El Shaddai Children's Home News

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Construction Continues at El Shaddai
May 15, 2008

El Shaddai Children's Home is a shining light for Christ's love on the top of a mountain in northern Swaziland. Over the years, the home has continued to grow as the number of children living in the home increases. Some of the latest construction has been a new kitchen to prepare the meals for the 49 children living at the home and a 7th grade classroom. The kitchen will be outfitted with the necessary supplies by the Heart for Africa group traveling to El Shaddai on June 11. Along with the kitchen supplies, this group will work in the gardens at El Shaddai and in the surrounding community and work on other light construction projects around the home.

The highlight of the trip will be a performance of the musical Godspell by the children of El Shaddai and a group of youth from CYT Atanta. To help raise funds for their trip, the CYT Atlanta group performed a charity performance of Oliver this weekend in Alpharetta GA that raised over $4,500.

Noxolo Has Moved
April 07, 2008

Many of you joined with us in praying for dear, tiny Noxolo when she first came to live at El Shaddai Children’s Home . She was brought to El Shaddai by her father in early November 2007. Her mother had abandoned her, and her father could no longer care for her due to lack of work. She was a very sick little girl, suffering from edema, muscle wasting, and an enlarged liver, all due to malnutrition. Upon visiting the doctors we learned the truth of little Noxolo’s condition. She had TB and was HIV positive.

After many hours of endless care, many doctors visits, and much love from Charmaine, Kallie and the staff at El Shaddai, Noxolo began to improve. She was on ARVs and doing well. However, her frail body could not tolerate the medications, and on March 28th she was hospitalized. She moved from El Shaddai to Heaven on March 30th, 2008. Noxolo was 3 1/2 years old and 14.7 lbs at the time of her passing.

These beautiful words written by Jere Scott, a dedicated volunteer and a prayer warrior for the children of Africa, express our feelings so well.

“We grieve the death of this precious child.  We have prayed for Noxolo every day since the first day she arrived at El Shaddai.  A greater tragedy is that this child's suffering in her short life time is being repeated over and over in Africa.  Somehow we must find a way to bring an end to this pattern of suffering and death amongst the innocent children of Africa. To accomplish such a drastic change is impossible apart from God's work in and through each one of us as our Lord said 'Apart from Me you can do nothing'".

Heaven surely rejoices with her arrival as we grieve a life shortened by the devastation of sickness and hunger. One child has moved from here to Heaven, may we be blessed to care for those who remain.

Dentists and Hygeinists Needed at El Shaddai
April 07, 2008

Dr. Mark McGee, a dentist from Alpharetta, Georgia, will be traveling with Heart for Africa to the El Shaddai Children’s Home in Swaziland from June 11 to June 21 with his three children. We are so thankful for this as the children at our three partner orphanages do not have access to basic dental care and most have NEVER seen a dentist. Dr. McGee plans to work in a mobile medical clinic to provide dental care for the 40+ children that live at the El Shaddai Children’s Home. His children will help teach basic dental care and hygiene. It will be amazing!

Unfortunately, Dr. McGee will not be able to care for all of the children at El Shaddai without the help from other dentists and/or hygienists. Can you help us? Our goal is to provide dental care for all of the 114+ children who live at El Shaddai, New Hope Center, and Emmanuel Khayelethu Children’s Home.

If you know any dentists or hygienists that could come and help us, please pass this request along to them and encourage them to give 11 days of their lives to help those who cannot help themselves. There are only a few seats left so we need their help soon.

If you have any questions about the dental work that will be done there please contact Janine@heartforafrica.org.

Dr. Mark McGee

Dr. McGee is a 1987 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans.  In 1989 he completed a two year general practice residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans where he served as chief resident.  He maintains a private practice in Alpharetta, GA. He is also an avid music enthusiast, multi-instrumentalist, and photographer and lives with his three wonderful children in Alpharetta, GA.