made by Comic Relief about 4 UK celebrities who are stripped of all their possessions and are left in Kibera for a week to experience life in one of the worlds largest slums. Life, where 1 in 5 children will die before the age of 5! They sleep with cockroaches, use the very stinky and unsanitary latrines, and work their fingers to the bone to afford one meal all the while witnessing the famine, illness and heartbreak that surrounds them.
It is shocking. It is heartbreaking. It will make you cry. Like a baby.Here is a sneak peak.
The problem is that this show aired on UK television in March and is not available on youtube, or even for purchase (that I could find anyway). You have to download it. I have never pirated before, so I had to download UTorrent just for this. If you already have UTorrent etc, you are halfway there. If not, please download it (it's free!) and look for this show on Pirate Bay. There are 2 parts to the show. I was able to download the first part in a day, and the second part took me 2 weeks because there was only a couple seeders. However, part 1 is the most important. In part 2 they get a little sidetracked and the show takes more of a focus on helping the people they stay with rather than experiencing their lives.
If you have an interest in Africa through adoption etc... you will most certainly love this show. But, everyone really should see it. Please watch it and let me know how it affected you, or if I really am the crazy one after all...
**Further pirating instructions
After you have successfully installed utorrent, you will go to this piratebay page with the download for part one. DO NOT click any of those big green download buttons - that is where I went wrong many times. Click the small green downward arrows and "download this torrent" on the left side. My computer operates on Vista, browsing with Google Chrome. When I click download - it downloads or saves it to a file called 'downloads'. Open utorrent. Click on File then Add Torrent. Browse, locate file and double click. Utorrent should then start to download the file. If you click on this file in the top window, the details will pop up in the lower window. This will tell you how fast the download is happening and how much has been downloaded. When I just looked, I noticed there was only one seeder - this means it will take quite a long time. If the seeder (the person who is uploading the movie to leechers) shuts his computer off, the downloading stops unless there are more seeders. The key is to keep your computer on so it can download when the seeder has his computer on.
Once it is complete and says ' finished' in the top window... click it, so the details appear in the bottom window again. Then double click the first file in the bottom window (the file with 550+ mb). On my computer the VLC media player popped up and started to play. You may have a different media player... This is an avi. file. Most players should play this type of file.
Go here for the second part.
I hope this helps. You may need to be patient - like I said, it took me weeks to get the second part....... but it is so worth it!!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Only 3 more days left to double your gift to the East African Drought Relief!
Dan and have been donating all summer to the Canadian Red Cross Horn of Africa Fund. The Provincial liquor store here has wonderfully set up a donation program and I can't think of a much better place to do so! If you can afford a nice bottle of wine to accompany your dinner - you certainly can afford to feed a child for a day! We made a pledge to donate $5 every time we made a purchase at this store. It is very rewarding to know that our money was doubled and can stretch twice as far!
If you haven't already done so, please consider a donation to one of the following humanitarian organizations that are working in the region. A dollar a day can feed a child - as little as a $5 donation will feed a child for 10 days!
The Humanitarian Coalition
The Humanitarian Coalition is a network of Canadian NGOs determined to unite in cases of humanitarian crises. The Humanitarian Coalition is formed by five of Canada's leading aid organizations: CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec,Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada.
UN World Food Programme
WFP is targeting the most vulnerable individuals with much-needed food. They aim to reach nearly 6 million people in the coming months.
UNICEF Canada
UNICEF is on the ground in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable children and families. Their life-saving interventions and expertise for nutrition, immunization, water and sanitation, education and child protection are delivered on a mass scale, in coordination with the UNHCR and WFP.
Canadian Red Cross
Money raised will go to support the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the region, both providing emergency relief and helping people recover their livelihoods.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders has worked in the camps at Dadaab for 14 years. They offer medical services in Dagahaley camp, providing a general hospital and five health posts.
