The Big News is that all our Mt. Kilimanjaro climbers made it to the top of the tallest mountain in Africa!
Our second charity climb was a great success as Dr. David Vineyard, leader of the group, took Mariya Halapi, Emily Broadbent, Hayden Liebl, Tina McCormack and Dr. Jeff McCormack up to the roof of Africa to raise money for the Neema babies. You can still give on their behalf, just go to www.neemavillage.org and on the purpose line put “In honor of the Awesome Kili climbers.”
We have had lots of great volunteers this month.
Above, the Aggies for Christ from A & M University along with Elaine Carter, a retired school teacher and Jeff McCormack from Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond walked down to the village to support a couple of our MAP moms by buying Saturday morning breakfast from their little food shops.
Below is the Mark and Kelle Samsill group of young people with Neema babies.
Our policy has been that Neema Village only takes in babies two and under. There are lots of orphanages that will take older children but Neema is the only home in the city limits of Arusha that takes only babies. But what could we do when Social Welfare called one evening and said, “The Police have just picked up a little twelve year old girl in a wheel chair begging on the street and we have no where to put her for the night. Can you take her?”
That was almost two months ago and Social Welfare still has no place to put her. Little Miss Personality Plus, Sophia, has scooted her way into our hearts and after meeting with Social Welfare this week, we think we will keep her. We have come up with a plan. It took three days in doctors offices to certify her handicap so we could get her into school. She had never been to school, cannot read or write so last Monday she started to school in the first grade.
We got a call Friday that a new mom had died and there was no one to care for the baby so three of our volunteers along with a Social worker took off in the red Prado to go up into Maasai country below Mt. Meru to pick up the baby. The red Prado had other plans and decided to break down with three or four miles left to go, so Emanuel walked back to find help. The girls decided to walk in and pick up the baby. Gulp!
They took off over fields and through the banana groves trying to find the right house to pick up baby Lightnes whose mom had died. Emily Moe below telling baby Lightnes its going to be ok baby girl.
I love the “Mama Bear protecting the baby bear” picture of Lindsey Vineyard on their way out with the baby.
The next day we got a call about another baby needing help so we picked up baby Ivan. The mother had abandoned the baby and the father was not able to care for the baby. Ivan is beautifully sweet and precious.
Custom here will not allow a man to have a live in woman in the house so for now there seems to be no solution other than keep the baby at Neema until a family member can step up. Ivan is a smiley baby and doesn’t cry a lot. They said he was about three months old but Bekah thinks more like six months old.
Below is a cute picture of new baby Lightnes.
These three new ones, Sophia, Lightnes and Ivan at Neema Village need sponsors. We have 55 babies along with our big kids living at Neema today and many of them do not have a sponsor. It costs us over $300 per month to keep a baby but you can begin with $30 a month. That pays for nanny care, food, formula, petrol, and utilities. It doesn’t pay for buildings or the MAP program. Only Tanzanians are paid a monthly salary at Neema Village.
Please go to www.neemavillage.org to set up a monthly sponsorship with your credit card or through you bank. It’s easy to set up and we really need your help. Bless You!
Our second charity climb was a great success as Dr. David Vineyard, leader of the group, took Mariya Halapi, Emily Broadbent, Hayden Liebl, Tina McCormack and Dr. Jeff McCormack up to the roof of Africa to raise money for the Neema babies. You can still give on their behalf, just go to www.neemavillage.org and on the purpose line put “In honor of the Awesome Kili climbers.”
Our policy has been that Neema Village only takes in babies two and under. There are lots of orphanages that will take older children but Neema is the only home in the city limits of Arusha that takes only babies. But what could we do when Social Welfare called one evening and said, “The Police have just picked up a little twelve year old girl in a wheel chair begging on the street and we have no where to put her for the night. Can you take her?” 
That was almost two months ago and Social Welfare still has no place to put her. Little Miss Personality Plus, Sophia, has scooted her way into our hearts and after meeting with Social Welfare this week, we think we will keep her. We have come up with a plan. It took three days in doctors offices to certify her handicap so we could get her into school. She had never been to school, cannot read or write so last Monday she started to school in the first grade. 
They took off over fields and through the banana groves trying to find the right house to pick up baby Lightnes whose mom had died. Emily Moe below telling baby Lightnes its going to be ok baby girl.
I love the “Mama Bear protecting the baby bear” picture of Lindsey Vineyard on their way out with the baby. 
The next day we got a call about another baby needing help so we picked up baby Ivan. The mother had abandoned the baby and the father was not able to care for the baby. Ivan is beautifully sweet and precious.
Custom here will not allow a man to have a live in woman in the house so for now there seems to be no solution other than keep the baby at Neema until a family member can step up. Ivan is a smiley baby and doesn’t cry a lot. They said he was about three months old but Bekah thinks more like six months old.
These three new ones, Sophia, Lightnes and Ivan at Neema Village need sponsors. We have 55 babies along with our big kids living at Neema today and many of them do not have a sponsor. It costs us over $300 per month to keep a baby but you can begin with $30 a month. That pays for nanny care, food, formula, petrol, and utilities. It doesn’t pay for buildings or the MAP program. Only Tanzanians are paid a monthly salary at Neema Village.