Prayers Answered for Baby Alan

Hello to all our blog followers.

I always get excited when I get pictures from Edwin to create the next blog.

This means things are moving along and I am able to share with you once again.

The most wonderful thing that has happened this past week with our little guy, Alan.  He is the youngest child accepted into the Home of Angels.  Most of the kids have no family and we have gone the extra mile to really investigate this to be correct.  He is almost two years old and is being raised by his Grandma and is the exception to the rule.  All her kids have passed of HIV/AIDS and she is raising  8 other grandchildren.  Her daughter died at childbirth giving birth to this little guy and he somehow survived.  We recently had him tested for HIV and would you believe it.....NEGATIVE.  Words cannot express how thrilled all of us are and we could never explain to you in words the reaction of Grandma. She was elated.  He does have some issues with bed wetting but if that is all, we are off to a good start.

The fundraiser that Natasha set up is at $6,855.00 today.  Thanks so much Natasha for doing this for us.  It is climbing daily and I would have to say that my daughter was a big part of spreading it into the blogging world.  She has the most awesome group of friends who have taken it upon themselves to spread the word.  Please look at some of the blogs to get an idea of the impact.  Each one brought tears to my eyes as I know the work that went into them.  Then to top that off, one of our dedicated followers came forth to say that if it got as high as $9,000, he would send $5,000 to add to that.  That would leave us $3,000 to finish.  Oh my goodness, I know God is with us on this project so if we leave it in His hands, how can we lose?

Thanks to all the people who made these blogs.  There are no words to express the thanks in the work and love you have shown.  Just remember you all  have a standing invitation to come to visit.

http://kimberlytaylorimages.com/would-you-buy-me-a-coffee/

http://mcmasterandstorm.blogspot.ca/2012/07/security-wall-needed-in-uganda.html

http://everydayadventuresofacuriousgal.blogspot.ca/2012/07/be-change-you-wish-to-see-in-world.html

http://jeanneoliverdesigns.com/blog/2012/07/16/lets-build-a-wall-together/

http://suaviloquy.blogspot.ca/2012/07/lets-build-wall.html

http://nbwildflowers.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-red-white.html

http://mloves.typepad.com/melissa-loves/2012/07/closer-to-home-a-little-bonus-.html

http://www.designmom.com/2012/07/a-few-things-121/

The happiest news came when Dr. Isaac tested Alan for HIV and it was with negative results.  Oh my goodness, we were thrilled.  In our community of Mpumudde, 65% of pregnant women are HIV positive, so unless the babies are tested, we really don't know. There are no doctors in the villages to make them aware, so unless the Dr. Isaac's of the world go and do it on their own, they probably will never be aware until the signs start showing.  We just feel blessed to have this little one safe. 

Thanks to all of you contributing to the "wall" fundraiser, we will have a good chance of finishing it before Christmas.  Prices are escalating in Uganda and the concrete covering and rolled wire for the top are something we must have.  Thanks to all of you who have donated  both in the dairy community of BC and in the blogging world.  You have all helped create a safe home for these kids.

We have a new school on our doorstep.  Yes, Edwin's brother is building an elementary school only two properties over from us.  There will be 8 classrooms and offices and we are all very excited to have it so close.  Who knows....maybe I will be fortunate enough to dabble in my ESL skills.  

The floor in the grass hut is nearly finished.  It is beautiful and the design of Jenson our contractor.  What would we do without this man?  He has made this his show project where people are coming to see his work and hire him because of the work they see here. Edwin is planning on doing the painting himself but this will be in the next month.  The colour is a surprise .....oh no....another surprise!! Can't wait to see.

This portion of the wall is not quite up to 8' but the men are working on it as we can provide the funding.  Jenson has them doing everything from painting to plumbing so I just trust they know how to make it all come together in the near future.  He is one of the best with building projects from Kenya to Uganda and I would never doubt his expertise.

