We achieved our goal thanks to you!
A formal letter will be available this Friday and will include a picture of the Canadian Ambassador who visited our Orphnage last Thursday...
Stay tuned....for details about our June /July "Get milk" campaign....which launches June 16th.
Take care
Kathy
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
$1,100 raised just $500 to go
Donations continue to come in and I am confident that we will reach our target by this coming weekend.
It is change that we need and change that we belive in.....Yes we can make it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZHou18Cdk
It is change that we need and change that we belive in.....Yes we can make it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZHou18Cdk
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Fatoumata's 30th Anniversary- We are now at $970
Drum roll please!!!!!! This past Victoria Day weekend, I used some of the pennies I would normally spend on taking a trip to Toronto to see my family to assist in providing a "one day celebration" of Fatoumata's 30 Years of looking after orphaned and abandoned children.
A couple other Canadians joined to cover the rest of the costs. The following url link will take you to the slideshow of Fatoumata and all the kids enjoying "Paradise" for a day.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=r8un2o7.9ax08nsf&x=0&y=dzg71x&localeid=en_US
Special thanks to Major Provost for graciously offering up his home and providing the food for all 30 from the Orphanage including the assistants.
More good news. As of this morning we have raised $970. Only $630 to to reach our goal.
To make the target we require 33 donors to give $10 this week and another 33 to do the same next week.
If you know of anyone who may be able to assist us..please pass this on.
Cheers
Kathy
A couple other Canadians joined to cover the rest of the costs. The following url link will take you to the slideshow of Fatoumata and all the kids enjoying "Paradise" for a day.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=r8un2o7.9ax08nsf&x=0&y=dzg71x&localeid=en_US
Special thanks to Major Provost for graciously offering up his home and providing the food for all 30 from the Orphanage including the assistants.
More good news. As of this morning we have raised $970. Only $630 to to reach our goal.
To make the target we require 33 donors to give $10 this week and another 33 to do the same next week.
If you know of anyone who may be able to assist us..please pass this on.
Cheers
Kathy
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Mother's Day Status...we are at $500
May 18th is a special day at the Orphanage as we will be honouring Fatoumata's 30 years of looking after Orphans and abandoned children. The celebration will include 5 baptisms including our baby born on Valentine's Day "Little Frank". Major Provost has graciously offered to host it as his home.
Folks have been asking what they can do to help. We have the cake covered as well as Fatoumata's dress. If you can find it in your heart to pitch in a "toonie", we can purchase balloons, decorations and some special morsels to kick off the day in style.
It is a one time "luxury" in which we simple want her and the children to take a break and simply enjoy the day.
Thanks everyone for continuing to walk with us. We have raised $500.Only $1,100 to go.
There 18 days left. We can do it. All we need 40 people per week who agree to give $10 and we will hit our goal. Please walk with us.
Salut !
Un petit mot pour vous dire que j'arrive de l'orphelinat pour assister à partir de vos contributions. Du $290 amassé, cela a permis de donner 120,000 F CFA dépensés comme suit:
70,000 = 7 jours de condiments (10,000 F CFA / jour)
30,000 = salaire des trois assistantes (10,000 F CFA chacune ($22) / mois)
18,000 = savon à linge / vêtements
2,000 = paye de la 4e ménagère attitré au lavage sur une base quotidienne
------------
120,000
Bon weekend. Votre geste des plus généreux est grandement apprécié par Fatoumata; elle vous remercie grandement
Folks have been asking what they can do to help. We have the cake covered as well as Fatoumata's dress. If you can find it in your heart to pitch in a "toonie", we can purchase balloons, decorations and some special morsels to kick off the day in style.
It is a one time "luxury" in which we simple want her and the children to take a break and simply enjoy the day.
Thanks everyone for continuing to walk with us. We have raised $500.Only $1,100 to go.
There 18 days left. We can do it. All we need 40 people per week who agree to give $10 and we will hit our goal. Please walk with us.
Salut !
Un petit mot pour vous dire que j'arrive de l'orphelinat pour assister à partir de vos contributions. Du $290 amassé, cela a permis de donner 120,000 F CFA dépensés comme suit:
70,000 = 7 jours de condiments (10,000 F CFA / jour)
30,000 = salaire des trois assistantes (10,000 F CFA chacune ($22) / mois)
18,000 = savon à linge / vêtements
2,000 = paye de la 4e ménagère attitré au lavage sur une base quotidienne
------------
120,000
Bon weekend. Votre geste des plus généreux est grandement apprécié par Fatoumata; elle vous remercie grandement
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Mother's Day May Month of Meals Drive
May 1st. May Day call for help!!! The entire month of May will be dedicated towards raising money for meals at the orphanage during the Global Food crisis that has also hit Mali.
