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If your organization has done something interesting recently with our program, or you know of an organization that you'd like to nominate for our feature page, please Email us to let us know. Don't forget to check back with us each month to keep up with our featured activities! Archives: 2004 | 2003 | 2002: July - Dec | 2002: Jan - June | 2001 | 2000
Mgolole Ophanage, located in Morogoro Tanzania was visited in September by Rotarians Cora Holloway and Jeannine Desautels accompanied by her husband Ed Desautels. Their conductor, St.Thomas Aquinas parish in Madison, WI. had raised funds for the orphanage and had professed interest in sending volunteers there next summer to work with the children.Situated 3 hours inland from the east coast of the country, Mgolole abuts the Urugulu mountains. The orphanage is run by the Mgolole Sisters, a Tanzanian order of Catholic Sisters. They are not related to any outside organizations. The orphanage itself is quite old and in need of repair. There were 42 orphans living in the compound at the time of our visit but the number fluctuates with new arrivals, transfers to the AIDS orphanage in Dodoma and occasionally a death due to illness. First impressions of the orphanage were depressing. Fifteen small toddlers ran to us begging to be held and hungry for attention. Few had shoes, upper respiratory illnesses were apparent as well as some suffering from various skin ailments. The situation in the nursery was sad because there was no one to hold the babies and the person assigned to care for them was overworked from changing diapers, feeding, caring for the sick. This job is 24/7. There was no mosquito netting on the cribs and as a result, one baby became ill with malaria during the month of our visit. Another baby had been born prematurely and at the age of 9 months, weighed less than 10 lbs. There was enough misery to go around. Many of the mothers of these children have died in childbirth as prenatal care in this country is a luxury few can afford. At the age of 5, if the child in the orphanage has a parent, or relative to take them, they are sent out because they are deemed old enough to work fetching wood, water, etc. The children who remain in the orphanage attend a local school built by the Italians. The tuition is covered by the cost to the other students. There still exists a need for uniforms, books, supplies. Although the area is rural and there are gardens and animals at the orphanage, there are many mouths to feed (orphanage, convent, old folks' home) thus the quality of the diet is poor. There is not sufficient milk, meat is served once a week as is fish. Their staple, millet, is daily made up into a gruel paste which often gags the children. Illnesses are frequent. Quinine syrup used to treat malaria is costly. Children suffer from skin an assortment of skin ailments such as fungus which is common in the tropics. Our hope is to improve their nutritional status, to expand their education into the preschool area as well as establish a library and to provide them with the resources to decrease the incidence of malaria by providing them all with good mosquito nets. With the help of volunteers and members of the congregation of St.Thomas Aquinas, there is hope for a better future.
PERUVIAN DIRECTOR HOSTED BY ORPHAN TRAIN AND MOOSEHEART Gregorio Arratea Castro, director of the Santa Teresita Orphanage in Tingo Maria, Peru, arrived at Mooseheart as a guest of Mooseheart and the Madison West Towne- Middleton Rotary Foundation’s Orphan Train Project on July 23, 2006. The purpose of Castro’s trip was to study and observe Mooseheart’s methodology of child care, gain insights about other models and participate in a cultural exchange. The trip was especially helpful to Castro, who not only directs Santa Teresita, but also is a psychology instructor at a Peruvian University. Mooseheart is a self-contained child city and school, located on a 1000 acre campus west of Chicago. Since 1913 the Moose fraternal organization has been caring for children, whose families are unable to do so for a variety of reasons. The children of Mooseheart live in one of thirty residences. Six to twelve children live in each home, where Family Teachers care for them. The Family Teachers are charged with giving each youngster a consistent, systematic environment, with emphasis on developing the social skills necessary for successful members of society. (See www.mooseheart.org). For two weeks, Gregorio attended classes with newly hired Family Teachers, where he learned the Mooseheart way. Gregorio was assisted by Viroqua, Wisconsin Rotarian Ken Childs, who served as translator. The principal instructor for the classes was Training Director Frank Kirby. During the evenings, Castro and Childs were invited to various homes on campus, where they dined with the young residents and participated in life at Mooseheart. Gregorio and Ken enjoyed these experiences. Reportedly, the same was true for the Mooseheart children and staff, giving them an opportunity to learn about another culture. On August 4, having completed the course of study at Mooseheart, Gregorio arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, where he began a less formal experience. During his stay in Madison, Castro stayed in the homes of Rotarian Jeannine Desautels and husband Ed and Rotarian Rod Nilles and wife Carol. During his time in Madison, Gregorio had an opportunity to give presentations to the Rotary Clubs of Madison West Towne-Middleton and Madison East-Monona. (The Rotary Club of Madison East-Monona is Santa Teresita’s Orphan Train conductor club). While in