A BIG surprise for Katie this Christmas

A few months ago, we posted a dream on the website that read, "Help fulfill 11 yr old Katie's dream to make PJ's for Guatemalan children - $20 for 3 sets."  Katie's grandparents live in Guatemala, and Katie is well aware of the vast needs there.  Well, little did Katie know, there was a surprise in store for her...

Blind Seniors in Central Asia Pay it Forward

This is a GREAT update from our Dream Agents in Central Asia.  A dream to have a Christmas party for Blind seniors was sponsored...and it sparked a desire for them to share with others.

Abigails Christmas Shoes - update from Sherry Peters, Ghana

DEC 16th 2011 - Today at the local market in Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, Africa as I was walking  a young girl around the age of twelve, so they tell me (more like 8 to me), stumbled in front of me. As I almost tripped into her myself I looked down and very quickly saw the reason for her fall was a broken flip flop… so I asked Delali, one of the ladies that were shopping with me if we could buy her a pair of shoes… I just wanted to do it very quietly, not to make a scene or make the young girl feel embarrassed but unfortunately like everything you try to do in Ghana it becomes a public issue, especially if a “white lady” has anything to do with it. 

Christmas is a time of giving - Update from the Burseys

Christmas is a time of giving, sharing and loving. It is easy to give, share and love with the people that mean the most to us. It is kind of our obligation really isn’t it? True love does not confine itself to just family and close friends though… true love reaches out to all those in need, neighbours and strangers alike. Where there is need, there should be love. A wise man once said that we should love these people as much as we love ourselves!

Day one back in Ghana...

I must have seen Accra, Ghana last time through rose coloured glasses...

Bloggin it up - with Lauren Pauls

Chao,
I have been given the task of helping prepare some of the musical/drama programs for the upcoming orphanage. If you know me at all, you know that I am practically a walking, talking Broadway Show!  haha  So this is a task I am more than willing to attack. Luckily, Rick and Lisa want these songs and activities to be in English to help teach the children, so it shouldn't be too hard. I already have 20 games ready for action, with rules and equipment and everything prepared.

Time Unwasted

I had the awesome privilege yesterday of watching hurting lives being changed for the better.  Not through tangible or financial means, but an extension of love through the sharing of someone’s TIME. 
We often see our ability to meet a need in direct relation to our ability to write a cheque.  But the definition of a true everyday philanthropist is someone that gives daily of their time, energy, passion, and resources.   How many great intentions would we meet if we only had the time?   Let me rephrase that… if we only took the time.

Hair today...Ghana tomorrow - a big success!

We enjoyed an amazing day at the Spa Fundraiser on November 12th -  Hair Today...Ghana Tomorrow. We had a full range of services: everything from haircutting by moi, massages with Heidi, Nutritional Counseling with Melissa, manicures with Colleen and Katie, pedicures with Angie and Katie, and a Café run by Dilya and Nargiza. (The crepes were amazing for those of you that missed out…so sad for you)

Good news from Central Asia

An update from our Dream Agents in Central Asia: We continue get excited about our “graduates “ (orphans who start living on their own) . This is Rustam and he just got a job in a store. 

Life in Mexico - Update from Special Agent, Lauren Pauls

Hola amigos.

Realization of the day: There is so much more to this 'dream agent thing' than the actual fulfilling of the dreams. Living here in Mexico with the Burseys has opened my eyes to what living a life like this actually entails. As wonderful as fulfilling the dreams is, that's just not the reality of everyday life here. Being a dream agent is so much more!

Walk the Rock - a big success in more ways than one...

It's been a little over a week since the completion of “Walk The Rock” and I am still filled with a mixture of emotions.  Hiking Gros Morne Mountain has been a dream of mine for quite some time.  So, while it was planned as a fundraising event... it was also the fulfillment of a personal dream. For the eleven people that joined me,  it may have represented different things. However, we had one basic goal in common as we hiked and talked -- the fulfillment of dreams and the lives that were going to be changed because of the money that we all worked together to raise!

Oct 29 Update from Guatemala - Special Agents Bos & May

This afternoon we made one last house call to our two small patients. The little baby with the burn is much happier and is healing very nicely. We were thrilled with the second baby's progress, his eye has returned to normal, his breathing has improved and we were even greeted with a smile today.

