Conversation with Project Restore

Home is Where the Heart is...

2011-02-17T12:35:00.003-06:00

It's your average Thursday here in Glen Carbon/Edwardsville, Illinois. Except it's 60 degrees in the middle of February. Warm weather after a very cold winter always makes me nostalgic... Especially when the majority of what I think about it Africa. I remember David telling me that in Namulonge, they see the sun 350 days out of the year. It isn't overwhelmingly hot there, but comfortable. I also remember one day it sprinkled for awhile, and it felt so refreshing so a few of the team members were standing in it or playing around, and the kids were baffled. They tried to pull me back under the awning, saying that I would get sick if I stay in the rain. It's the little memories like that which make you miss Africa.

I had the pleasure of talking to Jude, my Ugandan nephew, on the phone this past Tuesday. As soon as I heard his voice I started to tear up, and I am not a crier. It's silly how little time it takes for you to actually forget what their accents sound like, and how beautiful they are. All Jude kept repeating to me was "I can't wait to come to America!". I also got to speak to my favorite little girl, I know I know, you're not supposed to pick favorites... but I did. Anyway, she became attached to me after I interviewed her for a project we were doing. The day after I interviewed her, she took me aside and told me that she had lied during her interview, that she didn't live with her parents, and that she was orphaned because of AIDS. It was heartbreaking. It is bad enough to see commercials on TV with some person saying, "This is Marsha, she was orphaned when she was just 6 months old because her parents died of AIDS"- but to actually have a child say it to your face, to see them cry because they are still mourning that loss is completely life changing. She wrote me a letter, telling me she was grateful that God gave her a new mother... When I spoke to her on the phone, she told me she wanted to come to America to be with me. It is little girls like Hanifah that make you want to change the world.

An Elevator and a Cowhorn

2011-02-04T10:24:00.003-06:00

I traveled to Africa for the first time this last November with the group. I have a hundred stories I could share with you about my time there. It is very hard to choose. I thought I would go with what turned out to be my favorite two days there.

Here are some things you need to know about me...

1. I have wanted to go to Africa since I was a little girl (thank you Jane Goodall).

2. I have always been interested in humanitarian issues.

3. Although I have always been interested in public health issues, I hate hospitals and blood.

I really wasn't sure what exactly I wanted to do in Africa, besides help in any way I could. I decided to volunteer to work in the health clinic in the village. I knew I would be interested in health issues that affect the area, the rate of HIV, or Malaria, or any other problems. I was assigned to assist Dr. Dave Guilbeault who was going to train two nurses to extract teeth. I thought I was going to hand him gauze and be bored to death. That didn't matter to me, because I would be in Africa.

On the second day of the trip I'm at the clinic, mostly observing the nurses work while Dr. Dave went to Kampala to pick up supplies. I watch them test pregnant women for HIV so they can give them medications to try and save the babies from contracting it. I witness a women give birth in a room with no electricity and no door and then sent home three hours later with her baby, who still needed cleaned off. At the end of the day I realize I don't want to leave, I love it there.

The next day I started assisting Dr. Dave. The first thing I learned was that pulling teeth is like pulling a fence post out of the ground. I quickly learned the names of the instruments (elevators and cowhorns, etc.) I learned how to fill a syringe. I learned where to give the laticane depending on which tooth is being pulled. I learned the names of each tooth and how many roots they have. I held the flashlight, since we were working in the shade under a tree outside the clinic. I watched Dr. Dave be an incredible teacher not only to the nurses but to me as well. I watched two nurses eager to learn and help out their fellow villagers.

Dozens and dozens of people came to get a tooth extracted. They sat outside all day, both days, for a chance to be seen. I was walking or working from sun up to sun down and loved every minute of it. I can't remember the last time I learned so much.

Here is what I learned about me:

1. I don't hate all hospital and clinics, there is at least one that I love!

2. I can get use to blood and medical procedures.

Dr. Dave asked me if it had lived up to my expectations and I said "Are you kidding? I though I would be handing you gauze." I had the time of my life extracting teeth! Who would of thought! I was sad when Dr. Dave left and I would not get to help extract teeth anymore. I might have even found a potential career.

When I got home everyone I told about this part of my adventure was surprised to hear about the joy I found in it. It is nice to know that at age 39 I can still surprise myself and others. Helping others in need is not only about what they receive but what you receive as well. In this respect it is hard to know who got more out of this trip, the people of Namulonge or myself.

Namulonge Secondary School's first swing set

2011-01-06T18:13:00.023-06:00

Pastor Mark and the best carpenter in Namulonge (maybe Africa) as well as teachers from the school (Isaac and David) constructed the first swing set the kids have ever seen on the school grounds. Most of the work was done without electricity (we call our friend Paul and he provided a generator from the Research Center where he works.) The children took turns swinging until late in the evening. Thank you all for all of your hard work !!!!!!!

Books for the children of Namulonge, Uganda

2011-01-06T15:38:00.012-06:00

Loading, hauling, separating, categorizing, storing, reloading, re-hauling, and unloading again in K.C was more that worth it (see the photos above of the happy children and teachers:) Thanks to Catherine (who also handled just about all of the books) and everyone else who assisted in this worthwhile endeavor ! I am missing my family and friends in Uganda and praying that I'll be able to help Project Restore even more in 2011 and to return to Namulonge in August to be with and to help the people of the area in any way that I can. This year's team was GREAT and I hope that we can keep in touch as the year progresses and again serve in Uganda together !

7 months until August!

2011-01-04T13:07:00.004-06:00

Hello friends!

I am blogging in the PR office, we are hard at work! It has been almost 2 months since we went to Namulonge, Uganda, and I miss it very much. Going to Namulonge was definitely the experience of a lifetime... one I hope to repeat in August! I would recommend that everyone should try to experience Africa, because there is no place like it. Their hospitality and kindness was amazing, and inspiring. Just how happy everyone was with what they had really makes you realize just how much you take for granted... like simple things: shoes, phone and internet.. The children are the happiest children I've ever seen, and they don't have video games, gameboys, cell phones, or boxes full of toys. I also noticed how greedy most of us are (or me, at least), we have to have everything but we don't really need any of it! It makes you analyze the true definition of the word "necessity".

Since I returned from Namulonge I have been trying to write letters to two very special children there, but for some reason I have been having a hard time deciding what to say. One of the hardest parts of Africa was not being able to adequately express yourself because of the language barrier. Our slang terms simply do not translate, and even words like "cute" are hard to explain.

On one hand, coming to work at the office is so great, because we all became a sort of family in Uganda, and it is nice to be around them again and remember great stories and help do some of the other work for Project Restore. On the other hand, it sort of makes me sad because we are here, in the US, and not back home in Africa.

Those are just a few pictures from Africa... who knows, maybe in a few months you will join us to meet the wonderful people there :)

-Rachel

Pictures from Africa

2010-12-21T10:21:00.004-06:00

The 2010 trip to Africa was a huge success! There were thirteen teammates that worked on some pretty exciting projects:
- repairing of a broken water well
- connecting a clean water line to the Health Clinic
- distributing 1800 LLIN (mosquito nets)
- hosting medical and dental clinics
- building a 500 roost chicken coop - a sustainable feeding program for the school
- building a swing set for the kids at the Namulonge Senior Secondary School - something they had never seen before!

Check out some of the pictures from the trip!
A water Well fixed in Namulonge, Uganda

1800 double sized LLIN (mosquito nets) were distributed - giving universal coverage to 9 villages!

Dr. Anne and Brandon hosted medical orientations for the staff at the Namulonge Health Clinic and attended to over 75 patients

Dr. Dave and Sherri trained two nurses on basic dental procedures

There are many more pictures from the trip at
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2076776&id=1298979660&1=7b350ef581

Traveling Team

2010-11-21T01:10:00.004-06:00

The Project Restore Africa team of 13 left St. Louis on November 20th. They have landed in Amsterdam and are awaiting their flight to Entebbe, Africa. Spirits are high despite the lack of sleep. The team will try to blog about their work over the next 10 days if they are able to access the internet. So stay tuned and check out their progress and hopefully some pictures!

