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!

Foundation and shipping container update

We have received word that the foundation is complete. We are still waiting on pictures and will post them as soon as we get them.

We also bought a 20' shipping container today to pack full of constructon supplies and other donated supplies. We loaded the metal for the orphanage into the container. Next we will be putting the generator and trusses, and then will be all the other supplies.

If you are interested in donating money or supplies for the container please take a look at this list to see the list of needs.

Learning in Liberia

Our newest project is off and running. Check out the new site at www.learninginliberia.com and spread the word to help.

Project Pictures

The trip to Liberia was a success. The property was purchased, a tool storage shed was built, the foundation was dug, and concrete was being poured.

In Liberia News

Addy's Hope and Orphanage Project Liberia were interviewed and featured on Start Radio, a radio station in Liberia. If you would like to listen to the 1 minute story go to this linkhttp://www.starradio.org.lr/content/view/10074/434/In the bottom left hand corner there is an orange link that says Listen Now, Click that link. Forward to 15:30.

Jeremy leaves Liberia in a few hours.

Hard Core

Update: In addition to the blankets and sheets drive Hard Core also gathered medicial supplies, letters, and flip flops for the orphans in Liberia!

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A young adults group called Hard Core collected sheets and blankets for the orphanage. Here are a couple of pictures. Thanks Hard Core for all of your hard work!

Property and trip to Liberia

12-1-2008

Jeremy arrived in Liberia last night. Today he went out to the property, 4 acres, that will be purchased for the school and orphanage. He said that it is flat, mostly cleared, in a great location, and perfect for the project and future buildings. Updates will be posted here as Jeremy gives more information to Kami. The surveying and deed should be finalized on Wednesday, then the plan is to begin work on the foundation.

12-2-2008

Here is a picture of Jeremy buying the property!!! He said that the property is perfect. The land was surveyed today and they started clearing the property. Tomorrow they are building a temporary shelter for supplies and then Thursday will break ground for the foundation.

I also got this picture thanking the Fort Collins Soccer Club for their donations of soccer gear. The kids went absolutely crazy over the donated kleats, shin guards, cones, and jerseys. Thank you FC Soccer Club for touching lives in Liberia Africa!!!

The signs read
"Thank you FC Soccer Club 4 Helping Us"

12-3-2008

The deed was signed today! Addy's Hope now owns 4 acres for the school and orphanage and all future projects! The foundation is being planned and supplies are being purchased.

12-4-2008

Addy's Hope had a ground breaking and dedication ceremony today at the new property! There was press out there covering the story. This first picture is of a prayer dedicating the property.

Here is a fantastic picture of Jeremy, HollyAnn, and Amos with shovels starting the ground breaking!

12-5-2008

Jeremy said today that there were 10-12 people out at the property working and the foundation is dug! The footings are being poured tomorrow. He said that it is estimated to be a 2 week process. Jeremy said that we are going to get a 20 foot shippping container, but the metal and trusses and solar in there and then pack it with anything else we can and get it headed over there! YEAH! Oh, and a supplies shed has already been built on the property.

12-6-2008

Jeremy said that the foundation was all dug by hand! He said that the concrete is all mixed by hand and if he calculated properly it is 100 yards of concrete. He leaves tomorrow to come back home so this may be the last update about the project until he arrives with more pictures and possibly video of the property.

We have an orphanage in our garage

The first and biggest part of the orphanage is in our hands, in our garage!

This is a picture of Jeremy and our neighbor Darrel unloading the last part of the steel partly donated by FLATiRON Steel. The orphanage will be blue with tan trim and will stay in our garage until it is loaded onto a truck or into a shipping container.

Next stop, Liberia.

Upendo Tanzania

Upendo Tanzania has offered to partner with Orphanage Project Liberia. Visit their website at http://www.upendotanzania.com/ and when you purchase something use the code: Liberia when you check out. Orphanage Project Liberia will get $10 from each pair of sandals!

FLATiRON Steel

FLATiRON Steel, out of LaSalle, Colorado and their supplier are donating a great portion of the cost of the steel 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 a metal roof or other corregated steel products we would highly recommend talking with Lee and his staff. Check out their website for more details about their company.

Here is a picture of Lee (who helped us with the donation of the steel), with FLATiRON Steel, while Jeremy was picking up the metal for the orphanage. Thanks Lee, Chelsey, and the rest of the gang for all of your help.