This is the entrance to the compound and where the gate will be attached.  They are making a rounded brick entrance so that our gatekeeper will have a place to sleep.  There will be a little room off to the left.  Jenson specializes in this method and I can see David there helping too.  One thing I really respect about our team is that they all participate in the daily work.  If David isn't out buying supplies, he helps too with the hard work.  Edwin is always working and Isaac is out in the community every day helping with medical problems.

Atimu has finished welding the gate.  When this is installed, it will look beautiful but I couldn't wait to show all of you now.  You have to visualize the wall completely plastered and wire on the top.  Another surprise coming I think...what colour is this wall going to be painted I wonder....  Any suggestions?

Reverend Richard Roberts from Langley B.C. was in Uganda these past couple of months.  He represents African Community Technical Service (ACTS) and has been working on completing the Bwesumbu water project in the south of Uganda.  The project accommodates 10,000 people with clean drinking water.  Before leaving for home in Vancouver, he made a trip up to see our project.  Edwin is showing him our subversive pump for operating the flow of of our water.  Thanks Richard for advising our team on how to better the water system for the people in our community.  They put your suggestions into action immediately.

For those that don't know, Richard and I worked together on the waterfront in Vancouver for many years in early 2000 visiting ships and taking care of the crew problems. 

  

Meet Alice.  Alice supplies many charities around the province with things they might need. She has been the one to bring toys, clothes and now......187 pairs of shoes.  Along with the shoes, she has underwear  sewn by Tina.  I will be able to take this with me next time as they are light and so needed.

Thanks Alice and Tina for all your hard work to help others..  So many die from lightening strikes because they are out in the open with no shoes on.

Meanwhile the banana bread orders keep coming in, many wonderful people are arranging fund raisers and I have speaking engagements in churches.  I continually shake me head as to how many people know about this project and will stop me not he street, asking me if I am the "banana bread lady".  We owe this to Global TV and Save on Food.  Without them, it would not have spread so far and wide and for that, Edwin and I thank them.   One day there will be the blogs about how the kids are doing and you all will feel proud you had a part in their growth and health.   I just know that baby Alan is going to be the next President of Uganda.   You all wait, this little one will make it in a big way, if Edwin and I have anything to do with it.

Thank you all so much in always being there for us, sending donations, inspiring me when things look bleak and your prayers.  They mean so much to us.

I would just like to end with a passage that Jeanne Oliver put in her blog.

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.  I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

Thanks everyone for encouraging us and caring enough to keep following.

God bless you all

Home of Angels Fundraiser

Hello Everyone

We are close to finishing our 8' security wall thanks to many of you who cared enough to participate in donating funds to help us.  One of our followers took it upon herself to do a fundraiser for us and it is moving along quite well.  We have another 3 months left to fulfill the amount that will allow us to open the doors.  Thank you so much Natasha for all your dedication and hard work.

I sent out a message recently to all of you regarding this fundraiser but didn't realize there were people wanting to put cheques in the mail instead.  Some of you are asking for an address to do this.
Please send it to:

Jaaja's Home of Angels Society
P.O. Box 734, Stn. A
Abbotsford, B.C  V2T 7A1

We would be so grateful to you if you could spread the word to your friends regarding the desperate need to raise the money to finish our project. We are so close to the finish line and it's word of mouth that will help us now

http://www.indiegogo.com/homeofangelsorphanage?a=772430&i=emal


In the meantime, I would like to share the most recent pictures.

The north wall behind the kid's house

Behind the main house

This is the only side not finished to 8'

This is where they are connecting up to the end

Thanks once again for all your prayers and help to make this dream come true for these kids.

God bless you all

Winning and Losing

The journey that Edwin and I are on is all about "Winning" and "Losing".

We have been blessed with so many of you sending donations, buying my banana bread and just praying for our success in building Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels.  Sponsoring the kids, sending them to school and letting them know they are loved is so wonderful.

