OR&R Field Team Blog

Office Party

2009-09-24T11:46:00.004Z

Ok, so while preparing for the return of some of the field team, we have been trying to improve things a little. So now we would like to welcome you to the official Orphan Relief and Rescue field team office. We now have enough desk space for 5 people to work comfortably. All we need now is some of those sweet roller chairs, oh and a coffee maker that runs on 12 volts. Our printer and file cabinet are in much more useable places too. Everything is ready except the most important part of any office the surfboard rack.

Our Healthcare Department has also received some additional storage. Only thing is it is full already.

Our Latest Addition

2009-09-17T13:28:00.002Z

Hey everyone, welcome to a damp and moldy Liberia, I have never had a t shirt go from brown to green that was not one of those sweet hyper color shirts. Things have been going fairly well over here, it has been challenging trying to learn other people’s jobs but I think we are getting there. I have been an ambulance driver, chicken coup worker, teacher, Jungle Jim, washer and dryer repairman (not where we live).

But I have spent most of my time bouncing around government offices lately going from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Planning to the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Labor and then back again. There are a lot of hoops the government has now decided that we have to jump through. I have to say Andrew, you have the gift of patience and I thank you for the work you do with all of the government departments. I thought I was patient too, but I have since found out otherwise. So Liberia continues to stretch me and reveal aspects of character that may need a little tune up.

Talking of tune-ups, I would like to reveal to everyone our new noble steed. A beautiful grey gelding, well it’s not really a horse but a Nissan Xterra. Since the death of our Montero we’ve had to drive a car that has about 3 inches of ground clearance and was just not capable of getting us where we needed to go. But that has changed now,

WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we would like to thank everyone involved. The children are already benefiting from us being able to reach them whatever the road conditions are.

Back to School!

2009-09-17T12:12:00.003Z

We all know that September means back to school! In Liberia also, school children are sporting new uniforms, book bags, and copybooks. Although tuition for public school is free, fees, mandatory uniforms and transportation make completing an education difficult for most children in orphanages. Orphan Relief and Rescue has been working hard to ensure that every child in our partner homes is enrolled in school. In some cases this means helping with school supplies, in others, helping with uniforms or shoes. At other times, it means working with the directors to find a suitable institution.

For the five teens on Orphan Relief and Rescue’s scholarship program, back to school meant quite a few changes. These students had completed the entire coursework at their previous school, and are now attending a high school outside of the orphanage campus. Nearly one week in, they assure us that they are getting used to the new school and making some friends. They are also setting a great example to their younger brothers and sisters who aspire to also complete the coursework and graduate to “outside” school.

Parachutes!

2009-09-17T12:03:00.004Z

Parachute games seem to be the pastime of choice lately for the younger kids in the Child Development Program. The kids think that they’re just plain fun, but Auntie Mariel is sneaking in some lessons. We’re learning about what it means to work as a team. It’s easy to see that when we work well together we can accomplish goals. But, when even just one person doesn’t follow the rules, it can spoil the fun for everyone!

And, well, they are just plain fun!

Toothbrushing Time Again!

2009-09-17T11:57:00.002Z

Over the past few years, we’ve seen drastic changes in the healthcare needs of the children that we work with. Where once we were constantly attending to sick children, we now have the opportunity to promote wellness. It’s been several months since we last distributed toothbrushes, so once again it’s tooth time! (And, once again, the biggest challenge is getting the children to not eat the toothpaste!) But we’re learning, and hoping that the next time we see Dr. Keith everyone will get a great report!

Handwashing

2009-08-31T14:58:00.003Z

One of the things that we try to emphasize with the kids and caretakers is the importance of preventing sickness, not just treating it. This last week, some of the kids learned that the single most important thing that they can do to stay healthy is to wash their hands. To demonstrate where germs like to hide and how we need to wash our hands, we used bright green germs (paint) to practice washing correctly. Everyone had fun and learned good technique, as Evelyn demonstrated for the camera.

New friends at Fairfield

2009-08-07T15:49:00.003Z

Sitting in the office in Texas yesterday, I had a surprise visitor -- David from Fairfield Baptist Church in Cypress, TX. On his way to Tennessee to ship off almost a thousand pairs of shoes to Liberia, he stopped to drop off photos of the children at Fairfield Baptist Orphanage putting up their 57 new mosquito nets, courtesy of ORR and Universal Outreach.

Thanks, Fairfield!

We're on our way!