600 Pounds of Hope

2010-11-14T21:10:00.007-06:00

The tweleve team members leaving for Africa this Saturday filled twelve extra suitcases PACKED with donated items . . . school supplies, shoes, swings, clothing, medical supplies, sports balls, musical instruments, thousands of bandaids and much, much more! On November 20th, the 50-lb. each bags will take 3 airplanes over 2 days to reach the people of Uganda . . . restoring hope in the lives of many hurting men, women and children in Namulonge!!!

Twin Echo Elementary Bandage Collection

2010-11-13T13:36:00.005-06:00

The students at Twin Echo Elementary in Collinsville, Illinois had a busy October collecting bandages of all shapes, sizes and colors for Project Restore. They took the challenge head-on to help Project Restore collect 100,000 bandages to take to the medical clinic in Uganda this November . . . and what a dent they made! Thank you to all the administration, staff, students and parents for your kindness and generosity...what a difference you will make in the lives of thousands of hurting people!!!

20,292 BANDAGES COLLECTED

= 20,292 HURTS HEALED
one bandage at a time

Malaria Net Goal Exceeded!

2010-11-10T11:42:00.004-06:00

Thank you to everyone who generously donated to Project Restore's Countdown to Hope.

Together through this campaign we raised over 1000 nets!

This November we will take your nets as well as 800 more raised over the past year and distribute them to individuals in Namulonge. While our goal was to cover 80% of the village, our net count will enable us to cover every single person as well as share the additional nets with a neighboring village.

We are incredibly excited to travel to Namulonge next week and restore hope to so many people! We invite you to sign up for our e-newsletter so we can send you photos and updates of the net distribution and more when we return.

Sincerely,

Sarah

Healing Namulonge, Uganda one band-aid at a time!

2010-11-07T07:36:00.002-06:00

Worden Elementary of Worden, IL collected bandages of all shapes, sizes and styles for a medical clinic in Namulonge, Uganda that serves over 35,000 villagers but has no bandages. Members of Worden's Student Council designed posters to display around the school to promote the collection and set a goal of 5,000 bandages. Week after week, bandages were counted and displayed on a large graph near the front of the school. At the end of week 3, the grand total was 14,120 bandages!

Mrs. Feco's 5th grade class collected the highest percentages of bandages and will receive a popcorn party to celebrate! A team with Project Restore will be taking the bandages directly to the clinic in November.

Thank you Worden! YOU ROCK!

A Jumbo Problem

2010-10-06T09:34:00.003-05:00

The children that will die today from malaria would fill 7 jumbo jets.

Malaria is the world's single largest killer of children. In Africa, most children have no hope of preventing the disease because they do not have access to medical care.

You can't provide these children with medical care, but you can save a child from malaria. All it takes is a long-lasting insecticidal bed net. And all it costs is $5.

Donating is simple, but the impact is immeasurable. Just visit our page at Against Malaria and click "Donate Now": http://www.AgainstMalaria.com/ProjectRestoreNamulonge

Every penny of your donation will purchase nets. And every net donated will be personally distributed by Project Restore to an individual in Namulonge, Uganda this November. So far we have distributed 1300 nets to the village. If we provide 600 more during this trip we will have covered 80% of Namulonge. 80% is the magic number needed to see a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of malaria in a village. Together, we have the power to make this difference.

Please help us restore hope.

http://www.AgainstMalaria.com/ProjectRestoreNamulonge
...The deadline for donations is November 1st...

453 NETS TO GO,

Sarah

Namulonge 2009

2010-09-29T18:16:00.005-05:00

Today I wanted to share with you some photos from Project Restore's trip to Namulonge, last November. During this trip we distributed hundreds of nets to hundreds of people in the village. These photos capture the joy and hope these individuals received along with their nets. While many people in Namulonge are protected from malaria thanks to generous net donations, over 600 men, women and children in the village remain at risk. You can save a life with your donation. PLEASE DONATE AT http://www.AgainstMalaria.com/ProjectRestoreNamulonge

574 Nets to Go,

Sarah

Rachel's Story

2010-09-22T10:35:00.005-05:00

One girl. One mission. 127 lives saved. Rachel's story demonstrates the power YOU have to make a difference.

For the past two years through Facebook and Twitter I have asked for mosquito nets for my birthday. Not for myself, but for the people of Namalongue Uganda, Africa.

I have always been compelled to do whatever I can to make a different in this world. Hearing through Project Restore about the need for mosquito nets and the power they have to saves lives, I was inspired.

It started with a goal of 5 mosquito nets, and that grew to 25 nets. Friends gave above and beyond anything I expected. The response was overwhelm

ing. 40 people contributed to my mosquito net drive that I held the week before my birthday for the past two years. 127 nets were purchased.

Translation, 127 lives saved by 40 heroes.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger then me. Malaria is big, but the power and influence that we have within ourselves is much bigger. There is distance in the borders and in the oceans but we are all one.

574 NETS TO GO

Read more about malaria, our mission, and how you can restore hope at project-restore.com

Uganda Needs You!

2010-09-15T00:58:00.008-05:00

Project Restore's Countdown to Hope relies solely on individuals and small groups to help us reach our goal of 600 mosquito nets for Uganda by November.

If you want to make a difference but don't know how, here are a few ideas:

--> Host a party, barbecue, raffle, garage sale, auction, or other event with proceeds going toward mosquito nets.

--> Substitute a net donation for your weekly Starbucks beverage or Subway sandwich. One substitution and your bank account won't notice the difference. One substitution a week and you'll have restored hope to 7 people in desperate need.

--> Set up a change jar, and near the end of October donate your collection to the mosquito net fund.

--> Take up a collection at work. Together, you and your co-workers can restore hope.

--> Ask family and friends to sponsor your own fundraising event against malaria: a walk, a swim, a fast, a basketball shootout, whatever you want. For more ideas click here.

What have you done to restore hope? Send your stories and ideas to: info@project-restore.com and you may see them here.

For more information on the Countdown to Hope, you can now visit our website.

580 Nets to Go,

Sarah

The Countdown Continues...

2010-09-08T09:57:00.002-05:00

Did you know... Malaria is the largest killer of pregnant women.

Today marks week 1 of the Countdown to Hope!

Soon you will be able to read all about our campaign to raise 600 malaria nets on our website and will see posters for the campaign up around our community.

In the meantime, we need your help to spread the word and encourage people to get involved. Heres how:

--Direct your family and friends to this blog. I will continue to post updates on the Countdown to Hope as well as share stories from individuals who have a passion for this cause.

--Join the Project Restore Facebook group and invite your friends. Members of the group will receive updates, information, stories, photos and more. Click here to join!

--Support the Countdown to Hope by RSVPing to the Facebook event (and inviting your friends of course). Click here to RSVP!

--Sign up to receive our E-NEWS letter. Click here to sign up.

--Keep an eye out for our tweets. Follow us on Twitter and receive the latest updates on the Countdown to Hope and our trip to Uganda.

--And of course, if you're able, please donate to the malaria net fund. Visit Project Restore's page at AgainstMalaria.com to donate online. Or send your donation to:

24 Ginger Creek Pkwy

Glen Carbon, IL 62034

Check back soon for our revealing of the new malaria net campaign poster!

580 NETS TO GO,

Sarah

Join the Countdown to Hope

2010-09-01T10:08:00.007-05:00

Hi Friends,

I am Sarah, Project Restore's new Marketing/Communications intern. Today is my first day working with Project Restore, and I am really excited to begin restoring hope around the world.

Project Restore has set a goal to raise money for enough Malaria nets to cover 80% of the village of Namulonge, before our November trip to Uganda. According to Against Malaria, when 80% of individuals in a village are covered with nets, the number of malaria cases decreases dramatically.

This summer we made great progress toward our goal, but we haven't quite reached 80%. I'd like to invite you to join me in as I work to meet our goal and raise the final 600 malaria nets. Through social media, eblasts, posters in our community, and word of mouth I am spreading the word of our endeavor. With your help I know that by November 1st we can add over 600 nets to the supply being distributed throughout Namulonge. Together we can restore health and restore hope.

