Publicity•
on March 25th, 2010•
You are invited to listen live to an interview a radio talk show host is giving us on our work among the orphans of Lesotho. The show airs today, March 25, 2010, 3pm to 4pm Central Time, 1pm-2pm Pacific time, 4pm-5pm Eastern.
The internet website is www.rayedio.com and from there is a link to listen to the show live. The call in number is (208) 935-0094 and if toll free is needed the number is (888) 747-1968. If you miss the live show, the Show Archives will allow you to hear the interview.
Partners•
on December 20th, 2009•
What does it mean to get involved? Many people do “get involved” if and when they are asked, and are, as Webster says, “connected by participation or association.” But another definition that I like is being “emotionally committed.” When this happens it’s evident to everyone around you. There is a line that is crossed, a determination that pushes you a little further, a desire that occupies your thoughts whether awake or asleep. It is a pretty cool thing when people join you in being emotionally committed to something that you’re passionate about.
We’ve had a great year partnering with those kinds of individuals and organizations to meet our ongoing budget needs in caring for “the least of these.” We’ve had art auctions, golf tournaments, church mission drives and various other fund-raising projects. However, for a non-profit organization the job of fund-raising is never done. So I get excited when we have a chance to develop new friends and bring fresh awareness to the needs of orphans in Lesotho, Africa.
My wife, Faith, is office manager at a Therapy South physical therapy clinic. The Clinic Director, Eddie Adams, is a great friend of ours and a faithful supporter of Logos Global Ministries. Eddie and Faith wanted to get the clinic and patients involved in raising money for The Bana Project of Lesotho, so they began to talk to anyone who would listen. They placed pictures of the orphans and a small replica of an African cooking pot in the reception area for people to drop money into – and patients responded with donations over $800!
Eddie & Dedra Adams
Then Eddie’s wife, Dedra, was awakened one night with an idea. She could make clay crosses, paint them and sell them to raise money for the kids. She made a few and hung them as ornaments on a Christmas tree in the clinic. Patients went crazy for the beautiful handmade art, emptying the tree and loading her up with orders for more. To date, she has sold over $400.00 worth! I’m not sure many of us realized she was such a gifted artist. To see these beautiful pieces of art, CLICK HERE
And as if that weren’t enough, Eddie spoke with the company owner, Steve Foster, about The Bana Project of Lesotho. Steve has a huge heart for missions and wanted the company to be involved also. So they came up with an idea: instead of giving a material gift to the doctors and supporters of their clinics for Christmas, they would instead give a card that states that a gift was given in their name to help feed the orphans in Lesotho, Africa. Because of that project they have just presented us with a check for $1,500! This is a company who is no stranger to benevolence. They recently collected two truckloads of toys for local needy children. They wanted to be involved in making a difference at home as well as abroad.
Steve Foster, Roger Patterson & Eddie Adams
God is good and continues to lead people to us who will listen to the story and the needs and get involved. The needs are great and would be overwhelming if not for the realization that we are not alone. It can only be done with many people sharing the load and helping in ways like Eddie, Dedra and Therapy South have done. Community and relationships continue to give us the perspective that God is the One who provides the resources for the care of these orphans and vulnerable children, not us. We merely have the privilege and responsibility in joining what He is doing.
A special thanks to Therapy South for their support and a big thanks to all of you for being involved and changing lives.
Author: Roger Patterson
Children, Photography•
on November 20th, 2009•
Lesotho has an HIV/AIDS rate of 31% – one of the highest in the world. According to WHO, AVERT and UNICEF data, there is now a generation of children standing alone, with a life expectancy of only 40 years of age. And according to current government data, the number of AIDS orphans increased in 2009 to over 120,000, — representing about 7% of the Basotho people.
The critical nature of our care is reflected in a recent IPS news article about Lesotho AIDS orphans, which said, “High levels of poverty, chronic food insecurity and the high prevalence of HIV have seriously endangered the children of Lesotho. Many leave school early to look after their siblings, or fend for themselves after their HIV positive parents die.” Each month The Bana Project of Lesotho receives new pleas for help from villages, chiefs, schools, and orphaned or abandoned children. Many times, simply due to budget constraints, we are forced to turn them away, knowing they will go away hungry or cold.
The Bana Project seeks to not only provide regular hot meals in the village areas most affected, but also provides blankets, shoes and school uniforms and supplies to the registered orphans. We also are in the process of establishing an agricultural program to teach gardening, farming, and animal husbandry to the orphans and the Village Committees who oversee the direct care of the orphans in each village.
Children, Photography•
on November 10th, 2009•
There is a very special story about this young boy. About the same time we started The Bana Project, he was found inside a plastic bag beside a trail between the villages – discarded like common trash. He was rescued and is alive today because someone cared more about Life than about reputation!
