Orphan Train Project - Historic Whistle Stops

Past Whistle Stops 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000

ROTARY CLUB OF MARSHFIELD SUNRISE AND GOTSE DELCHEV

(Editor’s note: The Rotary Club of Marshfield Sunrise has given many donations over the years to the Ivan Kiulev Orphanage in Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria. One of their unique gifts to the children is personal involvement with the children by having club members send gift boxes and cards from individual Rotarians to specific children at the orphanage. Laurel Peterson is the spokesperson for the club effort, while Daniela Kostova is the Orphan Train intermediary in Bulgaria. Ed Fink is the chairman of the Orphan Train Project. What follows is recent correspondence about the happenings with the orphanage).

Dear Laurel and Ed,

        I have received a letter from the Principal of Ivan Kiulev Orphanage in Gotse Delchev,
        translated it and would like to send it to you. This is briefly the story of the beginning
        of the new school year.

I've met Mr. Endrev, the Prinicpal this morning and would like to pass his warm regards
to you and all the people in this Project. He invited me to visit the Orphanage in Gotse

Delchev.

Hope this letter finds you in good health and I expect to hear from you soon.

Best wishes,
Daniela Kostova

To: Mr. Laurel Peterson

Rotary Club of Marshfield Sunrise

Translated by Daniela Kostova

AUBG, Blagoevgrad

Dear Mrs. Peterson and friends from Marshfield,

It is a sunny but cool autumn day today. The situation in the Orphanage is placid and I have enough time to write you. The school year began on September 15th, all the kids visit school this year.

The Bulgarian Accreditation Committee visited the Orphanage in October for evaluation purposes. The Committee examined the living and material conditions, and representatives met with the staff and conducted individual discussions with the kids about how they feel here. The Committee was satisfied with the results and accredited the Orphanage in Gotse Delchev with a grade of VERY GOOD.

November 1st is the Day of Bulgarian National Revival. The kids were prepared by the supervisors and performed a nice celebration. The local electronic and printed media covered the performance. Bulgarian National Television made a film named “The life, destiny and dreams of the kids in the Orphanage”. The main characters are the kids from the Orphanage; the film will be broadcasted on Dec. 3, 2006.

A part of the nice conditions in the Orphanage we owe to your generosity and I would like to once again thank you for all your efforts. During this summer we continued to receive your letters and parcels – individual and group ones. The children always opened them with great excitement and joy. I am not sure how many of them will keep a continuing contact with you.

Considering the current needs of the Orphanage and the money recently spend with the starting of the new school year:

Textbooks, notebooks and school equipment 700 BGN = 460 USD
From the beginning of October there is a dance club for the kids. The tutors work for free and will prepare the performance for the Christmas celebration. We need funds for the performance costumes 600 BGN = 400 USD
Apart from this we always need food and sanitary materials.

Nov. 9, 2006

Gotse Delchev Principal: Konstantin Endrev

ROTARY CLUB OF VIROQUA AREA, WISCONSIN AND PILLCO MOZO

Rotarian Ken Childs of Viroqua reported as follows: “In June, 2006, the Viroqua Area Rotary Club sent $1,000 to Sister Mary Ann Leininger to help repair the leaking roof at the Pillco Mozo orphanage (in Peru). I received an E-mail in July saying the roof was repaired. That was some small amount of money from another source required to complete the job. I don't think that I received any more photos after the job was complete.

This month the VARC approved an additional $1,000 for the Pillco Mozo orphanage. The money will be used for three items.

1. A sewing machine to replace a non operating and very needed sewing machine for sewing the childen's clothes. At present the woman who does the wash takes the clothes to her house and sews on her own machine.--- $300.

2. An oven for the kitchen to assist with meals and and bake some desserts for the children. $300.

3. Low chairs and low tables for the little children to use in the dinning room. -- $400.” 8/21/06

ROTARY CLUB OF MARSHFIELD SUNRISE AND IVAN KJULEV HOME

Rotarians from the Marshfield Sunrise Club of Wisconsin responded to a food shortage at their Ivan Kjulev Orphanage in the municipality of Gotze Delchev, Bulgaria. The orphanage reported finishing the food supplies purchased with small donations and money from the government. They needed help. With a $250 donation, Marshfield Sunrise addressed an immediate need.

