20 Foot Container of Donations arrives from USA

Last year 2 different LDN’s (4x4x4 ft containers) were organized in 2 locations—Austin, Texas and Bluffdale/Orem Utah, to be filled with donations of clothing, linens, shoes, toys, school supplies, etc., to be donated to the people of Angola (both LDNs arrived and already distributed to the people of the Deslocados de Viana, tented area. See our previous blogs about that work).

Each of these LDN projects ballooned into a huge amount of donated items in which many would not fit into the LDN’s. After searching high and low we were able to get help from ExxonMobil in shipping the additional items to Angola. We could only ship from one location however. The great people in Austin, with the organization of my wonderful sisters-in-laws Celia and Margaret, had a garage sale with the additional items and raised $500 and donated it to the TB/Aids hospital meals program. Here are a few pics of their efforts-

The donations from Utah were chosen to make the journey overseas as we now had approval to ship a 20ft container (instead of a few extra LDNs) and felt we could quickly collect additional items to fill the huge container. Brent and Stacey (and more) worked tirelessly to spread the word that more items could be given and also to find boxes to put everything in. Home Depot, U Haul, and several other companies donated boxes. Here are a few pictures of Brent & Stacey's house before the boxes were picked up (they would not send us picutres BEFORE they were organized - I have a feeling it would have taken loads of pictures to capture what their place looked like).

After countless hours organizing everything, the container was shipped last April.

A couple months ago I began investigating the whereabouts of this large container of donations. After a little detective work it was determined that this container had been received in Soyo (the northernmost city/port in Angola) not Luanda.

I was rather concerned and immediately wrote to the replacement of the P.A. manager that I had worked with last year (to get ExxonMobil to pay for the shipping). She thanked us for our generosity and assured us she would send pictures when the items were distributed--some in Soyo, and some in Luanda. I appealed to ExxonMobil and asked if I could please go to Soyo and assist in distributing these items and also help organize some materials to bring back to Luanda. Because I am not an employee, there were a lot of hoops to jump through so I had my doubts about being allowed to go. But……amazingly they said O.K.! The new manager was very helpful! After some complications because I didn’t currently have my passport (it was in the Immigration Office getting my Visa renewed), and after I signed my life away in some legal documents for ExxonMobil, I was permitted to travel. I was giddy! I was choppered out (doesn’t that just sound cool?) at the break of dawn on a Wednesday morning (Oct 29) and arrived in Soyo before 8:00 a.m. after a 90 minute helicopter ride over the ocean.

Before we got on the heli (more slang that just makes me feel cool saying it!) we had a safety video/briefing. When we landed on Kwando Base we were shuttled to the Esso (ExxonMobil) section of the base and we got another safety briefing about the different issues up there as well as snakes and things we should watch for. We were each given a radio that must remain on at all times (even while sleeping—as this was how they would warn us if any problems arise and we need to evacuate the area). Each of the following days we had at least one safety meeting. I don’t know how anyone gets any work done with all the safety meetings! I will never again wonder if ExxonMobil is taking enough safety precautions in the oil industry—I witnessed it first hand! I traveled and worked with mostly Angolan Nationals so the primary language spoken was Portuguese. I was able to follow a good majority of things when I concentrated but when anything terribly important that I needed to understand came up, someone would translate into English for me. By 10:00 a.m. we had dumped our bags in our rooms and were out at the warehouse where the container had been received. The amount of stuff was overwhelming. Looks like the shipment came in 4 smaller containers instead of one 20 ft. container.

Again and again during this project I have been brought to tears. This day would be no different.

As we started to unload this stuff and opened the boxes I couldn’t have been more impressed with the organization. Every box had the total contents listed on the outside (97 women’s shirts, 5 women’s sweaters, 30 pair men’s tennis shoes, 127 bed sheets, etc.) It was awesome!!! I couldn’t believe it!!! I can never say thank you enough!!!

Over the next 3 days, we sorted the boxes

and we were able to label the boxes for 13 different organizations—

9 organizations in Luanda (to be handed out at a later time)—

1) Beral (an “old folks” home),

2) Padre Marcio’s (orphanage for boys age 3-16)

3) Irma Domingas (Orphanage for kids age 0-16),

4) AACA (abandoned girls home),

5) Mama Muxima (Huge Orphanage and School for kids 2-18),

6) TB/Aids hospital,

7) Luanda Pediatric Hospital,

8) Aids Society of Angola,

9) Orphanage behind Jumbo Market—

and 4 in Soyo—

10) Kikudo Mission (Mission very well run by a nun—supports schooling efforts, hygiene, etc. for the entire community),

11) Kimpondo Mission (similar to Kikudo Mission),

12) Handicapped Association (new Assoc to help those with war injuries and those born with handicaps), and

13) Soyo Hospital.

Before I left Soyo, we were able to deliver to 3 of the 4 locations which was thrilling. First stop was the handicapped association, which is basically starting from scratch. They just have a meeting room attached to the presidents house. Here are a few pics:

This was the road and road side in Soyo Town:

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Everyone was very grateful for anything we had to offer and multiple times I was “blessed” by those receiving and they all asked that I pass along their gratitude. They all seemed amazed that this stuff had come all the way from the United States and I must say that I stood tall and proud as I told them of the love of my fellow Americans and my fellow church members.

Here are a few pics of the Kikudo Mission and the very organized and efficient Sister/Nun who runs it.

I had a quick tour of the Soyo Hospital after we gave our donations and it was in pretty bad shape.

It reminded me of a 1920’s hospital out of some horror film—the facility and medical tools were ancient and the table in the Surgical room was barely big enough to fit Brayden. Hard to see, but the table is extremely dirty with blood stains, rust, etc...

Although the work was physically demanding I wore a huge grin the entire time. When I returned I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face even though I was utterly exhausted. Our goal is to get the other 3/4 of the shipment to each of the organizations in Luanda by the 2^nd week in December. This way we can aid the nuns/leaders of each organization in distributing them for Christmas. Most of us probably wouldn’t value a used sheet and towel and a clean t-shirt as a great Christmas present, but I can assure you there is nothing the people at the TB Aids hospital want more! (aside from maybe being cured of these two terrible diseases). Some of the items will go straight to the organizations—because we have worked with and trust their leaders—other items will be given directly to the people and patients of the hospitals—because we don’t trust the administration. I will keep you updated on the progress of these golden items and will send pictures as we take them.

Each time I am fortunate enough to be a part of something like this I am lifted and strengthened. So many great people gave to this cause. They gave their own personal items and some even went out and bought additional things. Others gave their time too in making beautiful baby blankets and other items to send.

A friend of mine here on the compound was asking questions about this project the other day. She didn’t understand how we could have collected so much stuff. She wanted to collect some things from her hometown but didn’t think she’d have enough to fill an LDN (4x4x4 ft container). She asked me my secret. I beamed as I answered that it was church members mainly—as well as some others from the community—that just couldn’t stop giving…that is why we needed an extra 20 foot container after we had filled our two LDN’s last year. I was filled with gratitude for the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ and for the people who take those teachings to heart and truly live gospel! I know that our Father in Heaven is so happy with the help we have given to these good, but unfortunate people, here in Angola.

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40

Let me once again tell everyone THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I am honored to be a small part of something this wonderful.

-Hallie