Some Pictures..

Some of the new shoes bought for the boys 

A delivery of food products

New cooler and stove/oven for the orphanage

Before the repainting job in the kitchen

After the repainting, before the cabinets were installed

Concerning pictures of the children:
The government in Sudan has very strict regulations on photographing in certain areas, such as the orphanage, and a special permit needs to be acquired. The manager of the orphanage allowed us to snap a few shots with the boys (all highly supervised), however these pictures can unfortunately not be published on the blog.
However, we are working on getting permission to take and publish pictures for our next visit in order for you to take part in updated pictures of the boys and their development.

Much love,
the I Care Board

Last Visit to the Orphanage

Hi everyone!
So we are now back to Sweden from our eventful trip in Sudan. Here is what happened the last days:

On Saturday, I headed out to the Souq al Sha'bi (a bazaar in Khartoum) together with Fatima Suliman and Fatma Omar, to get the last things for the boys, which were shoes, socks and underwear. We were informed by the manager at the orphanage that the boys were out on a day trip and would not be back until later that evening. Therefore we paid our last visit the next day, which was our last before leaving for Sweden.

We delivered the last things, and handed out envelopes with a bonus salary to the the caretakers (the moms) of Dar al Fityan. As some of you may know since earlier, this is a donation that was placed by the Khadija Project that wanted to shed light on the effort of these extraordinary women who daily take care of the boys, while on a low pay check and a family to feed.

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the boys, and teaching them Swedish songs. Their absolute favorite was Små Grodorna, which they probably made us sing about ten times, each time breaking down laughing and joining in on the moves.

In the end, it was time for the dreaded moment of saying goodbye. We went around to every child, hugging them, telling them to take care, and promising to be back soon. It was heart wrenching to leave as the young ones kept begging to go back with us to Sweden, asking if there wasn't an orphanage for them to live in back in Sweden just like this one.
All choked up, we left longing for the next time we would see our angels again <3

Like all other trips to the orphanage, this has been an equally strengthening and eye opening experience. All of us have probably often felt that we are incapable of solving all the miseries of the world. But seeing the smiles on the boys' faces every time we come visit, engaging in conversations with them, and feeling that our effort and presence there really matters, that is what makes us certain that any small contribution counts.

Thank you all for making this journey possible, and may 2012 take us to new heights and successes.

With love,
Mae Suliman, the I Care Board.

Voice-message from the kids!

Yesterday I started my day with waking up stressed out and it just felt like this day was going to be another cold Sunday morning. My winter vacation had come to its last day and just the thought of getting back to uni didn't make the day get any better. This was actually the first winter vacation in three years that I didn't spend in Sudan. It felt very weird staying in Sweden over the holidays, I was getting so used to spending the winter breaks in the warmth of Khartoum, Sudan. Before the holiday started I was very sad about not going to Sudan, but at the same time it was very nice being at home in Stockholm, celebrating new years with friends and just taking it easy.

Anyways, my Sunday didn't get any better as I had a seminar to complete for the next day (today) and I wasn't even half way through it...

Suddenly, my Sunday and last day of the vacation became my favorite day of the vacation!

I was with my friend studying for the seminar as i got a message on WhatsApp from Mae. It was an audio recording from the orphanage with a "Hello, we miss you"-message to me from the boys! Mae didn't even know about my "bad" day, she just sent it! I had sent Mae an audio recording where I said a few words to the boys, but they couldn't here it due to some technical reasons, but instead Mae got them to say "Hi" back to me!

Press play to hear the message they sent! :)

This did not only make my eyes water for a few minutes but it also reminded me how much these boys mean to me and all of us.

Thank you so much Mae, you saved my day! <3

/ Ehood Ali

A Delivery of Supplies Part 2

Good evening!

Yesterday I (Mae) went to the orphanage Dar al Fityan to get the rest of the things that the orphanage is in need of, with the help of Fatma Omar and Shaima Moedad. Before leaving off to buy the supplies, we sat down with the manager of the orphanage to discuss the budget and the things to be purchased. After this short meeting, we left for an afternoon shopping spree accompanied by two workers from the orphanage. The things that were purchased were the following:

- A new stove/oven
- Body creams
- Deodorants
-Airfreshners
-2 irons
- 1 camera (to document various activities the orphanage participates in)
- 1 digital receiver (for the kids' room in order to watch cartoons since their last one broke)
- 1 large table and 6 chairs (for studies)
- 1 cabinet
- Dettol detergent
- Washing powder
- Napkins
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Sugar
- Juice
- Salt/Pepper
- Rice
- Red lentils
- Charcoal
- Oil

Also, we paid the repairmen to fix 2 coolers, and we purchased an additional water cooler. Furthermore, the painters were paid to re-paint the kitchen aswell as install new cupboards in the kitchen.

On Saturday we are planning the last visit to the orphanage before we leave for Sweden on Sunday. A few more things will be delivered to the orphanage on that day. We'll keep you posted!


Take care dear friends,

The I Care Board

A Delivery Of Supplies

Hello!
Today we went back to the orphanage again to deliver some of the things that they are in need of. We bought the following things:
-17 packs of diapers
-8 disinfectant wipes
-10 bars of soap
-3 Pif Paf insecticide spray
-3 milk powder packages
- Biscuits

The next step is to pay the repairmen to fix the coolers at the orphanage as well as pay for other things needed for the boys. Today we were submitted a full list of all the things the orphanage needs. This list ranges from necessities that are easier to provide such as food and sanitation products, to more expensive (yet equally important) things such as a new stove, refrigerator, AC etc. It is for this reason important that we keep working on raising funds to supply the needs of the boys, in order to improve and maintain their health as well as psychological and emotional wellbeing.

So please, do not forget to donate for the sake of the progress of this project. Every donation counts!

Take care dear friends,
The I Care Board