Mennonite Central Committee
MCC is committing $1.2 million through Canadian Foodgrains Bank to support two food-for-work programs in Kenya that will have short- and long-term benefits. Kenyans will be paid with cooking oil, maize and beans for their construction of 92 sand dams and 25 wells. In Ethiopia, MCC funds are expected to be used for supplemental food for children under age 5 and lactating or pregnant women.
World Vision Canada
World Vision is providing emergency aid, including food, water, shelter and health care, to more than 3 million people in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
The Humanitarian Coalition is a network of Canadian NGOs determined to unite in cases of humanitarian crises. The Humanitarian Coalition is formed by five of Canada's leading aid organizations: CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec,Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada.
UN World Food Programme
WFP is targeting the most vulnerable individuals with much-needed food. They aim to reach nearly 6 million people in the coming months.
UNICEF Canada
UNICEF is on the ground in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable children and families. Their life-saving interventions and expertise for nutrition, immunization, water and sanitation, education and child protection are delivered on a mass scale, in coordination with the UNHCR and WFP.
Canadian Red Cross
Money raised will go to support the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the region, both providing emergency relief and helping people recover their livelihoods.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders has worked in the camps at Dadaab for 14 years. They offer medical services in Dagahaley camp, providing a general hospital and five health posts.
Mennonite Central Committee
MCC is committing $1.2 million through Canadian Foodgrains Bank to support two food-for-work programs in Kenya that will have short- and long-term benefits. Kenyans will be paid with cooking oil, maize and beans for their construction of 92 sand dams and 25 wells. In Ethiopia, MCC funds are expected to be used for supplemental food for children under age 5 and lactating or pregnant women.
World Vision Canada
World Vision is providing emergency aid, including food, water, shelter and health care, to more than 3 million people in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Drought in East Africa
The worst drought in 60 years has killed most livestock, and now thousands of helpless people. CURRENT NEWS What they are experiencing is simply beyond words.
A look at the droughts youngest victims...
Give me hope that help is coming - (and information where you can donate)
A look at the droughts youngest victims...
Give me hope that help is coming - (and information where you can donate)
Friday, May 27, 2011
The calling...
What do you get when you cross Oprah with Vilele...? You get an unsettling of my heart. Dagnabit!
I can't say that I have ever felt this way about something... and I thought I could snuff it out or settle it with an adoption from the US. And it worked - for a while.
It started at the beginning of this week, when Muffin sprang the news on me that she needed to bring a shoebox of gifts for a child in Slave Lake. Well, thank goodness I prepare my African shoebox's throughout the year as I come across sales. So out of the closet I pull a shoebox that has been lovingly filled with a little boys T-shirt, a box of crayons, a lego automatic car, a race car, a ball and a stuffed bear. On my way to school with the kids, they were asking why the children in Slave Lake need these items. I explained to them about the fires and how they had lost everything. However, I just couldn't help but feeling that they were okay and they would be well looked after. They still had hope and are so very fortunate to be in such a great country. One where friends, family and the government will rally around you and pick you back up. Are those children doing without? Certainly not. I started to feel as though I took from a child that was in greater need of these items - and it still doesn't well with me. The children of Africa to which these gifts were destined to - may have never held a dinky car in their hand before. These are children that have a very bleak future and a there is a good chance they will not survive past the age of 5. They will likely never have the opportunity to sit in a desk, let alone draw a picture with crayons. They are children who don't know how to be children, when at the age of 2 they are already an integral part of the family chore schedule. THESE are the children who are really in need. Then insert the correlation between that shoebox and our adoption! I tried hard not to acknowledge those feelings...