Oct 28 Update from Guatemala - Special Agents Bos & May

Another eventful day of clinic.  Fortunately the woman that we sent for an ultrasound yesterday is doing well and the ultrasound was negative.  We examined a woman today who has been suffering with large skin growths on her chest, back and chin. We were unable to determine what these growths were caused by so we have taken pictures and will forward the photos and her history to a colleague in Canada who will hopefully be able to help us determine a diagnosis.

Another busy day at El Teljar - Special Agents Bos & May

Another busy day at clinic in El Teljar. Just a short note to update the condition of our burn patient.

Special Agent Pauls helps fulfill a dream in Mexico!

Hola!!!

I helped fulfill my first dream!!! Now I feel like I am officially a "Special Agent".
Last weekend the team (Dream agents:  Desiree and Juan, Rick and Lisa and their boys Jackson and Alex, also accompanied by friend and nurse Karen) got together and headed out to bring a fridge, and stove top to Jackline's family - this will be their first time owning a fridge.

Guatemala update - from Special Agents Bos & May

San Miguel Chimaltenango
The past two days we have seen approximately sixty patients per day in our medical clinics. Many people suffer from respiratory aliments because they cook over an open fire in the same room that they live in. They use green wood and the smoke makes them prone to bronchitis and asthma.

Update from Special Agents Pilon & Deschamps in Kyrgyzstan

Monday

We arrived in our apartment at about 6:00 AM - had coffee and oatmeal with Jengish and Sergey.  By 9:00 we were hard at it delivering rice around Tokmok with Ruby.  We met with the director of the baby orphanage who we will take shopping for supplies before we leave.

Update from Special Agents Bos & May in Guatemala

Yesterday morning was spent with Dream Agent John King scouting out potential sites for medical clinics for the March 2012 PI Trip. The most important item on the checklist being at least one clean and working toilet. In the afternoon we shopped for medicines at the local pharmacy with Dream Agent Laurie King. We concentrated on treatment for water born intestinal infections since the rainy season is just ending and there has been a lot of flooding.

An impromptu fiesta

Gordo, the birthday boy

So the coolest thing happened today...it started out like any other day here in Linares, until Rosa and her three children dropped by the house. You see, today the kids were supposed to have a little party at school, and everyone was supposed to bring in some food. But Rosa had no food for her kids to bring in... so they didn't go to school. Her little boy, Gordo, suggested they drop by the Bursey's house!

A Canadian Thanksgiving...in Mexico

Lauren with Jackson Bursey

Hi there blog followers!

Hope the weather isn't getting too cold up there. It's still high 20's here at night. ;)

So this past weekend was Thanksgiving (in Canada), and being that we ARE Canadian, we put together a lovely thanksgiving feast with some of our Canadian friends here. It was so nice to have some traditional "comfort" food and remember how blessed we are being able to work here in Mexico.

A Broken Dream...but we CAN help!

 An update from our Dream Agents in Mexico - Rick & Lisa Bursey:

As many of you Everyday Philanthropists know, we have been involved for quite awhile with the family of a little girl named Jackline.  She is almost 5 and cute as a button.  The living conditions she is subject to are atrocious to say the least.  We posted a dream awhile back to help purchase a fridge and stove for Jackline's family  because they have no place to store food and the children are often fed food that is very questionable. (see the original dream here)

Update from Special Agent Pauls

Lauren left for Mexico on Monday, Sept 19th.  Her first week was primarily focused on getting settled into her new surroundings and meeting some of the amazing people the Burseys are involved with. We've asked her to share regular brief updates...

Special Agent Pauls begins her assignment in Mexico

Lauren Pauls is on assignment with PI from September 2011 until May 2012.  She is working alongside our Dream Agents, Rick & Lisa Bursey - helping them prepare Casa Posibilidades for opening it's doors and helping identify and fulfill needs and dreams for the beautiful people of Mexico.

We asked Lauren to share a brief update.

Parties with the blind seniors.

From  Dream Agents in Central Asia-
We continue to have parties with our blind seniors. They love these parties very much. .
First of all they love to get together and enjoy the fellowship with each other.
Secondly they love the food we make for them.

A note from Sam Welten,Executive Director.

