Orphan Relief and Rescue

Providing Opportunity

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:06:14 -0500

Written by Deb Dezutter

Last month the ORR team in Liberia was blessed to host a group of seven women from the US. This was the first time we have been able to have visitors to our programs in Liberia since the Ebola epidemic hit in 2014. The ladies were able to see all Orphan Relief and Rescue’s programs in Liberia first hand. They were also able to visit a local school for the blind, explore an organic farm, hold an afternoon Vacation Bible School, and help run a free health fair clinic for the community. Most of their time, however, was spent with the children in the orphanages that we partner with, including the young adults in our Greater Opportunity scholarship program.

As we debriefed with our visitors on the last evening of their two week stay and the group shared both highs and lows from their time in Liberia, an overwhelming theme emerged—That is, the amazing young adults in the scholarship program and the importance of this program.

One young man that made quite an impression on the group was Trokon, a senior in high school. Trokon was rescued from living in the streets as a young boy by an orphanage director that ORR partners with. A natural leader and very self-motivated, he has always worked hard at his studies. Even as a young boy he talked about his desire to help the people of his country some day. He earned himself a scholarship from ORR to the most prestigious school in Liberia. When he arrived at the school four years ago as the only student there that came from such meager circumstances, he really stuck out. Trokon has worked hard and is excelling in his studies and recently was elected as a class Minister (similar to class president). He walks tall and proud, highly respected among the other students— daughters and sons of doctors, lawyers, and politicians.

When we met with Trokon, under a circle of trees in the school yard, he quickly befriended the group, recited his prepared senior speech on the importance of education and graciously shared his own personal story. Even though the time we spent with Trokon was short, there were tears as we said goodbye that day.

Trokon is only one example of the many amazing and talented high school and college students that Orphan Relief and Rescue supports. Our scholarship program enables these children to be successful in their education. As the group of women who visited said, “We have to tell people how important this program is. Lives are being changed.” More and more scholarship assistance is needed as these students continue to mature and excel. It is our desire to help these children become successful, capable young adults in their communities, and we cannot do this without your help.

If you would like to help young people like Trokon succeed, consider becoming a monthly partner and sponsoring our Education initiatives.

Time

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 10:49:23 -0600

Orphan Relief and Rescue is saying goodbye to one of our beloved staff members, Faith Tyrrell. Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work over the past three years! We will miss you greatly but wish you well in all of your new endeavors.

Written by Faith Tyrrell, Liberian Field Staff Administrator & Child Development Coordinator

I have been working for Orphan Relief and Rescue in Liberia since 2013, but during the Ebola outbreak I stayed in the United States. I returned to Liberia in September 2015. The Staff were so excited! The children at all the orphanage homes were so happy to see me and greeted me with smiles and hugs. They told me stories about the past year and how life during Ebola wasn’t easy. The children talked to me about school and asked me to ‘take their picture’. This was reunion time.

After the excitement of coming back to Liberia wore off, I was faced with some difficult situations; the transition of staff, change of project focuses, the closure of other projects, and also a loss of one of the children in our care. This was challenging time.

As the months rolled on, I was so blessed to be able to go home for Christmas. I was away from the dust, the heat, the smells, and the craziness of Liberia. It was a great vacation with family and friends. This was rest time.

I came back to Liberia in Jan 2016 for just 8 short weeks; during that time we hired new staff, and started training with the Liberian staff to take over all the programs, and responsibilities. This was preparation time.

Now, it’s that time. Time for me to transition back ‘home’; time for training to become second nature, time for children to love new staff and learn new teaching styles, time for ownership of programs, materials, schedules, and responsibilities to be handed down. It’s time to ‘pass the torch’, it is time to run a new race, time for the Liberian staff to shine.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes that God “has made everything beautiful in it’s time…” The beauty of my time in Liberia is coming to and end, but I know there are many beautiful things for me to experience.

I am so grateful for me time with Orphan Relief and Rescue. I have been changed. My perspective of love and the truly important things in life is different now. The memories, people I’ve met, and experiences I’ve had in Liberia will forever be carried in my heart. The staff and children that I have come to know and love are my family and I know that reunion time will here again someday.

