Christmas time...in Liberia

Let's take a virtual mind-tour today. As you read this, think of what it would be like to be in the shoes of the poor at our port of call.

Today we will be going to Liberia on the Western shores of Africa. As you now it was at the epicenter of the 2014 Ebola outbreak. It was also the location of two brutal civil wars in the decades before that.

It is a country where we can make a big difference in people’s lives for not too large of investment.

our virtual tour will be via:

https://helpified.com/paths/liberia

Which brings us to this AM. Bishop Nelson who we have worked with since the Ebola Crisis (and whom I learned of before the crisis via Pete at CYC) emailed the following this AM:

"As we reach the Christmas season in Liberia, the Christian Youth Corps - Africa celebrate the yearly youth camp right after the Christmas with street kids from market places, street kids from street corner and get-to the place gang.

Last Year 2014 the youth camp was celebrated with 118 Ebola victim orphans in Dolo Town, Maigibi County closed to the Robert International airport.

I teach finance, so let’s do the math.  

158 children at camp.  (98 from Orphanage + 10 Street Children + 50 from local churches)

4 days of camp

632 person camp days.

That is 54 cents per child per day.  

No, it will not solve all the world’s problems.  But it will give these children some structure, some learning, some food, and some hope.  That seems like a good investment to me.  Who agrees? Who is in?

Related articles

• UN in Liberia plans to hand over security next year to govt
• Liberian guests share documentary

Some good news from Haiti and Liberia!

From our FB wall:

Yesterday we got the great news on the composting toilets being installed in Lascahobas Haiti. That will play a great role in reducing disease and more (see the picture I added to comments below). Just thrilled by it! Great job Occeant Jean and Cherline Noel Oc!!!

In Cherline's words: we will teach children how to make compost........ they will help themselves in the future

It will have a GREAT IMPACT IN CANNOT 'S COMMUNITY
COMPOST CAN CHANGE OUR CHILDREN LIFE
CHILDREN IN CANNOT WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIt:
1. DIGNIFIED SANITATION
2. TRANSFORM WASTE
3. GROWING AGRICULTURE

Then jumping over to Liberia, Bishop Nelson Sampson Boegbah sent his great news! The solar unit we purchased for their orphanage is now up and running!

BonaResponds would LOVE to get a few more of these projects off the ground and can with your help! Some of this will happen once the Bona Simm give away of $6,000 occurs n November 13 (we are currently in second place) and the money ($2000 for 2nd place) we get will be devoted to projects presented during ‪#‎BonasandBeyond‬.

But we also want to help some of the groups and schools who could not come to SBU earlier this month.

Rough costs (they vary):

1. Cost of a large solar electric system $3000USD
2. Cost of smaller solar electric system $1000-$1500
3. Cost of a three stall composting toilet $450
4. Cost of a student's partial scholarship in Haiti $200 per year
5. Cost of shipping a barrel of supplies to Haiti $140
6. Cost of planting 50 trees to combat deforestation $50
7. Cost of 2 soccer balls $25
8. Cost of an irrigation kit that last 7 years and a few packages of seeds $15

Let's make there be many more Good news days in the future! You can donate at http://BonaResponds.org as well as at @Haitischolarships.org(for #4)

Related articles

• Rural Improved Sanitation Facilities of Population by Country

Many of you don't know about the podcast

With school starting, I think it is a good time to remind everyone about the BonaResponds' Podcast.  It is a collection of interviews done over the past year or so.  It is available online at https://soundcloud.com/jim-mahar-1soundcloud and on iTunes.

Topics include BonaResponds' History, memorable trips, discussions with key volunteers (past and present), groups we work with, updates, and  conversations about how we can make the world a little better.  I am having a great time doing them (and listening to them!).  They are really fun and informative.

The most recent one (maybe not the best quality due to a poor connection) is with the leaders of CYC-Liberia.  A group we have worked with over the past year since the Ebola crisis of 2014.


