Because Every Mother Matters - Birthing Kits for Women in Uganda

Updated ***March 4, 2010***

Amount raised for birthing kits donated = $775

The price of the birthing kits may vary, so the actual number of kits purchased will be posted here after the order is placed.

Project Inspiration:
Jeremy and Kamina are expecting their first child in mid-May. After traveling to Africa 4 times in the last 2 years Kamina had met, seen, and prayed for the women of the countries she visited. Ever since finding out she was pregnant Kamina has thought even more about the women in Africa and how they have little to no access to the basic resources they need to safely grow, deliver, and raise a child. Often times they are hungry and have no food. Thirsty and have no water. In labor and have no sterile supplies or a safe place to deliver their baby. This calling on her heart translated into a vision. Instead of the usual American style "baby shower" with a mile long registry and pile of gifts, why not shower the women in Africa with the basics to safely deliver their child? Kamina and Jeremy are having a party on February 28th at their new house in Fort Collins and inviting friends and family to celebrate the coming of their child. They are asking guests to bring diapers or wipes, and in lieu of other gifts asking for donations to purchase birthing kits for women in Uganda. Why shower one mother with a pile of goodies when we can shower many women in Africa with the blessing of a safe birth of their child? Will you join us in changing the lives of others?

Birthing Kit Contents and Cost:
The birthing kits will be purchased in Uganda and include gauze, cotton, razor blades, tetracycline eye ointment, gloves, umbilical cord tie, soap, pamphlets, polythene sheeting, and a polythene bag for records. Each kit will cost $10. All donations are tax deductible.

Donations:
Online donations will be accepted through Compassionate Impact International. You can make your online donation before, during, or after the party. Please enter "Birthing Kits" into the text box that reads "Enter a description below of how you would like your donation used." Donations will be accepted through March 1, 2010.

Project Partners and Implementation:

Because Every Mother Matters - Steffany Boster is sponsoring this event and project. Steffany is providing pictures, information, advice, and pamphlets to help spread the word about how simple birthing kits can save the lives of both mothers and babies in Uganda, Africa.

Compassionate Impact International is a 501c3 in Loveland, CO that has offered to help collect the money via their online donation page then transfer to Jeff and Katie Borchert in Uganda.

Bridestone Missionaries, Jeff and Katie Borchert live in Uganda for half of each year. They have partnered with us in this effort and are willing to order the birthing kits and then distribute them to under-resourced clinics in the "bush" that help deliver babies.

Future For Orphans - Jeremy and Kamina Johnson will have a display at the party to show the contents of the birthing kit will post pictures of the distribution of the birthing kits when they become available. They will also keep a counter on this website of the number of kits that were purchased in honor of their child's arrival.

Here is a picture of the kit.

Here is a picture of Katie and Jeff's friend Alice in Uganda. She is due March 10.

Here is a picture of Katie and Jeff's friend Jocelyn in Uganda. She gave birth to her baby on the mat on the floor of her hut. Luckily she and baby survived with no infections or complications.

Pictures from the Party!

Lemonade Stand

A young lady in Pennsylvania raised money for the orphanage by having a lemonade stand. How great is the faith of children trying to help children? SHe raised $60 in 2 days!

The kids are in!

The last week of July 2009 a crew of 9 people went to Liberia and finished the common area and orphanage side of the facility! We were able to move the kids in! YEAH! Here are a few pictures from the newly finished site. A special thanks to Eric, Joel, Joe, Tim, Kipp, Bill, Brant, and Kelly for all their hard work.

Here is Eric installing the solar panels. So great that the orphanage has power (current) that is green, sustainable, and free.

Here is the wind mill and water storage tank. The wind blew nearly every night recharging the batteries to provide power! The water storage tank provides gravity fed running water to the showers, kitchen, bathrooms, etc.

Here are pictures of some of the quilts and curtains made by the women at E-Free Church in Montrose, PA. They sure do brighten the place and make it much more kid-friendly.

Here are pictures of the new playground, called Matthew's Play Place.