Thank you to all those who partner with Orphan Relief and Rescue, your gifts not only impact generations of children, but also the staff who are blessed to be in the field. Lives are rescued, restored and made whole. The Liberian staff is filled with such pride as they work joyfully on their tasks, they see the big picture, that ORR helps not only individuals, but also families, and through this communities are being transformed.

Expectation and Anticipation for 2016

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 01:09:13 -0600

A word from Rebecca Pratt, President and Co-Founder of Orphan Relief and Rescue

Expectation and anticipation. These two words come to mind when I think of this new-year.

I anticipate and expect many more children to be rescued this year from a life of slavery, neglect and needless suffering. Many more kids will be restored and redeemed through the efforts of Orphan Relief and Rescue.

What never ceases to amazes me is the resilience of children once rescued and given love, hope, food and proper care.

People often ask me if the children who have endured such abuse and hardship will ever be okay emotionally. Are they ever able to get over their abuse and neglect and just be normal kids?

Many children, particularly in Benin who are orphaned or sold into slavery have been told that the gods destined them to be an orphan or a slave. They cannot change this fact, and as they are from the lowest rung of society, the children are not allowed to ever question their destiny. They have no hope for a future within this belief system, and many die at a very young age due to their despairing situations.

When children are brought into our program, we work hard to make sure they are taken care of physically, spiritually and emotionally. We cannot focus on one aspect of healing without looking at each of these other aspects of their life. The physical body is always the fastest to recover from abuse with simple nutrition and a safe, clean place to live. The more challenging aspect of an abused child is their tender spirit and emotions that have been crushed.

We have seen the most incredible results in emotional and spiritual healing occur when we introduce them to the God who created them. We share with them about this God who brought them into the world with incredible value and worth, and who loves them unconditionally. They were not destined to be used as a slave and to go through such abuse and harm at the hands of those who were supposed to protect them.

We have seen, when shown a different world view of this God of love who created them completely opposite of what they have grown up to believe, something miraculous happens. As they begin to understand that their life matters, we see brightness come into their eyes and we see that they have a renewed hope for the future. This is an incredible thing to be apart of.

In this new-year ahead we anticipate and expect many more dark eyes of despair to be turned to bright eyes of hope.

Thank you for partnering with us to make this all possible.

Legacy of Love

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 01:06:17 -0600

By Faith Tyrell, Liberia Field Team Administrator & Child Development Coordinator

At the heart of Orphan Relief and Rescue as an organization is a love for children, and the belief that each child has a value and a purpose. Our staff is made up of people from all different places and walks of life, spread across the globe from our home staff in Seattle to the field staff and partners in West Africa. Love is the cord that keeps everyone at ORR unified. We view ourselves not just as co-workers, but family. A big part of that family is the individuals in Liberia and Benin who we work alongside and who cares for the children day in and day out.

This month, one of our local partners Mother Piko saw an end to her time with Orphan Relief and Rescue and is transitioning into a role with a new organization. Mother Piko faithfully loved, served, cared for, and prayed with the children at various homes we partner with. From standing in line for hours to pay school fees and pulling all-nighters at the hospital with sick children, Mother Piko was constant in giving to others and Orphan Relief and Rescue is incredibly thankful for the time she was a part of our staff.

Mother Piko served with us for over 7 years and is an interim mother to many children. Her joyful spirit and hard work ethic is an incredible asset to any organization. Her laughter, and songs to the children will be missed. She has left a legacy of love with us here at Orphan Relief ad Rescue and we know the children, staff, and orphanage directors will miss her.

Matthew 19:19 states: ‘Honor your father and mother’, and ‘love your neighbor as yourself’. Today we honor Mother Piko as she transitions into her new season, we are blessed to know you and are so happy that you could be a part of the ORR family. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
The legacy of your love and service to the children is a legacy that will remain not only in words but actions.
As we all look forward into the New Year, it is a time not only for new beginnings, but also to reflect on our own legacies. A time to reflect on who we are and how we love. Are we living accordingly to who we are called to be? We would encourage you to seek out answers to these questions, and to enter 2016 with an intentionality and direction to leave a legacy of love wherever you go.