Earlier in the year, and In order to bring a little joy to the lives of the children at Kvan Kjulev, the Rotarians sent each child a “friendship box” containing special gifts, including a toothbrush and toothpaste. 7/20/06

ST. MARIA GORETTI SCHOOL RECEIVES REPORT

St. Maria Goretti School received an accounting for $3016.40 of the dollars forwarded at the end of the 2005-2006 school-year to their friends at Hogar Santa Maria de Jesus in Guatemala. Items purchased included blouses for the girls, a used motor for the van, telephones, motor, labor, new tires, yearly papers for the school bus, kitchen utensils, tires, battery, repair of the washing machine, table cloth, towels, brooms, pots, pans, liquefier, electric iron and percolator.

Board member Mario Hernandez wrote the following, which accompanied a detailed accounting and pictures:

We realize that after a year of fundraising, the children of Saint Maria Goretti School like to know and “see” the result of their efforts. In some cases the investment here shows something big and showy like the painting of all the buildings of the Home, the new cooking stove and the before and after of the facilities to handle the chickens.

Some items like the kitchen utensils and the papers after the motor of the van was changed do not have impact. However, all of these are of great help and come to solve great needs.

The motor of the van solves an urgent necessity since it is something of every day use for the girls to go to school.

On behalf of the girls of the Home, convey their gratitude to the Children of Saint Maria Goretti for their donation to cover such needed necessities.

ST. MARIA GORETTI SCHOOL DONATES TO GUATEMALAN KIDS

Children attending St. Maria Goretti School in Madison, Wisconsin donated $4633.48 to help their friends at Hogar Santa Teresita in Guatemala. The donation was presented to Orphan Train representative Jeanine Desautels at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. Over the years, the school has donated over $15,000 in assistance.

The most recent donation culminated a year of fundraising. Student events included selling St. Maria Goretti bracelets and hot cocoa during Catholic Schools Week, PJ day (pay $1.00), Candy Hug Sale for Valentine’s Day, a carnation sale and a coin collection. 5/30/06

ROTARY CLUB OF OREGON, WISCONSIN AND OVCHA MOGILA

The Rotary Club of Oregon, Wisconsin , a long time supportor of the Orphan Train Project, donated $500 to their orphanage at Ovcha Mogila, Bulgaria. Intermediary Mitko Nenkov of the Rotary Club of Svishtov acts as Orphan Train intermediary and reported the money was used for a safeguard video monitoring system for the hostel, which includes a personal computer. The system was chosen from three projects proposed by the director of the orphanage. Mitko Nenkov reported his Rotary Club would assist in the delivery of the system. 4/18/06

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS OF MADISON AND MGOLOLE ORPHANAGE

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish of Madison, Wisconsin raised over $14,000 for education, playground equipment and agricultural endeavors for the children of the Mgolole Orphanage in Tanzania. Several non-parishioners also contributed generously to the effort. The Parish hosted an evening event, in celebration of the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, where Orphan Train Intermediaries Br. Albin Laga and Dr. Eric Boos shared their experiences working with the orphanage. 1/28/06

ROTARY CLUB OF PITTSBURGH EAST AND FOX CHAPEL

The Rotary Club of Pittsburgh East and Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh combined to send the Love of Christ Orphanage in South Africa donations amounting to $5300. Pittsburgh East and Fox Presbyterian have been generous donors to TLC, a refuge for children whose lives have been impacted by the AIDS virus. 1/12/06

CIMCo and PELLEY FAMILY RAISE MONEY FOR MAKUMBI

It was reported to us that the CIMCo organization, as represented by the Kathleen and Chris Pelley Family of Colorado raised more than $20,000 to assist the children of the Makumbi Orphanage in Zimbabwe. 12/30/05

