I have had opportunity to spend some time with the Cook family and Gifty in Rogester,MN. Gifty is having some much better days after her last scare. Gifty had a liver transplant last week which went good. Then she had a very serious brain bleed and had to have surgery for that. Christmas day there were many many people praying especially for her to make it through. Today she has been able to have some apple juice, sit in a chair, have her tenny shoes on, etc... Here she is watching the African Childrens choir on dvd and was facinated with the music.
Here is Gifty talking on the phone?ha! Actually her aunt Emma was singing to her- how sweet!
Gifty even got to enjoy part of a popcile. She loved it as you can imagine.
And Dean is getting in some much needed daddy/daughtere time!
Please continue to keep the Cook family and Gifty up in your thoughts and prayers. She has a long way to go.
This Beautiful little girl's name is Gifty who was adopted by the Cook family a year ago. (this is her picture from last Christmas) Gifty is special needs in that she has needed a liver transplant for sometime now. A family friend emailed this following update:
"Please pray for Gifty, they got the call this morning that they had a liver for Gifty. They are on there way now and hope to do the transplant tonight! It is so time for her as she is on oxygen and still having a hard time breathing because her liver is so enlarged".
Global Orphan Outreach along with Andrew Tyler were happy to be a part of helping her be adopted by the Cook family. They have done an amazing wonderful job of raising her and we all cannot wait to see her be healthy!!
Happy Holidays! As some of you know; many of us have been helping in different ways in Liberia since the adoption of our children. One of those ways is with a program called Forget-Me-Not Children’s Homes. These are foster homes for special needs children. In deed-Christina is in Liberia this week working with the program nurse as well as meeting all the children and caregivers in these homes. To read more about this: www.globalorphanoutreach.blogspot.com
At this time of year, our thoughts and hearts turn to those who are less fortunate and how we might be able to help. We encourage you to consider giving to this program so that we can continue to help and support children who have been left abandoned because of their unique special needs. It is as easy as going to www.globalorphanoutreach.org and clicking on the pay pal button. You are welcome to send a donation to our address listed on this site as well. We are a 501c3 and give receipts upon request. And as always, you can reach us by phone at #715-415-4401
We also have an African Inspired Quilt Raffle that you can participate in. All proceeds are going towards the homes for special needs children in Liberia. What a great gift for a loved one in your circle of family or friends. The warmth of this quilt will be appreciated by your loved one and the donation of this raffle will go to precious children in need of your help. Thank-you!
This little boy's name is Bryant. A month ago or so-his father asked FMN if we would take him into the program. His mother had already abandon him due to his disability and his father said he would do the same if we didnt take him. He said he would allow him to die and he didnt care what happened as he was a burden. We told our FMN nurse to take him in immediately. She thought it best to wait a couple of days to arrange his caregiver first. We were anxious to give him the much love and support that he deserved. He even had a wonderful family here in the states to sponsor him. By then the father disappeared into the bush with Bryant. After much searching over the past month- we were able to find his grandfather who told us this past week to dont bother. He was dead. His father took him to the bush and starved him to death.
Words cannot begin to express how we felt. Devastated begins to describe it. How could anyone do this to any child? Yet- This is why we do what we do.
Bryant and children like him are precious and have immense potential. They need you and me to help. (I am sure the birth family felt too overwhelmed and had no options left-this does not excuse it)
We at Global are putting out a plea once again. Please get involved. These kids need you. And as you can see- many times it is a life or death situation that decides what their fate will be. We cant help them all but please help us to help some. http://www.globalorphanoutreach.com/OurSpecialChildren.html
We did a little supply shopping and headed to pick up the bed boxes I ordered. These bed boxes were a simple concept to be able to have beds for our kids when we run out of cribs. To purchase a crib here is very expensive, we try to send pack and plays whenever anyone travels, but they are also heavy, so we can only carry a few at a time. I had a simple concept for a wood box to place a soft mattress in that a woodworker could make. When we came to pickup the first one, it was this beautiful baby bed!!
Went to visit Barry, Kenneth, Maddie and Martina. I love these kids! I just can't say that enough! All the kids just melt my heart!Met one of our foster dads who Surprise lives with. Sweet baby boys were fast asleep, so I didn't get to see him smiling to day.
Also visited Favour again. She was so cute in her little outfit and her matching shoes! She was sitting and standing (with support) so well! I loved seeing how her caretaker/foster mom implements therapy and works with her to increase her muscle tone and abilities! I cannot say enough wonderful things about these women!
Visited with Joseph, the young man that has some medical issues with his lung. The dr.'s first thought it was a heart issue, but turns out it has something to do with his lung. We'll be working on getting a special dr. to consult for medical treatment. Joseph is a very well spoken, polite, 15 year old boy.For more on how to help Joseph-go tohttp://www.globalorphanoutreach.com/Medical.html
I ended the evening with a visit from Professor Flomo who work is a professor at Cuttington University. I really admire this man! He is working with us to help implement Global’s work in Liberia too and gives us great advice.