We started this project in 2010.  Since then, we have many followers that contact us daily to find out what they can do.  We have been able to build almost an entire 1 1/2 acre compound with an added 2 acres for sustainability.  We have no funding and we are trying to get a tax number, but while we wait, you never give up and don't worry about what you will get in return.  This is where we WIN...friends, family and supporters who care.

Then there are the kids that LOSE ...what about the ones who have died while patienting waiting for our home to open.  Our special little guy, Nathan.  Who can forget our little Nathan who died from cancer with 27 tumors on his head when HIV should have taken him.  Or what about Joseph who suffers from HIV that is hanging on for his first home. Kind neighbours look after him in the meantime.  Or what about our missing little one, Sammy.  This is Hope and Desire's brother, who's blind Grandma is hiding him so she can have help to survive.  Sammy is 8 years old and takes care of her, not able to go to school.  Tragic...

These things don't only happen in Uganda, but a problem around the world.  I chose to come here to try and make a small difference.  Because of Edwin on the other side of the world controlling things, and with all of you....We are going to make it.  We are hoping for early 2013 to be up and running but only God knows this for sure.   I believe He is smiling down on us and will help us make this a reality.  Thank you all for following us and caring.

The north side of the wall has reached 8' and runs alongside the road leaving the property by the main gate.  We only have one side to finish and that is beside the grass hut. Once this is done, the plastering will be competed and the gate installed.  Rolls of electrical wire will be placed on top of the entire compound wall.  

The kids home has been painted.  Burgundy doors with beige, white and burnt almond colouring.  This is beautiful and thank you Edwin and Jenson for your expertise in the combination of these colours.  The grass is growing fast and I think James better be getting his panga ready for it's first cut.

Peter has worked very hard on painting and prepping all the rooms for the kids.  Edwin painted the doors and windows so I do have to give him credit for that.  Good job both of you.

All that is left are the floors.  The beds are welded and the trimming and pictures are ready to be hung. Can you imagine a little one coming into this room from a the streets and being able to call this home? I will be sure to take pictures of this to show you all.  

These floors are so pretty but take so long to make.  They started them when I left in May. Each step has to be performed and then dried for days.  The 3 apartments  are almost complete which include 9 bedrooms, 3 kitchens, 3 sitting roomsand 3 kitchens including hallways.  We are grateful to the Hydo company for putting in the the electricity so we can use the machines to grind and polish the stone.  

Edwin is starting to lay the paving stones for the paths and roadway.  We have 10,000 paving stones waiting behind him and we may need more as they complete the roadway out to the gate.  This will complete the look of the project and cut back on the dirt for the homes. When we are finished, there will be only grass, gardens and paving stones inside the compound.  Oh, and most importantly, the mango,  papaya, avocado, jackfriut trees and banana trees. Can't believe I am going to live with a real banana tree.

I'm very proud of my daughter and family to have sponsored 3 kids from one family. They have never had the chance to live together before. You never see these kids smile, but I think I see one sneaking through, don't you?  Kim and Chris decided to help them to grow up together, but also to start them in school now.  They say they are going to make you proud and I am instructed to say "Thanks" to you.  

This is Celeste and her brother Chase.  You may recognize Celeste as she and her friends are baking banana bread as a project in Heritage Woods Secondary School.  They are close to raising $1,000 and this is the 2nd time they have done it.  Wow!

Celeste is graduating this year and so is her brother Chase from elementary school, so to celebrate this event, they thought it would be a great idea to get each of the 30 kids in Chase's classroom to draw a picture of what life in a Canadian school is like.  I will take it to Uganda and get the kids there to do the same and bring it back here.  Great idea you guys....and thanks.