MGOLOLE IN TANZANIA REMEMBERED BY GLAESERS

The Barbara and Pat Glaeser Family of Wisconsin gave up Christmas gifts to each other, donating $500 to help the children of Mogole in Tanzania. 12/30/05

HANNAH PICKETT REMEMBERS CHILDREN OF QUETZALTENANGO

Retired teacher Hannah Pickett has once again favored the children of Guatemala, with a $100 gift to the Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotary Foundation, Inc. La Divina Providencia Home in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala is to be the recipient of the funds. Ms. Pickett, who continues to tutor school children in her retirement, has made gifts to help Guatemalan children in the past. Guatemala is special to Ms. Pickett because her grandchildren were born there. 12/29/05

SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING GROUP, LLC DONATES TO MASHAMBANZOU

The children of Mashambanzou, Zimbabwe will receive $200, made possible by the gift of Sustainable Engineering Group, LLC of Madison, Wisconsin. The gift was made known by Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotarian Svein Morner, one of the corporate owners. The corporation also made gifts to two other charities. 12/29/05

TDS TELECOM GENEROUS AGAIN

TDS Telecom recently donated $500 to the Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotary Foundation, Inc. This will make possible the continued presence of the Orphan Train website. The Orphan Train Project is extremely grateful to TDS for making possible the worldwide communications on the plight of the world’s orphans. 12/5/05

MGOLOLE IN TANZANIA REMEMBERED AT CHRISTMAS

Almost one year later, we learned that the Barb and Pat Glaeser Family went without the usual array of Christmas presents last year, so as to help the orphans of Mgolole in Tanzania. The Glaeser Family, of Albany, Wisconsin, donated $500 in December 2004. They obviously understand the true meaning of Christmas. 12/4/05

ROTARIANS OF MARSHFIELD SUNRISE HAVE IDEAS

The Rotary Club of Marshfield Sunrise (Wisconsin) announced the following plan for further interaction with the children of “their” orphanage at Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria:

“As Rotarians, we are each asked to “adopt” one of the 46 children in the Ivan Kiulev Orphanage in Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria. Adoption means that we are going to send the child a HOLDIAY card ASAP. In the future, we will send birthday cards, postcards from vacations, etc. We are not sending gifts at this time. In January/February, I will announce details for a “Shoe Box” project that will be fun and easy for each of us and our families, and hopefully delightful to the children.”

Rotarian Laurel Peterson is coordinating the effort. The Marshfield Sunrise Club has been an active Orphan Train participant for several years. This is a great idea for other conductor groups to try! 12/4/05

ROTARY CLUB OF HORSHAM EAST AND LITTLE LILAC

The Rotary Club of Horsham East, Australia recently announced a gift of $1075 for the children of Little Lilac Orphanage in Leshniza, Bulgaria. The late Rotarian Rob Marshall introduced the orphanage to the Horsham East Club. Rotarian Wendy James and Orphan Train Intermediary Nina Minkova are coordinating the gift. A letter sent by Ms. Minkova follows:

Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2005 11:23:59 +0200

Dear Wendy,

It has been a long since we last spoke - how are you doing, how is
everyone at Rotary Club of Horsham East?

Yesterday we received $ 1075 US from your Rotary club for the Little
Lilac orphanage. That was really good news and with this money we will
be able to buy a very nice Christmas present for the Little Lilac
orphanage. I want to thank you on the behalf of the director of the
orphanage, the orphanage staff and of course of the children for not
forgetting about them. The desire of the orphanage to buy a computer and
printer with this money hasn't changed as they still do not have a
computer and printer, and keep using a very old typewriter. We are going
to organize the purchase of a computer and printer, and bring them to
the orphanage. As soon as we do the purchase and visit the orphanage we
are going to send you pictures and all the documents concerning the
purchase, including a Certificates for donation from the Little Lilac
orphanage and our organization Happy Child. We are going to do the
purchase and send you the pictures and all the papers not later than
Christmas.

