From Heartbreak to Hope: Heartwarming Updates from Ann in Uganda

UGANDA MISSION - POST #3

Well there's nothing like getting "in-person" updates on babies that we've sponsored recently! 

Ann and Mary met the twins - Payton and Paige, and they are doing very well!

They are gaining weight and are reported to be happy babies in the care of their grandparents! 

Ann and Mary also met baby Clement, another recent intake whose mom died during childbirth and was abandoned by his father. Clement's foster mom was inspired to care for him because of his sad story. He is her first foster placement and she loves him dearly.

Clement is healthy, gaining weight, and a very content baby! Mom desperately needs a water tank to catch rainwater, and we shall cover that need for them! Please reach out if you'd like to contribute to the total cost of $800.

With our incredible partners, Ann and Mary visited the ward of premature babies at Masaka Regional Hospital. It was full of critically ill babies, without the basic meds needed to properly care for them.

They handed out some supplies and donations to mothers in need to help them care for their babies.

This one melted us - do you remember Jeremiah? We provided for his needs in 2022 when he was an infant. Well, look at him now!!!

Ann said he is FULL of personality and a really special soul! He loves playing drums and recites prayers from church. He is starting preschool soon and wished for pencils and tablets, so they took him some! Ann said he is very intuitive and such a sweet child - he was so happy with his gifts.

In Ann's words, "This was a very hard day emotionally. I was crying inside all day - the poverty is very hard to see and there is so much need here. I know why God has led OHFO here."

Ongoing efforts in Uganda ~ Hope Lives Here~

UGANDA MISSION - POST #2

Yesterday, Ann and Mary visited Maria and Olivia and their siblings - do you remember them? 

Oh the joy! Ann said their house is so tidy and neat, and their land is well taken care of. She confirmed that they are the most amazing children, surviving and living and being parents to their siblings, especially when they themselves are children. They take so much pride in their siblings and are very protective. They are so grateful for everything OHFO supporters have done for them in the past several years. They have been cooking on an open flame on the floor and need a working stove, so we'll be meeting that need right away. 

Maria and Olivia would like to go to beauty school so they can learn a trade and have a better income to support their family - we will support them in that dream. 

Little Leo fell in love with Mary! Ann said he is the most adorable and sweet child. 

Ann gave the girls OHFO necklaces, which they love - perfect for those beautiful souls and their open hearts! They also received lanterns.

Ann and Mary then visited another village and met baby Praise, a one-month-old who was removed from mom because she tried to hurt him. 

We are supporting his foster placement, and he is doing well and gaining weight. Joseph, nine years old, joined his foster mom very recently, and she wishes to adopt him! His health is good and he seems to be adjusting very well with his foster family and children in the village. Joseph requested a bike, and we will make that happen!

Ann and Mary visited another village, where they met Emma, whom we provided heart and eye surgery for in 2022. 

She lives with her grandparents and siblings. We are happy to report that Emma's health is good!

In Ann's words, "It was another day filled with hope and a brighter future for these children. It is so beautiful to see so much love in these women's hearts for the children they are fostering."

Hope Lives Here - thank you so much for following the journey!

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Providing Hope and Healing: Our Journey to Uganda

Uganda Mission Post #1:  

Ann and Mary Bartlinski arrived in Uganda and hit the ground running! The heart of these ladies is so beautiful! We are here Lord, use us.

It was a very emotional first day on the ground for Ann and Mary. After attending Mass Sunday morning and listening to a relatable homily about serving others, they proceeded to the hospital with our incredible partners and delivered all of the supplies for the babies - formula, clothing, and two medical grade baby scales. 

Ann said the moms and foster moms were so very grateful for your gifts, blessing them and crying with gratitude. They spent time hugging some of the babies we've stood in the gap for and had lunch with Frank and Lily Grace - a young boy and baby girl you may remember helping, along with their incredible foster moms. Ann took them OHFO necklaces, which they loved. 

She said the people there are so loving, and the foster moms are truly Heaven-sent. Their gratitude is so genuine.

Ann's words to all of us on this side of the world, "They have hope now that you are helping them. Hope can move mountains." There is so much to do there, and many children need assistance.

Ann and Mary have already seen things that shouldn't be - like little "Josiah", a three-year-old who had a surgery on Christmas Eve and now desperately needs prayers for survival and healing. 

Josiah is in critical condition, as you can see, and arrangements are being made to transfer him to a larger hospital that will hopefully be able to provide the life-sustaining medical care he needs. Please pray for his full recovery.

Please pray for his full recovery.

Hope Lives Here, friends. Thank you for wrapping yourselves so tightly around this mission - what an honor to serve the most vulnerable.

Hearts for Homes

It is that time of the year again!

This year we are celebrating World Smile Day at our Hearts for Homes event on October 4th, from 6-9pm. We invite you to be part of a special event dedicated to ensuring that every child has a safe and loving environment to call home. Join us, at Aloft Delray Beach, for an initiative focused on rallying our community to support children in need!

Here’s how you can help:
      🛍️ Donate Silent Auction Items
      🎟️ Attend the Event
🩵 Each attendee gets 2 FREE drinks, tickets, appetizers, and a pass to Silverball Retro Arcade!

Your involvement makes a huge difference in providing essential resources and safe spaces. Reach out to get involved and be part of something special! 

You can register using the link below. We hope to see you there!

                                                                                            REGISTER

Waves of Love

We hope our local friends will join us on August 16 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. for our first “Waves of Love” happy hour event in coordination with the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Festival Days! The event will be held at the Boca Raton Marriott’s Drift Patio Bar. 