This picture is in the local prison where the men came from that dug our trench.  We wanted to say thanks to them in a way that would be useful and since they were so sick, it was medicine we chose. Carolyn and Warren sent us the money for this to happen and Edwin and Dr. Isaac proceeded to carry out this task.  No cameras were allowed in the cells so these are the guards checking it over first in the office.  There were 111 men on the men's side and 22 on the women's side. Isaac tested for malaria and found 5 positives.  All men had fungal disease (ringworm) so tablets were dispensed. 25 men had diarrhea and they all had wounds from hard labor so he administered antiseptics.
Isaac had purchased a case of soap and divided it up among them all before leaving.



Thanks once again to all of you who follow this blog.  We are not there yet, but each time becomes a little closer and I know that in God's timing, it will happen.  Also, thanks to everyone who bought my banana bread.  It really means a lot to me that you keep ordering and there is always a big thanks to Save on Food for supplying all the ingredients for us.  If I can keep this going, I figure another 1000 loaves and we can finish.

God bless you all.....

Grateful Hearts

There has got to be a word stronger than "GRATEFUL".  Edwin and I have been overwhelmed with this word in Uganda, North America and abroad.  Lets start with Uganda.  Here we have a man named Jenson, our contractor, who has 27 men working to build our compound.  Jenson pays these men every day to build for him, but for Edwin and I, we cannot reimburse him for these wages and Jenson does not ask.  He just takes pride in what is happening and knows one day Ugandan children will benefit.  Well.....if you don't think this doesn't make me shed tears, it sure does.

We then have James... sleeping on the property every night, guarding it with his trusty machete as his family sleeps only footsteps away.  On his own, James planted our vegetable garden, all the flowers and now an entire hedge encasing the inside of the wall. He also never asks for anything as he is so proud to be apart of this home.

We have Global TV on this side of the world.   Because of this professional team of people, we were exposed to many who continually come forth to help.   I am sure that without them we would not be where we are today and also believe that the entire Province of B.C. watches them by the responses we receive.  Thanks Global...

We have Save-on-Food whom I  cannot say enough about.  Every time I need to bake more banana bread, they are there for us supplying all the ingredients.  This enables our construction to continue daily as we  build loaf by loaf and brick by brick.  Thanks so much Mark, Gord and your entire teams.

And then we have our donors....oh my goodness, how can we ever say enough thanks to all of you?  As many of you want to be anonymous, I won't say names but you all know who you are.  Thank you so much for your contributions of shoes, clothing, medical equipment, Bibles, children's essentials and so much more.  To my Board of Directors who has had such a huge impact in so many ways.  We could not provide this dream without any of you.

Thanks to all of you who sponsor the children we already have.  To the Grandmas in Canada who have taken on the Grandma and Grandpa in Uganda to help raise their grandchildren.  To the kids here helping kids there by sending their piggy banks to us to buy their new friends a colouring book or a pair of shoes.  To everyone who sent money to send a child to school for a year and to all the schools who participated in raising money.  I could go on and on, but I will stop now.  You all know who you are and Edwin and I feel very blessed to have you in our lives.  Thank you.

I would like to show you the latest pictures of our beautiful compound that you all took part in creating.

Meet "Angel"o

Angelo is our new mascot for Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels and was designed  by a wonderful women named Lottie.  Lottie has been an inspiration to us as she continues to help the Grandmas and Grandpas in our area. She gives them hope by helping them start a business to provide for their many grandchildren.  Thanks Lottie for your loving heart. 

Meet Jenson our contractor.  God placed this man in our lives for a purpose and we will be forever grateful.  Honestly, I have never met anyone like him and to know that he pays all these men daily and never asks for reimbursement is humbling.  We are able to purchase enough concrete blocks, mortar and other things it takes to keep building, but he knows we can't pay the wages.  There will come a day where he will be rewarded, so thank you Jenson from all of us, you truly are a wonderful human being.  You will never be sorry my friend.

Thanks Richard for painting the house for us also.  Another gift from the heart from Edwin's friend. 

Our children's home is getting a facelift.  Jenson, our contractor thought it would be a nice touch to have rounded pillars and more designing on the front.  The next time you see this picture....the home will be painted on the outside.  The excitement is building with so many changes.

