LifeNets

CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN PROJECT IN SEATTLE

kubik@lifenets.org — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:29:36 GMT

CHANGE FOR CHANGE

For Lifenets Vinogradov, Ukraine Street Children Program

Posted June 25, 2009

In January the Seattle congregation of the United Church of God started a program to encourage its children to support LifeNets’ Street Children program in Vinogradov, Ukraine. For $25, the soup kitchen provides clothing, food and personal items each month for a child. Many of these children come from abusive and alcoholic situations. The Street Children program cares for about 30 children. In addition to physical needs, the children are given love, care and training.

LifeNets Puget Sound member Larry Hardison decorated a large jar, which is set out every week for congregation members and their children to donate their spare change. The goal was to raise at least $25 a month. Every time $25 is reached, another marker goes up. So far, donations have been collected to help a total of seven children – beyond the goal of collecting enough to help at least one child a month. Members are able to teach their children about giving and showing compassion for other children who may not have the opportunities or care they have.

-- Catherine Brumbaugh

Hunter Williams with sister Gloria helping collect change for children in Vinogradov

LifeNets Provides Wheelchair for Theft Victim KOMO-TV News Story

kubik@lifenets.org — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:05:16 GMT

LifeNets Puget Sound Chapter Provides Wheelchair to Tacoma Disabled Theft Victim -- KOMO-TV Story

ShareThis
Seattle’s ABC Affiliate KOMO News 4’s (www.komonews.com) Problem Solver’s program helped a Tacoma man obtain another wheelchair – see story. In response to the story, several people volunteered a wheelchair, including LifeNets. A deluxe model was chosen and given to Andrew Hagan Monday, the day after KOMO aired the story which was May 11, 2009..

Unfortunately, it turned out that new chair too heavy and not easily collapsed so it could be put into his Mother ‘s car when she picked him up from his classes.

A couple of days later, KOMO’s Jennifer Austin called Catherine Brumbaugh, LifeNets Puget Sound member, who had called after seeing the program but could not obtain a chair that Monday.

Working with Alix Kubik, LifeNets wheelchair program coordinator, a chair was located in the Seattle area, picked up in north Seattle and taken south to an arranged meeting with Ms. Hagan and her son Andrew. Ms. Hagan was very happy to have a lighter weight model that was easy to fold and store in her car’s trunk.

KOMO added information about LifeNets to its website story about the Hagans.

-- Catherine Brumbaugh, LifeNets Puget Sound Chapter

From KOMO-TV -- Stranger's kindness refuels man's mobility

May 11, 2009

TACOMA, Wash. -- A local man has gained a new sense of freedom thanks to the generosity of another.

Andrew Hagan lost his wheelchair last week when his mother's car was stolen from the parking garage at the Emerald Queen Casino in Fife. The wheelchair was in the trunk.

Hagan suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and a heart condition. And without a wheelchair to use to get around, his mom has had to help him walk everywhere.

"It was a lot harder than usual," said mother, Cheri Hagan.

But now, Andrew says he feels "real good," thanks to a stranger who made a heart-warming donation after seeing a KOMO News report on Sunday night. Patrick O'Keefe of Everett gave Andrew a nearly-new $8,000 wheelchair.

"Yes, it's something the young man can use," O'Keefe said. "It makes me feel great."

Both Andrew and Cheri Hagan were thrilled to be given a new wheelchair, which happens to also recline.

Meantime, the Puyallup Tribal Police are investigating this case.

If you have a wheelchair to donate or are in need of a wheelchair, contact LifeNets International, a nonprofit group.

New Water Project in Zimbabwe

kubik@lifenets.org — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:53:37 GMT

LifeNets Zimbabwe Water Project

Posted June 4, 2009

Theresa Chichaya is a widow who lives in a small town in Zimbabwe and owns a 5-acre piece of land on which she grows corn, vegetables and fruits.

Mrs Chichaya's new pump at work.

More importantly, she houses 52 adults and children who make up several low-income families who sought accommodation on her land. Some are "lucky" enough to have jobs at nearby farms but cannot afford food even with their monthly wages.

Water is an essential ingredient in the daily survival of these individuals and Mrs. Chichaya has always had a well on her land to supplement this need. Running water had been available in abundance in the neighborhood before the economic downturn in Zimbabwe but under the tough economic circumstances of the last few years, it became an even more scarce necessity on this land.

Frequent power outages rendered the dream of running water just that, a dream. The well they could turn to had become harder to reach manually with bucket pulleys since the water was far too deep because of previous droughts.

An electric pump powerful enough to draw the water from the well was very sorely needed but was impossible for Mrs. Chichaya and these ordinary folks to afford when all they were trying to do was feed their families at least once or twice a day at most.

LifeNets learnt of this need and provided not only an electric pump for the well, but also a reservoir tank to store water for the many dark days of power outages when the pump would not be functioning. These folks were thirsty, and LifeNets gave them something to drink. At least 53 people's lives have been improved. That means a lot to me because Mrs. Chichaya is my mother.

-- by Angeline Chichaya

Pump station. Submersible pump inside.

Theresa Chichaya (center) surrounded by family members

ShareThis "You Gave Me Something to Drink"

New LifeNets Project: Development Project For Low-income Children in Paramirabo, Suriname

kubik@lifenets.org — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:46:00 GMT

New LifeNets Project:

Development Project For Low-income Children in Paramirabo, SurinameMay 25, 2009

Claid and Marcia Dalfour have started a development project for low-income children in P

Marcia Dalfour conducts education program

Each Saturday they meet with some 30 children ages 3-7 for 2-3 hours. Some of the children who participate do not have shoes. The Dalfours teach them basic Christian principles via hymns, which the children memorize.

They help the older children with elementary reading skills, and they teach all the children basic social skills like saying "Please" and "Thank you." The Dalfours have downloaded some basic children's material from the Internet and use it for their instruction. The texts are in English, but they always explain everything in Dutch so the children can understand. When the lesson is finished, the children receive a warm lunch before they return home.

The Dalfours have been providing this service for about 9 months now, paying for everything from their own income. Marcia works as a governmental nurse supervisor in Paramaribo, and Claid is a music teacher.

Building where the program is conducted

It is the desire of LifeNets to support this well-run project which simply needs financing.

We will be working with Paul Kieffer who is regional director for the United Church of God for the German and Dutch-speaking areas. He visited this area in January/February and gave us an enthusiastic report the work of the Dalfors.

