Liberia

Last Tuesday Jeremiah, Joshua, and Fumbeh received life-changing hernia repair surgeries, thanks to the amazing team of surgeons and medical staff from Children’s Surgery International (CSI). The CSI team was here for one week and performed hundreds of facial, hernia, and burn surgeries. And they did it all for free!

We often get distracted by the big things that happen here- a boy who is sick, a girl who is barely getting by, the lack of food or clean water, even the joyous giving and celebrating of Christmas. We are anxious to report those needs and milestones to everyone because they seem measurable. The truth of the matter is that we are seeing miracles and reaching milestones everyday. The children in our homes are growing, going to school and playing with their friends. They are eating balanced meals and staying healthy. They are learning and coming up with new ideas.

Today we delivered Christmas to two more orphanages. It was absolutely spectacular. The children cheered as they received their bundles. Giggles and smiles abounded and they were so happy that they broke into spontaneous singing. Each bundle included an apple in addition to the pencils, toothbrushes and candy. In Liberia, apples are a sign of love. We were able to tell them how much we love them, but more importantly they are greatly loved by God.

Thanks to all who donated Christmas bundles. Each child felt truly loved and they were touched by the notes that you wrote.

December 25th is just around the corner, and the kids in our Child Development Program have been getting in the Christmas spirit this week! The kids got a chance to explore their creativity as they worked on some special Christmas crafts. (Thank you, North Lindale Church, for donating the materials. They were put to great use, and they put a smile on all the kids' faces!) Since we want to encourage the individuality of every child that we work with, all the kids had the opportunity to choose their own project and decorate it any way they liked.

Orphan Relief and Rescue is excited to welcome Elena Pellizzaris to our growing field team in Liberia. Elena fell in love with the children of Liberia and the vision of Orphan Relief and Rescue while she was visiting for a few weeks last year. She comes to us with several years of experience teaching preschool and elementary age children near Philadelphia, PA. The expertise she brings to the field will greatly benefit our Child Development Program where she will be working closely with Mariel.

Many people picture orphans in Africa as small runny nosed children running around with big bellies and no shoes. Often that is the case. However, in a country like Liberia that is recovering from years of civil war, a legacy of teenagers has been left behind. Children who were orphaned or abandoned during the war are now trying to find their way as adolescents living in orphanage homes.

As I'm leaving Liberia in just a few hours, I'd like to take a moment to thank you -- YOU! -- for making this past year such a success.

Together we undertook truly ambitious projects and saw not only physical conditions but children's lives transformed. We dug and rehabilitated several wells. We set up orphanage gardens and farms, training caretakers and children how to get the most out of the soil and seeds. We delivered food to those that needed it most. We provided care for -- and training to prevent -- common illnesses that Liberians suffer through needlessly.

Can you believe that over 2,000 children die everyday around the world from mosquito-borne malaria? In Liberia last year, 21,000 children under the age of five died from malaria. However, Liberians just believe that malaria is normal part of life.
We spend alot of time talking with the directors and children about malaria. Malaria education, prevention and treatment are big focus areas at the beginning of rainy season. This rainy season, we want to make sure that there is a treated mosquito net on every bed in every home.