Ohhhhhh, this is difficult to look at.  Simon, you are my hero.  These concrete blocks weigh a lot and we have another 1000 coming in tomorrow.  I cannot imagine what it feels like at the end of the day. Thanks to all the crew who are now working with enthusiasm as they can see big results happening. Check out the grass in the background.

For those who don't know, this is Barb's Lane that leads out to the main road.  At the end
of it will be the large steel gate at the entrance.  The wall has now reached this area and in the next week will continue down the east side of the property.  The entire wall will be 8' high with concrete covering the blocks.  We have only the south side to complete with an estimation time of one month and 200 banana breads.

This is another one of James creations.  A vegetable garden with green peppers and egg plant.  You can also see the entire west and north side of the wall at the first stages of building and climbing higher every day.

Oh James....our trusty guard, flower and vegetable gardener and now.....hedge designer.
When this is all finished and in full bloom, it will be spectacular.  James loves this home and takes great pride in making sure everything is perfect.  When we were there, we watched him picking up the garbage, planting anything he could and just taking pride in our Home of Angels.  Thanks James

The gutters are on the roof and the extension into the community tank is completed.  This tank will be for the village outside our gate.  These people have been a big part of our lives as we build and we want to try and help them in every way we can.  Water is crucial and they will not have to walk so far now with a pumping station outside our wall.  We also have the idea, if we get funding, to fix their roads that we have basically destroyed with heavy trucks coming to our compound.  It would take so little.  Our future plan.

Do you remember Joseph?   We almost lost him more than once due to HIV but God had other plans for him.   Simone and Olivia....I hope you are so happy to see your sponsored child here looking so content and well.  Edwin visits him regularly to make sure he is OK and has everything he needs.  He really loves these kids and makes sure every one of them are not suffering.  We count the days until they can come and be at their new home.

Jimmy is clearing the 2 acres that we recently purchased.  Because of the donation of the pig that was given to his family, he works very hard each day to say thanks.  This lush area is large and there are many stumps to remove before we put in the chicken and goat pens.  We estimate raising 50 goats along with broiler and layer chickens.  Thanks to so many people who gave of their hearts to help us start a sustainability program.  We are not finished but this is a great start.  Thanks to all of you who contributed.


There isn't enough thanks to give.  So many of you email me every day asking what you can do to help make it go faster or what you can sew and purchase.  We need one thing from you all and that is a prayer for a container.  My good friend Amanda has allowed us to use her basement as a storage area in case this dream comes true and since we believe in the power of prayer, nothing will be turned away if it will benefit the compound and the children.

God bless you all.

Strength in Weakness

I really believe in this "Strength in Weakness" phrase.  God's greatest power can be displayed in our biggest weakness.  Here I am, a Grandma, retired because I am sort of old and have no real skills at business, but I can bake banana bread.  That is where I have found my strength.  
Proof that if you have a dream....follow it and go with your weakest strength.  It works.


One of the other advantages of getting on in years (I hate the word "old") is, we have learned to be patient when we cannot snap our fingers and things are done instantly.  Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels is at a point now where patience is going to be needed.  It's human nature to leave the most expensive items to the end...We sure did....the wall.  I have to explain to you all that we never intended it to be this way. We shot ourselves in the foot...we built a wonderful compound in a destitute area and what happened?? Prices skyrocketed everywhere, from land values to the cost of bricks.  Everyone wants to move here now because we are the growing and influential area.  All people in Uganda look for a way to grow and they found us..  
We were able to wheel and deal on the land price by reducing it down $4,000 but we have no hope of changing the price of the wall.  We still need $13,000.00 to complete the entire 8' concrete structure that encases our 1 1/2 acre compound.  It seems to have skyrocketed overnight and not uncommon in these areas I am finding out.


In the meantime, we have people on both sides of the world helping and eventually the Home of Angels will become a reality.  Here are some of the most recent events that have taken place and Edwin and I would like to share them with you all.

