News letter, December 17, 2011

The well being of the foundation Save the children of Mozambique.

It is high time for news about the well being of the foundation “Save the orphan children of Mozambique” (Red de kinderen van Mozambique), the project of Bernadette Jansen.

In the last months a lot of time has been given to finding lasting solutions to the continually returning problems. The first problem is the yearly drought, through which many Mozambican’s do not have sufficient water. This is also the problem where Bernadette lives (there is no water supply as we know it). Bernadette has made several large cement containers to store water. During the rainy season by rain gutters and rain barrels they collect as much water as possible. This is not used as drink water, but for all kinds of purposes. When water is scares, they need to purchase water in the city, an expensive but essential necessity. There are many people who have tried to come up with a solution and several attempts to drill for a water source.  In 2008 a group of youth from Bunschoten traveled to Mozambique to build water well, but unfortunately this did not succeed. This past year another attempt was made by a South American company. With a professional drill they went 73 meters deep looking for water. This was to no avail, even at this level was only rock, very disappointing.  This means on the short term there is no solution for the water shortage. Water remains essential for survival and will therefore remain a priority in the future.

Along with this we continue to search for a good qualified nurse that can provide the care for all the children in the project and the others that also need care. This basically covers first aid, prevention, education and treatment for things like malaria and various types of wounds. Treatment and education go hand in hand. There is very little knowledge about hygiene, prevention and how to deal with diseases. For example, the poor people in the bush are taught to cover and open burn wound with mud.  They sometimes receive an aspirin, which they proceed to grind finely and smear on the wound. Through lack of knowledge a small wound can become life threatening. Bernadette has a great first aid post where treatment can be given but sadly there are no qualified personnel. The nurse who was volunteering for a period and able to provide much care returned to Finland at the beginning of this year.  Since that time there has been no permanent help.  Approximately once a year a team of doctors and /or dentists from abroad spend a week making their knowledge and expertise available to the poor Mozambicans. It is fantastic, but finding a permanent worker is a priority for the coming year.

Besides the mentioned “points of interest” the project is going very good.  The children enjoy the day care; babies survive and grow as a result of the milk powder.  The slightly older children are eager to learn and enthusiastic about the other projects like learning to read and write or how to sew. By learning new skills the chances of bettering their future greatly increased. When a women learns the skills of sewing she is then able to make clothing for her family and others. This makes it possible for her earn a small income.  All lessons related to the learning of skills are done with the purpose of increasing their independence.

It remains essential to Bernadette to invest in the Spiritual well being. Every day the children hear a Bible story and for the adults is there a weekly bible study. Besides this, Bernadette spends time daily in personal talks with those involved in the project and the daily “stream” of visitors; like the local pastors and spontaneous visitors.

As foundation we want to thank everyone for their financial support and we hope we can continue to count on that in 2012.

For more information: www.bernadettejansen.nl or contact Artina Vedder tel. +31 (0) 33-2985996 or Loes Hopman tel. +31 (0) 33-2995137. Gifts are tax free and welcome on the account number 3124 23 950 reference Stichting Red de kinderen van Mozambique

We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year!

Warm wishes.

Bernadette, Marieke, Steven, Artina and Loes