Herd Matters | December Edition

NEWS FROM NEPAL
 

All our November travellers returned safe and sound and with many stories to tell. With a total number of 19 travellers this was indeed the biggest group to make the journey to Forget Me Not Children’s Home in Nepal.

The main focus on this trip was taking the girls to Chitwan National Park for four days. The experience was one that all those that were on the trip will treasure for a very long time. When you have a little girl squeeze your hand and tell you that ‘uncle and aunty I am very lucky that you love and care for me. I am so so happy for this experience’. It makes our heart’s sing with joy!

We are pleased and proud to tell that the Nepal girl’s report cards read as sparkling testimony to the education they are receiving and the commitment that each one of them shows to their studies. They are thriving in the atmosphere in which they are being raised.

Sneha, our young nursing student begins her second year at college and was rated in the top 10 of first year nursing students in the college. She gained top scores for her final exams and easily moves on to second year. She is very proud!

All the girls are continuing to receive tutoring in English and Maths and that is reflecting in their schooling results. The Nepal committee has also been able to source a computer Studies Tutor to help improve the basic computer knowledge and skills.

NEWS FROM UGANDA

With a wonderful result from the October 2010 ‘Orphans in Crisis Gala Dinner’ which was held in Byron Bay we are able to look at taking the next step with our Ugandan Love project. This step will include looking for land to build a self sustainable Children’s Home upon it similar to the plans for our current project in Nepal. The Forget Me Not Love Project Uganda has just been donated a very generous $30,000.00 for the express purpose of purchasing a parcel of land. So it’s on to some serious plans for 2011!

Over the past month we have had a couple of supporters visit the Love Project in Uganda. The first was Nicole Wood who over the past months has been raising money and awareness for the Love Project with the goal of climbing Kilimanjaro in December. Before she started her trek she was able to meet all the beautiful children. Nicole’s comment on her facebook page after arriving at the Children’s Home:

Arrived in Uganda to 39 sets of little brown eyes "Thankyou Aunty for loving us"

Nicole then travelled to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro and put all her heart and soul into the climb but unfortunately had to turn around after 4580m due to altitude sickness. Her comments on the climb are as follows. ‘Amazing amazing experience, made 4580 but punishing head and 'a fever in my bones - not good early in the climb, so I was guided by the beautiful Julius, my personal guide who said "mumma africa, you have done sooooo well but its better for you to be safe.. ‘

We congratulate Nicole for wonderful giving heart and wish you a safe return to Australia.

The other Ugandan visitors were Julie and Rob Jarvis who travelled to the Love Project at the beginning of this month for 8 days with the sole purpose to meet the children and look for land and future options for the project. We will be able to report more on how this trip went in the next newsletter.

Children’s Home costs increase…..

 

Over the past 6 months due to a number of reasons the cost of running the Children’s Home  in Nepal has increased by just over $4000 a year. This increase has come from an increase in food costs, petrol costs, rent costs generally living costs. This makes it even more of a necessity to keep the fundraising efforts alive and to keep continually looking for sponsorship. This will increase the amount of help Forget Me Not Children’s Home can bring to vulnerable children and poverty stricken areas and importantly ensure that we maintain support for our current 21 wonderful girls in Nepal as well as our 39 beautiful children in Uganda who have only just begun to taste what its like to live the essence of life.

SPONSORSHIP NEWS

Firstly I would like to convey the greetings and good wishes from all the Children of Forget Me Not to each one of you. Namaste and Blessings

Our Children have grown and learned and continue to blossom under the care of Forget Me Not.

Barme continues with her Braille studies and is becoming quite proficient. Her continued learning in this area will secure for her a future that would otherwise not have been possible.

The lead position in the school grades has changed from a close race for first from the talented Namrata over to Basundhara scoring 100% in Mathematics and overall 98% for the school year. This is an outstanding achievement. The school Principal is very, very happy with the girls of Forget Me Not and was full of praise for their manners and their attitude to learning.

Onto our Love Project in Uganda. After picking up this existing home in December 2009 Katy and I travelled there in March this year to assist with the NGO registration of the home and to assess the situation first hand. What we found was a crumbling home full to overflowing with 39 starving, lethargic children who were really in a seemingly hopeless position. The task ahead is truly a challenge. Our first goal was to set the wheels in motion to gain an NGO (Non Governmental Organization) status. This goal was achieved by June 2010. The children are all well, with only the odd sniffle reported currently. This is a massive improvement in health since March due to improved food provision. The children are also all attending school with their fees paid up to date thanks to generous special donations.

SPONSORS STILL REQUIRED

The interest in the Love Project has been inspiring. To date, all 39 children have been sponsored and we are seeking a double sponsorship for each child so as to be able to provide medical care, school fees and clothing for them all. This is slowing growing with 8 children having a second sponsor already secured!

If you are interested in sponsoring one or more of these gorgeous kids, please contact sponsorship@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au

FUNDRAISING NEWS!   

As always fundraising remains an integral role in keeping our support alive for the children in Nepal and Uganda. Over the past 3 months many fundraising activities have taken place, some of those include the Byron Bay fundraiser ball, Kids Helping Kids Day, Brisbane Bands fundraiser, Adelaide Fundraiser and most recently an aqua Xmas luncheon raffle which raised money for Forget Me Not Children’s Home.

