madhatter 0 #26 December 5, 2007 Quote Just a brief update for those interested... We're just under $2,000 US Dollars raised for Tonto's adopted child. Nothing says we have to stop this on "X" day, you know. I can wire when we hit $2k, or $2k, and then wire again the next time we hit a milestone, or whatever we think is appropriate. -Peter Hi Peter, Just got an update that the trust has grown by R11,470.00 (+- $1600). Funds will also be coming from the closing pins that Jaye (ACMESkydiver) is having made ( last chance to place your order ) Any update on when this thread's funds will be transferred? Just want to post thank you's on our local listserve as well. Thanks once again to everyone who've helped thus far! JohannA VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! D.S # 125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ntrprnr 0 #27 December 5, 2007 Was just talking to SkyMama about this yesterday. I'm going to transfer the money on or around the 15th - After that, any donations made to the fund through my PayPal account I'll transfer once every three months. Will give a total as we get closer. :) -Peter_______________ "Why'd you track away at 7,000 feet?" "Even in freefall, I have commitment issues." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madhatter 0 #28 December 5, 2007 Thanks for the quick reply A VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! D.S # 125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #29 December 14, 2007 Hey all! Great news! Our local radio station granted "Silindile's Christmas Wish" - they organized an SA medical company to pay for her tuition fees, uniforms, text books and transport costs for her entire school career! Check out wish #3: http://www.highveld.co.za/thelounge/events/Christmas_Wishlist_20071112/Wish_Granted/Wish_Day_14.asp -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #30 December 14, 2007 Make sure to listen to the podcast, too. (Chanti, I just put two and two together and realized that you are the person who called the radio station about the wish ... SO cool of you!!!!"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #31 December 14, 2007 Thanks Krisanne, that's sweet, but I don't deserve any thanks - Taya and Tonto are the ones who started this amazing project and now AON are keeping the ball rolling. What an amazing company! They just phoned me now to ask for contact information - all at the office put money together to buy some Christmas presents for Silindi and her family. How cool is that!?!?! -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #32 December 14, 2007 Nice work girl Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #33 December 14, 2007 Great job! And for a truly worthy future! Thank you for the effort and compassion! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #34 December 14, 2007 That is really, really great! Thanks to you for making the call and please give that company our thanks!She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taz 0 #35 January 10, 2008 Happy new year. I've just returned today to Princeton from South Africa (one more semester to go if I can pass these exams coming up). While in Joburg I visited Silindi in Kliptown and brought her and her mother over to the house where I was staying for a braai and a swim in the pool with other friends and their kids. She is doing amazingly well. Apparently she has been asking about me and Eric since it's been longer than usual between visits (I didn't get to see her, just her mom, right after t passed away). When she saw me walking up the path to her house, she ran and jumped on me immediately! She is doing a lot of dancing and drumming, with an amazing sense of rhythm. They work on this at school. She's also growing, and very proud of two new front teeth coming in. Her smile is as infectious and radiant as ever. She hasn't been told that Eric is gone. I think this will wait until school starts up again so there are plenty of teachers and social workers around to explain why he isn't coming to visit when she asks again. She is a confident young thing now, jumping, running, and skipping all over the place in her community. She greets people and functions perfectly well with improvised sign language. Her mom, Thandi, is doing great with her signing, and mom and daughter communicate nicely. Their relationship really seems to have improved, I'm sure due to the support from St. Vincent's school. I have uploaded around 20 pictures from my visit a few days ago to Picasa, since I can only post really small photo attachments here. http://picasaweb.google.com/tayaweiss/Silindile Blue skies always, -TIt's the Year of the Dragon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #36 January 10, 2008 She is beautiful! Wow. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taz 0 #37 January 10, 2008 I think so, but then again I'm in love She radiates beauty from inside... and makes me happy to be around her no matter what. It's the Year of the Dragon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #38 January 10, 2008 Quote I think so, but then again I'm in love She radiates beauty from inside... and makes me happy to be around her no matter what. How can you not be? ((Hugs)) to you.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #39 January 10, 2008 Amazing...she looks like such a happy little girl, just like you described. What a sweetheart. You obviously mean the world to her. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #40 January 10, 2008 Quote She is beautiful! Wow. She's radiant! She just glows.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madhatter 0 #41 January 10, 2008 Thanks for the pics, T! She looks so happy A VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! D.S # 125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taz 0 #42 March 3, 2009 Today is Eric's (tonto's) birthday, so it seems like a good time for an update. I know it's been a while, but for those who haven't forgotten Aon has continued to sponsor her school fees and pay for uniforms, stationery, etc. With the current economic climate, we're cautiously trying to tuck away a little extra cushion just in case. There are also other elements of providing support that fall outside of Aon's contributions, which are shored up by the generosity of all who gave to the Trust in Eric's memory. Since the family has no private health insurance, we need to be prepared in case of any medical or health issues that might arise. In the longer term, we would like to be able to help Silindi go to university or get vocational training after secondary school, which is when Aon's support ends. In a more immediate sense, the next big step is trying to help Silindile's mother to find a better home so they can eventually move out of the shack where they live. I sometimes fear for the safety of Silindi and her brother in the environment of the squatter camp. Fire is a perpetual hazard, and there is little or no privacy. For a while last year Thandi, her mother, moved into a shelter, and she has been very proactive about contributing as much as she can, but that was only a temporary solution. The great news though, is that this resilient, beautiful little girl continues to grow and thrive, in a story that really defies all the odds of the circumstances she was born into. I am proud and happy and continue to be moved by the way people in the skydiving community mobilized to build the foundation for something we cared/care deeply about. Thank you, again. And happy birthday, t It's the Year of the Dragon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #43 March 3, 2009 Thanks for the update! She's certainly a bright-eyed girl, given the circumstances that she lives in. It's no nice to hear that she's thriving. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #44 March 3, 2009 Very cool to hear that she's doing well! Take care, Taz. I still have a photo of you on my kitchen cabinet flying over South Africa. I was thinking about you just the other day whilest getting out the peanut butter. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
