Christmas trip
We had a wonderful time on the Christmas trip ... each girl got a new dress and each boy a new shirt. And, we had a party with cake, meat sauce and rice and soda! In addition, each child got a "goody bag" that had "sweets" (Thanks to Monica Guarnaccia pulling off a post-Halloween collection in two days!), sunglasses (thanks to Joanne Pinto from Pinto Novelties), Mardi Gras beads, a kazoo, stickers, crayons and other small items that would fit into the equivalent of a lunch bag. They love this stuff! And, it is so heartwarming to be able to give them a Christmas ... helps us realize the TRUE meaning of Christmas.
Starbucks
Since September 2010, through the largesse of ten Starbucks' stores we have generated $20,000 for the school. And, interestingly, people really want it all year but we have found that twice a year, in a certain set cycle, generates more. HOWEVER, if you have clothing, stuffed toys, anything fabric or leather, and you want to donate it I will come and pick it up (as long as it is in New Jersey!). We just keep filling the pod in the driveway and making money for the school!
Thank you notes
I took a "breather" between Christmas and New Years and, hopefully, got caught up on thank you notes to everyone. If I missed you please know how much I appreciate your support. Hopefully, thanks to our wonderful volunteer-Karen Swift-we will be able to get letters to sponsors of children for tax purposes by the end of January.
Chobani/Robobank
I was in New Berlin, New York December 21 to make a presentation to approximately 200 Chobani staff. Of course, it was a snowstorm and my car decided to run into a tree (not fun!). However, Chobani came with a four wheel vehicle, I was able to present and the wonderful Chobani folks bought almost $1,200 worth of baskets and other wonderful crafts made by the children. And, Robobank gave us $10,000 because they wanted to support Chobani's efforts!
By the way, our solar installation that was paid for by Chobani is in the process RIGHT NOW of being installed in the clinic!!!!
Hope for the City
Megan Doyle, who is the founder of Hope For the City, is graciously donating all the medical equipment we need for our clinic! All we have to do is pay for the shipping ... it will be another $15,000 (we have sent her $10,000 already) but when you think of ALL that we are getting this is a miracle. When someone is this gracious it is hard to find the right words to express our heartfelt thanks.
Florence leaving
Miss Florence, who has been the headmistress for many years, has left and started her own school in Mbiriizi. She has been a definite asset over the years and contributed much to the growth of the school and the many extra curricular programs in the school were begun by her. We wish her the best of luck.
Playground
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Emily Hamilton from the Joseph J. Catena School in Freehold Township and Tom Bridges a new playground is being installed while the children are on break (they come back January 28). In addition, the current playground equipment is being upgraded and strengthened.
The children will be so excited and thrilled to have a real playground with lots of stuff for them to play on.
Water preservation
In order to preserve water in the dry season we need gutters and catchment basins for all the buildings (we have 17!). It turns out that the estimate is higher than last reported ... more like $25,000 USD!
Child sponsorship
We now have 250 orphans at the school in grades baby class, top class and P-1 to P-7 and 68 who are in secondary school (S-1 to S-6). I hope you can find it in your heart to sponsor a child ... in the primary school it is only $1.00 a day and in secondary school it is $1.50 a day. Please help us make a difference in these children's lives by taking them out of poverty.
Chicken Coop
And, thanks to Marilou Brill, we are in the process of building a second chicken coop and will have 400 more chickens. This way the children can now have two eggs a week and we still have some eggs we can sell at market. Thanks, Marilou, for your kind and generous heart.
Upcoming trips
The first one is the medical trip which will be March 14-26. If you are a doctor, a nurse, a physician's assistant, a nurse practitioner, a physical therapist ... we need you! I already have five people interested but will need to have firm commitment by February 1 to ensure that we get a good price on airlines, you have time to get your shots and, more importantly, your VISA. The total cost is $3,500 and includes all expenses (air fare, hotel, food, car and driver, and safari). Your only additional expense is the VISA which is $50 and our tips to hotel staff and our driver.
Then, the summer trip is June 13-25 and this will be our 10th anniversary celebration of the founding of Sylvia's Children. I know my daughter, Michele, is planning on going ... who else will be joining us? Same format, same dollar amounts.
Clinic
Lastly, we have run into a shortfall for the clinic due to two things:
1. We are on wetlands and $20,000 USD had to be spent to bring in sand so we could build the foundation and
2. The Ugandan economy has seen a 25% inflation factor.
As a result we need to raise $29,164 to complete the clinic. If anyone can step forward and help us it would be great.
Ronnie, our guide
And, yes, I went to Ronnie and Jess's wedding. Lots of people, lots of fun and we wish them much happiness in their new life together.
Thank you ALL for your wonderful support of Sylvia's Children.
With your help we are making a difference!
Sylvia's Children
89 Middletown Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
732-946-2711/Sylvia's cell 732-241-1144
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