Friends for Africa

An 11 year old daughter Alex and her 2 friends, Sammy and Savannah wanted to find something to do to help other people less fortunate then themselves. They decided to try to sell friendship bracelets for $1.50 and send any money they raised to causes close to their heart. Half the money they sent to the orphanage project and the other half they sent to fundraiser for one of the girls cousins who is suffering from terminal brain cancer. Alex has 3 siblings that were adopted from Liberia through Addy's Hope and currently is waiting for her newest brother to come home. They sold bracelets to family, neighbors, friends and even got permission to sell them to the teachers at their elementary school. They have worked incredibly hard and were able to raise $175 for the orphanage project! They feel so good about doing it they decided to keep going. They have decided to name their group Friends for Africa."

Undies for Orphans

*** Update *** Brant has 752 pairs of undies!!!

Brant Dixon in Winston-Salem, NC is traveling to Liberia to meet his new brothers at Addy's Hope later this month and he hopes to take hundreds of pairs of underwear with him!

On Monday, July 13, Brant sent out an all-points bulletin to family and friends seeking donations of new kids underwear. Challenged by his brother, Jay, who in September, went without his usual birthday presents and instead asked party guests to bring tee-shirts and underwear for the Addy's Hope kids, Brant decided to see what he could do!!

Support and encouragement are pouring in to B's email inbox---and so are the undies! He collected 218 pairs on Tuesday alone---and he's just getting started!!

Wind in our sails

***UPDATE*** July 15, 2009

10 people are going to be headed to Liberia in a month to do the rest of the work on the building so that the children can move in! The Lord has provided the $6,000 needed to finish this project! Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed, donated, and supported this project.


After weathering the storm in Liberia we need some wind in our sails to finish this project. We ended up having to pay around $6,000 in unexpected duty and inspection fees on our shipping container (very long story). We also lost about 1.5 weeks of work with the container being held up.

We need to raise $6,000 to complete the orphanage and school. This money will be used for interior walls, a gate, barb wire, and other miscellaneous costs. On this trip the interior walls, solar power system, water system, desks, beds, and shelves will be done, which will allow the children to move to the new facility.

If you have any ideas on how to raise the money or are feeling led to help out please let us know. Please send checks made out to "Addy's Hope" to:

Jeremy and Kami Johnson
5925 Lake View Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80526

We are 100% fundraised!

WATCH THIS VIDEO OF THE CHILDREN SAYING THANK YOU!!!

Quilts, curtains, and backpacks....OH MY!

Ladies at the Montrose Evangelical Free Church are making curtains for the new orphanage and school in Liberia. They are picking out bright, cheerful fabric to use for the curtains that will be in the bedrooms and classrooms. There are 18 windows to decorate in the orphanage. A few women are making quilts for sound absorption and color and there are backpack patterns that you can make for the village children that will be going to school there. They are very excited that doing such a simple thing is going to make a difference in children's lives in Liberia!

Fabric for the curtains for a classroom curtain fabric and the older girls room

making the announcement at church

the lady who made the older boys bedroom curtain

the table set up at church

Finished curtains

Quilts to add color to the walls

Orphan Bookmarks

While in Liberia in March the children at Addy's Hope made bookmarks. They are about 2 inches wide and 8.5 inches tall and printed on white card stock. We are selling them for $2 each to help raise money to finish the school and orphanage. Please send Kami an email at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com. The children had a wonderful time making these bookmarks and were very excited to hear that they were going to be used by people in America. Some have stickers, some have writing, some are just colored with one color crayon. The bookmarks say:

An orphan living near Monrovia, Liberia in West Africa decorated this bookmark. Feel free to put this in your favorite book or give to a friend as a constant reminder of the children of Liberia.

Here are some pictures.

Threads of Hope Bracelets/Necklaces

Some kids in Pennsylvania are selling the beautiful Threads of Hope bracelets and necklaces again this year. Threads of Hope (http://www.threadsofhope.com.ph/) is a great organization that let's you donate 40% of the money raised to the cause of your choice and the other 60% goes back to the women in the Philippines who made the bracelets and necklaces. They are donating the 40% to Amazima Ministries (http://www.amazima.org/) and Addy's Hope Orphanage Project (http://www.futurefororphans.com/). The bracelets/anklets are $1.00 and the necklaces are $2.00. They have found that the necklaces work as cute headbands too!

