Another Update On The Mara Story

Written by Sharryn on 9 February, 2007
Reunite a family

After almost four years of wading through miles of red tape and fundraising for lawyer fees, passports, DNA tests, medical exams, and visas, it's finally happened. Mara's family will soon be together again. The 5 kids will arrive in Vancouver from Uganda on the 15th of Feb. Not much notice, but that's the way things work in Africa.

We know they will come here with little more than the clothes on their backs.  Consequently, we are scrambling to help supply the family with their essential needs.  Here's what's happened so far:

  • We found a charity that will donate furniture
  • Wal-Mart at Capilano Mall generously gave us $200 to spend in their store
  • Bryan Mitten donated a fabulous selection of LUSH products
  • Women Helping Women Association is seeking non-perishable food items and clothing via e-mails to all of their contacts.
  •  Karanne donated a gift bag for each of the kids, nail clippers, dental floss, toothbrush, kleenex, band-aids, and other  necessities
  • a box of nearly new clothes was delivered- warm jackets, t-shirts, sweaters, etc
  • a dvd player was donated

If you want to help, here's what you can do:

  • ask your friends and workmates to organize a food hamper (we will pick up)
  • take some of our orange 'cause bracelets' and ask your friends and workmates to show their support by purchasing one for a $2 donation.  (I will send you as many as you need)
  • make a donation of ANY amount you can afford.  This can be done at any TD Canada Trust bank.  Simply make your donation payable to Women Helping Women #060 5211444 or mail it to Women Helping Women, #106 1208 Bidwell Street, Vancouver, V6G 2K9.  100% of your donation will be used to benefit Mara's family.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. 

Thank you for caring,

Sharryn

 

Comments

573ph4n13's picture

If there's anything for the

Written by 573ph4n13 on 10 February, 2007

If there's anything for the kids that I can do specifically, I would love to set up a group project with my kids at the daycare where I work. Maybe Mara's kids would like to receive some school supplies? Backpacks? And so forth? How old are all of them?

Hi, Thanks so much for your

Written by Sharryn on 11 February, 2007

Hi,

Thanks so much for your response.  What a great idea, to involve the kids at the daycare. Mara's kids are now teenagers, it's been almost four years since she's seen them and they've all grown up some.  School supplies and/or backpacks would be appreciated, I'm sure.  Or, they could always use food. Maybe you could ask each of them to bring a non-perishable food item (with parents' consent) and you could get the kids to decorate a box and make up a small hamper.  The kids could colour a sign, " Welcome To Canada" or make cards?  Whatever you decide, your efforts are greatly appreciated.  If a pick-up is required, just let me know. Thanks for caring.

Sharryn

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