tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post6108783201261630919..comments2023-10-08T06:11:47.946-04:00Comments on Living Freely: Raising Money for Acres of Hope?Brandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080173627359254887noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-44692071745835475662008-07-27T17:10:00.000-04:002008-07-27T17:10:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Brandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080173627359254887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-6936122004528597652008-07-27T05:08:00.000-04:002008-07-27T05:08:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-57495453434970618432008-07-25T06:07:00.000-04:002008-07-25T06:07:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Brandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080173627359254887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-22516770987386193722008-07-25T06:02:00.000-04:002008-07-25T06:02:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Brandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080173627359254887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-41237020750371764122008-07-25T04:21:00.000-04:002008-07-25T04:21:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-14560268240432337632008-07-24T18:09:00.000-04:002008-07-24T18:09:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-24647141287727075582008-03-15T12:40:00.000-04:002008-03-15T12:40:00.000-04:00Melodie ended her first comment with the statement...Melodie ended her first comment with the statement, "I have legitimate rebuttals for many of your points.", and I was expecting them to be forthcoming, but I do not see any actual informative rebuttels to the concerns you wrote about in any of her comment postings. I would especially expect her to shed light on the feeding program, since this was such a major focus of your posting.<BR/><BR/>It is clear to me: You asked your friends and family and even strangers who found your blog online to consider contributing to AOH because of the feeding family. You must feel obligated for "misleading" them youself, and it is honorable to clarify to those whom you first requested donation help from.<BR/><BR/>As one who is interested in helping feeding programs for children, I appreciate your posts.annNEEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04589019428093709645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-22404032460631412008-02-27T14:38:00.000-05:002008-02-27T14:38:00.000-05:00Brandi,I know this must have been a difficult post...Brandi,<BR/><BR/>I know this must have been a difficult post to write, but an even harder ordeal to discover and walk out.<BR/>As an aid worker/missionary in other Liberian orphanages, I'd like to discuss some of your concerns and plans and hopes further. Can you email me please?<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to hearing from you.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10146543400541226673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-33893318322588105782008-02-26T09:42:00.000-05:002008-02-26T09:42:00.000-05:00Just really quick to Donna and anyone else that mi...Just really quick to Donna and anyone else that misunderstood my comment: When I said "even IF AoH is somehow unethical, it really isn't to any extreme level that will somehow do more harm than good" this was not well stated. So sorry to those who misunderstood me. My point us supposing AoH does not use money like people think it should be used, or do things like they think, they are still doing a lot of good in Liberia. I shouldn't have used the word unethical since I made a point in another post to say I do not believe the end justifies the means. <BR/> MelodieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-55050689251035570472008-02-26T09:37:00.000-05:002008-02-26T09:37:00.000-05:00So much to add- Lets start with the special needs ...So much to add- <BR/>Lets start with the special needs kids that AOH is "helping". AoH is making $1000s of dollars off of special needs kids and babies. Just ask any adoptive parent who has recently adopted them. NO ONE received a discount and those families are the ones with the expenses for the next ?? years. Other agencies there also do special needs adoptions so it is not like they cornered the market on this. If they had any ounce of compassion for these children; they would do it for far less than the 10-13000 that they are charging per child. This is not about orphans. This is about making money. <BR/><BR/>AOH is a public NOT for PROFIT organization and as such they are open for public scrutiny on how they spend their money. And they have not been honest about how they spend it. Had they honestly said we spend it on land, buildings, vechicles for ourselves; no one would have said anything. But they misled families to believe it was being spent on projects in Liberia which Brandi has proven otherwise.<BR/><BR/>AOH focus is on children more than money?? The opposite has been true. Families have called this into questions because they claim to be "Christian" organization. With that comes accountability and good stewardship.<BR/><BR/>If the orphanage closes- no problem. AOH does not take in kids off the street anyway. Other orphanages agencies have been doing that. Only kids they feel they can make money off of through adopting are taken in. So no kids would be put out by this. Once again you are trying to justify unethical activity for a child. It can be done right.It must be done right.<BR/><BR/>Others seem to think that the government there is not noticing what AOH or other agencies are doing. I can assure you they have taken notice.It is just a matter of time. No wonder UNICEF gets involved. Adoption agencies have not been following procedures and over look the laws. They might as well be serving the proof to UNICEF on a silver plater. It isnt responsible parent that are going to affect adoptions in Liberia; it is the adoption agencies who think they are above even Liberian laws.