The orphan asks why war?

And when the girl-child that was buried alive is asked

For what sin she was slain,

And when the pages are laid open,

And when the sky is torn away,

And when hell is lighted,

And when the Garden is brought nigh,

(Then) every soul will know what it hath made ready.

Quran Surah AT-TAKWIR (THE OVERTHROWING)

http://quran.com/81/8-9

I have work 55-60 hours a week to save money to cover the adoption expenses... Help me to bring my son home! Most agencies do not even advertise children over the age of four years old as people generally want very young children. Kabaale is old enough to go to kindergarten and people already think he's "too old"... he has a 1% chance to find a home through adoption. Let's make it 100%!

I have learned a lot about third world living. How life revolves around basic needs most days, how to use materials from the forest to create just about anything, and how to even use a machete to plant tomatoes. (yes…a machete). But I wasn’t prepared for the hard knocks life of trying to raise chickens. The chickens here are stealth, can actually fly, and I swear they have learned their moves from Jackie Chan himself. And all I want are fresh eggs!

We embarked on building a chicken coop from scratch. Bright eyed and head full of grandiose ideas…we set into the forest to scour for wood and thatching to create this chateau of great proportions. During the construction process, we gathered the unsolicited opinions of about 28 African neighbors (they thought it was crazy for a white person to want to build a home for chickens…all chicken run free here…and what a waste of money!?!). Did I mention the “free range” chickens here poop on EVERYTHNG? We needed a coop…no question. ☺

After a couple of weeks, it was completed! And what a coop it was! Beautiful with all the amenities a chicken could ask for! Not to mention, our chickens were going to be pretty damn lucky, considering how they are normally regarded as a potential food source. We are saving their hides…literally.

So we ventured out to purchase Betty, Alice, and Jackie (affectionately named after Mr. Chan himself). Wouldn’t you freakin’ guess?!? The first night they ALL untied themselves from their DOUBLE knots around their feet, and one (Jackie) squeezed through the rungs and ran off. NINJA!

This is the day I unwillingly became a chicken wrangler. We captured Jackie, fortified the wonky rungs, and QUADRUPILED their knots this time. This would out-smart them right…I mean…their brains are the size of a peanut. NOPE!

Second day? All untied again, and this time ALL THREE had FLOWN out of a crack at the top of the thatching that made up the roof (I’m convinced Jackie headed up the escape). We found them UP A TREE that evening. UP A TREE?!? Did you catch that? That means they FLEW into the tree branches. C’mon?!? Have you ever met a chicken that can actually fly? Well apparently, ours can. Wrangler day #2.

Third day? (Spoiler alert for anyone who has become attached to these chickens)…all 3 came down with some type of African chicken cold, and died. I was told that the woman selling the chickens, knew they were sick when I bought them…but how was I to know? So now, I need to find a new chicken vendor. Keep your fingers crossed and I will continue to tell you the chicken saga as it unfolds.

We took a trip to Tanguieta and saw the land where the orphanage will be constructed. It is beautiful with shade trees for the children to play under, and room to grow their own food and start a small farm. You would all love it! Tanguieta is settled in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains on all sides. It is very different than the South of Benin. They speak about 45 different tribal languages in Tanguieta alone. So communication is difficult, although our partners are great and speak English.

I wish you could all meet Luc and Catherine! They will run and oversee the children when the home is completed. Never have you known such a genuine and loving couple with a heart for saving children. There are some pictures of Luc and the land on the website if you want to see them. Luc is a pastor and Catherine is a nurse. They have 4 children (all of which are awesome!) and they have quickly become our best friends. I am looking for a sponsor to pay for Catherine to oversee all the children and be the “house mama” for the orphanage. She will need to leave the hospital to do so, and they rely on her income for their family. So if you, or someone you know, would be interested, please let me know. I can provide more details privately.

Thank you for your donations, encouraging emails, and support. It means the world to Build A Better Benin and myself. Without support, none of this would be happening, and lives are being saved!

So thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul. Please continue to spread the word about Build A Better Benin and the beautiful people here! Life is too short not to spread love! Even the smallest fraction of a donation goes a long way here.

much. love.

Sarah

www.buildabetterbenin.org