RETIRED WARRANT

Save the Children

I received the following from Save the Children today:

Save the Children

Since I have now returned home to San Diego and have finally managed to get settled in and all it is time to post some of the things Laila and I have received from Save the Children.

Just before I left for the Philippines I received the Save the Children newsletter, but I didn’t have time to read it before I left. So I am posting it and what is cool is the one lady Wilma, a featured volunteer was listed in the bulletin. We met her while we were in Tramo. I have a ton of stuff I received from Save the children and I will post is over the next couple of days as I get it scanned in. Here is the first installment, which is the latest newsletter I received.

Here is a link to the Bulletin: Save the Children Newsletter.

Sarah, our sponsored child

Today after many months of waiting, Laila and I finally met Sarah, our blogshares sponsored child, through Save the Children.

We have been keeping in touch with Riel Andaluz since I returned from my Christmas visit to Manila where we had applied too late to visit with Sarah.  Riel sent me all their forms and I applied for a visit which was accepted.  We received our itinerary yesterday, and after getting up early this morning, eating breakfast and then starting to get ready, Pearl told us that someone from Save the Children was at the door.  They were an hour early, and we were not quite ready.  Also Denise was asleep on the couch and we didn’t really want to have them come in and see that so, somehow Laila excused us and asked if they could come back at 9 AM, as scheduled.

We went ahead and got ready and went downstairs at about 8:30 in case they were waiting for us.  They were not and then at 9 Laila decided she wanted to wait upstairs.  I told her to be patient and wait but then we went ahead and started going upstairs.  Just as we got to the fourth floor they drove up and we went down again and got into the van.  We then headed off to their headquarters for a brief presentation and to meet some of the folks that work there.

Traffic was really terrible and it took us quite a while to get there, but when we did finally pull up we had a very warm reception.  We toured their office and met some of the staff.  We then went to the conference room for a power point slide presentation that had Laila quite amazed.

Laila was always skeptical about Save the Children.  But then she suspects anything being run in the Philippines if the government is involved.  The slide show showed all the different things they do and where our sponsorship money goes.

Not all of it goes to Sarah and I think that shocked Laila a bit.  I think Laila was under the impression that they just gave Sarah a monthly allowance and she spent the money on her own, which is not the case.

They use the money to buy some school supplies in the beginning of school year, but then they also run programs for the younger kids to prepare them for school, assist with school, and teach them how to eat right, and sanitation.  Sarah, in fact, serves an ambassador to all children who are in the same school where she studies.  They received the same program benefits what Sarah receives. They help children from 4 years old up to 18 years old only. They also address birth control, and bad habits to older ones.

Anyway after seeing the presentation it was off to McDonalds to meet up with Sarah and her family.  We again got caught in traffic and it took us quite a while to get there but we finally did.

Sarah. Her Mother, and Sister Sheila

Sarah is 12 years old and I was quite surprised by how small she was.  We met Sarah, her youngest sister, Shiela, and her mother.  Sarah is one of seven children in the household and her father abandoned the family six months after her youngest child was born.

ME, Laila, Sarah

Her mother works as a fish vendor but, it is a really low paying job which is equivalent of 4 -5  dollars a day.  Anyway Laila learned a lot about the program from talking to some of the workers and the family.  Sarah didn’t speak English so we just kind of smiled and used sign language or let Laila translate for me.

We then went to a community center where they were teaching job skills with materials they have available.  I felt really bad as this was an extremely poor area, but the folks at the center were working hard, and there were many volunteers there helping them out.

Tomorrow, we will be taking Sarah out on a shopping trip to a mall.  We were thinking of school supplies but after Laila talked to Sarah, I guess we will be going grocery shopping instead, as Sarah prefers grocery items and rice for her family. As a rule, we are not allowed to give any cash donations to Sarah or her family.

Anyway, after that it was time for the long ride home.  Laila’s knee gave her so much pain.  Somehow, it is really nice to finally put a real child in place of the picture and letters.  We’re excited to take her and family out for shopping tomorrow…

Letter from Save the Children

I received the following from Save the Children. It also contains a updated picture of Sarah, our sponsored child.

Donate to the relief fund

As I see the picture coming out of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, i have been very moved by there suffering so i have joined a blog movement to get them some cash to aid some of the people displaced by this disaster. First i will list some links pertaining to the blog aid thing and then I will post a link to the American red cross the charity I always give to in these times of need.

These people need all the help we can give them so if you can spare a few bucks please give.

Glenn’ roundup post

Flood Aid

Hurricane Katrina

American Red Cross

These folks really need your help and if you can afford it please donate to one of the causes listed. Thanks. If you use my blog to donate please log it here:

Log your contribution.

Letter from Sarah

I received the following letter from Sarah, our blogshares sponsored child.

The English translation is:

Dear Mr. Hicks

Good day sir! I received your letter and am glad that you are my sponsor.

How is your teaching? What subjects are you teaching? I hope that you will enjoy your work.

Please send my regards to your wife and to your kids.

Are you fond of the internet? Me, I enjoy singing. I hope that you may be able to help many children in your teaching career.

Again, thank you, and I hope that you will write me again.

Take care always. God bless.

Ma. Sarah E. Alea.

Save the children

Laila and I have started a new blog for our save the children sponsorship. I have a link under my miscellaneous blogs section: or you can just clik here:

Save a child

New sponsored child: Sarah Alea

Sorry about the lack of blogging lately.

