Lumiere remembers Neil Armstrong

On July 20 1969,  as a little girl of eight years old in far off Welkom in Free State, South Africa, I can tell you exactly what I was doing. I was in the Standard One class, and Sr. Bernadette had done a most thrilling thing; she had called off the class, smuggled in a radio, and we were all clandestinely listening to the most enthralling event. A man was landing on the moon. We sat in tight awed bunches in our polished, uncomfortable wooden desks; pigtailed and school-uniformed, listening to the report of the most wondrous happening of that time.

Little did I know that history was in the making. Sister had us all learning about space travel; daily we spoke of Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins. Further missions to the moon were closely tracked by us. We had large maps hand-drawn by ourselves over the class noticeboards, with coloured pieces of wool on tin tacks tracking the movements of the Apollo missions. Our local garages gave out Apollo stickers and pictures of our heroes every time we bought petrol. Dad was constantly besieged by ourselves to drive more. Why? So that we could use petrol faster, and have to get more, together with the next prized Apollo sticker. Dad sighed.

Sr. Bernadette told us we were living in times of history, and to thank God for the wonders we were seeing. And how right she was. We had learned that it was possible for us to do the impossible; to dream the great; to move beyond the boundaries our humanity had placed before us.

It was some time before the excitement died down. When I left Standard One and went to Standard Two, it was another great year with another great teacher. However, it was quite a culture shock leaving the classroom which was dedicated to Armstrong and the Apollo teams, the plaster moon with its rings which we had made and which had the unfortunate tendency to start melting somewhat during the blistering heat of the Welkom heatwaves, for a moon-free zone in Standard Two. I soon adjusted, and Apollo became a memory.

It was years before I really understood what a wonderful time this had been, and what a great achievement had been made. The Psalmists and King David had spoken of the wonderful creation of the moon at night which lights our way. Jesus the Christ had stood and looked at the moon during his childhood, and His journeys as He preached the Word of Goodness and Light to us. I had looked at that very same moon, a free gift to everyone on earth. And now we had touched its sacred surface. I prayed blessings for all who had helped to achieve that dream. 

Years later I read a story which, in the context of my spiritual journey at the time, I found both touching and inspirational. Astronaut Aldrin took communion in the form of loaf and wine shortly after they landed, in gratitude and respect to the God Who made us. Aldrin poured the wine into the chalice, and in the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup. He then read the sacred writing from John, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.' He ate the tiny consecrated Host of loaf-bread, and swallowed the consecrated Wine. 

This story has been an inspiration to me, and as minister I have recounted it to many people. To me, it is a celebration and signature of respect by these daring and talented men on behalf of us as humanity, to the God Who made us at the moment of great growth in our journey as humanity. These three took the time before disembarking and placing the first footprint on the surface of the moon, to turn their hearts in silent gratitude and respect to the God of All. I am sure I speak on behalf of all of us who sat breathlessly listening on that memorable day in 1969, to give our condolences to the family of the great Neil Armstrong and our thanks to them for the great act of service Armstrong did for our human family. A candle has been lit by Lumiere in remembrance of Armstrong, and for his family and friends.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1247118--neil-armstrong-first-man-on-the-moon-dead-at-82

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/communion.asp

*Photograph taken in the beautiful Free State by Catherine Nicolette. Please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose
*Name of teacher has been changed

Will you help bring clean water to Rwanda?

Lumiere Charity has received an email from Alexa and Charity; Water. Their dynamic September Campaign to bring clean, safe drinking water to the people of Rwanda is in full swing. The video viewed by Lumiere shows the inspirational work done by the dedicated members of the Charity. Clean water continues to be needed in areas of Rwanda; water is needed in order to deliver safe medical and maternity care; to slake thirst; to maintain life; to keep cool and clean. So many children have to spend hours fetching water. When I worked during one holiday in my late teens as a charity worker in the depths of Africa, I learned to live as the people there were living. That meant using a candle; no electricity. Nailing a piece of cloth over the house window into the wall by means of tin tacks. A bucket with a measured amount of water was for a bath; and it was my task to go and bring water from the pump. I would lift my water drum, walk all the way to the local mission pump, and wait my turn to get the water. I loved the way the village people would congregate and chatter at the pump, the women in gaily patterned clothing, with their babies tied by small blankets to their backs, quiet and happy. The bees would buzz around the pump, coming to drink water in clusters from the water that had dropped into the small basin below the pump left there especially for them. The sun would beam down warmly, a little wind rustled through the thorn trees, and I was happy.