How can you help?
-Help me spread the word! Invite your family and friends to follow Project Restore on Twitter and Facebook. Share our blog and website links.

-Donate to our Malaria net fund! By visiting our page at AgainstMalaria.com you can purchase a net for only $5.

-If you are wary of making a donation online, please mail your donation to:
24 Ginger Creek Pkwy
Glen Carbon IL 62034

-Fundraise! Groups and individuals have done amazing things to help Project Restore raise money for malaria nets. We'll be sharing some of these stories with you through this blog soon. Get creative and send us your stories at info@project-restore.org.

Check back soon for updates on our Countdown to Hope.

600 NETS TO GO,
Sarah

More shipment pics!

2010-07-25T12:26:00.001-05:00

Africa shipment Received!

2010-07-18T11:53:00.006-05:00

The very first Project Restore donation shipment of text books, library books, school supplies, flip flops, a medical examination table, medical supplies and provisions has been delivered to the Namulonge village in Uganda Africa!

This shipment was put into the shipping container back in December 2009 in Kansas City, MO. Project Restore has developed an amazing partnership with The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist; who ship containers full of materials to different regions of Africa. When there is additional room in one of the Holy Eucharist's containers, The Sisters will allow Project Restore to ‘piggy back’ on their Africa shipment free of charge. Thank you very much Sisters for your continued support and generosity!

The December shipment contained a variety of greatly needed supplies and provisions. Such as:
- Over 800 flip flops donated by the RENDER group of Collinsville, IL for the children at the Namulonge Primary and Senior Secondary School who are currently shoeless.
- In Namulonge, an average of 8 students’ share just one text book and this shipment will provide over 840 text and library books for the students in the Namulonge Primary and Secondary Schools. These books were made available through Budgetext Recyclers and the IL and MO school systems.
- The Holiday Inn, Alton, IL collected 12 boxes of invaluable medical supplies and provisions, 25 pairs of crutches and 2 walkers for the local Namulonge clinic. The clinic services over 35,000 people and struggles to even keep Band-Aids on hand.

Project Restore would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all of the many, many volunteers that made this shipment of donations possible for the people in Namulonge, Uganda! Thank you for those who participated in the solicitation, collecting, sorting, boxing, labeling, logging, loading and transporting all of the 143 boxes of donations, an examination table, walkers and crutches!

Project Restore would also like to thank Budget Mini Storage, Edwardsville IL, who has generously donated 2 storage units to Project Restore for the prior-to-shipping storage needs of these very vital and important donations!

Thank you everyone! What you have accomplished is truly amazing and will make a REAL difference in the lives of the families and children in Namulonge!

CCUMC Youth and Dirty Roots Revolution helping Project Restore!

2010-07-08T08:24:00.004-05:00

Approximately 25 individuals from CCUMC Youth and Dirty Roots Revolution www.dirtyrootsrevolution.com traveled from Indiana on July 7th and spent 4 hours, sometimes in the rain, helping with Project Restore's Renewable Education Program!

In keeping with Project Restore’s core value of self reliance and sustainability, education plays a key role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Project Restore recognizes that increasing access to education must be coupled with improving the quality of education offered. If not, increasing the number of children in school may simply lead to overcrowding, lack of proper supplies, and an unproductive learning environment.

That is why Project Restore has developed The Renewable Education Program. This program helps to spread the gift of education to those who need it most! In Uganda, as in many parts of Africa, an average of seven children shares one textbook, which is often old and outdated. Through the Renewable Education Program, Illinois and Missouri schools donate their text books and library books to Renewed Education instead of recycling and shredding them. The program gives these resources a second chance at making a true difference in a child’s life!

Project Restore has secured valuable partnerships that allows the Renewable Education resources to ‘piggy back’ on available shipments to Africa at no charge to Project Restore. To-date, Project Restore has shipped close to 250 boxes of books, or approximately 3,000 books to schools in Uganda, Cameroon and South Sudan, Africa!

THANK YOU CCUMC Youth and Dirty Roots Revolution in sorting, boxing, processing and labeling an additional 204 boxes for shipment and making a true difference in the lives of thousands of children in Africa! Your team was amazing and awesome!

2010-06-17T18:16:00.004-05:00

2010-05-18T20:45:00.002-05:00

GHISALLO Running Store in U City, MO has donated 68 pairs of running shoes for the families in Namulonge, Uganda! Stop in or call (314) 727-4786 and tell them how AWESOME they are for supporting Project Restore! Thank you GHISALLO!

2010-05-18T20:42:00.002-05:00

A Project Restore team, in partnership with Newsong Fellowship, is heading to Haiti June 5 -10th. The team will be working with relief efforts at the For His Glory (Maison Des Enfants De Dieu) orphanage and the surrounding community of Port au Prince, Haiti. We wish the entire team much success in their efforts and look forward to the reports of their trip upon their return.

2010-05-18T20:37:00.002-05:00

Katie, a second-grader from Edwardsville, IL, heard about Project Restore’s work at a school assembly and was upset to learn that there were children in the world who did not have enough food to eat or milk to drink.

So, even at this young age, Katie decided to get involved and make a difference! All on her own, Katie designed and developed a fundraising program to help Project Restore’s feeding initiatives at the Namulonge Senior Secondary School in Namulonge, Uganda Africa.

Katie started a bookmarker campaign. She designed and sold over 200 bookmarkers and raised $1,000 to buy a milk cow for the Namulonge SS School’s lunch program. She sold her bookmarkers to friends, neighbors, family and even got the opportunity to speak and receive support from the Edwardsville Goshen Rotary club and her church, Newsong Fellowship.

It is Project Restore’s great honor to announce that Katie’s cow was bought from one of the farmers from the village, and was delivered to the Namulonge SS School! When Katie heard the news she said, “I am very happy that kids like me will have milk to drink because everyone knows kids need milk to stay healthy.”

However, Katie is not done! She has already raised an additional $300 to purchase a second milk cow for the school! Project Restore commends her great efforts and selflessness for the children of Namulonge!

Way to go Katie!!

2010-05-18T20:34:00.002-05:00

Did you know a visit to a dentist saves lives?

Ginger Creek Dental, located in Edwardsville, IL, is partnering with Project Restore and has generously agreed to donate 30% of its profit to Project Restore for on-going financial support! * 100% of those donations will go directly to Project Restore’s projects that help relieve the suffering and oppression that overwhelms individuals and communities around the globe while advocating self reliance and self sustainability.

Whether you need routine dental care, orthodontics for you or your child, or surgical care including dental implants, you’ll find that Ginger Creek has competitive rates and a staff of doctors and assistants who are ready to assist you! No other dental office in our community is as committed to providing your family with such outstanding and comprehensive care AND the knowledge that your family’s dental health will also make a life-changing difference for someone else half way around the world!

So call today, get your teeth cleaned and help us save lives! (618) 692.1110

*Gifted when over set standard monthly collections.

2010-05-18T20:33:00.002-05:00

Alton Middle School's National Junior Honor Society involves over 100 students across the school campus who come together to make a difference at their school, in their community and beyond. That is why they chose to help Project Restore raise money to buy Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Malaria Nets (LLIN) to help the families and children in Namulonge, Uganda fight Malaria.

The honor students spent a week visiting classrooms and educating their peers on the threat of Malaria, pointing out that it kills 1-3 million people each year, 70% of them are children under 5 years old and that Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease.

Project Restore provided the students with visual aides, stickers, and even a real Malaria Net to help them with their efforts. The honor students visited over 50 classrooms and raised over 700 dollars! That is enough for at least 140 nets!

A World Vision report states that to have an effective reduction of the Malaria disease on a population, there needs to be at least 80% bed net coverage for the community. In the village of Namulonge, Uganda, Project Restore is half way to that goal and has already distributed 1,300 (LLIN). With Alton Middle School’s AWESOME efforts Project Restore is 140 nets closer to a positive reduction to this devastating disease in Namulonge! Thank you Alton Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society! You are making a real difference, because NO child should die from a mosquito bite. Way to go!!