2009-07-29T15:45:00.003Z

As I'm leaving Liberia in just a few hours, I'd like to take a moment to thank you -- YOU! -- for making this past year such a success.

Together we undertook truly ambitious projects and saw not only physical conditions but children's lives transformed. We dug and rehabilitated several wells. We set up orphanage gardens and farms, training caretakers and children how to get the most out of the soil and seeds. We delivered food to those that needed it most. We provided care for -- and training to prevent -- common illnesses that Liberians suffer through needlessly.

We reached out to teenagers in the homes, listening to them, guiding them, encouraging and disciplining them. We provided protection from mosquitos and armed robbers and the driving rain. Together we did all this -- together we demonstrated love to hundreds upon hundreds of kids.

It's humbling to look back--and it's exciting to look forward.

Matt and Mariel are going to hold down the fort for the next couple of months, delivering food and medical care, and building another orphanage's roof. Please pray for them! Please also pray for those of us traveling the US and Canada, sharing the stories and seeking new partnerships.

Kindergarten Graduation

2009-07-17T11:43:00.004Z

Kindergarten graduation is a big deal in Liberia. We're not sure why. Perhaps because so many parents were unable to complete their education, they are all the more eager to see their children succeed. Recently, the field team was invited to several kindergarten graduations, complete with song, dance, pinning ceremonies, caps and gowns, and some pretty cute kids.

At the Rock of Divine Academy graduation, the guest speaker from Christian Aid Ministries challenged the kids to pursue knowledge, but above that to pursue wisdom and relationship with Jesus Christ. This is our prayer also.

Well done kids!

Mosquito Nets & Malaria

2009-07-16T13:58:00.004Z

Can you believe that over 2,000 children die everyday around the world from mosquito-borne malaria? In Liberia last year, 21,000 children under the age of five died from malaria. However, Liberians just believe that malaria is normal part of life.

We spend alot of time talking with the directors and children about malaria. Malaria education, prevention and treatment are big focus areas at the beginning of rainy season. This rainy season, we want to make sure that there is a treated mosquito net on every bed in every home.

Because of a generous donation from our friends at Universal Outreach Foundation, we were able to purchase 200 mosquito nets! Students at Carson Graham High School in North Vancouver, along with UOF volunteers, Ian and Marry Rose, hosted a talent show with area high schools to raise money. Also, the 7th graders at Bennett's Mill Middle School in Fayetteville, Georgia raised money to provide one orphanage with nets! Thank you! It's inspiring to see young people step up and get involved!

We have spent the past few weeks hanging up the nets and teaching the caretakers and children about the importance of using a net. Please pray for the children and the field team--that everyone would stay healthy and malaria-free this rainy season!

July Newsletter is here!

2009-07-13T13:23:00.002Z

Half of 2009 has officially passed and Liberia is well into the rainy season. Amidst the downpour of rain, the 40 orphans at Mother Harley's have a newly completed roof! Read about this project and more in our July newsletter.

Finished

2009-07-09T16:25:00.003Z

Well, today is a good day.

Three and a half weeks after starting our craziest rainy season project to date

(re-roofing an entire orphanage), I'm glad to say it's finished! We hit this project hard and fast. We set out early every morning and Moses learned a lesson while bouncing around in the back of the pick-up we rented: if your breakfast is rice and cassava, you should finish it before you get in the truck or else most of it ends up on the windscreen of the car behind you!

So why is it a good day? I am sitting back looking up at the rain pour off the new roof rather than through the old one. Plus, we managed to have a little change left over so we will add some finishing touches like a fresh coat of paint and steps to the latrines. Right now there is one step of 2 1/2 feet, which the small kids can't even climb!

Best of all, new bunk beds and mattresses have been ordered.

The days of me looking like a wet mop are over (well, at least for now)! But even better than me being dry are 40 kids who are now dry too. Again, a big thank you to all of you who made this dream possible. I have to say a special thank you to

Christian Aid Ministries who allowed us use their huge 6 ton 4 wheel drive truck (which we managed to get stuck! I wasn't driving!!) this enabled us to deliver almost all the materials in one go. Not only that, but they would not even accept money for the diesel we used.

Thank you and yes, I want one of those trucks!!!!!!!!!!

Day 11 at Mama Harley's

2009-07-01T09:02:00.003Z

Update on Mother Harley's

2009-06-24T21:50:00.002Z

Courtesy of our visiting media specialists, Michael Kraus and Will Traynor, here is a quick look at Mother Harley's. As of today, shiny new metal roof covers almost half the building and the second half will go even quicker. Thank you for your prayers--the weather's been perfect, everything's gone very smoothly. More soon.