Eventually it would be my turn, and I would pump the water into the water drum, encouraged by the villagers who found my initial efforts to pump hilarious (it took a while to get the knack!) They would give me a hand. Then came the hard bit; the backbreaking carrying of the heavy water drum back to the mission. I would arrive back, shattered. It is hard work. And the drum cannot be dropped; water is too precious. Dropped water or a failed well is linked to survival; carrying water is a responsibility to the community. So, during that time, I learned deep respect for water. Now we have the chance to help our Rwandan brothers and sisters in our global family have the water they need; please click into the link and assist with the September campaign. In the spirit of Lumiere, let us link hands and help to bring water to those in need.

Please click into the link below;
http://charitywater.org/september

*Picture courtesy of Charitywater.org

Great Barrier Reef under threat - please help

The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area in Australia is a wondrous ecosystem, and one of the wonders of the world. Lumiere Charity received an email from Emma and the Avaaz team asking us to support the safety of this vital marine wonder. They highlight a situation which is close to the Charity's heart - that of conservation of the beauties of the earth God created for us to exercise stewardship over. 


Emma and the Avaaz team apprise that one of the world's largest coal ports could be built on top of this irreplaceable ecosystem, risking the survival of this world heritage site. According to the Avaaz report, UNESCO reported that coal development is damaging the reef. Avaaz has an urgent petition to save the reef. 

According to Federation Fellow Terry Hughes, the great Barrier Reef is slowly declining. In the last fifty years, it has lost half of its coral cover. Many coastal reefs and seagrass meadows have been smothered by runoffs of sediments from land. The number of turtles, sharks and dugongs today are a small fraction of a few decades ago. Coral bleaching due to global warming has occurred twice throughout most of the length of the Barrier Reef, in 1998 and 2002. Skin cancer has been found in Barrier Reef fish.*

The petition will be presented by Avaaz shortly.  Please sign the urgent petition and send this to everyone you know. Please send the information on to your family,  friends and colleagues, and post the link on to your Facebook and share it on Twitter. 
Let us hold hands together in our global village and save the wonderful world our God has made. 


Here is the petition; http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_great_barrier_coal_mine_global/?tta

Click into this link to find out more about the incredible natural beauty of Australia's marine wonder
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/great-barrier-reef

*Terry Hughes, Federation Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University 
http://theconversation.edu.au/new-marine-reserves-wont-address-unescos-reef-concerns-7638

~Photograph courtesy of Avaaz

War Child need assistance for the wounded children of Syria

War Child UK are assisting the little innocents of Syria. Some of the little children are coming in, vulnerable and wounded to Turkey, requesting assistance in hospitals. The video link sent to Lumiere and viewed by us, show little children and adults being tenderly cared for by compassionate and dedicated health personnel. Reports seem to indicate that the situation in Syria is dire, and that the small and most in need of protection are suffering horrendously. Lumiere has seen the long term effects of war many times. Psychological suffering of civilians and soldiers. Physical suffering, deafness due to bombs falling near the sufferer; blindness; amputees, brain damage; paralysis; facial and body disfiguration; being orphaned; loss of children; grieving, tears and sometimes the personal taking of life under a burden too heavy to carry. If Divine Providence has led you to read these words, please consider donation to War Child UK as they struggle to meet the overwhelming need. Let us link hands together and do what we can to help.

War Child UK‏@WarChildUK

You can still help the #ChildrenofSyria though. Text PROTECT to 70444 to donate £3 to our appeal. http://bit.ly/syria8

War Child UK‏@WarChildUK

#Syria's news isn't getting any better. The UN monitors have quit, 2.5m people need aid. Kids like this http://ht.ly/d2Qke hurt every day

*Logo by kind courtesy of War Child UK

DelAgua - Keeping water supplies safe

Lumiere is privileged to have come into contact with DelAgua Water Testing, internationally renowned for the OXFAM-DELAGUA portable water monitoring kit. DelAgua Water Testing Limited was founded in 1985 and spun out of the University of Surrey in 2006. DelAgua distributes and supports water testing and treatment products. University of Surrey and DelAgua have spent 24 years in dedicated service providing a quick and reliable way to test water safety, so local communities can enjoy good drinking water without disease.

The following inspiring Youtube video shows just how well the DelAgua kit works, and how lives are changed for the better by this wonderful piece of equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANb1ZlslAKo

In the spirit of Lumiere, why not fundraise in your community, buy a water testing kit, and donate it to an organisation/ area in need?