Have a very good and successful day!
Warm wishes from Bulgaria!

Nina

MASHAMBANZOU IN ZIMBABWE HELPED BY MADISONIANS

Rotarians from Madison West Towne-Middleton, Wisconsin and other generous Madisonians sent $491 to be used by the caregivers of more than 4000 children at Mashambanzou Care Trust in Zimbabwe. 12/4/05

MOOSE MAGAZINE FEATURES STORY ON ORPHAN TRAIN

The current issue of Moose Magazine features a story on the The Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton’s Orphan Train Project and how it works with Mooseheart, operated by the Moose fraternal organization, to train orphanage directors from foreign countries, both on and off Mooseheart’s Illinois campus. The article, written by Michael McCulloh, highlights the recent experiences of Bulgarians Sylvia Marinova, Dimiter Buchov and Stanislav Shikov.

Check out the article by going to www.mooseheart.org. Click on “Moose Magazine Online.” Click on the quarterly publication dated November-December 2005 and January 2006. ” Lastly, click on the article entitled: Mooseheart Model of Care Spreads Around the Globe.” 11/23/05

DEBUT OF RACHELLE RICHARDSON FILM ON MASHAMBANZOU

Orphan Train Committee Member Rachelle Richardson recently presented her new film entitled “Dawn of a New Day,” a story of Mashambanzou Care Trust and HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, Africa to her fellow Rotarians of Madison West Towne-Middleton, Wisconsin. The documentary details the struggles of the afflicted and their caregivers. Ms. Richardson traveled to Zimbabwe to make the film, and presented it for the first time this fall. The audience and friends of Mashambanzou presented Ms. Richardson with $491 to be used to help the victims of this pandemic. Other presentations are planned. If an organization or group is interested in seeing this film, they may contact Rachelle at (608) 255-8868. One of those who saw the film called it “haunting and inspirational.” 11/23/05

MOOSEHEART’S RON AHRENS CONDUCTS SEMINAR IN ROMANIA

Ron Ahrens, of Mooseheart’s famed child city, operated by Moose International, recently returned from a trip to Romania, where he conducted seminars on the positive methods of care used on the Mooseheart campus in Illinois. The Heart of a Child Foundation and key staffers Daniella Ariton and Dr. Anna Burtea hosted Ron’s visit. In three days of classes, Ron had 20-25 students in each session. While there, Ahrens also visited facilities operated by Heart of a Child, group homes and State operated orphanages. Ron returned to Mooseheart with personal learning experiences he can share with students and staff at Mooseheart.

In 2003 Ms. Ariton and Dr. Burtea trained for two weeks at Mooseheart, in the Family Teacher Training Program, and then traveled to Wisconsin for two additional weeks of child-related experiences. They were the guests of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton (Wisconsin) and Mooseheart. Daniella and Anna expressed an interest in bringing a Mooseheart instructor to Romania. The trip by Ahrens was a response to that request.

Ron Ahrens visit to Romania was made possible by a $1288.50 contribution from the Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotary Foundation and a $900 donation from James and Jacque Schutz of Madison, long-time Orphan Train supporters.

The Orphan Train Project is appreciative of all who were involved in making this cultural exchange happen. 11/23/05

ROTARY CLUB OF BOULDER-FLATIRONS (CO) SENDS GIFT TO PILLCO MOZO

The children of the Pillco Mozo Home in Peru are recipients of a $250 donation from the Rotary Club of Boulder-Flatirons, Colorado. The Colorado Rotarians have also expressed an interest in finding a Peruvian partner club for the purpose of applying for a matching grant. 10/04/05

MASHAMBANZOU BENEFITS FROM RUMMAGE SALE AND OTHER FUNDRAISING

Rotarian Rachelle Richardson, member of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton (WI) and Orphan Train contact for the Mashambanzou orphans in Zimbabwe, recently reported fund raising efforts, including a rummage sale, netted $2400. The Orphan Train salutes the hard work of volunteers like Rachelle who made this a success story. 10/04/05

