Scary Times at Old Dominion University

The night before Easter 3 ODU students were robbed at gunpoint. I was interviewed by a local news crew and quoted on their website. Later today I found out that 2 of the guys were friends that we met throughout the ODU football season.

The ODU alerts and the news report failed to tell people that a gun was shot. They also failed to mention that the bullet almost hit the leg of one of the victims. Personally, I feel I have the right to know this information, as it occurred on my block. Perhaps the school officials felt that it would cause a panic at the University. It is a shame nevertheless. It was only a year ago that students petitioned against the University's low safety standards.

Here is the clip from the news report. I'm in it, yay! Not my best moment, but hey, it's the news not my fifteen minutes of fame!

Final Decision on Nicaragua: YES!

I made the decision to go to Nicaragua! It is the first time Orphanage Outreach will be in Nicaragua. There will be a team of 30 volunteers, setting the stage for future volunteers and work efforts! Poco a poco. (little by little)

Donation due: May 15th (40 days away!)

Donations so far: $100

Minimum Donations Remaining: $900

$900 dollars in 40 days is going to be very tough!

$22.50 a day!

Please donate here:

https://www.orphanage-outreach.org/estrella.php?trip_id=NzI2Nw==

I don't know my exact link, but this should bring you directly to my information page!

Pics of exploratory trip:

http://www.orphanage-outreach.org/datafiles/nicoo2010.pdf

My last post has the itinerary of the first official volunteer trip.

"Program Information

We will be collaborating with Alma Fletes, director of the Aldeas Infantiles SOS program in Jinotega. Alma has the responsibility for operating three community centers for pre-school children. The children attend the centers while their mothers are working or looking for work. The intention of the program is that the children receive a breakfast and lunch, and also receive some stimulating learning activities. The program is new and very under-resourced. We met with Alma in December and showed her a copy of the Orphanage Outreach calendar and newsletter. She began to cry, and then said "I'm sorry, I'm very happy for the children of the Dominican Republic to receive such resources; I just hope that one day the children of Jinotega will be so fortunate."

So, our focus during the July trip to Jinotega will be to use our volunteer resources to provide learning activities to the children in Alma's three community centers, to use our funds to improve the facilities and provide resources, and to bring needed donations to the centers."

Possible Service Trip to Nicaragua

Orphanage Outreach trip to Jinotega, Nicaragua

Trip Donation Cost: $1,000 minimum

Flight: $440 (as of today, of course)

Starting July 4th, 2010

Tentative Itinerary:
Sunday: Fly into Managua, Drive 45 minutes to the tourist town of Granada
Monday: AM - Tour Granada, PM - Drive to Jinotega
Tuesday-Friday: Serve in the Jinotega Children's Centers
Saturday: Culture Day
Sunday: Fly Home

http://www.orphanage-outreach.org/datafiles/nicoo2010.pdf

I have to make my decision and flight arrangements by April 15th: 11 days.

I also need to have the minimum $1000 donation by May 15th: 41 days.

I don't have much time. I've been unemployed for almost 2 years and depleted my savings as a student. This would have to take a lot of work, but it is something I am seriously considering.

This is from my volunteer trip to the Dominican Republic in August 2008 with the same organization.

Jane = amateur blogger

Jumping into the blogging scene. I don't consider myself to be much of an entertaining person, but here it is. My inspiration came from watching Julie & Julia. I have no intention of becoming the next Julie Powell or Julia Childs. Nevertheless, today I am getting focused on blogging and refocused on cooking.

Today is a very important day. It is the last day of Lent in the Christian faith. It is also the last day of the period known as not baseball season. With the exception of Spring Training, tomorrow officially starts Yankees baseball. It is also Easter. Cannot wait!