Here is the iTunes link--please subscribe and listen! :)  you will like it

Related articles

• Japan, Liberia to improve health system after Ebola
• Last Known Ebola Patient in Sierra Leone Discharges From Hospital
• The toll of a tragedy

Orphanage Collection: BonaResponds and Allegany Park and Shop flier

Here is the flier we hung up last night. Feel free to distribute. We'd love to get a big collection.
Haiti Orphanage Collection

Notice Board Announcement for Thurs

BonaResponds This weekend and Next!

So many good things, so little time.

1. This Saturday (weather pending) BonaResponds will team up with the Living Waters Church with a car Wash and Garage Sale (mainly a $2 clothing sale--Over 1000 items of clothes with most of it donated from local schools and even SBU students so much of it is in good shape). Saturday 10-4 (rain date Sunday 12-4) If the weather is too bad, on Saturday we will go to Bradford and help build a wheelchair ramp for a man who recently lost his leg in a work accident.

2. This next two weeks signals a transition for BonaResponds. Our emphasis will move from collecting walkers and crutches) to collecting tents, and school supplies/computers. As many of you know BonaResponds has adopted an orphanage! Ok, so the word adopts is too strong, really what we are doing is supplying them with school supplies (notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, backbacks). This is a tremendous opportunity to help. The notebooks do not need to be new (but we as that there be a substantial amount of unused paper!).

3. New this week! We are working with various groups (most notably Robert Obas and the New Haiti Project) to collect, repair, and ship new and used computers to schools, Churches, and orphanages i n Haiti. this has the potential to make a HUGE impact to the people of Haiti for a long time. The computers must have processor speed of AT LEAST 1.4ghz and can not be older than 5-6 years old. We will ship to Massachusetts where a group will clean, fix, and ship. These supplies can be dropped off at the garage sale/Car wash or email us at BonaResponds@Gmail.com to arrange a pick-up.

4. And finally, next weekend is going to be awesome. From a camp-out (tent collection!!) and bonfire, to over 20 jobs in and around Olean/Bradford. We need Many volunteers!! Actually Many Many volunteers!! Seriously if you have thought about volunteering but for whatever reason have held off, next weekend is going to be a grand-finale for the semester....see http://bonaresponds.org/lsd.html for more info.

Or to sign up see:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cEExRHZVWTR0dzByQklnODh1cGhPVXc6MA..

Announcing the adoption of an Orphanage

BonaResponds has decided to adopt the a Haitian Orphanage in Croix de Bouquets near

Port-au-Prince.

Here is some of the background on the orphanage from Kim who is our contact:

"Basically there is a man named Reginald who is the president of a non profit Haitian organization called GRODYSH. They were managing 4 orphanages in Haiti. When the earthquake happened, all the orphanages crumbled. Some of the children died and the rest were in the streets.

Reggie and his workers [searched] the area and found most of the missing children to bring them to his house. He is currently using his house and his land to house the children and keep them in a safe location and off the streets. They have found 116 of their children. He is planning to donate his house and turn it into an official orphanage.

They are also in the process of building more rooms and will need bunk beds, mattresses, and bedding. The house is too small to house all the children, but they have tents in his yard. He currently has builders and is working on building more rooms and a bigger kitchen and bathroom area for the children. He has set up an Applied Scholastics program at his house so the kids are now going to school. The ages range from 2-16."

The orphanage is located at 2 Impasse Jean, Route SOS, Santo 19, Croix de Bouquets

Port-au-Prince Haiti HT6310

So we are going to try and get school supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, back packs, crayons) as well as mosquito netting, first aid supplies, shoes (NOT CLOTHES), a few soccer balls, and other games (wiffle ball, maybe frisbees, etc).

They also need a more permanent food supply, batteries, a more permanent power source (solar?) and much more, but this is at least a start.
.

These items can be dropped off at the Murphy Building (231 Murphy--ask for the secretary if door is closed) on the SBU campus, as well as the Allegany Park and Shop.