BOGATA

Two young men to volunteer in Bogata

posted 12/09/05
Betty Tisdale who has established orphanages throughout the world will be mentoring two San Juan Island young men. Dwight Ware and Kohl Metzger-Bell will be accompanying the 82-year-old woman to Bogata January 11-16 to work at an orphanage. Tisdale has spoken at many local service clubs about her purpose-driven life. She established the orphanages after helping Amer-Asian children escape Vietnam after the fall of Saigon.

Metzger-Bell, a 2003 graduate of Friday Harbor High School, is currently enrolled in the Business Leadership Program at the University of Puget Sound (UPS) in Tacoma. Ware is a student at Friday Harbor High School. Both young men are seeking funding to help with the expenses.

All of the children at the orphanage in Bogotá are severely handicapped. Metzger-Bell said, "Betty told us that they see mostly women; they have very few opportunities to interact with men. Our presence at the orphanage would be as helpers and role models to the children. Our being there would be something they would remember for a long time."

They will take children's and infant clothing, sports equipment and school supplies to the orphanage. These items will be brought in their luggage because the cost of shipping and customs is prohibitive.

The two have estimated their personal costs would be around $1100-$1200 each, which includes approximately $850 for airfare, $150 for a hotel (shared space with others), and $100-$200 for food and other expenses. Air miles can substitute for airfare.

In addition to the personal costs, they along with others are attempting to raise funds to pay for the medical service professionals employed by the orphanage; physical therapists and occupational therapists, nurses, surgeons, etc. An annual salary for one of these professionals is about $7,500. They said, "If we raise $50,000 together we will significantly impact the children's lives."

They said, " We believe that this experience will help us to understand how to help others in our own community and to connect our community to the needs of others abroad. Your assistance in any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Metzger-Bell at kohl62185@hotmail.com, or Ware at rodwa4@hotmail.com or 378-3132.

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