Orphan Train Project - Historic Whistle Stops

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

AMENDED ORPHAN TRAIN REPORT FOR 2007-2008 ROTARY YEAR

Glenn Koepp Scholars: This year the Orphan Train Project and the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton decided to institute the Glenn Koepp Scholar designation for all past and present guests who have come to Mooseheart for training and then to Wisconsin for additional learning, observational and interaction opportunities. It was a way for the club to honor the late Glenn Koepp, one of the founding members of the Orphan Train Project (see attached Board of Directors Resolution – Exhibit 1). Over the years, 20 Glenn Koepp Scholars have been a part of this educational and cultural exchange. This year’s scholars, all from Bulgaria, are: Daniela Kostova, Konstantin Tomov Endrev and Tsenka Bankova Grigorova. Previous Glenn Koepp Scholars are shown in no particular order. They are: Nina Minkova (Bulgaria), Mitko Nenkov (Bulgaria), Dimiter Krumov (Bulgaria), Stanislav Shikov (Bulgaria), Dimitar Buchov (Bulgaria),

Sister Felista Mchilo Mwinuka (Tanzania), Sister Mamertha Zongomela Didie (Tanzania), Fr. Crisanto Guerra Calixto (Peru), Sister Mary Ann Leininger (Peru),

Gregorio Arratea Castro (Peru), Sylvia Marinova (Bulgaria), Boris Borisov (Bulgaria), Daniela Ariton (Romania), Dr. Anna Burtea (Romania), Sister Berta Julian (Guatemala), Sister Guadalupe (Georgina) Revila (Guatemala), and

Sister Gloria Leon (Guatemala).

This Year’s Glenn Koepp Scholars: Daniela, Konstantin and Tsenka spent two weeks at Mooseheart in Illinois, where they learned their positive methods of care for institutionalized children. Following Mooseheart our guests spent time in Madison and elsewhere in Wisconsin, where they saw various models of child care, visited conductor groups and otherwise participated in a wonderful cultural exchange. The team visited the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton, Madison Breakfast and Marshfield Sunrise. Among the sites visited were Pre-School of the Arts, Boys and Girls Club, Three Gaits, the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin Hospital (incl. Children’s Hospital), St. Maria Goretti School, Dane County Transitional School, Verona Little League, the State Capitol, Farmers’ Market, Olbrich Gardens, meetings with a Judge, Assistant District Attorney and Public Defender involved in the Juvenile Court System in Dane County, visit to a center for disabled children, tour of a radio station, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and a “Betty Lou Cruise” on a Madison Lake. Many Rotarians hosted the guests over night in their homes, for meals, on rides and tours. We had great participation. At the end of the trip, a Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotarian made a $1000 donation with the suggestion it be split between the two orphanages represented by Konstantin and Tsenka.

Rotary Club of Madison West Towne – Middleton, Wisconsin: This year, the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton became an Orphan Train Conductor for the first time. The orphanage selected was Luis Amigo, a home for girls in Guatemala. The orphanage is in rented quarters, while building its new facility. The Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton donated $5000 to fund the construction of a poultry barn (see attached – Exhibit 2). Orphan Train team member Jeannine Desautels and husband Ed donated $1000 to be used at the orphanage, Richard Meister donated $100 in hopes that a basketball court would be funded.

Sertoma Club of Madison, Wisconsin: The construction of the poultry barn at Luis Amigo in Guatamala also benefited from a $500 donation by the Madison Sertoma Club.

Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton and the Orphan Train Travel Team: A team of Rotarians traveled to Guatemala and visited Luis Amigo, Santa Maria de Jesus Orphanage, Sumpango (a non-Orphan Train site, but a recipient of funds from the Club over the years) and other locations on behalf of the Orphan Train Project and the Club. On the trip were Rotarians Mary Van Hout, Mary Feldt, Leo Edelstein, Richard Meister, Jeannine Desautels and Michael Douglass (Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien). One of the things it accomplished was to give the Rotarians a chance to meet Orphan Train Intermediaries and the children helped by conductor groups and other donors.

CONDUCTOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

St. Maria Goretti School of Madison, Wisconsin: $5102.08 was gathered by children and staff during the 2007-2008 school year for Santa Maria de Jesus, an orphanage in Guatemala.

