OR&R Field Team Blog

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.

Cabbage Garden

2009-05-19T14:50:00.004Z

Shaded by trellises of sticks and palm thatch, these cabbage at Gold Child Orphanage are thriving. At night, the staff and children chase away crickets and grasshoppers who threaten to consume these leafy vegetables. The orphanage has also planted peanut, pumpkin, eggplant, peppers and sweet potato greens which they will be harvesting over the next couple of months!

Pumpkin Soup

2009-05-11T16:30:00.004Z

Pumpkin soup is a favorite Liberian dish in the ORR Team house. Recently we started eating pumpkins (squash really) straight out of the garden. These squash are cooked with spices, meat, and a little bit of oil to make a stew which is served over rice. You can see Debbie, Ashley and Jennifer enjoying our first meal from the team garden! We now have over 15 pumpkins growing in the yard, one of the fruits of all our hard work. This is only possible because of hand-pollination, a technique we are teaching orphanage staff to increase the number of pumpkins on the vine. With a high rate of humidity and not enough butterflies and bees to go around, hand-pollination becomes essential to ensure the transfer of pollen and ultimately the growth of these vegetables. Pumpkins provide a high amount of Vitamin A making them a nutritious choice for feeding the children!

Chic's hotel

2009-05-08T14:22:00.002Z

Here is a little update on construction. We have delivered cement and sand up to Salome's project, and as you read this we have over 900 block curing. Once ready we will put up the gables, cast a couple of concrete pillars and beams, and then the fun starts... roofing, yes probably in the rain. What's a little bit of water down the back of your neck right? While that has been going on I have been building a chicken coup and it is not just a few sticks and plywood either. We are talking a full-on chicken factory - well that is our goal! Here is a picture of what it should look like: 35 feet of high-class hen housing. The project is to help sustain Mother Wleh's orphanage by providing both eggs and chicken to sell and eat.

A story of redemption

2009-05-06T10:55:00.002Z

Last night I was asked to read a screenplay on the life of Joshua Milton Blahyi, formerly known as General Butt Naked -- one of the most notorious fighters in Liberia's bloody history. From 1980 up to his conversion in 1996, he and his boy soldiers killed many thousands and engaged in unmentionable atrocities including human sacrifice.

We read the script for Joshua and a couple of other key characters in a quiet living room, to give them a chance to make corrections and suggestions.

It was so strange, so sobering, taking on his voice and acting out some of those atrocities -- and right in front of him, too. But it is a truly powerful story, as true to life as a movie can be, of redemption, of transformation, of victory over evil.

Joshua is now a pastor working full-time with ex-combatants, encouraging them to turn from crime to peaceful, Godly lives. To talk and laugh with him now, I can't imagine the things he's seen and done; there isn't a mean bone in his body. That God can so completely transform one life gives me so much hope for the rest of this nation as well.

Jiggers

2009-04-30T13:55:00.003Z

What is a jigger? A jigger is a tiny sand flea (similar to a chigger) that burrows into the skin, most commonly in your feet. Jiggers live in the sand here in Liberia. They can be extremely painful and can lead to more serious problems like tetnus, gangrene, loss of nails, amputation of toe, and even death. Last week, we went to Mother Wleh's Orphanage Home to do something about the jiggers that have infested the children's feet.

We began with a short teaching opportunity for the children and the caretakers. We explained what a jigger was, how the jiggers get into their feet and the importance of wearing shoes. Then we scrubbed and washed all of the children's feet--which many times led to the children screaming and crying. That's how bad the jiggers can get! After we cleaned everyone's feet, they each got a new pair of slippers (flip-flops) with their name on them. During the teaching time, I told the children that I would come back in 3 weeks, and that if they could show me their slippers, even if they were broken, that they would then get a pair of shoes. I decided to give them the challange because the children have a very hard time keeping up their shoes, much less wearing them. I also told them that any of us could stop by in the next 3 weeks for a 'slipper check', and that we will be looking for slippers on everyone's feet. I encouraged the children to help their friends out--if they find their friend's slippers, give them back to their friend...this way, hopefully everyone will get shoes!