MAKUMBI, CIMCo AND THE PELLEYS RECEIVE UPDATE FROM FR. NIDDA

Father Roland Nidda, S.J., director of the Makumbi Orphanage in Zimbabwe, sent the following letter to the Pelley Family, which has raised thousands of dollars for the Makumbi orphans, through their Colorado based organization known as CIMCo. Part of the money raised has resulted from the sale of Kathleen Pelley’s children’s story entitled “The Giant King” (with illustrations by Maurie Manning). The “Joe” mentioned in the article is Kathleen’s brother. The letter gives a glimpse at the day-to-day struggles of an orphanage.

As with any of the Orphan Train associated orphanages, more help is always needed at Makumbi. Anyone wishing to provide financial assistance to this or any orphanage seen on these pages should contact the Orphan Train about working with the present conductor organization or becoming an additional one.

*(Note: The editor removed a couple paragraphs containing e-mail addresses of friends).

From: Fr. Roland Nidda

Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 2:10 PM

To: Christopher Pelley

Subject: Makumbi

Dear Chris, Kathleen, Meghan and Roisin,

Thanks for the e-mail. Thanks too for your wonderful fundraising efforts. It really is a huge help in these rather dire times in Zimbabwe. I am very, very grateful to you.

I'm sending a little report I did on the Home. It will give you a bit of news.

I'm hoping to do a Mass with the kids, to thank donors like yourselves. The kids will organize it. They'll say their little pieces and do their singing, dancing etc. We'll record it and send it. It will have to be partly in Shona and English, because the little ones can't speak any English.

Things are tough here in Zimbabwe. Inflation is going crazy again and prices rocket every day. Bread went up from $7,000 a loaf to $23,000 last week. Basics are beyond the reach of many, and they get poorer and poorer. Then there are the shortages. Fuel is impossible. One can only get it on the black market, at astronomical prices, or if one pays in US dollars. We had to raise school fees in the secondary school from $2.5 million, last term, to $10 million, next term. But we battle on and are managing to survive.

As you'll see from the report below, we got a new baby yesterday. She's a cute, tiny little thing, with a thick shock of black hair. Nice to celebrate new life, rather than the endless funerals and memorial Masses we have.

I'm sorry about your own woes in the US - Katrina, Rita etc. I hope life if slowly returning to normal again. How vulnerable we are, despite our apparent wealth and power. I hope you are all well. Are you producing any more books Kathleen? Hope the writing is going well. It must run in the family. Joe is hoping to produce a novel.

Thanks again to all of you for you great help and support. I really appreciate it.

Love and prayers,

Roland 9/30/05

PILLCO MOZO, PERU TO BE HELPED BY MADISON WEST (WI) KIWANIS CLUB

The Orphan Train Project is pleased to announce that the Madison West Kiwanis Club will become a conductor organization for the Peruvian Orphanage called Pillco Mozo. The contact person for the Kiwanis Club is Bill Battista, and the director of the home is Sister Mary Ann Leininger. The Rotary Club of Boulder-Flatirons (CO) and the Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien (WI) are also assisting the children of Pillco Mozo. Welcome aboard Kiwanis! The initial contribution by the Kiwanis Club is expected to be $500. 9/13/05

SANTA MARIA DE JESUS HOME REPORTS TO ST. MARIA GORETTI SCHOOL

Last spring, on the Roundhouse page of this web site, we reported on a $3031.98 donation by St. Maria Goretti School to the Santa Maria de Jesus Home in Mazatenango, Guatemala. The Madison, Wisconsin children have generously raised funds for their friends in Guatemala for many years. Receipts and pictures, by Orphan Train Intermediaries Frances and Mario Hernandez, told the story of how the gift was used.