"Fatoumata"....The lady who runs the orphanage, has been looking after orphans and abandonned babies for the past 30 years. As a Mother's Day tribute, we are asking that individuals give what they can. We have received many small donations of $5 in addition to receiving a cheque from one of Dr Montague's patients of $50.
Make Real Change with your Spare Change....
Thanks for your support!!!
Kathy, Ken, Frank, Fatoumata and the Kids.....
"Fatoumata"....The lady who runs the orphanage, has been looking after orphans and abandonned babies for the past 30 years. As a Mother's Day tribute, we are asking that individuals give what they can. We have received many small donations of $5 in addition to receiving a cheque from one of Dr Montague's patients of $50.
Make Real Change with your Spare Change....
Thanks for your support!!!
Kathy, Ken, Frank, Fatoumata and the Kids.....
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Word of Mouth Newsletter assists Orphange in Mali
April 2008 We made the cover of Dr Montague's Word of Mouth Spring 2008 issue!!
Their office has been showered with inquiries and we are starting to receive donations.
There is a saying that goes "April showers brings May Flowers". It is our sincere hope that we will reap the seeds of interest planted by the Newsletter and that May will blossom into a month where we are able to support the Orphanage during the recent critical Global Food shortage. Our May goal is $1,600.
Until Mother's Day...each donation of at least $5 will receive a small African Batik print direct from Bamako Mali....kindly contact me or Dr Montague's office for details...
We will be posting how much we have raised thus far on May 4th.
Take care and thanks for visiting the site.
Their office has been showered with inquiries and we are starting to receive donations.
There is a saying that goes "April showers brings May Flowers". It is our sincere hope that we will reap the seeds of interest planted by the Newsletter and that May will blossom into a month where we are able to support the Orphanage during the recent critical Global Food shortage. Our May goal is $1,600.
Until Mother's Day...each donation of at least $5 will receive a small African Batik print direct from Bamako Mali....kindly contact me or Dr Montague's office for details...
We will be posting how much we have raised thus far on May 4th.
Take care and thanks for visiting the site.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Pictures from Dr Montague's visit to the Orhanage
Take a look and enjoy..http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=r8un2o7.1wri5jef&x=0&y=5h7dvn
Stay tuned for the Newletter....
and if so inspired... show love....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI2tceUD3os
Stay tuned for the Newletter....
and if so inspired... show love....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI2tceUD3os
February Funds for Food Success! We have exceeded our target of $1,600
With your generous contributions we did it!! Not only did we meet our goal of $1,600 to provide food for our children at the Orphanage, we exceeded it!!. It was a bit of a scramble at the end and we thought we would need a couple more days but you came through in the end.
The final tally was $1,725. Simply Outstanding. These funds will provide nourishment to children in the form of fruits, vegetables, meat and milk for the babies through Easter until the end of March. Stay tuned for our next initiative involving our dentist Dr Montague who made the journey to Bamako to provide dental care and hygiene for our kids. The motto is "Be the Change you want to see in this world".
Enjoy the Video-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY The Power of Change...Yes we can
The final tally was $1,725. Simply Outstanding. These funds will provide nourishment to children in the form of fruits, vegetables, meat and milk for the babies through Easter until the end of March. Stay tuned for our next initiative involving our dentist Dr Montague who made the journey to Bamako to provide dental care and hygiene for our kids. The motto is "Be the Change you want to see in this world".
Enjoy the Video-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY The Power of Change...Yes we can
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A new "Blessing" ..we are now at $1,250.
We continue to be blessed. We received a couple more donations this week and are currently sitting at $1,250. Only $350 to go.
I received the following note this morning from our Canadian Major Frank in Bamako...
From: MAJ F. PROVOST (EMP BAMAKO: rédacteur étude doctrine)
Sent: February 28, 2008 3:32 AMTo: Grant, Kathy Subject: Little Frank
OK, I will find a few minutes to prepare such a thank-you card……
Not sure if I forgot to tell you…. The orphanage has a new member.
