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March 15, 2013
   

 

   

 

      

FFCC RETURNS FROM TANZANIA!

 

"Philip, for the first time in the history of Nkungi Village, the weak are caring for the strong!" That was the sentiment from Nallilah, the director of Charedeleco, the organization that cares for those in Nkungi and surrounding villages that suffer the effects of leprosy.

 

Last year, FFCC presented the lepers of Charedeleco with a beautiful tractor, plow, and customized trailer to provide a means of transportation and a way for them to generate income by plowing not just fields for their own crops, but also those fields of villagers who were interested in paying them for their services. A year later, they are seeing the fruit of this gift both literally and figuratively- "The weak are caring for the strong!"

 

This was just one way in which FFCC was affirmed for the projects and friendships we've made these last 15 trips. Regional Commissioner Mabidi credited his partnership with FFCC as the reason he was recently promoted to Governor over the Simiyu Region. We are now embarking on a new project together to build our second Children's Community Center. This Center will benefit the street kids in the town of Bariadi, which is in RC Mabiti's new region. Our first center in Singida Town continues to feed and care for hundreds of needy children each day.

 

The Hadzabe, a remote tribe in Tanzania, thanked us for helping them to become visible to a country to which they have been invisible. Because of our efforts to engage neighboring villages and the local government with the issues that the Hadzabe have struggled with, they are now building relationships with these people and receiving much needed support.

 

What else did our team accomplish this trip-

 

With the organization, Kids Around the World, we built a beautiful playground for the children of Nkungi Primary School.

 

With the film crew of Badcab Productions, we began the filming of a documentary on the work of FFCC in Tanzania.

 

We brought the Nkungi Water Filter Project (providing every family with a filter) down the home stretch. We will celebrate its completion with the Prime Minister in June of this year.

 

And so much more...

 

Join us this Sunday, March 17th at 5 pm for our Tanzania trip reunion. We will share more stories & testimonies of our Tanzania adventure. For details & directions, contact Tina Socha at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

 

 


    
196,000 MEALS FOR HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS AND FAMILIES IN HAITI! 

  

This past weekend, six San Diego FFCC volunteers traveled to Pompton Plains, New Jersey to join a thousand of their community volunteers to package 196,000 meals. This was the First Reformed Church of Pequannock's second food packaging event with FFCC. Last year they sponsored an event for families impacted by Hurricane Irene. This year they were able to triple the size of their event which was held in the local middle school gymnasium.

 

Music played, children decorated boxes, and nutritious meals were assembled for families struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, as well as for needy families in Haiti. The director of the New Jersey Food Bank attended the event and she expressed her gratitude for the support that was being given to these families. The Food Bank will be the one to distribute the meals. FFCC was able to tour some of the areas devastated by the Hurricane. The extent of the damage is overwhelming!

 

There is the possibility of another event in New Jersey in May to continue this help. Keep an eye on our website for details. We will let you know if the event comes together.

 

 
helping hand 

YOU CAN HELP!

    We're working with three families that have housing needs that are critical.  In all cases, these families have school age children that have spent time in homeless shelters. They are starting over and need a lot of support.   FFCC  and supporters from local schools have been able to provide furnishings, groceries, gas gift cards, and hope.  But, we're finding that more support is needed.

     

     
    Family N- has fallen behind on rent and has a van and washing machine that needs repair.  Mom is going to work on the city bus and it adds an extra four hours to each work day.  Dad has been very ill and medical benefits didn't cover his treatments.  He is not currently working.  They have three teenaged children.
      
    Family S- a single Mom with six children.  They fled a domestic abuse situation and there is no financial support coming from anything other than Mom's minimum wage job.  The children are very happy in our schools, but there are many expenses not being covered without the help of our network.
     
    Family SS-  a single Mom with two teens.  They have been homeless for many years now and also left a domestic abuser.  They finally qualified for subsidized housing and need some furnishings and volunteers to help move a few larger items like a queen boxspring, bookshelf, etc.   FFCC was able to provide payment for overdue storage fees so they could keep some prized possessions before they went to auction.
      
    All of these families are very appreciative for Friends & Family Community Connection and they're putting forth great effort to make life better for their children.   Please join us in ongoing support. We only need a few more things to furnish their homes, but utilities and rent expenses are due. If you can provide a monetary donation, or volunteer to help with moving household items please contact Becky at [email protected]
      
    AND
     

    FFCC is looking for a couple of volunteers to help on Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.  to pick up donated food in the Miramar area for families in need.  Contact Becky Palenske if you can help- [email protected].

     

     

     

  
            
 
SPRING BREAK IN HAITI!
 

Off we go again, this time to Haiti to continue our work with the Haitian people as they strive to move their country forward after the earthquake of 2010. With PUSD celebrating Spring Break from March 23 - 31, we are taking eleven high school students representing six different high schools, three college students, and three of us who are out of school to provide help and encouragement. We will be collaborating with local and national government officials as well as working with the local community of Gressier to accomplish the different projects.

 

Our focus will be to continue the building of a home for abandoned and orphaned children called Shepherd's House. The girl's dormitory is currently being constructed and will provide housing for 100 young girls. There are 12 children currently living on-site at Shepherd's House and there will be 200 children when the facilities are completed.

 

Our team will also be installing water filters; continuing our support of Aviation, the tent city in Port au Prince and making preparations for the medical team that FFCC will bring in April.

 

If you would like to receive email updates from our team while we are in Haiti, please contact Steve Socha at [email protected] and he will add you to the distribution list. We will appreciate your thoughts and prayers!

 

 

 

 

  
In This Issue
FFCC Returns from TZ!
196,000 Meals!
You Can Help!
Spring Break in Haiti!
Donate
Any food can find
You make a difference!
Thank you so much for your gifts of time, talent, and financial support!
  
 
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Upcoming Events at a Glance  

 

Haiti #14 March team, Family Send-off Potluck                                       March 16  5 pm

Tanzania #15 Team Reunion Potluck- All are welcome!                          March 17  5 pm

Haiti #15 April Medical Team Meeting                                                     March 18  6:30 pm

June Tanzania #16 Team Meeting                                                           March 19  6:30 pm

Haiti Team #14 Haiti bound!                                                                   March 22 - 31

Senior Outreach (SD Salvation Army, 825 7th Ave. SD 92101)                 March 26  9:00 am

**For information on any of these events, contact Tina Socha at [email protected]**

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UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DATES (2012-2013) 

Haiti Trip #14 March 2013 (Spring Break)                          March 22-March 31, 2013

Haiti Trip #15 April 2013 (Medical Focus)                          April 19-28, 2013

Tanzania Trip #16 June/July 2013                                     June 17- July 4, 2013

Haiti Trip #16 November 2013                                          November 1-November 9, 2013

 

For information regarding traveling with FFCC, please contact Tina Socha at [email protected]

 

 
Contact Information
FFCC Director
Phil Harris
Friends & Family Community Connection
12463 Rancho Bernardo Road, PMB 158
San Diego, California  92128
858-204-9643,
Nonprofit 501(c)3, Federal Tax Identification 75-3057954