We are looking for sponsors to help sustain this project. Write to us at suriname@lifenets.org.

aramaribo, the capital of Suriname. They rented a small meeting hall in Paramaribo. It is actually a small house that was unfinished when they first rented it. The roof was not completely in place, the interior was totally unfinished and the floor of the building was just dirt. With a lot of "sweat equity" they have turned the building into a place where they can have conduct their in the neighborhood.

LifeNets Helps Family with Habitat in Illinois

kubik@lifenets.org — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:23:43 GMT

Some time back a large family in Illinois underwent extreme hardship. Their living conditions were unfit. Serious fixing up was necessary.

A donor stepped up at a most opportune time to help provide financing for lumber, paint and other building materials. With Church work parties and everyone's involvement an extreme makeover was made as you can see in the photos below.

The family has moved into the house, and are pretty well along in fixing it up. There is still some trim work to be completed and cabinets to be installed, but it really is a nice, cozy home. This summer they plan to add on another bedroom.

The whole family really appreciates the assistance from LifeNets, the Church, both financially and (especially) for everyone's help to pitch in and work on the roof, interior, windows, etc. It has made quite a difference in the family. The kids really have a sense of ownership and wanting to take care of their home.

What the home is like NOW!

What the home was like before:

Rotary District 6560 GSE Teams Discusses Upcoming Trip With LifeNets

kubik@lifenets.org — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:23:35 GMT

March 23, 2009

Our district Rotary’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team will be going to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe on May 1 for 30 days. This is an exchange of teams from our District 6560 with District 9210 in the above mentioned countries. They will stay with Rotarian families and interrelate professional y as well as personally.

Kokomo Rotarian Steve Currens is the GSE leader. What a great experience…we wish them well. We look forward to the inbound team from this district to visit us here in Indiana.

Bev and I invited the GSE team over to our home for lunch to talk about the area they will be going to. We have travelled here many times and continue to work here (www.lifenets.org/malawi/ www.lifenets.org/zambia and other places on our LifeNets Web site).

We were really impressed by the enthusiasm, interest and desire of these ambassadors to help disadvantaged people in the third and fourth poorest countries in the world. Two work with Goodwill Industries, one a forensic DNA analyst and one a photojournalist (melaniemaxwell.com).

We look forward to hearing good things from them all.

GSE Team from left: Dan, Nick, Melanie, Steve Currens (team leader), Gina along with Bev Kubik of LifeNets on the right

The Joy of Loving In Deed

kubik@lifenets.org — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:58:54 GMT

On March 15, 2009 Beverly Kubik made this presentation to the Women's Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona which was entitled "Loving in Deed."

The Joy of Loving in Deed Power Point used in the presentation

This day is not about us. It’s about others and what we do for them. “Loving in Deed” is about our relationship to others. It’s about acts of kindness, about sharing, caring and giving. When we follow these principals, it becomes all about JOY.

So, today I want to share with you some of what God expects from us and how we can effectively put it into practice in our lives.

I believe that we will come to see that this will produce JOY in us and bring JOY and hope to others.

Loving in Deed is about doing something for others to make their day a little better.

In the months prior today, knowing that I had committed to speaking, many thoughts came to mind.

Loving in Deed is unlimited. It’s about the giving of our time, of our resources; it’s about commitment and following through. It’s about love.

MORE

Successful Boot Scoot Fundraiser in Ft. Worth, Texas!

kubik@lifenets.org — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:18:20 GMT

2nd Annual Boot Scoot in Ft. Worth, Texas
for LifeNets Developing Nations Scholarship Fund

The 2nd Annual Boot Scoot benefiting the Developing Nations Scholarship Fund was held on January 10th in Fort Worth! Delicious barbecue beef ribs were served to 100 guests before the silent auction and dance with music generously provided by Soundpost. The silent auction, raffle, and ticket sales along with separate donations netted approximately $5000 for the scholarship fund.

Jerry Girard of Dallas commented, "This year's Boot Scoot was a blast! We were greatly looking forward to the social activity, the delicious beef ribs, the killer music!!! I really love hearing Soundpost every time! It's a fantastically fun time, in the name of helping out other people with a good cause, which makes the participation even more rewarding!"

Plans for 2010 are already underway as the even will be held in the historic Stockyards once again on January 9! For more information, visit www.bootscoot.org. See ya next year!

- Kelli Hogg

PS: We want to THANK everyone who made this happen, particularly the Hogg family who put a lot of effort, time and resources to make this event happen and SOUNDPOST. Your generosity and love will send young people to college and give them a life-changing experience they would not have had otherwise.

- Vic Kubik

Below are photo memories of the Boot Scoot (MUCH MORE)

Report on Zambia LifeNets Projects for 2008 -- Great Story!

kubik@lifenets.org — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:18:58 GMT

Kambani and Shirley Banda, October 2008

LifeNets in Zambia

Annual Report
Year Ending December 31, 2008

Report from Zambia LifeNets Director, Kambani Banda

(posted February 10, 2009)

ShareThis

Introduction

We pleased to report on the activities of LifeNets in Zambia for the year ending 31 December, 2008

Cattle Restoration Project

Cattle Restoration, Our flagship project, continues to command its lead ahead of the pack.

Oxen that were born from the original twenty two heifers are now approaching maturity. The draft power from a mature ox is nothing short of staggering. On my last visit to Nalubanda my Nissan was once again stuck, deep in the mud. Twelve strong men failed to push it out of the mud.
We brought two pairs of Oxen. To my wonderment, the oxen pulled my Nissan out the mud like it was a toy. Is it any wonder then, that where a family of six takes two weeks to weed their crops, a pair of oxen pulling a cultivator, does the job just in one morning! The farm credit program owes much of its success, in more ways than one, to the power of the Ox.

This year saw the return of the foot and mouth disease in most parts of Zambia. We commend our government because they put in place two intervention measures: They banned stock movement for any and every reason and they put in place a free spray and treatment program.

Out of total herd of over one hundred, we lost only two. This mortality rate reflects a commendable dedication to the tick spray program that we put in put in place at the start of this project. People that obey God have done extremely well with this project. For example, Jerry's heifers have produced a total of 8 Calves. On the other hand, Armstrong’s two original heifers are dead and he has only one calf to show, and that, after eight years of hard labor.

MUCH MORE!!