Rotary Club of Marshfield Sunrise: Helped host our Bulgarian visitors and gave orphanage director Konstantine Endrev $500 for the orphanage at Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria. Members also sent private gifts to children on birthdays and Christmas.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish of Madison, Wisconsin: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish donated over $9500 to their orphanage in Tanzania, known as Mgolole. In addition a team representing the parish and Rotary of four people went to Tanzania and worked in the orphanage, three of whom worked there for three weeks. The parish funds a milk program, AIDS testing and paid for books, games, worker salaries, etc. This was the second year the parish sent a team to Tanzania.

Cardinal Stritch University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin: One of our newest conductor groups, two representatives of the University went to Tanzania and spent time at the Mgoloe Orphanage. While there, they assessed the way in which they might involve their students in future efforts.

Pat and Barb Glaeser Family of Albany, Wisconsin: As is their custom, the Glaeser family did without Christmas presents and donated several hundred dollars to the Mgolole Orphanage in Tanzania.

St. JeromeSchool of Columbus, Wisconsin: The school donated $1757.52, which purchased the items referenced in the thank you letter from the Orphanage/School known as St. Kiril and Methodius School in Kosovo, Bulgaria.

“We, the teachers and students from St. Kiril and Methodius School, most sincerely thank you for provided means and the opportunity to buy with them what we need most - clothes, school items, food supplies.

Your responsiveness and good-heartedness through the years fills us with joy and pride, because you think for us even though you don't know us.

Once again we thank you hoping for successful cooperation and good relations in future.

St. Kiril and Methodius school, village Kosovo”

Rotary Club of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin: The club donated $1595.00 to their orphanage in Kula, Bulgaria. Money was used to purchase adult pampers, shoes, t-shirts, sportswear, and for the cost of transporting.

Rotary Club of Madison Breakfast, Wisconsin: The club donated $535 from the club and $200 from individual members to their orphanage at Tarnovo, Bulgaria, known as Penyo and Maria Velkovi.

Sustainable Engineering Group, LLC of Madison, Wisconsin: Sustainable Engineering, led by Rotarian Svein Morner, donated $3000 to their orphanage at Ilakov Rut, Bulgaria. The money was used to purchase medicines, shoes and food. Sustainable Engineering is a new conductor.

Rotary Club of Oregon, Wisconsin: The Club, a long time Orphan Train conductor, donated $500 to equip a special training room with home appliances including irons, coffee makers, items for small repair of clothing, washing etc. The purpose of the training room is to help children develop habits and skills important to new graduates, preparing them to sustain themselves in the world, along with giving them necessary social skills.

Bulgarian Family: According to our intermediary, a Bulgarian Family donated 3000 BGN toward the needs of the orphanage at Dogonovo, Bulgaria. They saw our web site and inquired where they might help. So far they have spent 2200 BGN for diapers, sanitary towels, pans, pods, baking dishes, ladles, other kitchen equipment, CD players, while paying for a nice holiday for the children. The funds also provided holiday decorations for the children. About 300 BGN remains and they have decided to hold the balance of the money in reserve, awaiting an appropriate request from the orphanage director.

Rotary Club of Pittsburgh East of Pennsylvania: 1938.70 Bulgarian leva were received by Intermediary Nina Minkova of Happy Child on behalf of the orphanage at Elhovo, Bulgaria from the Rotarians in Pittsburgh. The receipt was issued in the 2007-2008 Rotary year.

Rotary Club of Marshfield Sunrise, Wisconsin: The Club participated in hosting this year’s Glenn Koepp Scholars. They also gave $500 toward the Gotse Delchev Orphanage in Bulgaria to be used toward general upkeep.

Keelan Family of Wisconsin and Missorui: The extended Keelan family (formerly of Richland Center, Wisconsin) donated $1050 to the Don Bosco orphanage in Peru, which paid for the purchase of one dairy cow and other items necessary to the purchase and care of the animal.

Andy and Anna Burish: Generous donors over the years, Anna and Andy Burish gave $1000 toward the purchase of another cow (in addition to one purchased by Keelans) for the Don Bosco Orphanage in Peru.

In addition to the purchase of the cows by the Keelan and Burish families, some of the money was used for veterinary medicine, transportation of the animals and improvement of pasture land.

MadisonWest Kiwanis Club: The Club donated $500 during the Rotary year to Pillco Mozo Orphanage in Peru, which help fund a new recreation area. At the end of the year, the Kiwanis Club was getting ready to forward a second $500 amount, which will undoubtedly occur this Rotary year.

Rotary Club of Madison East-Monona: The Club’s contact person has been in touch with us over the last Rotary year. While nothing was donated this past Rotary year, they plan to apply for a matching grant from Rotary International for the Santa Teresita Orphanage in Peru.

