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First love is featured in Columbus Catholic Times (click or go to the News & Events Tab)
Click here to view 2009 Pediatric Medical Mission to Nigeria (or go to the Photo Gallery Tab)
First Love is a faith based, non-profit agency that seeks to improve the quality of life for HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in sub-saharan Africa. Incorporated as a 501(c)3 in the state of Ohio on April 27,2004, we are an international childcare and advocacy agency that offers broad based social, educational and medical services to HIV/AIDS orphans. These children are in dire need of emotional, medical, physical and life guidance. First Love aims to enhance the capacity of individuals, families, villages and communities to care for and support these children.
First Love's conceptual framework is faithful to the UNAIDS recommendations and UNICEF principles and adapted to the traditional African socio-cultural system. Program ideals include providing safe and permanent home placement for orphans, care and advocacy for children and education and counseling for the fast growing population of infected and affected children. First Love is governed by a board of trustees in Columbus, Ohio and supports a network of state, regional and international outreach programs.
Mission
The Mission of First Love is to mobilize resources in order to create, nurture and maintain an environment of love, growth and integral human development so that HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in Africa reach their fullest potential.
Vision and Core Values of First Love
Vision - First Love will strive to act as a safety net and find remedies and resources to care for and support children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS virus in Africa.
Care and Support - We work together with local, national and international communities and agencies to provide orphaned children with quality care, a strong support system and a future they can count on.
Commitment - We are committed to helping children made vulnerable by the AIDS disease realize their full human potential. We are committed to helping these children live their lives fully, and/or to die with dignity.
Community Involvement - We keep the blood bond and family ties without any disservice to a childs destiny and safety.
Excellence - We strive for excellence in child welfare and optimal safety by increasing access to food, psychosocial support, healthcare, quality education, legal rights and protection.
The Principles of First Love
AIDS Orphan is a status that fate has imposed on some children.
Living as an HIV/AIDS survivor in some cultures can be extremely difficult.
Every child deserves loving parents, a home and a community in which to grow.
Home should be a place where a child is safe to grow.
All children need someone to nurture, help and love them.
LOVE makes a significant difference in every childs life and helps to shape their future. Love fosters safety and a nurturing environment for every child.
Most children will shoot for their dreams if an adult has inspired one in them.
When we each play our role, every child can attain joy and integral development.
Believe in every child; Believe also in your ability to help.
2008-2009 Board of Directors
Rev. Barry Chu Eneh
Catholic Chaplain
Nationwide Childrens Hospital
First Love Founder & CEO
Matt Randall, Board President
Career Development Supervisor
Willms Financial Network
Al Igwebuike, Ph.D., CFO
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Franklin University
Lovett Adegbola, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communication
Central State University, Xenia, Ohio
Prof. Emeka Aniagolu
Professor of History & Political Science
Ohio Wesleyan University
Rebecca Boyd, Ph.D.
Educationist, Columbus Public Schools (Retired)
Benedict C. Nwomeh, MD
Pediatric Surgeon, Nationwide Childrens Hospital
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
The Ohio State University
Rev. Gini Lohman-Bauman, ESQ.
Attorney & Community Organizer
The Sojourners
Linda Overstock RN, MSNC
VP Patient Care Services & CNO
Michael Brady, MD
Physician-in-Chief, Nationwide Childrens Hospital
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Julia Randall
Board Secretary & Program Director
The First Love Prayer
Dear God,
I do not know how to help the thirty-five year old AIDS patient lying helpless in her home; but show me how to save her children from this fate. God, I do not know what to say to that frail and impoverished old woman who has lost her only son to the AIDS disease; but please Lord, help me to save other grandparents from the pain and anguish of raising and fending for their grandchildren.
I do not know how to light the dimmed world of children who have nobody to love, guide and provide for them; but please God, show me how to be there for them. Help me to be their first taste of genuine love.
I do not know how to lighten the burden of a community who must bury twenty-four of their sons and daughters today. Please God, send your angels and compassionate people to soothe their anguish and console them in their great loss. I do not know how to abate the suffering of infants and their parents living with HIV and dying from the AIDS disease.
Do help me Lord to help the sick, they dying, the traumatized, the hungry and the bereaved wherever they exist. Forgive me for making excuses, for complaining and doing nothing after all. Only You can sustain my desire to help and to love the least of your brethren.
Fill me Lord with your love.
Amen.
Vision and Core Values
Board of Directors
First Love Prayer
NOTES:
Levies are all required dues and charges imposed by organizations and societies that promote personal development and education.
Supplies include books, uniforms, shoes, socks, pen and pencil.
Cost of food includes breakfast and lunch. Dinner will be provided at home.
Sports refers to all extra-curricular activities.
There are three terms in an academic year. The school year runs from September through June.
*These estimates are based on the current (6/08) value of the Nigerian Niara to the U.S. dollar. ($1 = #140)
Programs and Projects
Program Costs
AIDS Statistics
SPONSOR A CHILD
• The First Love child sponsorship program supports orphans who have lost one or both parents to the AIDS disease. Most of these children are living under desperate conditions; they lack food, potable water, clothing and shelter. They have been forced to drop out of school to fend for themselves and/or their siblings/ailing parents on the streets.