End It: Today and Every Day

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:47:10 -0600

Written by Genae Lako, Donor Relations and Communications

Yesterday some of you may have noticed the red X plastered across your Facebook and Twitter news feed with a #EnditMovement hash tag. Or perhaps some of you may have sported your own X for the day. Vibrantly painted on the back of your hand, the X was a symbol that represented your voice in the fight against injustice. Created by the End it Movement, February 25th is Shine a Light on Slavery day, dedicated to exposing and addressing the issue of human trafficking and modern day slavery that affects millions of people around the globe.

This morning I woke up and couldn’t help but notice the red X on my left hand. Yesterday it was drawn on bright and crisp with a red permanent marker, reminding me of the men, women, and children who are the victims of exploitation. It symbolized how I wanted to use my voice to bring awareness and to engage others on the issue. When I look down at it presently, now faded and smudged from the activities of the previous day, I can’t help but think that the symbol is actually more meaningful today.

Today that X is a reminder that we must not be silent every other day of the year.

That faded symbol is a reminder that the fight against human trafficking is not glamorous and it is not easy. Sometimes you feel worn out, you feel faded by the fight. But it’s also a reminder that every time you use your voice, you act, or engage in the issue that you bring a little more light to the darkness. Today that faded symbol reminds me that I won't give up the fight.

So my challenge to us all today is this: how are we using our voice today? How are we fighting the trafficking of men, women, and children the other 364 days of the year?

Join me in intentionally engaging on the issue, and shining a light into the darkness of modern day slavery today, and every day. Collectively, we make a difference.

Radical Transformations

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:45:22 -0600

By Rebecca Pratt, President and Co-Founder

Holding a starving baby girl weighing only 4.4 lbs as a five month old was heart wrenching. As I held this little one, named Lucresse, in my arms she was panting fast and quick shallow breaths as if at any minute she would take her last. I honestly did not know what to do. I sat down and placed my hand on her chest and began to pray. “Oh God, please help this little girl. If it be your will, spare her life and give this little one comfort and peace”. As I prayed her breathing became normal and peaceful. Once my prayer was over, her panting started up again. I sat dumbfounded, not knowing what to do next. I knew Lucresse would soon die without immediate intervention. She was starving and dehydrated.

My motherly instinct was screaming for me to rush her to the nearest hospital, but a quiet sense deep in my heart that I felt was God’s quiet voice, was guiding me to do the very opposite.

This encounter happened in Oct. of 2013 in a village in Benin where we had just begun our anti trafficking efforts in the rural areas where the life of a child had no real value. Mothers were selling their children for a mere 20 dollars due to poverty and not having the means to feed all their children. Selling their children so that they could have relief from feeding and caring for an extra mouth became a way of life for these villagers. This was just a way of survival.
In a meeting where I was sharing with a group of mothers why they should not traffic their children, this tiny baby girl caught my attention.

No one seemed alarmed by this little one’s condition, and in their mind if this baby died due to her mother working in the fields all day and only feeding her one time each night, well it was simply the will of the gods that destined this child to die. In their minds her death would not have anything to do with a negligent mother.

With a heavy heart that evening a plan came to mind to task one of our female anti trafficking team members to oversee Lucresse’s health, along with this little one’s mother. She was also tasked to teach all the women in this area how to take care of their babies and to share about the value of life.
Lucresse and her mother had a four-week stay in the hospital getting her up to eight pounds, and hours of oversight by our team member. With every village mother watching this situation extensively, women were getting trained on how to take care of their babies. Lucresse was weighed in front of the villagers weekly, and extensive teachings were given to all the mothers of the village on how to take care of their babies and how to help each other to take care of their little ones.

Fast forward to this month in January of 2016. To my shock and amazement just two year’s later we are seeing a huge culture shift due to our anti-trafficking and micro-loans in this village. Not only have we been able to stop the trafficking of children, given over 80 women micro-loans so they can begin to feed their own children, but we are also now seeing mothers caring for their young ones. Sitting and listening to these ladies testimonies of their huge life transformations is unbelievable.