This is the land we recently purchased and since telling you about it, the price has come down $4,000.00. There is no rhyme or reason as to why it is "up" of "down".  As we told you before, an anonymous donor gave $8,000.00.  We have now had a donation of $7,000.00 which has almost covered it.  This land will house our sustainability program of chickens and goats plus a Technical school to be built in the future.  It is situated alongside our property which makes it convenient for the children to learn a trade for their future.   It also gives the locals a chance for jobs when it comes time to train them in a trade.  That's our roof in the distance.

This is the start of the construction for the wall.  Thanks to people such as Karen and Gary Booy for getting the word out to the dairy farmers to help raise money for construction.  We have a good portion already built thanks to the donations received, but because of  the costs raising so quickly we have a ways to go.  This wall will be 8' high with rolled wire along the top and with an iron gate at the entrance.  Thanks for writing our story and also to the dairy farmers for caring and giving their hearts to this cause  throughout British Columbia.  We are very grateful.


The entire story can be seen here:

BCHNews-Spring2012-LoRes-PageSuite 33.pdf
1180K   View   Download  

The grass hut is almost finished.  The only part remaining is the floor, chairs and the mosquito screens. The chairs have already been donated by Chloe and her sister Angie and the mosquito screens by Peter and MaryLou May.  Thanks to all of you for helping us make this a very special place. It will be our "community" hut for many different events.

Our gutters are now being installed around the main house. As we explained before, our desire is to give back to the community.  The best way to do this is to provide water in some way, so we decided to install gutters on the roof, buy a 5000 litre tank and run a line under the wall to a pumping station.  The gutters will be completed by next week and as soon as the wall is built, we can run the lines to provide this treasured commodity for them. Check out the sky........beautiful 

And here is Simon planting grass...Ugandan style.  He takes a tuft of grass, digs a hole perfectly spaced and inch by inch he plants each piece.  Wow, what we take for granted.  Simon is one of the boys who was raised by his blind Grandma and thanks to Marlaina and Ron in Alberta, they have been blessed with food.  Also, thanks to Sheila for the pig to start a business.  That pig is now going to have piglets.... Because of their gratitude,  Simon, Jimmy and Sula are working every day on the property to make it beautiful.  It's the only way they can say thank you to people who are making life bearable for them.   These boys are special to my heart for sure......

Another "special to my heart" person....Dr. Isaac.  Here, wearing his Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels t-shirt, he displays what is left of the medicine that was donated to him from Carolyn and Warren.  They are two committed people who never fail this doctor.  Remember, in Uganda, statistics are that there are 4 nurses and 1 doctor to every 100,000 people.  Isaac never charges the poor so when he can get medicine for the children, it makes his heart smile.  Thanks to the both of you for being so kind and helping him provide such a valuable tool for the hurting. Then, on top of that, he is getting good use out of the medical equipment that he received in February from another anonymous donor.  Wow, people are so unbelievable with their hearts.

Celeste Matthews, Claire Huang, Emiko Newman and Amber Chong are all grade 12 students from Heritage Woods Secondary School in Port Moody. They have been raising money since last year by baking banana bread and selling to parents and teachers and also at local events such as fashion shows, concerts, dance shows, and their school music department's Dessert Jazz Night . Last year they raised nearly $800, and this year they plan to raise $1000. The girls and their friends: Janelle Lee, Fred Chang, Clara Tsang, and Felix Chung, have been baking banana bread and only yesterday, they baked 25 loaves! 
You all are amazing to us and we thank you for your hard work and caring hearts.  Edwin and I really hope that one day you will be visiting us.  

Look at these beautiful pillow cases.  Joanne Akkerman made them for our little angels and each one is out of fabric with colorful animals or cartoons.  Can you just visualize these kids hopping up into their first new bed with a pillow like this?  We have been donated stuffed animals and an "angel" for the wall.  So much poured into making them feel loved.  Those are the blogs I am going to have the most fun with....showing you the expressions on their faces.

