The last day in Kenya....

...is always completely crazy. The list of things we have to do is very long, including taking more pictures of sponsored kids, the lunch program, going to the bank, buying more de-worming medicine and completing physicals on kids who just arrived yesterday.

Yesterday was also full of tying up loose ends. We prioritized kids who need sponsors, labeled hundreds of pictures, visited the Dagoretti School, organized, planned, and generally ran around like we were running out of time. Yesterday all of the children of HH also received eye exams and were tested for color blindness. Edward, one of the deaf boys who has also lost eye sight in one eye seems to be color blind. Poor kid! I wonder how many more obstacles he's going to have to overcome. The good news is that this week he's been wearing his glasses, but really he's only wearing them because I'm here. He is so worried about breaking them normally, that he's afraid to wear them. No amount of talking can convince him that I know he's careful and it's ok to wear them all year. I'll try again today though.

As soon as possible, I'll be writing a much more detailed report of everything we have done and found. We are all shocked that only a few kids are in need of glasses, that more aren't sick, and that only about 6 preschool kids need to be de-wormed. We assumed the numbers of kids who needed help medically would be much higher given the circumstances. Much of this week has been focused on medical issues. We are so glad to be able to have a nurse with us to talk to the girls with epilepsy and migraines about their medication. Both started taking their medications after learning how it would help and the best way to take it in order to avoid side effects. That alone has made the trip worthwhile.

The rest of this week after I return home will be full of organizing pictures, returning emails, and writing reports. Thanks to everyone who has emailed and who supports this school! You are all the greatest!

Great News!

Baby Hua's medical care is fully funded! What a huge blessing so many people have given this baby. Little Hua is now in Hefei in an incubator. He is receiving special formula for preemies and seems to be getter stronger every day. He still needs to learn to eat on his own, but the long road he has ahead of him would never have been possible without all of our donors! We will continue to update you as we have more information.

We have started receiving donations for baby Cong also. She is almost one year old and has serious heart issues. Thank you to everyone who has donated for her care so far!! We still need $3,910 to fully fund her surgery.

There are so many other babies we know about who need medical care....2 babies who need cleft surgery, one who has a BIG tumor removed from her bottom and needs extensive after care....all of these babies are precious. And, with your help they are all getting the care they deserve!

Kari Fillmore

Children in Need

Angel Covers learns about so many beautiful children who need our help on a daily basis. Sometimes we are contacted directly by an orphanage, sometimes we learn of children through other organizations. Always the children are in desperate need.

In the past week, we have been contacted by Love Without Boundaries about 2 babies who desperately need our help. Cong is an adorable little girl in the Anhui province of China who has serious problems with her heart. Cong is almost 1 year old and needs to have heart surgery to fix a VSD, ASD, and Tricuspid Regurgitation as soon as possible. We are working to raise the $4,210 needed to complete her surgery and give her a strong, healthy body as soon as possible.

Angel Covers has also agreed to help find supporters for Hua. Hua was born prematurely on January 15, weighing only 1 KG. Knowing how expensive intensive care can be, the orphanage tried to keep Hua in an incubator at the orphanage, but quickly realized he needs more care and a special formula. Love without Boundaries asked Angel Covers to help. Approximately $3,000 is needed for Hua's care. Because $1,200 has already been raised, Hua was transferred to Hefei and is receiving the care he needs.

If you are interested in helping either of these sweet babies, please go to http://www.angelcovers.org/donation.html to make a donation. You may put the child's name you are donating for in the memo section and we will make sure your donation is used for the baby you stated. You may also send donations to Love Without Boundaries. Regardless of where you send your donation, you will receive updates telling you how your baby is doing.

Thank you for your support of these children! We are grateful for everything you do for children around the world.

Kari Fillmore