Patching Together a Future - Can you Help?

'Patching Together a Future'

Thanks to Sandra Orford and the Beenleigh Quilters, my goal of starting some vocational programs at the Linda School is starting to become a reality. So far Sandra has found three second hand sewing machines and is fast collecting thread, material, needles, pins, scissors etc etc to get the kids started. We aim to collect a few more machines and consumables over the next couple of months before shipping everything early in the new year.

The concept is simple and I'm hoping it will achieve a couple of things. The first is giving the older girls, who won't or can't go on to high school, a reason to remain under the influence of the school for much longer while teaching them a very usefull skill. And second, is to provide a platform for the school to begin to make a little income to help cover some of their basic necessities.

Eventually, I'm hoping this program and other similar vocational training ideas will evolve to the point where the school can employee the kids, provide them with incomes and make an operating profit. At that point the programs become self sustaining.

So, if you have an old sewing machine hanging around that you've been wondering what to do with or have any of the consumables mentioned above (as well as patterns or ideas for training and money making), contact me at orf@orfaid.org and I will put you in touch with Sandra.

Stay tuned for updates on what else I am achieving with the funds you helped to raise and hopefully the implementation of more vocational programs...

Laptops for Life                                               Fabricating Employment

 

At The Orphanage II.........

Friday at the orphanage was a good day.......photos to tell the story.

Lots of big siblings taking care of little ones

Thanks Ithaca Creek for raising funds and sending messages

Tony feeding the kids

Kids lining up for an energy boost

Kids showing off the mural

The well point that will be enclosed by by the new fence

This spot is a cholera risk - raw sewage seeping out

Septic tank that needs replacing and extending

Area to be used for crops and to be enclosed by fence

Orf and some of the kids

Some of the stationery

The hall that needs separation curtains so they can run multiple classes

At The Orphanage.........

Today.......

20kg of Thobwa (Soya Powder for making hydration drinks)

Buckets to flush the toilets

Padlocks to protect valuable gear from thieves

Boxes of Pens and Pencils

Boxes of A4 Exercise Books

25kg Maize Seeds

Pumpkin seeds

Okra seeds

Text books for several grades

We also paid a deposit of 2.5million Kwacha to have the septic system upgraded immediately. It is currently a cholera health risk – the upgrade will only take a few days and cost just over ZMK 5million in total.

Tomorrow......

A simple irrigation system to allow planting all year round.

Internet access

Photocopier (possibly on a lease plan)

Renovations including roof repairs, broken windows and room partitions

Quote to install a boundary fence to protect the crops from theft

Beyond.......

Self sustaining/income producing programs that will also double as vocational training - We need direct donations of, or funds for...

Half a dozen retired laptops (ex govt stock would be perfect)

Half a dozen old sewing machines

A welder with kit

Within three years.........

In three years, the community building “free lease” from the Livingston Council will expire. Despite current assurances that the lease will be automatically renewed and continued gratis, governments and attitudes change and the insecurity is not productive – all the hard work could come to an abrupt end.

The Linda Community School needs its own piece of land, which it can improve with a school, and sustain with crops and other income producing activities.

Catherine, the Principal and the Glue that holds the whole show together has her eye on an 8.5 ha patch of dirt beside a permanent stream. At $800miliion Kwacha ($160,000) it is perhaps the unachievable dream but maybe with some government assistance and support from the charities connected to the community, the dream could become reality in three years.

OrfAid is keen to give it a go......even if we fall short, there will be other opportunities for land that could achieve the goals of security, education, opportunity and self sustenance.

Stay tuned..... photos tomorrow

Kilimanjaro - Done and Dusted!

The first thing we found out of course was that our catch cry "Ni tu ya Kilima" was wacky Swahili......so, it should be "Ni Kilima Tu!" - It's just a hill!

Good for a catch cry but far....so very far from the truth. We all made it and had the most unbelievably rewarding time but are shattered....

