Hello everyone,

It’s been a few weeks and I sure hope that you are well rested from such an amazing trip

I can’t tell you what a wonderful time the kids had, they sure enjoyed everyone so much. I love seeing them interact with all of us, the joy, laughter and love really shows!  Sharon told me that there were some tears after we left.  Maria’s children were so overjoyed especially when they won the speaker…. Wow can you believe they all decided to pool their tickets together.  That was so awesome and touching for me, I’ll never forget it.

We donated $1200 each to Maria, Grant and Sharon.  For Grant and Sharon we paid for the use of their van and cars, gas, all the food we ate and excursions.  We also left them with some very good meat for a nice dinner.  Sharon wanted us to plant flowers but we were having too much fun with the fashion show.
For Maria we also gave her gas money, paid for all the food including a burger party (after the carnival), KFC with all the extras including ice cream, excursions, paint and supplies and more…. Plus Brian treating everyone to drinks at the carnival and all of you buying them drinks outside.  Brian bought a van full of food and supplies that they really need.  Such a very special treat!!  I think they ate more food while we were there than they do in a month or more!

How can I thank you all you for joining me on this amazing trip.  Everyone contributed in a very special way.  Not only will we have all these great memories, they will also and that’s most important.  Sharing our love with such sweet kids.  I wanted to ask if anyone would like to write something for the AAI newsletter about this trip, including some pictures.  It’s always nice to have a different perspective other than me.

Lastly please take care and please keep Maria in your prayers and thoughts.  We are still trying to figure out how we can build her house and raise the money needed. Maria has lots of faith.

Thank you all so much again for making this trip so memorable for me and the children!  My favorite was holding the baby!! Of course watching everyone on the rock wall….. so much fun.

I hope I didn’t forget anything… let me know if there’s anything I should do differently next time.  Everyone was so patient with all the changes, Thank you.

All my love,
Cheryl

Messages from Happy Travelers on Cheryl’s South African Adventure

From Debbie:

Hello Everyone:

I LOVE to travel, but, since I work a full-time ‘civilian’ (non-airline) job, I have limited time off, and have to pay full price for my airfare.  However, after my first trip to South Africa with Airline Ambassadors, I was hooked!  I knew I had to go back, and I recently completed my third mission trip with AAI.

The people of South Africa are SO wonderful!  Here is a picture of a few of the kids we had the privilege to help:  Grant and Sharon’s kids, Maria’s kids with the soccer ball (I always bring a soccer ball for them), and an amazing lady showing off her skirt for African Heritage week.  If you have any interest in this type of mission, I encourage you to check out AAI.

From Kyle Brandenstein:

Every time I visit, I leave feeling humbled and inspired by the incredible children we spend time with. Their excitement, resilience, and happiness—even in the simplest moments—always touch my heart, reminding me of what’s truly important in life.

This trip was packed with memorable moments and projects that made a real impact. One of our key efforts was helping at Maria’s daycare, where we painted and spruced up the space. They’ve built a small stage at the daycare to help raise funds by hosting events like graduations and small parties. The money raised will go directly to Maria’s home, helping provide essentials like food and supplies for the kids she cares for. The children were excited to help, and knowing that our efforts contribute to their well-being made it all the more rewarding.

One of my favorite memories was taking Maria’s kids to the arcade. This was their second time at an arcade—the first was during our last trip—and they were just as excited! They had their hearts set on winning a speaker from the prize booth. In a beautiful show of teamwork, they pooled their tickets together to win it! The arcade staff even helped out by adding some extra tickets. Their joy when they finally got that speaker was contagious.

Reflecting on my first trip in April, I remember Elliot, one of the older boys. During that trip, he won the most tickets but gave them all to his younger siblings so they could enjoy the prize booth instead. It was his first time at an arcade, yet he selflessly stepped aside to let them have the fun. This act of kindness has stayed with me—it’s a testament to how much love and care Maria has instilled in these kids. I secretly bought him some candy afterward so he could still enjoy a treat. That moment is one I’ll never forget.

We also took the kids from both Maria’s and Sharon’s homes to the movie theater. For many of them, it felt like Christmas! They were absolutely thrilled to watch a movie on the big screen, something many had never experienced before. Each child got popcorn and a drink, and the theater was filled with laughter and excitement. It was a truly magical day for them, and their happiness was contagious.

At Sharon’s house, we organized a fun fashion show using arts and crafts supplies. The kids formed teams and designed their own outfits, creating “designer brands” and performing on our makeshift runway. The creativity, laughter, and joy in the room were unforgettable, and we’ve decided to make this fashion show a tradition for every future trip!

Every person who joins us on these trips brings a spirit of kindness and generosity. It’s amazing how quickly we form bonds and create lifelong memories together. If you’ve ever thought about joining us, I promise you’ll leave with a heart full of love and experiences you’ll never forget.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support—whether through donations, prayers, or simply following along with our journey. You are helping us make a lasting impact on these kids’ lives, and we couldn’t do it without you.

I can’t wait for the next mission trip, and I hope you’ll consider joining us. It’s truly a life-changing experience!

Beth

It was such a privilege to be included in the South Africa trip in September! It was my very first time being able to join an AAI trip, as well as my first time on that continent, so I was enthralled with every aspect of the experience. Getting to interact with the people we were there to help for several days, and getting to know them on a personal level was so meaningful, and everything we did with them was so much fun! All the kids who live in the two childrens’ homes that AAI supports there are just so lovely, and it’s obviously due to the upbringing and care they receive in those wonderful homes. Hearing the testimonies of the folks who founded and run those homes brought me to tears, and I was not the only one. So inspiring! I’m sure our whole group felt that we were being blessed by being with them more than the reverse.

I had always wished I could join in on an AAI mission trip, ever since I worked with, and was very impressed by, Nancy Rivard many years ago. But until recently my own responsibilities had made it impossible. What a fantastic way to jump into the roll of a full-fledged member of the AAI family! Thank you to Cheryl and everyone else involved!

Why Help Maria was set up to rebuild the orphanage where Maria takes care of all the vulnerable children outside of Johannesburg S.Africa.  Although we started this project to rebuild her current home, the recent earthquake damaged her house beyond repair and it had to be torn as it was deemed UNSAFE to  live in.

Now we need to find the best way to build her a new home.  We need more funds to continue with a contractor and have been told the it will take at least $25,000 to construct a safe and proper home. The work can’t be started until we can prove we have enough money to cover the new build.

Maria and the children are living in a container and it’s not a safe place for them.  The winter  was bitter cold and soon it will be summer and be unbearably hot.

We are investigating any and all affordable housing options to build on her current property.  When the build is finished we will help paint and do any work that needs to be completed before they move in.

I am asking for your help and support to please get this project finished.  Please help us reach our goal and build a new, safe and affordable home for the children who need it most. As always, your donations are most appreciated.

Children do not wish to be born into abuse, poverty and neglect situations.

You can support this project HERE!