Drove through the red light district...horribly busy. It takes an hour to move a mile!! People everywhere! We also witnessed a lot of criminals being arrested, carried off in a police truck with a very large rifle pointed at them! Yikes!
This week has really opened my eyes to the struggles of daily life, simple things we take advantage of, are such a struggle here. The needs for support in communities are overwhelming! I will be bringing home several cases for sponsorship needs. It is so great!
One of these cases is Varney. For now, his mom needs support to continue taking care of him. She is alone, husband abandoned her, and her community (muslim),has rejected her. My goal is to move her into a Christian community where she will feel no shame or be shunned. She wants to live as a Christian. She has gone without food for three days at times. This broke my heart to hear how this devoted mother, to a very sick child, has no one to help. Even though Varney may not be able to have any medical intervention, he has a very loving mom that loves and cares for his needs. She just needs someone to know that they care and will provide some support to help her. Could that be you? FYI-I did leave some funds to help a little in the meantime.
Tomorrow I leave to go bk to the U.S. More about this trip will be posted during the coming week.
Today I went to Benson hospital with George Gibson of Global Front Foundation. Global Orphan Outreach and this organization have partnered up to actively work towards addressing the ever-growing problem of caustic soda ingestion in children bybringing caustic education and prevention to Liberia. Global has also partnered with doctors both here in the U.S. and in Liberia along with the Ministry of Health of Liberia to bring Poison Control Education to the Liberian people, hospitals, and clinics. This campaign has involved print and electronic media, posters, billboards, stickers, and workshops. We went to present the posters and stickers(they love this because they see a lot of these kids) to them to be used and then we went to JFK and did the same. Moses from Star Radio interviewed me at JFK (ahhhhhh)! It airs at 10:00 tonight on star radio 104! Dr. Sherman who works with many children struggling with this issue is doing some of the program as well as a birth family whose son is dealing with this health issue.
Soon there will be billboards erected in Monrovia advocating for the prevention of this poisoning as well. We will post pictures and the radio interviews and also the radio drama on our website when it is finished. It is our desire to see this program successful in reducing the number of caustic poisonings in children.
I Visited more hospitals and gave them more information on FMN. Visited the PT department, touched base with the supervisor there. She was very happy to hear about us as well. She also told me about their orthopedic department and that they actually do pelvic casting.
Happy Holidays! As some of you know; many of us have been helping in different ways in Liberia since the adoption of our children. One of those ways is with a program called Forget-Me-Not Children’s Homes. These are foster homes for special needs children. In deed-Christina is in Liberia this week working with the program nurse as well as meeting all the children and caregivers in these homes. To read more about this: www.globalorphanoutreach.blogspot.com
At this time of year, our thoughts and hearts turn to those who are less fortunate and how we might be able to help. We encourage you to consider giving to this program so that we can continue to help and support children who have been left abandoned because of their unique special needs. It is as easy as going to www.globalorphanoutreach.org and clicking on the pay pal button. You are welcome to send a donation to our address listed on this site as well. We are a 501c3 and give receipts upon request. And as always, you can reach us by phone at #715-415-4401
We also have an African Inspired Quilt Raffle that you can participate in. All proceeds are going towards the homes for special needs children in Liberia. What a great gift for a loved one in your circle of family or friends. The warmth of this quilt will be appreciated by your loved one and the donation of this raffle will go to precious children in need of your help. Thank-you!
Met with MOH again today and social worker there- the process of taking in a child into foster care is extensive. It was interesting to watch and be a part. Liberia wants to move forward not backward in their care and placements of children. That is why the new laws are being put in place.
We went to a feeding center. (sad sad place). They have 5 children between the ages of 3-5there that they wanted help with- we took their pictures and told them we will see what we can do. This is where Patience was from. She is a doll by the way!!! She has down syndrome.
I had my share of frustrations today. Once again- time is NOT of the essence here. Something we Americans have down pretty good. :0)
Efficiencies are lacking here as well. And communications will always be tough.
Yes that is what I need at the end of a tough day-:0)
Varney's house
We picked up Varney today to see Dr. Sherman. He took photos and measurements and will consult someone in the U.S. as well, but it still does not look like anything can be done. Varney's hydrocephalus has halted already, it will not get any bigger. (He also doesn't think he is in the constant pain we thought he would be) Having a shunt put in will not do hardly anything...it will not decrease the size of his head. His head will always be this way (he says), but he will still consult the other dr.'s to check. Plus, there is no shunt in the country!!!! How frustrating! He says there is a 3 month old waiting for the next one!! I guess they are very expensive. Word has already been put out for them through Global Orphan Outreach. If anyone reading this has a way for us to access them-please contact us.