On this recent visit to Benin, the mothers were very eager to tell us how thankful they were. With a sense of pride they presented Lucresse to me to show me how well she was doing. In this same room, where Lucresse was once dying and no one was alarmed, I was watching women eager to show us how much they have changed and how they have come to understand that their children are important.

It is beautiful to be apart of these huge transformational stories. If you give and pray for these efforts, these are your success stories as well. We are so grateful for each of your partnerships.

When the Impossible is Possible

Fri, 26 Feb 2016 13:39:46 -0600

Written by Genae Lako, Donor Relations and Communications

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month, a time that is meant to bring about awareness of the current crisis facing our world in the form of slavery. This issue, particularly the trafficking of children, has grown dramatically over the last decade.

Several years ago, Orphan Relief and Rescue was working to provide rescue and aftercare for children rescued from slavery, but it became apparent that we needed to do more. Little did we know that the communities ORR was working in were already considered one of the epicenters for trafficking children from and through in West Africa.

In Benin, there are over 40,000 children thought to be victims of trafficking at any given time. The majority of the victims are from the northern regions of Benin where ORR is involved, and many are trafficked through these regions from other countries en route to Nigeria, where they are then sent to other countries near and far. One of the biggest issues facing human trafficking is not simply how to rescue and care for children who have been forced into a life of abuse and slavery, but how to curb the trafficking to begin with. How to do you confront a problem of this magnitude?

Orphan Relief and Rescue developed our Anti-Trafficking Initiative in an effort to understand and address the roots of the problem, the “why’s” of children being trafficked from the rural communities of Benin. What we found was a persistent problem in perception of the value of a child’s life, which was then reinforced and perpetuated by a system of poverty, lack of opportunity, and education.

We immediately started working with local community leaders to identify children who were at risk of trafficking, and created a community development plan that aimed to tackle the problems of poverty. Since this time, we have seen entire villages transformed and the numbers of children being trafficked come to an abrupt stop.

I am reminded by the words of Francis of Assisi who said, “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible; and suddenly you’re doing the impossible.”

We know that the trafficking of innocent children in West Africa can end. We know there is more work to be done, and we know that we can’t do it alone. Consider joining us today and making your voice count in the fight against child trafficking.

Small Beginnings

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:01:40 -0600

Few things start off big. Most often something begins small and experiences growth throughout a gradual process. The process is often slow, painful, unpredictable, yet beautifully unique.

The air was hot and my shirt stuck to my back as we walked down the dirt road through a village. I was visiting Benin as a part of the Orphan Relief and Rescue Staff for the first time, my mission for our time there was to offer practical support to our local Anti-Trafficking Team, and further develop the organization’s long term strategy for addressing the overwhelming need in child servitude and slavery.

A faint sound of laughter could be heard in the distance, but my heart was heavy. The previous day a member of our anti-trafficking team had informed us that a young boy, age seven, was going to be sold into slavery as a laborer on a farm in Nigeria. The young boy’s mother was desperate for help, and asked if we could intervene. I was unsure what to expect, and the laughter I heard in my ears was a cruel reminder of what could be stolen from this boy.

Nervously I approached the small red dirt hut. A crowd of locals had gathered behind us to see what we were doing in their small, modest community. Half of our team met with the parents of the small boy, while the others went to converse with the small multitude of on-lookers. As the mother looked on with a pain in her eyes, the father explained the severity of the situation. “I do not want to send him to Nigeria, but if he is here there is nothing for him to eat. There he will eat, and maybe if he works very hard we will receive some money at the year’s end to help feed his brothers.” After a half an hour of conversation and what felt like a liter of sweat dripping down my back, it was agreed that the boy would not be sold off to Nigeria, but would enter our Intervention Project. As a participant in this program the fees associated with education and two meals a day would be provided for the boy. The relief on the seven year olds face was evident as he smiled widely and high-fived me.