New tires for the van 2050.00
Grill/carrier for top of van 750.00
Lawn mower for home 808.90
16 covers for van seats 1300.00
One liquifier for home 520.00
Materials and labor to build garage 12,972.00

for bus and van

Materials and labor to build a shed 5000.19

for 2 wood stoves to help the cooking in

the kitchen

TOTAL……………………………………….Q23,401.09 (Quetzales)

Note: Dollar Exchange: $1.00 = Q7.94 8/30/05

ROTARY CLUBS OF BOULDER-FLATIRONS (CO) AND PRAIRIE DU CHIEN (WI)

The Pillco Mozo Orphanage in Huanuco, Peru has two new conductors. They are the Rotary Club of Boulder-Flatirons, Colorado and the Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. We know that the little boys off Pillco Mozo and their director, Sister Mary Ann Leininger, welcome their new friends to the Orphan Train. We look forward to reporting on the activities of these two fine Rotary Clubs. 8/28/05

LOS ANGELITOS DE POTARANCH CHILDREN AND VIROQUA AREA FRIENDS

Los Angelitos de Potaranch is a care center within a Peruvian prison for women. The center assists the prisoners care for their young children within the walls of the prison. The Rotary Club of Viroqua, Wisconsin has found a variety of ways to help these children, the recent Rotary efforts and those of the Laurel School and the Kickapoo School are described by Rotarian Ken Childs in his letter to Orphan Train Chair, Ed Fink:

August 8, 2005

Dear Ed

I was in Peru for 4 weeks during the month of June and July. My wife,

daughter and 9-year-old grandson accompanied me. I was the tour guide.

I took $1,200 for the day care center at the prison. There was $400 to

$500 for the purchase of outdoor play equipment for the children. I had

received $250 from the Luarel School in Viroqua, They had a rummage

sale. I received $438 from the Spanish class at the Kickapoo school in

Viola and the Viroqua Rotary club donated $500. I put in a few dollars

to make a total of $1,200. The group at the daycare center. Sister Mary

Ann, the prison social director and the local Rotaract club recommended

the rest of the money be used for the purchase of Kitchen improvements,

improvements in the bathrooms and the sleeping area. The rest of the

money will be used for the purchase of paint.

Sister Mary Ann made a trip to Lima to look at and to purchase daycare

outdoor equipment. So far I don't know what has happened since I left

Peru on July 13. I expect to receive photos and more information in the

near future. I will share all information to you as I receive it.

I am going to organize a trip for tourists to Peru next April or May. If

you know anyone that is interested to contact me.

I plan to offer a conversational Spanish at the local community college

in Viroqua in September.

Have a great day. Stay healthy

KEN 8/08/05

BULGARIAN INTERMEDIARY WRITES TO BRAUN FAMILY CHARITIES

The following letter was sent to Joel Rewald, representative of the Braun Family Charities in Richland Center, Wisconsin, by the intermediary for their homes in Rila and Slatino, Bulgaria, Vesselin Mrakov.

June 14, 2005

Hello Joel,

Please excuse me, that I was late with the answer of your mail but I have well-founded reason. A month ago I became a father of a beautiful baby-girl.

Now let continue with the basic:

I received the money ($1500), which you transfer to us in February the 17-th, 2005. We spent approximately $400 for Easter party for the homes of Rila and Slatino. We bought Easter cakes, eggs, cheese, beans, peas, rice, waffles and fruit.

It is not necessary to transfer more money. There is $2033 in our current account. So there are no obstacles to go on with our engagements to the children.

Once again I would like to present our thanks to you personally and your friends. We appreciate highly what you have been doing for the poor children from the homes.

PS Could we give some money for the baseball club in the village of Slatino and if the answer is positive how much?

