Article in The Villager

For those of you who may be visiting this blog as a result of the article in The Villager, thank you so much for your interest. Please visit treeofwisdom.org for more information on the distant adoption of orphans in Northern Uganda. This Tree has already begun to grow strong and is already helping many children there who are in desperate need. You will find stories there about the launch of the project. The need is great. Any help is sincerely appreciated.

Merry Christmas!

Monique

Tree of Wisdom Website

Hello all,

Much exciting progress is being made on the Tree of Wisdom project! Through the kind and dedicated efforts of the The Mikes Richwalsky we have a new web address for the Tree of Wisdom Distant Adoption program!! Please visit the site via the link and register your information in the "Contact us" section.

Afoyo matek!! Thank you very much to both the Michaels!!

Tree of Wisdom Distant Adoption

Hello all,

As we start a new school year, we are embarking on a very exciting new project called Tree of Wisdom Distant Adoption. My husband Stan and I traveled to Northern Uganda in July 2008. It was an experience that changed us both forever. The conditions are grim and the poverty is extreme. Half of the population is less than 15 years old. As a result of 20 years of rebel insurgency warfare and HIV, there are many orphans. Their only hope for a future is education. We just couldn’t turn our backs on them.

Since returning home, it has become clearer to us why we went in the first place. We are striving to find ways to provide relief directly. While in Uganda we were very lucky to make some close friendships. The most special of which was with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, Director of St. Monica’s Girls’ Tailoring Centre, and winner of the 2007 CNN Heroes Award. Together we have developed a program for distant adoption of children who don’t have the basic necessities of life.

Sr. Rosemary has identified many children who are unable to attend primary school due to lack of resources. A donation of $150 per year will provide a specific child with primary school tuition, uniform, books, materials and one meal per school day. The sponsors will receive the name of the child, a picture, and at least one letter from them at some point in the year. All donor information, except for first names, will be kept strictly confidential by me. All correspondence will be directed to me and I will distribute it via regular or e-mail.

If you would be interested in sponsoring one of these children please send a check for $150 made out to Tree of Wisdom Distant Adoption, PO Box 272, Avon Lake, OH 44012. If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 440-949-9066. 100% of your donation will be used to help your adopted child. All donations are fully tax deductible and will be directed through Rural Hospital Fund. Please include your address and e-mail address, indicating how you prefer to be contacted. Thank you in advance for opening your heart to these needy children. Please visit treeofwisdom.org for ongoing updates and more information.

God bless you,
Monique

Long Range Adoptions

Just a quick update. The long range adoption process is moving forward!!

We have thus far identified over 35 children in Northern Uganda who could benefit from the long range adoption program we are putting in place. In the near future we will publish the official letter that outlines the program details. Stay tuned!

Hello All,

Thank you for your ongoing interest in Uganda. As you know, we continue to try to find different ways to provide assistance.

The latest news is that St. Kizito has just published a website: stkizito.org
Check it out--it is full of information and photos. The St Kizito foundation has helped over 500 young people in Africa resume or continue their education. Over the summer they also opened a counseling center. The foundation was begun by Fr. Don Dunson of St Mary's Seminary here in Cleveland, OH.

On June 10, Father Don Dunson will be giving a presentation on his book "Child, Victim, Soldier: Lost Innocence in Uganda" at St Angela Merici at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend. If you have never heard Fr Don talk about Uganda, you will be very moved. He is a tireless advocate for these victimized children. What wonderful work he is doing for them!

Long range adoption plans are still moving forward. Thank you for your interest. When the details are worked out, I will contact you.

The total for us for the bead sales is up to $5000. Incredible how much awarenes and money can be raised $5 at a time. Thanks to all who have participated. If anyone would like to start a bead selling project, please contact me at will.richardson@oh.rr.com. What a great fundraiser!

The Atiak project is still moving forward. They are currently clearing the land, surveying and starting with some housing for the nuns and for volunteers. The people of Atiak are so impoverished. They are very encouraged by the hope this project brings with it. They have already started training some of the girls in tailoring in some of the temporary structures.

Please continue to pray for peace, and God bless you all!

Spreading the word

Hello friends!

Just to let you know. We will be doing our Uganda presentation at St John West Shore Hospital on Thursday, April 23 at 6 pm in Auditorium B, Building 2. All are welcome to attend.

We have many ongoing projects. The most amazing of which is the ground breaking for the new St. Monica's to be built in Atiak, a very impoverished and war torn area about 50-60 kilometers north of Gulu (the land is pictured above with Srs. Rosemary and Assumpta). The people there are in such desperate need. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart are currently preparing 12 acres of land to build a similar facility as St Monica's in Gulu.

Necklaces made by the young women are beautiful. They are always available at my office for 5-10 dollars. A great way to support a great cause. Again, thank you all for your support.

We are also working with Sr. Rosemary on a project to have individual 'long range adoptions'. She is identifying children who are unable to attend school secondary to financial constraints. It seems that about $100-150 per year will provide a child tuition, clothing, books and food assistance for a year. What a small sacrifice to change the future of a young person. We are currently developing the logistics of this project. If anyone is interested, please contact me at will.richardson@oh.rr.com.

Wishing you all a most Blessed Easter season!

Peace,

Monique

Hello to All!

It has been a while since we have updated the blog and a lot has gone on in the interim. First of all, please revisit the St. Monica's site http://www.stmonicagulugirlsrelief.org/. as it has recently been completely updated.

To all of you who purchased the beautiful beads made by these young women, THANK YOU! We recently sent a donation to St Monica's in the amount of $3500 from the proceeds of the beads. There is ongoing support and we are so appreciative.

Fr. Dunson recently published his new book "Child, Victim, Soldier: Lost innocence in Northern Uganda" depicting the lives of these young people. What an amazing look into the lives of these traumatized people. It is available on Borders.com or from us.

We have been working in other ways to continue to help the people of Northern Uganda. We are in the process of trying to furnish their new clinic. If anyone has advice regarding shipping of supplies it would be greatly appreciated. We have many medical supplies that we would like to send.

Sr. Rosemary was recently with us and would like to personally thank all of you for your prayers and contributions. She is currently working on opening a centre in Atiak, about 2 hours north of St. Monica's.

We have been doing talks in the community about our experience in Northern Uganda. We are eager to spread the word. Please let us know if you would like to hear from us. Our e-mail is will.richardson@oh.rr.com

Thank you and God bless you all!