Tracey told me to expect it, but I was still unprepared for the happiness and excitement of the children when we broke out the art supplies!
Thanks to Carmen Kuziemsky & Tracey Grabowski, today we planted mango trees!
We were ever so fortunate to have Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farms make a special guest appearance!
 |
Tracey Bell is building walls!
COSO sits on rented land, the lease expires in two years. The plan is for the new orphanage to be located across the street from the current location. They need building materials, and in her generosity Tracey Bell is paying for the walls to be erected on a building.
So far with the help of our generous friends we have been able to provide food, shelter, art supplies, and even make a sizeable contribution to a fruit orchard! The COSO children express their love, appreciation and gratitude with heart felt hugs. While I watched each child colour with their new pencil crayons today, smiling from ear to ear and gifting their artwork to us, I was reminded of how easy it is to become complacent when one has "too much". For the COSO kids having paper, pencil crayons and being able to draw and colour brought out the same level of excitement as a trip to Disneyland might to children at home. It is spectacular to be a part of this.
Wow- it is so exciting to see those cherub faces, and their huge smiles Jodie! Thank you for sharing you journey.
ReplyDeleteDid the orphanage purchase this new site across the road? If so, how much land is there for them to build on? How much did it cost? If they are leasing again, how long is the lease for? Is it donated, or do they have to pay for it?
What is the single biggest need for these children?
I see most are not wearing shoes. Is that by choice or necessity? I can imagine with how hot it is there, it must be hard on those little feet without protection.
Did you take a picture of your new adoptee? I am very happy for you- children make the world a better place to live!
Do they have fresh water available? Is that an orchard they are planting? What kinds of things do they grow? Are you in-land? What do they eat for protien? Do they have medical supplies? First Aid? How faris it from the nearest villiage? Oh- I have a million questions for you, but this should do for now <3 I cannot wait for your next update. God Bless you and Tracy!! Oh- BTW, I have no idea why my ID is showing as Sarah Martens, must be a God thing :)
Hey Normi: Thanks for reading the blog! And thanks for the questions. The orphanage has made a deposit on the land across the road but it's not paid for. I believe it was $8000 but I don't know why I think that. I'll double check with Somnang. It was NOT donated. No one gives anything away here - so much poverty, and no government funding. I think the biggest need for the children will always be for food. They don't all own shoes, they prefer flip flops, and they don't all own flip flops or even a full change of clothes. I've bought a lot of clothes, etc. here for Sophat and will go home and start rounding up gently used items (shoes, t-shirts, shorts) of all sizes to send back. I am going to write a blog about my new son Sophat tomorrow. COSO does have a well, but no showers or baths, so they get very dirty as it is very dry and dusty here. You are right, it is an orchard and garden they are planting. Today we planted mangos. I'm not sure what else will be planted, but I can find out. I guess we could always send seeds from home! You'd know what's best for this climate. We are inland in Siem Reap. They eat rice, sausage, fish for the most part. I brought along a very small first aid kit that Teresa (you know Teresa, I'm sure) sent for me and I've already used it twice. They definitely need more medicine. COSO is 7 kms from the Siem Reap which is a beautiful city. I encourage you to consider coming back here with me. Airfare was approximately $1500 and I am staying in a nice, clean hotel for $30/night. Food is inexpensive and quite tasty! We can get together when we are both home. Your horticulture skills and your loving heart would be a God send for COSO.
ReplyDeleteJodie...absolutely loved your pics. Thank you for posting them. What I notice the most is the huge smiles on the kids faces. Our children here at home could learn a lot from these kids. You look absolutely radiant working with them. Wish I could help more. When I see it in pictures it makes it so real.
ReplyDeleteHow long are you there for? Will it be hard for you to leave? Imagine you being a new 'mom' again! I love the name...Sophat. Is this the same idea as being a sponsor? Will it continue on until he's grown? You are a wonderful and giving person. A good lesson to us all.
Thanks so much.
Kath