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.
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1 comment:
Dear Kathy,
I am so glad being the first responder to your outstanding blog. I am taking the opportunity to let you know my entire appreciation for your fabulous assistance in the past months. I also thank all your friends who generously contributed; without them, my work would not be possible.
I congratulate you for all your dedication and this marvelous blog.
With best regards,
Frank
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