Report from Scott

Runner · Nov 16, 2011

Just give me a call if you need to get something to us. I will personally try to visit the other orphanage if I can and bring stuff (and goats) with me. They are more in need than our daughter's present orphanage. If I can't personally go over to the other orphanage, I will give any money I get to a family headed that way. Our Paypal is [email protected] if you like, but I'd rather just do a check or the like so we do not have to pay the transfer fees.

Here is some of the items from the orphanage's list:

Clothing and shoes for the older kids, ages 9-14. These go to a rehabilitation center.
Children’s clothing: this must be new or like new (no holes or stains) toddler clothing and shoes, but no infant clothes, light jackets or sweaters for all ages, boys’ clothing for ages 6-10 years old, girls’ clothing for ages 6-13 years old and underwear for all ages, shoes for all ages, but especially older boys and girls. The popular “croc” is great for these kids.
Formula of all kinds, esp. soy
Powdered milk for the older kids
Baby wipes
Bibs
Hand sanitizer
Kleenex boxes
Infant and children’s vitamins
Bottles: Avent bottles for both 8-12 ounce feedings.
Diaper rash cream
Baby shampoos and baby oil
Shampoo, conditioner, and lotion for older children
Age appropriate development toys for infants and toddlers
Blow up balls/outside toys
Bubbles
Children’s DVDs and CDs
Rechargeable camping lanterns (for when electricity is out)
Twin sheets (mainly flats) in children’s patterns and colors of pink, purple, red, blue, and green. Solid or print materials are both acceptable.
Toothpaste, but NO brushes. There are already lots there.

OTC Drugs

Cold medications for older children and adults
Vitamin C drops
Zinc drops
Antihistamine syrup

Prescription Drugs (not sure I can get my hands on these):

Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin syrup, 125, 250 and 400 mg. doses-antibiotic
Co-Trimoxazole-antibiotic
Gentamicin drops-for thrush
Plasin drops-don’t know what this is, may be spelled wrong
Metrendazol syrup-antibiotic used to treat parasites
TTC eye ointment
Salbutamol Ventol-for asthma, I think
Azithromycin (Zithroxmax, Zmax) syrup-used to treat infections caused by bacteria
Ceftriaxone, IM and IV for injection, 250 mg, 500 mg and 1000 mg (Rocephin)-antibiotic
Gentamicin eye drops

We will have four containers that can hold up to 50 pounds each and plan to fill them to the max. We also have local friends who are adopting and will be headed over there shortly after us, so whatever we can't carry goes to them to carry over. I appreciate your willingness to help out. Thanks!

EvilMel · Nov 17, 2011

I sent the list around to a bunch of people at my work though they're a bunch of Grinches, so we'll see if anyone even wants to help out.

Jake and I will get some stuff together for you, at a bare minimum.

Runner · Dec 13, 2011

Looks like I have a high probability to travel this weekend. The grandparents are in scramble mode to get here in time.

We have packed what stuff we've bought and the donations we've received and still have a suitcase/crate of space left. Let me know if you have collected anything and I'll make a trip to see you this week so we can finish packing.

The biggest needs now are soy formula, wet wipes (don't exist over there), and boys shoes for kids up to about 12 years. The shoes are being collected for a local boy's lockup - a place where they place homeless children when they find them wandering the street. I am not sure I'll get to go to visit one of the other orphanages and bring a goat or three, but will try to go and buy as many as I get donations for (and take photos, of course).

I will try and contact today everybody who said they are interested. Thanks!

EvilMel · Dec 13, 2011

I'm going to the grocery store tonight. I will try to pick up some formula/wet wipes and get it over to AM asap.

Runner · Dec 13, 2011

Thanks Mel!

Also, if anybody has shoes to donate, the age ranges of these guys is actually 10 - 14 years old. I am about to go check out a local store or two and see what they have on clearance.

volupte79 · Dec 13, 2011

Hey Scott,

I have some formula to donate but with huge tests this week I can't get it to AM... What can I do to get it to you?

Olivia

Runner · Dec 18, 2011

I want to thank ya'll for the donations. Thanks to you we filled up the last bag and are at maximum volume and weight we are allowed without paying for a third bag each. Headed out shortly. Any goat fund donations can be made to our Paypal accout ([email protected]) and we'll add to what we plan to buy. I am sorry I did not get a chance to run buy and get the funds in person from those who offered -- been a busy week.

Please let me know if those funds can be redirected to other forms of donations if a goat trip is not possible.

I can't wait to share a few photos with you guys.

I've been bouncing off the walls these last couple of days at the thought of seeing my little girl again -- and this time not leaving her behind. 1smile1

EvilMel · Dec 21, 2011

:bigsmile:

TriMax · Dec 21, 2011

:bigsmile:

For sure!!!!!!!!!!!

Waiting on another good report.

Eddie

EvilMel · Dec 21, 2011

Eddie, have you seen the pictures on FB? Man, she looks VERY happy. I'm so glad they are finally able to be with her. Hopefully they will get home before Christmas.

TriMax · Dec 22, 2011

Thanks Mel. I had not thought of FB. You are correct. She looks very happy. I think they plan to be home on Christmas eve.

Eddie

EvilMel · Dec 22, 2011

That's awesome! Really good news. Now their family will all be together on Christmas. That's nice.

H@rry · Dec 23, 2011

What is his FB page?

Runner · Dec 26, 2011

Hey guys. I'm back and my little girl is quite wonderful. She has been in an orphanage since 3 weeks old and loves everybody. This made travel and the holidays easier, but will make teaching the concept of mama and daddy a bit harder. It will come with time, though. We managed to pass through customs and immigration in Chicago in a out 35 minutes by what I can only call an amazing gift from God (I'll give details in person if you like) when our plane was late, our connection was planned at 1h 25m, and it normally takes 2 hours for most people to get through. A mad sprint to the gate and we caught our plane with 10 mins to spare because a spill delayed it for 20 mins. We were able to return to Knoxville at 5pm Christmas Eve because if this. And it has been a Merry Christmas indeed.

We were disturbed when we got Ethiopia and only 1 of our 4 pieces of luggage make it. Most if our donations did not make it. But 2 days later I was able to go to the airport and find one of the bags. - and the other 2 came in on a plane within 15 minutes of my arriving to search. Thank you so much for your donations and know that they will be put to good use at either our orphanage or another they support that has more serious need.