If you are interested in buying any of them please email them at hopefulcards@yahoo.com and tell them what color(s) you would like. It will cost $1.00 if you need them mailed.

Lifeline

Orphanage Project Liberia was featured in our chuch's newsletter, Lifeline. Thanks Life Church for your support!

Hopeful Cards

A young lady in Pennsylvania is helping to raise money for Orphanage Project Liberia. If you would like to order some hand made cards that will help orphans in Liberia, please contact her. Here is a message from her.

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I wanted to continue helping the orphans and people of Liberia so my mom and I brainstormed and came up with the idea of making and selling handmade cards to raise money for Liberia. I asked my sister and my 2 friends and they quickly agreed to help! The money from the sale of the cards is going to Addy's Hope Orphanage and Orphanage Project Liberia! We are selling a pack of 6 assorted cards for $5 and there is a small fee for shipping that depends on how many packs you buy! If you would like to order a pack of cards please email us at hopefulcards@yahoo.com and tell your family and friends about this opportunity to reach the orphans of Liberia!

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Here is a picture of the lovely young ladies making the cards.

Here are some great pictures of these gorgeous cards!!!

LIFE Church Kids send gifts to Liberia

The kids at LIFE Church in Fort Collins, CO made notes, prayer bears, visors, and bracelets for the children at Addy's Hope Orphanage. The children at the orphanage loved their gifts and were so thankful and happy that children in America were thinking of them.

Sharing the story

On Monday April 13th our friends Todd and Holly with Africa Bags had a fundraiser for their upcoming trip to Malawi. We also had a Passion Africa meeting (more of a get together) and were invited to give a presentation about our project. About 50 people attended, including friends and Orphanage Project Liberia supporters. It was truly a great opportunity to show those in Northern Colorado what had happened in Liberia, as well as thank people for their time, prayers, donations, and support.

Here is a slideshow of pictures from that night (thanks Todd for taking them!). Kami ran the slideshow while Jeremy spoke. It was a really fun night.

The Vision is now REALITY

Here is a photo of what we were able to get accomplished on this trip. It is not complete, but the amount of work that was done in the 6 days we had to work with is a true miracle.

The progress is that the exterior walls, roof, bathrooms (one boys and one girls restrooms with two toilets each and a sink for each), kitchen floor, and well are completed. The fence is mostly done, but we do not have a gate. The other items left to start/complete include electrical, plumbing, install 9 windows, install an exterior door, desks, chairs, book shelves, kitchen roof, kitchen shelves, beds, interior walls for bedrooms, interior walls for class rooms, ceiling.

Here is a slideshow of all the construction pictures!

Margibi County Senior Senator Clarice Jah came to look at the progress of the project. We were honored to give her a tour of the future facility and explain how the entire surrounding community will benefit in many ways.

Here is a picture of the construction crew.

Back row:
David Tyler from Pennsylania
Jeff Nolta from Washington
Laura Olderog from Arizona
Matt Harman from Pennsylania
Teresa Wegner from Colorado
Kamina Johnson from Colorado

Front row:
Randy Decker from Pennsylania
Eric Lews from Pennsylania
Jeremy Johnson from Colorado

Click here for a great newspaper article about the 4 men who were on the team that traveled from Pennsylvania!

Project update!

So the container is set to arrive in Liberia very soon! Kami leaves March 7th and Jeremy leaves March 14th to go and build the school and orphanage. There are currently 7 other people coming with us. Jeremy and Kami hope to have it mostly completed by the time they leave on April 1st. We will be sending out email updates (see below to sign up) and will try and post pics and updates on this website.

If you would like to receive email updates while they are on their trip send an email to Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com with the word "update" in the subject line.

Calvary Baptist Day School - Winston-Salem, NC

Update April 24, 2009

Kami was able to give a presentation at Calvary school to show them the pictures from the well and additional water fixtures their fundraised money purchased in Liberia! Enjoy the slideshow!

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UPDATE!!! February 27, 2009

God is doing amazing things in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where the Calvary Middle Schoolers ROCKED their well project fundraiser by raising an incredible $3,562.24! This is more than $1000. over goal and will provide for ALL the well materials, drilling, labor costs and now, some terrific upgrades--- including better plumbing and also sink and toilet fixtures for the interior of the new orphanage.

