(Michelle, Jeni, Faith, Donna K, Donna B, Christina, & Cara)What a great day we had today. This is the group of wonderful ladies I traveled with to Liberia. We share a passion for a common cause here and that is the sharing of our talents to help and encourage others while making a difference. While it is hard to see the struggling and the poverty, we also make time for some fun. Today we spent a little bit a time at the beach as well as we met several families with new babies in need.
We met with a family who had new born twins- boy and girl named Paul and Pauline. They were 2 1/2 months old but it was evident that they were born very small. They might be 6lbs now? Mom is a teen and her mother passed away and was buried yesterday. Her mom was the care giver of the twins. Mom doesnt feel she can raise them and wants them adopted. It was sad to see her in her grieve and certainly not a time to be making a decision. We were there to lend some support however we could.
Here Cara is sharing a little about adoption process and their options. And advising that while Liberia is not open to adoptions currently other than special needs, it will be very soon as she has been told and it can be discussed then. However kinship care is another option, and certainly seeing if the community can support.
This little boy definitely was not happy about having to follow his mama instead of being carried. It was funny.. no matter what country and whose kid it is. He was being very dramatic.
We also followed up with the twins we posted several months ago who ended up with wonderful sponsors through GOO to help them. Their names are Hattie and Harrison. Simply adorable. Everyone wanted to pack them in their suitcase and take them home. ha. Their foster parents are doing a wonderful job caring for them until adoptions open and an adoptive family can worked with an accredited agency in Liberia to complete their process.
Michelle and Cara holding beautiful 8 month old twins -Harrison and Hattie.
I met with the twins family to share about adoptions, sponsorships, and other options and that they have many decisions to make once their country allows adoptions soon. The twins birth mother died suddenly. Her parents who I met here shared with me that their daughter had a vision a few months before they were born. She said the twins were going to be going to America and would be raised by a family there. No one expected her sudden death of course but they find solace in her words. Her name was Marthaline.
Wonderful and proud Gpa of Harrison. Very caring and through on asking many questions and searching out answers to his grand children's options.
Gma and Hattie. They were so happy to see them as they live an hour away from the foster home and dont see them very often.
Emmanuel is the birth father. He had all he could do at first to look at his daughter. He said she reminds him of his late wife. He still grieves. The other two children are his too. Poverty creates so many sad situations in Liberia.
Gpa and Gma wanted a picture of all of us together. He stated we are all family who will work together for the best interest of the children. Yes that is what we do.
That Cara- loving on little Harrison again, Daniel, and I. Our vech broke down along side the road. We were thankful for the trees and benches that just happened to be where we needed to wait for a repair.
And Donna K didnt want to give up baby Hattie. These children have wonderful- calming personalities. They just went with the flow of the day with no complaints.
A common occurrence in Liberia unfortunately.. we had a vech break down yesterday too on our way back from the bush. All turned out well.
I shared with Daniel that this could be our new staff picture for the web. :0)We were on our way down a corridor to see Triplets needing help.
This triplets are 2 weeks old and weigh any where from 3-4 1/2 lbs. So tiny. Their names are Varney, Joyce, and... well no name- they hadnt picked it out yet. This family too begging for us to take them and find an adoptive family. We brought many supplies to them and food. I couldnt help thinking while standing there whether there is any support network for families with new babies like we have in the states. How over whelming it must be and daunting to take home babies you have no way of feeding, providing, or caring for. And those around you cant help cause they live in poverty too. What does one do? Unfortunately too many babies die for this reason.
This is baby Ester. She is 7 months old and has hydrocephalus. Her's is not as prevalent as baby Joe's which I shared on last nights post or even Anthony who is here in the states now. She is one of our next medical outreach cases we will work on. However if a family comes forward willing to adopt her, she and that family can work with a recommended agency in Liberia to do so. We can help make the connections. She is in perfect health. Very chubby and cute. Mom is doing her best but there simply is no medical resources of this nature to help or sustain the medical care she will need.
And then we went to the beach where Christina organized a gathering of the FMN caregivers and kids for some time there. I didnt get to stay long but I know everyone enjoyed themselves. In this pic are all the caregivers along with Daniel and Christina who are the state side and country side coordinators for this program. They are all doing a fabulous job!
Cara and baby Survivor.
Kou and I with a few children on the beach.
Christina and Hope. More pics to come soon on this day...
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