Feeding Center update

So much has happened since I last wrote, I don't know where to begin. I think today I'll write a few different blogs!

Due to the overwhelming response about my mom's feeding center here, I think I'll begin with that. It is so so so nice to hear that so many people care and want to help. When I briefly mentioned to Dorthy (my host mom) that some of my friends and family were interested in helping a little, she got down on her knees and started praying and thanking God, looked as if she was crying slightly, then started dancing around the house! So, she was very moved. She kept grabbing my shoulders, saying, "God has sent you to me for a reason!" I told her we can only help a little bit - but she told me even a dollar here or there for her kids is plenty.

So, I am currently working with her to organize things and work out a plan. Her feeding center is registered and recognized by the government and is the only of it's kind in our village. I am getting together information about the history of the center, how it runs, each child that attends, their age, wieght, hight, health and family situation, etc. I have learned that many of the kids are HIV+ and no longer have parents. I am also figuring out the best way to help and where exactly any donations would go. It may not be best to send dollars through the mail because of the risk of money getting lost and stolen. She has a bank in town and we are going to meet with them to see about wiring money directly to her bank account. We have agreed that if any of my friends or family decide to help, she will make monthly progress reports and will send them back to me. The reports will show progress with the kids, if there are new kids, if some have dropped out or died, if food prices are the same, etc, etc. So, things are getting worked out and within the next couple weeks or so, I'll update you all on the details.

Meanwhile, I think I am going to take a little of the money in my saving account (thanks to both sets of grandparents!) and surprise her by getting some toys and looking into playground equipment. Currently, the kids play with old tires.

So, that's about it with the feeding center. I have been taking a million pictures of the kids though and they are so adorable. Except the little little ones are terrified of me! They run away screaming, I must seem quite the alien to them. But anyway, things are good.