Read about DelAgua at
http://www.delagua.org/

Water for Life - giving fresh water to those in need

Water sustains life - do you want to give fresh water to those in need?  Dedicated volunteers and personnel are working to provide wells and a fresh, safe supply of water to people in areas around the world who lack this necessity.

Many of the problems facing people living in the poverty trap are linked to water. Many do not have safe water to drink. Adults and children die as a result of a lack of clean water. Some die from thirst and hunger. Others die from diseases linked to poor sanitation, poor hygiene and contaminated water.

Dedicated personnel at The Water Project helped orphan Bridget to find a new life  and help her fellow orphans, through the gift of water http://thewaterproject.org/meet_bridget.asp

The Fields of Life invited a team to Uganda to witness the need in East Africa for fresh and pure drinking water, easily accessible to local villages. The volunteers have done much to assist people in the area
http://www.fieldsoflife.com/get-involved/the-water-for-life-challenge.php

Wells for Zoe is a sustainable development organization helping communities in Malawi access clean drinking water. The organizations also nurtures organic agriculture and education
http://www.wellsforzoe.org/ .

Water Aid is an organisation that provides clean water for Africa, Asia and Central America. The organisation also provides sanitation and hygiene education to communities struggling with poverty
http://www.wateraidamerica.org/what_we_do/clean_water_for_africa_and_asia.aspx

In the spirit of Lumiere, why not help someone in an outlying area have access to fresh water? Areas in need include refugee camps, squatter camps, favelas, rural areas.

GOOD HEALTH LESSON 3 - SAFEGUARDING WATER SUPPLIES

GOOD HEALTH LESSON 3

SAFEGUARDING WATER SUPPLIES

Water Spread Diseases
A number of diseases are spread by water. Disease in water can be caused by bacteria (germs) which can live in water. 
  Examples of diseases spread by water include typhoid fever, dysentery or diarrhoea, liver disease (hepatitis) and poliomyelitis. 

Other diseases are caused by parasites such as some types of worms, amoebic dysentery and bilharzia. 
  The most effective way to prevent getting these diseases is to boil all water used for household purposes if you are not sure your water supply is safe.

Safeguarding Water Supplies
An effective way of safeguarding water supplies is to keep wells and water holes clean. 
  Do not litter in water areas. Avoid throwing e.g. prams and rusty objects in water, dams or streams.   Avoid throwing plastic wrapper or rubbish in the water. 

Do not allow animals to go near where people get drinking water. Fence the water area if necessary.     Do not allow urine or stools to be passed in or near water supply areas, or water holes. 

The best way to ensure clean drinking water is to have clean water piped in to your house from a reliable Water Supply Department.

Sanitation
Toilets or out-houses should be built at least twenty (20) meters away from water holes, wells or streams. 
  Do not use detergents or soaps for washing clothes in the same place where water is taken for drinking. 

It is very eseential not to allow poisons such as pesticides to run into streams or rivers from which water is taken. 
  Communities should organize self-help projects to protect springs, streams, water holes and wells in order to ensure safe drinking of water.

Test the Water
Water should be regularly tested to ensure it remains safe and clean for drinking. 
There are various cost effective water testing kits on the market, testing for:
- Eschericia coli bacteria in the water (the germ in stools which can cause serious infection in humans if water with the bacteria is drunk)
- Lead
- Pesticides
- Chlorine
- Hardness
- pH
- Nitrates
- Nitrites
- Copper
- Iron

Test your water source to ensure it is safe to drink. If you are blessed to live in an area with a Department ensuring safe and dependable water supplies, enjoy your safe drinking and household water and remember to say a prayer of thanks for those who work so hard to ensure our communities stay healthy and waterborne disease free.

Ensure drinking, bathing and household purposes water is clean and safe.

Mosquitoes
Don't allow mosquitoes to breed on water surfaces. Mosquitoes require water in which to complete their life cycle. 
  I have seen acres of water across which mosquitoes hummed and in which their larvae thrived. 
  If unchecked, mosquitoes cause grave health problems by causing the disease malaria. 

Mosquitoes lay eggs on the water surface. Their larvae live in water and come to the surface to breathe. 
  Larvae develop into pupae, and finally into adult mosquitoes. 
  New adults rests on the water surface in order to dry.
  This enables their bodies, newly emerged from their pupae, to harden. 
  Mosquito wings need to spread out and dry properly before they can fly.

