December Delivery

This month Sante was extra generous and we got a sizable donation along with some in-kind items that many of Sante's customers donated to the orphanage. This month I delivered the following items:

- Diapers (850)

- Soy Formula (4 cans)

- Shoes (10)

- Articles of Clothing (10)

- Baby Gym (1)

- Baby Walker (1)

- Baby Bouncer (1)

- Bassinet (1)

- Children's Basketball Hoop (1)

- Inflatable Play Center (1)

I also wanted to give you an update on some of the things we donated last month. When I arrived today to deliver the items it was lunch time and all the babies were using the new plastic bibs we donated last month. One of the volunteers also told me that the babies really love the mobiles....especially the music that plays lullabies for them to sleep. It is great to know that the items we give are making a difference.

November Delivery

We were able to buy some really cool things due to the generosity of some local and overseas friends this month:

- Mavis Huger & Family from the USA ($200 USD)

- Jan Erik & Coby van Herksen from the Netherlands (100 Euros) [These are Luka's grandparents and they are pictured above, the handsome guy carrying Luka is my hubby]

- Catherine Clarence & Family from Maputo (generous diaper donation)

Today I just delivered...get ready for this:

Diapers (1,144!!!!)

Soy Formula Cans (7)

Plastic Feeding Bibs (15)

Mobiles for Cribs (8)

Here is a little background on this month's items because at first glance it might not seem like a big deal.

The diapers were a godsend. Today as I arrived all the babies were in towels because they had run out. The workers and volunteers were very happy to see the diapers. They really count on our monthly donation.

The plastic feeding bibs are extremely useful and hygienic. Many of these little ones learn to feed themselves very young and if they use regular bibs they have to wash them and it takes long to get them back clean. These bibs last much longer and are very easy to clean, which is very important when you are feeding 15-20 little ones at the same time.

The eight mobiles went over the cribs of the tiniest ones at the orphanage. They really need music and stimulation and now they will have a lullaby and happy faces to help them catch their zzzzz's.

Please email mvigues@msn.com if you have any questions and remember we are always looking for donations.

October Delivery

This month was a big success. We delivered many needed items to the orphanage and it would not have been possible with two big donations that came from the United States. We need to send a big overseas thank you to:

- Mother & daughter business partners, Conchy Bretos & Pilar Carvajal from MIA Consulting. They sent a $300 USD donation and are planning to donate again very soon.

- Newlywed couple Marta & Connor Kirsch from New York City. At their recent wedding they opted to make a $400 USD donation to the program in lieu of wedding favors for guests. What a great idea! We are really happy they did. Above is a photo of the card they distributed to the guests at the wedding.

Along with Sante's monthly donation we were able to buy all these great things:

- Diapers (700)

- Soy Formula (5 cans)

- Baby Bottles (20)

- Baby Bottle Nipples (20)

- Baby Bumbo Chairs

- New Cribs for the Nursery (3)

The diapers were delivered today and it came at the perfect time, as they had run out. The babies are hopefully comfy and cozy in the diapers right now.

The new cribs arrive on Friday and I hope to be there for the delivery to take photos of the updated nursery.

Until next time....and thank you to our supporters.

Here are some pictures from our visits this month:

Delivery with Love

Today I made a special delivery at the orphanage. I had a couple of friends in town that donated many wonderful items to the babies and older children at the orphanage. I would like to give a special thanks to the following people:

- Iida and Lara Vienings (pictured above)

- Elias Family

- Martha Vera & Family

Thanks to these wonderful families we were able to deliver the following items:

- Soy Formula (4 cans)

- Baby Blankets (2)

- Baby Chairs (2)

- Bouncy Exercise Balls (2)

- Girl's Clothing (2 large boxes)

- Boy's Clothing (1 large box)

- Books (1 large box)

- Toys (1 large box)

- Play Baby Stroller (1)

September Delivery

This month we would like to thank Sante for their monthly donation, as well as it's clients for donating clothing items. Our September donation included the following:

- Diapers (445)

- Regular Baby Formula (4 extra large cans)

- Clothing Items (28)

- Socks (1 pair)

- Bibs (2)

- Washcloths (2)

Next month will be very exciting...we have received two significant donations from the USA (another post on the details later) and we will be able to buy some big ticket items. The orphanage has asked for:

- Bumbo Chairs

- Plastic Bibs

- Cribs

- Sheets

If you have any of these items and would like to donate please email mvigues@msn.com. You are also free to donate cash and be assured the money will go straight to these items.

August Delivery

This month we would like to thank the Parada Family (pictured above) for making a large in-kind donation with many items for all the babies to enjoy. Along with Sante's monthly donation we were able to deliver the following items:

- Diapers (322)

- Soy Baby Formula (2 cans)

- Regular Baby Formula (1 can)

- Shoes (5 pairs)

- Clothing Items (33)

- Socks (10 pairs)

- Baby Bottles (6)

- Toys (18)

- Blankets (3)

- Bib (1)

- Changing Pad (1)

Next month they have asked us for some baby blankets in addition to our usual items.

