Newsletter: September 2006
Hi there everyone,
Topics:
1- Legal status of the Honduran based foundation
2- Fundraising Activities
3- Update on Miguel
4- November Plan
1- Legal status of the Honduran based foundation:
As of this past week we are in the next to the last phase of the process. With the change of governments at the beginning of this year and the normal Honduran slowdowns, the process has taken longer than anyone expected. There are some changes they are asking for with the statutes and those are being made. Once this is done, the government workers can do the final review and sign the document. It then goes to the top government dog for approval and then we are almost done. I am anticipating it will be done sometime before year’s end. I pray it will happen before December but am trying to be realistic. Once we have our legal status, we can begin to ask for funding from those living within the country.
2- Fundraising Activities:
Jaimes, Janice and their team of volunteers at the Phoenix Foundation have been very busy working concession stands at the St. Louis Cardinals baseball stadium to raise money for Walking With Children. Jaimes says it is a lot of hard work but when you are done you feel like you’ve done something that is making a difference. All of the concession stands are staffed by volunteers trying to raise money for their favorite charity. Jaimes suggests others check out their local professional teams to see if they have a program similar to St Louis. It sounds like a fun time with friends and you can help us keep this work going as well.
At the end of September, the Phoenix Foundation will be holding a “house warming” party for Walking With Children at the home of Cheryl and Mario Tricoci in Chicago. Cheryl was here for the inauguration with her son and has been helping us with fundraising since her return. I appreciate their willingness to open their home for this event and for the passion and love Cheryl has for those living with HIV/AIDS. We look forward to seeing what donations we receive from this event. Thank you to both Jaimes and Cheryl for their hard work putting this event together.
On September 29th, Grand Rapids will be holding their annual AIDS walk with donations being received from the local community and area churches. Walking With Children was chosen to be one of the recipient organizations of the event due to the local connection (members of the satellite teams and I are from Grand Rapids) and their desire to support the global HIV/AIDS community. Thank you to the Grand Rapids Satellite Team and the local West MI ANAC chapter for suggesting Walking With Children receive 10% of the donations from this event. This support will be a huge blessing.
The Wisconsin Team led by Mary Busalacchi has been busy working with CAMO (a Honduran and US based organization) to ship our in-kind donations to Honduras. Mary and Suellyn are going to Cleveland on the 22nd to meet with the director of the organization and to see how to prepare the donations for shipping. Thank you for all of your hard work in collecting, packaging and getting these items ready for shipping.
Michelle’s family has been busy selling Honduran coffee to help us raise money. I think they must drink a lot of coffee in Wisconsin because they have sold quite a bit. Thank you Jodi and Matt for your passion for Honduras.
Thank you to the West MI ANAC chapter for their donation.
Thank you to Mary and Rick for sending the antiretroviral donation as the medicine has helped many children in need and has secured that Miguel will have medicine for the next two months at least.
Thank you to Leonie Webster (my British midwife friend) J for showing the Walking With Children project description to her church. We never know what God has in store for us. I am glad to have you here in Honduras. Blessings!
3- Update on Miguel:
As with most adolescents life is full of its ups and downs and unexpected changes. Miguel is no exception to the rule. It is good to know that he is developing like any other normal teen despite living with HIV. Miguel’s challenges have always been his reaction to his past and all of the abandonment and abuse issues he has had to face. He desires to be part of a family but is unsure what that really entails and if he can trust enough to feel safe. He is lucky to have Jaimes in his life and so many people who love him and want to see him succeed. My challenges are I am learning on the fly how to care for an adolescent Honduran boy. We both have much to learn.
Thankfully, I have a very good friend with years of experience raising her 5 children who has been helping with Miguel’s care. She and I are working with the psychologist on a behavior modification program in hopes of helping Miguel with his transition to independence. His recent goal is to study auto mechanics at the local technical school next year and continue high school. Miguel’s health continues to remain stable and he is receiving his antiretroviral therapy through the governments program on a monthly basis. Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for Miguel.
4- November Plan:
As I mentioned in my last update, my hopes were to be able to go to the national ANAC conference this year.The West MI ANAC chapter even offered to sponsor my room and board for the trip. However, I have made a decision to make the trip to Michigan in November instead of going to the conference. I think the money will be better spent on other foundation activities.
My goals for the trip are to begin the development of the Walking With Children 5013c, find a professional fundraiser who can support our efforts, visit with friends and family, and do some heavy fundraising and planning. I hope to make some new connections and strengthen some old connections with the goal of coming back to Honduras ready to move this project forward. I am putting together a plan for my trip, have gotten in touch with some people about meeting, and I am hoping to come back here with a strong plan for 2007.
I look forward to hearing back for all of you in the days to come. I also look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in November. Take care and know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued support and for your prayers. We are in this “holding pattern”, one of the most challenging places to be and remain faithful, so we need your prayers. Let’s keep our eyes on His goal. Bye for now.
Peace,
Chris
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