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July 2009 Update by Jessy
Hello everybody,While Sonjelle wrote her last update in June, this is my first. I apologize for the delay on the update. I have been sick for a while. Next to that internet hasnít been very cooperative, but I think most of you have experienced this yourselves. Once again my sincere apologies for the delay. I hope the update finds you all in good health.
First, I would like to tell you all that I am very happy to be the new home administrator for HardtHaven. Sonjelle, Edem and the children have made me feel very welcome and I have felt at home from the first day. Besides the regular GI problems, I am doing well. The six weeks overlap between Sonjelle and me has given me the opportunity to familiarize myself with HardtHaven. On July 12th Sonjelle left. Saying goodbye to her was very difficult for all of us and we miss her a lot. Some of the children still ask me were auntie Sonjelle is and sometimes they even call me auntie Sonjelle.
Children: Minua received treatment for malaria, the treatment was successful and she is now in good health. Junior had tonsillitis again, but he is doing fine after the treatment. Both Big and Small Emma received treatment for a respiratory tract infection. They are both in good health now. I have been to the hospital twice this month having GI problems. The treatment has been successfully in both cases.
Since July 30th all the children are enjoying the holiday. In the first week the children and the volunteers cleaned the whole home. The place looks amazing! I hope we can keep it like this, but I am afraid we will have to do another round by the end of the holiday. J In the second week the volunteers started tutoring the children while the report cards werenít as good as we were hoping. A holiday plan is in process. We will do as much tutoring as possible and next to that the plan will include sports, arts & crafts, drumming & dancing and group education.
On July 4th we celebrated Christopherís 2nd birthday. Once the children started throwing water at him, he started to cry, but the toffee party afterwards made him very happy again. On July 21st we celebrated Kafuiís birthday. He is 11 years old now. His actual birthday is in June, but we somehow mixed it up and celebrated a month late. This didnít affect the pleasure of the party.
Small Wisdom is doing very well. He is happy as always and cannot get enough of the walking. He is very bright. If you ask him to put something on the shelf or in the bola, heíll do it right away. Every meal he comes to collect the plastic bowls to bring them to tasi Francisca. He loves helping out. He is also very aware when he is doing something wrong. I am sure he is going to be a very naughty boy.
Sponsored children: Anita got admitted at Margaret Marquat Catholic Hospital on June 30th and was discharged on July 6th. She received treatment for typhoid and is in good health now. We have started sponsoring one new child this month. Mary is a two year and nine months old girl from Kpevetor. She got admitted to Margaret Marquat Catholic Hospital on July 19th and was diagnosed as HIV positive and with marasmus. Mary is staying in the home since July 22nd. Of course she has to get used to the children and the place, but she is adjusting very well and is talking more every day. She has already learned her first English words. We will monitor her health, provide her medication and help her gain weight. As soon as she is strong enough she will go back to live with her grandparents.
Volunteers: Like June, July has been a busy month with a lot of volunteers coming and going. Justin and Emily arrived in Kpando on July 2nd. Justin will start dental school next year. He is staying for two months and has been working in both St. Patrickís Hospital and in HardtHaven. Emily is staying for two weeks and she has been tutoring at Konda and supporting the HardtHaven team. On July 8th Laura, Courtney and Andrea arrived. They are staying for four weeks and have been doing health education in different communities. On July 17th Tess arrived. She is staying for two weeks and has been helping out in the home. On July 18th Andrew and Beth arrived. Beth has been working at St. Patrickís Hospital and Andrew has been helping out at the new HardtHaven site. On July 24th Dana and Allison arrived in Kpando. They are staying for almost three weeks and have been tutoring the children. On July 26th Hannah arrived in Kpando. She is staying for four weeks and has been tutoring. On July 28th Mallory and Fiona arrived. Mallory is staying until November. She has been helping out to set up a community information center. Fiona is staying for four weeks and has been helping out at the home.
Donations: Emily brought medicines, clothes, baby formula, baby wipes and supplies for arts and crafts. Laura, Courtney and Andrea brought us sanitary pads, diapers and gloves. Dana and Allison brought toys, baby formula and diapers. From Hannah we received pencils, baby formula and toys. Lacey, an American who lives in Accra, visited the home and brought us school supplies. Next to the donations of incoming volunteers, we received two parcels with donations from former volunteers. Sarah O sent us diapers, baby wipes and baby formula. Andrea sent us markers, pencils and notebooks. We are very grateful for all the donations! Thank you!
I believe this is all for this month. I hope you enjoyed reading this update. I will try to include some pictures next month. If you have any feedback, questions or otherwise, do not hesitate to contact me!
Thank you,
Jessy
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