Graduation Day for Ivan Sobolev

kubik@lifenets.org — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:22:17 GMT

Update on Ivan Sobolev of Chernihev, Ukraine

Graduation Day

Posted December 26, 2008, written August 18, 2008

Greetings, honored, Victor Kubik

In our LifeNets experience we don't always realize how much impact our help makes. This is a continuation of the story of a story of Ivan Sobolev, now 29 years old who became paralyzed in a diving accident in 2001. He has worked hard to achieve and be of value. We were directed to Ivan man by "Revival's" director Dr. Vasyl Pasichnyk while visiting Chernihev in January 2003 when our LifeNets Indiana delegation visited Ivan in his parents' apartment.

As to a good angel of our family, we would like to tell you about our success and achievements. Excuse us for our long silence. I was at the sanitarium and there was no Internet there.

This year at the sanitarium I defended my bachelor’s diploma. The examination committee came to see me. Even though I was studying through distance learning, the defense of my degree had to be in person. We were in a very encouraged state of mind, since I defended my thesis “Business Project - Computer Club". My work was evaluated as “excellent” and was also noted as a good analysis with a viable proposal.

This has been a great morale booster in our lives. I am now considering my possibilities to furthering my education in a distance learning format.

From the physical side, there is encouraging new. My hands are more confident and I have a greater scope of movement. This is amazing since these are movements that have developed naturally. I have been able to sit easily in bed, move to the side, rise on my elbows and lean over. And then understand that this is a very new development. I wasn’t able to do this. The statement “Movement is LIFE.” And the RIGHT movements make for a healthy life!

We are convinced that that only God’s Will and lots of rehabilitation work will yield good results.

In the sanitarium we have met many people. Everyone has his life and his trial that has strapped them to their bed. And, yet we see God’s mercy in that He has sent people like you. We are beyond words to express this in proper words for the constant concern that we feel.

Let God give you health and strength, patience and endurance in your work.

With great respect,

Sobolev Family and Ivan

Ivan would be very happy to hear from you.

His email is jansan@ukr.net

     Ivan Sobolev
     Koroleva street 14а, apart. 19
     Chernigov
     Ukraine 14034

Below are photos of the Graduation Ceremony When Ivan Received his Degree

Report from LifeNets Zambia Director

kubik@lifenets.org — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:59:09 GMT

LifeNets in Zambia

Highlights of the various activities that we undertook in the last twelve months

Report from Zambia LifeNets Director, Kambani Banda

(posted December 11, 2008)

ShareThis

Cattle Restoration Project

Without doubt cattle restoration is our flag project. It has delivered animal draft power, supplied milk – a critical source of protein. In three cases, families sold surplus oxen and used the proceeds to buy three Scotch Carts. In rural Zambia; a scotch is a valuable and expensive capital item, owned and operated only by families in the middle class.

Unlike the year 2006, there was no disease out break. How ever, we felt the full impact of the Lumpy Skin Disease in 2007. The fertility of our head reduced, mortality was three and we recorded two still born calves.

In the year under review, we watched these animals with the eye of an eagle. We insisted that farmers dip and vaccinate their animals religiously. As far we know, farmers cooperated by following the laid down regimen to the later.

Pastor Andre van Belkum on left with Haben Moonga, chairman of the Nalubanda/Kasumpa branch of LifeNets Zambia

Through our local representatives, we saw to it that farmers treated even what they considered to be minor diseases. Our aim was that our head should gain stamina and rich a level of productivity, which has, for years been the envy of the other local farmers.

In December 2007, we held a meeting with the local Life Nets management. At this meeting we agreed to close the first phase of this project. What this means is that; families that benefited from tranche one heifer allocation should now repay their loans in full.

Farmers will repay regardless of whether their heifers dropped female calves or not. This is how it will work. Farmers will sell excess male animals in their head. Using such proceeds farmers will buy heifers with which to repay outstanding loans.

This move will not hurt the crop side of the project because families with outstanding loans have adequate draft power. In fact, farmers will have surplus cash because ox sale proceeds will exceed the cost of heifers. I personally sold this plan to every household involved. Discussion with farmers indicates that they like idea of being debt free.

Our head now numbers 92, valued at K 92 Million Kwacha. This is equivalent to US$ 25,000; all this, from US$ 4000 invested in 2001. This number excludes 9 animals that were sold to buy Scotch Carts and meet various family needs.

Farm credit program

This program continues to deliver short term benefits to our community. This season we removed two farmers from the program. The total amount advanced for in puts in year ending 2007 is K16 Million.

Two families partially defaulted on their loans last season. We are working with them and will not ask for permission to write of these loans at this stage. One family is hard working and productive; in fact, in 2007, they achieved the best yield ever.

The other family happens to be is a son to a leader in the area. The local leadership should not have approved this young man’s loan application in the first place. We have since disciplined the leader (see the section discussing management). We hope that this is a good lesson to us all that nepotism does not work.

The failure to repay in all the above cases are problems of spiritual nature not. Unless participants control their desires no aid program will work. This is where the work of the church complements that of Life Nets.

To my mind, the church teaches theory in the “skills of living classes.” Planning, hard work, reviewing one’s work, integrity, keeping one’s word, evidenced by paying loans, favoritism, etc; these and many more are taught from a spiritual perspective. In these classes, we emphasize these values.

Kambani Banda with Beverly Kubik visiting with the Kubik's on May 2008 trip to U.S.A.

LifeNets provide the laboratory, the materials and instructors. Using the above resources; instructors, demonstrate, step by step how knowledge taught by the church can be put in practice. This dual approach to poverty reduction is highly effective and is the key that has made us succeed where others have failed.

MUCH MORE

Fundraiser Provides Ghana Student Full Year Scholarship!

kubik@lifenets.org — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:46:58 GMT

December 10, 2008 ShareThis

The Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania combined together this fall for a card and calendar sale. Our profit is enclosed; we would like to donate this to the LifeNets Developing Nations Scholarship Fund for Ghana.

We hope that this small amount of money can help add to our family in Africa for the future of the church.

Amanda Rupp

Six church areas in Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania came together during the late summer and fall of this past year to put together a fundraiser. The Akron, Cleveland, Canton, Youngstown, Meadville and Pittsburgh congregations enthusiastically participated in selling cards and calendars. We currently have two students studying with the LifeNets Developing Nations Scholarship Fund.

