Colorado Trip Photos

So way back when in October we had a great trip to meet Scott's family in Colorado. I'm wishing right now that I had some photos of the moment we got off the tram, doors opened to a whole audience of people awaiting their loved ones... black roping dividing us from those waiting. Mims and Pops stood on one side, us lugging all our stuff but most importantly their new Grandson on the other side. We see each other and both Mims and I begin crying. I have just kept a vision for more than three years and traveled half way around the world to a very foreign place and in that moment of looking at Mims and Pops laying eyes on their grandbaby for the first time, I am overwhelmed by a sense of some strange heroism... taken aback completely by the fact that I now know I did not do this for myself only... but that my journey toward Pacifique was truly for many, and for this mother of my dear husband.

Please enjoy some photos of our time in Colorado. Pictured below are Ariah's Uncle Patrick and Aunt Cari (Scott's sister and BIL) and his mom and dad (along with us).

Update on Clementina

Well, it has been a while since I posted what I knew of the situation with Clementina. In that time, I have become skeptical of the credibility of this situation posed to me by our friend Happy. Before I sent any money to Rwanda for Clementina's care, there were certain specific questions that I wanted answered completely: like what hospital she was in, which bed number. What was her prognosis if she received medical attention or surgery? What of the sick baby? I did not receive answers to any of these questions. The lack of information made me suspect, but I kept at it with the help of some wonderful women who also have come to know and love both Clementina and Happy. We all tried everything we knew to get accurate information- calling Rwanda and even asking an American acquaintance now living in Kigali to go to the reported doctor and hospital to get information about Clementina. Her efforts were tireless, but she was unable to set her eyes on Clementina.

Some of you have donated, but please know that I am holding on to the donations until I have spoken with you directly regarding how to proceed. Please be in contact with me if you have sent something along... I have tried to reach a few of you to no avail.

I hesitate to write much about this here, as I do not want to add drama to an already tough situation. Suffice it to say I am very sad and worried. Sad because Happy was a good friend to me and others and I hate to believe that he knowingly misrepresented something in order to get money. Worried because maybe Clementina is indeed sick and in trouble... and if she isn't then it is going to be very difficult to help her going forward since my only way to her was thru Happy.

That being said, I am also grateful and proud that I listened to my instinct, slowed things down and asked questions. I am happy that I was able to have integrity with people's money and that I worked so hard to verify the facts of this situation.

I will keep you posted if anything develops.. and again, if you have sent a donation but have not spoken with me, please contact me.

Blessings,
Jaya

Clementina Needs Help

Our family has been contacted with news that both Clementina and her young baby have been hospitalized sometime last week. Apparently Clementina has some growth or tumor on her uterus which is causing vast amounts of pain and needs to be removed urgently. Last reports said that she was in the hospital in excrutiating pain, yelling and screaming and crying for her baby who apparently is very sick with Malaria.

It has proved difficult for us to get all the information we need about Clementina and her case, but we do know that she needs care now and that the hospital will not operate until they are paid to do so. Without medical insurance (which Clementina does not have) the surgeons will not move forward with treatment. We are trying desperately to obtain doctors numbers and emails so that I can communicate directly with them about her needs and prognosis should the operation go smoothly. They need 1,20o USD to get this woman medical care and home again to her family, not to mention the fact that Clementina's landlord is now coming forward asking for the four months back rent she has not been able to meet due to her physical condition deteriorating. Rent is $50 a month, so I need to get them $200 for rent alone if I do not want the kids to lose their house at this moment in time.

I cannot really explain the feelings of unease and worry that I have been sitting with over the past few days as I have learned about this (I should include Ariah and others as well who have grown to love Clementina and her family and are very dedicated to them- I know that many people are sick about this, frustrated with the lack of information and also the feelings of helplessness and worry for Clementina's life). As a privileged American and a woman who showed up at a random moment and saved the family one time already, it is me who is being looked to to again move mountains. It is likely that the only hope of this problem being remedied lies in my hands and the hands that surround us. That is a heavy weight to carry at times like these, and I have had to think long and hard about what it means to have someone's life in your own hands... and those of her 5 children as well. They need their mama home and well. Without her, they are orphans too, maybe not with such a bright future as Pacifique has.

Where you come in... I am sure we can get the money wired over there in time for Clementina, but Scott and I don't have it yet. We need to fund raise it. We have some of the funds already, almost half maybe combined with efforts of some friends in the Bahamas who have come to know and love Clementina and her children too. Our goal is to wire funds obviously as soon as we have all the information, but we need the funds! Please please please, there is a donate button under the header of this page, please use it if you are so inclined to do something for this family this holiday time.

You may contact me as well privately at jayasun@vermontel.net or jsholliman@gmail.com.

I will keep you posted... I am feeling so responsible for this family and their future, and having the participation of others monetarily and otherwise meets my desire for help and care and brings such relief. Who knew that on the anniversary of the day our son was found, St. Nicholas day, we would be deciding the fate of a mother and her kiddos too.

Be blessed,
Jaya and family, Clementine's included