July is usually a time for outdoor activities and summer vacations. However, for my orphans in South Africa, it is a different story. Every year at this time, I do a “Christmas in July” for them, and I would love your help.
If you have any slightly used (look new) hats, scarves, gloves you can donate, that would be fantastic. The orphans get so excited when they receive school supplies, toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm), hair coloring, make up and hair clips. 🙂 Then again, you should hear the excitement of the teenagers when I give them cologne or perfume. (if you have any bottles you are not using any longer, please send them as well!). The favorite item (and most requested) I have ever been asked for is “American Chocolate”…
These kids have all been brought in off the streets of South Africa by loving people who look after them on a daily basis. Sinethemba is the name of the home, and it means “Hope House”. There are no better words to describe the love in this house, that is offered by the couple who has taken them all in.
Any extra donations I recieve go to help Maria at the creche she runs, called Mpumelelo Orphanage & Day Care Centre. Maria takes care of the needs of 60 children a day. None of Maria’s children, or Sinethemba have any idea where their next meal is going to come from, and every little thing any of us can to do bring a smile that direction, or show love .. is so very appreciated. I just want them to know they are valued and remembered! 🙂
If you would like to be a part of this special project (I only ask for help with them once a year, the rest of the time I do it on my own), please send an online donation ( http://alwayssupportourheroes.com/ ) , a check or any of the items requested to:
Robin Schmidt
PO Box 122037
Covington, KY 41012-2037
Deadline for receiving the items will be 25June 2010. The cost of postage is astronomical, so any cash or check donations are also greatly appreciated. If I am released by the doctor to travel to a third world country, I will deliver the items myself. 🙂 (I miss my “kids” more than you can imagine! A special thank you to Gilbert Martin for looking after them for me, and giving them all my love. They are family to me, and are in my thoughts and prayers daily).
Thanks so very much for helping me to go MAD (make a difference) all over the world.
Always,
Robin
If you would like to go on a volunteer vacation or be a part of a humanitarian mission, please go to http://airlineamb.org/ , sign up to become a member, and see all the places you can get involved in sharing your time and energy with those less fortunate … all over the globe!
Tags: Airline Ambassadors, donations, humanitarian, Mpumelelo, Sinethemba, South Africa, volunteering
Thanks so much to everyone who donated scarves, hats, toiletries, and items on the list. The most important item the kids have been asking me for, are pictures. They want to see what their “auntie” has been up to, and all the places I have traveled since they saw me in April 2008.
Unfortunately I am still unable to travel to Africa (or any third world country at this point) because my body continues to fight the infection that I picked up in Haiti. The orphans have been concerned because my immune system continually takes a hit every time I go out of the country. However, like I have said to many of you as of late … “you can put an IV with antibiotics into my blood .. but you can’t take the humanitarian in me out”. When the time is right, I know God will open the doors for me to return back to my friends I love like family in South Africa.
Sinethemba means “Hope House” … and I am confident this box of “Christmas in July” will bring warmth to their bodies, hope to their minds, and love to their hearts at exactly the proper time.
Thanks again for your donations! :o) Always, Robin
PS. If you are able to make a donation to http://alwayssupportourheroes.com/ in any amount, it will be used for shipping costs to get this parcel to South Africa. Otherwise, please pray for a miracle with me, that DHL or Federal Express will ship for free, since it is for Orphans on the other side of the ocean. Even with my flight attendant discount, it would cost hundreds of dollars to ship via Fed Ex … so, I have to weigh options and now you know why I am praying for miracles! :o)