A new born (1 week) who was found in a box downtown.
Here is your “Gift of God” mentioned below.
Fatoumata called me on my cell phone during an evening to seek my permission to keep the baby !!
It starts to be too much on my shoulders. But I could not say NO. There was no other option.
They day after I was visiting the orphanage and see the baby, Fatoumata simply informed me they nick-named him “Petit Frank”. I burst out laughing.
Young girls from villages often become pregnant when they reach Bamako because they are so naïve… with boys and associated fantasies in a big city.
They cannot abort, and when they give birth they cannot go back with the baby to the village, so they just drop the baby.
I should be able to send two pics of the baby in the next two hours.
Frank
I received the following note this morning from our Canadian Major Frank in Bamako...
From: MAJ F. PROVOST (EMP BAMAKO: rédacteur étude doctrine)
Sent: February 28, 2008 3:32 AMTo: Grant, Kathy Subject: Little Frank
OK, I will find a few minutes to prepare such a thank-you card……
Not sure if I forgot to tell you…. The orphanage has a new member.
A new born (1 week) who was found in a box downtown.
Here is your “Gift of God” mentioned below.
Fatoumata called me on my cell phone during an evening to seek my permission to keep the baby !!
It starts to be too much on my shoulders. But I could not say NO. There was no other option.
They day after I was visiting the orphanage and see the baby, Fatoumata simply informed me they nick-named him “Petit Frank”. I burst out laughing.
Young girls from villages often become pregnant when they reach Bamako because they are so naïve… with boys and associated fantasies in a big city.
They cannot abort, and when they give birth they cannot go back with the baby to the village, so they just drop the baby.
I should be able to send two pics of the baby in the next two hours.
Frank
Monday, February 25, 2008
Final Stretch we have raised $1,100 so far
Fabulous News!!!!
We have raised $1,100 as of Sunday, February 24th thanks to our "Care Bear" campaign and a recent party in Bamako. Guests were requested to make a contribution to the Orphanage in lieu of bringing flowers or wine.
We now only require $500 to meet our target goal of $1,600 by the end of the month.
It can be done!! All it would take is :
-50 people to contribute $10
-25 people to contribute $20
or 20 people to contribute $25
It has been suggested that since February is the shortest month in the year..that we extend the campaign until this Sunday March 2nd in an effort to go over the top.
We can do it....Yes we can!!!! We want change....We want change!!!
Great message in the Video below...enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI2tceUD3os
We have raised $1,100 as of Sunday, February 24th thanks to our "Care Bear" campaign and a recent party in Bamako. Guests were requested to make a contribution to the Orphanage in lieu of bringing flowers or wine.
We now only require $500 to meet our target goal of $1,600 by the end of the month.
It can be done!! All it would take is :
-50 people to contribute $10
-25 people to contribute $20
or 20 people to contribute $25
It has been suggested that since February is the shortest month in the year..that we extend the campaign until this Sunday March 2nd in an effort to go over the top.
We can do it....Yes we can!!!! We want change....We want change!!!
Great message in the Video below...enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI2tceUD3os
Friday, February 15, 2008
From the Heart Cheers Bears are now here!!
The "Cheers Bears" have arrived!!!! These adorable little cuddly toys were lovingly created as a keepsake "gift" to thank our donors for their contributions to assist with purchasing much needed food. Each limited edition bear is custom made and personalized with the donor's name, the name of one of the children as well their age. There are a total of 4 sets of 32 and the first batch is completely gone!!!
This week, my daughter and I visited the office of Dr Montague to deliver some of the "care bears” to his staff who donated as a group. The office manager told me afterwards to say that her two sons approached her after reading about the orphans and indicated that they wanted to each donate their weekly allowance of $5 to be put towards feeding one of the kids. I was deeply touched to see children helping other children, less fortunate than themselves. $5.00 will pay for all the meals of a child for an entire week. Now two kids will not go hungry this month.
We have currently raised $650...just $150 shy of our target. We anticipate a couple payments on the weekend and hope to be back on track by Monday.
This week, my daughter and I visited the office of Dr Montague to deliver some of the "care bears” to his staff who donated as a group. The office manager told me afterwards to say that her two sons approached her after reading about the orphans and indicated that they wanted to each donate their weekly allowance of $5 to be put towards feeding one of the kids. I was deeply touched to see children helping other children, less fortunate than themselves. $5.00 will pay for all the meals of a child for an entire week. Now two kids will not go hungry this month.