Brewster Timber Frame Company

September 20th and 21st Fort Collins hosted it's 9th annual Sustainable Living Fair. Brewster Timber Frame Company set up a booth with a beautiful wooden pergola. They donated $200 to Orphanage Project Liberia from the sale of the pergola.

Each person that passed by the booth was able to see a display and take a brochure/flyer/card with them to learn more about Orphanage Project Liberia.Mel Wright, who is friends with Steve (the pergola builder) is helping Orphanage Project Liberia to set up a wind and solar energy system for the orphanage. He is asking local companies to donate parts of the system!

(Pictured is Steve, Mel, Mike, Jeremy and Kami)

Liberian Cross and Christmas Ornament Cross

These little crosses are made out of bullet shells that were used during Liberia's 14 year civil war. They are now made into crosses. This illustrates that what once could kill is now turned to a cross of calvary where Liberia can find life eternal as they trust and look to Christ. A strand of red and gold beads (measuring 3.5 inches in total length) will hold the cross (measuring 1 inch wide and 1.5 inches tall) on your tree this holiday season.

Christmas Ornament Cross= $5 (+shipping) Email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com with the quantity desired and your address.

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Plain Cross = $3 (+shipping).

Email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com with the quantity desired and your address.

100 out of 100 orphans have a home

Here is a new way to measure how much of this project is funded (courtesy of my friend Amy's creative mind). We took the budget of $55,000 and divided that over 100 children (that is how many children can live at this facility). So far we have enough money to provide a home to 100 out of 100 orphans. As our project became funded the little stick figure kids turned from gray turn to black, meaning that enough money has come in to provide housing for one more orphan.

Praise the Lord! We have enough money to house 100 children!

Sea Glass Necklaces

A wonderful lady named Kathee donated 100 Sea Glass Necklaces to our project to sell to raise money for Orphanage Project Liberia. Each one is unique in size, style, and shape. There are also some great necklaces with polished rocks.

Sea Glass Necklace = $10 (+shipping)

Email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com with the quantity desired and your address.

Zambian Soap and Lip Balm

Sambah Naturals have partnered with Orphanage Project Liberia to help raise the remaining funds for the school and orphanage. There are two great products that you can purchase, and 50% supports our project.

Fair trade, organic, handmade soap from Zambia. The scents are Lavendar, Lemongrass, Spearmint, and Cassia (with Cinnamon). If you purchase 4 (one of each scent, or 4 Lemongrass) you get a free rectangular hand woven gift basket from Zambia. Perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, anniversarys, and Christmas presents.

Soap = $5 per bar (+shipping)

Fair trade, organic beeswax lip balm.

Lip balm = $4 per tube (+shipping)

Email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com with the quantity desired your address.

Two 4 Two

For the month of September we had a campaign called
Two 4 Two.
This stands for $2,000 for $2,000!!!

We already received $2,000 in donations for the month by September 6th!!!

The anonymous donor is going to match the donations with $2,000!

Benefit Dinner Results

It is late. We are sleepy. We are overwhelmed with how this evening went, it was truly amazing.

The benefit dinner earned:

$9,000

Thanks so much to all those who helped cook, set up, clean up, spread the word, sell tickets, organized things, donated items, and the list goes on and on. We couldn't have done it without you!

Read Kami's blog post by clicking here.

Read Revelife's blog post (revised from Kami's site) by clicking here.

Read Tom Davis' blog post by clicking here.

Read Russ' post on RLC website by clicking here.

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Pictures from "A night for orphans in Africa" are available!

Photographer: Katy Vicory

Click here to look at them and order.

Article in Fort Collins Coloradoan

Click here to view our recent news story in the Fort Collins Coloradoan!

A night for orphans in Africa

Saturday August 9th, 2008
Semi - Formal Benefit Dinner and Auction

$25 per person

Tickets available now!

Email bluecowgirl@yahoo.com to order tickets

Click here to download event flyer!
Please send it to your friends
Knights of Columbus Hall in Fort Collins, CO

121 N Meldrum St, Fort Collins, CO 80521

5:30pm Drinks/hors d'oeuvres and start silent auction

6:00pm dinner starts

6:45pm slide show about project

7:00pm start live auction and end silent auction

Inspirational Talk by Tom Davis, author of Red Letters, CEO Children's Hope Chest

Live Music courtesy of Donovan Lorenzen and Whistlers Chair Company

Photographer Katy Vicory

Auctioneer: Courtney Brown

9:00pm evening ends

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• If possible, please buy your tickets by August 3rd to help us know how much food to prepare
• Other special guests include Russ Weir from Red Letters Campaign and HollyAnn Petree from Addy's Hope

• The dress is semi-formal (which means what you would wear to an evening wedding)

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Click here to see LIVE AUCTION items!

