As always, there is so much going on at the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary school in Uganda I hardly know where to start!
Clinic
You will be AMAZED at our progress! See the posting below!
Thanks to Chobani Yogurt and their Shepherd's Foundation we have the $29,300 we need for solar. I will be going over to attend Ronnie's wedding on October 20 and then visit our 41 orphans that are in secondary school. While there I will meet with the solar engineer to make sure we have sufficient power for our needs.
And, in line with the clinic, Eileen Turcotte (a computer genius) will be going over with us in March and staying until June so she can set up systems that will work for our clinic. Saint Eileen!
Water Preservation
In order to preserve water in the dry season (which we are now entering) we need gutters and catchment basins for all the buildings (we have 17!). It turns out that the estimate is higher than last reported ... more like $25,000 USD!
Christmas trip
November 14-24th we are putting on a party for the children. Every girl will get a new dress and every boy a new shirt plus lots of goodies in a goody bag. Thank you to ALL who donated money for the Christmas in July promotion. I am still working on thank you notes ... will get them done! If you wish to go on this trip just let me know by September 24 because it will take you a couple of months to get your shots, VISA, etc.
Still with Christmas
Every year we take jewelry that has been donated to us for the staff at the school. If you want to do a jewelry collection and send us what people are getting rid of, that would be wonderful. I have several salons already doing this and it is easy ... just put out a basket and explain what we are doing. The staff (45+) then can come in and help themselves to 2, 3, 4 pieces (depending upon how much we have) and they LOVE it! We will need this by November 1.
Starbucks
Once again there are 10 Starbucks stores in the central New Jersey area that are participating in our clothing, bags, etc., drive to general money for the school. The stores are located in Middletown, Matawan, Marlboro, Manalapan, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, New Brunswick, Edison, Piscataway and Westfield. If you live anywhere near these areas and are cleaning out your closets just bag the stuff up in black bags, drop off and we do the rest.
Water Preservation
In order to preserve water in the dry season (which we are now entering) we need gutters and catchment basins for all the buildings (we have 17!). It turns out that the estimate is higher than last reported ... more like $25,000 USD!
Christmas trip
November 14-24th we are putting on a party for the children. Every girl will get a new dress and every boy a new shirt plus lots of goodies in a goody bag. Thank you to ALL who donated money for the Christmas in July promotion. I am still working on thank you notes ... will get them done! If you wish to go on this trip just let me know by September 24 because it will take you a couple of months to get your shots, VISA, etc.
Still with Christmas
Every year we take jewelry that has been donated to us for the staff at the school. If you want to do a jewelry collection and send us what people are getting rid of, that would be wonderful. I have several salons already doing this and it is easy ... just put out a basket and explain what we are doing. The staff (45+) then can come in and help themselves to 2, 3, 4 pieces (depending upon how much we have) and they LOVE it! We will need this by November 1.
Starbucks
Once again there are 10 Starbucks stores in the central New Jersey area that are participating in our clothing, bags, etc., drive to general money for the school. The stores are located in Middletown, Matawan, Marlboro, Manalapan, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, New Brunswick, Edison, Piscataway and Westfield. If you live anywhere near these areas and are cleaning out your closets just bag the stuff up in black bags, drop off and we do the rest.
We take shoes, hats, stuffed toys, bedding, clothes, anything fabric. No books or electronics. We then get paid 15 cents a pound which goes to supporting the orphans at the school. Since September 2010, when we first started, we have generated over $16,000! We do it twice a year ... this cycle is September 9 to November 18.
Christmas Registry at Pinto Novelties
Christmas Registry at Pinto Novelties
Pinto Novelties, located in Brooklyn, now has a Christmas Registry for the school. Why Pinto? I have dealt with them for over 20 years and they are honest, trustworthy and cheaper than any other novelty company I have dealt with. They help us with the Christmas gifts every year and help us make Christmas special for these children.
Their telephone number is 718-332-8131 or you can email Joanne at partypinto@aol.com. She is a sweetheart and she has the entire list. Our deadline for these items will be November 1. Keep in mind that we have 1,100 children that we serve and we give everyone the same things.
School Clubs
It is really exciting to see the school continue to grow by offering electives and having extra-curricular clubs for the children. They have 24 students enrolled in the sewing class, a football club, netball club, social studies club, science club (where they made the soap), music and drama club, and of course, beautiful arts and crafts. If you want to do your Christmas shopping with us we have baskets, fabric, jewelry, homemade soap... really great items!
Spring Medical Trip
The school was very disappointed this year (as was I) that we did not have any medical people coming in March. So, heads up... here are the dates for the 2013 trip... March 14 - 26... still only $3,500 ALL INCLUSIVE. This is a heartwarming trip with so many rewards by healing the children... please join us. Do I have someone that will champion this?
Ronnie, Our Guide
Ronnie, Our Guide
On October 20 of this year Ronnie (our dear, brilliant and trusted guide and driver) is getting married. I will be going to the wedding and then spending the next week going to see all 41 children who are in Secondary School. We have three who are graduating from S-4 (this means they can then go on to S-5 and S-6 if they pass state tests!)
Thank you ALL for your wonderful support of Sylvia's Children.
With your help we are making a difference!
Sylvia's Children
89 Middletown Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
732-946-2711/Sylvia's cell 732-241-1144