June 14, 2005

TANZANIAN HOME TO GROW CROPS WITH HELP FROM ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Thanks to $500 given by St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, Wisconsin, water will reach an acre of land adjoining the Mgolole Orphanage in Tanzania. The donation will allow the orphanage to grow food to feed the 60 children who live there. St. Thomas is the Orphan Train’s newest conductor. 3/21/05

GLENN KOEPP MEMORIALS USED AT FOURTEEN ORPHANAGES

On July 17,2004, Orphan Train Co-Founder Glenn Koepp of Madison, Wisconsin passed away at the age of 58. Many friends and family members gave cash memorials in his honor to the Orphan Train Project, through the Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotary Foundation, Inc. Total donations amounted to $3130. After consulting with Glenn’s widow, Jeanne Starrich-Koepp, the Orphan Train Committee and the Board of Directors decided to create small libraries of books to honor Glenn’s memory. In all, fourteen orphanages in three countries received grants to purchase resource books and storybooks. Grants were of varying sizes and were dependent upon orphanage size, perceived need and other factors. In addition, the donations inspired the giving of books to other orphanages not part of the Koepp Memorials. The following orphanages received grants:

Gotze Delchev – Bulgaria

Katya Vancheva of Shiroka Luka - Bulgaria

Ovcha Mogila – Bulgaria

Penyo and Maria Velkov of Veliko Tarnovo – Bulgaria

Strazhitsa – Bulgaria

Elhovo – Bulgaria

Doganovo – Bulgaria

Little Lilac in Leshnitza – Bulgaria

Nadejda in Haskovo – Bulgaria

Gabrovo – Bulgaria

Pillco Mozo – Peru

Santa Teresita in Tingo Maria – Peru

San Juan Bosco – Peru

La Divina Providencia in Quetazaltenango - Guatemala 3/2/05

CHILDREN OF SAN JUAN BOSCO, PERU RECEIVE HELP FROM ARIZONA

A recent fire destroyed government offices in the area serving the children of San Juan Bosco, Peru. The regional government for that locale anticipates being in a state of emergency for the next six months, with likely cuts impacting the children of San Juan Bosco. The director of the orphanage, Father Crisanto Guerra Calixto asked for assistance. Mary Beth Barnett of Arizona forwarded $500 to assist these children with the educational materials they will need in the next few months. Orphan Train Intermediary Sister Mary Ann Leininger will handle the donation. 2/22/05

PILLCO MOZO IN PERU TO RECEIVE BOOKS FROM CHICAGO FAMILY

Kristine and Scott Prugh, and children Ronan and Fiona, sent a Christmas gift of $100 to buy books for the children of Pillco Mozo in Peru. The Chicago family made their gift through the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Louis. Sister Mary Ann Leininger Avilez, a member of the Order, is the director of the Pillco Mozo Home. 2/01/05

CIMCo RAISES LARGE SUM FOR MAKUMBI IN ZIMBABWE

CIMCo, really the Kathleen and Chris Pelley family, their friends, associates and fellow parishioners in the Denver area raised $12,000 at the end of 2004 for the orphaned children living at the Makumbi Orphanage in Zimbabwe. Fundraising for the Makumbi children has been a passion for the Pelley family for several years.

Excerpts from orphanage official Father Roland Nidda follow:

“ …Things have gone well on the whole in the Children's Home. Over the last year we welcomed 11 new babies and children into the Home. Three of these just came the day before yesterday. The babies are mostly abandoned babies. For instance, the three who have just come, were

simply 'dumped' and picked up by people and brought to the police. Two of these three (Hazvinei and Lazarus) look in a terrible state. They are so thin and malnourished (their arms and legs look like match sticks) and their skin is all wrinkled (like an old person's). We hope that with love, care and good nourishment, they will be helped to good health. I just hope they haven't got AIDS, like so many people in Zimbabwe….

…We are helping a good number of orphans, outside the Children's Home. With the AIDS pandemic causing huge numbers of deaths (almost 2 million Zimbabweans, out of a population of 11 million, are HIV positive), many children are orphaned. There are about 800,000 orphaned children in Zimbabwe, mostly because of AIDS….

