Kenya - Kisumu - our new little friends.

Kenya - simply mummies !

Maybe in the near future we will be able to give some support to the friends of Moses and Maureen.

Philippines - Melanie and Thelma achieve so much.

Melanie and Thelma visit Philippines January/February, 2009

Thank you to the friends and relatives of Melanie and Thelma and to the many individuals and companies that have supported this trip including British Airways, Heatons Ireland, Ulster Teachers' Union, Roch Valley, Pictorial Charts Educational Trust, Santa's wee Village and many others.

Going back to the Philippines has always been a dream for me. The people are by nature so warm and friendly. They smile, though their lives are difficult and even when things seem hopeless. It is to British Airways that I must say thank you as none of what was achieved below could have happened without their magnificent support.

We did not intend to visit the jails, but we were invited by our hosts, Mrs Crissy Hailes Perillo, of The Pilipino Out Reach Centre. She has been working the jails in St Fernanado, Philippines, for over 25 years. Now married to Dondie, they have 12 children, 7 of them adopted orphans. What a family!! and dedicated to working with orphans and prisoners. They have an orphanage for boys and girls and a private school, which is free to the village children as well. In 1989 they set up a halfway house for newly released prisoners, both men and women. P.O.C. really is a wonderful programme of caring.

Philippines - Melanie's visit account coming shortly.

Kenya - Our Moses befriends the hungry and the homeless.

Moses and Maureen deserve all of the support we can give them.
Click to visit the album.

Hungary/Romania - Supplies

Thanks to Ulster Teachers' Union, Heaton's Limited, Roch Valley and Santa's wee Village - baby clothes, confectionery and shoes begin their journey to our friends in Hungary and Romania.

Philippines - the lovely story of Alice and Melanie

(Alice can be seen in the middle of this photograph)
Several years ago Melanie visited Philippines and met Alice who had a cleft palette. Even in the poorest of communities poor Alice was bullied and victimised. Melanie, as she does everywhere, with children of all nationalities and religions, fell in love with Alice and vowed to assist her.
A short time later Melanie and her family and friends arranged for the finances and operation to take place. Last week Melanie met up with Alice again. What a beautiful child - Melanie has certainly touched this child and changed her life for the better.

Philippines - Melanie visits the "People of the Tombs"

More to follow

Nigeria - Connect Africa Online Magazine

Congratulations to Yinka and all involved in "Connect Africa" - a wonderful new initiative.

Nepal - from our Daughters to their Friends in the UK

Philippines - Melanie

I saw Alice and the children yesterday. She looks amazing. She has been doing very well at school. The fish business is still going well. They dont make a lot, but enough for them to survive, eat, and pay for tuition fees at the elementary school. One of the 17 children the fish business supports, is Alice's sister . The pics are amazing. Weve got some wonderful photos of the children on the dump, eating the chocolate biscuits, and the pink bags. I cant believe that we supplied so many people with so much, out of such a few bags.
We are starting up a micro business selling rice, and it will help the kids who live in the tombs, to eat , and be educated. The work is going on so well. Jon Jon and Tess looked after us, in very basic conditions, but they are so capable of looking after so many children. They want to start an elementary school, in the Barangay, village, for 3 to 8 year olds. This is exciting because we gave them the educational packs, and they were delighted.More to come when I return to UK. Tonight We are flying back to Singapore, where Thelma and I will part company, and I will pick up my BA flight, and Thelma her Emirates back to London. Its been an awesome trip once again, and we achieved so far more then ever we anticipated. The pics tells it all.
Catch you soon
Melanie in Bayambang, Philippines

Tanzania - Vivi

Today Vivi heads off for Tanzania to visit our friends.

We wish her a safe and productive journey.
More news to follow.
Thank you to British Airways and the many companies who have supported her visit.

Philippines - latest from Melanie

Photograph shows Melanie with the children on her last visit to Manila.

Hi Everyone

I’m still in Manila
Tomorrow I will see Alice on the dump, in Navotas
Today we went to the water people who live in boxes on stilts perched over the sea
We have already given out to the people toiletries, soaps, shampoos, medicines, educational supplies, books and pens. We have bought 2 sacks of rice, to feed the children on the tip, and the grave people. We have encouraged the people with counselling, and with our returning visit. We are taking over 100 packs of biscuits to the tip again tomorrow. The pink bags will be given out. Tess is doing Family Planning sessions. Literacy lessons are being held once week amongst the children living in the tombs. It had to stop for lack of funding, but we are re-opening it, after giving a little funding so it can resume. The micro fish business is still thriving, so we are very happy. We want to expand a little, and feel a boat will help.
There is so much interest here in the educational packs. Many thanks for every thing on behalf of the people of the Philippines
Melanie.

Lebanon Tray and Friends

Tray and friends celebrate before delivering the food their endeavours realised.

Uganda and United Kingdom - trophies and medals

Thank you to the generosity of Cheryl in CP Trophies and Engraving and the support received from Ulster Teachers' Union we were able to acquire many trophies and medals for several groups in Uganda and other events still to be decided. Photographs show Cheryl engraving and the trophies and medals received.

United Kingdom - visit Aghalee - Northern Ireland

Click to see Aghalee on 1st February - maybe in the next album everything will be covered in snow.