I am really hoping that this method works--the children's feet will be better, plus they are learning responsibility--because many of the children were in serious pain as we cleaned their feet. I also hope that after the director and caretakers watched the children scream in pain, that they will take the jiggers seriously, and really make an effort to make the children wear their shoes. I realize that the picture is unpleasant, but the reality is that this is life for these children here in Liberia. Also, a big thank you to everyone who has donated shoes!

Bomi Hills

2009-04-29T13:30:00.006Z

Yesterday we spent the day with Bindu and Billy, the amazing Directors of Liberia Orphanage and Abandoned Children Home out in Bomi County. They have 42 children growing up at this orphanage who receive a school education, daily meals, a warm bed at night, and Bible teaching, along with lots of love and discipline. The Directors have worked hard for all they have provided for the children. The dormatories, school, and dining hall are all built out of sticks and mud bricks which they made
themselves. They have a garden where vegetables are being grown to feed the children. Right now they are preparing to plant a root crop called eddo which is pictured to the right. You can see that it resembles a sweet potato. As well, they make oil for cooking out of locally-grown palm nuts. A year ago Orphan Relief and Rescue provided the orphanage with a pair of pigs which have recently delivered 4 piglets. These pigs will one day provide a source of food or income for the orphanage. Currently, Bindu and Billy are clearing over 5 acres of land where they will be planting rice just in time for the rainy season. Orphan Relief and Rescue will be providing a small loan for seed rice which will be repaid once the rice is harvested in a few months. The rice harvested from this land will feed the children for an entire year. For less than $100, this is a great investment!

Thanks to our Relief Feeding Team and special guest Sharon who provided the orphanage with packs of new underwear and a much beloved soccer ball!!!

Fatu's Farm

2009-04-22T14:17:00.010Z

You've heard about the reconstruction of Fatu Smith's Orphanage, Rock of Divine Healing, along with the addition of latrines, a school, and a hand pump. Now let me take you on a visit to her farm located about 2 hours drive from Monrovia in the city of Salala. I had the opportunity to visit her farm over Easter weekend and meet the young men who are working there. Fatu has over 300 acres of agricultural land just waiting to be developed. Most of it has been untouched since the war and is grown over with brush. Recently she has started to clear the land and plant crops which will produce food for the orphanage or a source of future income.

This year Fatu started growing bitterball, a small eggplant-type crop, common to Liberia. She supplied bags full of this vegetable for the orphanage and even gave the field team some to enjoy for dinner. Now she is growing about an acre of hot Scotch Bonnet peppers which are a staple in the Liberian dishes. In addition, she has a large cassava farm. Cassava is a root crop enjoyed by all in Liberia. You can see a photo of a young cassava plant below. The leaves are pounded, mixed with oil, meat and spices, and poured over rice. It's also one of my favorite dishes! Nine months later, the roots are removed from the ground to be used in other dishes. The roots are starchy and resemble large white yams or potatoes. With Fatu successfully growing acres of cassava, her orphanage will have food for years to come!

Fatu is also thinking ahead which I admire. She has planted rubber trees which will produce rubber in 7 years. Rubber from these trees will be sold at the nearby Firestone Rubber Plantation and will provide a consistent source of income for the orphanage. ORR is encouraged by Fatu's hard work, determination, and resourcefulness and is happy to be partnering with her!

Korpu Walks!

2009-04-17T16:23:00.003Z

I am rejoicing! Korpu took 8 steps without help. For most 3 year olds that would not be impressive, but for Korpu it is momentous.

In last month's ORR Newsletter we told you about Korpu. When we first met her she was severely malnourished and required hospitalization. Over a year later she was well fed and growing, but still not walking on her own. In March she was evaluated by a Physicians Assistant (PA) at Monrovia Rehab Center (MRC). He fitted her with insoles to help stabilize her feet and encouraged lots of practice walking. Over the last 5 weeks the caregivers and older children in the orphanage have taken turns helping her walk in the home, down the hill, around the well, through the football field. . .anywhere they could.