A couple days later - Oprah airs her last show. If you saw it, you will understand how it made me feel unsettled. Am I listening? Do I hear?... and am I answering my calling? Am I doing what I was put on this earth to do? And then little Vilele stole my heart... and I knew that even if we do adopt from the US, my heart will not be still. Adoption from the US will be a little detour from the path, the path of which I will eventually have to decide to take or not. I have this incredible desire and need to help in Africa. No, I have never been there. I am scared to death of how it will impact me, how I will no longer be the same person. I know I will forever be changed, and I'm scared of the unknowns that encompass that. I am afraid that I will no longer be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine on the patio without the thought of have many children could have been saved from malaria with that money - plaguing my mind! But yet... I'm being pulled there and realize that I have been my entire life. It feels like a natural instinct... perhaps like how a goose would feel before he flies south for the winter? Only trouble is I have no one to lead the way! I don't want to make a wrong decision, and I need to think about our children.
So, in a last ditch attempt to give Africa another chance - I emailed Choices and Sunrise and asked them if there was an update on Africa. I was given a no... but we could accept you right away for Kenya from Sunrise, and Choices said Sunrise has a Kenya program. I am really trying to be receptive now - so to me, this sounded like an avenue I should look into. Here are the details - for adoption in Kenya, you have to foster a child for 3 months before you go to court, once you pass court you must wait for the visa to be issued. The entire process takes about 8 months - FAST - But, you have to be living in Kenya for these 8 months!!
I nonchalantly said to my husband, as I read from my iphone - "Oh, there you go - do you want to go live in Kenya for 8 months and adopt a child from there?"
Totally not expecting a positive response, he said "Now your talking - that is how I foresee the path of our adoption!"
Well, as you can imagine, there were a million questions passed back and forth in the minutes that followed that question. Work, house, pets, his ailing Mother etc... etc... We concluded that as long as it was safe for the children, we would figure the rest out. We would have to sell some reality etc. to make it work - but it is possible.
I now await further details from the director of Sunrise... upon which I will post on my blog for anyone else who may be interested in a crazy adventure of a lifetime!
I can't say that I have ever felt this way about something... and I thought I could snuff it out or settle it with an adoption from the US. And it worked - for a while.
It started at the beginning of this week, when Muffin sprang the news on me that she needed to bring a shoebox of gifts for a child in Slave Lake. Well, thank goodness I prepare my African shoebox's throughout the year as I come across sales. So out of the closet I pull a shoebox that has been lovingly filled with a little boys T-shirt, a box of crayons, a lego automatic car, a race car, a ball and a stuffed bear. On my way to school with the kids, they were asking why the children in Slave Lake need these items. I explained to them about the fires and how they had lost everything. However, I just couldn't help but feeling that they were okay and they would be well looked after. They still had hope and are so very fortunate to be in such a great country. One where friends, family and the government will rally around you and pick you back up. Are those children doing without? Certainly not. I started to feel as though I took from a child that was in greater need of these items - and it still doesn't well with me. The children of Africa to which these gifts were destined to - may have never held a dinky car in their hand before. These are children that have a very bleak future and a there is a good chance they will not survive past the age of 5. They will likely never have the opportunity to sit in a desk, let alone draw a picture with crayons. They are children who don't know how to be children, when at the age of 2 they are already an integral part of the family chore schedule. THESE are the children who are really in need. Then insert the correlation between that shoebox and our adoption! I tried hard not to acknowledge those feelings...
A couple days later - Oprah airs her last show. If you saw it, you will understand how it made me feel unsettled. Am I listening? Do I hear?... and am I answering my calling? Am I doing what I was put on this earth to do? And then little Vilele stole my heart... and I knew that even if we do adopt from the US, my heart will not be still. Adoption from the US will be a little detour from the path, the path of which I will eventually have to decide to take or not. I have this incredible desire and need to help in Africa. No, I have never been there. I am scared to death of how it will impact me, how I will no longer be the same person. I know I will forever be changed, and I'm scared of the unknowns that encompass that. I am afraid that I will no longer be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine on the patio without the thought of have many children could have been saved from malaria with that money - plaguing my mind! But yet... I'm being pulled there and realize that I have been my entire life. It feels like a natural instinct... perhaps like how a goose would feel before he flies south for the winter? Only trouble is I have no one to lead the way! I don't want to make a wrong decision, and I need to think about our children.