Malaria
The malaria parasites spend part of their lives in the red blood cells of certain female mosquitoes (Anopheles), and another part in the red blood cells of humans. 
  A female mosquito carrying malaria parasites bites a human and sucks blood. 
  The bite thereafter itches, and looks like a small inflamed (reddish) bump on the skin. 

The mosquito has a characteristic humming whine as it waits for an appropriate opportunity to bite.    The bitten human can then develop the disease malaria. 
  Another Anopheles female mosquito can then bite the infected human, and suck up the blood cells which contain malaria parasities. 
  These malaria parasites then develop and increase in numbers in the stomach of the female mosquito. 

After approximately ten days the parasites move into the mosquito's salivary gland, and can be passed on to another person. 
  If you receive a bite from a malaria carrying mosquito and become infected, you can start showing signs of malaria two weeks after being bitten. 

Treatment of Malaria
Prevention
Firstly, prevent malaria by ensuring mosquitoes don't breed on water. 
  If you know you are going into an area where there are many mosquitoes and malaria occurs, make sure you visit your Doctor and receive a prescription for special medications to prevent malaria while you visit the malaria endemic area. 

Reliable Treatment
If you have contracted malaria, immediately go your Accident and Emergency Unit or visit your Doctor and receive the correct medication to treat the disease. Don't wait - it is treatable. 
  However, as with all illnesses, the quicker the diagnosis and treatment begins, the better. 

Tips to prevent mosquito bites
During my field trips with the Charity, I have been in many mosquito-infested areas.
Deterrents are:
- Wear sleeves to the wrist
- Wear clothing that buttons up to the neck 
- Keep the full body covered  
- Wear trousers to the ankles. 
Salwar kameez clothing is wonderful for keeping mosquitoes at bay while travelling. 
  Socks prevent mosquitoes from biting feet.
A scarf or dupatta around the neck is another deterrent.  
  I carry a small spray bottle of Safari Strength Insect Repellant  which repels mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, biting midges, sandflies, chiggers, fleas and stable flies.
I apply the repellant to my skin as per the instructions, especially on face, hands and feet - avoiding my eyes and mouth. 
  I find it invaluable for repelling insects and mosquitoes. 
  Ask your Doctor or Pharmacist for a reliable brand, and directions how to use the repellant safely and correctly.

Insect Repellant Mats
In one malaria prevalent area Charity workers gave me a little device with insect repellant mats.    The device gets plugged in (there was electricity in the area I was in), the little mat gets placed in the device which lightly heats up and gives off an odour which is not noticeable to humans but repels mosquitoes. I always use it as I find it effective.

Night Light
The most helpful I find is the following: if I keep a small night light on, this invariably deters mosquitoes for some reason. 

Want to help?
Possibilities to consider:
- Fundraise and sink a well in an area with no water
- Organise water testing kits to test water in squatter camps/ refugee camps/ areas where it is unsure whether water drinking wells are safe
- If you are a water engineer, why not donate some of your valuable time pro deo to an area that needs assistance in achieving safe water
- Sponsor the education of a water engineer student.

Please note that the information contained within this blog post

is not meant to replace Doctor or Health Professional Care

GOOD HEALTH LESSON 2: CLEAN WATER SUPPLIES

CLEAN AND PURE WATER
Clean and pure water is essential to maintain health.

DISEASES
If water is not clean, diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, hepatitis (liver disease), guinea worm disease, and typhoid fever can result from drinking the water. 

  Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is spread when the person swims, wades or washes in infected water.    Contaminated drinking water may spread Amoebiasis.
  Taeniasis infections can be spread by water that has been contaminated by tapeworms.  

  Dysentery with resultant diarrhoea can be spread by contaminated water. 
  Poliomyelitis can be transmitted through contaminated water.

PURIFY WATER
It is best to drink water from a pure water system.   If this is not possible, all water should be boiled before drinking. 
  Do not offer the boiled water to anyone to drink until it has cooled. 

  Keep all flies, mosquitoes and dust away from the surface of the water. 
  If you are in a very dusty area, and do not have a fridge, make sure you have netting to place over the water.

- According to the Washington State Department of Health, boiling is the safest way to purify water.   Bring the water to a rolling boil (where the water bubbles and rolls around the top of the container - be careful not to burn yourself on the boiling water) - for one minute. 
  Let the water cool before drinking.

