News from Amistad International

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November 2009 Dear Friends of Amistad, With this issue of eNotas, we're proud to introduce to you a new Amistad International website. The website's new look is thanks to volunteers Lauren and Val Smith. The Smiths are owners of Lauren Smith Communications Design, a well-known Silicon Valley design firm that's earned numerous national and international awards. Lauren and Val, I'm pleased to say, are dear friends of Amistad International, and have helped us with many design projects through the years, including the beautiful year-end Notas newsletter that you've received in past years. They created our first website, and have now updated it with a new look and new content. If you like it, send Lauren and Val a thank you! As you take stock of your blessings this Thanksgiving season, please remember our Amistad projects, and all the people they benefit. With deep appreciation,     ......................................................................................................................................................... Johannesburg, South Africa: Lambano Sanctuary creates hospice for HIV+ babies:   One of our saddest, but most rewarding projects has been Lambano Sanctuary, a home in Johannesburg, South Africa for young children and babies with HIV+ status We have recently learned that Lambano has received funds from the Luxembourg Government for purchase and renovation of a home which is being made into a hospice for children in need of this special care. We mourn that there is need for a hospice for babies, yet we are grateful for the compassionate mothering staff of Lambano who cares so tenderly for these children. We thank Maree Noble and Elizabeth Stumpf Memorial Foundation, Diane and Bob OBrien, Alan and Tasha Latta, Karen Bezuidenhout and Sarah Reddy for their assistance to Lambano Sanctuary. Many Lambano children live full lives with the help of anti-retroviral drugs. Lambano staff writes about one 8-year-old HIV+ girl who arrived with bronchiectasis, an obstructive lung disease caused by starting anti-retroviral drugs too late. She was on full-time oxygen, and was the size of a 4-year-old when she arrived.   A private pulmunologist could do nothing for her, but the Lambano staff began a regime of physiotherapy three times a day day, including steroids, oxygen and antibiotics. Now they've been able to take her off her oxygen, to the amazement of the pulmunologist. With love, proper care and basic medicines, it is amazing what good things happen at Lambano Sanctuary.     ......................................................................................................................................................... Kenya: Meru tribe girls benefit from anti-circumcision program Amistad grants have educated 62 girls in the "Save a Girl Club" CIFORD, the Community Initiatives for Rural Development, is a wonderful grassroots community organization in Kenya which helps women learn to grow more food, teaches them how to avoid HIV/AIDS, and works to stop female genital mutilation as a rite of passage for young girls. CIFORD participants are members of the Meru tribe which lives on the north-eastern side of Mt. Kenya. Two years ago Amistad gave CIFORD a grant to help stop the illegal and barbaric rite of female genital mutilation of young Meru girls. Those who suffer this operation generally drop out of school and get married very young, with many health complications.   62 girls have gone through a new healthy alternative rite of passage, which includes a course in what womanhood, marriage and motherhood can mean to a young woman who completes her schooling, as well as HIV/AIDS awareness. The graduates have formed a group they call "Save A Girl Club."    Kalayu, a girl who took the CIFORD course, says, "CIFORD has made us see life in a different perspective, because we thought life was about being circumcised and getting married. For women to prosper we need to work hard in school. I want to be a child rights activist in the future."   Student Ann Nkatha, leader of the Save A Girl Club, says "This course is what has made me what I am now: a respected woman in the community. Next year I am starting university. Our people should appreciate that success does not come from circumcision." Writes Margaret Ikiara, founder/director CIFORD, "We thank Amistad for the part you have had in our development. It was the encouraging words, and financial/material support, which enabled us achieve all this. We say a big thank you! (Photo by Ryan Eggers)     ......................................................................................................................................................... Cap Haitien, Haiti: Amistad Doctor Scott Nelson and his Orthopaedic Team Scott writes about his 18th trip to Haiti "Chantale is a 6 year old girl was badly burned last year when she sat on a kerosene lantern. Our hearts were saddened when we saw her for the first time last February. Due to scarring she was unable to stand up, separate her legs or move her right shoulder and elbow. Her caring mother brought her again in June. I promised that I would do something when I returned in September, not knowing if I would have the help I needed to do the case. Fortunately we were joined by Dr. Duncan Miles, a plastic surgeon from Loma Linda University. After 5 hours of surgery we were able to excise the scars around the hip joints and rotate some normal tissue into place, allowing her once again the freedom to stand up.     "The following morning I asked her how she felt and from under her mosquito net she replied, 'Sa va bien, et toi monsieur?' 'It's going well sir, and you?'   "In one of our future trips we will plan to release her shoulder and elbow contractures, allowing her the use of her right hand.   "We were joined on this trip by Dr. Brian Yost. one of my orthopaedic surgery partners from Riverside County Regional Medical Center RCRMC). He also brought with him Louise O'Rourke, RN, director of operative services and Dr. Sagoo 2, one of our excellent ortho residents training at RCRMC. Their expertise, help and donations greatly added to our efficiency, quality of care, and international comraderie."   Go to http://curecaribe.blogspot.com/ to learn more about Dr. Nelson's project. Photo: Dr. Duncan Miles with Haitian burn patient Chantale     ......................................................................................................................................................... From Amistad director Karen Kotoske: Special Thanks to Our Friends! Thank you, Peter and Suzanne Nelson, Alan and Tasha Latta, Kay and Steve Prins, Lindy and Roland Thomason, Patricia Kovalski, Bobby and Bettye Roberts, and the Orvek Family for your tremendous help which keeps aloft the Wings of Love flying clinic for the Huichol Indians. Thanks, too, to Yvonne and Rich Macias and Chris and Bill McClure for their help with our Huichol project. We thank Murwira Orphanage super volunteers Diane and Bruce Hamberger and Jenna and Josh Schaa for their amazing variety of tasks them completed at Murwira orphanage.  