What a delightful trip! Aside the overabundance of water (which, of course in Somalia, would be welcome) we had a delightful time. We feel such joy when sharing Christmas with the children! Each girl got a new dress and each boy a new shirt, plus a "goody" bag with candy, baseball cap (thanks to all who donated), pencil, crayons, stickers and other small items that would fit into a lunch bag size bag. And, good news, we have a "Christmas registry" with Pinto Novelties (718-332-8131 or partypinto@aol.com) where you can order directly from them and they deliver to us. (And, you can give them the Oriental Trading Co. code and they will ALWAYS beat it!).
They are wonderful people and they support Sylvia's Children.The items we are looking at for 2012 (can you believe we are thinking about next year already !?!?!?!) are stickers, sunglasses, mardi gras beads, thumb puppets and visors.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
In addition to what we gave the children, we gave each staff person a pineapple, a one lb. box of sugar (which is currently $3.00 a lb. in Uganda!), a baseball cap and the opportunity to take three pieces of jewelry at the "jewelry party". Thanks to ALL of you who donated jewelry for this wonderful annual event.
GUTTER AND CATCHMENT BASINS FOR WATER
OK ... this was not fun!
When we got to Uganda we experienced the rainy season (which we have never experienced before) and this is Geofrey standing outside the sewing building. Needless to say, we need gutters and catchment basins. I have been particularly concerned about this because of the drought situation in Somalia. We finally have quotes for the gutters and basins (of which we need 6) and they total $23,300. If anyone needs a tax break for this year, we would love to welcome a donation of $23,300 so we can get gutters on each building and have these basins to catch the rainwater.
Of course, as we go along I learn about these things so we can be more efficient in our operation of the school. We WILL have gutters on the medical clinic!
UPCOMING TRIPS
SPRING 2012 Dates: March 15-27, 2012 ..$3,500
This is the annual medical trip to continue improving the health care of our children at the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary and Day Care School as well as the village of Mbiriizi. $3,500 all inclusive (airfare from a Newark, all airport transfers, hotel, food, guide and transportation
for the entire trip, water, safari .. the works). The only extra money you need is for souvenirs!
SUMMER 2012...Dates: June 14-June 26, 2012 ... $ 3,500
The summer trip is a work trip ending with a safari trip. $3,500 all inclusive (airfare from Newark, all airport transfers, hotel, food, guide and transportation the entire trip, water, safari ... the works) The only extra money you need is for souvenirs! (We have eliminated the trek with the gorillas for a number of reasons ... cost, availability, accessibility, capability). This is open to everyone.
Let us know a.s.a.p. if you are planning on coming. We would love to have you join us and experience our wonderful school and the children who are the future of Uganda. Give me a call 732 946 2711 or e-mail me at Sylvia@sylviaschildren.org.
ON-GOING GROWTH AND EDUCATION
ALL of our P-7's are going on to Secondary School. And, with this, we need your help. To sponsor a P-7 child is $500 a year ... that comes out to less than $1.40 a day! Will you help us? Some of our sponsors are having financial difficulties and can't afford to continue. Will you step up to the plate and help us make a difference in these children's lives, as well as the country. We currently have 40 children in Secondary School and are confident that these children will change the country.
NYC MARATHON
Once again Jeff Tuccillo (who donated the library in his wife's name and the sewing center) has been a wonderful friend to Sylvia's Children. He ran in this year's NYC Marathon, finishing in the top 10% again, and helping us to raise in excess of $4,500. Thanks, Jeff, for your love and support!
SEWING
Please welcome Male John to our staff at Mbiriizi! He will be our sewing teacher ... it was great to have Michele on this trip so she could interview him. The school year starts January 30 and he will be teaching Friday afternoon and Saturday.
Kudos to ...
The Joseph J. Catena School, who has been a wonderful sister school to our school in Uganda by raising money, sponsoring three children, and have a pen pal program ...
Bruce and Brigitte, our wonderful Ugandan friends, for providing the pineapples that were part of the staff's Christmas presents...
The COIN group at Holmdel (Children of Impoverished Nations) who have already raised over $1,000 and the year has barely started...
Kris deAngelis and the St. Joseph School in Carteret and Monica Guarnaccia from Village School for candy for the children's Christmas party...
Jordan Gilbert for almost 300 pairs of knickers (read: girls' underpants) ...
The nurses at Robert Wood Johnson who raised over $800 with a bake sale ...
Nayiga Claire for her wonderful "eagle eye" and spotting good jewelry in the donations. She takes them to Earth Treasures in Eatontown and gets money for the school. She has generated over $3,000 doing this ...
CONCLUSION
The school year is over and they are on break until January 30.
Here are the dates for the coming year:
January 30-April 20, May 14-August 3, September 3-November 30.
Thanks to ALL of you for your support, care and concern for the children at the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary School. And, from all of us at Sylvia's Children, our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Sylvia Allen
sylvia@sylviaschildren.org
732-946-2711