CIMCo of Colorado: For several years the Chris and Kathleen Pelley Family has been working under the CIMCo label as one of our most productive conductors, even finding other major helpers to assist their orphanage (Makumbi of Zimbabwe, operated by the British Jesuits, one of whom is Kathleen’s brother). Their report is offered in two parts. The first is from Chris Pelley. The second is a letter forwarded from the Jesuit in charge, sent to the Clark family (apparently involved as donors or in some other way).

Children of Mooseheart: The young citizens of Mooseheart, Illinois donated $800 to their orphanage in the Village of Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria.

From Chris Pelley

Last year CIMCo raised $11,445 (the previous year was their best at about $21,000). However, Chris referred to a minor miracle about their introduction to another group in California. That group raised over $30,000 for Makumbi!

They've been helping Makumbi since their son visited the orphanage one year after we were in Zimbabwe. They have a huge fun run (the husband was an Olympic grade runner in the late 60's) near Palo Alto every year. So, we have combined our efforts.

Kathleen continues to speak at many schools around the country about the passion for literature as well as raising awareness for Makumbi. She has had events with both Regis University and Denver University. Her second book, Inventor McGregor won the Children's Book Award for Colorado in 2008! (Editor’s note: At least a portion of the proceeds from both of Kathleen’s books is going to help Makumbi). CIMCo is about to begin fundraising efforts once again.

Letter from Orphanage to Makumbi Donor

Greetings from a sunny Makumbi.

Thank you so much for all I could read in your mail.
Also, for your prayers and concern for our situation.

You are right, things are bad, but God works wonders. There
is a life and hope that cannot be taken.
You should see our joyful kids. The babies look very
healthy and strong. Only recently we received three more
from the Harare hospital. Sr Liliosa also managed to get
cooking oil and flour for the home yesterday. And I was looking
for a beast to give us some meat on the table. This is all
possible because you care and I cannot thank you
enough. I am sure as soon as Fr Silungwe will be back, we will
hear more from you. 38000,- USD that is a great blessing for the home
and indeed for the whole mission!

There is some more good news: we
found water at the Mission giving us 1500 gallons
per hour. That is a real gift because now we can work on
reliable water provisions for the Home.

The Mission was spared the current violence. Only
once a group of 40 party militia youth stormed the Mission.
I demanded a meeting with them and told them in no
uncertain terms that the Mission is out of bounds for any
party political activities. They saw it and apologized. At
the end of the meeting they asked for a blessing! Not all
have been so protected as we. What you hear in the news is
unfortunately true. Many most horrible things
happen. But pressure mounts on the old man.
Lets hope tomorrow will go well.

Saw Fr Armstrong recently. Right now he is in charge
of Musami Mission, himself being 81 years old.

I promise you my prayer, may you be filled with joy
and peace. The children are also praying for you.

Love and prayer,

Fr Heribert Mueller SJ

Rotaract Club of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Rachelle Richardson, Rotarian Rachelle Richardson Reporting:

Dear Ed,

As you are aware, conditions in Zimbabwe have spiraled down since we took on this project in 2003. Inflation is so unimaginable that the government recently deleted 9 zeros from its currency to make it usable. President Robert Mugabe's despotic rule made headlines worldwide.

Mashambanzou Update for 2007

According to Mashambanzou's 2007 Annual Report (downloadable at http://www.utande.co.zw/mashambanzou/):

2007 was a difficult year. The country was experiencing unprecedented shortages of food and shortages of almost every other necessity of daily life. All forms of soap became unavailable in the shops. Bread, milk, sugar, salt, cooking oil, flour, mealy-meal (the corn-based staple - ed) and meat of any kind disappeared from the shelves. Water shortages further complicated everyday life.

In my correspondence with Sr. Margaret, the managing coordinator at Mashambanzou, she asked for such necessities as soap, and the most basic hygiene items, which remain so inexpensive to buy, but too expensive to ship.

On the other hand, Mashambanzou became an official partner/distributor for the World Food Programme’s feeding plan, and ended the year serving 9,930 people with WFP’s monthly food baskets.

In this climate, according to the Annual Report, Mashambanzou's programs continue to make changes for the good, and offer hope. Overall, Zimbabwe recorded a reduction in HIV prevalence rates from 20.1% in 2005 to 15.6% in 2007. However, there are still 1.3 million people living with HIV and over 300,000 are in need of anti-retroviral treatment.

Highlighted changes at Mashambanzou in the last year:

Due to the almost non-existence of gasoline, Mashambanzou had to change its method of visiting families in their homes (home-based care) to visiting people at central community centers. The upside to this is that it has abated stigma and promoted networking, problem-solving and more community-based activities.