Children playing in the village.
Today was Celebrate the Rights of the Disabled Day. How cool was that to be here when this was going on. This is a picture from that parade.
Tomorrow I will be dealing with the Global’s caustic education and prevention project so more on that later….
First thing this morning, we headed to the Ministry of Health for our scheduled appointment. The meeting went very well with the discussing of some important issues.
Had a quick visit with Andrew Tyler from Orphan Relief and Rescue, to pick up some mosquito nets, then headed back to see one of our FMN kids, Favour. She has gained weight quite nicely, holding her head up, always watching where her caregiver is going. Sweet little thing!
Took some pictures of Karin, the little girl we are hoping to bring into our care soon. We are still waiting to speak to the director on her case. Oh she is still tiny, really malnourished, but such a sweetie. She has a beautiful smile!! Also recognized a little boy that we visited in one of the hospitals four months ago. He is an older boy and his name is Kenny. He had a smile the whole time I was there. The last time I saw him in the hospital, he tried stealing my purse!! He's a cutie!
Food has been good! Would eat pineapple everyday if I could! Weather HOT and STICKY!!!!
I fall deeper in love with Liberia every time I come. What I really have grown to love more though is our Forget-Me-Not kids and this program. It seems that everywhere we go, the need seems to increase. We are small right now, we can only help as many as funds allow...and that's not many considering the size of the situation. My heart and soul wants this program to grow bigger...we need it to be ...these children need us!And they need you! If you cannot comprehend the need, then you need to come see for yourself...you will be blown away how desperately- Liberia needs a program like Forget-Me-Not. Please consider being a sponsor for one of these kids...we can't take kids unless we have sponsors. These kids are doing amazing! Our caretakers really have a heart for these kids...I just love that!
We first visited the home of Varney. He was the child that Global O.O. started working to get a medical visa, and the dr. told the family he was too far-gone, just take him home to die. Well, it's been 6 months, and he is still living, fighting everyday to live. He is in agony because his head is soooooo big from hydrocephalus. This poor boys head is bigger than the size of a basketball, and he is one year old. His parents love him and feel so hopeless, they did not know what to do except take him home and care for him. He has sores on the back of his head from lying down all the time. He is a fighter! So I contacted Dr. Sherman and set up an appointment for him to re-examine him, and see if there is anything we could do. Hopefully we'll find out Thursday at his appointment.
We then received a call about some triplets needing help so we went to visit them next.. One of the triplets is very sick; the other two are still small and staying at the same placewith their mom. They just need some assistance to be able to afford these three blessings. We came across another set of triplets there too where it's the same scenario...only needing assistance to help continue caring for three babies. We thought it would be worth a try to plead their cases, if it can keep these families together. FMN found a sponsor for triplets 7 months ago, and now the triplets are doing very well! Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring one of the two families and we will send you more pictures and information.
We also came across two beautiful children who are suffering from the effects of caustic ingestion. The medical care they need is too much for here in Liberia. The hospital has been trying to see is they can get care out of country, in Germany, but the process has been very long. So they asked us if we could try and do something also. They are 5 and 3 yrs old. We will keep you posted to what someone or we will be able to do for them as well.
Visited with Barry, Maddie, Martina, and Kenneth again. I truly love these kids! I only wish that adoptions would open up so we could advocate to have them adopted. They really are special kids. I wish everyone could see how each one is a blessing. Yes they do require a little more care, but the reward is eternal! Barry has a smile on his face all the time! Martina has a strong will, and lets you know when she wants to be heard. Maddie, sweet petite Maddie is just precious, waiting to come out of her shell. She is only content if someone is holding her, and will start crying (in her little petite voice). Kenneth, still my favorite!! He still just melts me when I hold him, and he always has wrinkled eyebrows like he is really thinking hard!
We also visited Nye, who Global Orphan Outreach was instrumental in getting a medical visa and into a sponsor family in the states for surgery for a shunt. He is doing really very well back in his foster home in Liberia. He is healthy and is now walking! It was great to finally meet this beautiful little boy who I had only known through pictures.
This is our nurse-Garmai who is doing a fabulous job overseeing the children in the program. I had the privilege of buying a lot of enriched milk (formula), that some generous donors donated for our Forget-Me-Not children. Also bought some cereal, a few clothes for Barry, and some rubber pants. Busy, but another very productive day! Pray for us as we go into our meetings tomorrow and work towards helping more children and their families.
Here I am -Christina-back in Liberia again. So much to tell you.
After spending the morning and afternoon in meetings with two of our key people that work for FMN, we went to one of the foster homes to see one of our FMN kids. Favour is doing very well in her care, and her caregiver is so good with her! The last I saw of Favour, she was at a feeding center, abandoned and malnourished, little muscle tone. Now she is eating well, and gaining muscle strength. I also get to hand out certificates for the last workshop we had. I will post pics of all the kids later.