Click here to see silent auction items.

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Press Release

HELP BUILD A HOME FOR ORPHANS IN AFRICA

Join Orphanage Project Liberia on Saturday, August 9th for "A Night for Orphans in Africa" at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fort Collins, starting at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a delicious dinner, live music, exciting auction items, drinks, dessert, and more, all while raising funds for an orphanage in Liberia that members of the Fort Collins community will personally help build. Tickets for this fun, semi-formal evening are $25 per person and can be purchased through their website (http://www.futurefororphans.com/). If you have an item to donate for auction, please contact Kami Johnson at kaminakjohnson@yahoo.com. Buy a ticket! Bring a friend! Build a home!

Buzz and Jesses Drive

We have started collecting soccer cleats and shin guards (buzz and jesses as they call them in Liberia) for the children that will live at the orphanage. I am also collecting soccer balls, soccer socks, and jerseys. Please email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com if you have some that you'd like to donate. We hope to ship them over with the building. Here is a letter that the children wrote asking for soccer gear.

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Thanks to the Fort Collins Soccer Club and other generous families in the area for donating items. We are going to continue collecting items so email Kami if you'd like to donate.

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Thanks to Liffeys Pearse F.C.! This football (soccer) club in Dublin, Ireland is donating equipment kits containing jerseys, shorts, socks and balls and shipping them straight to Liberia! This club started as just a schoolboy club but found that when kids finished their schoolboy football (at age 18) they weren’t continuing onto junior\senior football and were just giving up. The area that these kids come from is inner city Dublin and renowned for criminal and drug activity. They now help young men continue playing football in senior level clubs.

Future 4 Orphans Promo Slideshow

A 12 year old girl from Pennsylvania made this slideshow on Smilebox. Over the course of her family's journey to adopt from Liberia, God has been giving her a heart for helping orphans! To quote her, "It is a ton of fun knowing that you are giving the children a brighter future!" Her slideshow will be shown to her whole church on Sunday the 29th! This girl from Pennsylvania wants to encourage other kids to do fundraisers to help orphans. She suggests Threads of Hope where you donate 40 % of sales to a project of your choice. Visit http://www.threadsofhope.com.ph/ if you are interested. This same 12 year old girl has a Change 4 Orphans container at her church. She is also taking shirt and bag orders at her church to help raise money for Orphanage Project Liberia. She says, "Get involved!!!!"

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Five 4 Five

For the month of June we had a campaign called

Five 4 Five.

This stands for $5,000 for $5,000!!!

We received $5,000 in the month of June in donations, so an anonymous donor matched those donations with $5,000!

Bags 4 Orphans

Orphanage Project Africa Bags

Todd and Holly Petitt with Africa Bags have generously offered to partner with us by putting the Orphanage Project Liberia logo, along with their logo, on their bags and allowing us to sell them as a fundraiser. Part of the proceeds will go to Malawi and the Africa Bags project and the other part will go to Liberia for the Orphanage Project. So buy a bag or two, and help the people of Malawi, orphans in Liberia, and our environment. Visit the Africa Bags website http://africabags.org/ for more information on Malawi.

The price is: $12 (+shipping)

If you are interested please email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com with the quantity desired and your address.

There are so many uses for the Orphanage Project Africa Bag!

• Mother's day gifts (you could fill it with goodies for mom)
• Graduation gifts (you could fill it with goodies for a grad)
• Birthday gifts (you could fill it with goodies for friends, family, etc)
• Christmas presents (you could fill it with goodies for friends, family, etc)
• Library book bag
• School book bag
• Grocery shopping (you can fit much more than in a normal plastic grocery bag)
• Shopping at other stores (WalMart, Target, Kohls, JCPenny, Mervyns, anywhere)
• Shopping at your local farmer's market
• Purse
• Bag to carry your things (great for meetings, church, small groups, bible studies, PTA meetings, etc)
• Kids activities (dance shoes/clothes, piano books, sports gear, toys, sleep overs, etc)
• Picnic bag or taking things to a friend's house for a Potluck or BBQ

Shirts 4 Orphans

Orphanage Project Liberia shirts are ready!

