Providing Clean Water In Haiti Following the massive 2010 earthquake in Haiti we felt compelled to help in some way that would have a lasting benefit to the people. Many NGOs entered the country to help with immediate supplies. Some of the funds that people sent from all over the globe were put to very good use. Other funds were squandered and we have all seen stories about this in the news. We were very fortunate to partner with colleagues in Haiti that have been ministering in this country for over 25 years providing medical support, school construction, drilling wells and more to villages throughout the country. We were able to channel the funds into the well drilling program which helped to drill two wells in the Villages of Savanette and Bonabite. The following photos show the people in these villages at the wells. We are excited about this since it has a long term benefit to the people and will significantly lessen the proliferation of disease in these areas.

Hello friends, this is Launa giving a Joy Bag Update: As many of you know, we have had the privilege of doing "Joy Bags" now for almost 10 years. It was sort of my brain child right after our country sent troops into Afghanistan. That first endeavor, which involved collecting toys, art supplies, school supplies and letters from U.S. school children was extraordinary. We were also able to partner with Ohio penitentiaries to make quilts, pillows, wooden toys and puzzles which were delivered by our troops in hand-decorated paper shopping bags to people in the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan. Once I saw how these bags blessed the vulnerable people there, I wanted to continue the project. This time, I decided to make the bags drawstring and crafted from fabric. This way the recipient could reuse their Joy Bag for anything that they wanted once the supplies ran out. Since that initial outreach in Afghanistan, we have done Joy Bag outreaches in Syria, India, Romania, Zambia and in the United States. This month, we were also able to do a special Christmas outreach in the Amazon jungle of Peru. This is the one that I'd like to share today as it has significant importance to me. Joy Bag Outreach in Poyeni, Peru:

This is Lourdes, she led the outreach to her own people, the Ashaninkas in her home village, Poyeni, in a remote region of the Peruvian Amazon. This woman is so special to me because I have known her since she was a girl who lived in a children's home outside Lima. This was the first org. that I ever produced and sold Poetry Art to aid and help support. She and other Ashaninka children were housed in "Camino de Vida" home to protect them from the guerilla terrorist organization, the Sendera Luminoso as well as to educated and rear them properly. She returned to Poyeni with Joy Bags and lots of love for the children of her village.

Feliz Navidad

I traveled to this village myself in the mid-1990's and ministered to the parents of these children who were themselves children at that time!

So many children, how beautiful.

We would like to return to Poyeni to do another Christmas outreach next year and/or perhaps a summer art camp. If you would like to participate in Project:Joy Bags, please inquire. We could use financial donations and people to sew the cloth bags. We do ask that no supplies be sent as we have found over the years that it is more viable to purchase supplies within the country we serve, rather than pay exorbitant amounts of "tariffs" to ship contents to different countries. Contact me, Launa Stan at Lstan@globalimpactworldrelief.org Don't forget, all gifts are tax deductible and you will receive a receipt. I will do my utmost to do another couple of Joy Bag updates soon. One will be at a senior center in the United States and the other will be from India. Have a blessed Christmas!

Haiti Fresh Water Well

Recently we were able to provide funds in the amount of $4k to help drill a well for fresh water for a region north of Port-Au-Prince in Haiti. Providing a well that delivers fresh water is a huge help to the people since they will no longer get drinking water or cooking water from a contaminated, sewage filled river or stream. These wells have a dramatic impact on improving the overall health of the people. Without the wells they are plagued with diseases.

Check back soon for more details and photographs.

Victoria Orphanage Outreach

On June 13 we did another outreach at an orphanage in the town of Victoria, Romania which is approximately 72 kilometers from Sibiu. The section of the orphanage that we visited was the boys section which included boys from six years old to 18 years old. This appeared to be very well run and clean. One of the staff leaders was very nice and hospitable. We delivered fruit, candies, and assorted treats for the boys. We did not take photos at this facility since it is state run and it is customary not to photograph in these institutions. This was not a problem for us since we just wanted to bless the boys.

Arpasu de Sus Orphanage Outreach

This photo was taken at the orphanage in Arpasu de Sus, Romania. This town is appr. 56 kilometers from Sibiu. On Sunday, June 12 we had the privilege of delivering 27 Joybags to the boys. Most all of these boys were without major problems and are healthy. This is a private Christian orphanage that is very clean and a nice facility. They do have the usual challenge of raising enough operating funds ongoing.