Winners of the HOME BASE RACE-----separated by only a few dollars----
1st Place--Mrs. Tate's 7th grade ($559.73)
2nd Place--Mrs. Taylor's 7th grade ($557.51)
3rd Place--Mrs. Hawk's 7th grade (545.10)

Awesome job! Way to go, Cougars!!! THANK YOU to every one who donated!!!

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UPDATE!!! February 19, 2009

WOW! The CBDS Middle School Cougars are on a roll---they've raised over $1000. at the halfway point of the well fundraiser!!

In the Home Base Race, current leaders are:
1st--Mrs. Highsmith's 6th grade with $229.79
2nd--Mrs. Tate's 7th grade with $188.60
3rd--Mr. Tolentino's 8th grade with $151.16*

*Mrs. Morris's and Mrs. Clark's home bases are nippin' at your heels in 4th and 5th places!!!

Keep bringing in CHANGE and any other donations!

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UPDATE!!! February 13, 2009

The Calvary Middle School is off to a SUPER-FAST start collecting over $500 for the well in just the first 3 days of the project!!!

Early leaders in the Homebase race to douse Mrs. Lidbom with water balloons-----
1st--Mrs. Highsmith's 6th grade Homebase
2nd--Mrs. Tate's 7th grade Homebase
3rd--Mrs. Clark's 8th grade Homebase

Way to go----KEEP IT UP, COUGARS!!!

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We are pleased to partner with the middle schoolers of Calvary Baptist Day School, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This energetic bunch of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders has commited to raising funds for the drilling of the water well at the school and orphanage. Their "CHANGE FOR ORPHANS" project kicks off on Tuesday February 10th with an assembly and runs through the end of February. Students are encouraged to donate the change they would spend on soda, sports drinks, and Starbucks treats to the project. Students could also consider donating a portion of their allowance, doing chores to raise extra money, asking friends and family for donations of spare change --- all in the hopes of raising $2,500. The Calvary home room that donates the most money will earn an extra incentive --- the chance to soak their Principal, Brenda Lidbom, with water balloons at the middle school social on February 27th. Go Cougars!

Fort Collins High School

Fort Collins High School had Spread the Love Week, sponsored by Student Council, in February to raise money for Orphanage Project Liberia. Check out this article (currently featured on the home page of the school's website) about how Principal Mark Eversole and Assistant Principal Joe Ahlbrandt climbed up the FCHS Tower on Tuesday February 17th, 2009 to fulfill a pledge made during Spread the Love Week! Staff and students donated loose change ($6 per minute) to send the pair up on the tower for over 3 hours.

Pictures by Micki Thompson, Susan Webering and Nancy Oliveira

Vitamins for Orphans

We are starting to collect bottles of chewable children's vitamins and over the counter meds (no liquids please) to take with us in a few weeks when we head to Liberia to build the school/orphanage. Please send Kami an email at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com if you are interested.

Orphanage Project Liberia featured in California Newspaper

Petra, from Half Moon Bay California, contacted us with an offer of as many soccer uniforms as we could carry to Liberia. She is shipping boxes to gear to our house and we will take it on the place. Greg Thomas with the Half Moon Bay Review interviewed Jeremy, and the article came out today. Click here to read the article.

Container is in route

Today the container was loaded onto a truck and is headed to Houston to be put on a ship.

Thanks to Joe at Crystal Landscape for bringing their equipment down to help load the container.

Solar & Wind System

The last items to load in the container have arrived. Thanks so much to Mel Wright for designing and building the solar and wind power system for the school/orphanage!

Here is a picture of Mel describing the components to Jeremy.

Here is a picture of the solar panels.

Here is a picture of Jeremy and I in front of the container tonight with the last bits loaded.

Tomorrow the conatiner will be fumigated tomorrow, aired out on Tuesday, picked up and put on a truck on Wednesday, arrive in Houston on Friday, and then be on a boat headed for Africa! Thank you to everyone who has helped and/or been supportive of this project. Please pray for the safe travels and arrival of this container full of goods that will help the Liberian people.