Construction Update At Mother Harley's

Gentleness?

2009-06-24T09:16:00.002Z

In the Child Development Program we have been talking about the Fruit of the Spirit. Yesterday we got to "gentleness". I asked the kids what it meant to be gentle, and not a single child knew. I thought this was a fluke, so I went to my next home and repeated the question. Again, not a single child knew what it meant to be gentle. I was a bit surprised as some of these kids are 16-17 years old. So I came home and conducted an informal survey and asked some of our staff. They also did not know the word gentle, except in the context of "ladies and gentlemen".

So we've had to change tactics from encouraging a behavior to totally teaching a new concept. Most of the kids in the homes are not gentle by nature. They are rough with the smaller children, they beat on each other regularly, and they feel that they need to shout to get their point across. The louder and rougher child gets his way. It's a learned behavior as most of the kids haven't had good examples of gentleness.

So we're back at the beginning: again searching for creative ways to share these character traits in a culturally relevant way and striving to raise up healthy, compassionate young adults.

Great progress so far

2009-06-19T19:58:00.002Z

As promised, here are photos of our progress so far: day one, as you can see, was all about destruction. Day two (today) we finished the five-course middle wall, from which we'll run our rafters on both sides. More next week -- and please, keep praying for the great weather to keep on coming!

Mother Harley's is on!

2009-06-16T15:46:00.002Z

With another hearty THANK YOU to all those who answered the plea for Mother Harley's much-needed new roof, from Louisiana to Dubai -- we're on our way now! I'm just back from town, shopping around for roofing and tools and so on. Tomorrow we'll start tearing off the roof above the center wall so that our masons can get busy building it up.
Please pray with us for continued clear weather (we're on day three of mostly clear skies during the day!), safety for our workers and honest dealing with our vendors, provision for the 40 displaced kids throughout the project, and that the home wouldn't be targeted by robbers. Special thanks also to our partners at Christian Aid Ministries for their generous help with transportation.

Looking forward to keeping you all updated as we move forward!

Dental Treatment at TDC

2009-06-16T10:29:00.004Z

[Some of the children from Childcare Foundation with Dr. Keith and Brenda after their visit to TDC]

We shared with you a few months ago about "Tooth Day" at two of our homes. More than 50 children opened wide and said "Ah!" so that Brenda from Trinity Dental Clinic (TDC) could assess their teeth. Some of the children needed to have teeth pulled or cavities filled, while others were in desperate need of a good cleaning. Over the last few weeks, more than 20 children from the two orphanage homes have made their way to TDC to receive treatment!

There are only 3 licensed dentists for Liberia's 3.5+ million people. Most Liberians have never been to the dentist and a small infection can be deadly if not properly treated. For almost all of the children, it was their first dentist experience. A few of the children were terrified--I did alot of hand-holding--but everyone did great!

TDC graciously provided their time and services to the children at no cost! A super huge thank you to Dr. Keith and Brenda and their staff for taking such good care of our kids!

Rainy Season Prep Workshop

2009-06-15T14:40:00.004Z

This last Friday, Orphan Relief and Rescue hosted a healthcare workshop entitled "Rainy Season Preparation". Nineteen caretakers and directors braved the pouring rain to learn about illnesses and accidents that increase this time of year. Throughout the day, participants were encouraged to embrace the motto: The Best Form of Treatment is Prevention, and emphasis was placed on how to best save the children from undue suffering.

Participants left with a "starter" medical kit and were challenged to add to it to suit the needs of their particular home.

Directors also came together and shared their tricks and ideas for keeping their children entertained for the season. Liberia gets nearly 200 inches of rain per year, and the majority of it falls between June and September. Directors have to get creative with so many little ones inside all day, and ideas ranged from "Have them take a nap" to "Let them put on a show where each child performs something for the others".

Please keep the children, caretakers and the field team in your prayers as we go through this very difficult time of year!

Surprise suitcase of goodness!

2009-06-12T16:49:00.003Z

It's Christmas around here! This week we received a giant suitcase of our favorite treats--granola bars, gum, jerky...all the goodness we can't get here. And for the kids, over a hundred personalized posters and cards and friendship bracelets, and a big box of matchbox cars for the boys! (And don't worry, we'll share the treats too!)