We ordered the cards and calendars from God's Creation Fund-Raising Products Youth Group Promotions. No matter how large the order was, the shipping and handling cost only $10. The total profit was $890, a tremendous blessing during the economic troubles of today. We emailed announcements kept the process moving, and the monthly gathering of young adults and teens for YAT Night in Youngstown, Ohio, assisted in sorting the products. The extras ordered because of packaging arrangements were too few to satiate the demand. Planning for next year's fundraiser has already begun - church members are asking about calendars, and more areas are anxious to be involved.

Sincerely,

Amanda Rupp

kubik@lifenets.org — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:39:26 GMT

June 2008 ShareThis

In the summer of 2007 Jennifer Myers along with Phil Myers and Aaron Blue volunteered to help out Dr. Sam Chilopora with the work of Chizeni Clinic in Balaka, Malawi. We asked the team for an assessment about what they saw, what we could do better and possible ways to do it.

More Photos

Part 2

Part 3

Tom Peine, LifeNets chairman, Jennifer Myers and Sue Peine when Jennifer came to Indianapolis on August 28 to tell us about her journey.

Jennifer told us that most projects were going well and that the people produced good products. But she noted that there was a gap in understanding of how to market products, how to make a profit and how to sustain a business.

Jennifer Myers has been Program Officer, Noble County Community Foundation in northern Indiana.

So we asked Jennifer to go on a mission to Malawi and Zambia to teach simple business concepts to those who received Livelihood Development grants. This took place the last two weeks of June 2008. What she taught included: What is needed to start a business; understanding and marketing what makes a business different from its many competitors; planning and anticipating; money management and bookkeeping; and the importance of mentoring and working together. Jennifer did an outstanding job going alone and teaching the seminar in five location in Malawi and Zambia.

Jennifer writes this report and provides us the beautiful photos in three sections of this report:

"Business 101: The purpose of this trip was to teach simple business concepts to those who have received LifeNets Livelihood Development grants. A summary of the topics include: what is needed to start a business, understanding and marketing what makes the business different than its many competitors, planning and anticipating, money management and book keeping, and even the importance of mentoring and working together. Though the same topics were taught, the presentation was different in each area due to the different group of attendees.

See Also:

Summer 2007 Medical Mission to Malawi
The Blanket Distribution Ceremony June 20, 2007

“First, I must thank God for the opportunity and for keeping me safe as I traveled. I thank LifeNets for all the wonderful work the organization does to better communities here in the United States as well as around the world. This, of course, wasn’t my first trip to visit the projects in Malawi, but my eyes were still opened in awe to the living conditions that continue to be improved, the skills learned, and the overwhelming gratefulness from people who feel loved and cared for not only by those in their own communities but by all of us in the States who support them through LifeNets. They are just so grateful for the chance to succeed. sI thank the host families who took their time to schedule the presentations, set up the project visits and to care for me as though I were a part of their families. It isn’t always easy traveling to another country, but the families welcomed me with open arms, and I truly felt at home. The generosity and love by these families really captured the essence of LifeNets and the outstanding people that are a part of the organization.

“The main reason for my travels was to present an educational session on simple business concepts and practices. While I presented the information, the attendees shared their own experiences and stories, they asked questions and were just eager to learn from me and from each other. This discussion not only increased the amount of information they learned, but allowed them to see how they could help each other and how they could learn from each other. They left with tools to help them continue learning how to better their projects/businesses, through marketing, planning and money management. And they were reminded of the importance of working together and possibly mentoring those who too are eager to learn.

“The projects I visited continue to survive and benefit the families and communities. Though the growth is not extreme, it is still a start, and the families are taking the necessary steps to help them succeed.

“My visit to Zambia was a learning opportunity for me as well. There I learned of LifeNet’s cattle program. It is through this program that families learn responsibility and ownership. They realize the importance of working as a community. And the program maintains itself, which is incredible to see.

“It is amazing how one can go to teach, but learn so much more in the process. A part of my heart remains with those in Malawi and Zambia as I learned more about myself, about service and how quickly friendships can develop as we work together.”

Elifazi Salawila, who coordinated Jennifer’s visit in Malawi, wrote us:

“Thank you for sending Jennifer to us. Her visit to Malawi has been of great benefit to us all. She came to give us a business key, which was not known to some of us. And we hope that with this business key our businesses will improve and grow. We are glad that she has been able to visit all the projects which were on our programme, both Blantyre and Lilongwe. Jennifer is a cheerful and flexible lady who strived to learn our culture. This kind of heart helped her to associate with any class of people without problems.”

Here is a summary of the five presentations that Jennifer made on this mission:

In Blantyre the presentation went well as there was good discussion. Attendees asked wonderful questions and took a real interest in understanding the skills needed to help their businesses grow. It was interesting to see the interaction between the attendees as well. This group really helped each other and I think they began to understand their own knowledge that they have and how they can network and work together.

In Lilongwe it was interesting, that as I visited the projects in this area, several of the grantees/attendees took many of the ideas that they learned in the presentation and were able to share with me how they can implement them. It showed that they really took in the information.

In Lusaka, Zambia the presentation here was different as several in this area really do have a grasp on business. They didn’t seem to really need the basics, but of course were grateful for the information and expressed that they too can implement some of the ideas. They too were really able to teach each other, and that was important for them to see.

In Nalubanda the presentation here was very interesting since it basically dealt with maize farming/selling and cattle raising. Though the attendees took in the information and were very grateful for what they had learned, they actually had a lot of questions for Mr. Banda. But it was through their questions and his response that I got a very good glimpse of how the program works. Mr. Banda works very well with this group and the program provided here is so beneficial to the families and the communities. There is a real sense of ownership, responsibility, for those who participate in the program.

Finally in Mapoko, there was a different aspect to the presentation. This group was just starting its work with the cattle/maize program available through LifeNets. They really were in need of the business information, once they figured out I wasn’t there to teach them how to farm or raise cattle. They asked good questions and just really soaked in all the information that they could. Mr. Banda was there and answered all their questions that dealt specifically with the programs LifeNets offered, and again I learned.

In addition, Jennifer visited many of our Livelihood Development projects.

Project Visits: Throughout the trip, I was able to visit various projects to see their progress and to hear their concerns.The projects are surviving and benefiting many. It takes the simple steps of funding and education to better a community, and it can definitely be seen in Malawi and Zambia thanks to LifeNets.