Water taken from wells, rivers or holes for drinking, even when it looks clean, may spread disease. 
  Therefore, always boil water before use. Be careful not to swim in water which has not been proven by testing to be clean. 
  Diseases can be spread from the water into the skin, and can be very distressing.

A good and safe water supply should be free from harmful bacteria (germs), and should not contain too much chemicals or salts. 
  It should look clear (not cloudy, full of grit, dirt, worms, sand) and should have no smell or taste. 

WHERE DOES WATER COME FROM?
All water supplies come from rain. Some water sinks into the ground and can be reclaimed through wells, boreholes or springs. 
  Some water forms the water of rivers and dams. 

Rain water is usually relatively clean. Rain water can provide a good source of water if collected into clean tanks for storage. 
  It is still best to purify it by boiling. 

Surface Water
Surface water is the rain water which drains from an area which we call the catchment area. 
  This water forms rivers, lakes or dams.

Underground Water
A good amount of rain water sinks into the ground until it reaches a water table, or layer of rock. 
  It then collects there, and can be accessed by a well or borehole. 

The level of the underground water may be shallow or deep. 
  A shallow well can run dry after long droughts. A deep well may give a more permanent supply of water, such as the water in oasis in the deserts. 

WATER PURIFICATION
A simple water filtration system can be made. Slow sand filtration method can be used. 

The World Health Organisation explains that slow sand filtration may not only be the cheapest and simplest, but also the most efficient method of water treatment. 
  In areas of Africa, a drum is sometimes filled with clean sand, the water is poured in at the top and drips out of a pipe or tap at the bottom, clear and pure. 
  Wash and clean the sand regularly, new sand if possible should preferably be used. 


Washington State Department of Health
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/EmergencyPreparednessandResponse/Factsheets/WaterPurification.aspx

Waterborne diseases
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterborne_diseases

WHO Slow Sand filtration
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/ssf9241540370.pdf

With thanks to doh.wa.gov, wikipedia.org and who.int

Lumiere Charity remembers Wisconsin

A candle has been lit in remembrance by Lumiere for all those who have passed away in the recent tragic shooting during worship at the Sikh Temple in Oak Tree, Wisconsin.  May strength be with all those who have suffered bereavement and loss during this sad event. 

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/headlines/20120805-7-including-gunman-dead-in-shooting-at-sikh-temple-in-wisconsin.ece

GOOD HEALTH LESSON 1; ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH - HEALTHY HOUSING

GOOD HEALTH LESSON 1

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH - HOUSING 

So; you wish to work in a disadvantaged area, and help effectively as a volunteer. 
  There will be certain things you will need to know to help the people in the area. 
  Many people often require support, assistance and education with health and school education. 

Lumiere has published a series of blog posts with health tips for use as resource. 

Adequate housing
Good and adequate housing has an effect on health. A strong, well built house gives protection against the natural elements. 
  It provides warmth in cold and wet weather, and shade in hot, sunny weather. 

A house provides physical and mental rest for both individual and family by affording adequate space for sleep and rest. 
  Good housing has clean, disease free water. The family are thus able to wash, cook and drink water in order to maintain good health.

Housing provides security and safety to individual and family - affording a safe place to live and sleep. 

Protection is offered by doors and windows against intruders and health hazards such as mosquitoes and snakes. 
  Effective sanitation and plumbing prevents many diseases.

Building a house
A house should be built so that it is strong, is not damp or subject to rising dampness, has good   ventilation (air movement) and has plenty of light.   Housing should be built in areas that are not subject to flooding, earth tremors or earthquakes.

 The floor level should be above ground level in order to prevent dampness and flooding by surface waters.
  Roof overhang should be designed so as to keep rainwater from the walls. 
  Hygienic arrangements should be made for sleeping, cooking and food storage. 

Toilet facilities
Toilet facilities should be available. 
If you live in outlying areas, every family should have an outhouse (a flyproof privy or closet). 
  This can be made quite simply by digging a deep hole with a little house over it. 
  Adults and children should not pass water or stools around the house and near places where drinking water is obtained. 
  People should not use rivers or water sources as a toilet.

Cleanliness
It is important that the house is kept clean. No spitting should be allowed on the floor. 
  Spitting can spread diseases such as tuberculosis. Animals such as fowls (birds), pigs and other animals should not be allowed in the house as they can sometimes carry disease. 