This Festival Days event, sponsored by All Digital Marketing Consultants, will benefit Open Hearts for Orphans by creating waves of love for vulnerable children. This will be a relaxed and casual happy hour event. Light bites will be served in addition to drinks. There will also be a 50/50 raffle!

Admission for the event is $35 in advance and $50 at the door and includes one drink ticket. Additional drink tickets will be available for purchase. You can register for the event by copying this url bit.ly/OHFOwavesoflove or scanning the QR code below!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out through our instagram @openheartsfororphansorg, or email openheartsfororphansorg@gmail.com. 

We hope to see you all there!

Sound of Hope

We are honored to be a Movement Partner for the new film, Sound of Hope: the Story of Possum Trot and we are so grateful to Angel Studios and Peacetree Productions for making this important film! 

Inspired by the powerful true story, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a fire in the hearts of their rural church to embrace kids in the foster system that nobody else would take. By doing the impossible–adopting 77 children–this East Texas community proved that, with real, determined love, the battle for America’s most vulnerable can be won. 

The official trailer reached half a million views in just a few days! Check it out for yourself:

Critics and audiences are LOVING this powerful film with Cinema Score rating it 5 stars ★★★★★ We can say with 100% certainty that this powerful and beautifully-made movie is worth your time! 

You can purchase tickets by either using our link attached below or by visiting angel.com/openheartsfororphans. Purchasing tickets with our link encourages others to consider fostering and adoption and supports our cause, too!

            Click here→❤  

Let’s show our support for vulnerable children by showing up in force and making this movie number one at the box office! 

World Down Syndrome Day 2023

Erin: 

The first time I visited Taiwan was at the end of a 2 week trip to China. I was with the Gladney’s Superkids team and we had visited orphanages and seen many children over the prior two weeks. I was tired and ready to get home to my family, but our team was also excited to meet children who needed advocacy in Taiwan. 

Just after we arrived in Taipei we got the news that a typhoon was headed straight for Taiwan and we would not be able to see most of the children we were planning to see. We were obviously disappointed and wondered why we were even there. But we were there, and we weren’t going to be going anywhere for a few days! 

That first afternoon, before the typhoon hit, we saw 3 children one of whom was this darling little baby boy with Down Syndrome. I was wearing a maxi skirt and he loved the way it swished around my feet. He was pulling himself around on his little belly and every time I looked down he was playing with my skirt. He had the cutest hair that stood straight up. To see him was to fall in love. We gave him the advocacy name of Miles and wrote a blog post entitled Magnificent Miles highlighting him. 

Little did we know where meeting little Miles would take us! But I’m going to let his mom and my friend, Michelle, tell you the next parts of this beautiful story.

Michelle:

The very picture and short article sharing information about a sweet little one with Down syndrome named Magnificat Miles came through in my email one morning. His perfectly fluffy hair, almond eyes and baby toes stole my heart at first glance. This was our son! Within hours of requesting more information we had our first call to learn the next steps of our adoption journey. 

In the wait I happily jumped onboard to join the advocacy team to learn all I could. The very first trip to Taiwan with the team I was blessed to meet another young boy with Down syndrome. He and Miles were sweet besties. It was also that very trip I had the privilege to enjoy a meal with the Taiwan team and share my passion for helping to find families for the children with Down syndrome. 

Fourteen months from seeing Miles’ picture in my inbox he was placed in my arms forever. Our adventures together had just begun. He hadn’t just stolen our hearts with his total sweetness he had many people surrounding him with love. He was our whole world and we were blissfully enjoying life through his eyes. His amazing charismatic personality radiating in every single thing he was a part of. He was blooming so much! We were learning so much together. 

Oh and during the time we were bonding and learning our new world with our little guy… we were telling everyone about his bestie that still awaited his forever family. We were so excited to learn he had a family coming for him. 

Then one day a new little one with Down syndrome came through on the waiting for a family list. We knew Miles would be the best big brother ever. We eagerly asked for more information. A little girl that just so happened to have a bit more of a complex medical history. We said yes and our 17 month journey to our precious Maddie began. 

During the wait we learned that two more of the littles ones with Down syndrome the team had been advocating for had forever families coming! Such amazing news! 

The very moment Miles and Maddie saw each other was a moment I’ll never forget. Miles was over the moon that Maddie was his little sister and he could help mama care for her. Their bond grew stronger each and every day. 

Fast forward to today… six years from when Miles joined our family and just over three from when Maddie joined. We couldn’t imagine our lives without our two special littles that so happened to both have Down syndrome. They have shown us that they are able to accomplish anything. The sky is the limit. Their zest for life and eagerness to do their best melts my mama heart each day. Truly I stand in awe at just how amazing both Miles and Maddie are. Perfectly who they are meant to be and such a special part of our family. We cherish every moment and look forward to all the adventures ahead. Living life through their eyes is a true gift. 

We especially enjoy sharing in celebrations like 3/21 by wearing our silly socks and sharing the science behind what having Down syndrome means. Taking the opportunity to share our littles uniqueness is something we find important. Not every family can say they’re just as unique as ours. We are blessed beyond measure to share life’s journey with our extra special Miles and Maddie. 

A special thank you to the team of advocacy volunteers that share such an amazing part of our families story. Adoption and advocacy for special needs children has forever changed our lives. 

Erin:

Michelle and her husband would go on to add another precious little girl from Taiwan, so now Miles has 2 little sisters and Maddie is a big sister! They came to visit us in November and all 3 of their littles are thriving! So I'll close with one last picture of me with all of their little ones.

Today is World Down Syndrome Day and Michelle is on a mission to let the world know that different isn't scary...it is just different. And different can be amazing!