Read below for a FB summary of the days and I will fill in the gaps over the next week.

Off to Livingston tomorrow and catching up with the orphans 12/10....stay tuned.

The Team warming up at the hostel the night before.........."Ni Kilima Tu!"

• L to R... Tony Tharenos, US/Beijing - David Moeller, Melbourne - Orf - Richard Gillis, Bowral - Mike Sneesby, AUS/Dubai - Gordon Kudelka, Brisbane - Martin Hoehener, Africa/Switzerland/London

   
• Shelley Gillis Great to hear from you on FB Orf !! Enjoy those beers and I look forward to seeing an 'after' shot of you all. Well done xx  
• Chris Orford About an hour or so and there will be reunion beers and photos Shell ;-)

 

Day One - The flat trudge into Camp 1.

 

 

• 
  Day 2. Great view of Uhuru Peak (The Peak) as the grade starts to increase on the 8 hour hike to Camp 2 at 3670m.

 

 

 

 

• • Shelley Gillis Looking good boys!

     

Day 3. Our only wet day - a short but steep climb to 4300m

Day 4. A bit of up and down - across the saddle to Camp 4 - 400m lower than Camp 3.

 

 

 

Day 5. From 3900 to 4700 at Camp 5 (Pre-Summit Camp)

 

 

 

Day 6 (Summit Day). Starting at midnight on the way to Gilman's Point for sun-rise......

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6 cont..... Gilman's Point 5700m. Kili's second highest point - 70% of all Kili climbers turn around from here rather than attack Uhuru (5895m), another several hours of climbing.

 

 

 

 

Day 6 cont..... Uhuru 5895m - The Peak of Kilimanjaro! 10.04 local time and absolutely shattered - barely able to stand for photo!

 

 

 

 

• • Lily Baniriah to be so close to the blue sky.

    Chris Orford The air is very hard to catch up there Lily...... but the sky is just beyond fantastic!

Day 6 cont..... Unable to descend on my own steam, I am at first supported by two porters, then later, stretchered down the mountain - 7 hours of bone crunching, kidney bursting descent in a three wheeled stretcher over the rough Kili terrain. Local doctor later confirms minor pulmonary oedema.....

 

 

 

• Rhonda Kortum Oh my god when will you learn??? Glad your fine, I love how much drama finds you

  Lily Baniriah what an ACT! :))) didn't feel like doing the boring bit of walking downhill? !!!!
• Cheryl Mleczko OMG! hope you are ok!
• Chris Orford Yep, although seven hours on a three wheeled stretcher bashing down the hill at 6km/hr over a dry river bed wasn't that much fun on my kidneys ;-)........ Still, I am drinking beers whilst the other boys are currently trudging out the last 20km down :-)

  Megan Moore A whole new event, 'The Kili Mountain Bash' has been pioneered by Orf!Take care and enjoy those beers x

 

 

Day 7 - FOR ORF........ ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now just waiting for the rest of the boys to join me here at the hostel where there will be a fair bit of celebrating........

 

NI KILIMA TU!

 

Orf

Kilimanjaro.......at bloody last!

Late breakfast......... Cats Vs Pies.......catch some of the England Vs Scotland game......... And then the KL contingent is off!

With a lead up like that, it's highly unlikely that any of us will make it to the airport sober!

At long last, after 10 months of planning and dozens of jabs, we are ready to attack the world's tallest free-standing mountain!

It has been a great personal goal for all of us and particularly for me as I have worked steadily towards building a bunch of kwacha that we can use to make a meaningful long-term impact with the Livingstone orphans.

So, what did we achieve? How much did we raise? Well, the best way to put it into perspective is to put it into tangible terms....

We raised enough to pay for a teacher's salary for 7 years!!

Pretty happy with that.....

Climb starts on Tuesday 4/10 and if all goes well we will reach the summit on Sunday 9/10 at dawn.

Keep your fingers crossed......

Orf

Kilimanjaro - ni tu ya kilima!