We then went to see Surprise. What an amazing little boy! The last I saw of him, he was lying in a crib, doing nothing...not moving, no eye contact, nothing, just lying. Now that he is in the Forget-Me-Not program, he has a very loving foster mom, who does therapy with him, plays with him. He is smiling, laughing, moving all his extremities, and has a home! Tears filled my eyes when I saw how beautiful God knit this foster mom's heart into the life of this little boy that just existed in a hospital bed. THIS IS EXACTLY THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO BE HERE! We are taking children that NO ONE seems to want, just abandoned, they see no potential. I am thankful I get to witness and be a part of this program and how it is changing lives!!
We then went to see two more foster homes and four of our kids. Wow! Pictures cannot describe how wonderful these kids are doing. Kenneth, who has possible CP and was severely malnourished, is eating well, loves to be held, and really enjoys all his foster siblings! (If I could pic a favorite from today, he is it). He just melts into you when you hold him! Maddie came to her foster home very stiff, all over. When I saw her, she was sitting in the stroller, and nicely relaxed. She is a petite little thing and does not want to be put down. I had no problem holding her for awhile. Barry, well he is Mr. Smiley and smart! He had been in the hospital for a very long time. Even though he is five, he is the size of a three year old, probably CP. He is a very interactive little guy, who loves everyone, easygoing, SWEEEEET, his smile just is beautiful. He will really benefit from therapy, and hopefully be moving around very soon!
Martina is a child that we don't know anything about, only that she was abandoned and probably has hydrocephalus. She really wanted to be held and soothed a lot...her foster home is doing a great job taking care of her needs.
I am just blown away at the hearts our caregivers have for our little ones. They really love these kids, and are doing such a wonderful job of going the extra mile of taking these 'special' kids into their care. Our kids in the FMN program are not easy kids. They require a lot of care and energy. Our nurse does an excellent job of checking weekly, getting kids to the hospital, teaching therapy and care tips to our FMN homes.
I am just filled with joy that I can be a part of this in action. I am truly seeing the hands and feet of Jesus in our foster homes. What a beautiful thing...God created these children...this is His program...these children are precious! I am sooooo overwhelmed to be able to be a part of this!
More tomorrow….
This is Surprise!
**Global's mission is to not only advocate and support the outreach of orphan children and families in need but to also allow you who are being called to serve- to serve with the talents, resoures, and abilities God gave you in a way that reaches out to others. Whether it be sponsoring a child, raising funds for a much needed water well, helping to build a school, reaching out to medically fragile children, getting involved in agriculture in Liberia, sponsoring a needy family, feeding the poor, or any number of ways; Global is available to you to do your calling through. We encourage you to contact us today to become actively involved in working together to be the answer to some of these needs.
We met Jeremiah bk in July at JFK and were asked to take him into our foster homes. Jeremiah had surgery for his hydrocephalus and other issues and was abandoned by his mother shortly after. His doctor felt he would improve and only time would tell. Well after much stalling of paperwork and documents and some mis-communications.... he was placed into an orphanage instead.
We are happy for Jeremiah as he is getting the much needed help he deserves. We are glad we were able to inspire other organizations to become involved in this important issue of caring for special needs children.(Jeremiah's sponsor was happy to sponsor another child instead and we are thankful for their decision to continue to help as there are so many in need) We wish him well.
The triplets are doing well. Thanks to a donor they are eating well and growing.
This little guy's name is Kenneth. He was abandoned at a feeding center. Please consider being his sponsor.
And this is Mardea. She too was abandoned at a feeding center. She is very malnourished and needs you to consider being her sponsor.
And this sweetie is Patience. She loves attention. Wont you consider becoming her sponsor? For more information on doing this go to- forget-me-not childrens homes.
We will be posting really soon an update on our caustic education/prevention program that is under way.
During this upcoming thanksgiving season- be thankful for your blessings as you reach out to bless others with what God has given you in abundance. Perhaps contributing towards the rice bowl project. Thus helping another to eat today.
As always we are thankful for your much needed prayers as we continue to step out in faith and go where God leads.
Our Global benefit went very well. The silent auction was a success. We really enjoyed what Mark Green from Malaria No More had to share. The night was filled with laughter, sharing, fun, and all for a good cause. Next year we will be looking forward to the Orphan Run 2010. More information coming soon...
Donna Barber
Jeff Garrett
Mark Green
Global Board Members with Mark Green- Jeff Garrett, Peg Halvorsen, (Rachel Green-daughter of Mark), Mark Green, Julie Redman, and Donna Barber
Please continue to keep the Cook family and Gifty up in your thoughts and prayers. She has a long way to go.
