Restoring Dignity December 1st, 2012

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

(Jesus, Matthew 25:35-36,40)

****BEFORE & AFTER VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE****

THE PROBLEM:

After our last Restoring Dignity October 2012 we became aware of another family from Burma, in a similar situation as the family we previously assisted.  This family of seven arrived in the United States three years ago, and has since had many unfortunate events and obstacles that have prevented them from obtaining their basic needs.  The father is severely disabled, making it impossible for him to work, and the mother has had difficulty finding employment.  Currently, she is working full-time, but with only her income, the family is caught in a cycle of trying to survive, instead of being able to thrive.  After assessing their apartment, it became very apparent that this family has many needs, including the need for storage and organizing for so many people living together in such small quarters.  There are five daughters in this family, ages 4, 6, 9, 12, and 16, and they are extremely bright- the older ones can speak and read English, after just being in the U.S. a few years.  This family needs help cleaning, as well as help in being taught how to clean. They also need basic household items, to make life much easier, especially with seven people living in a two-bedroom apartment.  Their carpet was recently removed, to help control the bed bug infestation that has been plaguing Omaha in the past few years- however, there is still work that needs to be done as far as steaming around corners, and teaching the family how to vacuum cracks and crevices.  There is a list posted towards the bottom of this page that lays out specific items that they are in need of.  Join us as we strive to meet their basic needs and bless this family!
THE PICTURES:

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THE SOLUTION:

On the weekend of December 1st, 2012, we are going to work together as a community to teach this family how to maintain a clean and healthy environment in their apartment. In addition, we are going to provide them with their basic needs.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Kitchen:

• Microwave (theirs is broken)
• Rice maker (theirs is only half-working, and since rice is the main staple of their diet, this is a HUGE need)
• Knives (for cutting and dicing)
• Tupperware (to keep bugs out of the food)
• Plates
• Silverware
• Drawer liners
• Garbage bags

Living Room:

• Pole lamp (with lightbulbs)
• Vacuum/shop-vac (to vacuum the edges of the room, which will help cut down on the bed bugs)
• Love seat/couch
• Paper organizer (for bills)
• Toys (there are NO toys for the 4,6, and 9 year old girls)
• Books
• Coat hooks
• Shoe organizer
• (2) sets of curtains
• (5) curtain rods
• Lightbulbs
• Pictures and other decorations to make the apartment feel warm and inviting

Bathroom:

• Toothbrushes
• Hair brushes
• Make-up brushes (request from the 12 year old)
• Loofahs
• Over-the-toilet organizer (this would make a HUGE difference in their life)
• Shower curtain and liner
• toilet paper
• feminine pads
• deodorant
• hand soap
• make-up and other “girly” items, like hair ties, lip gloss, fingernail polish, etc.

Bedrooms:

• (2) bunk beds (this would SIGNIFICANTLY improve their life)
• (2) (4) twin mattresses (their current mattresses are in horrible condition, the springs are sticking up, and they are very uncomfortable)
• (1) queen or full size mattress and box springs
• plastic bed coverings (for bed bug control)
• plastic pillow coverings (for bed bug control)
• (8) new pillows (Walmart had them for $2.50/each last week, which is a decent price)
• Sheets (twin, full, queen)
• Comforters (twin, full, queen)
• Pillow cases
• “Rock star” decorations (per the 12 year old’s request)
• (1) (2) dresser (the family stores their clothes in cardboard boxes and plastic totes)

Cleaning Supplies:

• bleach
• dish soap
• degreaser
• windex
• toilet bowl cleaner
• wood floor cleaner and maintainer
• cleanings rags
• sponges
• spray bottle (to put bleach solution in)
• cleaning gloves (20-30 pair of the latex-free gloves)
• paper towels

DROP-OFF:

All items can be dropped off at:

3505 Hawthorne Avenue Omaha, NE, 68131

If no one is home, please leave the items on the porch. We sort all of our donations here, and then transfer them to the family’s house on the weekend of action. Directions: Go to 38th and Cuming Street, turn going North. Drive two blocks, then take a right (going East). House is 2 blocks East on Hawthorne Avenue, on the right. Cream house with lion statues on the porch.

SCHEDULE OF THE WEEKEND:

Saturday, December 1st, 2012

10:00am-7:00pm

clean, organize, decorate

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

• Donate items:

We couldn’t do these projects without our donors! They are the heart of these projects! Please let me know what you can donate, and I will take it off of the list above. If someone would like to “adopt” a member of this family or a room in the apartment, by fulfilling the donations needs for that area, let me know. Otherwise, if you have any items in your house that you no longer need or use, please consider donating it to these projects. Your donations truly do make a direct impact on families in need.

• Volunteer:

For this project, we need a minimum of 15 volunteers, ideally 20 volunteers, spaced out over the course of the day. Our volunteers will clean, organize, steam bed bugs in mattresses and in corners, and decorate. The more volunteers, the faster we can accomplish our goals. We would love to have you join our team!

• Spread the word:

Tell your friends and family about this project! They might have an extra lamp or a bunk bed frame that is no longer used. Re-post this blog on your facebook, or email it. The more people that know about these projects, the more donations and volunteers.

HOW TO GET SIGNED UP:

You can call, text, email, or facebook Hannah or Sunday, to either donate supplies, volunteer to help, or BOTH! We will give in depth directions to the family’s apartment in North Omaha, to all volunteers who contact us. We appreciate each and every one of you so much! Let’s all work together to bless this family and restore dignity and hope to their life.

Here’s our contact information:

Before & After Video