Blantyre Projects:

1.       Music Studio/School
2.       Tailoring
3.       Chachisa Maize Mill
4.       Knitting Machine
5.       Poultry Farm
6.       Hardware Sales
7.       Tailoring
8.       Knitting Machine
10.     Farm
11.    Scholarships

Lilongwe Projects:

1.       Clinic
2.       Well
3.       Tailoring
4.       Tailoring
5.       Grocery
6.       Plumbing
7.       Beauty Salon
8.       Primary School

Zambia Projects:

1. Cattle and Revolving Farm Credit Program

LifeNets Helps Save the Life of Matilda.....a Wonderful Story....

kubik@lifenets.org — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:52:40 GMT

Posted December 7, 2007

lifenets.org
Orphans at the LifeNets Orphan Care Centrehttp://lifenets.org/balakaorphans

This is one of our most touching LifeNets stories. Matilda, a two year-old orphan weighing about eight pounds came to the LifeNets Orphan Care Centre in 2001. There was not much hope for her. But, she survived and now thrives.

Matilda Faiti -- on the left in September 2008. On the right on October 2004.

Matilda Fiati writes in September 2008:

"I am very thankful for the help in feeding me when I was very young. Today I am at school and I am in Standard 2. May the Lord bless you. Thank you."

Matilda Fiati

We thank all who help support the LifeNets Orphan Care Centre in Balaka, particularly Dr. Barbara Walls and her friends in the Piscataway, New Jersey area who have raised money for feeding these children.

Please read Dr. Sam Chilopora's, director of Chizeni Clinic and the LifeNets Orphan Care Centre account of Matilda and his work with orphans.

October 10, 2008

Chizeni Health Services was initially built to heal the sick. This has been the case since 1989.

But, things changed in 2001-2002 when a famine hit the country. Many people, old and young suffered and some died. The news reached the United States. The United Church of God through LifeNets sent some food items to members of the churches in Malawi. We had our share of the food. This donation to us was a surplus because we had had sufficient food for ourselves.

Esther and Sam Chilopora

I asked my wife what we should do with this food. She had a ready answer: "We have many needy people around us, many, especially children are dying of hunger." She suggested that we should give it to the orphans.

The children came in large numbers. Little did we know that this would be an on ongoing thing. In no time the food was finished, but the children continued to come to be fed. We began to give them our own food. Through Mr. van Belkum in South Africa the matter was reported to the United States.

Mr. and Mrs. Kubik came to our aid through LifeNets and the LifeNets Orphan Care Centre was established. Among the children who came, there was one named Matilda Fiati. this child at the age of two years had the weight of a newborn baby. She was ill with malaria and upper respiratory infection. So apart from receiving the nutrients, we treated her for the many illnesses she suffered. Her weight slowly picked up. At times the guardians lost hope but we kept encouraging her to work hard. Like other orphans Matilda received mediation for her illnesses. My wife was keen to see that she received her medicines and her food. She was popularly known as "My Food." because she always cried out, "My food, my food."

Apart from feeding the orphans, we provide them with warm clothing during the cold season. The provision of mosquito nets drastically reduced the incidence of malaria. They also receive blankets and soap. Sometimes we took trips to Lake Malawi. The guardians enjoyed the trips to see Lake for the first time. On one of the trips the Chief herself joined us.

Finally, my wife and I would like thank all those who are involved in the LifeNets organization for the great work they do for those people they will never come to see. GIVING is the greatest LOVE man can show.

May the Lord richly bless you for the efforts you show in relieving human suffering

Sam and Esther Chilopora.

LifeNets Ships Dental Office to El Salvador

kubik@lifenets.org — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:39:15 GMT

Dental Office Shipped to El Salvador by LifeNets ShareThis

December 7, 2008

lifenets.org

Dr. Andrew Benedetto in Palmdale, California, donated two dentist’s chairs in excellent condition with their related equipment to LifeNets. We decided to send them to El Salvador where we had already helped establish a practice in 2001 run by some of our early scholarship students. Larry Greider of Los Angeles helped coordinate; Ward Opichka in Glendale crated the chairs and Doug Maidwell in Toronto, Ontario, shipped them. They arrived safe and sound in El Salvador in September. You may see some of our earlier stories about helping with dental students in El Salvador at http://www.lifenets.org/centralamerica2001/dental.htm.

Our biggest problem with large in-kind donations is shipping. The equipment has to be properly crated and then shipped--with significant customs and duty issues to overcome.

Through United Church of God pastor Larry Greider in Los Angeles we were able to find Ward Opichka in Glendale, California who crated all the equipment. Here's what Ward writes:

I was introduced to the project by my pastor, Mr.Larry Greider. His dentist, Dr.Andrew Benedetto, wanted to donate 2 dentist chairs with their related equipment to someone who could put them to good use. Mr. Greider asked me if I would be willing to build crates for this equipment so it could be shipped to El Salavador through LifeNets.

We arranged for Dr. Benedetto to deliver the equipment to my shop in Glendale, California.

Through Mr. Kubik I was put in contact with the shipper, Mr. Douglas Maidwell in Toronto,Canada. I took measurements and estimates for size and weights and forwarded this information to Mr. Maidwell so he could arrange for a shipping company to pick up the

equipment once the crating was finished.

I built 2 crates, one for each dentist chair and it's related equipment. I was concerned to build them sufficiently sturdy to handle the considerable weight, since I estimated each crate about 500 lbs. or 225 kg.

I very much enjoyed working with this project, knowing this equipment would be used to benefit the lives of many people.

-Ward Opichka

One of the chairs in crate

Ward Opichka

We have heard from the beneficiaries in El Salvador who write:

Dear Mr. Kubik,

Good day to you, my name is Raul Ramirez, and I am one of the persons benefitting from the dental equipment you sent to us. I want to thank you for this gift that has been a great blessing for all the brethren in El Salvador. Believe me, it will of great benefit to all in the congregation that have dental needs. The dental equipment arrived in perfect order. We are looking into the possibility of installing the equipment in a new office. In the name of the congregation and me, thank you very much for everything.

Hello,

My name is Veronica Ruiz, and I am one of the dentists in the Church in El Salvador. I want to thank you for the dental equipment and auxiliary material since they are very expensive and hard to come by here, and especially under the difficult economic situation. We again thank you for all of this. We hope to install it soon and begin using it to help the community and Church members.

