The last of the donation money....

is spent! So here is the story...

It took over three months and a few emails but I have been able to move forward and Albert will be getting an artificial arm!

Ever since meeting Albert briefly the day after seeing the Orthopedic Center in Nsawam, I have felt that I really needed to look into getting him help. Albert is a student at the same free school that Selina was at for a short period of time before entering the adoption center. This school is run by Percy of our adoption agency (he wears many hats). I was told that Albert was very self conscious about his arm.

Prior to leaving Ghana, I was able to talk to Brother Tarcisius who runs the center and he said that he would take Albert in at the center and make him an arm if I am able to pay for it and if Albert will have support in his life to help him with his new arm.

I informed Percy of this before leaving Ghana. I also emailed him when I returned to America but did not hear back from him. About two weeks ago, I was about to give up when I decided to email his brother Edward (who was my driver while I was in Ghana). Edward took me to Nsawam when I was in Ghana and saw the center and met Brother with me. Edward emailed back immediately and agreed to take Albert to the center for evaluation the following Monday.

Last Monday Albert was to go to the center with Edward and his teacher Gifty. As things tend to be in Ghana, it wasn't easy. Brother never emailed me back when I tried to let him know that Albert was coming so I was concerned the Edward would take him and Albert would not be evaluated. On Sunday evening I found Brother's phone number and so I called Edward (actually spoke to Percy as he answered) and gave him the number. It was great to talk to Percy and to know that he is also excited about this. I was nervous all day Monday wondering if it all would work out until I got this email...

I was there this morning with Albert and Gifty Albert's teacher and were told Tarcisius has stroke so we could not see him. Since we don't have any appointment we have to join a long cue and finally Albert was seen around 5pm. Some measurements was taken and an amount of $700 before they will start working on him. As soon as the payment is made we have to go back for them to work on the plaster. if that is done he will be admitted for a for them to fix his hand. I will scan the bill and send it to you tomorrow.

They feel he will be a fine candidate for an arm and estimated the cost for the arm and for him to live at the center for a month or two to learn how to use it would be $700. Thankfully, I have enough left to cover this as well as the cost for Edward to transport him back and forth from the center at least four times to complete the process. The center is a few hours away.

Given what I was told about Albert's history, I was not sure if he would have family support to help with his new arm or that he fully would understand what is going on. I have spoken to the center and emailed back and forth with Edward and am no longer concerned. In fact, I was blessed with the following email on Tuesday...

About six family members of Albert were in my house this morning to thank me and they ask me to tell you that God Richly Bless you for what you are doing for Albert, and they are very grateful. They said the Almighty should bless you in all areas of your life. Brother Tascisius is still in Ghana and hospitalized in the room next to his office, I spoke to him on phone and said he is doing fine. Yes the family will be able to help him with his new arm. It is okay with me to take Albert to the hospital...

On Tuesday this email was the sign I needed from God to proceed with this. I spoke to Sister Elizabeth from the center on Friday and she confirmed every thing and I told her that I would be covering the cost of this with donation monies I had received. Elizabeth requested that Albert go back to the center on Monday (today) to get measured and for more evaluation. She is leaving to Holland with Brother Tarcisius who is doing much better following his stroke. He will be seen by doctors there and they will bring back some items needed in particular for Albert's arm as he will require some imported parts!

So I can't tell you how excited I am that this is working out!! This is due to all of you listed at the top of this page that donated monies for me to use to help others in Ghana. Thank you for trusting me with such generous donations! Now that all the money is spent, I will be doing another post sharing my last story of where another large portion of the money went.

Part of doing this for Albert, I was told that the arm he receives will last about five years and then he will need an adult arm that he will have the rest of his life. This adult sized arm will be more complicated and will cost considerably more (closer to $2000). I have already committed to the center that if Albert uses his arm and they feel he would benefit from the adult arm, that I will pay for it. I would hate to have people wonder what is going to happen next for him and so in five years, I hope to be having a fundraiser for Albert!!

I also sent Edward an email asking how Albert felt about this and if he understood what was happening and that he would be leaving his family to live alone in the center with all the other children that are learning how to use their new limbs (there are currently 50 children in the children's center) and he said this...

Albert knows what is going on he is very happy about it, I heard he told the classmates that very soon an arm will be fix for him and they were all happy for him.

So there you have it... I can't tell you how pleased I am that this is working out. I am so thankful for all that donated money and for Edward for helping Albert see this through. I feel this was really worked out so well as many of you that donated specifically mentioned wanting to donate to something that was tied to Selina. To be able to help another child from her school that lives in the same neighborhood that she did and that is from the same tribe is a perfect way to honor her roots. Thank you for this and I look forward to updating you in the future on Albert's progress.