Mashambanzou’s Orphan Outreach: Psycho-social support is the cornerstone of what the children need these days. Page 16 of the Annual Report details the program, but in a nutshell:

Orphan Outreach teams did individual counseling with 1,703 children, and an additional 101 attended special group functions. Orphans and vulnerable children may be dealing with illness, death, bereavement, overcrowded and squalid living conditions, abuse or lack of food, shelter and clothing. Some may not be able to go to school because they are caring for sick parents, are earning money for food, are sick themselves or living with siblings without any adult supervision. Mashambanzou is doing group therapy and interaction; older students provide schoolwork help.
o Orphan Outreach provided educational support to 580 children in primary and secondary schools. They received school uniforms, fees and stationery.
o Six orphans were registered with Tertiary institutions.
o Orphan Outreach helped 70 orphans obtain birth certificates and/or parents’ death certificates necessary for them to obtain support and enter schools.
o Orphans on the World Food Programme feeding scheme totaled 2400 children.
o
The Mbare Day Care Center, which I visited in 2003, was shut down in 2007 due to unsanitary conditions caused by plumbing infrastructure failure. The 2007 Annual Report shows a new Nenyere Day Care Centre. I am assuming they found a better location and moved the program.

Mashambanzou’s Choose Life Program (HIV-AIDS awareness/prevention through workshops, and individual and beer hall interventions) reached 7,492 people.

Fundraising/Conductor Support

Attached is a letter to our fiscal receiver, Little Company of Mary Sisters, with a report of our donation for 2007 in the amount of $3432.90. (Individual donors are not included for confidentiality reasons.)

The University of Wisconsin Rotaract Club (International Business Student Association/IBSA) is the conductor for Mashambanzou, and works closely with its sponsor, Rotary Club of Madison (Downtown) through Dan Larson, the liaison, and other remarkable Rotarians committed to the cause. The Rotaract is headed by enthusiastic and creative students dedicated to supporting the orphans affected by AIDS at Mashambanzou. At the beginning of the academic year, at the kick-off meeting of UW Rotaract, everyone watches the documentary I did, "Dawn of a New Day," followed by meaningful discussion of the plight of AIDS orphans and conditions in Zimbabwe. Several students have visited Africa and know the problems first-hand. Fundraisers they conduct include parking for football games, cup nights and other social events.

Since 2004, the generosity of Purple Feet Wines, LLC, has made it possible to sell wine to benefit Mashambanzou's Orphan Outreach Programs and to conduct wine tasting parties with Purple Feet sommeliers. The owner of Purple Feet Wines is the father of a former UW Rotaract officer. For the last three years, the Rotary of Madison Wine Fellowship has sponsored a Wine Tasting Party and sale, which is generously hosted by Madison Rotarian Mike, and his wife Pat, Wilson. We also do a wine-tasting and sale through Madison TEMPO (a women's leadership group), and unofficially among Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotary members and friends.

The $3432.90 contribution for 2007 can be allocated as follows:

UW Rotaract $1256.00

Madison West Towne-

Middleton Rotary 618.50

TEMPO Madison 527.40

Friends 352.05

Rotary of Madison

(duplication since Wine Tasting is done as a

Rotaract event) 1338.95

The Orphan Train Project continues to be a beacon of light in one of the direst situations for children on earth. The effort you and others contribute is of extraordinary help.

Respectfully submitted,

Rachelle Richardson

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Chairman’s Comments: I am inspired by the many good works and donations of people all over the world, who have joined us in our efforts on behalf of institutionalized children. The Orphan Train Committee is thankful for the generosity of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton and its foundation for allowing us to put people in place to do good for others. We have completed our eleventh year of activity in your name.

One of the changes we made this year is to take a portion of our activities, those in Peru, and assign them to a Country Coordinator, in this case Mary Van Hout. It is anticipated that Iliana Tcherneva will be responsible for at least a part of Bulgaria, and Iliana has already taken on a number of activities involving the country of her birth. We hope to continue to better disperse our leadership responsibilities in the year ahead.

While the year was successful, we need more help from the Club and others in finding additional conductors. We have many orphanages that have asked for help, and we haven’t had the time to find conductor matches for all of these needy places. We would ask that members of the club, who aren’t necessarily part of the Orphan Train Committee, be on the lookout for conductor groups, just as they should be looking for participants in Youth Exchange, Group Study Exchange, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars, Peace Scholars and as potential members.

Respectfully submitted,

Edward J. Fink

Orphan Train Committee-Chairman