Thanks again.

LifeNets mentioned in September issue of Real Simple, major US Women's magazine

kubik@lifenets.org — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:54:04 GMT

Real Simple magazine, circulation 2,000,000, mentions LifeNets as a good place to go to to recycle your wheelchair.

Real Simple is a monthly women's interest magazine published by TimeInc.. Real Simple, which was launched by Time in 2000, features articles and information related to homekeeping, childcare, cooking and emotional wellbeing. Real Simple is distinguished by its clean, uncluttered style of layout and photos.

Real Simple made its television debut in 2006, with a half-hour segment airing on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

We appreciated the coverage and support!

Unique Opportunity to Serve in Ukraine

kubik@lifenets.org — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:12:36 GMT

From our volunteer Cindy Harper MORE REPORTS

Vinogradov Home Page
Summer 2008 menu
LifeNets Home

August 26, 2008

In June my husband and I, along with volunteers Stefan Saxin and Ken Zahora, had a unique opportunity to serve at a youth summer camp in western Ukraine, in collaboration with an existing LifeNets project to help disadvantaged and at-risk youth in the small town. All year, twice a day, a small group of Christians provide healthy meals, Bible lessons, love and support to a large group of street children. Each summer they go beyond this daily service to host a camp that enables the children to have even more opportunities for fun and learning. We got to see firsthand the fruits of the labors of this collaborative project, and it was very inspiring to see the lives of these children so positively affected.

Dan and Cindy Harper when visiting Ukraine in December 2007

Other reports

For my husband and m, Ukraine is the epitome of “Eastern Europe.” The country gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They are still experiencing problems related to coming out of decades of communist rule. Poverty, social problems, widespread corruption, and a weak overall infrastructure are just a few of the problems people in this country face. After two weeks we were starting to get used to the gigantic potholes in the roads, the flickering power, and the constant crowds of people selling their wares in the streets. The difference once we returned to our respective developed western nations was stark. It made us feel very grateful for the daily blessings we enjoy and often take for granted. It also made us feel somewhat spoiled, when we realize how much they are able to do, with so little. When something is broken, they fix it and continue using it. Each day as we drove from the house where we stayed to the youth center, we saw people sitting on the side of the road. They were selling mushrooms they had gathered in the forest, crops from their own gardens, cherries from their own trees, juice from their own grapevines, local honey, etc. It gave us the impression that people of Ukraine were very enterprising and resourceful. We also enjoyed this local, inexpensive, fresh produce in our meals at the center. MORE

Wow! What a story about Missouri High School donation to LifeNets

kubik@lifenets.org — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:50:41 GMT

Whittier School Students Collect
Blankets for LifeNets Malawi

ShareThis

LifeNets Home
LifeNets Malawi

Earlier this year we received a phone call from a Minneapolis warehouse we used in 2001 for a container shipment to Malawi. They said that large boxes arrived labeled blankets and toys for Malawi. They were from a school in Missouri. We found the school and had a wonderful discussion with their service director who told us what and why the Whittier Alternative School did what it did. We shipped the blankets and toys to Malawi and they have just arrived and were picked up by Dr. Sam Chilopora. We hope to update this story with photos when we get them.

I asked Whittier service Director Kim Graves to tell me more what they did and why they chose LifeNets. He wrote me the following report in mid-March of this past year:

One of our elective credits involves providing community service. All students are encouraged to participate. However, none is required – all hours are voluntary. We work alongside Clubs and charitable institutions quite often. Sometimes we do entire projects on our own. Some examples would include Reading Buddies for Elementary Students, elderly visits, Veteran’s Day recognition, cemetery reclamation and beautification, raising funds for Habitat for Humanity ($4,000), raising funds for the Community Café Meals ($1000), mentoring middle school at-risk students, working at the food pantry, assisting Salvation Army throughout the year, food drives, Kids With Cancer, building improvements at Whittier, and many others. As a school, Whittier students/staff have performed over 2000 man hours of service in each of the past three years. Many of our students have over 50 hours, some over 100, a couple over 200, and one over 300!

Last winter we launched a project called One Thousand Blankets. It began when a student explained that she wanted to do something for the poor orphans she watch of a TV program. We made a presentation to the local Rotary Club, asking if they had any connections for international shipping. We also mentioned we intended to sew infant blankets. The rotary club donated two sewing machines and an individual also donated a sewing machine. The students learned some basic sewing skills and used them to create small blankets, repair torn quilts, and to repair worn edges. Some items were laundered. Some were discarded. A local girl scout troop also sewed and collected on our behalf. So did a nearby fifth-grade class. It was a collective effort. Finally, when all had been sorted, packed, and palletized, ABF Freight delivered the sixteen large boxes (four pallet cubes) to a collection point back east at no charge!

We collected 400 blankets and 75 stuffed animals and sent them to the Kondwa Childrens Foundation orphanage in Zambia. After the blankets were sent, more donations arrived. We continued to collect the offerings and when we had four large boxes (one pallet cube) we began to look for a different recipient. The palletized load weighed 301 pounds and cost nearly $200 to ship to your site in Minnesota. The cost was shared by the students ($75) and a community donation ($125.

LifeNets was selected based on a web search – during which we saw the photos of the blankets being distributed to the locals. The photos melted our hearts and we wanted you guys to have them.

Kim Graves
Service Director
Whittier Alternative School
Sedalia, MO

about Whittier Alternative School

July 2008 Kenya Trip a Success!

kubik@lifenets.org — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:41:32 GMT

Committee Co-Chairs Rose McDowell & Judy Servidio report on their miracle trip! A special thanks to those who contributed funds for the scholarship program and for the women’s project.

August 18, 2008

On July 1, 2008 we left Houston bound for Nairobi, Kenya to oversee the progress of our Kenya LifeNets Girls Scholarship Program. Co-sponsored with LifeNets, this was the program’s first year and our first visit to Kenya. With a shaky beginning during the beginning of school because of post election violence in January and February, our original plans for schooling the girls together had to be quickly revised. Each girl had to stay in her own tribal area and attend schools with admission openings. This trip helped us evaluate each girl’s school situation, her individual needs and make plans for the 2009 school year.

MORE

Judy Servidio, Jerusha Muga, Rose McDowell and
Jacqueline Okoth gather for a farewell dinner before
Judy and Rose leave Nairobi for home.

