Truly Good News!

I received a letter in the mail this week from UNICEF, one of my favorite organizations.  They announced the encouraging news that the annual death toll for children who die every day from preventable causes has dropped yet again -- from 22,000 a day to 21,000.  As UNICEF says "So today, take a moment to congratulate yourself.  Then tomorrow, let's all get back to work.  Because 21,000 children are still dying each day and that is 21,000 too many."

When I first started working in Haiti in 1983, the estimated number of children dying every day was 32,000.  We've made great progress!  A lot of the credit goes to the tireless village health workers who have taught the mothers how to make oral rehydration solution out of sugar, salt, and water to save the lives of the babies suffering from diarrhea.  For those of you who might think saving children's lives leads to greater poverty and higher density population, research shows you wrong.  When parents have confidence their children will survive they have smaller families and everyone benefits.

Book Signing

UNICEF hosted a book signing this week in New York for authors Frank LaFasto and Carl Larson who wrote The Humanitarian Leader in Each of Us: 7 choices that Shape a Socially Responsible Life.  I (Sherri) feel deeply honored to be included among the 31 people interviewed for the book.   Amazing stories about people dedicated to changing the world.   It is especially heartwarming to see our Community Health Worker heroes recognized.

Lemonade Entrepreneurs

We have an amazing support group in California!  Some of the kids have become very successful entrepreneurs selling lemonade.  Thanks also to the thirsty golfers who generously supported their efforts.  Great team effort!   The kids in Africa will be thrilled when they see who is working for them.  Many thanks to the sales crew  Jaylene (10), Trysten (8), and Kevin (5).   

Passion is contagious!

Rebecca has recruited another friend to work with her to make friendship bracelets for the orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia.  They have 150 done and expect to have another 150 by the end of Dec. to send with the team going to Zambia in January.  Won't the kids in Zambia be thrilled to receive presents from their new friends in the U.S.!  Presents are few and far between for most of these kids.

We also had a group of children selling lemonade at Camp Buckhorn at a golf fund raiser last week end. They raised $82!  They must have found some very thirsty (or generous) golfers.  If everyone could catch the passion like these kids have, life would be very different for orphans and vulnerable children everywhere.  What a wonderful example they are setting for the rest of us!!

Meet Rebecca!

Rebecca selling earrings she made to raise money for the kids in Zambia.

Rebecca Cummings from Escondido, CA is a very special supporter of the schools in Zambia.  Her mother says she is determined "to make meaningful life connections and a difference in this world" and that helping HealthEd Connect "makes the world so tangible and more like a family."  Rebecca is constantly on the look out for new projects to make money for the kids in Zambia.  She recently earned $52 from selling earrings she made. She left it on a counter to be picked up and when she went to retrieve it the money was gone.  Fortunately, a group of caring adults at church pooled their money and came up with $52 so Rebecca could still make her donation.  She's now making Christmas cards and canvas prints to sell.  Go Rebecca!!!  Think of all the lives she's making brighter by her commitment and entrepreneurship!

Going strong at 87



Ken Savage

Still going strong at 87!  Ken Savage has made hundreds of wooden spoons to measure sugar and salt for the life-saving oral rehydration solution used for babies suffering from diarrhea.  A very accomplished wood worker, Ken has found great satisfaction in lovingly making these little spoons which are now highly valued by countless village women.  Many of the women have shared stories of watching their children die and feeling helpless to save them.  Then they found out about Oral Rehydration Solution that they could make themselves.  Even though they feel more confident making the exact measurements with Ken's spoons, they are also taught to use a three-finger pinch of salt and a palm full of sugar when spoons are not available.  Thank you Ken for saving lives on the other side of the world through your wood working hobby!
P.S.  Ken also thought the women should have personal gifts so he made wooden bookmarks decorated with colorful strings and beads.  Many of the bookmarks now hang proudly on the walls of humble little homes because the women have no books.

SIFE Team announced

Matt Wait with Jac on 2011 SIFE team to Zambia

The six SIFE team members have been named who will be traveling to Zambia in January.  What an awesome crew!! 

Three of the students, Matt Waite, Garrett Shank, and Laura Ferguson have been on previous trips to Zambia.  The other three, Ben Vinck, Sydney Brock, and Kylie Bassett bring new skills, enthusiasm and assets to the team.  Another Dream Team!!