<BR/><BR/>And by the way- many many of us have moved forward. We choose to be responsible by informing families of the truth. If others dont agree than dont read it. We are also moving forward with plans for Liberia. Many of us are very involved with other organizations who have integrity and can prove themselves above reproach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-16342573976639837712008-02-25T21:15:00.000-05:002008-02-25T21:15:00.000-05:00Okay, thanks Brandi. Hmmm...not the way I would ha...Okay, thanks Brandi. Hmmm...not the way I would have gone about moving on, but hey, you are moving on. I DO look forward to hearing about your plans. Despite our AoH differences, it has been cool to watch you turn into a woman after my own heart! I am hoping to go to Uganda this fall with a new job, but I do not have anything lined up yet. It's just one of the countries I want to work in next!<BR/><BR/>-Melodie<BR/><BR/>P.S. After I pay off my student loans I can start saving money for projects ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-82674119238755831902008-02-25T20:46:00.000-05:002008-02-25T20:46:00.000-05:001 meal for an orphan = $0.503 new Land Rovers = $1...1 meal for an orphan = $0.50<BR/>3 new Land Rovers = $120,000<BR/><BR/>equals 240,000 meals for orphans<BR/><BR/>This would feed 657 orphans that don't live at the orphanage for a year (365 days). Is this math right?Jeremy and Kamina Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06051345889391222091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-26836788993679001332008-02-25T20:22:00.000-05:002008-02-25T20:22:00.000-05:00Melodie, I don't really want to go back and forth ...Melodie, I don't really want to go back and forth with comments, but I did want you to know something.<BR/><BR/>The REASON I posted this was so that I could move on to helping Liberia. I had told people that we would be raising money for Acres so I HAD to tell them that wasn't happening and why not. NOW, we can move on. I am finishing up my research with 2 different organizations now. Next week I hope to announce major plans for helping raise money for wells in Liberia (we already have almost all the money for one in RockHill and I've spent my day figuring out what I can sell in my home to collect more money for future wells) I also plan on working with an organization in Uganda helping raise money for birth kits for villages to decrease the mortality rate of women giving birth. I am NOT going to be silent and do nothing but complain. I list these issues so that I may move on and DO something!! Come on back next week so you can hear more!!! Start saving your money now!<BR/><BR/>BrandiBrandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080173627359254887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-51834269391512483142008-02-25T20:11:00.000-05:002008-02-25T20:11:00.000-05:00Thanks for not deleting my post Brandi. Just to cl...Thanks for not deleting my post Brandi. Just to clarify a few things, I do NOT believe the end justifies the means. As I said, not everything (mistakes, miscommunication, etc.) has been handled the best way. But I also said I have rebuttals for most of your points. No, I don't necessarily want to go back and forth with you about those, I have the feeling what I have to say will not change your mind at this point (otherwise we'd have had the conversation months ago). The cultural issues were just one of the areas I mentioned in specific. <BR/><BR/>Maybe this is slander, maybe it's not (that was good to have your lawyer go over it first), I just think everyone has spent way to much time pointing out what AoH is not doing right, and how they are supposedly unethical, instead of moving forward with new plans to help Liberia. I know you love Liberia. You HAVE made that very clear, but if you do you will leave AoH alone and focus on supporting whomever you deem worthy. Sure, if you aren't comfortable supporting AoH, that's just fine, but move on. This has been one of the things that has bothered me the most about all the anti-AoH folk. I have seen unethical and I have seen bad. Even if I did agree that AoH is doing illegal things, they are obviously not so outstanding that the Liberian government has noticed anything. (They picked on Addy's Hope, not AoH recently. Btw, I do support Addy's Hope). My point is, even IF AoH is somehow unethical, it really isn't to any extreme level that will somehow do more harm than good.<BR/><BR/>-MelodieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-72054652908102916652008-02-25T20:05:00.000-05:002008-02-25T20:05:00.000-05:00I admire that you said you had your lawyer look th...I admire that you said you had your lawyer look this over. this just shows your concern and integrity. I have not adopted nor had any association with this agency (since we're adopting from China) so this is not a comment about it... it's a comment to just encourage you! You are not a mudd slinger... but honest and a woman with integrity.Karinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03883239159794870236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-82159425512169359642008-02-25T19:48:00.000-05:002008-02-25T19:48:00.000-05:00All I have to say is that I am so grateful to have...All I have to say is that I am so grateful to have a beautiful son who I adopted from AoHL...but at the same time the end does NOT justify the means. By people saying it does they are saying that they don't trust God to do HIS will.<BR/><BR/>For those that have accused Brandi of slander. I can tell you that I have been accused of that as well and to accuse someone of slander is slanderous in nature, so do yourself a favor and practice what you preach. Nothing that was said here was slanderous in any way.