Madison, Gregorio visited the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital and the Waisman Center, also on the University campus. The Waisman Center, as described on its website, is “one of 14 national centers dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development and developmental disabilities through research and practice.” Gregorio’s schedule also listed the Preschool of the Arts, Boys and Girls Club, East Madison Community Center, Goodwill Industries, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Hospice, Briarpatch (helps with crisis intervention, runaways and homeless youth), Centro Guadalupe, Three Gaits (a therapeutic horsemanship center), Catholic Charities, LaFollette High School and Park Elementary School. Each of these organizations serves children in unique ways. Madison tours and social events were arranged for by numerous Rotarians and others. Events included Concerts on the Square, boating on Lake Mendota, a pot luck dinner, a family birthday party, dinners and lunches with Rotarians and Madisonians, tours of the Capitol building, Farmers Market, Overture Center, Monona Terrace, Memorial Union on the University Campus, visits to restaurants, including the beautiful Ocean Grill, and shopping. The Orphan Train Project is grateful to Gregorio Castro for taking time to come to the United States, spending one month away from his family and orphanage. We sincerely appreciate our wonderful relationship with Mooseheart, which has so willingly shared its ideas and hospitality for many years. None of this would have been possible without the translators (Ken Childs, Andreas Trevino, Sarah Pressman, Stuart and Susanna Herro, Hilary Schwartz, Jeannine Desautels, Enrique Gandara, Carol Nilles, Lynne Emerick, Romilia Schlueter and others who helped along the way). We are also thankful to Rotarian Families, and others, who shared their time and enthusiasm with our guest. In addition to those already listed in other capacities, they include Mary Van Hout (who spent countless hours making all the arrangements), Susan and Bob Titus, Toni Pabon, Rich Cooper, Jason McCaffrey, Peder Moren, Mary Feldt, Jim Emerick, Rachelle Richardson, Roberta Vellucci, Jerry Smith and Ed Fink. On August 13, Gregorio returned to Peru, having enriched the lives of all he came to know. (Editor’s Note: Lists are difficult to compile, especially in a fluid situation where plans and people change, without the necessity of notifying any list maker. Please understand if you aren’t listed, it isn’t because your efforts are unappreciated. We are thankful to everyone who made this educational and cultural exchange a success). 8/27/06
MADISON WEST KIWANIS MEETS NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN PERU "In the fall of 2005, Madison (WI) West Kiwanis Club became an Orphan Train Conductor and donated $500 to the Pillco Mozo orphanage in Huanuco, Peru. In a recent report from Sister Mary Ann Leininger, she indicates the funds were used for a reconstruction project to repair the shower facilities in one of the dorms. Pillco Mozo is readying itself to accept young girls into the orphanage so many changes had to be made in the facility, previously occupied by young boys only. Below are photos of some of the boys and the new showers." 3/29/06
MOOSEHEART AND ROTARY TEAM UP FOR ROMANIA The Orphan Train Project, sponsored by the Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotary Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton (Wisconsin), has worked with Mooseheart, the famed Child City of Illinois for several years. That partnership has resulted in orphanage directors and other interested people from around the globe being trained in Mooseheart’s positive model of care, here in the United States and abroad. The most recent training occurred in Romania, with the help of Daniela Ariton and Dr. Anna Burtea, administrators of Heart of the Child, a Romanian Non Government Organization. Mooseheart’s Ron Ahrens conducted the classes. Dr. Burtea advised the Orphan Train that Ron’s visit included three days of training, attended each day by 20-25 people. While in Romania, Ron learned about the activities of Heart of the Child and visited group homes and state orphanages. Dr. Burtea wrote: “We want to thank you and to your Rotary Club for doing this visit possible.” Ron’s story, some pictures and the response to the training follows. Editor
ROMANIAN VISIT By Ron Ahrens Director of Residential Living/Mooseheart
On November 1, 2005 through November 11, 2005, because of the kindness and concern of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton, its Orphan Train Project and Jim and Jacque Schutz, I visited Romania and the organization – Heart of the Child. What I found in Romania was great people, and a number of individuals that had a mission to help children. The Director of the Heart Of The Child, Daniela Aniton and her colleague Anna Burtea had visited Mooseheart and received our training, which consists of motivating children and teaching children social skills. These ladies along with their staff have done an incredible job by taking what they were taught at Mooseheart and teaching it in Romania. I visited numerous group homes (apartments) and placement centers while I was in Romania. The homes were impressive and the staff in each home was incredible. Each home has a female staff person in charge and another female staff person (called grandmother) comes into the home to assist. All of the children used greeting skills, were very pleasant, and had great conversation skills. I was very impressed with the children’s question asking and interest. I did find one similarity between U.S. children and Romania. Neither of them like rules set by adults! I thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to be able to train the Heart of The Child staff. Every person (all ladies) was very interested and very receptive regarding the training. The language barrier, which I thought would be a difficulty, wasn’t at all. Anna did a wonderful job having materials prepared and being the interpreter. