An Orphan's Dream, Inc.
Dedicated to running an orphanage for AIDS orphans in Kenya
OASIS OF PEACE...GACHOKA, KENYA
Newsletter - December, 2011
What a beautiful time of the year! We can feel the peace of the season so deeply here in Kenya... even if there is no snow, no lights, no Christmas trees, no Christmas carols, no gifts in any home in Gachoka because of poverty. In fact, most Gachoka children have never seen a Christmas tree, nor have they ever received a present. None of these precious, long-suffering people even know their birth dates, and never have received a gift of any kind.
Can you imagine...never?
Poverty makes people live very simply and close to God, for they are concerned only about having enough money to buy flour, maize, and cooking oil to feed their families. But because of God's goodness to us, our 20 children and 10 staff members have found an OASIS of PEACE in the middle of the devastating poverty. His Goodness has been manifested through you who support "An Orphan's Dream, Inc."
Last year, I just couldn't live without a Christmas tree, so we went searching for one and finally found a lovely big artificial one. The children went wild, and we all decorated it together. They even strung garlands of popcorn for the first time. They were ecstatic. So the tree is up again this year, and we even found Christmas Carols to play at our big big Christmas party on the 23rd, Thursday night. 80 people are coming!
We plan a worship service with drums only. A mother and son are going to play them. They are extraordinary together. The mum sings as she beats the drum... the most haunting spiritual songs that must have grown out of the early Christian tribal worship ceremonies.
Krisi , our fundraiser extraordinaire, orchestrated a symphony of good will down in the South Shore last July called "Christmas in July." It even reached as far as Boston. They collected an avalanche of Christmas gifts for our orphaned children way back in July, loaded it onto the ship heading for Kenya, and rumors have it that it just landed in Mombasa on the Indian Ocean. It will take a day to transport the container to Nairobi where Paul Maringa will pick it up in his dad's truck. We thought that it would not arrive in time for Christmas, but it looks as if it will arrive on Thursday. Hallelujah!!! I don't know where we will fit all the presents among 80 dancing and eating guests.
I am including a few recent pics of our little oasis of peace, our shelter from the cruelty of the world.
I am unable to express my deep deep gratitude to all of you who supported my arms throughtout this year. I love you more than you know, and I miss you so much.
Lovingly,
Gigi (Virginia) Founder and Director of OASIS OF PEACE VILLAGE, Kenya, Africa.
If you would like to look into our sponsorship program, e-mail our Chairman, Symon Maringa, spkmaringa@yahoo.com, and he will set you up to sponsor either one of the children you wish.
To send a tax-deductible donation, kindly send it to "An Orphan's Dream, Inc." Box 692727, Quincy, MA 02269.
Dear Friends of An Orphan's Dream,
As you can see by the Christmas letter and pictures Gigi has sent to you how happy and healthy these beautiful children are even though there is poverty all around them.. It is because of your generous support that they are able to have such a joyous Christmas. As you know, we need to provide for these precious children every month, not just at Christmas, so we are asking if you can give a year end donation, we would be most grateful. May God continue to Bless and provide for each one of you in 2012. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Joan Cahill, Secretary of AOD
Checks can be sent to: An Orphan's Dream, P.O. Box 692727, Quincy, Ma. 02269