Silent Auction - Almost $2,400 or ZMK12,000,000 raised!!

A massive THANK YOU to all of the Silent Auction contributors......both donors and bidders alike. It has been a huge success, raising $2,388.00 or almost 12 million Zambian Kwacha.

AND THE HIGH BIDDERS ARE................

My Mini Auction - Silent Auction Details / Results
Donation	Donated By	Est. Value		SOLD
		Local	AUD	To	AUD
WFF Tiger	Richard Langridge	$310	$100	Orford Little Boys	$80
Curlew Retreat - Two Nights	Kelly and Greg Luck	$400	$400	Dukey	$300
N9 New Release Smart Phone	Ant Wilson (KL Nokia)	RM1000	$330	Gags	$245
Fundies Organic Foods	Mike & Luana Shanley	$100	$100	Booey W	$95
Malt Dining	Cam Feltham	$100	$100	Fi W	$98
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com X	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Tonia	$13
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com IV	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Kel	$30
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Orf's Mum	$12
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com VI	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Orf's Mum	$20
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com II	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Orf's Mum	$15
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com III	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Bargain Hunter	$17
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com I	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Gags	$18
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com V	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Leahys	$20
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com IX	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Dee	$25
1 year sub to ekidnaworld.com VII	Karen Orford	$65	$65	Forest	$20
French 'n Mor - High Tea	Paul Jones / Aki	$152	$152	Greg McCarthy	$175
1 Night Premier Exec Room	Tim Quarm (Prince Hotel)	RM650	$215	Monty	$200
Buffet Dinner - Eccucino	Tim Quarm (Prince Hotel)	RM400	$130	Jane	$80
Patchwork Quilt	Sandra Orford / Patricia Powell	$450	$450	The Drakes	$400
Personal Tax Return	Toni Sweeney (On Line Taxation)	$165	$165	Sniper	$100
Family Financial Health Check	Toni Sweeney (On Line Taxation)	$450	$450	Bargain Hunter	$35
Dining Voucher - Bukit Gita Bayu	Enrica Langridge / Alex Lim	RM100	$30	Forest	$35
Dining Voucher - Bukit Gita Bayu	Enrica Langridge / Alex Lim	RM100	$30	Orf	$30
Dining Voucher - Bukit Gita Bayu	Enrica Langridge / Alex Lim	RM100	$30	Forest	$50
Brewery Tour	Rick Orford	$50	$50	Walkers	$40
Wii	Emma Wilson	RM1200	$400	Leethams	$235
With enormous thanks to all the bidders who had a bash............			$3,782	TOTAL	$2,388

A great last minute shot by Sniper saw him sneak in over Bargain Hunter for the Personal Tax Return and still saved himself $65 off the full cost.....

Gags, proved he was no choker and burgled the N9 and an ekidna voucher in the dying seconds of the auction.....well done Gags - a true competitor to the end!

But....I think the award for the best late bid must go to Macca, who not only bid 15% over the face value of French and Mor to seal his victory but is going to have to travel 7,300km from Niigata, Japan to collect!! Onya Macca - the orphans love you!

Congratulations to all winners! It was awesome fun and this money will make a massive difference to my little mates, the orphans of Linda Community.

A very special thank you to Dean Kirkland from www.myminiauction.com without whom, this auction would not have existed! Please keep this site in mind for all your own fund-raising efforts at school and your sports club!


Winners will be contacted directly for information about making payment and receiving your prizes but, for anyone wishing to make a last minute donation or contribution to our fund raising efforts, please feel free to do at:

Australia
Chris Orford (OrfAid)
ANZ Bank
BSB 014 274
ACCT 203206797

 

Malaysia
Chris Orford (OrfAid)
RHB Bank
ACCT 1-12189-0020616-5

Please don't be anonymous - drop me an email to let me know you have contributed  if you do.....

Less than 7 days until our departure.....starting to get real.

Orf

Kilimanjaro - ni tu ya kilima