2010-05-18T18:17:00.001-05:00

Project Restore recently visited a group of 3rd graders at WolfRidge Elementary, Bunker Hill, IL and discussed the many differences between the United States and Uganda, Africa cultures. Jan Miller and Catherine Keck spoke to the children and had hands-on activities for the children to understand the difficult struggles of the people in Uganda; from lack of clean water, starvation, to the need for a strong education and health care systems.

The third graders were currently reading the story Beatrice's Goat by Paige McBrier. This biographical tale is the story of a young girl in Uganda who longs to go to school but her family is too poor to send her. Beatrice's mother soon learns the family is to receive the gift of a goat from "some kindhearted people from far away". The family's future is changed and they are able to sell the goats milk, repair their hut's roof and send Beatrice to school.

The children were very engaged in the assembly and asked many intriguing questions about the life of an African student. After the presentation, the WolfRidge Elementary children felt motivated to help Project Restore in their hunger relief programs. The children held a coin collection rally and raised enough money to buy 2 goats for the Namulonge Senior Secondary School lunch program!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hunger is the single greatest threat to the world's public health. The WHO also states that malnutrition is by far the biggest contributor to child mortality and currently affects more than one billion people, or 1 in 6 people on the planet. However in Namulonge, Project Restore’s feeding program has made significant inroads in eliminating hunger and malnutrition for the students at the Namulonge SS School with purchases of milk cows, pigs, and now two additional goats!

Thank you WolfRidge Elementary for your innate sense of empathy for the world around you! You are a true inspiration to us all and YOU are the ‘kindhearted people from far away’!

One Girl Made A Difference!

2010-04-30T11:52:00.002-05:00

Katie, second-grader, Edwardsville, IL, designed and developed a fundraising program to help Project Restore’s feeding initiatives at the Namulonge Senior Secondary School in Namulonge, Uganda Africa.

Katie heard about Project Restore’s work at a school assembly and she was upset to learn that there were children in the world who did not have enough food to eat or milk to drink.

Even at this young age, Katie decided to get involved and make a difference!

Katie started a bookmarker campaign. She designed and sold over 200 bookmarkers and raised $1,000 to buy a milk cow for the Namulonge SS School’s lunch program. She sold her bookmarkers to friends, neighbors, family and even got the opportunity to speak and receive support from the Edwardsville Goshen Rotary club and her church, Newsong Fellowship.

It is Project Restore’s great honor to announce that Katie’s cow was bought from a local farmer this week and delivered to the Namulonge SS School! When Katie heard the news she said, “I am very happy that kids like me will have milk to drink because everyone knows kids need milk to stay healthy.’

However, Katie is not done! She has already raised an additional $300 to purchase a second milk cow for the school! Project Restore commends her great efforts and selflessness for the children of Namulonge!

Way to go Katie!!

If you would like to support Katie’s cause and purchase a bookmarker, all one-of-a-kind and personally designed by Katie, please e-mail info@project-restore.org

Local Dentist Supports Project Restore

2010-04-20T11:35:00.002-05:00

Project Restore is proud to announce and welcome Ginger Creek Dental, of Glen Carbon, IL, as a supporter. Ginger Creek Dental is a full service dentist office and is committed to giving back to local charities.

The dentist office is donating 30% percentage of its reveune to Project Restore. This financial support will allow Project Restore to make greater strides in making living more than just surviving in Namulonge and other communities around the globe.

You could show your support for Project Restore by simply going to the dentist! Please consider Ginger Creek Dental for your dentistry needs. They can be reached at (618)692-1110.

World Water Day

2010-03-22T17:22:00.002-05:00

World Water Crisis

The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues facing humanity today. Of the nearly 7 billion people on earth, roughly 1.1 billion lack access to clean, safe drinking water. It’s estimated that insufficient clean water accounts for 2.5 million deaths per year–90% of which are children under 5 years old.

Today we pause to think about those who lack access to clean water. We take time to engage in conversation about the problem, and most importantly, the solution.

But the water crisis facing this world is bigger than one day of conversation.

Join our ongoing discussion at
www.project-restore.org

On May 22, 2010 Project Restore will host it's 3rd annual Walk4Water.

We will walk. So they don't have to.

For more information, or to register go to

http://www.project-restore.org/walk-for-water/

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Haiti Orphanage on CNN

2010-01-22T15:08:00.001-06:00

For His Glory Orphanage is an orphanage in Port au Prince Haiti that cares for an average of 125-130 children and a partner of Project Restore.

Anderson Cooper has invited Pierre, the director of For His Glory Orphanage, to be on the Haiti Telethon on CNN tonight!!!

Check it out!

2010-01-19T08:27:00.004-06:00

Dear Project Restore Friends,

Project Restore is heartbroken by the news of the massive 7.0 earthquake that struck west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The death toll range is estimated to be as high as 500,000. A Washington DC journalist writes “The dead decomposing bodies are everywhere. Big buildings fell. Entire villages have disappeared, Just piles of rubble. Just massive devastation.”

Hospitals, schools and government offices are destroyed. The country’s infrastructure has been decimated. Families have lost their homes, along with everything they own. Hundreds of thousands are living without shelter, water, food, security and any of the basic needs for survival. Project Restore is compelled to join in this fight to help relieve the suffering and misery in Haiti. Our commitment to Haiti extends beyond our immediate response to this disaster. We ask that you run this race alongside us! We encourage everyone to continue to watch the news, get the facts, pray and take action!

YOU have an opportunity to make a difference in Haiti!

There are several ways you can get involved. Project Restore has partnerships with three organizations that are in-country. We want to help raise responsiveness and funding for their efforts. Our Haiti partners are;

Honor and Respect Foundation of Haiti- Is a foundation chartered to raise awareness and financial support for grassroots groups based in poor communities in Haiti dedicated to achieving social justice, universal education, participatory democracy and economic self-sufficiency. Honor and Respect Foundation has set up a triage hospital at Matthew 25 house in Delmas 33. Your financial gift will go towards purchasing medical supplies and medication.

For His Glory Orphanage - Is an orphanage in Haiti that cares for an average of 125-130 children. The orphanage has sustained structural damage and due to the rising death toll in Haiti, FHG anticipates a growing population of orphans. Your gift will help provide emergency relief for the children, staff and the surrounding community and assistance in the construction to restore the damaged building to become a future home for those newly orphaned.

International Crisis Aid (ICA)- Has a mission to assist in sustaining life, bring encouragement to those suffering and collaborate with other relief organizations in bringing necessary foods, materials and medicines to people in times of crisis, particularly where life and death situations exist. Your financial gift will help ICA set up one or more refugee camps and a large triage medical clinic in Carre Four, Haiti, at the epicenter of the earthquake.

To help Project Restore support these organizations continue to bring life saving support to the children and people of Haiti, please visit our website and designate your gift on this page:
https://www.mysimplegive.com/SG/sfDonate.jspx?uq=1263764255140&id=RESTORE

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Against Malaria Foundation - an organization that raises awareness of the malaria disease and distributes long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LLINs) to those in need. Malaria, already a problem in Haiti, is likely to increase significantly due to there being little to stop transmission. AMF has set up a specific donation page for Haiti. 100% of funds donated on this page will buy nets for Haiti and AMF will coordinate with the relevant authorities and partners to ensure the nets are distributed as soon as possible when they are needed, where they are needed.
http://www.againstmalaria.com/Fundraiser.aspx?FundRaiserID=5603

Show Your Heart to Haiti – At just six years old, Annabelle was moved to immense compassion after seeing the coverage of the Haiti’s earthquake on TV. She wanted to help! She wanted to make a difference! Annabelle, along with her friend Kaytlin, have made, and they are now selling, homemade Pixy Stix Valentines. Their slogan is "Show Your Heart to Haiti." Annabelle is selling her Valentines for any monetary donation amount. Orders can be taken through her mother at mellahr@gmail.com. Don’t forget your child’s classroom Valentine parties! They are accepting large orders!

What about Donated Goods? Haiti’s infrastructure for delivery and distribution of donated goods has been shattered. Project Restore will be collecting goods at a later date, once the situation has been stabilized.