Container Dedication

We had a wonderful container dedication!!! The sun was shining, it was warm (for Colorado standards in January), and 50 people came! Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support! The container leaves on Wednesday for Houston, then gets on a ship and will end up in Port of Monrovia.

For those of you who were not there here is a video of Pastor Jeff Crabtree praying over the container.

Click on the slideshow below to see all the pictures.

ABC Containers

We want to thank Dan and ABC Containers for helping us with the cost of the container. Thanks to Paul and Chuck who have helped us with loading the container.

We also want to thank H.E.L.P. International for the donation of several mattresses for the orphanage.

All Hands on Deck!

Also, click here for details on All Hands on Deck! This will be our container dedication/celebration time. Saturday January 17th at 11am. If you live in the area please come, or spread the word to those you think would want to come.

Foundation is Finished!

We received update pictures today of the foundation. It is complete and ready for the rest of the supplies to arrive.

Once upon a child

Adam and Chandi Springer, owners of Once upon a child in Fort Collins, CO donated a lot of items for the shipping container. We received toys, clothes, games, bedding, mattresses, and a bassinet for the children in Liberia. Thanks Adam and Chandi!

How you can help!

We have updated the needs list and categorized things a little bit. There are many ways that you can help children in Liberia, Africa. You can PRAY, GIVE, DONATE, or TRAVEL. Read the following lists to see if there is a way you can help then contact us at yz400ryder@yahoo.com if you are interested.

GIVE
These are items that we would like to collect to put in the shipping container. Items can be gently used or new. It would be great to get your family, friends, church, soccer team, etc involved to collect these items for children in Liberia.

High priority items

• felt fabric
• towels
• jump ropes
• dry erase board material
• dry erase markers
• Crib bedding
• USB Flash Drive
• SD card
• Computers (desktop or laptop)

Items we still need or could use more of

• Globes, maps, wall hangings
• Rulers
• Latest Anti Virus Discs
• Printer Cartridges: 343-color and 339-black

Items we have already

• hair clippers
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• hula hoops
• soccer pumps
• tether balls
• Flip flops
• Bandaids
• Children's bibles
• Children's summer clothes (includes undergarments and socks)
• Adult summer clothes
• School supplies (pencils, pencil sharpeners, crayons, notebooks, pens)
• Soap
• Soccer gear (shin guards, socks, goal nets)
• Vinyl mattress covers, twin size
• Mattresses
• Cloth diapers and nylon/vinyl diaper covers
• Clothesline and clothes pins
• Cribs
• Infant clothes
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Toys (story books, Chinese checkers, chess, dominos, Uno, cards, Scrabble, Jack and ball, paddle ball, marbles, Frisbees, jump ropes, Make 7 or Make 4 Toys, Teddy Bear, Dolls)
• Soap
• Bed sheets
• Washcloths
• Plastic tubs for shipping and storage
• Scanner/printer/copy/fax

DONATE
Even though we have met our goal for the construction of the school and orphanage there are other needs mentioned in the list below. Any additional funds above $55,000 goal will go towards:

• Upgraded bathrooms and showering area
• Water storage system
• Cooking stoves
• More beds and matresses
• Fans
• Materials for benches and desks
• Mosquito nets

TRAVEL
Anyone interested would have to raise their own funds for travel expenses. At this time we don't have any travel dates, but are currently aiming for late March (pending the arrival of the shipping container). We need people with special skills to help us set up a well rounded facility:

• Teachers
• Sustainable farming and livestock management
• Plumbing, water purification, irrigation
• Doctors, nurses, nutritionist
• People with a heart for children/orphans
• Any other skill that might be helpful

PRAY

• Property to become available for purchase
• Shipping logistics
• Construction planning and completion
• People involved in the project
• Children of Liberia
• Workers at the current children's home

Pro-Build

Pro-Build in Fort Collins, Colorado donating some of the cost of the wooden trusses needed for Orphanage Project Liberia. This is a local business with no prior connection to us that were inspired to help with this project. If anybody is in need of any building materials we would highly recommend talking with Mel and the staff at Pro-Build. Check out their website for more details about their company.

Thanks Mel and the rest of the gang for all of your help.

The picture is of the trusses for the orphanage are loaded on the trailer and ready to be taken to the container!