So, in a last ditch attempt to give Africa another chance - I emailed Choices and Sunrise and asked them if there was an update on Africa. I was given a no... but we could accept you right away for Kenya from Sunrise, and Choices said Sunrise has a Kenya program. I am really trying to be receptive now - so to me, this sounded like an avenue I should look into. Here are the details - for adoption in Kenya, you have to foster a child for 3 months before you go to court, once you pass court you must wait for the visa to be issued. The entire process takes about 8 months - FAST - But, you have to be living in Kenya for these 8 months!!
I nonchalantly said to my husband, as I read from my iphone - "Oh, there you go - do you want to go live in Kenya for 8 months and adopt a child from there?"
Totally not expecting a positive response, he said "Now your talking - that is how I foresee the path of our adoption!"
Well, as you can imagine, there were a million questions passed back and forth in the minutes that followed that question. Work, house, pets, his ailing Mother etc... etc... We concluded that as long as it was safe for the children, we would figure the rest out. We would have to sell some reality etc. to make it work - but it is possible.
I now await further details from the director of Sunrise... upon which I will post on my blog for anyone else who may be interested in a crazy adventure of a lifetime!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I just wanna scoop him up and run!
A little Wednesday pick me up - too cute not to share! Enjoy!!
"When Vilele and his brothers lost both their mother and father to AIDS, they became what is commonly described as a "child headed household". There are an estimated twelve million orphaned children like them living in Sub Saharan Africa.
Since our first encounter 2007, the SING Campaign has followed their story. And with help from SING and the Treatment Action Campaign, their lives have been been supported and changed for the better.
Watch the full story here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1798371D984E1D1B
One thing that stood out about little Vilele was his extraordinary talent for dancing.
At the time this film clip was made, he was only four years old."
"When Vilele and his brothers lost both their mother and father to AIDS, they became what is commonly described as a "child headed household". There are an estimated twelve million orphaned children like them living in Sub Saharan Africa.
Since our first encounter 2007, the SING Campaign has followed their story. And with help from SING and the Treatment Action Campaign, their lives have been been supported and changed for the better.
Watch the full story here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1798371D984E1D1B
One thing that stood out about little Vilele was his extraordinary talent for dancing.
At the time this film clip was made, he was only four years old."
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How it all started...
It all started January, 2010 with Haiti. Watching the images on TV of all those orphans compelled me to try and do something about it. I soon found myself on the phone and computer 8 hrs/day... to find out that adoption in Haiti would not be possible. However, the spark had already been lit!
My new full time job became researching adoption programs. It didn't take long before I fell in love with Ethiopia. January 21st, I added my name to a long waiting list of families wanting to just register for adoption from Ethiopia. Requesting an infant would likely take 6 yrs to complete. Our requested age limit has been increased twice now. Initially it was 0-2, then 0-3 and now 0-4... however, a year has passed and we still have not heard from the agency.
If I want to adopt in my lifetime (okay a bit of exaggeration), I need to look at other programs. We are 100% certain that we want to adopt from Africa (well if truth be known, my husband is more open to other programs than I am). I briefly looked into Rwanda, however they are now closed while thay implement the Hague. DRC Congo looks like the next possibility - however, it is increasingly becoming more popular, and where the wait was 4-6 months for a referral, it is probably more like a year if not more now.
We have decided to start our homestudy, so that we have the flexibility to jump on an opportunity if one arises. We are steering toward DRC, with our fingers crossed for Ethiopia... while seeking to learn of other African program possibilities as well.
50 million orphans in Africa... it really shouldn't be this difficult!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Friday, March 12, 2010
This says it all...
A Father's plight to bring his children home from Africa (Rwanda I believe)... I love YouTube!
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