Is there a team going to Haiti? At this point Project Restore is holding off on trying to get a team to Haiti. We are identifying places where our volunteers could be inserted to do the most good without increasing the pressure for food and water in the capital. We want to be strategic about where our team(s) could go and when, making sure that we can really help and not be a burden or in danger. If you are interested in the possibility of traveling with Project Restore to Haiti, should a trip be organized, please contact info@project-restore.org

Please help us and our partners rebuild Haiti from the rubble! YOUR generous support will initiate change and help make a real difference in thousands of individuals’ lives in Haiti.

Sincerely,
The Project Restore Board of Directors
www.project-restore.org

www.hrfhaiti.org
www.forhisgloryoutreach.org
www.crisisaid.org
www.againstmalaria.com

2010-01-17T17:09:00.001-06:00

Show your heart to Haiti! 2 young Project Restore heroes take the initiative to help those in need in Haiti. Selling valentines @ walmart to raise money for PR's Haiti relief efforts!

2010-01-12T18:09:00.001-06:00

Project Restore fixed this Buso, Uganda water well in 11/09

2010-01-04T14:57:00.002-06:00

November 2009 Mosquito Net distribution in Buso, Uganda! Thank you for your support!

2010-01-02T13:22:00.000-06:00

2009 REVIEW

2010-01-02T12:29:00.002-06:00

On behalf of Project Restore, Inc. and the village of Namulonge, Buso and Kasambia, Uganda, we would like to thank you ALL for your generous support and financial gifts in 2009! Through your dedication, Project Restore was able to advance its self reliance and sustainability work and bring some relief and hope in many amazing ways.

This year Project Restore was able to;
- Distribute 900 long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets. Bringing the total of nets distributed to 1,300!
- Collected and shipped over 80 baby blankets, 12 pairs of crutches, 2 walkers, 15 boxes and 5 suitcases of supplies and provisions for the local Namulonge clinic!
- 120 boxes of school books, library books and school supplies were shipped to the Namulonge Senior Secondary School!
- Along with the piggery that was started in 2008, 1 milking cow and 5 goats were purchased for the Namulonge SS School’s lunch program!
- 3 fresh water wells were repaired in the villages of Buso and Kasambia, Uganda! Bringing the total water wells repaired to 4!
- 2 additional Buso schools were outfitted with the rain harvesting systems. Bringing the number of schools with working full systems to 3! With the two long rainy seasons in Uganda, capturing the rain water off the roofs is a huge asset for the communities!
- One trombone, guitar, clarinet, flute and 31 recorders were donated to the Namulonge School’s music program!
- 62 students were sponsored for the matched savings account program, Ambition for Tuition!

THANK YOU again for joining us in restoring some peace, hope and love to those in need. Because.... Living SHOULD Be More Than Just Surviving.... and YOUR support has initiated change and helped make a real difference in thousands of individuals’ lives in Namulonge, Buso, Kasambia and surrounding areas in Uganda!

Project Restore will continue its life-saving interventions for Namulonge, Buso, Kasambia, Uganda and communities around the world. We hope you too will continue to join us in this fight!

Sincerely,
Catherine Keck
Executive Director

2009-08-25T09:42:00.002-05:00

Africa – A thank you from the Namulonge Secondary School Head Master –
Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings in the name of our living and loving God. We thank God for the gift of life He has given to you and to us.

We thank Him for giving you a safe journey back home. We miss you a lot! On behalf of Namulonge Secondary School, Namulonge Primary School and the entire community of Namulonge, I wish to thank you for the time and resources you spared to pay us a visit and for everything you did and continue to do for us. It is not common to find that someone leaves his/her home and travels that very long and expensive journey to, not only visit, but also help other people. We are so grateful to you all for that very great love you have always given to us.

We wish to thank all those who made it here. We appreciate that great love and friendship you give to us. We thank all those individuals, families, schools, companies and organizations for all their contributions both financially and in material form to make this happen. We are very grateful for all the donations we received as a school and as a community. The donation of 600 mosquito nets was so awesome. You did not only save 600 lives but more since some of the beneficiaries were mothers who share beds with their babies. You made a mark which will last for ever in many peoples lives. Many of our students/pupils and teachers now have the chance to see, touch and use a computer for the first time in their lives. We appreciate the efforts of everyone who was behind this initiative. (the McBride family) We are grateful for the balls, textbooks, bibles, dictionaries and that very wide range of school supplies – math sets, pencils, pens, rulers, crayons etc.

We enjoyed every bit of your company. It was so interesting to see you running about and playing with the kids. Some kids say their best time of the year is when you are here. We can't enumerate everything you did for us, but just know it that whatever you did/contributed is greatly appreciated.

We are grateful to you for the EMSA (educational matched savings account student sponsor program). I wish to let you know that the teachers, students/pupils, parents and the entire community is very excited about the EMSA program. We pray that God guides everyone involved such that everything goes as planned.

Lastly, we pray that God blesses you all with many more years of life so that you will be able to see the fruits of what you have started. We look forward to continue working with you for the good of our community and the entire human race. LONG LIVE PROJECT-RESTORE, LONG LIVE EVERYONE.
God bless you all.
Mayanja Robert David.

2009-07-28T15:59:00.000-05:00

T-shirt around the world – WE ARE NOW IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY!!! Thank you Dawn Gockel-Jones! Project Restore is now in 13 Countries!! Project Restore is embarking on its own amazing journey around the globe …. In comfort and style! We are trying to get a Project Restore t-shirt in as many international countries as possible! Project Restore has shirts in the UK, Russia, Saipan, Uganda, Haiti, Germany, India, Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Zambia and Thailand! Join the fun! Send a PR shirt to a friend, relative or fan and then let us know!

2009-07-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

The August Namulonge Uganda mosquito net distribution challenge has a total of 378 nets so far!

YOU can make a HUGE life changing difference for only $4! Please help us give hope and health to individuals who are threatened on a daily basis with the disease of Malaria. Please take a minute and change a life!

http://www.project-restore.org/savealife

2009-07-14T09:48:00.003-05:00

AFRICA – The team traveling to Namulonge, Uganda this August will be taking supplies with them for the Namulonge Primary and Secondary Schools, the village clinic and the village residents.

YOU CAN HELP by donating some of the desperately needed items!

Some items of need are: basic medical supplies (children's Tylenol, Band-Aids, diarrhea medicine, antibacterial cream ...) Calculators, Pens, Pencils, good working condition laptops, Math Sets (consists of a ruler, 180 degree protractor, triangles(s) and a pencil compass), Hotel size hygiene items, candy, small games, toys, soccer balls, gifts for villagers (lotions, candles, scarves, fragrant soap, sports memorabilia .. )

Donations can be dropped off at the Project Restore office:
201 St. Louis St.
Edwardsville, IL

Or financial support for the supply purchases can be made on-line at https://www.mysimplegive.com/SG/sfDonate.jspx?uq=1247583106435&id=RESTORE. In the 'EVENT' line, type the word 'SUPPLIES'.

100% of the financial support donated for supplies will go to purchasing needed items for the village.

Any donations would be genuinely appreciated!

2009-07-14T09:31:00.001-05:00

Malaria Net count is up to 362 for the August 09 distribution in Namulonge, Uganda!

2009-07-13T13:50:00.001-05:00

Project Restore's Uganda Malaria Net campaign update is 224 nets! Take a min, save a life for just $4 http://www.project-restore.org/savealife A Project Restore team was in the village of Namulonge, Uganda last November and distributed 400 long lasting insecticide treated Mosquito nets to the villagers. We will again be returning to Namulonge on August 2-11th 2009 to distribute the Mosquito nets that we are now collecting! Make a difference and give a gift of life!

2009-07-13T13:34:00.003-05:00

2009-07-12T17:43:00.000-05:00

The power of one 13 year old boy! Xavier raised $136 or 34 nets for Project Restore’s Namulonge August mosquito net distribution campaign!

2009-07-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

Malaria kills 1 million people every year.