The householders should regularly check that no vermin such as rats, bedbugs, flies, fleas or other pests are present in the house. 
  If there are any signs of these vermin, the necessary steps should be taken to remove them as they too can carry disease.

Repair
Keep the house in good repair. Fill cracks and holes in the walls and floor of the house so vermin cannot hide in those areas. 
  Householders should keep both bedding and clothing clean. 
  They should be washed regularly, and hung in the sun where possible.

Avoid overcrowding
Do not overcrowd the house. Overcrowding such as many people in bunkbeds in a small room can lead to the spreading of disease, and emotional stress as people need space and privacy. 
  A family needs sufficient space for privacy. Cramped living conditions can affect children's study at home, and cause depression and anxiety. 

As volunteer
As a volunteer worker, do what you can to assist people to have access to affordable housing.

How to build an outhouse 

http://www.i4at.org/lib2/hmnwaste.htm

With thanks to hmnwaste.htm

Grandma Mentoring Program - a work of Inspiration and Grace

Grandma Tanya giving a haircut

Lumiere has heard a program in Southern Russia that pairs caring adults with needy orphans. Emotional nurturing of parentless children is essential for a child's well being, and this program helps the children to receive the personal love and attention they need. 

A 'grandma' is any adult involved with Mary Mother of God Mission Society Parish in Vladivostok, Russia. 'Grandpa's get involved too. They are typically parishioners who do not have full-time employment, and don't have enough pension to cover their basic living necessities such as food and shelter. This great program allow these caring adults to spend time doing something they love, while also sensibly providing a source of income for their personal needs. The parish in Vladivostok gives a Grandma $60 monthly. The Grandmas spend 48 hours per month in personal one-on-one time with the orphans.

The 'grandmas' take the children on excursions to the city, give haircuts, and spend time with the children. The 'grandpas' are a positive male role model for the children, many of whom are between the ages of 3 and 5. The children love to spend time out of doors exploring everything from parked cars to snowy hills. The orphans long for physical contact; one grandpa found it a common experience to have ten different children grabbing on to one of his fingers.

I have experienced this personally many times. Walking with orphans, the children all want to hold my hand, so often I have spread both my hands out to find myself shortly walking and trying not to bump into twenty little orphans, each one a different height, holding onto a different finger, and chattering away. What loneliness, what a need for love, each little one manifests.

The day I went into my room and cried was when I went into an Asian orphanage on one of my field trips. One of the carers told me that a little girl had not spoken a word since she had come in to the orphanage ten days before. She asked if there was anything I could do for the little girl. I said if there was, I certainly would do so. A short while later I went into the chapel, removing my shoes first in respect according to the custom of the area, to pray. A few minutes later, I heard the soft sound of hesitant feet coming towards me. I did not open my eyes, and eventually I heard a little person settle on the ground next to my feet. I still did not open my eyes, I guessed who it was. When I judged I would not frighten the little orphan, I opened my eyes and looked at her. Large eyes, tragic and sad, stared back at me. She spent a little time looking at me, then took my hand in hers and led me over to the statue of Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus. This little lady looked at me, and then said, 'mama' and mimed eyes closing, and face resting on her two little hands as if going to sleep. Then she pointed up towards the ceiling, to show her mother had gone to heaven. Then she pointed to the statue of Mary, and said, 'Mama', showing me that the only mother she now had was Mary of Nazareth in heaven to watch over her. Then she took my hand again.

I heard later she had been with her mother when her mother passed away from illness, leaving her destitute and alone at the side of the road until the Sisters had taken her in to care for her. One of the Sisters had comforted her by telling her that Mary of Nazareth would be her mother now. The sight of those sad little eyes with fathomless pain in their depths proved too much for me, and I fled to the bedroom I was using, so I could cry quietly without distressing the children. What suffering our children of the world go through. I got onto my mobile phone and rang my mom, just to hear her voice. How blessed have I been to have my parents.

Many of our Lumiere children consider me family, and have told me that my mother is their grandmother now; and my father who passed into heaven is their father too. They tell the children at school that their Didi is coming to visit them, because she loves them. From this background, I found the wonderful work of the Grandmas and Grandpas in Vladivostok inspiring. According the the pamphlet Lumiere was given, they are in urgent need of assistance.
In the spirit of Lumiere, please consider helping this worthy cause in any way you are able.
Another option is to help an orphan or street child yourself in some way. It surely will have been no accident that Divine Providence led you to read these words...

