Another way that I can give immediately is through a foundation that my brother, Todd Winter, initiated to support a missionary hospital in Papua New Guinea - the best hospital in the country. I am so proud of my brother for applying his medical expertise, connections, and income to a serious need in our world. I wrote an article about Todd and his family for our alma mater's website. I know that I am a bit biased, but I think it is a good read, and will give you a little history about the foundation. My mom also writes a newsletter that is sent to all of the foundation's supporters.
A year ago my parents had the wonderful privilege of traveling to PNG with a work group. My parents do many things to support the foundation stateside, but this was their first opportunity to actually see the work of the hospital. It just so happened that my boys and I arrived in Oregon for our annual visit just a few days after my parents' return. As a result, we participated in their debriefing process which was very special for us!
One need that struck the girls in our family is related to the babies delivered at the PNG hospital. The hospital delivers around 900 babies per year. Many of them have absolutely nothing to wear upon their arrival on this earth. With this need, a project was born... Project Warm Baby. Since last summer, volunteers from all over the U.S. have been sending "layettes" for the hospital's new mothers and their babies. Each newborn or preemie layette contains: 1 onesie, 1 sleeper, 1 hat, 1 pair of socks, 2 diapers, 2 pins, 1 large bar of Ivory soap, 1 washcloth, and 1 receiving blanket. My mom took on this project, and it has exploded. Her goal was to send a few hundred layettes within the first year. Project Warm Baby has not even reached the one year mark, and many volunteers have gathered materials to send nearly 900 layettes in the next PNG shipment.
$300 to sponsor a child is a bit of challenge for me right now, though I am working on it. This weekend, however, I happened upon the mother load of baby hats and socks at a garage sale. The sign read: "All hats and socks are free with the purchase of any other baby items." For $10, I purchased nearly 30 hats and pairs of socks, about a dozen sleepers, 6 onesies, and 8 receiving blankets. Here's the stash:
I even enjoyed laundering the cute, little items! I am imagining new mommies carefully clothing their sweet newborn babies - love it! How fun, don't you think???
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI love all of your blogs but this one is certainly my favorite. As I look at your baby clothes, freshly laundered with love, I can't help but think of the new Mom's and sweet little babies who will receive them. I have been so blessed to be a part of this project and when I see how God has expanded the project I am totally overwhelmed.
I wish every person could have the opportunity to visit the Kudjip hospital and hold the hands of the Mommy's. Their babies are so tiny and the infant mortality rate is so high that many try not to bond with their babies until they are several months old. Often times they do not name the babies until they are certain they will live. However, even that doesn't make it any easier when the babies die. They are really lovely people and I will never, ever forget them. Thanks for the reminder of that very special time in my life.
Mom