Meet the first team to ever arrive for a visit to Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels.


The most amazing part of this is that they are from my hometown, Abbotsford.  These are Grade 12 students from MEI and they came to see what we had built in the short period of a little over a year. They were already in Kampala, but took the trip north to visit Edwin.   I had just missed them by a week as I had to return to Canada, but the fact that they came is so wonderful.  Edwin and I often speak about the teams to come and how much they will be an impact on the children.    We hope you will come back one day MEI students.




Thanks to all of you who emailed me on the last blog to say I do not "rattle on".  It always seem that I have so much to tell you.  On behalf of Edwin and myself, I want you to know how much you are appreciated by us.  Not only us, but by our Board of Directors in both countries.  We have two teams of people, in Uganda and in Canada who give from their hearts.  We have been so blessed to walk this walk and see the results in such a short period of time and all of us want to say thanks for your prayers, your love and your encouragement.


Global TV has again put us on the news and we feel blessed by the media coverage.  We would also like to share the newscast with you as it is not only with me this time but with Marian and Laury who came with me and witnessed the true stories of  "Life in Eastern Uganda".





Until next time...

Love and Caring with a Purpose

Edwin and I are lost for words when we speak about how this project evolved and how many people have supported us along this journey.  We believe it is all God and that He put you in our lives for a purpose.  To help His children....and that is exactly what you have done.  PLUS.....the odd Grandma and Grandpa.

We have not completed the entire project, but we know that one day it will happen and it will be in His timing.   Thanks to all of you for putting your hearts and trust in us.  Without that, we could never have accomplished so much in so little time.    Yes, we have a ways to go to make it a safe environment with the wall and it is the biggest part of the cost, but we know in time it will happen.  Our little ones who will be coming in are already learning English, learning how to smile and feel compassion towards others and we can see a future in their lives.  They have hope for the first time.  We have to share with you that we told a few of them because of their circumstances.  We can see a difference in their every day life but the most rewarding part is the "smile".  They know they have HIV, they know they are sick but something has changed.  They have HOPE.   Without your help, this would never have happened.  We hope you will continue to follow our journey as we make this dream a reality for 32 little angels...we are so close.

This is Mr. Peter.  He is the man who made a decision to sell us his land which joins alongside ours.  Land values have increased in our area of Mpumudde, but because we were given a donation of $8,000, we were able to barter with him.  Today he agreed to terms with the local leader present.  It is culture to
do business buying land this way and makes it official on paper.  We must come up with $7,000 by
the end of April and the remainder when we can.  Edwin convinced him to drop his price down $3,000  and we are now blessed with a piece of property that will accommodate a Technical school and land for the animals.  I tell you....Edwin you are the best "barterer ever".  You have saved us a lot of money....

This is the most amazing thing that has happened to us.  I said to Edwin one morning, "Why did you buy the men uniforms to dig?"  He said "I didn't".  These are prisoners from the prison in Jinja.  Normally they would never do this but again....Edwin pulled it off.  His friend works at the prison and
volunteered the men to help us dig the 1 1/2 acre trench for the 8' wall.  It took them 3 days instead of  3 weeks.  The neighbours are just shaking their heads....first the electricity goes in, in 5 days and now this.

We were able to pay them very little but Edwin and his brother, Dr. Isaac are going to the prison tomorrow with medicine to treat them for the many things wrong with them such as ringworm, jiggers and fungal disease.   We have two wonderful followers, Carolyn and Warren who donate money for his medicine to help the people.  It has mainly been for the children, but these men truly deserve help after what they did for us.  Thanks again for helping Dr. Isaac.

These are the stumps they had to dig out with a hoe and an axe...