June 2008 Project to Teach English in Western Ukraine

kubik@lifenets.org — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:45:18 GMT

Thoughts Concerning My Trip to the
Summer 2008 LifeNets Mission in Vinogradov, Ukraine

A Glance into the Wonderful World of Tomorrow

by Ken Zahora

July 12, 2008

Two years ago I retired from being an elementary teacher of 33 years.

I have wondered a few times what God would have me to do with my remaining time. I’ve had a painting business since 1978 and am doing that at the present.

LifeNets sponsored a two week project to Teach English at the Light of Love Mission in Ukraine from June 15-29, 2008. LifeNets has been supporting these children since 2001. Four volunteers, Dan and Cindy Harper from Cherbourg, France, Stefan Saxin from Gothenburg, Sweden and Ken Zahora from Indianapolis, Indiana helped teach English and supervise sports activities.

I believe it was in the beginning of 2008 that I heard about an opportunity to go to Vinogradov, Ukraine to teach English for two weeks. My last 15 years of teaching was at a school where almost half of my class of students were learning English as a second language. The students came from about 25 different countries. This teaching experience provided a wonderful opportunity to help out in this area.

Vasyl and Irina Polichko operate a mission in Vinogradov, Ukraine, to help the street children in the area. They have dedicated their lives to this worthwhile cause. All people around the world have four basic needs: shelter, food, clothing and love. The Polichkos provide all four in a caring way.

With the help and encouragement of Mr. Victor Kubik, three volunteers and I went to Vinogradov on an experience much like what we all will experience in the Wonderful World of Tomorrow. We cared for the needs of less fortunate human beings. Our main goal was to teach English and love the 30-35 students in the summer camp.

The children ate up the attention given to them and their responsiveness increased positively throughout the duration of the camp experience. They wanted to be with us every waking moment and wanted to know if anything was wrong when one of their teachers wasn’t with them for any length of time.

We used a program called Genki English to teach English. Some of the subjects covered were: What’s Your Name, How Are You, Left and Right, and What’s the Weather Like, to name a few. For each lesson the vocabulary was introduced and reviewed with gestures. Then the song was taught without music. Finally the song was sung with plenty of gestures. The children especially enjoyed the singing. We hope they will remember the words much longer through the songs.

Seven of the children live in a house outside of Vinogradov in the country. They were street children until a young couple named Maria and Vasyl adopted them. I named them the Magnificent Seven, because of the changes they’ve made in their lives and will continue to make.

Some of the children are very good at mushroom hunting. Some mornings they would come home with a shirt full of mushroom. They are quite good at knowing which are poisonous or good to eat. We enjoyed their pickings in many of our meals. I’m still here after eating them daily, so I’m sure they know which are edible.

Many afternoons were spent swimming for an hour or so. One trusting girl, Diana, swam out to me and I didn’t break that trust. She was rewarded with a ride on my back or she would stand on my shoulders and jump off, which delighted her immensely.

Another Diana was one of the hardest workers at the camp. She was always helping. She would help serve the food, get more food when needed, help mop the floors and get the hall ready for Sabbath services. She also made sure the boys followed directions. She was one tough little gal.

Children are learning left and right, forward and back to a polka tune. Pictures on right wall are to reinforce vocabulary words we build on each day.

Two important lessons from this experience were: 1) Children need love in order to grow mentally and emotionally, and 2) Satan is still around and bombards both children and adults. We must stay very close to God to combat this bombardment and win this war.

People everywhere have unique talents as well as negative traits to overcome because of their nature and environment.

Life Nets can help by continuing their support of the mission in Vinogradov. The two week camp could be expanded to two, two-week camps with two adults for each session. This would greatly expand the children’s knowledge of English.

I would definitely consider going back again. Teaching in this setting gives one the opportunity to begin practicing what we will be doing for 1000 years. For those who cannot make such a trip, do not be discouraged. You can help with your steadfast prayers for this effort. In addition, any financial contribution you can make for this worthwhile effort, spearheaded by Vasyl and Irina Polichko, is much appreciated! MORE

Group picture at the top of an old ruins in Vinogradov before a rain storm.

Laptop for Zimbabwean Student

kubik@lifenets.org — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:32:01 GMT

LifeNets Developing Nations Scholarship Program

LifeNets Zimbabwe home

LifeNets has been working with people in Zimbabwe since 2001 and has not only helped there but other Zimbabweans outside the country. We have appreciated our relationship with Joseph Dits, reporter covering urban and social issues for the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune.

There was a need for Godfrey, a former orphan in Zimbabwe for a laptop, scientific calculator and digital camera, so he could attend a mining school in Zimbabwe and do his coursework.

LifeNets was able to help him with the laptop. It was successfully delivered by Jayne During from Indianapolis who travels frequently to and helps immeasurably in Zimbabwe in February. Jayne has sent a number of containers of aid over the past few years to Zimbabwe. Joe wrote a wonderful article The Art of Making a Difference for the Rotarian Magazine last year about Jayne.

The student, Godfrey, had come up through Matthew Rusike Children's Home. Joe has worked at the Matthew Rusike home and my wife Bev and I visited it on October 8, 2001. Joe wrote about the Matthew Rusike Home here on our site.

On April 1, 2008 Godfrey wrote back to Joe:

I ‘m really sorry, that I took a long time to reply you and to inform you with my progress so far. This is due to a number of issues.

1) Where I’m recently staying, there is network problems and I don’t have access to the internet and

2) I have been running around a lot, trying to get the right mine for my attachment program. I have been to Isabella Mine and Buchwa Iron Mining Company (BIMCO) in Kwekwe. They were both opencast mines although they are relatively big mines. Right now I ‘m attached to Pakamiso Mine a tribute to Zimbabwe Mining And Smelting Company ( ZIMASCO). It is a chrome mining company and it practices underground mining and has several adit mines around the area. It is situated in Mutorashanga about 110km north-west of Harare along the mineral rich belt known as The Great Dyke that stretches from the north- east through the center to the south-west of Zimbabwe. Chrome mining in Zimbabwe is labor intensive and small scale in nature when compared to the Sinosteel Joint Venture operations in South Africa. Sinosteel has 90% of

MORE

Some wonderful recent wheelchair stories

kubik@lifenets.org — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:05:14 GMT

Go to www.lifenets.org/wheelchair

Read some of our happy wheelchair stories......

July 2, 2008

From Mexico -

With special happiness I present my testimony.