Here are some photos we took this month of the outside of the facilities. They just painted and refurbished some playground equipment. It looks much nicer now!

Party To Benefit Orphanage

Rua D' Arte is sponsoring "Then 'n Now" Parties. These parties will be regularly scheduled and each party will benefit a local charity. The first party will benefit Infantario 1º de Maio. Here are the details:

Date: August 7, 2009

Time: 19:00

Place: Rua D'Arte (Maputo, Mozambique)

Pass along the information to friends and make sure you attend.

For more information please email then.n.now.party@gmail.com

Bonus Delivery

This month there was a bonus delivery. They were in need of cooking oil and a pot to make the baby cereal. So I dropped it off today. They were very grateful. Luka and I made the delivery and it gave him a chance to visit everyone and say hello. They can't believe how big he is.

He also got to play on the new playground equipment!

July Delivery

This month we had a donation from overseas. Thank you Oma Stolk (JJ's Grandmother)! Together with Santé's monthly donation we were able to buy:

- Diapers (500)

- Soy Baby Formula (6 cans)

- Replacement Nipples for Bottles (6)

- Baby Cereal (9 boxes)

- Baby & Toddler Shoes (20 pairs)

- Large Plastic Serving Bowls (2)

They still need cooking oil and a pot to make the soup and cereal for the babies. They have to share with the rest of the kids at the orphanage and with so many babies at the moment it might be easier to have their own. I will buy one tomorrow and make an additional delivery this month.

June Delivery

I would like to my friend Salut this month. Since I was away on holiday she took the time to buy the goods and make the delivery. Thank you my friend!

With her hard work and and Santé's monthly contribution we were able to buy:

- Diapers (126)

- Soy Baby Formula (3 cans)

- Regular Formula (10 cans)

- Portable Electric Range (1)

- Washcloths (50)

- Small spoons (36)

Total Spent = 5,746 MZN = $205 USD

May Delivery

Thank you to Santé and the Engelhard Family for their donations this month. We delivered the following items to the orphanage:

- Diapers (600)

- Soy Baby Formula (9 cans)

- Regular Baby Formula (5 cans)

- Stuffed Animal Donation

Total Spent = 2,116.70 ZAR = $255 USD

April Delivery

Thank you to Santé and my friends from Spain for their generous contributions this month:

- Diapers (555)

- Soy Baby Formula (9 cans)

- Regular Baby Formula (5 cans)

- Electric Razors to cut babies' hair (2)

- Bottle Sterilizers (2)

- Sterilizing Fluid (2 bottles)

- Baby Bottles (9)

Total Spent = 2,709.25 ZAR = $325 USD

This month my friend Salut went with me to make the delivery. Here are some photos from our visit:

My Birthday Donation to My Friends at Primeiro de Maio

Dear Friends at Primeiro de Maio -

This week I turned two years old. My mommy and daddy threw me a big party but since I am a very lucky boy and I have everything I can possibly need I asked mommy to talk to my friends and ask them that instead of bringing a present for me, if they could bring some presents for you guys!

I remember when I was there we needed formula, diapers and food. So here is my present to you:

- Diapers (440)

- Soy Baby Formula (2 cans)

- Regular Baby Formula (2 cans)

- Maize meal (one BIG bag)

- Baby Clothes

- Canned goods

Thank you to all my friends that brought all these great presents!

To my friends at the orphanage, please make sure to eat all your food and get plenty of rest. I visit you very soon. I also posted a photo so you can see how much I have changed since the day mommy and daddy brought me home.

Love,

Luka

March Delivery

Thank you to Santé for increasing their donation amount again this month. A thank you also goes out to Maputo's Grupo Latino and the Spear Family for their generous donations this month. We were able to deliver these items to the orphanage:

- Diapers (338)

- Soy Baby Formula (11 cans)

- Baby Bottles (3)

- Bananas

Total Spent = 1,567.05 ZAR = $188 USD

February Delivery

This month we realized that buying the products in Maputo can prove to be very expensive. From now on we will try to purchase the items in South Africa. This way we can stretch the dollars as far as possible. This month we delivered:

- Diapers (182)

- Soy Baby Formula (2 cans)

Total Spent = 2,000 MZN = $72 USD

When we arrived at the orphanage for the delivery we noticed the babies looked much better than on our first visit a couple of months ago. The two babies that are lactose intolerant and are now receiving soy formula are growing and looking much healthier.

Santé has also agreed to send a weekly delivery of fresh fruits so that they can make fruit puree for the babies. Thank you Sante!

January

This month there was not a delivery as Nadia and I were both on holiday and out of town. We are hoping to have someone to hand off the program to in the future when we are out of town so that we don't have to skip a month.