As we began to leave the village our team was made aware of yet another desperate situation in the community. A young girl, no older than twelve was about to be taken back to Nigeria where she was forced to work long days with no pay and no reprieve. No doubt she also suffered serious abuse at the hands of her “employers”.

This girl, desperate to stay in Benin, had no living parents; with no one to care for her a life of slavery was the only option. My emotions froze over. No amount of education, awareness, or experience can prepare you for the emotional shock of hopelessness and the overwhelming problem of trafficking.

A solution was needed today, but we also knew her situation was not unique.

After a few hours on the back of a motorbike maneuvering through busy streets of pull-carts and street meat vendors we found a comfortable, safe, and vacant housing option. Within the next 24 hours, we had a home rented that would be used as a safe home, a caretaker hired, and a shopping list of items needed to turn the apartment into a home. Meetings with the social welfare office were scheduled, and for a moment I felt hope. Transformation, however small, was taking place.

It was a small beginning, but there I stood, looking into the eyes of a young girl who would never again be forced into a foreign land to be a slave. And now she is safe, and a world of opportunity and hope awaits her. These stories are just a drop in the bucket of what needs to happen in Benin to see the end of child-trafficking – but they represent the next step of the process that will transform Benin and bring freedom to tens of thousands of children.

*****

Orphan Relief and Rescue is working to bring an end to Child Trafficking in Benin through a comprehensive approach to the issue. We work in Rescue, Restoration, Intervention, and Empowerment. Consider partnering with us through a monthly gift to see the lives of children in Benin transformed.

Written by Stefan Lako, Programs Director for Orphan Relief and Rescue

Pure Hearts

Sun, 31 Jan 2016 23:19:04 -0600

By Faith Tyrrell, Liberia Field Staff Administrator & Child Development Coordinator

Every week the staff at Orphan Relief and Rescue is so blessed with the opportunity to influence the children, youth and young adults of Liberia. Through our child development program the children are taught about the Love of God, and how precious they are, as well as have the opportunities to be creative and express themselves through songs, games, crafts and activities.

In January I put a challenge out to the girls to pick a word, a scripture, or a prayer that they can focus on this year as we start out the New Year. The girls spent the next little while searching through scriptures to find their word or prayer. Each one took their own time and wrote down what they desired to see or receive this year. We spent the rest of the time talking about what they wrote down about hopes for the next year.

I was so impressed as I sat and listened to each one speak. Not only did they write it out, but also they spoke it out loud. Our words have so much power. As the girls spoke, it was evident that their pure hearts were coming through. Not one of the girls asked for anything self-centered or for objects to keep them happy. Many of them asked for wisdom, understanding, self-control and that God would give them long life.

I was so encouraged and challenged as I listened to the girls. They wanted to improve themselves more than improve the situations that they are facing. I pray that they receive all they are praying for, believing and speaking out loud for this year. May this year continue to be a year that we stop focusing on what will make us happy, but how we can better ourselves and help others.

A Joyful Noise

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 09:46:00 -0600

By Debbie Dezutter, Orphan Relief and Rescue Liberia Field Team Coordinator

Life is getting even more musical at one of our orphanage homes in Liberia! The children at this orphanage in particular have always loved singing and dancing, they have both a choir and cultural dance troop that perform often! Not only do they love the musical arts but they are also very talented – having received multiple invitations to perform at the United States Embassy in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. In addition to the usual song and dance, over the last few months there is a new kind of music coming from inside their fence— trumpets!

A local organization called Brass for Africa has partnered with us to teach the children how to play brass musical instruments like trumpets.

The lessons include how to read music, play, and how to care for and maintain the instruments. They started learning just a few months ago and already have made great progress. Each week before their bandleader arrives the children set out their instruments to carefully clean and prepare them for practice. I am privileged to listen to them learn and play their music with such pride.

Through their brass band they are also spreading joy throughout the community. It is our hope that they will continue to spread this love of music by starting a music-based program within the community school that runs out of the orphanage property. In addition to the valuable skill of playing an instrument, children are also learning the responsibility of caring for their belongings.

These children truly are making a joyful noise; we wish you could hear it for yourselves!