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Dear Friends & Supporters —
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Here is Jeneba, age 6, known by the nickname “Cool Baby,” because she is so well-liked by the kids and staff at AAO. This photo shows Cool Baby when she first came into care in December 2020. At that time, she spoke only Mende, her native language. At the Children’s Center, however, the children and staff mainly speak Krio, the lingua franca of Sierra Leone. Now she is avidly learning Krio AND English in her first-grade class! That’s a lot to absorb in just a few months, but she is happily doing her best. She's very inquisitive, always asking questions with a bright smile — although sometimes she wears out the “aunties” with all of her questions! I’m so happy with her progress, and knowing how well she is doing warms my heart. Thank you for making it possible for Cool Baby to have a much brighter future!
I also want to share the good news that three of our six college-age “kids” now have people helping with their tuition and other expenses. Two of them have just enrolled at university. I’m so proud of all of them. We are extremely grateful to those who are helping. It means the world to these kids!
And, thanks to so many of you, our annual rent has been paid, which means we are current until April 2022. This is a huge burden lifted!
Although we have much happy news, the truth is that we still urgently need your help. There is a critical water and electricity shortage in Freetown, and we desperately need to buy two new water tanks ($1000 each). The kids are not able to wash very frequently, and it’s difficult to do the massive amount of laundry, among other health and hygiene concerns.
Also, despite all of our efforts, we are still existing financially on a month-to-month basis and need to make up a $5000 deficit in this month’s budget. If you’re able to help, please give online at www.AllAsOne.org. AND, if you're able to make your gift a monthly one, I would SO appreciate it! You can become one of our recurring, monthly donors by clicking here.
Please know how grateful I am for your amazing support that changes the lives of the children. You are in our prayers every day. The kids and I send tons of love and thanks!
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With deep gratitude,
Deanna Wallace
AAO Executive Director
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Thanks to those who gave over $500 in April 2021!
Autumn & Jeffrey Huiatt
Judy Chase
Mike & Carolyn Brauer
Philipp von Hammerstein & Isatu Funna
Polly Archer & David Walker
Windmill Care Ltd.
Zohair Abduljawad & Tom Young
Dr. Al Roberts (in memory of his late wife, Dr. Mary “Polly” Nooter Roberts)
Thanks to our first-time donors in April 2021!
Andrea J. Stanley
Carol Mitchell
Dylan Coady
Elaine Martin
Rachel Wilkinson
Ximena Silva
And thank you to our regular monthly donors, who make our work possible!
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