It Takes A Village
This month most of us think about Black History in celebration of our rich heritage. Some of us are committed to being of service to others not only during the month of February but every month.
A very good friend once asked me why I was helping people in Guinea-Bissau instead of people in America. I could have said my DNA said my ancestors came from Guinea-Bissau, but I didn’t have an answer for him at that time. After much thought, I believe that God cried as he saw so many of his people being taken aboard slave ships headed to so many places. Wives separated from parents, husbands, their children, sisters, brothers and friends. Slaves that were abused in so many ways, and the only reason that God held back his fury was that he knew that one day the descendants of those slaves would one day reach out and help the very people He loved so much, the poorest of the poor. Not only will your donations help the people of this poor country, your donations are tax deductible and receipts will be provided if your request one. Please help us control costs by only requesting receipts for donations of $50 and above.
Let me start out by saying Thank You. We thank God and so many of our friends, family, and even people who were once strangers for the support and love shown as we strive to meet three goals; building a school, having a well hand dug and building a Medical Clinic in Djati, Guinea Bissau, West Africa. None of this would have happened without YOU, the people reading this and making that donation now to continue to help us help others.
Project Update:
The school is being used; the well is providing clean drinking water. After raising more than $4,000, work has started on the two room medical clinic.
A two room medical structure is being built for the use of trained villagers and/or visiting nurses and doctors from around the world. The clinic will make medical care available to the villagers when no outside help is available such as during the rainy season.
The remote village of Djati, population 1,000, suffers even greater extremes due to its 160 mile distance from the capital city of Bissau. Djati has no medical facility so the sick must be transported 35 miles away to the village of Quebo before they can be treated. During the rainy season the roads turn into a river, and there is no way for medical help to enter. Only the critically ill are transported out (which is a trip that takes several hours by canoe).
All buildings and structures will be designed according to indigenous architecture and constructed with input from the community, creating a sustainable and comfortable space for both children and adults.
The following link provides graphic examples of the need and types of medical emergencies faced daily:
http://devon4africablog.blogspot.com/2012/12/ta...
Phase III:
Now it’s time to begin raising money for Medical Supplies Phase III for Djati. The 1.5 million citizens share access to the country’s approximately 45 doctors, leaving them with an average life expectancy of 48 years. Many die because of a lack of medications. It is estimated that about 665,000 people around the world die from malaria alone. During our visit, one of the people escorting us from village to village was infected by the bite of the deadly mosquito. With so many poor people, few can afford the medication required to stay healthy. What little money earned is used for food.
We will (with your help) stock the clinic and provide solar lighting so that medical and dental care can be given after daylight hours. Presently there is no electricity in the village and medical services are conducted by flashlight. The new facility will greatly benefit many individuals from the nearby villages who could also be treated at the clinic.
Our goal for this phase is to raise $1,500 by the end of March 2013.
I truly believe that God put several people in position to provide moral, labor, and financial support. People like Hip Hop artists Hasan Salaam and FLOW; Connie Alessi of Lifelink; Maritza Alvarez, Raquel & Freddy Schafer, our brave and fearless spokesperson Devon Austin, Randall Oliver, and myself Willie Coleman, Jr. We saw firsthand the impact of the school on several hundred children, their parents and village elders. As promised every dime was used and will be used on our project, and the impact will continue long after we have moved on to other challenges.
Background:
Guinea-Bissau is a small, and often forgotten, West African nation that ranks as the 4th poorest country in the world. Only 56% of its population has access to clean drinking water. The youth remain part of a cycle that leaves 47% of them without the opportunity to attend primary school.
Djati is the land that time forgot. This project with your support can change that.
Willie Coleman, Jr. Co-Chair, It Takes A Village
Chibear777@gmail.com
301-466-8239
