When we were in Africa last month we measured all 907 children and 40 staff for the shoes that will be brought by Samaritan Shoes November 3 and 4 of this year. I am so excited; however, the shoe detail that did the measuring should receive the clothespin (for their noses!) award.
Some of the children only have one pair of socks and wear them all the time. I would love to give each person, with their new pair of shoes, two pairs of socks. I have gotten quotes and we can do 2,000 pairs of socks, with the Sylvia's Children logo on them, for $2,500.
Any help you can give in raising this would be greatly appreciated.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Progress Update From Sylvia
Just a short note to update you on our progress.
1. Meeting Samaritan's Feet October 31 in Entebbe and going with them to Masaka. Each person will get a new pair of shoes! Hopefully we will have 2,000 pairs of socks as well.
2. The Christmas trip is as follows:
So far it is Michele and me. If four of us go, the land costs are only $700 (plus airfare). If more, it just gets cheaper! Michele and I currently have a ticket that is around $1,700 (NOT on Ethiopian Airlines!). If it ends up just the two of us it goes up to $1,066. Would love to know who else would like to go.
The current plans are to leave Friday, November 28, getting into Entebbe on the 29th and staying there since we get in late. Leave the next day for Tropic Inn in Masaka. Spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (December 1, 2, 3) at the school for the Christmas party. Leave Masaka morning on the 4th, do the equator, drum factory, Entebbe if you wish, leaving that night. The more people that come with us the more we can take for the children. (Need to know by September 1 if you are planning on coming ... sooner if you can.)
The Red Cross is currently trying to raise $3,500 so we can have 1,000 shirts printed with Sylvia's Children and The Red Cross. In addition, they have blankets ... I am trying to get them to give us 1,000!
3. The back to school mailing will go out this week. I can send you a batch by U.S.Mail ... let me know what you would like to do.)
4. Finally have a meeting with the JFK/DHL lady on August 13. Keep your fingers crossed!
5. One teacher is currently living in the library which brings the number of adults on campus up to 4. When I am in Kampala I am trying to get the Red Cross to give us fire extinguishers. Also, would someone research solar floodlights? If we could put a floodlight at each of four corners it could be discouraging to intruders.
6. Lastly ... we currently have 97 of the 267 orphans sponsored. We need more sponsors ... let me know if you need some brochures to and out to people.
Lastly, lastly ... we have to raise $140,000 in 2008! :)
Sylvia Allen
1. Meeting Samaritan's Feet October 31 in Entebbe and going with them to Masaka. Each person will get a new pair of shoes! Hopefully we will have 2,000 pairs of socks as well.
2. The Christmas trip is as follows:
So far it is Michele and me. If four of us go, the land costs are only $700 (plus airfare). If more, it just gets cheaper! Michele and I currently have a ticket that is around $1,700 (NOT on Ethiopian Airlines!). If it ends up just the two of us it goes up to $1,066. Would love to know who else would like to go.
The current plans are to leave Friday, November 28, getting into Entebbe on the 29th and staying there since we get in late. Leave the next day for Tropic Inn in Masaka. Spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (December 1, 2, 3) at the school for the Christmas party. Leave Masaka morning on the 4th, do the equator, drum factory, Entebbe if you wish, leaving that night. The more people that come with us the more we can take for the children. (Need to know by September 1 if you are planning on coming ... sooner if you can.)
The Red Cross is currently trying to raise $3,500 so we can have 1,000 shirts printed with Sylvia's Children and The Red Cross. In addition, they have blankets ... I am trying to get them to give us 1,000!
3. The back to school mailing will go out this week. I can send you a batch by U.S.Mail ... let me know what you would like to do.)
4. Finally have a meeting with the JFK/DHL lady on August 13. Keep your fingers crossed!
5. One teacher is currently living in the library which brings the number of adults on campus up to 4. When I am in Kampala I am trying to get the Red Cross to give us fire extinguishers. Also, would someone research solar floodlights? If we could put a floodlight at each of four corners it could be discouraging to intruders.
6. Lastly ... we currently have 97 of the 267 orphans sponsored. We need more sponsors ... let me know if you need some brochures to and out to people.
