7 Cops, 6 Charities,

I spent my morning eating cake again, it's a hard life.

The AWCD* had a pot luck brunch at the U.S. consulate's house where the six of the charities that we support this year came to talk to us to explain to us what exactly they do.

Of the six charities this morning, Friedensdorf International is the one that seems to tug the heart strings the most, it gets no funding whatsoever from the state, surviving on donations alone. It takes children from countries such as Angola and Afghanistan who are often so severely injured and sick that sometimes it's touch and go as to whether the child is strong enough to survive the flight to Germany. Once here the charity ensures that the child receives the medical care needed, that their own country can't provide, and then allows the child sufficient recovery and rehabilitation time in an environment full of other children and happiness**. When the child is well enough they return home.

My blip shows one of the ladies from the charity sharing the story of Enrique who flew home just last week so much healthier then when he left his homeland that on his arrival his parents barely recognised him


* American Women's Club Düsseldorf.
** a friend who actively volunteers with the charity has described the fun these (seriously sick and often badly maimed) children have as being like a permanent pyjama parties.