Our adoption agency is seeing an increase in the number of significantly malnourished babies coming in to their partner orphanages. Our agency has a transitional home in Ethiopia where children/babies chosen to be adopted are taken in and cared for until the parents can travel to get them. Many of the babies can not be referred to parents until they are healthy. This was our daughter's story. Our agency cared for her for 3 months before she was well enough to be referred to us. That entire time, America World was paying for our child's care - and the care and restoration of many many more.
Often, these babies tummies are suffering from Giardia or other illnesses on top of the malnutrition. And the malnutrition alone can be severe. Just south of Addis Ababa is a region hardest hit by the current famine. We are expecting to see many severely malnourished babies coming in to the orphanages as a result of this. For these reasons, our agency is hoping to build up a supply of 2 special kinds of formula which have a molecular structure that alloww babies to digest the formula with great ease, put on the necessary weight and take in the nutrients for which they are starving. But our agency can not take on this task without donations of this formula and then sending that formula over with traveling families who are headed to Ethiopia to get their children and can take extra suitcases of this formula.
Our family will be headed to Ethiopia at some point this summer (Lord willing!) and there are other families in our area who will also be traveling soon. So we are currently accepting any shipments of these 2 formulas that are donated so that we can pack them up and take them to these precious orphaned babies. We are asking for any donations of these formulas to be shipped to our home by June 1 so we know how much we have to pack for our trip and how much we need to get to other families traveling who can help us deliver the donations to the transitional home in Ethiopia.
The 2 formulas we need to send are called Nutramigen and Alimentum Powder Formula. They can be found at Wal-Mart or HEB - BUT since you are going to have to ship them to me from where you are, the best way to do this is to go to www.amazon.com to purchase the formula and then ship the formula directly to me through Amazon. Someone told me that Amazon has the best price. We need the powder form - NOT the liquid as the liquid needs to be kept refrigerated once opened AND it is too heavy to fill our luggage with. It is usually around $27 a can. It takes 2 cans to feed one baby for a week. These formulas are broken down so that weak, malnourished babies can digest it and get the nutrients they need. These formulas will save lives!
Our mailing address is: Cindy Foote, 3531 Hilldale Point, San Antonio, TX 78261. Just let me know if/when you are shipping them so I can be on the lookout.
My deepest thanks!
Humbly,
Cindy
9 comments:
i might not have money to send cases and cases, but i have networks and people that i am working to help your sweet one and others.... diapers.com has free shipping and discounts for those of us wanting to send some your way- and craigslist.org in many cities is where parents post their extra cans- so help the footes and check out those links too. :)
The Babies R Us website has the 16 oz. cans for about $25.50 with free shipping on orders over $100!
Cindy,
Has anyone tried to contact Enfamil to see if they would just donate some? Mead Johnson & Company owns Enfamil....
They have given doctors tons of 'free samples' and you can go on their website and request a free sample coupon and take it to your pedi for a free sample. Why wouldn't they donate some of those to these children who really need it?
If you need me to write a letter or call them, let me know...I don't mind.
Also, can you set up a place online where people can donate? I would love to tell people to donate, but hesitate to give them your physical address. Just a thought.
Meridith
Cindy, Billy and Libby-
Congratulations to the three of you on your referral! It is so awesome to know that you are that much closer to your daughter.
Danielle and I have been following your story to Aria and will continue to do so. We are blessed to have been able to get to know you through adoption, and your little Libby is really growing up. She is as beautiful as ever.
Continued Blessings to all of you.
Lynn Hough
Hi! I have followed your blog for a while now . . . . followed the adoption of Libby as well. My husband and I met you at Student Life in 2006 in AL. I am so excited that we will be able to help in some way as we have a special place in our hearts for adoption. I plan to place an order next week and have it shipped to your house.
God Bless!!
I've seen your name on the NAG list for a while and then saw the referral. We are now on the NAG list top 10 (smile) and can relate to the formula need. I will try to get some to you...you might be taking it for our daughter. Only God knows. Thank you!
One case of 6 should arrive between May 1st-6th from Amazon.
Take care!
Angela
Ok, its me again. We have some people in our church that would like to help. In addition to the case that we just ordered, we may be ordering 2 more cases. Do you have enough room for that? Let me know.
Angela
Angela!
YES YES!! We have other people who can also help take it over. There is a Visiting Orphans team that leaves San Antonio in June. And there is another family in Houston I can have take some for us if we can't fit it all in our own luggage! We'll make it work! Thank you! - Cindy
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