Some fast updates. I am combining PositiveRipples (PR), and BonaResponds (BR) posts together. And I will cross-post. Sorry for any duplication.
LINK:
Some fast updates. I am combining PositiveRipples (PR), and BonaResponds (BR) posts together. And I will cross-post. Sorry for any duplication.
BR: This Saturday (and likely next week some as #Bonas is on spring break) we will be cleaning up after flood damage in Allegany NY. Meeting at 11:15 behind Swan (by Baseball field, grotto, and the Maintenance garage) on SBU campus.
BR: Brother Joe has sent several pictures and updates. Short version: the 750+ food bags that BR packed are greatly appreciated and people at the shelters all want to thank the donors and volunteers. He said they are covering many areas and that the needs are great but many people are working together to help.
PR: Julemiste (the 13-year-old girl with sickle cell anemia from Leogane Haiti) has received treatments with the initial money we sent. Her care providers are looking for a specialist to treat her on a more long-term basis. Stay tuned, but a HUGE THANK YOU to those who have helped get her this far!
PR: The roof went on Abduraman’s house. He is the young man who has many challenges (we gave him crutches in the past). The next issue: he needs a mattress as the previous lack of a roof (it blew off in a storm back in December) led to rain in the house and this mattress got wet and moldy. Stay tuned. He is going to see how inexpensive they are.
PR: Peter (the 7-year-old boy who needed emergency intestinal surgery) is doing well. He and his family are still in Freetown. They are so thankful for all of you who helped!
BR: planning for the basketball tournaments is ongoing. We will likely start with one in Makeni Sierra Leone. The planning in Haiti is a bit more complicated, but I am confident we can make it work.
PR: The 4th water well is working! Porky said it was the most difficult work he has done in his many years of working with us. A great round of applause to him and the others who worked on this (and of course the donors!)
PR: we had another request for a water well and/or more water tanks in Sierra Leone. I would LOVE to say we could do it, but I do not know. We are spread thin, too thin, but the need and suffering are great. So, we do not know yet.
PR: Rochelin and his team have now planted over 3000 trees this school year! And in very exciting news, PositiveRipples will be teaming up with Energy Mark to help get more people using green energy AND to get more trees planted. (Thanks to Luke Marchiori)
PR: the cabbage and peppers are growing well in Haiti. PositiveRipples holds an equity stake in this farm and money raised on the sale will be used to help further our efforts in Haiti. Porky is the superhero on this one!
BR: Super excited to be working with the Olean YMCA on a ramp building/fundraiser for them when the weather warms some. I would love to tell you a date on that, but....stay tuned.
BR: Look for a blanket-making day right after the midterm break.
BR: We are happy to be co-sponsoring bringing Father Greg Boyle to campus in September. Stay tuned! Save Sept 14th! Likely date. Can’t wait? Contact me, Tom Vozzo, the CEO of Homeboy and author of the newly released “The Homeboy Way” will be speaking on SOOM to my classes and BR volunteers. If you would like to take part, please let me know!
BR: We lost a hero this week. Dr. Paul Farmer died. He was an inspiration to millions and his work has saved untold thousands in Haiti and around the world. As a way of paying tribute to him, we will be teaming up with the great people in Bonaventure School of Health Care professionals to show this film. Stay tuned. We do not know details (I always tell more than I know, sooner than I should!) https://vimeo.com/240894618
Once the weather breaks, we have multiple ramp jobs and trail work waiting. PLEASE help :)
We are always looking for volunteers locally especially. Getting people out has been hard with the weather and covid. We’d love to have you out helping with us!
I would be remiss if I left out Matt for helping to recruit new students for SBU and volunteers for BR at the recent Scholars Day at SBU. THANK YOU Matthew!
You can send items directly to the migrant shelter
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1KVJ8RZH21B2D/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2
This is Sr Judy!! https://ssnd.org/douglas5-30-21/