The men are cleaning out the trenches in preparation for the foundation.  It is only because
of the people in the dairy community in British Columbia that any of this is possible.
They have raised a lot of the money to make it happen and we will never forget them for their huge hearts.
The BC Holstein News, edited by Gary and Karen Booy have made a big impact by sharing the
story in the News... Thanks to all of you who helped protect the kids with this wall.
You can read the story at  www.holsteinnews.com

And we begin the construction of the foundation.

Edwin is reading the BC Holstein News.  The article is about Laury and Tom DeGroot donating the sale of "Faithful" the cow to put in all the water, tanks and septic tank.  See story at www.holsteinnews.com

The tanks are in place and lines installed into each apartment.  The one on the ground that you
see is for the community.  The gutters will go up next week and the rainwater will go only
into that 5000 litre tank.  A line will be put into the ground extending to the outside of the wall
for the people to pump water.  As it is now, they travel a distance with their jerry cans and it is so
often the little ones doing the fetching.  Maybe we can give them some extra playing time.
Once again...thanks to Tom and Laury DeGroot for helping hundreds of people have water.
We all love you for this great gift and I know if everyone could speak, they would be yelling it
across the oceans.  Edwin hears every day how grateful they are, so God bless you both.

This is what I call "Barb's Treasure"..... sorry, but I am not a good squatter and I love my toilet.

This is a beautiful story.  I have tears every time I look at this picture, but everyone knows me...I am an
emotional train wreck when it comes to starvation.

Malaina and Ron from Alberta heard about this story.  Grandma raised Jimmy and Simon as their
parents died of HIV when they were little.  Grandma is blind and has no way to feed them.  Jimmy and Simon are at our compound every day working so hard, never asking for a thing.  Lottie bought them a pig to see if they could start a little business and soon after, Malaina asked "what about the food?"  She and her husband Ron decided to send enough money to feed them for a month and this is a picture of them receiving it.  Jaaja (Grandma) has her hand on it to feel it and Jimmy said it was the most food they had ever seen.
These boys are so special to us and I don't know how they ended up so good with what they have lived with.  They are always there for us and work harder than most.  I watched both of them working for 9 hours, only to take a lunch break.  Edwin makes sure they get food daily with the crew.
I have been asked to say thanks to each of you who made their life a little easier.

Do you all recognize this little one?  This is our Joseph and he is feeling so much better. He has
been through a lot, in and out of the children's hospital needing bags of blood to survive.  He has
now had 3 and is holding his own.  He is a perfect example why we are trying to make this all
happen so quickly.  Joseph has never had a real home...Joseph has never had real love from people
who truly care what happens to him.  He now has Simone and Olivia sponsoring him from England and knows they love him.  He has a bed waiting and he knows that God is going to help him get through
this HIV a little longer until we can get the medication to help prolong his life.  I wanted to share this picture with all of you because we almost lost him more than once and now.....look  "another smile".



You know, they say I rattle on... I admit it.... I do.

But when you are there and you see the situations that are going on, you can't help but rattle on.  You can't show pictures about everything, so you try to explain it all.  So much is happening there, as it is all over the world, but in Mpumudde, we are really trying to make a difference to 32 little ones.  I guess what I am seeing that is so inspiring to me is, each child that knows they are coming into our home, is changing.  They are trying to learn, trying to please and prove they can be productive kids.  They have such potential and we see it.  Now that we have this new acreage, we can put up a Technical school, teach them a trade to survive and they will grow to teach others.  God is really with us on this project and we want to show the world that no matter what it takes, a loaf of banana bread or a fund raising project...just do it...You can make anything happen if your dream is big enough.

Thank you for all your love and your donations.  Thanks for your encouraging words and your contribution of everything to help us help our project.  Helping me to bake the banana bread and just your heart.  Some people tell me they have no time but have the money and send donations because they can and know that 100% goes to these kids.  Thanks for trusting Edwin and I.  We will never disappoint you.

We are now a Society

If you would like to help us with a donation, please send it to:

Jaaja's Home of Angels Society
PO Box 734, Stn A
Abbotsford, B.C.  V2T 7A1

God bless you all...