our 5c jar...

Here is our 5 c jar...we added more coins this week...I am actually pleased when I get some 5c in my change at the shops...though I have managed to resist asking for change in 5c coins....lol...

It is great to get the kids involved too...E and M like making the piles of ten coins to count...we have $4.20 in just 5c coins so far...two months worth of supplies...

We will soon have $24 to donate a essential child care package for Children of the Forest...

It will provide the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls)…for one child at the Children of the Forest...to last a year...

It would be a great thing to do as a part of Advent...maybe I should get the kids to raid their Grandparents change too...

How is your jar coming along? Lissy

family time...

I am enjoying this weekend...Ben arrived home late Friday night and so we have been enjoying some family time...And we went to our favourite breakfast spot...Ben loves the Eggs Fabulosa...

The girls like the pancakes and eggs...

And I love the surroundings...

All sorts of interesting things every where..

The kids can play and explore without annoying anyone...play the piano
Perform on the stage...

Play around the garden, read books with new friends...

Pull faces...

Taylor's is great for a family meal...so I took photos...none of them very good... and Ben read the Sunday paper...

When we got home Evangeline had a ride on Bella...then I went off down to explore the second hand and junk shops in Guildford...and I found this very cute little stool/bench for the girls...

The pool has been refilled and is ready for swimming...

E wears a cap to keep water out of her ears...I am hoping she wont have grommets for too much longer...

Morganne loves playing on the big steps...

And now we are chilling out inside as it is a hot day here...I have started sewing Evangeline's Christmas dress...I hope you are having a good weekend...Lissy

a special gift...

I have been busy this weekend making a special gift...it is to send to Porpoyii for Christmas (who we sponsor at Children of the Forest)...I think it is the gift that has made me happiest this year...

I made her a tote bag...It is made of red denim...with some cute red stars fabric by Anna Griffin...I also made a pencil case (red stars) and a toiletries bag (red and blue denim)...

I made loads of mistakes and my machine desperately needs a service as it is not sewing well...but I am sure Porpoyii will not mind!
 
Evangeline and I went shopping yesterday and she bought with her pocket money some coloured pencils, some lead pencils and a spotty notebook to send...


I bought some small soap, a little bottle of shampoo, some toothpaste, a tooth brush and a hair brush, some hair clips and a visual diary, sharpener and eraser to add to the bag...

I hope to get it posted this week....

And on my shopping list this week...140 toothbrushes...I can get packs of 9 from Red Dot for $3...I need 15 packs...$46...not so much really...I figure they maybe need some new ones...

I am planning on adding something to my shopping each week...a hairbursh, a packet of underpants, coloured pencils, crayons, lead pencils ...things they need...a few dollars for us each week...we won't miss it...but the good will be greatly appreciated at Children of the Forest...

What Christmas Gift is making you the most happy this year?  Lissy

it is real...

I am a bit of a sceptic really...wondering where money goes when it is donated to charity...does it really get through to those in need??? Unfortunately I think a lot of the times it does not...

BUT

I know Children of the Forest is real...I know they receive all our parcels that we send...because they send me many photo like these every time...
And these are our old school uniforms we have been sending since we changed to polo shirts...

And I have regular email contact from Mark and Tom to find out what is needed...and to let me know things have arrived and are greatly appreciated...with emails like these...

The steady arrival of your parcels have really made a difference to the lives of the children here...

Sorry we haven't been in touch and sent photos. We have been particularly busy due to recent events in Burma affecting our programs. I have put together an update newsletter which I will send out later today or tomorrow. We need lots of help at the moment so big thanks for all your efforts Lis.

I just wanted to let you know how much the staff and children look forward to and appreciate your parcels. A big thank you to you and all your friends and family who support our vital work.

Just to let you know that we have received another parcel..... big thanks to all who are contributing.

Thanks for the wonderful parcels recently. As I have said many times, without your help and your supporters help we we would really struggle to find the beautiful clothes you are providing the children. Thank you again.

Sorry for the delay in responding. We have been receiving your parcels and they continue to play a vital part in our child protection program. We struggle to find money for clothes but your donation means that our children look smart and cared for and most importantly they love to wear what you send.I am attaching a few photos....

I am not sharing this to make myself look good...I actually find it rather embarrassing...but to let you know that your contributions really do make a difference...

We get hand drawn cards from Porpoyii (who we sponsor)

And from other children...And I know I could visit anytime...but at the moment I feel my time and money is better spent providing things they need...though Evangeline asks quite often to go and meet Porpoyii so maybe one day when she is older we will go...

Sharon made a donation through paypal yesterday and received an email from Tom...your help really does go where it is needed and it is really appreciated...

Many children are saved from traffikers...and they are in a safe haven being provided with a home, schooling and health care...

So keep collecting those 5c coins!! Lissy

two dollars...