Lastly, lastly ... we have to raise $140,000 in 2008! :)
Sylvia Allen
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Matsiko Children's Choir: Orphans from Uganda perform to publicize their plight
For the past four years, Shanice Kulusum has traveled around the U.S., sharing her story of overcoming the odds of poverty through song and dance.
The 13-year-old girl is one of 29 Ugandan children in the Matsiko Children's Choir, a group of orphans from the East Africa nation who will perform at a number of Utah venues during a two-week visit. The choir's name means "hope" in the Luganda language, and the group sings original ballads centered on that theme, in an attempt to bring attention to the problems orphaned children face worldwide.
The choir is sponsored by the Washington state-based International Children's Network, an nonprofit organization that helps at-risk children in less-developed countries enter college, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty, said Don Windham, ICN president and founder.
For Kulusum, the choir took her out of a dire predicament. In an interview, she explained that her mother couldn't afford to care for her after her father died. She was forced to fend for herself, missing three years of school.
She believes joining the choir saved her. "I was in a hard situation," Kulusum said. "Now I can go to school and be smart again." The teenager will return to Uganda in January, where she will enter the eighth grade. She plans to become a brain surgeon and an activist for children in need.
"Every child in the choir has a story," said Ugandan Sam Straxy, the choir's musical director. "We want them to be focused on the future so that's why we sing about hope. They know they will have a bright future."
Visiting the U.S. contributes to the children's enthusiasm, giving them the opportunity to see a brighter future, Windham said. Another goal for the tour is for the organization to find sponsors, in order to form a world orphan's choir.
Schedule of performances
The Matsiko Children's Choir, featuring young Ugandan singers, will perform multiple concerts in Salt Lake City and Park City over the next two weeks. Here's a schedule.
Aug. 1 and Aug. 5, 1:30 p.m. » Lunch Bunch concert at the Gallivan Center.
Aug. 1, 5-7 p.m. » Performance at The Gateway.
Aug. 9, 10 a.m. » Teddy Bear Picnic at Hogle Zoo.
Aug. 10, noon-2 p.m. » Performance at Sunday Park Silly Market in Park City.
Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. » Performance at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sandy.
To donate to the choir, or for more information, visit www.matsiko.com
The 13-year-old girl is one of 29 Ugandan children in the Matsiko Children's Choir, a group of orphans from the East Africa nation who will perform at a number of Utah venues during a two-week visit. The choir's name means "hope" in the Luganda language, and the group sings original ballads centered on that theme, in an attempt to bring attention to the problems orphaned children face worldwide.
The choir is sponsored by the Washington state-based International Children's Network, an nonprofit organization that helps at-risk children in less-developed countries enter college, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty, said Don Windham, ICN president and founder.
For Kulusum, the choir took her out of a dire predicament. In an interview, she explained that her mother couldn't afford to care for her after her father died. She was forced to fend for herself, missing three years of school.
She believes joining the choir saved her. "I was in a hard situation," Kulusum said. "Now I can go to school and be smart again." The teenager will return to Uganda in January, where she will enter the eighth grade. She plans to become a brain surgeon and an activist for children in need.
"Every child in the choir has a story," said Ugandan Sam Straxy, the choir's musical director. "We want them to be focused on the future so that's why we sing about hope. They know they will have a bright future."
Visiting the U.S. contributes to the children's enthusiasm, giving them the opportunity to see a brighter future, Windham said. Another goal for the tour is for the organization to find sponsors, in order to form a world orphan's choir.
Schedule of performances
The Matsiko Children's Choir, featuring young Ugandan singers, will perform multiple concerts in Salt Lake City and Park City over the next two weeks. Here's a schedule.
Aug. 1 and Aug. 5, 1:30 p.m. » Lunch Bunch concert at the Gallivan Center.
Aug. 1, 5-7 p.m. » Performance at The Gateway.
Aug. 9, 10 a.m. » Teddy Bear Picnic at Hogle Zoo.
Aug. 10, noon-2 p.m. » Performance at Sunday Park Silly Market in Park City.
Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. » Performance at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sandy.
To donate to the choir, or for more information, visit www.matsiko.com
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