I was visiting the home last week, preparing to take Korpu back to MRC for a re-evaluation. I sat down near where she was standing and tried to get her to walk to me. She stood there by herself for at least 15 minutes before she finally psyched herself up for it. I looked over just as she took one shaky step, then another. Building confidence and speed, as all children do as they are learning to walk, she closed the distance between us. What a victory! She walked some more for me as we waited at MRC and then again for the PA. He was very happy with her progress and said as long as she continues to gain strength and walk, they do not need to see her again at MRC.

Soon we will be chasing her all over the place and not be able to slow her down.

Gifty keeps on growing!

2009-04-15T09:26:00.004Z

This is a good news update for those of you that keep asking about little Gifty. For those of you who don't know, last year Gifty was placed in one of the orphanages we support because no one knew how to care for her. She suffered from a rare liver condition that resulted in acute malnutrition and other jaundice-like symptoms. The only treatment for her condition is a liver transplant, an impossibility in West Africa.After more than two months in the hospital under our care, Gifty was adopted by an American family just before Christmas to seek treatment and an eventual transplant. My team and I were blessed by the miracles we saw while she was here, and keeping in touch with her new family has been a real blessing as well.

I'm thrilled to report that Gifty is now an astounding 17 lbs, 6 oz. and walking between furniture, beginning to talk. She hasn't yet had her transplant, but her doctors and family are obviously thrilled with her progress. It's good to see God taking such excellent care of every one of his kids. Thank you for your continued prayers, and please keep on praying that her transplant would come soon.

The New Blue Chair.

2009-04-08T15:47:00.004Z

A brand new BLUE wheelchair!

Can a boy ask for anything else?

Buster is 9 years old and has the most contagious smile. He is not able to use his legs due to contractions, weakness and underdevelopment. Last December he received a new customized walker from Monrovia Rehab Center (MRC). I was privileged to carry him back for a check up last week. The staff at MRC was happy to see his progress. Buster has been practicing walking with his walker and can get around fairly well. However, he often tires out and requires a wheelchair to maneuver some of the spaces around the orphanage home. The wheelchair that he had been using for years was too old, too big and recently both of the front wheels broke. This left Buster isolated and relying on the other kids at the home to help him get around. What a blessing that MRC had just the right "Buster sized" chair for him. He couldn't stop smiling as he tried out his new wheels. Buster was greeted by excited cheers from the other children as he wheeled around the corner at the orphanage in his new blue chair. Watch out Liberia, there is no stopping him now!

New Shoes at Childcare Foundation!

2009-04-08T13:05:00.003Z

All of the children at Childcare Foundation Orphanage Home were surprised when we showed up with new shoes for everyone! Most of the children only have one pair of tattered slippers (flip-flops), so you can imagine how excited they all were to hear that they were going to get a new pair of play shoes! Each of the children got a new pair of socks and then they made two lines to try on either "small shoes" or "big shoes". We spent some time digging through boxes of donated shoes in order to find the perfect fit for all 28 children. It's always exciting to give the kids something that will improve their overall well-being. Now all 28 children at Childcare Foundation have good, sturdy shoes that will protect their feet from worms, chiggers, sharp objects and germs. A big thank you to our friends at Mercy Ships, Universal Outreach Foundation and the UN for their donations!

Child Development Program

2009-04-01T11:44:00.003Z

We currently have over 30 kids enrolled in our Child Development Program. The purpose of this program is to invest in individual kids, especially the older ones who tend to get overlooked when groups come to visit the homes. Many of these kids struggle with feeling abandoned or unwanted, so having regular meeting times is helping to instill the idea that they are each important. The last few weeks we've been talking about how we are all unique and created in God's image. Part of that process has been having the kids all tell their own story. It's been humbling to hear where they've come from and how they came to be living in the homes. These kids are so resilient. At the same time, its encouraging to hear what they want to do with their lives and how far they have come. With girls like Jestina, Kou, Marron, Ruth, Janet and Rose, Liberia's future is bright!