I had a surprise from one of my college professors given to me over the weekend, a massive midterm with many essay answers. I managed to get it done and turned in but I neglected my blog in the process.

Also over the weekend I turned 49 years old. I think I will dread next year when I pass by the 50 mark. I am starting to feel old.

We have a new girl under our Save the Children Program. Our last girl, Cherry moved and so they assigned us a new girl. Her name is Sarah Alea and she is ten years old. She also lives in Tramo, Philippines and as soon as I get my scanner fixed or the ability to use someone elses scanner I will post her picture. Maybe they will send me an e-card that I can post.

Other than that Rose and I are both a year older now. She is 45 and had a birthday on the 28th, while I turned 49 on the 31st. Yeah, I am a Halloweenie.

Well I need to mention that there is currently an action going on, at e-bay to sponsor Sarah. If you haven’t played blogshares yet this auction will amke you an instant trillionaire, and give you a huge jump in the game. If you are a current player then it will give you a huge jump. Check out the blogshares forum for a link.

Message from Save the Children

I received the following today:

MEET YOUR SPONSORED CHILD

Field Office: Philippines Field Office Donor ID: 1374025-1
Child ID: 08206304 Sponsorship #: 480115653
Name: Cherry Salentes
Gender: Female Impact Area: Metro Manila
Date of Birth: September 13, 1994 Community Name: Tramo

We would like to introduce you to Cherry Salentes, who has been selected as your sponsored child. Cherry lives with her father, mother, 2 brothers and a sister in a wooden frame home. The family’s home is in Tramo within the impact area of Metro Manila where Save the Children works.

We hope that you will enjoy your friendship with Cherry, who is described by her father as being affectionate. The activity in which Cherry participates most is helping with household chores. She presently attends primary school.

Tramo is located close to Manila Bay. Its total land area is 3,600 square miles and is divided into two major areas: Tramo I and Tramo II. Since the 90’s, these economically depressed areas were used as dump sites. The congested drainage system and narrow streets make it prone to floods. The government and Save the Children have made sanitation projects here a top priority. In 2001, health programs began in Tramo’s three elementary schools, a strategic site as half the population of 13,130 are girls 18 years and younger. 20% of the population did not complete primary education. Though many completed secondary education, few went to college and often failed to graduate due to financial difficulty.

Metro Manila is one of the major metropolitan areas of Southeast Asia. It is composed of eight cities and 12 municipalities. Metro Manila is also home to about 12 million people and is a veritable melting pot of Filipinos from different parts of the country. It has a land area of 646.10 square kilometers. Although it is considered one of Asia’s energetic and modern metropolitan areas, it is also dotted with urban poor communities. These communities often lack access to basic social services and the skills necessary for gainful employment. Often, the jobs that are available tend to be occasional and often low paying.

The projects that are available in Cherry’s community include educational assistance, Health and Nutrition Fair, and hearing and vision screening.

Educational assistance is extended to all children currently enrolled in daycare centers, preschool facilities, public and private elementary, secondary and tertiary schools in Save the Children areas. School bags, umbrellas and school supplies are provided, as well as payment of miscellaneous fees.

An all day Health and Nutrition Fair is offered with free medical and dental consultations for all the enrolled children and some of thiner immediate family members. Treatment is provided for simple cases, while the more complicated ones are referred for follow-up at advanced centers. Health and nutrition education sessions are also held. The Fair is conducted through the support of local health offices and Save the Children provides medical and dental supplies.

Hearing and vision screenings are conducted for all school children from Kinder to Grade 6(6-13 years old) in all School Health and Nutrition partner schools. Children are screened by trained teachers to detect vision problems using Snellen’s chart and hearing problems using the tuning fork. Those with visual and hearing problems will be seated in front of the class as an immediate remedial classroom measure. More serious cases are referred to specialists.

Project needs are identified by members of the community. Save the Children provides funding and technical assistance needed to establish and sustain projects until they can be managed by local agencies or members of the community. This is how Save the Children offers a hand up instead of a hand out to the families with whom we work.

Cherry is proud to represent her community in these efforts to ensure a better way of life for herself, her family and her community. On behalf of Cherry and her family, we thank you for your generous support and commitment to making a difference in their lives.

Save the Children

Laila and I have been bouncing and idea about for a while. It was how can we use the massive wealth that we made in blogshares actually count for something.

Well after some searching and of course watching the good ole TV set we decided, why not support a blogshares child or two or three. We can sell the profits we make on e-bay and turn the real cash into a charity.

So starting this month we are accepting donations. They can be B$, chips, ideas or anything else. At the end of the month I will take all that we have collected and auction it off on e-bay. We will then use the money to sponsor children under the “Save the Children” fund.

Since we announced it we have already gained enough money to sponsor two children due to the generousity of one of the games players. I will post the persons name after I ask them if it is ok as some folks like to remain anonymous.

I think this is an excellent way to donate to a charity and help some under priviledged folks. We will post on both of our blogs any correspondence we get from our sponsored kids. I will also post my Paypal statements after blacking out my personal information of course. Don’t want to be the victim of ID theft if you know what I mean.

I have placed a button on my site if you would like to donate some real cash. We will be adopting these children as part of the blogshares community, not in our names or anything. It has cost us nothing but our premium membership to get where we are, why not take some of the game wealth and put it to good use.

Thanks for any support you may give.
Randy Hicks (CWO4 Ret) USN
RWO