First letter from Lisette, monthly photo of Annah

I got a monthly photo of Annah:





And my first-ever letter from Lisette! I'm going to like this kid - what a character. Now that I have Spanish-speaking kids, I should probably at least attempt to learn some Spanish. I know the translators do amazing work at CI but I'd love to know if I'm missing anything.

Photos and letter from Thandiwe

I know I shouldn't show favoritism, but in terms of sheer cuteness, I gotta say...Thandiwe is the cutest kid in "my" brood. I love them all of course, and think they're all adorable, but this kid's pictures are always so full of life. I love the note that she loved the purses - she does seem like the kid who likes her things covered in bling, doesn't she? And I guess it's a universal truth that little girls love purses. She's just adorable. I hope her mother isn't too sick, and that her medication isn't expensive. I wonder if CI can find out...god knows the family doesn't have much income.

One door closes, another door opens.

Harison has left the program (not sure why; hopefully it's for good reasons), so instead of doing the logical thing and taking it as a sign to stop sponsoring so many kids, meet Bianca Domenica:



Actually, I wasn't looking for another kid, but when I signed in to the CI site to check my account, she was the kid on the "children looking for a sponsor" rotation. I've wanted to sponsor a kid in Ecuador, and I couldn't say no to that face. Sigh. I'm such a sucker.

Older photo:



She lives with her parents and an older brother. Her father is employed as a watchman. Their home has electricity but no running water (they do, however, have a bathroom).

My last "new kids."

I've said it before, but this time I mean it. This is my last intro post for a LONG TIME.

I've wanted a kid in Chile for a long time, and was hoping to find a kid in a single parent household.

Despite not having any freakin' money to speak of, meet Lisette Andrea. As with most of my kids, besides the "single mom" aspect, I think her name is beautiful.



Lisette's parents are separated and she lives with her mom and older brother. Her mother is a homemaker, so I guess the father still supports his children, which is great if that's the case; sadly such a rarity today! Their house sounds bigger than most of my sponsored kids', with three bedrooms, a dining room and a kitchen - how great that the kids get to have their own bedrooms!

There are pics of Lisette dating back a couple of years; not sure if she was previously sponsored or if she's been waiting this long.

2009:


2008:




And yes, the header says new kids. One more, also in Chile. This one one of those cases of seeing a picture, and the kid being impossibly cute and my being unable to say no. Her name is also lovely. Meet Viviana Alexa:



Seriously, look at her. Couldn't you just eat her up?!

She has five siblings and is the baby of the group. Her equally cute sister Valentina is also on the CI site looking for a sponsor...in case anyone out there is looking for another kid ;) Her mother is employed, her father is not. Luckily two of her brothers are 18 and 21 so perhaps they're able to help support the family.

Viviana has a photo from 2009 on the site as well:

The latest addition to the family.

Meet Harison. He's eighteen and needed a sponsor to be able to remain at the orphanage and continue his studies. He apparently has been waiting for quite some time and wouldn't be able to stay past December - they just don't have enough money to keep all the unsponsored kids on indefinitely. Well, what can you do when you hear something like that? Especially when the kid lists studying as his favorite hobby! I have his fees paid for the next six months...if anyone out there is interested in taking on his sponsorship full-time, let me know. I'll see it through, of course, if no one else is interested in adding another sponsorship at this time.

IHF is a great organization, but they're small and underfunded. Just to make that clear. I hate to think of someone getting the wrong idea because the unsponsored kids can't stay indefinitely. They do the best they can to be able to support all the kids, but there are many unsponsored kids in Kenya and the outside help they need just isn't there.

Update!

Returning from several weeks out of town, I had a bunch of sponsor mail!


A letter from Wituelle, whose financial sponsors apparently sent her a very generous monetary gift. I wish I knew these people; they seem so nice, and she continues to thank me for their generosity...I hope they know how much it means to her! I have no idea why they choose not to write to her, but it's clear that they care for her very much.





A letter from Sophia, with a totally adorable drawing. The poor girl got stuck with a crazy cat lady for a sponsor...gotta love her humoring me ;)





Letter and package pics from Jessa in Manila. I'd actually forgotten I sent it; people have commented that they have problems with hearing back about direct packages with their kids in Manila and Lusaka - naturally, where two of my three CI kids are! I'm also glad it arrived to coincide with her birthday...I'm a terrible sponsor and completely forgot to send her a card! I dodged a bullet this time!