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Romania (except missing my family). For such a poverty stricken country, they have very vibrant culture. I enjoyed the site seeing, the inexpensive prices, the people, and the food. The food was absolutely outstanding. I had the best pizza in the world, and it only cost me three American dollars. It would’ve have fed at least three people. I enjoyed my time at the Greek Orthodox Monastery where I went to church on Sunday, to driving through countless small villages. The villages reminded me a lot of rural Nebraska, back when I was a little child and spending time on my grandfather’s farms. I thoroughly enjoyed my two-night stay in Bucharest. A very progressive city and unbelievable history that occurred just 15 years ago. I have never met a group of people that were so thankful for the help they were receiving. The Heart of the Child foundation is going to have a great reputation in Romania because of the staff and the leadership of Daniela and Anna. I would again like to thank the generosity and kindness of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton. You are really helping children internationally. (Feb. 23, 2006)
ROTARY CLUB OF COLUMBUS, WISCONSIN AND ST. JEROME St. Jerome School of Columbus, Wisconsin donated $822.98 for their friends living at the Kosovo Orphanage in Bulgaria. Their efforts were enhanced by a contribution of $1185.02 from the Rotary Club of Columbus. These two-long time Orphan Train conductors have been making life better for the Bulgarian children for many years. What a wonderful Christmas this will be for the children of Kosovo! Purchases included: food supplies: 407 food supplies: 416.95 notebooks: 114 jackets (28items) 420 shoes (73items) 1579 textbooks: 262.60 Total: 3199.30 BGL2000USD=1.6*2000BGL=3200BGL 12/6/05
MARSHFIELD SUNRISE BRINGS SUNSHINE TO GOTZE DELCHEV
September 26, 2005 Hi Ed! I think it is great that you will post our gift to Gotze Delchev and Darla and Sylvia's visit on the web. Sunrise Rotary and Sylvia have formed a bond of friendship through our correspondence over the last several years about the Ivan Kiulev Orphanage. Here is some background information. The orphanage was built in 1967 and specializes in the upbringing and education of children without parental care. It is located south of the capital of Sofia, along the Mesta River; 15 km from the Bulgarian-Greek border. The orphanage is home to 24 girls and 37 boys, all students in first to eleventh grade. Sixteen children have mental disabilities and study at a specialized school in Gotze Delchev. There are seventeen staff including English speaking. The director Konstantin Tomov Endrev has been with the orphanage for 14 years. The community and surrounding area where the orphanage is located is poverty stricken. Sources of funding are extremely limited; therefore, the orphanage is forced to make due in substandard conditions. We decided to apply for a District 6250 Simplified Grant so that our fund raising dollars "could get extra bang for the buck". We asked for $1900 to be spent for the following. Part 1: a computer, laser printer, scanner, fax machine, and copy machine. Part 2: two washing machines with sewer and electric connections. Part 3: repair of electric kitchen appliances; woodwork to wardrobes, doors, and windows; and latex paint for the walls of the facility. Part 4: new shoes for the children who spend most of their time outside (as the shoes wear out and are outgrown quickly). After reviewing our grant application, District 6250 awarded us $500. Guidelines indicated that the washing machines and shoes were appropriate expenditures with the District funds. Sunrise Rotary decided to cover the cost of the other needed items. When we found out that Sylvia was going to be in Madison in July, we were thrilled because it was the perfect opportunity to meet her and to present her a check for the items. Darla Leick volunteered to go to Madison and talk with Sylvia and the other folks traveling with her. Sylvia is not a Rotarian, but she certainly exemplifies Rotary spirit and the four-way-test. We wanted to gift her and her companions with some token of our thanks for their volunteer efforts on our behalf with the orphanage. I was explaining all of this to my boss, William J. Mork, President/Owner of Marshfield Furniture. He gave me the teddy bears to give them along with a check for $100, which we incorporated into our $2,300 check for the orphanage. At Marshfield Furniture we have many exclusive fabric designs. The Pine Cone design is one we had woven into a throw. I thought pine cones to be a universal theme, so I purchased one as a thank you to Sylvia. Everything was wrapped in red, white, and blue to represent the United States. I know Darla was a wonderful ambassador for Sunrise Rotary and that she thoroughly enjoyed meeting Sylvia and all of you. This long-winded tail sums up the story. We are anxiously awaiting receipts and pictures of the children right now. Thanks again, Ed and let me know if I can be of any further help. Laurel 9/26/2005
FINAL REPORT: ROTARY CLUB OF MONROE’S DONATION TO SHOUMEN
9/16/05
BULGARIAN INVITEES TRAIN AT MOOSEHEART AND VISIT WISCONSIN
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