I don’t know what it is, but almost all little girls love having tea parties.  Maybe it’s the flowery cups, or the tea filled with mostly sugar, or the yummy cookies served on the saucers, or getting dressed up and wearing funny hats, or just being together with other little girls.  Well as it turns out it is not only little American girls who love tea parties, but precious little Ugandan ones too.

 On Saturday, November 20th 2010, we got all the toddler and preschool little girls dressed up in dresses and bows in their hair and took them to their very own tea party.   

At first, they were mostly excited about the “sweeties” that were sitting on each of their plates…which were just fruit snacks.  Then as we began to pour the tea and add sugar and milk, they got a little more intrigued about what was inside the cup as well.

Once the tea had cooled, all the girls began to dive into the tea, sweeties, and cookies handed to them.  The cutest part was that several of the girls tried to drink their tea using their spoon and would drink just one spoonful at a time.  Such the ladies trying not to make a mess!

When the teapots had been drained and every last crumb stuffed into mouths, we sent the girls to the living room to watch a Barbie movie.

And since no girly day is complete without some form of beauty treatment we decided to give the girls a hair conditioning treatment using none other than avocadoes.

One by one we took them into the bathroom and covered their hair in this green mess.  The best part was once all the girls were done there were about 12 little green heads sitting in the living room watching Barbie.

All little girls deserve a day where no boys are allowed and they get to do all things girly.  This day was not only a treat to the sweet little girls, but to us adults as well. 

Written By Christy Haston ( Volunteer Nov. 2010)

Amani has had over 300+ volunteers not including naming individuals from visiting teams which brings the numbers to well over 500. They have been from all walks of life and from all over the globe. They come in pairs, groups, singles, couples, families and all have one focus and one theme in mind. To come and hold babies and help Amani in any way they can.
(See archives of volunteers since inception)
In the 7 years since we opened our doors, we have had many volunteers that have returned 2,3 even 4 times, because they just can’t get enough. 12 of our volunteers have fostered or adopted children from us or have gone home and convinced family members to adopt a child or two from Amani.
(See volunteers who have adopted)
Amani Baby Cottage has also served as a catalyst for many organizations that have started as a direct result of a volunteer coming to spend time helping us. These valued volunteers felt the need to further their work and founded other NGO’s:

Fay Giroud:Founder: http://toAfricawithLove.org
Holly Mizell Pheni: Founder and Co-Director: www.ourownhome.org
Emily Henderson/Emily Worrall: Co-Founders: www.ekisa.org
Kelsey Neilsen: www.bringthemhomejinja.blogspot.com
Annie Duguid: Administrator Watoto Bulrushes: www.watoto.com
Joe & Melissa Terranova: http://tukula.org
Renee Bach: http://www.servinghischildren.org
Katie Davis: http://amazima.org
Ruth Wertheimeir: http://lightgivesheat.org Started Suubi Bead Ministry with Ugandan woman to generate income for school fees now a part of the Light Gives Heat Ministry.

We feel honored to have been an integral part of these important ministries. We know that God moves in the hearts of His people and you never know the challenge he will lay before you. We want to take a moment to thank each and everyone of these precious souls who though started at Amani have gone on and begun other ministries to continue the work God has called all of us to do. Thank you for the work that you participated in while here at Amani. Thank you for answering the call and returning to begin all these other ministries that serve to further the work for the Kingdom. THANK YOU!!

This September, we celebrated seven years at Amani Baby Cottage, and, with it, the change in the lives of the two hundred and fifty three children that have come through our doors. More than that, we realized, we’re celebrating the change that seven years has wrought in us – in all of us. A missionary in Kampala from Southern California recently said, “I need Africa more than Africa needs me.”

As those who came burdened to meet the needs of the Ugandan people, we have watched our hearts transform, as we have begun to take on the burden of loving as Jesus would have us. We’ve been disillusioned. We’ve been elated. We’ve been discouraged. We’ve wept for joy at what God is doing. Over the years, we’ve been blessed to share the load at Amani with over 350 + volunteers, some of whom have started organizations here. We have had many wonderful Ugandan ladies and a few men to join with us here for the common goal.

In our seventh year as Amani, we’re in the process of purchasing our home and property from funds raised for that purpose. We are currently housing 53 children, and are in the process of adopting or fostering out 10 children.  Since inception,  we’ve had 253 children admitted, 39 locally fostered, 65 internationally fostered or adopted and 50 re-united with their Ugandan families. We’ve transferred 21 children to other facilities, and struggled through having 22 children pass, while with us.

God has been extremely good to us and blessed us in many ways. We are forever thankful to Him for Amani and for giving us the strength, grace and fortitude to live in this country and care for these precious children.

We are thankful for these last 7 years and would love for you to celebrate with us and we continue on serving here where He has called us to serve.

Thank you for your support and your prayers and your encouragements through the years. May it always be so….

Please go to our Photo page to see all the rest of the party pictures

Free digital slideshow made with Smilebox

Click to Play
 to be redirected to smilebox.com to view images and videos from our “7th BIRTHDAY” celebration at Amani.

Amani has just celebrated it’s 7th Birthday!

Dear Faithful Family, Friends and Supporters;

I have always felt God’s leading in my life here in Uganda. When he called me here over 5 years ago, I had no idea for how long or how it would impact my life and the lives of others here. I hung out my fleece and asked God to reveal His perfect will for me and He did. Most assuredly, He spoke to me in a way, He never had before. I was in it for the long haul no matter how long. These last 5 years, I have had NO idea when or if he would change that or call me back or on to the next mission. I have always been willing to be here for as long as He desired or for the rest of my days.God, it has finally revealed that time frame to me.

With fear and trepidation and a perfect peace that passes all understand I will be leaving Uganda January 2011.  I am certain that God is saying “Go Home”. I have no certainties, however, about where He is leading me next or when or how, or even what I will do when I go back home.  I only know that when He speaks, I try to listen.

I will be leaving half my heart here in Uganda at Amani Baby Cottage. This has been my life for over 5 years. I remain devoted and dedicated to Amani though I will be gone from them.

Amani will be without a Nurse when I leave in January and so if anyone is interested or you know of someone who might be interested in coming on long term as the nurse, please send an email to volamani@yahoo.com and put Nurse At Amani and Executive Director on the subject line. We would love to have someone lined up to be here a month before I leave which means the first week of December. That will give me ample time to train someone to take over when I leave.

Don’t delay. Get your email out today!! Thank you and may God richly bless your walk with HIM!!

In His Service;

Siouxanne Mease RN

Medical Director/Amani Baby Cottagre

Click Here to be redirected to smilebox.com to view images and videos from our “Day of Love” celebration at Amani.

Each staff member and volunteer drew a name out of a hat and then gave a gift to the friend whose name they drew. We enjoyed the gift of giving and receiving, but most importantly the gift of love and friendship.

For the sake of our children we have tried to keep their personal stories and struggles as confidential as possible. Recently, a story has been been posted on the internet that refers to a child from our home.  We respect the privacy of our adoptive families, and have asked his family permission to give you an update on Ephraim Francis MCourtney (as his new family has named him) and let them tell you how he is doing since becoming part of their family.

This blog post is from March 19th of this year.

http://fromglory2glory.blogspot.com/2010/03/some-have-asked.html

We are so thankful to this beautiful family who has opened their hearts and home to Ephraim. We know that issues of abandonment and abuse are very sensitive topics, and if you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to call us. Danyne Randolph Bharj 011 256 772 544 199 (outside Uganda)  0772 544 199 (while in Uganda)