…The money you raised helped us to keep the Children's Home running. As you will see from the account I send you, it is expensive to house, feed and educate the children and to pay for the 20 staff members. Your donation enabled us to keep the Home running, so that we can care for

the children and educate them. Also we used some of the money to help with our water project. We get our water from a dam and we needed new pumps. We got two diesel pumps. We frequently have power cuts here, which means we are often without water because we have electric pumps. The water problem is only partially solved. The Mission has become so big that we cannot adequately supply all the houses and institutions with the present system. This year we are hoping to drill a borehole at the Children's Home, to alleviate the water situation…

…Thanks again for your wonderful support. US $12,000 is a lot of money and it is an enormous help to us. Thank you so much; I really appreciate it. I wish you all the very best for 2005. I hope it is a good year for all of you.

Best wishes,

Roland 1/25/05

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FOX CHAPEL PRESBYTERIAN, PITTSBURGH EAST AND TLC

The Orphan Train learned of another gift by the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to The Love of Christ (TLC) Orphanage in South Africa. The gift was made through the Pittsburgh East Rotary Foundation, a regular supporter of TLC. The Love of Christ Orphanage takes in babies and children impacted by the AIDS scourge of the African continent. 1/25/04

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DOGANOVA HELPED BY MADISON COUPLE AND FITCHBURG-VERONA

The Fitch-Rona Rotary Foundation, of the Rotary Club of Fitchburg-Verona, Wisconsin, received a donation from a Madison couple for $250, the same to be used to purchase story books and reference books for the Dogonova Orphanage in Bulgaria. The couple wishes to remain anonymous. 1/25/05

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ROTARY CLUB OF SVISHTOV – A HELPER FOR MANY YEARS

The recent story of the Rotary Club of Oregon Wisconsin’s gift to the children of St. Kliment Ohridski, the orphanage at Ovcha Mogila, Bulgaria, reminds us once again of the generosity of the Rotary Club of Svishtov and its members. Just last month, they also helped the Rotary Club of Madison Breakfast (Wisconsin) with their orphanage at Tarnovo. The Orphan Train has a special friendship with the Rotary Club of Svishtov. Since the very beginning of the Orphan Train Project, the Rotary Club of Svishtov has supported Rotarians from the United States in their many efforts to assist children in several orphanages.

In addition to distributing gifts of computers, shoes, books, cutters, television sets, video and audio equipment, and other things that have been donated, club members have organized repairs of central heating and roofs, making their own financial contributions to Bulgarian orphanages as well. Club members have often traveled many miles in support of the American Rotarians and the children of the orphanages. We suspect there have been many good deeds of the Svishtov Rotarians unknown to us.

Over the years, visiting Orphan Train teams have always found a welcoming group of friends in Svishtov. It is a favorite club with which to spend a couple days. The Rotary Club of Svishtov recently hosted an Orphan Train Vision Team from the Rotary Club of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. In the past the Svishtov Rotarians have cooperated in a successful matching grant application with the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton, Wisconsin. In another show of support, the Rotary Club of Svishtov cooperated with the Orphan Train Project and trainers from Mooseheart’s famed “Child City” in Illinois by putting together a two-day seminar for caregivers working with children living in orphanages.

The Orphan Train Project would like to begin the New Year by saluting the special people of the Rotary Club of Svishtov, our friends, hosts and co-workers in trying to make life better for the children of Bulgaria. 1/1/05

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OVCHA MOGILA ORPHANS HELPED BY ROTARY CLUB OF OREGON

On December 23, 2004, Orphan Train Intermediary Mitko Nenkov received $986 from the Rotary Club of Oregon, Wisconsin for the orphanage at Ovcha Mogila, Bulgaria known as “St. Kliment Ohridski.” Mr. Nenkov is associated with the Rotary Club of Svishtov, Bulgaria. Because of the gift from the Oregon Club, the children will be able to practice volleyball, soccer, basketball, table tennis, wrestling and other sports favored by the children. New equipment has been ordered and paid for with this donation. A newly painted, but still empty gymnasium, awaits the arrival of the equipment and lots of future fun.

The Rotary Club of Svishtov and Mitko Nenkov have assisted the Rotary Club of Oregon and other Orphan Train participants for many years. 12/31/04

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