I volunteer with an organization that works in the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help provide care for orphans and vulnerable children. Tumaini/Reeds of Hope specifically works with children whose mothers have died and whose families are temporarily (and in some cases permanently) unable to care for them.
The purpose of Reeds of Hope is to care for children during the critical infant/toddler years (when a can of formula can cost more than several months wages)...literally saving these children from death. Children are reunited with their families as soon as possible, usually by age 5 and ideally between 1-2 years old. In some circumstances, these children are not able to return to their families (and they are not eligible for adoption for a variety of reasons) so Reeds of Hope provides for their ongoing care and school fees.
Tumaini/Reeds of Hope was founded by a dedicated and capable woman, Holly Mulford, who lived in the DRC for 4 years and adopted twin daughters while she and her husband (who was the in-country director for the NGO Food for the Hungry) and two (slightly!) older children were living there. Her tireless work through Reeds of Hope has transformed the orphanage.
There was already a main donor for the orphanage. But because of trouble fully funding the orphanage's needs, the babies were not getting full strength formula, they were not getting any formula after 6 months old, little to no milk was given to any child over age 6 months, and there were about 2 mamas (caregivers) to 30-45 babies and toddlers! This meant children couldn't sit by age 14 months or walk by age 2 1/2 because of malnourishment and under-stimulation.
Reeds of Hope provides sponsorships that provide formula for babies, fortified milk for toddlers, school fees for older children, and 7 additional mamas to care for the children, and is fully funded by donations. All funds (minus the Children's Hope Chest processing fees) are directly used for orphan care in the DRC. There was recently a significant influx of infants to the orphanage (because the local Congolese are beginning to recognize that children at the orphanage are now living and thriving and getting the care they need during the critical early years when formula/feeding/infant care is often financially, emotionally, and logistically impossible for the grieving single fathers and extended family).
We need your help to continue serving these children:
Tumaini/Reeds of Hope is almost done with its 501c3 certification, but in the meantime, is accepting tax-deductible donations through Children's Hope Chest. Please consider supporting these vulnerable children and families. Your gift can literally make the difference between life and death!
PLEASE DONATE
Ababa and I are making it our mission for the summer to try and raise the fall school fees. This is a huge stretch for us but we are going to try. So...stay tuned for info regarding a tag sale:-) If you are not local to NYC, or don't need any more stuff:-) we would be thrilled if you would consider making a donation here just post "August School Fees" in the notes section.
The purpose of Reeds of Hope is to care for children during the critical infant/toddler years (when a can of formula can cost more than several months wages)...literally saving these children from death. Children are reunited with their families as soon as possible, usually by age 5 and ideally between 1-2 years old. In some circumstances, these children are not able to return to their families (and they are not eligible for adoption for a variety of reasons) so Reeds of Hope provides for their ongoing care and school fees.
Tumaini/Reeds of Hope was founded by a dedicated and capable woman, Holly Mulford, who lived in the DRC for 4 years and adopted twin daughters while she and her husband (who was the in-country director for the NGO Food for the Hungry) and two (slightly!) older children were living there. Her tireless work through Reeds of Hope has transformed the orphanage.
There was already a main donor for the orphanage. But because of trouble fully funding the orphanage's needs, the babies were not getting full strength formula, they were not getting any formula after 6 months old, little to no milk was given to any child over age 6 months, and there were about 2 mamas (caregivers) to 30-45 babies and toddlers! This meant children couldn't sit by age 14 months or walk by age 2 1/2 because of malnourishment and under-stimulation.
Reeds of Hope provides sponsorships that provide formula for babies, fortified milk for toddlers, school fees for older children, and 7 additional mamas to care for the children, and is fully funded by donations. All funds (minus the Children's Hope Chest processing fees) are directly used for orphan care in the DRC. There was recently a significant influx of infants to the orphanage (because the local Congolese are beginning to recognize that children at the orphanage are now living and thriving and getting the care they need during the critical early years when formula/feeding/infant care is often financially, emotionally, and logistically impossible for the grieving single fathers and extended family).
We need your help to continue serving these children:
- 14 more partial sponsors at $25/month (or just 7 more sponsors at $50/month)
- $1700 for school fees for more than 80 children (the trimester that begins in August). This includes high school and university fees for a few older children, as well as books, uniforms, and tuition for younger children.
Tumaini/Reeds of Hope is almost done with its 501c3 certification, but in the meantime, is accepting tax-deductible donations through Children's Hope Chest. Please consider supporting these vulnerable children and families. Your gift can literally make the difference between life and death!
PLEASE DONATE
Ababa and I are making it our mission for the summer to try and raise the fall school fees. This is a huge stretch for us but we are going to try. So...stay tuned for info regarding a tag sale:-) If you are not local to NYC, or don't need any more stuff:-) we would be thrilled if you would consider making a donation here just post "August School Fees" in the notes section.
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