If you wish to help the work of the Grandmas and Grandpas, please find the information you will need;
Website of Grandma Mentoring Program
http://www.vladmission.org/Grandma%20Mentoring/GrandmaMentoring.htm
Donation can be made at the bottom of the above website page to;
MFP Baby Hospital #3 Vladivostok or
MFP Specialised Baby Home Ussurysk
MFP Psychneurology Baby Home Artyom
MFP Donation to any Orphanage in Need



Brian and his 'grandkids'
Photos courtesy of Grandma Mentoring Program website

Cooking Tips; How to be a great cook on a tight budget

Lumiere blog will be running a series of cooking tips, and here is one from me. Are you juggling work and home? Tend to get busy and burn food? Are you on a tight budget, and wanting to make cost effective meals  with little electricity and great taste?  I purchased a pressure cooker a good while ago and have found to be invaluable. The pressure cooker has been designed for use in a microwave.


I put rice and vegetables with some spices in the pressure cooker, and a short while later the meal is beautifully done; the rice soft, fluffy and perfectly cooked every time. There are many other recipes you can make with the cooker. When you've cooked your meal, serve it with a tasty salad such as lettuce, quartered cherry tomatoes, olives and feta cheese with a no fat vinaigrette dressing and you will be a winner every time. The cooker is called the Micromaster New Microwave Pressure Cooker. I wouldn't go anywhere without one now. It is made of a plastic type substance, with lockable handles. Just be careful with the steam vents at the top of the pressure cooker.  Also be careful when you open up the lid afterwards, as steam can escape and you don't want to scald your hands.


If you are in a shanty town area or squatter camp, if you have electricity you will be fine. Unfortunately if you have no electricity, then this is not the item for you. However, if you have a generator you'll be ok. There are loads of recipes you can use with this great cooker, using rice, pasta, vegetables. Apples stew beautifully in the cooker.


We'll be making a number of tried and tested recipes available from volunteers of Lumiere. They are busy in their kitchens now, testing the recipes before we make each one available. The criteria are; the recipes need to be cheap, tasty, and nutritious. Watch this space,...!


If you are interested in finding out more about the Micromaster, here is the info


http://www.amazon.co.uk/MICROMASTER-MICROWAVE-PRESSURE-COOKER/dp/B00193AMF0

*Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette. Please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose

Sewing Tips - Be a super successful handsewer! HEMS & SEAMS

The good news is that whatever our financial status, and wherever we live, we can always dress and look wonderful! As the talented Gok Wan has shown on television shows and in books, stitching and personal creativity are the golden paths to being beautifully dressed.


My grandmother was a fashion icon, a dressmaker and master tailor of note. Sisters Ottmar and Gebhard who taught me sewing at school were amazing teachers. They gave great sewing tips to me, and here are some for you today.


Stitching and the way you press or iron a garment inbetween stitching are very important to the final look. If you press/iron a seam with a damp cloth or steam iron inbetween each line of stitching, the eventual look of the garment/clothing will be tailored, and look as if it was designer bought. If you live in a squatter camp or shanty town and don't have access to electricity or steam irons, an old fashioned iron (made of iron and with a wooden handle) placed on a wood or coal burning stove to heat it up, works fine. Please be very careful with wood or coal burning stoves, as there is always the risk of fire. In the last camp I visited, the coal burning area was outside the hut for safety. Only let adults handle the iron.


HANDSTITCHING
There are many times that 'a stitch in time saves nine'. If your children are growing out of their schoolclothes and other clothing very fast, let down the hems of their trousers - dresses - shirts, and iron them. Rehem the hems with a very small hem, and do this by hand. You can get extended use of our clothing in this way. Also, keep the clothing once your child has grown out of it, for the next child in line to use when he/she grows tall enough to fit into the clothing. Alternately, get an agreement going with a brother or sister, cousin or friend who also has growing children, so swop your clothing with each other as children grow out of their clothing.


Other times to use handsewing are when a button comes off (buy another button, and sew it back on. Sew the other buttons more tightly on by means of handsewing, because when one button comes loose, the others often start coming loose too). If the stitching in a seam comes loose and the seam gapes open, a quick line of handstitching can save the day. Another tip is to sew all existing buttons on tightly when you buy a new garment to ensure good wear.


If the top of a dress or top is too loose and gapes open, a few stitches and possibly a dart or too can make the top better fitting. If you put on weight or lose weight, and your clothing becomes too tight, or too loose, a few stitches or a let out seam can save you having to purchase a whole new wardrobe.