<BR/><BR/>Though I am ever grateful to AoH for bringing my son to me and I am so in debt to Melodie, Sydnee, and the Sheppard Family for their wonderful care of my son while he was in AoH custody. I would not choose to adopt from them again because of the things that have come to light since I have been home with my son. This saddens me deeply since I put so much trust in them. <BR/><BR/>This is simply a personal choice, and everyone has a right to that. But all I have to say is well done Brandi, for stating the research you have come to with poise and grace.<BR/><BR/>JocelynJocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17747536873852049198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-39610948775407188372008-02-25T19:43:00.000-05:002008-02-25T19:43:00.000-05:00Okay, I just have to respond to "Anonymous" becaus...Okay, I just have to respond to "Anonymous" because I am really surprised by your reasoning. You say that if the focus is on the children, why should it matter how much is being spent on vehicles and houses?? My question is, how is that about the children? Yes, the ones in the orphanage are being fed, but what about the thousands of others in the rest of the country that are in need as well?? Adoption fees are a lot of money -- much more than it takes to pay for the actual adoption and the care of the children in the orphanage. As an adoptive parent who had to scrape and save to pay those fees, part of the deciding factor in choosing an agency was the advertised humanitarian work in the country. It is upsetting to me to have been misled... <BR/>I don't think it's fair to say that if we are truly focused on the "children" we shouldn't care about where our hardearned money is going... Perhaps if we are only focused on the children in the orphanage this would be true... but it is about much more then the children that are being adopted. They are a drop in the bucket. There are so many others in need and if our focus truly IS on the children and helping as much as we can, then we need to make educated, informed decisions about which organizations to support based on how much of our money is actually going to make a difference. <BR/><BR/>-another anonymous- (c'mon people, let's sign our names here)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-49886262359223244992008-02-25T18:58:00.000-05:002008-02-25T18:58:00.000-05:00Dear Anonymous,First of all, you are on MY persona...Dear Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>First of all, you are on MY personal blog. Please use your name. I have allowed anonymous comments so that people who do not have blogger accounts can comment, but please use your name. You applaud Melodie, but she signed her name!<BR/><BR/>Also, I wrote as someone looking into their humanitarian work. I didn't even mention their illegal or unethical practices in adoption. If this information is damaging, it is the information itself, not the messenger. I have simply presented research. If that looks bad and if there are consequences, those would have to lay on the shoulders of those who committed wrong doing. <BR/><BR/>I DO care about the children. Truthfully, I think it is wrong for you to accuse me of not caring. If you would take the time to read my older posts, you would see a passion for not just my adopted child, but for all of Africa. In fact the reason I researched was so that I could do more than just adopt, I plan on being involved in other ways of care for children all across Africa. <BR/><BR/>By the way, this post was reviewed by my lawyer so I can promise you it is not slander, nor was it intended as such. I tried to present this material with as much grace as is possible.<BR/><BR/>I pray that the children of Liberia and many other African nations can be served with integrity that points to Jesus,<BR/><BR/>BrandiBrandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080173627359254887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-73770269160797782882008-02-25T18:46:00.000-05:002008-02-25T18:46:00.000-05:00Well said Melodie!!!I hope this blog post does no...Well said Melodie!!!<BR/>I hope this blog post does not affect adoptions.<BR/>Some of the info about money in bank accounts and stuff should not have been posted on-line for everyone to see. EVERYONE can see this blog post not <BR/>just adoptive families. <BR/>So I'm sure a lot of families who waiting referrals and for their kids to come home will be extremely upset if this jeopardizes their adoption in anyway.<BR/>This could also be considered as SLANDER. Everyone needs to get off their HIGH horses <BR/>and focus on the CHILDREN more than "money".<BR/>As long as the kids are fed and taken care of then who cares if someone has 6 land rovers.<BR/>Money especially a lot of money can lead to greed. But as long as the orphanage is still<BR/>running I think that is all that any adoptive parent is worried about.<BR/>They should be worried about when or if their child is coming home and all the other stuff<BR/>should definitely be secondary!!!<BR/><BR/>If someone decides to adopt, or not to adopt with Acres of Hope it's their choice and others should stay out of it. This is my opinion and I'm entitled to it just as much as anyone else!!!<BR/>If the orphanage is closed and all the kids are turned out on the street, then that will be a million<BR/>times worse than worrying about how big someones house, guest house or other things are and how much money, land-rovers and other expensive things someone<BR/>has! If the orphanage is closed and all the kids are left to fend for themselves and <BR/>many adoptive families lose their kids and all the money they paid for their adoptions, then <BR/>That will be on YOUR conscience!