Living the dream!!!
Wow! This nation of "everyday philanthropists" we are building is totally crazy - over the top generous!
On Monday morning, we sent out a special message about our Dream Agent, Sherry Peters, in Ghana.

Florence can go to trade-school!

Florence is the oldest of 4 children in her family. She lives in Attico, Ghana, and works to help her mother (a single mom) provide for the family.

Exciting news from Central Asia!

Philanthropy is "spreading"
One of our projects in Central Asia is working with the orphans in the college. When orphans turn 16, they have to leave the orphanage - their "home" - and go live on their own.

Another dream fulfilled!!!

Samuel got a bed, covering and MORE!!

From Ken and Michelle Desaulniers (Dream Agents in El Salvador):

We had the pleasure of delivering all of his birthday presents on Monday. With the money you gave, we were able to purchase a matrimonial size bed, all the bedding (including a 2nd set of sheets), pillows, a mirror, a clock, bath mats

Little boy Sasha got a desk!!!

We had posted this Dream on the Website

This is Sasha. He has cerebral palsy and because
of that he cannot go to school. But our PI ladies
want to teach him.

Baby orphanage got diaper rush cream!!!

 Thank you Everyday Philanthropists for donating $270 for diaper cream


The babies are much happier and the workers are too!

Little boy Vadim got a bike!!!

We had this Dream posted-

From our Dream Agents :
This boy's name is Vadim. He only has his grandmother.
His dad left him a long time ago, and his mother left him
recently.

Little Nargiza got a new bathtub!!!

We posted this Dream on our Website-

This is our little girl Nargiza who has special needs.
Nargiza has cerebral palsy. But with the help of
our PI ladies she is doing really well. Our PI lady
does special massage and physiotherapy with her.
Nargiza has a special request -- she
would like to have a very nice bathtub.

Senior lady Tanya got medical checkup.

We had this Dream posted on our Website.
This letter is from our PI Dream Agent in
Central Asia.
Our dear blind lady Tanya has some medical
problems - her stomach is getting bigger and
bigger every day.

PI News!

You can check out the newest PI Newsletter here.

iam1ru BCS Guatemala

The team is doing great. Visited Papaya Volcano yesterday and headed to Pana today for some R&R. Here are a few more pics.

Latest Report From iam1ru BCS

The team is doing great!
Health is holding up and today they are just finishing up their second house!  This afternoon they will be doing a block party.  I am told the students are pumped about today.  Internet at the Guest House is an issue.  Last night Wendy had to walk a bit down the road to find an unsecure wireless connection that she could jump on to send me these few pics.  I will keep you updated as much as I can.

Update on iam1ru BCS Team!

Just heard from Wendy...
The team made it okay...everyone is doing fine and they are headed out today to build a house!
No rest for them baby!
Will keep you updated as I am update.

A few pictures of the Medical Team in Guatemala March 03-13,2011

Here are a few pictures taken by Colleen Lipskie.

Heading to see more patients!

Jolyanne Marcotte giving out prescribed medicine! It's like a "gold" in Guatemala...

Joanne Stever is checking a little boy. People were lined up from early morning to see a doctor.

Angie Morris loves playing and entertaining the kids that are waiting to see a doctor! Every child got a soft toy! Thank you to all who donated their toys!

Liam Frape giving out reading glasses. A lot of people in Guatemala can not afford to buy them...

Agnes Bos is helping a family with a little baby!

Doctor Doug is having a special patient, what a Freak!

Nori Frape is doing some serious checkups!

Holly Rietveld is writing the prescription for this young lady!

Dr.Doug : "Rose, that didn't come to my mind!"

Kieran May is checking a blood pressure! There is no Walmart in Guatemala to check the blood pressure for free.

Thank you all for donating towards the Medical Clinic!

Ladies in the prison got goodies!!!

With the help of a donation of $100 from Iam1ru Philanthropists we were able to get goodies for the ladies in the prison.
This is an update from PI Dream Agents in Central Asia-
We continue to work with women who are in prison as well as those
who have been released. Recently these women received a pack of little
goodies for Woman’s Day.They were so happy! These little gifts made
these ladies feel that they are loved. They want to continue to change and
become better people. They said that they feel so special.
Here are pictures of some of the ladies-



March 2011.