At maternity time, you will be able to let out clothing. After baby is born, you can take in the seams again. All this freedom to keep on looking great is by means of the humble needle and thread, and your amazing and creative sewing.


WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Thread
I personally find that cotton thread in the colour of the garment/clothing you wish to sew is the easiest for handsewing. Match the colour of the thread to the garment.
Acrylic thread is great for overlocker machine sewing.
Use a black thread for a black dress or trousers; dark blue thread for a dark blue garment. Use white thread on a white garment, and a pink thread for a pink top. Any sewing shop will be able to help you learn how to match your thread to your garment.
Take the garment along, or if you are sewing a new garment from material, take a swatch (a small piece) of the material along with you. This will be helpful when you wish to match your thread to your clothing (there can be twenty different shades of pink or green, for example).


Needles
You will need needles.
There are four different types;
Sharps - long general purpose needles
Betweens - shorter general purpose needles
Crewel - these have a large eye for embroidery
Darning needles - these are large needles with large eyes, and are great for e.g. darning woollen socks, elbows of jerseys, and blankets.
The sizes of needles range form 1 to 12. The higher the number of the needle, the finer the needles will be. Number 7 or 8 is a useful size for general handsewing. I find myself that I now know after years of handsewing exactly which size I find best to sew with. You will also find the same.


Thimble
Wear a thimble on your middle finger. My ouma and my sewing teachers always used to encourage me to use a thimble, and a tomboy at the time, I kept on losing my thimbles. Sewing without a thimble can lead to skin being pricked by a needle. Always use your thimble - it protects your skin and the material you are sewing. If you are diabetic, please be aware that it is a health risk to use sharp objects such as needles.


Scissors;
A small pair of scissors for trimming thread is important. Don't use your teeth to bite thread - it's very bad for the enamel.
A large pair of dressmaking scissors is needed for cutting material. Keep this as your best pair, and don't let the children use this to e.g. cut paper, this will blunt them. Keep the scissors clean and dry. Sharpen them occasionally if necessary. Keep the scissors locked away. Children can hurt themselves with the scissors if they find them lying about. If you live in a squatter camp or shanty town, invest in a small suitcase or box which you can lock.


Pins
Fine stainless steel pins are great. I like the ones with little coloured bobbles on the top - they are easy to see and keep track of. Make sure you remove the same number of pins from your clothing that you put in. It is easy to get a deep scratch from a forgotten pin when you try on your clothing, or to stand on a pin when you've let it drop on the floor and forgotten it - painful and dangerous to those with diabetic skin.


Tape measure
Get a good tape measure.


An ironing board
An ironing board is helpful. If you live in a squatter camp or shanty town, and have neither the funds nor the space for an ironing board, you can iron on a blanket on a hard surface such as a table.


There are other items you can use for sewing, but these are sufficient to keep you sorted. I keep my sewing items in a small plastic resealable box which I bought years ago for a few pence, and which travels with me on all my field trips. It means that if I am out and my hem comes out, I can quickly sew it back in and look neat again.


HOW TO HAND STITCH SUCCESSFULLY
- I like to use double thread - I find a double thread properly knotted never ever comes out, especially if used for a seam or hem. Some people prefer a single thread. The choice is yours.
- Use the thread, and do not make it too long as it will then twist and knot.
- Stitch from right to left if you are right handed. If you are left handed, stitch from left to right if this is easier for you.
- Before you handsew e.g. a hem or seam, pin it in place first. Put your pins facing the same way, e.g. the bobbins on the end of the pin should all face either left or right.
- Then tack your hems or seams in place before stitching. This keeps it super neat and straight.
- Make a secure stitch to start off. I do this by placing a secure knot in the end of the double thread I use, and place my first stitch through the underside of the seam/hem I am sewing, so the knot is on the inside and cannot be seen on the outside of the garment.
Then I do a double stitch after the knot, this keeps the first stitch securely in place.
- Keep stitches even and do not pull too tightly. Stitches should be small and neat.
- Finish off securely ( I do this by making three small stitches next to each other, then passing my thread through a small piece of the hem, and then cut off the end of the thread).


I'll shortly make photographs of how to sew a hem, and how to use stitching we used to call 'magic stitching' because it never came out for us, and was not visible on the outside of the garment.
Watch this space!


* Great video on handsewing, with thanks to The Crafty Gemini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2mfJweh8a0


*Photo taken by Catherine Nicolette - please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose