Shoes Delivered to Orphans in Uganda

Executive director, Tim Reynolds handed out shoes earlier this month to orphans in Bugembe, Uganda, near Jinja. More shoes are on their way to the village so that each child has a pair of shoes in his or her size.

The shoes were donated by END Footwear to Soles4Souls, a partner of Assist International. Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. They have a mission to impact the world with the gift of shoes.

Felix Family Village Thailand

A letter from Caminul Felix Villages, Thailand:

Dear Friends!

What joy it is to write to you again. We have big news to tell you about the inauguration of Felixbyn May 8-10, a weekend we will all remember with great joy and gratitude. That this happened during the rain and monsoon period was proved by the evidence, when the storm broke out just before the flower decorated bands in the village would be cut. Children, parents and guests gathered under a tent that was set for the day. The rain eventually was over, and the party could begin. Several speeches were made, and again we were reminded of the great miracle we could see this day, by being able to open the four homes. It all began with a vision a few years ago to provide a mother, father and family to the lonely and abandoned Children.

The local mayor was there along with national and international leaders and guests. Along with one of our children, the mayor cut the ribbon to the Felix Village and the four homes. The Felix families showed their gratitude for the homes built by funds from private donors and the magazine Varlden Idag. Donors attending were Margareta and Jarl Josefsson and Jonas Adolfsson from the newspaper Varlden Idag. The Jim Sankey family from USA, who built two of the houses, was represented by Felix Caminul International Foundations Chairman, Bob Pagett from the U.S.

It was nice to see little Firn, dressed in a white dress for the day. Together with the Mayor and Bob Pagett, she cut the ribbon to the Felix Village and to her home. She was the first girl who moved in with family K with her brother Frank. What a joy it was to see her happy and pleased with her new parents and siblings!

After the ribbon was cut, the visitors greeted the different families. It was a day on which all enjoyed and delighted. We were invited to Thai snacks and drinks. A slide show was displayed that showed the different steps of the Felix Village from start to where it is today.

Thanks to all of you who sent a love gift to the inauguration. It meant a lot to us, to know that you are with us in the work. Thank you for your gift!

Olanchito, Honduras

Executive Director Tim Reynolds helps build a cement pad for a building that will protect a water filter for the Hospital in Olanchito.

Assist International members also installed a pressure gauge that collects data on the water systems to help complete the design of the new filters.

Darfur School Completed

A teacher stands outside her classroom

With over 36,000 inhabitants, the majority of them Darfurians, the Deraige IDP camp houses thousands of children seeking refuge from the war-torn countryside. Families forced to flee their homes see the IDP as a temporary situation, but with the continued genocide in Darfur, many of the internally displaced children will end up spending their entire childhood in the camp.

In partnership with EDOOS (Educational Development Organization of Sudan), Assist International helped lay the ground work for two additional schools built in the Deraige IDP camp. The project required the hiring of local residents (men and women) to work with the contractors which boosted the local economy and instilled the community with a sense of community ownership.

The additional classrooms will allow continued education for children in primary school to complete all five primary grades, which is the minimum period required for achieving basic literacy.

Adidas Giveaway

Assist International sent boxes of gear, donated by Adidas to orphans of Abokobi, Ghana. Here are some pictures of the youths sporting their new tops, bottoms and shoes.

Otino-Waa Children's Village

Africa is very beautiful and majestic but it can also be dangerous, especially to the children who have been victims of civil war. They have become orphans and refugees in their own country. The squalor of refugee camps have now given way to a new home, The Otino-Waa Children's village.

Established in 2003 by Path Ministries, Otino-Waa Children's Village is located in Lira and means "our children" in the Luo language. It is home to boys and girls, ages 5-18 and is a place of safety, learning and healing. It offers family, protection, housing, education, health and spiritual guidance to orphaned children.

The twenty acre compound contains circles of homes for eight kids, with a widowed "house mom." This home environment recreates a family unit where care and love can be shared. The children have on site school, medical treatment, vocational training, sports, nutrition and 24 hour security.

Here is a video of the planning, the constructing, the sacrifice and the love that went into one home at Otino-Waa. This project coordinated by Assist International, led a group from Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, CA to the heart of Uganda to make a difference.

Progress in Darfur School

The building of the school in the IDP camp is proceeding on schedule despite a few difficulties. The school will open in January to students in kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

Part of the plan has been to employ local people for their sakes and to boost the local economy. The women have also joined the labor force which is very unusual in Sudan. It has been a blessing for them to receive a salary and great for their families.