Hello Friends and Family of Ordinary Women, Inc. (OWI),
I hope this new year finds you and your family well. I can't believe it is February, 2012. As I was doing a recap of 2011 of our Kenya Orphan Program (OP), I was marveling at all that has been accomplished. So much so, I wanted to share some of the highlights with you:
· We started 2011 with 89 orphans.
· One orphan got arrested for stealing a cow with a friend. The Kenyan social work team went before the judge in support of the orphan and got the orphan released back to his guardian (this is unheard of in Kenya). This orphan is doing very well today.
· One orphan ran away to another city due to difficulties at home and in school. The social work team found her, brought her back home, and worked through her difficulties. She is happy and stable in her guardian home again. (They seem to have the same problems our youth have in the United States, don't they? Okay, maybe not stealing a cow, but you know what I mean. :).
· Three orphans were identified as having learning disabilities. They were put into vocational schools (in their choice of study), and they are thriving and learning a trade they can do in their adult lives.
· Seven orphans were identified as struggling academically in school. They are being offered extra tutoring support to help them achieve academically.
· All 89 orphans got sponsored.
· So, we increased the OP to 100 orphans.
· A part time social worker position was added to accommodate the increase of orphans in the program.
· There was an annual birthday party given to the orphans and their families where the orphans received new backpacks, dresses and outfits that were made for them from the U.S., and they had birthday cake.
· Each orphan, their guardians, and the guardians' children had their annual physical exams and were tested for HIV/AIDS. No one had to go to the hospital this year during these checkups. The doctors' report is that our orphans are healthy.
· Seven orphans received reading glasses this year.
· Two orphans had surgery on their eyes because of Morphan's disease. They have had ongoing eye checkups as needed, and now they both see and can function in school because of improved eyesight.
· Each orphan received quarterly de-worming medications.
· Each orphan received malaria treatment and other medical services as needed.
· Some orphans met their sponsors during the August trip to Kenya.
· One orphan did not pass the 8th grade exam to get into high school. The orphan chose to repeat 8th grade to try to get into high school next year. If this doesn't work, the orphan will then consider a vocational school.
· Two orphans took their high school exams and are eagerly awaiting the results which come out in February, 2012.
· The two HIV+ orphans in our OP received ongoing medications for this illness throughout the year. They also received extra nutritional foods to supplement the monthly food given.
· Each month, the guardians were given a monthly food ration of beans and corn for each orphan.
· Each orphan received a new school uniform, underclothes, socks, and very sturdy new shoes. They are so excited about their new clothes!
None of this would be possible without you, our sponsors. As I look over this list and think about each of these children, they have had their lives changed because of this program. And we as the board members of OWI, thank each one of you for your ongoing support to these children and to the OP. You are making a difference in each one of these precious lives.
If you are interested in supporting one of the orphans in our Orphan Program for just $35 a month, please go to our website at www.ordinarywomen.org where you can choose your orphan from the profiles. Or you can write to us at:
Ordinary Women, Inc.
26861 Trabuco Road, Suite E#146
Mission Viejo, Ca. 92691
Joining Hands for Global Change,
Darla Morfin
Ordinary Women, Inc.
Executive Director-OWI Orphan Program
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