Sausage sizzles are still taking place thanks to Re-Use and Recycle who kindly donate their premises for us to run some Forget Me Not sausage sizzles. Currently they run every fortnight and usually bring in $400 - $500 in one day. Thanks to those people that donated their time to hone their sausage flipping techniques! We are hoping to run these sausage sizzles more frequently but currently we are short on volunteers. If anybody wishes to volunteer to help out with a sausage sizzle your time would be greatly appreciated. Please contact George Olsen (sausage sizzle coordinator) on 07 4125 4662 for more details.

From the hearts of all those involved in Forget Me Not, we wish to thank all those who gave money in 2010 or who volunteered their time to support our fundraisers, your efforts have not gone unnoticed and are greatly appreciated.

FUNDRAISING IN 2011

Our first fundraiser for the year will be the ‘Grandma Judy Lugg Tombola’ which will be held on 16^TH January 2011 at the RSL. Doors open at 12pm with eyes down at 1pm.

We are expecting to have over 400 prizes once again so come along and held make this a successful fundraiser and an enjoyable afternoon!

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Kids helping Kids Day

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Byron Bay Fundraiser

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday June 4^th 2011 is the date to save for the Kingfisher Bay Resort Annual Charity Ball in aid of Forget Me Not Children’s Home  Save this date and keep an eye out for more information in our next newsletter.

2010 AGM

The 2010 Forget Me Not AGM was held on Saturday November 27^th. The Management Committee decided to add an extra management position of Administration Secretary to the team for 2011 to help streamline the monthly meeting workload.

The following members were voted in for the 2011 Management Committee.

President: Kate van Doore

Admin Secretary: Linda Keyworth

Strategy Secretary: Mietta Olsen

Sponsorship Chair: Andrea Nave

Treasurer: Bronwyn Holzheimer

We welcome Linda Keyworth to the role of Administrative Secretary. Linda brings with her a wealth of administrative experience and we look forward to working with her throughout the coming year.

If anybody is interested in the minutes or the chair reports for the 2010 AGM, please contact Mietta Olsen on her email address miettao@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au

NEW Forget Me Not Office!

Forget Me Not is moving in 2011! Envision Partners have offered a lease to Forget Me Not at a minimum cost in their new building at Liuzzi St, Pialba. This will also be the area that our general meetings will be conducted as well as monthly management meetings.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our treasurer, Bronwyn Holzheimer and the team at Envision for providing us with this opportunity for 2011.

Nepal Visitors Trips 2011 & 2012

Currently, we have two Visitor’s Trips scheduled for 2011.

The dates are:

Eco Village Trip: 3 February 2011 to 20 February 2011 (arriving home 21 February 2011)

Participants in this trip will be helping with the Eco Village project – whether it be building or farming, they will be on the land for 5 days hard slog as well as taking the girls on an excursion and chilling in Kathmandu! The cost is $4000 including flights ex Brisbane.

Nepal Children’s Home Visitor’s Trip: 17^th April 2011 to 28^th April 2011 (arriving home 29^th April)

Our usual visitor’s trip will consist of helping to paint the current Forget Me Not Home in Kathmandu as well as taking the children on a two day mini-holiday! Visitor’s trips are structured around the children, so you will really get to know the girls of Forget Me Not. The cost is $4000 inc flights ex Brisbane. 

In 2012, we will run a range of different trips in March to Nepal. There are currently three different options:

Option 1: “The Full Experience” 20 March 2012 – 11 April 2012

Includes Annapurna Base Camp Trek; taking the children for a holiday in Pokhara; Girl’s Birthday celebrations and attending Lars and Carla’s Nepali Wedding celebrations! Max 12 people. Cost approx $5000 inc flights ex Brisbane. (Cost may fluctuate before 2012 due to flight prices. Final price to be provided 3 months prior to leaving)

Option 2: “Annapurna Base Camp Experience” 20 March 2012 – 4 April 2012

Includes Annapurna Base Camp Trek; taking the children for a holiday in Pokhara; Girl’s Birthday celebrations! Max 16 people. Cost approx $4000 inc flights ex Brisbane. (Cost may fluctuate before 2012 due to flight prices. Final price to be provided 3 months prior to leaving)

Option 3: “Girls birthday, Mini-trek and Wedding Experience” 29 March – 11 April 2012

Includes 3 day trek ex Pokhara with girls; taking the children for a holiday in Pokhara; Girl’s Birthday celebrations and Lars and Carla’s Nepali Wedding! Max 16 people. Cost approx $4000 inc flights ex Brisbane. (Cost may fluctuate before 2012 due to flight prices. Final price to be provided 3 months prior to leaving)

Please contact Lars Olsen on larsolsen@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au to find out how you can be a part of these trips.

Ugandan Visitors Trips 2011

Currently we are asking for expressions of interest for who would like to attend at 10 – 14 day trip to the Love Project in Uganda in November in 2011.

The approximate cost for this trip including food, accommodation and flights will be between $5000 - $5500 AUS.

If you wish to lodge an expression of interest please email Larsolsen@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au

MEMBERSHIP REMINDER  

 If you are a member of the FMNCH Australian Association, please renew your membership as soon as you can. You can pay your $15 online by direct credit to:  Bank of Queensland (BSB 124088), Account no. 20171689, Forget Me Not Children's Home, Description: your name & "membership". Thankyou!

If you require a receipt, please email enquiries@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au with your name, contact details and date of payment. If you are not yet a member of FMNCH but would like to join up, please email enquiries@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au for information and application forms.