So many family and friends have been inquiring about donating to the orphanage that I wrote about when we were in Africa. To be honest, my head is still spinning trying to make sense of all the things we experienced while abroad. The beautiful faces of the children from the orphanages, schools and villages still haunt me. My heart is heavy knowing the reality of the thousands of children orphaned by poverty and or aides.

 

I must say that I was very naïve to think that I could swoop in like an American white knight and do things. Perhaps I was even selfishly trying to silence the insecure voice in my head that says I am irrelevant under life's microscope. After all, I believe we all want to make a positive difference in other’s lives. 

Sadly, what we learnt since returning home was that shipping items to Africa is very risky and costly. Packages rarely arrive to their destination and if they do, they are often held until large fees are paid by the recipient. That of course is money the orphanage doesn't have and money spent for items for the children and shipping with no positive end result. Sending cash also seems to have substantial risk. This revelation was so disappointing.

 

To be honest, feelings of helplessness has never been something the creative doer in me entertains. But I have come to understand that helplessness is not hopelessness because as long as you believe in a greater power miracles do happen.
 

But we will all have to learn patience because to get this done it will take some time.  Roy and I are making plans to go back and continue our journey further into Africa. We would like to explore Ethiopia and if possible some other countries that for the moment are somewhat off limits. During our trip we are planning to double back to Kenya where we spent time at the orphanage that I wrote about. When we go back and realistically it may be a bit, we will pay extra for luggage with the airline and fill suitcases with everything we can for the children. This trip will allow us to give things needed directly to the orphanage and to the little ones.

So what can you do until then to help the children?? Please include them in your prayers. Prayers after all are the fuel for miracles. xoxo

Just a few shots from our trip to Africa!