We have currently raised $650...just $150 shy of our target. We anticipate a couple payments on the weekend and hope to be back on track by Monday.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
WOW...Less than a week and we're at $400
Our goal is to raise $1,600 in February to provide necessary food to our kids at the Orphanage.
We started Friday, February 1st. Our weekly goal is $400... I am delighted to say after a few days we had achieved that goal. We will hit our target....Yes we can!!. I am inspired by the following song. Click on the link to be inspired. It is the embodiment of hope. Yes we will!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZHou18Cdk
We started Friday, February 1st. Our weekly goal is $400... I am delighted to say after a few days we had achieved that goal. We will hit our target....Yes we can!!. I am inspired by the following song. Click on the link to be inspired. It is the embodiment of hope. Yes we will!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZHou18Cdk
Saturday, February 2, 2008
1st Donations towards From the Heart Funds for Food in February received
Four donations were received on Februry 1st as we launched our From the Heart Campaign at the Bell Canada building at 1800 McGill College located on the 14th Flr
Monday, January 28, 2008
Preparing for the Launch February1st
It is very early on Monday morning but my mom always used to tell me that "The Early Bird catches the Worm" so here I am at 5:45 developping my strategy. We will be having an event at the end of February where we will have a special guest speaker who recently returned from spending six months in Sierra Leone. We will also be blessed by having a Children's Gospel choir to help us celebrate with song. More to follow...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Thanksgiving....It all started with an email
It all started when I received an email from my friend who arrived in West Africa with his family last summer as part of a 3 year Western Peacekeeping School program in Bamako, Mali . He wanted to make a difference during his tour so decided to "adopt" an Orphanage. He would visit there on weekends to help clean the place, chop wood and assist with the chores. He would also buy much needed food on occasion. He sent me pictures as friends back home in Canada indicated they too would want to assist. I am a mother and have two kids so jumped on board immediately. This was Thanksgiving 2007 and since we have so much to give thanks for... why not.
Our first project involved their only mode of transportation"a mini-bus" which had broken down few months earlier. The kids were no longer able to go on excursions and as such limited to spend most of their time within the Orphanage compound. We decided to launch the "Make Real Change with your Spare Change campaign Thanksgiving Weekend and by Halloween we had the bus repaired and back on the road again. Much thanks to my friends at Bell Canada, "Deb M", my Black CanadianVeterans, my Vietnamese friends, "Sam", The Veteran Community as well as friends & family in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Special thanks to Dr Ken Montague who not only donated, but made the trip from Toronto to Bamako the following month to provide Dental Hygeine, supplies and instruction to the kids. A link will be provided shortly to view the slide show of his visit.
Our first project involved their only mode of transportation"a mini-bus" which had broken down few months earlier. The kids were no longer able to go on excursions and as such limited to spend most of their time within the Orphanage compound. We decided to launch the "Make Real Change with your Spare Change campaign Thanksgiving Weekend and by Halloween we had the bus repaired and back on the road again. Much thanks to my friends at Bell Canada, "Deb M", my Black CanadianVeterans, my Vietnamese friends, "Sam", The Veteran Community as well as friends & family in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Special thanks to Dr Ken Montague who not only donated, but made the trip from Toronto to Bamako the following month to provide Dental Hygeine, supplies and instruction to the kids. A link will be provided shortly to view the slide show of his visit.
Sunday January 27th. I just found out that "Suna" from Team Limo to Africa arrived safely in Bamako Mali today!!! They are part of a group of four indivisuls who decided to embark on a journey which involved driving their White Limo from the States to Bamako as part of a fundraising effort to purchase computers for kids. Have you ever heard the term.."Go to Timbuktu"? Well she is headed there too in the next few days.
If you get chance, I invite you to visit "Limo to Africa" to read about Suna's team's adventure and to view the pictures along the way. http://limotoafrica.blogspot.com/
This is my first time blogging so be patient with me. I will tell you more about my "From the Heart Campaign" over the next couple of days. Launch date is February 1st.
If you get chance, I invite you to visit "Limo to Africa" to read about Suna's team's adventure and to view the pictures along the way. http://limotoafrica.blogspot.com/
This is my first time blogging so be patient with me. I will tell you more about my "From the Heart Campaign" over the next couple of days. Launch date is February 1st.
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