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-75457507507695130912008-02-25T18:44:00.000-05:002008-02-25T18:44:00.000-05:00Hi Brandi - found your blog via your post on I thi...Hi Brandi - found your blog via your post on I think the AAR group yesterday. What a great post and what a great job you did researching and laying out the details. I spent about 1 1/2 years working on adopting from Vietnam, a program which is fraught with corruption top to bottom. To see someone (regardless of the country or program) come out after the fact and share what you've learned is so admirable to me. Yes, I'm sure there are those who will be critical of what you say and not want to hear it but I applaud you for having the strength and dedication to share it anyway. Though there are many things in your post that alarmed me, having $800,000 in the bank and spending $40,000 on new vehicles is way up there (especially when their employees cannot live adequately on what they are paid). Unfortunately I think there are a lot of other agencies out there practicing the same way. So I cheer you on and hope you do find an organization to support that you can believe in - sounds like you have a lot to give in support and passion to a group that does follow through on what it says. Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-14068304591374444402008-02-25T14:07:00.000-05:002008-02-25T14:07:00.000-05:00Melodie,No, I do not plan on deleting comments jus...Melodie,<BR/><BR/>No, I do not plan on deleting comments just b/c someone disagrees with me. <BR/><BR/>However, I can tell you why we posted this is such detail. It had gotten to the point where all of the "questions" concerning the agency were being flipped off as rumors. We did not want anyone to think that we operated or made our decisions based on rumors. Instead, I feel that our donors have a right to know what we found out. I plan on asking these same questions of other organizations and publishing them as well. This research took a LOT of time and I felt it was right to share what I had learned. I agree that it wasn't an easy post. It wasn't easy to write either. It certainly wasn't easy to find those things out!<BR/><BR/>I know that AoH is doing some good things. However, I do not believe that the "end justifies the means" I believe that God can get children out of a country when they need it with us as believers still doing things with integrity. I believe that the process is just as important as the product.<BR/><BR/>Also, I do know that I don't understand Liberian culture like you do. I appreciate that about you and LOVE reading your blog for that reason. However, the only thing in my post that referenced Liberian culture was the pay issue. I clearly stated that this was a coflicted issue. Many people disagree with me. . and, I'm not saying I have all the answers b/c it's a complicated issue. In fact, I plan on posting about that issue in more detail later and would love to hear your thoughts. What I stated was simply my personal opionion and what we will look for in an organization or project. The other areas that I dealt with are completely in line within our culture.<BR/><BR/>I hope that makes more sense now. I would love to hear your thoughts on paying Liberian wages when I finally get around to posting that!<BR/><BR/>BrandiBrandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080173627359254887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-83236052795133765172008-02-25T12:05:00.000-05:002008-02-25T12:05:00.000-05:00This post was unnecessary. Well you have every rig...This post was unnecessary. Well you have every right to share concerns and say "we are not longer in support of AoH" the lengths you went to do so verged on the level of inaccuracy. You do not know many things about Liberian culture and though you may have done some good research on some areas, your knowledge of others was inadequate and I believe very misleading. Should you share your change of opinion? Sure. But should your whole post discredit the organization? Absolutely not. AoH is doing things that no other organization is doing (caring for and adopting out special needs kids and lots of babies) and it would be heartbreaking if they did not have the support to continue. Well they have not handled everything the best way, and I wouldn't do everything they way they do, they are far from the dishonest organization you make them out to be. I have legitimate rebuttals for many of your points.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure you'll delete this. I just wanted to respond to the post.<BR/><BR/>-MelodieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-37742835287453767152008-02-22T21:40:00.000-05:002008-02-22T21:40:00.000-05:00Brandi,Great job... though in all honesty, I had t...Brandi,<BR/>Great job... though in all honesty, I had to print it to read it. I walked around with it for quite a while and changed 2 diapers in between paragraphs. All that to say... WELL DONE. <BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>Katy <BR/><BR/>PS... I finally updatedS and Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16874781804496451183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-969555166359140312008-02-22T14:07:00.000-05:002008-02-22T14:07:00.000-05:00Brandi, please let Gregg edit your spelling and gr...Brandi, please let Gregg edit your spelling and grammar before posting from now on. I couldn't get past all of the errors so I'm not really sure what all you said. <BR/><BR/><BR/>(just kidding)Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629421276717406309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064414387825192856.post-28857877445790748242008-02-22T13:58:00.000-05:002008-02-22T13:58:00.000-05:00I know you are probably looking into organizations...I know you are probably looking into organizations that adopt out and you already know about Rafiki. But, they are building a village there in Liberia. It would be worth checking into. I've enjoyed my time here.<BR/><BR/>Your post was great and worded well. I appreciate your passion, Brandi!Jess and Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15251339135830339593noreply@blogger.com