he other day, Penny Allport, of Swara Inspirations wrote updating the "Community" on her upcoming working vacation to help at a West African orphanage alongside her friend, Tali Alexander. They're going to be off shortly, so here's what Penny says about their upcoming adventure, and her Celebration of Earth Day at Swara Inspirations on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2007.

"Dear Community,

As many of you know, I am going to Ghana, Africa from March 23 ~ April 9th, 2007. Many of you have asked for more information, so if you are interested read on. Below is a description of the orphanage Tali and I will visiting and living at for two weeks. This is

©Swara Inspirations—Penny Allport of Swara Inspirations, #130 - 12031 1st Avenue, Steveston Village.

very 'grass roots' and not part of a large organization. Tali, a remarkable young woman, whom I babysat 30 years ago, wrote the description below regarding her involvement at the Osenase Orphanage over the past several years. She invited me to join her this year to work with her. I am so deeply touched by her and inspired to share the journey, so off I go!

Thank you to so many of you who have already made donations to support purchasing of school uniforms (they cannot attend school if they do not have one) and money towards art supplies, creative projects, books, medical supplies, essentials, etc. which we are purchasing. If you would like to make a donation, please contact me at 604-803-4607 prior to March 23rd.

As well, I wish to invite you to a Celebration of Earth Day at Swara Inspiritations on Sunday, April 22nd, 3 p.m. ~ 5 p.m. I will share a bit of my journey at that time, as well as local teens and people in the community will be sharing their creative stories, poetry, art or other offering of blessing to this beautiful blue and green planet we call home. Optional donation to the orphanage or just come!

Bring a poem, prayer, blessing, song, story or other creative offering, including simply your self—presence is present enough!

I will create a community ritual blessing. Bring your children and friends. With deep appreciation for the infinite opportunities there are on this planet to exchange and learn, grow and deepen presence.

Penny"

More on The Osenase
Orphanage—Ghana, West Africa

The Osenase Orphanage was informally founded about 10 years ago, when Mrs. Vida Badu took some abandoned children into her home to care for them. Sadly, Mrs. Badu died suddenly in a car accident in 2004, however the orphanage now has a small grass roots sponsor based out of the UK, called the

©Tali Alexander—Tali Alexander with orphans at the Osenase Orphanage, Ghana, West Africa.

Osenase is a very remote village located in the Eastern Region of Ghana, approximately 2 hours by car away from the country's capital, Accra. Many of the people in this village are farmers, who live on less than a dollar a day.

There are currently 35 children, between the ages of 3 and 14 years old, living at the orphanage. Each of these children had parents who either died, or abandoned them. They live in two recently built homes and have a staff of 'mothers', cooks and teachers to take care of them. They have so little, however you cannot imagine the life that is inside of them and the happiness that they show every day. They have their struggles, however in general, they are quite healthy and happy.

I stumbled across the orphanage on a return trip to Ghana in 2003, and the children immediately captured my heart. With the incredible support of friends, family and Project Reach Out Canada, we have been able to make a significant difference in their lives. Since 2004, we have:

• Sent two large shipments of school supplies, clothing, toys, medical supplies and books in time for Christmas (2003 & 2004).
• Partnered them with an elementary school in Brockville, that raised money to send them another shipment of 8 barrels of school supplies, first-aid supplies and clothing. This school raised money for them last year, which bought them each 2 school uniforms.
• Provided them each with a new mattress, pillow & sheets (previously they were sleeping on either straw matts on the cement, or on scraps of old soiled foam).
• Provided mosquito nets for their beds (Rotary Club sponsored).
• Helped build a cement water tower, upon which their water tank sits.
• Provided them with a library of books & built bookshelves.
• Hosted two Christmas parties.
• Built a 6 unit outhouse-type toilet block (with significant help from a Canadian bank).

I also lived and volunteered at the orphanage from October 2004 until February 2005.

Several significant improvements to the childrens' home have been made over the past several months, and it gives me such pleasure to see how far the orphanage has come since I first stumbled across it back in 2003.

• Up until several months ago the children had to walk approximately 1 km to fetch their drinking water in buckets. However, the local village recently extended their water system to the orphanage and they now have running water from a tower outside their home.
• The electricity grid was recently extended to the orphanage, so now they have sporadic electricity, giving them light from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.

It has been amazing to see the children grow and their orphanage home improve over the years. I will be returning for a visit in March, 2007, and I am counting down the days until I get to see them again.

©Tali Alexander—The children of the Osenase Orphanage, Ghana, West Africa.

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