But these deaths are totally preventable. Just $4 can provide a life-saving net and make a world of difference to villagers in Namulonge.

Our goal is to provide 80% of the village with nets. How awesome would it be to provide the village with 2400 nets in 24 days!

Visit http://www.project-restore.org/savealife make a donation and save a life.

2009-07-02T09:39:00.000-05:00

Live a life that inspires!

2009-07-02T09:38:00.001-05:00

Why Project Restore has joined in the fight for Namulonge Uganda http://bit.ly/RJXcF

Walk for Water 2009

2009-05-19T10:08:00.002-05:00

Project Restore's second annual Walk for Water was a HUGE success! The day was just beautiful with over 250 walkers who raised over $15k for Project Restore's clean water efforts! And of course, we could not have had this extraordinary event without all the hard work and dedication from our excellent volunteers! A heartfelt shout-out to all those who made this day a victory for the people of Namulonge, Uganda!

Peace and love always,
Catherine

If you were not able to participate in the Walk for Water and you would still like to support the clean water cause, you can do so by going to: https://www.mysimplegive.com/SG/sfDonate.jspx?uq=1242746267539&id=RESTORE

Let the Story Continue.....

2009-04-16T12:55:00.003-05:00

Dear Project Restore Friends and fellow advocates,

I am delighted to share with you that this blog is going to continue! We at project Restore would like share and receive thoughts, ideas, stories and opportunities of taking meaningful action for those suffering from poverty, disease, illiteracy and exploitation.

In the upcoming months, you will hear from different members of the Project Restore board as well as from our very dedicated members, partners and colleagues. Today, I want to throw out an invitation for YOU to join the story! We would love to hear from you! Your experiences, your questions and your thought process of Project Restore, our work, our causes, and of fighting for justice and speaking out for the vulnerable children and their families here and around the world!

If you'd rather not post it here, you are always more than welcome to e-mail me at Catherine.Keck@Project-Restore.org . Either way, I hope you'll enter the Project Restore story and TOGETHER we can help bring clean water, nourishment, comfort, hope and love to those in need!

Because…Living SHOULD be more than just SURVIVING!

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Catherine Keck
Executive Director, Project Restore Inc.

Thank You from Namulonge

2009-01-24T08:06:00.003-06:00

Project Restore received an e-mail from Mayanja Robert David, the Namulonge Secondary School's head master, thanking us for the November trip to Uganda. I wanted to share his words with you! I have copied his e-mail below.
Catherine

Greetings in the name of our Lord. We thank God for the gift of life and for giving you a safe journey to Namulonge and back to your home country.

On behalf of the people of Namulonge and the secondary school in particular, I wish to extend to you our heartfelt gratitude for the visit you paid to us. We are so grateful for all the assistance you extended to our school and the community in general. You left Namulonge a changed place with revived hope.

We are grateful to everyone who made that trip and to all those who helped to make this happen. We shall always remember your kindness, love and willingness to help.
We thank you for the many gifts you brought for us, the science equipment, textbooks, that very big water tank, the mosquito nets, balls, basketball court(sp), sandals, the piggery project and the very many school supplies. There is no way we can express our appreciation for the bore hole (well) which has brought back alot of life to the people of Namulonge. Infact many people have been referring to the repair of that borehole as a 'Christmas gift of their life'.
You did so many things, the list is endless, but just know that you touched the lives of so many in our community.

As a school, the benefits from your visit can't be counted. Your conversations, discussions, guidance and words of encouragement and advice have touched many of our students. You created alot of determination to many of them. Your stay with our students gave them a very good experience. To be sincere, many of them can now speak better English than before because they gained confidence through your sharing with them.

On the part of teachers, we have learnt alot from you. We have admired the way you associate with the students. It was really a good learning experience for us. We have also learnt that despitethe many hardship we go through, there are people out there who can think about us. God is great!

All in all, I don't have the right words to thank you but I pray to the living God to reward each of you in the best way you would wish. A big thank you to Project-Restore and all those companies, schools and individuals who made this happen. We thank God enabling everything happen because we know that nothing can happen unless it is by His wish.

God bless you all.

Mayanja Robert David.

Pink Chicken

2008-12-09T06:14:00.003-06:00

True Story! I about fell out of my chair one morning at breakfast when I saw a pink chicken (YES PINK!!!) walk past the window! No joke! And it wasn't a small hint of a pink hue, it was a bright vibrant almost neon pink! I am sure my expression was priceless and my hosts followed my bewildered gaze to the chicken. We all laughed hysterically as they explained that they put pink and even purple die on the chicks because those colors are blind to the hawks!! I took pictures because without them, I knew people would think I was drinking something different than tea that morning, seeing pink chickens instead of pink elephants! :) haha!
-Catherine

What an Awesome Opportunity!

2008-12-08T22:35:00.004-06:00

Thank you so much to all the supporters of Project Restore and the supporters of those individuals who went to Namulonge. I also want to thank MedWish International for the awesome abundance of medical supplies. The nurse, Immaculate, was so thrilled to get the much needed items. To Janice, thank you for the baby scale. We got to use it for the first time on a newborn less than 24 hours old (she weighed 6.5 pounds).

This was such an awesome trip, and we were able to help improve the lives of so many in Namulonge, Uganda. Shortly after we arrived, I was abruptly reminded of why we were there. On the way to the church, we saw a man on the side of the road, kneeling over, and drinking water out of a mud puddle. To be so desperate for water that you would drink dirty water from the side of the road is beyond my comprehension. I hope to never have to experience that, and my heart aches for those who do.

The people of Namulonge are so kind and generous. We were showered with smiles, food, tea, more food, more tea, and such warmth. They were so giving. The family I stayed with had no mosquito nets for themselves (in fact one of the small children who lived there had malaria); yet, they made sure we had nets.

Seeing the water flowing from the formerly broken pump, a basket ball court erected, new school books, science supplies, families with mosquito nets for the first time, and a great looking roof were all things I will never forget. What was even greater was seeing those from our team and the people of Namulonge working together to make these things happen. We were able to build relationships and friendships through working together and talking during down time. When it came down to it, it made no difference as to the color of skin, the language, or the socioeconomic status. We were working for one common interest: The improvement of lives. What we were able to do helped those of Namulonge be able to LIVE a little more with a little less "just surviving." That's what it's about. That's what we, our supporters, and the people of Namulonge did.

I cannot wait to go back. I hope I am blessed to be able to do so again. I love the people of Namulonge. They will always have a special place in my heart, and the red dirt will probably always have a place on my jeans and in my shoes.

Tiffany

The people of Namulonge are wonderful !

2008-12-08T14:12:00.002-06:00

The people in Namulonge are all so happy, sincere, God loving, gracious, appreciative, generous, friendly and content it is difficult to explain or imagine.

I thank God for choosing me to assist Him and the team in what little way that I could and pray that He will allow me to return to my friends in Namulonge next year.

God blessed all involved (both from Project Restore and from Namulonge as well as our wonderful friend Fred) in this effort. As we all know, God has His own timeline for things and Fred meeting Jami - Jami coming to Newsong - Jami meeting Catherine and Project Restore going to Namulonge:)

I've posted photos and video clips on my MySpace page. If you would like to see them go to MySpace and click on find people then find friends and type in Starr49 then click on the find button. I've been writing a letter a night answering letters given to me by the children (we decided I'd not open them until I returned home) and will mail them with lots of photos for them.

God's Love is overwhelming !

Sekaja of the clan Nvooma and the tribe Muganda (aka Starr)

What An Experience!

2008-12-07T08:02:00.002-06:00

First of all, I want to extend a thank you to all those who have supported the efforts of Project Restore. Simply reading the stories here and raising awareness by sharing the information is invaluable and directly supports the mission of Project Restore, I thank you for that.

As we were driving to the village the first day there, I had my first sights of the area. I had a lot of mixed feelings on the way to the village. There were signs of poverty all around, and people trying to meet basic needs, such as those hauling water everywhere. I had some feelings of being overwhelmed and caught myself thinking how can we make a difference when the problem is so vast. I didn’t know what to expect for the week or know if these feelings would change.