New pictures of Annah

I've been forgetful about updating Annah's pictures. She continues to grow at a ridiculous rate!

Photos and letter from Thandiwe's brother!

I sent a bit of cash Thandiwe's way to help her brother John return to school. I'd like to try to keep him there for as long as possible in hopes of bettering his job prospects when he's older. It might seem a bit frivolous considering how much people in this part of the world can struggle just for basic necessities, but in the long run I think this is worth it, especially since their father is no longer present in their lives and John as the oldest child (by seven years) will likely shoulder a lot of the burden of providing for his mother and sisters.

I'd love to look into finding John his own sponsor, but I have no idea how one might set that in motion. Any ideas?

New picture of Jessa

I love the pose; she's so cute! The haircut is new - her hair was so long in her first pic!

Letters from the kids, and a new picture of Annah

You know, I always thought when people said they couldn't pick a favorite child, they were full of it or being polite. I know sponsoring kids isn't nearly the same thing as having your own, but sponsoring kids now as an adult (rather than as a teenager), it still surprises me just how much I love these kids - and if you asked me to pick a favorite, I honestly couldn't. They're all so sweet and cute and clever.

Annah - I send her some t-shirts for her birthday; I hope they fit! She look like she's grown a foot between pictures!


Drawing and letter from Jessa, who has turned out to be a most enthusiastic correspondent. I'm glad I listened to the little devil on my shoulder saying sponsor her (instead of the angel saying "and where exactly is that money going to come from?")!



And a letter from the volunteer at the Lusaka center. I can't wait until Thandiwe is old enough to write on her own, but until then I'm glad to hear from the volunteers and her family members.

Thandiwe's family

I requested family photos of Thandiwe a while ago, when I was hoping to start a fundraiser for her brother's education. Luckily I was able to foot the bill for the next year's tuition on my own, though I'll likely need some help next year. I would love to find out of it would be possible to get him a sponsor of his own. They're a lovely family.



These are the people according to the list I was sent:

The woman in the red and white skirt and blue tank top is Thandiwe's aunt Mary.

Thandiwe's mother Joyce is in the blue striped top, holding Thandiwe's baby cousin Christopher (Mary's son).

The tall boy in the gray shirt and the boy in the green golf shirt are more cousins, Joseph and Enock.

The woman in the floral top is Thandiwe's grandmother Beatrice, holding Thandiwe's sister, listed here as Gift and in the family report as Bupe (no idea about the name thing), and her husband (Thandiwe's grandfather) Joseph is next to her.

The young woman in white is Thandiwe's aunt Rabecca.

The little girl in white and pink is listed as "young aunt" Rabecca. With so many repeating names things have to get confusing!

John is said to be the little boy in blue - which seems surprising, as his age is listed as 12 in the family report! And of course, Thandiwe is the cheery little girl front and center in both pictures!

I'll be contacting CI to make sure that is indeed John in the picture, just out of curiosity.

Quick update

I've been neglecting this blog, haven't I. I have no excuses, really.

I'm probably forgetting some things, but anyway, some brief updates.

New picture of Annah (IHF Kenya). I've had a package for her (and both my CI girls in the Philippines) waiting to be sent for ages...I need to get on that. I'm terrible about corresponding with her, which is awful of me, because she is such a sweetheart. I haven't heard about Arupe from my friend whose daughter is corresponding with him, but I'll have to ask how that's going.



They grow up way too fast.


A letter from Wituelle (Compassion Haiti), who I'm also terrible about writing to. Okay, let's put it out there: I'm not very good about writing to any of my kids. I hope they know how much I love them!






And a letter from Thandiwe's uncle on her behalf. I wish there was something I could send to thank the relatives who write for her. I've thanked them in my letters but it doesn't seem like enough!

New pics of my IHF kids!

Again, so cute I can't stand it! A friend's daughter is corresponding with Arupe...who knows, in ten years maybe she'll be a sponsor herself! I haven't heard from them in a while, as they're moving, but I hope I can catch up on how it's going soon!

Letter from Sophia!

I love this little girl! She sounds like such a smart little cookie the way she writes - or maybe she's just buttering me up in hopes of scoring another direct package ;)

Pictures and letter from Thandiwe

This kid is so cute I can't stand it! I love that she brought her doll along with her - and someone put a hat on her. Too cute. I also love that her grandmother lets me know that Thandiwe's "baby" is doing well. They seem like such a nice family - they must be to have raised such a cheerful kid!