ENORMOUS THANKS to Erin Jones, Branyon, Susan, Sarah and Gary Guthrie, Adrienne, Elizabeth Jones, Nick Person, Brad Parkhurst, Blake and Rachel as well as Grace Buonamia, Rachel Young, and Becky Klein. Special thanks also to Northstar Church Middle and High School Youth Groups, and Cobb Business Women's Assosiation.

You folks have blessed us and the kids so much!

2009-06-09T16:37:00.002Z

Here is the before and hopefully the after!

We are heading into rainy season once more and that normally means construction slows down. Not this time though, the construction team is gearing up to help out another orphanage with a new roof: the old one would be better called a strainer!

Gearing up would normally mean grabbing hammers and saws but this time of year it means we have to get creative: strapping umbrellas to our hats and changing our flip flops for waders. But it’s going to make for some seriously amazing changes in the lives of these kids who are right now sitting in puddles of water.

Soon they will be dancing in the rain and then coming inside to dry off and sleep on dry mattresses and brand new beds.

Yes, it will be hectic for a couple of weeks, and this is by far biggest roofing project we have done this deep into rainy season. Yes, the logistics are crazy: moving 40 kids somewhere, lifting soaking wet hard wood trusses, tarps becoming kites, and the access road looking like a river.

But 40 kids dry, safe and healthy are well worth me getting wet for 2 or 3 weeks.

The day the chickens moved in...

2009-06-04T11:18:00.006Z

Today is an exciting day! We moved the first batch of African chickens into the chicken coop at Mother Wleh's Orphanage (many thanks to the ORR Construction Team)! You can see them enjoying their first meal - bulgarwheat, cornmeal and mangoes. So far we have 15 laying hens and 3 roosters and about 20 chicks. Next week, we will add 100 imported chicks which are being flown in from the Ivory Coast, 50 broilers and 50 layers. These imported chickens produce more meat and eggs than the African chickens but are less disease-resistant so we will be giving them a series of vaccinations once they arrive to protect them from tropical diseases.

Mother Wleh and her children will be learning how to care for the chickens, protect them during the rainy season, feed them nutritious foods, and breed them. They will also be learning business skills such as record-keeping, marketing, and how to re-invest profits back into the business. This poultry production project will not only provide food for the children's meals but a source of income for the orphanage as well. Next month the broilers will be ready for the market at the peak of the Liberian holiday season, Independance Day, when prices are the highest! The profits from the sale of the broilers will go towards sustaining the chicken project. In 5 months, the layers will begin laying eggs which will be sold in the local community providing additional income. We look forward to partnering with Mother Wleh to make the Poultry Production Program a success!

School's Out

2009-06-01T14:25:00.004Z

These 5 bright scholars are finishing eighth grade this month. They dream of becoming a doctor, engineer, nurse, and bank manager. Unfortunately, the school at the orphanage home where they live does not currently have a ninth grade. This is a common problem in Liberia: according to UNICEF, secondary school enrollment rates are below 40% for boys, and even lower for girls. Often schools are over-crowded, ill-equipped, and teachers under-qualified.

Through the Child Development Program, Orphan Relief and Rescue is identifying children at risk of not completing secondary education. This fall we are piloting a scholarship program that will allow these kids to continue with their education and give them the chance to pursue their dreams.

Watch for ways that you can partner with us to drastically change one of these lives!

Clean Water

2009-05-26T10:24:00.002Z

Clean water is something that most of us take for granted. Everyday you turn on your tap and good, clean water comes out. You have access to clean water whenever you want and wherever you go. You sometimes leave it running, even when you are not using it. And you don’t even think twice when you drink it. Your water is clean and safe.

Safe drinking water here in Liberia is hard to come by. For the children at Childcare Foundation, their lives were drastically changed when Orphan Relief and Rescue rehabilitated their well back in January. After a few weeks of drinking and bathing in clean water, the children were living happier and healthier lives! However, because of the immense heat and lack of rain during dry season, many wells are dry, including the well at Childcare Foundation. The children have returned to collecting their water from the sources they used before their well was rehabilitated—unsealed wells and the creek.

Last week, I delivered a LifeStraw Family water purifier to Childcare Foundation. The purifier is very basic and easy to use, and it even makes dirty creek water safe to drink! I spent about an hour training the caretakers on how to properly use and clean the filter. The home was extremely grateful and they were excited about having clean water again. For $30, we can provide a water purifier so that children can have clean and safe water to drink!

Here is a picture of one of the caretakers, Grace, using the new water purifier.

Newsletter May 2009

2009-05-22T14:43:00.001Z

Read Orphan Relief and Rescue's latest newsletter here.