This year we are looking forward to moving into the new diningroom/kitchen. The work is almost completed and we hope to be in by next month. We also expect to admit 10 new boys into the orphanage, we are growing!

Thank you everyone for making 2011 a great year, we look forward to 2012.

Some of the boys proudly wearing their new shoes

Our second annual Bangladesh Bash tennis tournament was another huge success. We were sponsored this year by String Along with Vince to whom we are very grateful. With the proceeds we will be able to complete the construction of the new dining room/kitchen which began this summer. The new facility will also have a new room for the women’s sewing cooperative thanks to Felicity, our friend from Australia.

This summer we also hired a new housemother. Her name is Rahima. Her duties are to clean the dormitory, bathe the younger boys and get them ready for school, and assist with some of the food preparation. She is working out very well and we are pleased that the boys like her very much. Another addition to the staff is a cook’s assistent. There was much too much work and not enough pay for the cook to prepare three meals a day, seven days a week for 60 boys. The salary for the cook’s assistent is being paid for by our very good friend from Australia. Thank you Felicity.

The boys got new shoes this summer for which they are very grateful. Previously, they had been wearing only flip flops or sandals tied together with string, which made it difficult for them to walk back and forth to school and work in the fields. Their feet are now thanking the generosity of our donors.

We had one setback this year.  The cows had an out break of hook worm and we lost two of them before we were able to get medication. The boys were happy to get the treat of eating some beef, but we mourn the loss of the two cows. The good news is, one of the cows just gave birth to a new calf and we have another one on the way, so the herd is replacing itself.

The boys do have one request, and that is for backpacks to carry their school books. Like children everywhere, they have a pile of school books which is difficult for them to carry while walking to school.  A donation of just $250 would buy them each a backpack and make their lives much easier. Such a small request for such a big difference.

Happy Holidays everyone, and thank you for all you have done for us. We are grateful to each and every one of you.

The Boys wearing their new shoes

Here is a picture of the boys proudly wearing their new shoes.   The shoes make the trek to school and the fields much easier. It is also easier for them to work in the fields being properly shod. Thank you donors!

We recently hired a new housemother to clean the dormitory and bathe the younger boys and get them ready for school. Welcome Rahima.

The older boys recently competed in a swimming competition and they won 15 of the 20 prizes. Our boys are truley winners.

The Orphans Welfare Foundation of Bangladesh recently donated pens and school books to the orphanage. The boys should now be all set for the new school year and we are greatful to the OWF for their generosity.

I recently sent out a newsletter asking for donations to buy the boys new shoes as they were wearing old flip flops or sandals tied together with string. Our donors came through with the $350 needed and the money was just sent to them. It is the little things in life that keep us happy and I think they are more excited about new shoes then the new dining room. They send hugs and kisses to all who helped.

Another good thing that has happened is that we are sponsoring a women’s sewing cooperative to teach local women a trade and help to raise them and there families out of poverty. The sewing machines were donated by Felicity Jack, our very generous friend in Australia who also built the new dormitory for the boys. We are providing the cooperative a building on the orphanage grounds and paying for their electricity. In exchange, we will get a percentage of what they sell. Not only are we helping the women of the area but this will put us one step closer to our goal of becoming a self sustaining entity.

Two of the boys recently required surgery. Abdullah had an inguinal hernia repair and Al Amin had surgery to remove a tumor from his throat. The surgeries both cost $450, which is a pittance by American standards, but they took a bite out of our budget. We are just thankful that the boys have both healed well and are back to school and play.

On March 26, 2011,  Bangladesh celebrated 40 years of independence. The independence day celebration included an athletic competition which involved all the schools in the area. The boys were disappointed in their second place finish, but a good time was had by all.

We have another pressing need to address, and that is to build a new kitchen/dining room. The boys are still eating in the condemned building and it is rapidly deteriorating.  It is becoming more unsafe each day and we are very concerned for their safety. Please consider making a donation so that we can provide a safe place for the boys to eat their meals.

Lastly, the boys have made one selfish request, and that is for a decent pair of shoes for each of them. They are all wearing old flip flops or sandals that are tied together with string. They walk to school everyday and frequently make the 3 mile trek to the fields, so a new pair of shoes would go a long way in improving the quality of their lives. It will take only $400 to buy them each a pair of decent shoes and their feet will be very appreciative.

Thank you for your support!

One of the boys, Abdullah, required surgery for a hernia repair. His recovery is progressing well and he is now able to walk around
the orphanage grounds. Several of the boys have recently experienced very high fevers which required doctor visits. We are thankful that they are all doing well now, it is a priority that we keep the boys healthy so that they can grow into strong and productive young men.

We have much to be hopeful for in 2011. We hope to build a new barn for the cows as they are becoming sickly living in the cold and damp. We would like to build a new diningroom/kitchen so the boys don’t have to eat in the condemned building which is at risk of collapsing. And as always, we hope for a tractor/tiller so the boys don’t have to do the agricultural work by hand with only primitive tools. With your help, these dreams can be realized.

Wishing everyone a prosperous, happy and healthy New Year.

And in other news….

On July 1 the boys moved into their new dormitory, thanks to a very generous donation from our friend Felicity in Australia. The new quarters consist of 5 rooms with 12 boys to a room. This is a far cry from 30 boys crammed into a cow shed. Each boy has their own bed now, which is a luxury after sharing a bed. There was enough money left over to build a wall surrounding the dormitory so that the boys can now feel safe from intruders.

They have been able to add 2 new cows to the herd bringing the total up to 16. Each boy is now able to get a glass of milk a day, adding some protein to their rice and vegetable diet. We would also like to start raising some chickens in order to add eggs to their diet.

This monsoon season has been a particularly bad one and the low lying area of Char Fasson has experienced some severe flooding. Unfortunately, the flooding has destroyed all the crops that the boys have worked so hard to cultivate. A huge disappointment, but I am sure that they will replant with the cheerful enthusiasm they always display in working toward their own survival.

Two new boys have recently been admitted to the orphanage, Zihad age 6 and Abbas age 8. Zihad’s father died when his boat capsized during a fishing outing. His body has never been recovered. Recently his mother died from complications of a gastric ulcer. His sister went to live in a foster home, but the family did not want Zihad, so he came to live at the orphanage. He enjoys going to school and learning the English alphabet.

When Abbas was 2 his father died in a plowing accident. Three years ago his mother went to the capital, Dhakka, for a job. She has never returned and there has been no communication from her. She is presumed dead. Very sad circumstances for a young child.

The boys have been busy winning awards recently. They won the inter-school football (soccer) competition. This was no mean feat considering there were over 50 schools participating in the competition. Congratulations boys! They also won the kabadi competition. This is a national game, a little like tag, but played with 2 teams of 6-7 players. The object is to get to the opponents side. It is a good game for the children of Bangladesh because it does not require any equipment.

One of the orphans, Abdul, was recently diagnosed with an inquinal hernia. He will need an operation soon. The other things on our wish list are: a tractor and tiller to make the job of planting crops easier and less time consuming for the boys; chickens so the boys can eat eggs; and a new kitchen and dining room so the boys can eat safely, away from the condemned building. Please think of us for your holiday donations.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

The bad news is that Bangladesh experienced a great deal of rain last month. Because Char Fasson is on the Bay of Bengal, a very low lying area, they experienced flooding. Fortunately the boys and buildings are alright, but the fields flooded and they lost all of their crops. The field work is very arduous and time consuming because they do not have the proper tools or machinery to do the work, but they will cheerfully replant knowing that they are providing themselves sustenance. A tiller would go a long way in streamlining the process allowing more time for the boys schooling and the all important sports and play.