One of the children in the host home I stayed in had contracted Malaria when he was around 2 years old. I would guess his age to be about 15 now. I had heard the numbers on malaria before, but I don’t think it really registered with me until I started hearing the stories and seeing first hand what it can do. This child was now physically and mentally challenged, for the rest of his life. What I imagine was once a vibrant 2-year old was now an adolescent that spent most of his time in the house and got around by scooting on the floor. Bitten by a mosquito, infected with a parasite, and a life changed forever. We all heard many stories like this. The 400 mosquito nets that the team passed out meant so much, to the community and us.

Repairing the well that was previously mentioned in the blog was one of the greatest experiences, to see water flowing again, and then the source being constantly used after it was repaired was unexplainable. Working hand and hand with the locales was great, I learned a lot about the general process and basic parts of the well. Just the day before, a group of us walked with some of the villagers down to the water source they had been using since the well was down. It was approximately 1 mile round trip. During the walk, we crossed paths with many people hauling water, mostly women and children. I remember seeing a woman with a baby on her back and a 40lb jug of water on her head. I remember two boys we stopped to talk to that had quit school to haul water. They made about 15-20 trips a day hauling about 3-4 jugs at a time tied to their bicycles. The basic need for water consumes a lot of time and energy. By fixing the well, I know we made a lot of peoples lives a little bit easier.

The entire week was great, just quickly running back some of the memories here; boda boda rides, painting the roof, rain harvesting tank, playing American football, the basketball court, getting the bases ready for the tanks, boda boda rides, and on and on. The last day there, we had the opportunity to offer some words of encouragement to the students. Knowing they face a greater challenge than most in the U.S. do, we tried to encourage them to continue education and dream big. They are beautiful people, who accept and embrace where they are and the circumstances they are in, not knowing to a certain degree how the rest of the world lives and meets basic needs such as getting water, food, etc. While in London airport, it hit me, sitting there with tears coming to my eyes, realizing how difficult it must be to overcome the circumstances they are in, realizing that they face the same obstacles as they did yesterday, many of which are meeting basic needs to get through that day. Living should be more than surviving.

I woke my first morning back at 3 am unable to sleep, so I went ahead and started preparing for work. As I was getting ready, I was thinking every step along the way, how much we have compared to those in the village. The things I typically take for granted, I thought twice about that morning, the refrigerator, electricity, clean water out of the faucet, a toilet, coffee maker, warm house, clothes, a shower, soap. As I picked what I was going to wear today, I looked at the stacks of clothes I rarely wear in my closet and think about how the school children might have 1-2 outfits, 1 of them for school. Its a different world here.

I’m confident that the efforts of our team impacted many people. I hope to be part of more trips like this, and have already found myself thinking, “When can I go back”. We have the ability to make a difference, we made a difference, and we can touch many lives. I encourage anyone interested in these efforts to join us. I know that each one of us can bring something valuable to a trip like this. Every person on our team touched someone’s life while we were there and this was clearly evident when saying our good byes. Though we face a vast problem, we can make a difference, one person at a time.

Jeff

2008-12-04T12:54:00.001-06:00

Ok…I have another blog! But this story started way before we left for Africa, actually it started last summer. Newsong Fellowship’s kids’ bible camp took up a collection for our trip to buy mosquito nets for the village of Namalonge. The kids collected a little over $37.00 (WAY TO GO KIDS!!) I started checking out insecticide treated mosquito netting only to find out one net at US retail, cost close to $40.00. Ouch!

A very dedicated Project Restore volunteer by the name of Janice Wall took on the initiative of trying to find a more cost effective netting distributer. After months of chasing different leads, Janice found the organization called Against Malaria www.againstmalaria.com. This organization provides mosquito nets to the Peace Corps. Janice talked to the foundation and explained where the November team was going in Africa and what we were trying to do in way of malaria prevention with net distribution. The organization was WONDERFUL to work with and right off the bat they said they could assist us. We were thrilled! Finally a break through for this initiative!!!

Our goal was to try to secure 400 nets for the Namalonge village of about 3,000 people. We asked Against Malaria if they could provide that many nets. They didn’t even blink … they came back to us with; Yes of course they can provide us with 400 nets, at a cost of ….(get this) …. $4 per net…..and ….. (this is the best part!!)…..Against Malaria has a shipment going to Kampala, Uganda the first of November and our 400 nets can piggyback on that shipment!!!!! I think I passed out when I heard the news!! Needless to say, there was GREAT celebration in the Project Restore office that day, maybe even some tap dance broke out!!!

The paper work was filled out and as the word spread about the netting, some generous donations came in to help cover the expense. You have heard how powerful the day was for the net distribution at the village, and I just wanted to share the whole story with you from the beginning. Is that cool or what?!

Oh yea….the Against Malaria Foundation has also set up on their web site the ability for individuals to purchase netting for Project Restore’s next Namalonge, Uganda! So the story continues……Check it out, it is pretty cool!
http://www.againstmalaria.com/Distribution.aspx?DistributionID=303

Blessings, Love and Peace
-Catherine

2008-12-04T11:09:00.001-06:00

Well we are back! And the trip seems to have been a whirl wind of activity! Chalked full of long flights, hard work, red dust, bananas, sleepless nights, tea, big smiles, and a lot of unconditional acceptance and love!

There were so many extraordinary moments that will forever stay with me .... from seeing clean water flow from the once dead and useless water well, accompanied with the cheers, tears and a huge 'water fight' that followed, to the villagers unknowing how to express their appreciation for a mosquito net, a gift that for them, could possibly mean life or death.

The Project Restore team was very focused and dedicated to the tasks at hand and achieved remarkable success with all the projects! However, they never forgot to walk with humility and modesty in a culture that is different from our own. And, the villagers could not have been more kind, accepting and gracious, in everything they did for us! They truly treated us as long lost family!

I would like to thank ALL of those that have helped make this trip possible! From our volunteers, hundreds of fundraising supporters to our financial backers. THANK YOU again for joining us in restoring some peace, hope and love to those in need. Because .... Living SHOULD Be More Than Just Surviving .... and YOUR support has initiated change and helped make a difference in thousands of individuals’ lives in Namalonge, Uganda! Thank you!

Blessings, love and peace always,
-Catherine

Finally online!

2008-11-28T04:02:00.004-06:00

Well, for those of you who have been to the site looking for updates, we’re really sorry! We haven’t been able to get online all week, and even now, I’ve only got a few minutes. So, let me try to give you a very quick summary of the week and we’ll add our thoughts and stories once we return stateside.

Friday, Nov. 21st – Flew out of St. Louis and were supposed to meet up with Jami’s husband in Detroit. Found out that there were some complications with his passport and he won’t be able to fly out until Tuesday – if at all. The first major downer of the trip. (But it turns out to be a good thing in a way…you’ll see.)

Saturday, Nov. 22nd – Arrived in the capital city of Kampala just before midnight. All the luggage came in just fine and didn’t even have to go through customs. Got to the hotel and to sleep finally around 2:30 a.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23rd – Were asked to come to the village and attend the service at their local parish. We were welcomed with great excitement and anticipation of the work we had come to do. There is definitely a “buzz” in the community about the “muzungu” (white people) that have come and a curiosity about how and why we would be here.

Monday, Nov.24th – We showed up on site at the school first thing in the morning to begin to try to establish a schedule for the week and check progress on work and funds that were arranged ahead of time. One of the first things on the “to do” list was to sand and paint the tin roof of the building that would be used to capture the rain water and direct it to the water harvesting tank that we were going to be purchasing. We soon found out that there were no ladders on site – so the first job at hand was to build ladders from the branches of trees that had been cut down for that purpose. It felt like this was going to be a very SLOW day… By late morning, it seemed like, somehow, the crew had kicked into a whole other gear as students and some of our team members worked feverishly in the heat to scrape and paint the roof. Another crew from the community was working on the fascia (sp?) board that would be needed in order to attach the guttering that would come later.

