Family Care Foundation Newsletter: Volume 1 -- No. 2 -- December 1997

"Love’s Bridge" is an on-going program staffed by volunteers dedicated to bettering the lives of orphans in Russia. They currently have bases in Moscow and Perm (in central Russia) with plans to expand further.

In a series of articles about the state of Russia’s orphanages and the plight of its orphans, The Moscow Times reported, "According to the Social Security Ministry’s latest data there are more than 482,600 orphans in Russia today. To listen to the young men and women who have grown up in orphanages, and to some of their former teachers, an orphanage is a place where teachers and administrators regularly administer beatings to children, long trips to mental institutions are prescribed as punishments, infants are fraudulently diagnosed with severe disabilities in order to earn additional funds for the staff, and sexual abuse occurs frequently, affecting children of both sexes and of all ages. Vladimir Krivolapov, a teacher who has worked at four different Moscow orphanages, said, ‘Violence is the norm. Kids are treated there not as human beings, but as animals.’ In a country like Russia, where industrial workers and other state employees are left unpaid for months on end, where almost every state institution is on the brink of financial collapse, it is scarcely surprising that those least able to defend themselves — children and the physically or mentally handicapped — should be at the bottom of the pile."

"Love’s Bridge" is making a difference in the lives of thousands of orphaned children in Russia. Under harsh conditions and enduring great personal sacrifice, they have successfully procured and delivered large quantities of healthy food, needed toiletries, toys, candy, clothing, educational supplies, kitchen equipment, and more to many of Russia’s orphanages. But that is not all! The most valuable gift they have been able to deliver to these precious needy children is the love, joy and comfort of knowing that someone really cares.

Eliza Giacoma, Project Manager for "Love’s Bridge" writes, "It is so rewarding to see the children’s excitement and great appreciation for the supplies and treats we are able to deliver. A visit to an orphanage goes something like this: As we prepare to unload the donated goods from the vehicle, all the children insist on helping us, saying, ‘We are very strong!’ They can’t wait to see what the boxes contain, but this excitement is saved until later, with the exception of the food which is delivered directly to the grateful kitchen staff. We spend time with the children getting to know them by name, asking and answering many questions as we are escorted by them on tours of their rooms. We then gather the children for a performance which consists of clowns, drama, songs and dancing. Then comes passing out all the treats and trying on their new clothes. Things get quite exciting at this moment as the children can hardly contain their joy. The long cold corridors are filled with laughter and warmth as the children clamor out of the meeting room, tightly clutching their treasures and balloons made for them by the clowns. During one visit, we wondered why the children were drinking tea instead of the canned soda pop we brought. Upon later visiting their rooms we discovered that they had tucked these treasured items away to make them last as long as possible.

"As we part, there is no end of good-byes and questions about when we will return. These special days end with hugs and words of love and comfort which will be forever in the hearts of these precious children. — And in ours as well!"

Of all the seasons of the year, Christmas is unique. It transcends time, borders, and boundaries to touch the hearts of people of all nationalities, colors, creeds and social standing. People of many religions, or even those of no religion, associate Christmas with that which is dearest to the human spirit: Loved ones, caring, joy, and the sacrificial giving of one’s self to help another.

Coming at the close of one year and the beginning of another, Christmas is also a time of reflection. We take stock of our lives, renew commitments, and count our many blessings.

Thanks to the continued giving of our supporters, and to the tireless labors of our project managers and volunteers, 1997 has been a solid year of growth and accomplishment for Family Care Foundation. As you’ll see in our upcoming annual report, together we are facilitating and conducting tremendous projects on nearly every continent, serving a very broad cross section of people. From street kids in cities as diverse as San Francisco and Nairobi, to the struggling people of the former Soviet Union, to the deaf and disabled of India and Nepal, and the many poor and disadvantaged right here in our own state and county; projects funded by Family Care Foundation are making a significant difference in people’s lives.

We are proud to be associated with such wonderful people as all of you: donors, project managers, volunteers, gift recipients, counselors, friends and associates everywhere.

On behalf of the Directors and staff of Family Care Foundation I extend our heartfelt gratitude for all you’ve done to make 1997 the great year it was, and all that you will do to make 1998 even better. We wish you a very, very happy Christmas and a rewarding New Year.

Action in Focus --Caring for Street Kids in Kenya

The "Action in Focus" project for Kenya’s street children began in February 1996 when Paul and Olivia Egdell arrived in Nairobi with a lot of determination and a vision of what they wanted to accomplish. Since its inception, "Action in Focus" has established a successful work improving the quality of life of Kenya’s orphans and street children in the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa.

The problem with street children in Kenya has reached overwhelming proportions. It is estimated that there are presently over 600,000 street children countrywide. Few programs exist which address children’s problems in Kenya. Most of them are non-governmental volunteer organizations which are understaffed and under supplied.

The condition of their centers ranges from very good to nothing but metal shacks in the middle of an alley. Conditions are such that commonly four children will share one bed, one meal a day is the norm, shoes are a dream, clean clothes are unheard of, and parents are long forgotten. It is these poorer centers with which "Action in Focus" is involved on a regular basis.

This dedicated couple and their five-man team deliver approximately one ton of food, detergents and clothing, as well as educational materials to these needy centers every week. They also provide counseling to both children and staff, instilling in the children and youth a sense of self worth and morality, thus giving them hope for their future and a better place in society.

They help secure scholarships for these underprivileged children and participate in fund-raising events and public awareness exhibitions to raise interest and support for children in distressful circumstances.

FCF Projects Receive Donated Ambulances

Thanks to the generosity of the Schaefer Ambulance company in Los Angeles, California, Family Care Foundation was able to supply four projects with needed vehicles. Projects that benefited are the "Meet the Need" program in Los Angeles, "Send a Kid to Camp Foundation" and the "From the Heart" branches in San Francisco and San Jose, California.

Dear FCF,

Transportation is always a very big need in our work. Our in-house staff were so thankful to see Phil pull up driving the ambulance!

Thank you for your generous donation of this vehicle which we will put to good use!

Sincerely,

Cindy Salazar

The "Meet the Need" program provides large quantities of quality food, educational supplies and other needed items to local charities and community programs that provide assistance to the needy in the greater Los Angeles area. Some of the organizations that have benefited from this program are the West Covina Community Food Bank, Saint Mathias Soup Kitchen, Saint Christopher’s Food Pantry, and the Inter-Faith Food Bank.

Mary Ann Edwards, project manager, and a team of six volunteers have facilitated the donation of over 80 tons of food and over 50 tons of educational supplies so far this year. The staff are involved in every aspect of the program including contacting local companies and organizing pick-ups and deliveries. Mary Ann reported to us, "Nearly 1,000 local families are benefiting from the donations, which includes frozen meat, fish, vegetables, cheese and other dairy products. We’re trying to do what we can to help others."

The project received attention from several local newspapers as well as gratitude from recipients at the many local and regional centers that benefit from the program.

When you give to Family Care Foundation, you’re doing more than just giving money. You’re saying, "I see what you’re doing to help people in need, and I want to be part of that."

The holiday season and the end of the calendar year is a time when many people think about making charitable gifts.* When you calculate your deductions for the current tax year and the resulting savings, you may discover that you can make a larger gift than you thought possible. — A wonderful opportunity to participate even more in these life-changing programs.

While the availability of a tax deduction helps a charitable person be even more charitable, we realize that first and foremost is your desire to make a significant difference in the lives of others. And we know that when you support Family Care Foundation, it is because you believe in our mission. — And for that, we thank you.

FCF volunteers are bringing smiles and laughter to children around the world. You can bring that same joy and love to many more by giving generously this holiday season.