So...

Do you have a spare $2 floating around in your change jar???

Lost under the seat of your car???

Fallen out of your pocket in the laundry???

Well did you know that measly $2 can provide a child care package of the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls)…for one child at the Children of the Forest...to last a month...

Yes a mere $2 a month to have the basics that none of us would consider going with out...

That makes a grand total of $24 a year...

Well this time I am going to ask…straight out...can you please donate $2 a month...

We have worked out that it costs about $270 per month to purchase the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls) each month locally in Thailand for Children of the Forest... See post below...

That works out at about $2 per child per month…but they are struggling to provide essentials like food and health care…so they mostly go without these basics...

So now I am asking….can you commit to $2 per month…for a child care package of the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder…

Not per day…not per week…per month….$2

$24 dollars a year ...not a month...a year...to provide these essentials for a child…

I think we can all do it…I know we can all do it...that is one family meal at McDonald’s for us or a few magazines…per year…nothing…but an amazing gift to these children…

You can donate directly through paypal on the charity’s website...(Friends and Family...I am happy for you to give the money to me to donate for you if you would prefer...but paypal is easy and secure...)


Maybe you could ask some friends or family to donate…or make it one of your Christmas presents for the year...or you could give it as a gift to someone...

Or encourage your kids to share some of their pocket money...can they spare 20 or 50c a week or a month??

Or maybe you could stretch to donating $5 per month…

Perhaps you can just start a spare change jar...it won't take long to get a jar of 5c, 10c 20c and 50c coins...

What do you think? Do you think you can afford $2 a month??? Sure you can..

Some people tell me they cannot afford to help...but you can...

I just counted our change jar of 5c 10c and 20c pieces...there isn't much in there...mainly 5c coins...change that the kids play with...and I needed a photo for my post....lol...

Well there was $3 of just 5c coins alone...and a total of $6.30...three months of essential supplies...I plan to get the kids looking around the house and car for more change tomorrow...won't take long to find $24 for this year...

So just grab a jar and save only 5c coins for the year...your change from lunch or morning coffee...clear out the 5c pieces from your wallet each week...and the coins just laying around that you do not even bother to pick up...You can afford to help....it is just down to whether you want to or not!And I know you do!

OK so I am putting the hard word on which is so unlike me...but please help...don't hate me...or avoid me in the street...I just didn't realise that so very little could help so very much...Go on...help...you will feel good if you do...Lissy

each month....

Each month Children of the Forest use

• shampoo - 100 bottles
• soap - 100 bars
• toothpaste - 100 tubes
• Baby powder - 100 pots
• clothes washing powder - 75kg
• sanitary pads - 60 packs

And with recent events in Burma there has been an influx of refugees...so more strain on the resources...and obviously most funds go to food and health care...

They are only a small charity and need all the help they can get...
Clothing and underwear is always needed...

And these items for schooling are in short supply too...new or used but in reasonable condition is greatly appreciated...any sizes as there are kids and teenagers of all ages...

Can you help?

A little bit by each person adds up...one pair of socks, some underpants, a tube of tooth paste and a bar of soap would make a huge difference to a child's life...

Items can be sent directly to me or to Thailand...I collect up items until I can send a large parcel as that is more economical...maybe you could get together with a few friends and send a parcel??

I am looking into the cost of shipping boxes...any help or info about this would be appreciated...

Or maybe you would like to give a donation...via PAYPAL...each bit adds up...$20 can make a huge difference...

Or sponsor a child? This can be done directly through the charity's website...it costs us about $7 a week to sponsor our girl...not much really...the cost of a magazine??

See what you can do!

With thanks....Lissy

PS...I am not a charity or paid to do this...it is just something I like to do...to help these kids that have so little...and it makes me so happy when people come forward to help too...but please do not avoid me feeling I may proposition you!

a tree house campout party...

For her 7th birthday Evangeline really wanted a sleep over in the tree house...

It is a two storey play house right up high in the trees...next to the fairy tree...

But I told her that want going to happen as they were all too young...

Ben worked hard and got the construction finished in the afternoon of the party! We will have to do some painting...

...but E was ecstatic anyway...So we compromised to have a camp out party...or sort of...the kids came late afternoon...

But not many photos this year! oh wellThey played in the tree house...(after E had a meltdown about not having the kids up the top until later when it was dark with torches...but fortunately she got over that one!)And as it was 41C here today we had sprinkler games...since our pool sprung a leak and emptied it self in the last 48 hours!

But the reticulation isn't working either so we moved the sprinkler around and gave the poor lawn a water!Next was a sausage sizzle tea...And why not eat in the pirate ship...And the cake...made by me but decorated by mum...And then as it got dark torches...And glow sticks... And my favourite sparklers...And the party favours...mini backpacks and torches...And so in the end a brilliant party! Lissy