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.

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

First trip to the orphanage

Today was our first visit to the orphanage Dar al Fityan for this trip, and it was really exciting to be back not having seen the boys for one year!

It was so great to see the boys in good health and their usual playful mood. It was also noted that there were new boys at the orphanage that had moved in over the course of the year.

Bakri, whom we posted an update about in our FB group back in July, is very happy with his university studies and seems to be doing great. He is studying French, and has already come a long way in his knowledge. We had a small session where he taught us a few useful phrases!
Majdi, the boy with AIDS, seemed quite weak today, but we were informed that he goes through periods like this and that there is a doctor that regularly checks up on him and that he is on his medication.

As we brought up during our event in June, our main concern for this trip was to renovate the boys' toilet as it was in very poor condition. During the event in June, we managed to raise about 1750 dollars thanks to all of you! When we came to the orphanage, we were very pleased to find out that another organization had made a donation to renovate their toilet plus other parts of the building. Several toilet booths have been installed for the boys that are able to move around, and another bathroom has been built adjacently to the disabled boys' crib room. This bathroom is more handicap friendly and has a bath tub where they can bathe the boys. An additional room has been built for a medical assistent that is to be on-call at the orphanage. 

Since the toilets have been renovated, this gives us a good chance to look into the other needs of the orphanage that we can invest money in. We spoke to the manager of Dar al Fityan and the needs of the orphanage at the moment seem to be:
- Diapers, disinfectant wipes, soap, Pif Paf insecticide spray, milk powder

- A new water cooler as the previous one is not functioning

- A closet

- A new air conditioner since the one in the boys' room is out of function

- A computer for Bakri to facilitate his studies

- A camera for the orphanage to document the boys' activities

- A refrigerator

Our mission for this trip is to try to meet as many of these needs as possible, primarily funding those needs that seem the most urgent for the orphanage.

We plan to visit the orphanage during the upcoming week. Make sure to check our blog for updates! And please don't hesitate to comment if you have any questions or inputs concerning the project or orphanage.

Until next time!
The I Care board

Ps! If you are interested in placing a donation, it can be sent to BG 536575-4. Don't forget to label the donation 'SSA YC'.

Sudan trip 2011

Hello dearest members!
At the moment, me (Mae Suliman), Maha Suliman, and Fatima Suliman are in Khartoum, Sudan and will be visiting the orphanage to meet with the boys and see what their most urgent necessities are.
Make sure to check out the blog to stay updated on what we´re up to!

Lots of love,
The I Care board