All in all, by the end of the day, the roof was painted, and most of the fascia board in place and we still managed to have the mandatory breaks for mid-morning and mid-afternoon tea. We’ve learned that those aren’t optional! ☺

Tuesday, Nov. 25th – Today was a much slower day in terms of the actual work done. We’re quickly becoming aware and accustomed to the differences in the approach to work and schedules and the challenges of making major purchases in a foreign country. Part of the team left in the morning to make the purchases of the materials for the repair of the primary village well and to locate and purchase the water tank and make arrangement for delivery. Sounds relatively easy, right? So we thought. They were gone for 6-7 hours or more, BUT had a hugely successful day as they were able to purchase all the materials need to repair the well (we hoped!) and locate a 24,000 liter tank AND get a $600 discount on it! We were ALL so pumped (no pun intended) to hear it! The tank and well materials were delivered at 10:00 p.m. that night.

The rest of the team had success of a different kind that day. We spent the day with the students playing ball, having shade-tree conversations that turned into lessons on American culture, anthropology, government, social studies and beyond. It was SUCH a wonderful experience. They are so eager to learn and so curious about so many things that they have only read about. The conversations ranged from skyscrapers and American wedding practices to aliens and Prison Break and a hundred other random topics in between.

Who knew that there were actually people around the world that truly believed that Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows really were brothers (Prison Break reference); and who had no concept that what they were watching wasn’t really the actual events in their lives… Their innocence and eagerness to learn is so refreshing.

Wednesday, Nov. 26th - This was a HUGE day. The pump technician came in the morning and the long-anticipated work on the well began. The well, the primary source of water for the school and hundreds of families in the village has not worked for almost two years. In our conversations with the students, we learn that their lives are true reflections of the statistics we’ve seen. Every one of them is involved in the collection of water for their family every single day. They spend an average of 3-4 hours collecting water for that day – about 6-9 “jerry cans” (sp) for a family of 9-12 (average). Each can weighs around 40 lbs. when it’s full. The smaller children carry what they can, but generally as much as their own body weight or more. People with containers are a constant scene – either going or returning from the water source.

A pretty good crowd shows up as the technician, our team, and local men start to disassemble the pump. The day is gorgeous and the air is thick with enthusiasm. All goes well with the removal of the old pipes and we discover that there is definitely water in the well as the final sections of pipe emerge wet. This is great news!
Mid-morning the install is scheduled to begin but is promptly halted as we realize there is no lubricant for the gaskets on the new pump. So, someone is send in search of lubricant. By now mid-morning tea time rolls around and even clean water efforts get trumped as we go back to the school for tea. The women of the village have served us tea and lunch each day. Their hospitality and joy is so humbling. They are such delightful people.

By 11:00 the lubricant arrives and the work resumes. The new piping begins to go down the hole and the excitement of seeing flowing water continues to mount. As they get to the third or fourth pipe, the technician recognizes that the final rod will not fit through the hole that leads to the pump itself and, for a moment to those of us looking on and not understanding a word of Ugandan, it seems as those the day may end here. But within a couple of minute a man walk off with the rod and we find out tha he’s taking it home to grind it down. They’re as determined as we are – maybe more – to make this work.

As the next to the last pipe is prepared, the man returns with the rod and it’s ready to go. Perfect. However, the technician discovers that the rods will be too long and the pump will not work. They gather around the pipes and he begins to explain to the problem. It appears that the final rod will have to be cut and welded to fit before we can finish the work. Another villager has the welding equipment (incredible!) but, as happens every day at some point, the village is without power. It could be minutes, but more likely hours before it returns. (Can you feel the tension of the moment?)

The discussion continues and we realize that the rod from the old piping will work as a temporary solution and within minutes the final countdown is back on.
Everyone gathers around the pump as the final piece is assembled and one of the men immediately begins to pump. This is the moment that ALL of us have been waiting for – the MAJOR moment behind all the efforts of Project Restore since our “Walk for Water” in May.

Then it happens. Water begins to trickle and then to flow. It’s a moment you can’t really put into words. We’ve tried as we’ve retold it to each other several times. Wish you could have been here. Wish you could be here to see the lines of people waiting with their containers to retrieve the life-giving water. Sometimes you can hear their laughter from around the trees as you approach the well. This is so much more than water. This is hope. This is life. This is a message to the entire village that they are not alone. They keep telling us that they don’t have words to thank us. This changes all of us.

So, for those of you who played a part in this moment, you were with us as we stood around the well and watched the water flow. We don’t have the right words either, but “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

What’s so amazing is that the day isn’t over yet. This is the also the day that our team distributes 300 treated mosquito nets to young and old. We have all seen, firsthand, the effects of malaria as people we know – host homes and school teachers – have family members with children who have some form of handicap because of this disease. It’s more than a statistic here. It’s a very real and present illness and fear.

But today, 300 people – and another 100 to come – will sleep peacefully. One of the school teachers said it something like this: “You don’t understand what this means to our village. The children will probably oversleep tomorrow because for the first time in their life they will not be awakened by the noise or sting of the mosquitoes. They will not have to sleep in fear.” Just one net. $4. Hard to fathom that for them it’s still life and death yet, until now, out of their reach. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The day concludes with a group of us heading through the jungles on Uganda to collect water samples from some of the primary water sources in the area. We’re traveling by “boda boda” (motorcycle taxi) and having the time of our lives! One of our team members is a chemical engineer and hopes to take the samples home and test the water so that we can know which, if any, of the sources are contaminated and life-threatening. As we visit the sources it’s clear that at least two of them are clearly unsafe. What we don’t know is how many families are drawing their water there. Another sobering moment.

Thursday, Nov.27th – Thanksgiving! – Well, it’s not officially “Thanksgiving” in Uganda, but we are all pumped about ALL that we have already seen that we are so thankful for.

Jami’s husband, David, arrives on site first thing in the morning. He’s the team member whose trip was detoured because of the passport issues. It’s great to see him! We soon find out that he’s brought two basketball hoops because Jami had told him that we had brought balls, but there were no hoops. Because of his delay he was able to pick those up and bring them. What follows was nothing short of amazing!
Within minutes the buzz about building a basketball court is going around among the students and teachers and they start asking us which trees should the cut down to use for the hoops. Within a matter of minutes, literally, the axe is swinging a tree is coming down, then another and the Namulonge Secondary School basketball court is underway. It’s unbelievable!

By early afternoon, they’ve located the area where the court will be, dug the holes, found an old door that has been now cut in half. The hoops are taken away to be secured to the backboards and the goals are going up.

Less than three hours, I think, have passed from the time the hoops arrived and there is now a full-fledged basketball game going on first the first time ever in this village. Ever. It’s just incredible. There’s not another basketball court for miles and they know it. They have a treasure. The are having the time of their lives and we are too as we watch them dribble, shoot, laugh, and play. We’re reminded that it’s the simple things that are our richest blessings and how easy they are to miss. We have more than they’ll ever begin to understand, but they’ve taught us, reminded us again, what it is to be truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all our loved ones who’ve allowed us to be half-way around the world on a day that we’re typically together celebrating. We’re thinking of you. We’re missing you. But we’re thankful in new and deeper ways.

Friday, Nov. 28th - Today we're taking some time to see some of the historical and landmark sites of this beautiful land. We're on our way in a few minutes to visit the site that is the source of the Nile river. There are beautiful falls there, we're told. So, we've returned to Kampala for the first time since we've arrived. The rain has come this morning and it's very cool and refreshing. This should be another breath-taking experience.

Until the next time we're able to log on...

-Dave

The conversation begins...

2008-11-18T15:22:00.000-06:00

OK... so we're starting the conversation. (It was actually Catherine's idea...) We thought we'd launch our blog on the eve of our first major initiative in Uganda.

Ten of us are headed out this Friday to the village of Namulonge, outside the capital city of Kampala, and we're going to begin the process of bringing clean water to hundreds of people who don't have access to it now. That's a pretty overwhelming feeling...

So, come back over the next couple of weeks and we'll do our best to keep you updated with the daily activity. Not sure when we'll get to have internet access to post our journal, but stop by when you can. We're looking forward to sharing this journey with you.

-Dave
PS: Check out our site for more info: www.project-restore.org