CLICK HERE to see what colors and sizes we have in stock!
Other colors and sizes available upon request.
The prices are:

Short Sleeve = $15 or 2 for $25 + shipping
Long Sleeve = $18 + shipping

Sweatshirt = $25 + shipping

Tank Tops = $12 + shipping
Kid's shirts = $10 + shipping

If you are interested please email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com with the amount you want and your address.

Check out these onesies.

Here is a scrub shirt.

Here is a custom apron.

You too can outfit the family!

Or get a cute tank, perfect for the hot summer weather!

Or you can wear your shirt in Africa. This is our friend Ray in South Africa.

Emily's Room

If you are wanting to donate to Emily's Room, please use the yellow donate button on the right side of the screen. (In the "Add special instructions for the merchant" box type "EMILY'S ROOM ." )

Or send check made out to Addy's Hope Adoption Agency directly to (PLEASE include "EMILY'S ROOM" in the memo):

Jeremy and Kamina Johnson
5925 Lakeview Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Questions about Emily's Room? Email Kami at bluecowgirl@yahoo.com.

Here is a picture of Kami and Emily at "A night for orphans in Africa"

To view the details about Orphanage Project Liberia CLICK HERE.

More details about the project

Click here for floor plans

This is a sketch of the orphanage/school.

Addy's Hope Adoption Agency is a Christian, non-profit, adoption agency committed to providing personal service to Christian families as they answer His call to bring His orphans home. Addy's Hope also has a Child Relief Ministry and Addy's Hero Program for anyone who wants to help orphans in Liberia. You can learn more about Addy's Hope by going to http://www.addyshope.com/.

Project Timeline

We have been led to fundraise, coordinate, and build this children's home and school to help take care of God's children in Liberia. We plan to construct this building by the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009. We will secure property near Monrovia, Liberia, oversee the foundation construction, and coordinate the drilling of the water well. After the foundation is poured we will put the building and other supplies in a cargo container and ship it to Monrovia, Liberia. As soon as it reaches Liberia we will fly over and spend 3 weeks erecting the building with the help of some Liberian workers.

Future Projects

We are looking for a piece of property that is around 3 acres in size allowing for expansion to the children's home. This could consist of new buildings that may have a kitchen, cafeteria, gymnasium, more classrooms, staff living quarters, offices, etc. We would like to eventually add outdoor playground equipment for the children, especially a soccer (football) field.

Project Budget
We need to raise $55,000 for:

Water well = $3,000

Property = $20,000

Building = $32,000

Ways to get Involved

• Pray for this project and the orphans in Liberia
• Share the plan for this project plan with a friend, your church, your work
• Order a Change 4 Orphans Packet
• Buy a shirt (for yourself or give it as a gift)
• Buy a bag (for yourself or give it as a gift)
• Collect aluminum cans, recycle them, then donate the proceeds
• Collect soccer shoes and shin guards (they call them buzz and jessies in Liberia)
• Collect vitamins and medicine
• Sell something that you don't use anymore that is taking up space in your garage or house on http://www.craigslist.org/ or http://www.ebay.com/
• Donate $1, $5, $10 to the general fund
• Buy one gallon of water (30 of 30 available) for $100 to support the cost of the water well and your name will be added to a thank you plaque next to the water well
• Buy one parcel of land (40 of 40 available) for $500 to support the cost of the property and your name will be added to a thank you plaque next to the entrance of the property
• Buy one room (18 of 20 available) for $1,000 and a plaque with your name or business will be displayed over one of the rooms

This orphanage and home will house and educate over 100 children. By donating money you will be changing the lives of many orphans for years to come. All donations are tax deductible. If you are feeling led to contribute to this project please do so by:

Clicking on the "Donate" button on the right side of this website (or you can visit the Addy's Hope website, and click the "Make a Donation" button). Login to your PayPal account and in the "Add special instructions for the merchant" box type "New Building Donation."

or send a check payable to Addy's Hope (with New Building Donation in the memo) to:

Jeremy and Kami Johnson

5925 Lakeview Drive

Fort Collins, CO 80526

Project Contact

If you have any further questions please contact:

Jeremy Johnson yz400ryder@yahoo.com at or (970) 481-4428 (5-9pm MST), OR and Kami Johnson bluecowgirl@yahoo.com.

If you would like to get emails about this project when this website is updated please send an email to yz400ryder@yahoo.com with "update list" in the subject.