We also thank  Greta Schuler (Washington DC), Magali Schroll, (Belgium - in photo), Cesar Plaza (Los Angeles)  and Kourtni Knobel (Colorado) who volunteered this year to work with Paula Leen.  We also thank Carol and Russ Johnson, (Haines, Oregon) who are now at Murwira Orphanage volunteering. Cesar was a huge help in getting orphanage vehicles back in service.  We also thank Carol and Russ Johnson of Haines, Oregon who are at Murwira Orphanage now helping Paula Leen. Thank you, Donna and Larry Peters, for donating the funds to purchase new uniforms and toys for the students at Buddha's Smile School for untouchable caste children in Varanasi, India. Thank you Shadhika foundation and founders Juthica and Peter Stangl for your grant to Buddha's Smile school for  scholarships which are enabling ten BSS graduates to attend middle school this year in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Huge thanks to Judith Steiner, Betsy and George Bechtel, Carol and Mahlon Hubenthal, Jacqui and Blair Stewart , Sharleen Fiddaman, Kathie and Jerry Underdal,  and Jack Harrison who put on a fundraiser in Palo Alto, CA, for Buddha's Smile School. This great group of boosters provided eight scholarships for BSS middle school students. We also thank newlyweds Lisa and Phillip Schneider (Sausalito, CA) who suggested to their September wedding that instead of gifts that they would prefer donations be made to Buddha's Smile School. Their generous spirit raised $4010 for crucial needs at BSS. Lisa and Phillip also had an inspirational visit to BSS on their honeymoon in India. Thank you Dale and Connie Twomley and Chris and Bill McClure for enabling us to help persons living with AIDS and HIV+ to start small businesses in Kenya.  Your gifts also is providing food, school fees and clothing for AIDS orphans among the Meru tribe.     ......................................................................................................................................................... Zimbabwe: Paula Leen continues to inspire We've told you about retired church secretary Paula Leen, who operates a private orphanage in the AIDS ravaged nation of Zimbabwe. Food shortages, political unrest and collapsing health and educational systems are part of every-day life. Yet Paula, in her mid-70s, rescues orphans and keeps nearly 2,000 people alive with food from her gardens and orchards, and help from donors worldwide. She works tirelessly despite government instability and surrounding violence. An impossible situation, but she keeps at it and, in the process, is saving thousands. "We pray for miracles," she says. Read her story, as written here by Merikay McCleod, and be inspired to take some helpful action of your own. Amistad wishes to extend deep gratitude to those who have so generously helped Paula Leen and those around her as they work tirelessly to help the people of Zimbabwe survive, heal, and live. In particular we want to thank volunteers Diana and Bruce Hamberger, Jenna and Joshua Schaa, Cesar Plaza, and Yvonne Wyer for their lengthy stays and contributions of strategic (even heroic) help. Paula welcomes mature, qualified volunteers. If you wish information about volunteering, contact Sandy Schultz, our volunteer coordinator, at rifenbark@aol.com.     ......................................................................................................................................................... Varanasi, India: Good news from Buddha's Smile School Donna Peters has donated 220 brand new dolls and stuffed animals to each of the children at Buddha's Smile School in Varanasi India.  Donna and her husband Larry, of Verona, Wisconsin, are long time strong boosters to BSS. This year they have also purchased a DVD recorder so that the teachers can play natural sciences and history DVDs to the students. The Peters also provided uniforms for the students this year. Thank you, Donna and Larry! We would also like to thank Dr. Reena Bhargava and her teenage children, Nikhil and Zoe, who have donated a new computer to Buddha's Smile School. They have also created a series of science and geography lessons which they deliver via SKYPE, linking from their home in Palo Alto, California to BSS in Varanasi, India. Even though it means they must do so typically at 4AM in order to coordinate with BSS, it is working well and the BSS kids are thrilled. Other good news is that the husband of BSS founder/director Rajan Kaur, Sukdev Saini, is doing well with his prosthetic leg. Sukdev was struck by a car in June and his right leg had to be amputated.  He is now back running his small Sarnath Cafe, which is adjacent to Buddha's Smile School.  We cheer Sukdev on!     ......................................................................................................................................................... Sierra Huichol, Mexico: Innocencia's new leg In June, a young Huichol woman was bit by a poisonous snake on her leg. Innocencia Lopez's wound became badly infected and part of her leg had to be amputated. In the ensuing weeks 26 year old  Innocencia became despondent about her handicap: a young woman living in the rough terrain of the mountains, where a wheelchair is almost useless. Sadly, Innocencia tried to take her own life. After her suicide attempt our Huichol outreach pilot/director,  Dagoberto Cirilo, flew Innocencia to Guadalajara for psychological counseling, which seemed to help a bit, though Innocencia was still   very sad. How could she move around the mountainous, uneven terrain of the Sierra Huichol? Dagoberto spoke to the owner of the small prosthetic business in Guadalajara, telling the man about Innocencia's plight. The business owner, Francisco Ortiz, told Dagoberto he'd be willing to help Innocencia. In fact he'd be willing to donate a prosthetic limb to her! A few weeks ago Innocencia was fitted with her new  prosthesis and she has returned to her life in the Sierras with a smile on her face.     ......................................................................................................................................................... Contact information: To telephone Amistad International: 650-328-1737 To send a check: Amistad International, PO Box 455, Palo Alto, CA 94302 To e-mail executive director Karen Kotoske: tomamistad@aol.com Our website: http://www.amistadinternational.org/ Our blog: http://amistadinternational1.blogspot.com/ Our Facebook page: Amistad International

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