My name is Guillermo, my mother Alma suffers from the terrible illness of Alzheimer Disease for the past eight years. It exceeds to say and enumerate the sacrifices that an illness as devastating as this one takes with it. I believe that the most painful thing is always the permanent nostalgia of the "original identity " of whom we love.

My mother Alma, who has been a Chemical Biologist Bacteriologist, always had the suspicion that her neurological system was vulnerable. The years have passed also a lot of experiences. My mother with love and patience has brought us to God ... without her fortitude we had never achieved anything.

Curiously after carrying an illness like that, there are tools that are really indispensable. Doctors, medications, caregivers, etc have concentrated on my mother, but I have never considered how indispensable a wheelchair is. My family economy every day across this illness has been more and more difficult but with Alzheimer's Disease the most important thing is not the " external attention " but the unconditional love that is professed to our love one, nevertheless in my economic budget I did not have a surplus to be able to acquire a wheelchair that really was indispensable for us.

Being I in Georgia, United States I sent an e-mail to Alex and I asked her for a wheelchair in donation for my Mom. Since an involuntary separation of my mother I decided to make it a life's project to take care of her and provide for her well-being. After a time, I received a telephone call of Alex to inform me that there was the possibility that I receiving a wheelchair. She said to me that she would call me later to give me the confirmation. She and her husband are a beautiful and sweet couple. I would say a classic American couple; honorable, kind, generous and concerned about others needs, typical qualities typical of US citizens which is the most generous country of the world. There were not many words between us. I believe in five minutes the gentleman took out the wheelchair from the trunk of his car. These five minutes literally changed forever our lives!!! It was difficult to bring this wheelchair up to Mexico by land. But at the end I have managed to bring it!

This used wheelchair is wonderful!!!! Now it is a part of our lives ... it is true!!!

We hope God always bless you dear Alex as well that beautiful couple...

Thank You!!! With our Love,

Alma and Guillermo
MEXICO

July 2, 2008

Dear Ms. Kubik,

Our family can never thank you enough for the wonderful gift of mobility that you have provided for Ryan. It will make his life so much easier and always reminds him that there are "good people" who care about his life and well-being. We appreciate everything your organization does.

- Black Mountain, North Carolina

The chair will make such a difference in my life.
- Ryan

2007 Annual Report out -- with financial statements

kubik@lifenets.org — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:28:16 GMT

LifeNets 2007 Annual Report including Financial Summary was mailed to friends, donors and volunteers on June 5, 2008. You can also see it online at www.lifenets.org/newsletter.

LifeNets Ladies Charity Tea in New Jersey June 22, 2008

kubik@lifenets.org — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:13:11 GMT

It was a beautiful event on a beautiful day. This was the LifeNets Ladies Charity Tea was organized by Dr. Barbara Walls, an avid LifeNets supporter, in Piscataway New Jersey on June 22, 2008.

This young girl came to the LifeNets Orphan Care Centre at age two weighing eight pounds. Her story inspired Dr. Barbara Walls to hold the June 22, 2008 Ladies Charity Tea.

When asked what prompted her to give this charity tea, she responded: Those of you who know me know that gardening is my absolute passion and it is when I am in my garden that I feel closest to God. It was one of these very ordinary days as I work in my yard....and thanked God for His precious gift of life...that the idea was dropped into my heart to give a tea for LifeNets.

My first thought was that I had been in the sun too long! Still, but the time I had finished my work in the yard several hours later. I knew that giving this tea was something I was supposed to do.

Over time, though, I have gone from feeling this tea was something "I was supposed to do" to feeling honored to be a part of such a worthy effort to help others. And God indeed has provided all I have needed to host this tea.

Now, above all, He has provided a beautiful summer's afternoon for us to share with friends!

The event was well-attended and featured music, dainty sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and pastries....and tea! The china and glass made this a class event. Not a bit of paperware or plastic was to be seen. The printed program was absolutely beautiful.

In the course of the afternoon tea Victor and Beverly Kubik spoke about the various LifeNets projects and answered questions. The project that captured the heart of Dr. Barbara was the LifeNets Orphan Care Centre in Balaka, Malawi. This project has saved the lives of many orphans under age five. One saved orphan was a little girl who weighed only eight pounds at age two and about to die. In the program she was brought back to normal weight and health.

Two violinists played classical music throughout the afternoon. Two soloists sang inspirational songs. The catering was superbly managed by Monique Battle. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt provided equipment for sound. Gloria Hobbins, Dr. Beryl Johnson and Shirley Shelhamer of the Charity Tea Committee provided invaluable support.

LifeNets wants to thank Dr. Wall and everyone else for making this day so memorable and for raising just about what it takes to provide food, medicine and other needs to 200 orphans for an entire year at our LifeNets Orphan Care Centre. That cost is $5000.

Here are some photos of the most enjoyable event. Women were requested to wear hats and gloves.

The weather was perfect for the event.

Norris Hobbins with LifeNets display

Dr. Barbara Walls and Beverly Kubik

Ordinary People

Classical music filled the afternoon

See 45 second real audio video of the violinists

See more photos on the Web version of this story

Latest LifeNets Well in Malawi

kubik@lifenets.org — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:33:49 GMT

We have been very fortunate to have a number of great things happen in the last few days. Please keep checking our Web site www.lifenets.org for fuller details.

In Malawi we have just completed the drilling of another well. It is on the property of the Chiphale Njewa family who live in Lilongwe. Originally we were going to drill this well in Blantyre, but they could not find water on a property we had tried to drill the borehole. So, we moved the venue to the capital city of Lilongwe in a very populated area. The people didn't have all that far to go to for water. The government well was 350 meter away. There was also a stream 300 meters away (still more than 3 football fields long to carry 40 pounds of water on your head). The problem was long lines at the pump. Now we have another pump that will take pressure off this pump.

This well has been financed in large part by a $1500 donation from the Indianapolis NE Rotary Club. Also, it has been financed by Rebecca McClure's birthday party in early January which brought in $1000. Also, the 6th grade class at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis raised $600 from a pie sale for this well. We will call this well Rebecca's Well and you can read more about it at http://lifenets.org/malawi/rebecca.htm.

We will have photos for you next month. The people are happy as the water pressure has been excellent and they are ecstatic. We thank all the donors. Half the financing came from the above three sources. The other half came from the LifeNets general fund.