• Your donation of $30/month can change this adverse condition for the better. With your help First Love can continue to provide care, protection, support, healthcare and education to the millions of Sub-Saharan African children now orphaned due to this disease.
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME/TALENTS
There are a number of opportunities for volunteers to support First Love activities and services not only in Columbus, Ohio, but also in other parts of the U.S. Volunteers may serve as individuals or as part of a team working on a specific project. Some general volunteer activities may include:
• School Programs - Activities may include the Book Program where we work with schools to arrange donations of books and other school supplies that can be sent to Africa to support educational programs for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Child-2-Child Care Kits may be created where children/schools put together small assistance packages, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, bandaids, pencils/pens/paper/erasers, diapers and candy to make a difference in another childs life. Organize school sponsored Bake Sales where all proceeds are donated to assist HIV/AIDS orphans. Kids-4-Care can be a fun-filled car washing event put together by children to help raise funds to provide better educational opportunities to their peers in a developing country.
• Interfaith Consortiums - Work with First Love to bring together representatives of religious congregations in ongoing forums to discuss issues and opportunities, share information and resources and develop resources related to programs in Africa.
• One Church, One Child - Find out how you and your church or congregation can sponsor or adopt one AIDS orphan or HIV child.
• Create Your Own Activity - Use your imagination and personal time/talents to come up with creative ways to help support First Love in our mission to help these vulnerable children.
VIRTUAL OFFICE VOLUNTEER/INTERNSHIP POSITIONS
In order to minimize administrative overhead and maximize support for our children, we are an all non-paid, volunteer agency. As such we seek to recruit volunteers by allowing them to work in our virtual office. This means our volunteer staff works from their own homes, at times convenient to them, and communicates primarily via email and telephone. Volunteers can come from anywhere in the world.
Work assignments are distributed through a central point of contact. This point of contact will work with you to ensure your understanding of the particular assignment and its timelines for completion. They will help monitor your progress and assist you in obtaining additional support as needed. You will receive the appropriate training and background information required to complete assignments. We will review your work with you as well as provide you with suggestions for professional growth and development.
Volunteer professionals in this type of virtual office must be independent and self-motivated. Every volunteer is a valued and integral part of our organization we couldnt accomplish our mission without you! It will collectively take each and every one of us filling our individual roles to help First Love successfully serve our orphan children and their caretakers.
If you are interested in being a part of a team operating in a virtual office, donating your time to a wonderful cause and making a significant contribution to the betterment of lives of orphans and HIV positive children, please send an electronic copy of your resume and any work limitations to: firstloveusa_yahoo.com
Other Ways to Help!
Please let us know if you would like to be:
An Ambassador:
An Ambassador will be actively involved in helping First Love accomplish its mission by:
• Conducting Fund Raising Events
• Giving presentations to organizations
• Sharing the story of First Love with individuals, family and friends
• Establish a Chapter in their local community
A Volunteer:
A Volunteer will be willing to offer their time, talents and skills to assist with:
• Planning Fund Raising Events
• Telephone work
• Administrative work
• Grant research and writing
Please write us at:
First Love, Inc
PO Box 13546
Columbus, Ohio 43213-0546
Or Email Us at:
firstloveusa_yahoo.com
Sponsor A Child
Volunteer Your Time/Talents
Virtual Office Volunteer Positions
Why Should You Care?
Other Ways to Help
What is happening at First Love...
AIDS Walk 2009
Saturday, July 25, 8:30am
Franklin Park Conservatory
Columbus, Ohio
Join Team First Love for a walk in the park!
Sign up at www.catf.net
For optimal viewing, click the Google Video tab on the bottom right side of the video (picasaweb); select 'Smooth Video' and 'Original Size'
Pediatric Medical Mission Trip to Nigeria (Summer 2009)
Newsletters
First_Voice_VolumeI_EditionI.doc
First_Voice_VolumeII_EditionI.doc
Pediatric Medical Mission Trip to Nigeria
Columbus Catholic Times Article
Photo Albums of FirstLove's Events...
Click to view Pediatric Medical Mission 2009 video in PicasaWeb
Photo Albums
AIDS Walk 2008
ER Staff Cookout
PedMed Mission Fundraising
Nigerian Board
Pediatric Medical Mission 2009
All donations to First Love are acknowledged in writing. First Love is a 501 (c) 3 IRS tax-exempt non-profit. All donations are fully tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the U.S. law.
Help For Haiti Fund
Join FirstLove on its mission to help victims of the Haiti Earthquake. We are working to raise funds for a mobile medical clinic that will provide healthcare and medicines to those affected
To sign up for the Pediatric Medical Mission or to find out how you can help with the planned medical mission trip please, contact:
The Coordinator -
Pediatric Medical Mission to Haiti
P.O. BOX 13546 Columbus,
Ohio 43213-0546
Phone: (614) 668-1752
Email: firstloveusa_yahoo.com
Help by donating to this fund. Click the DONATE button above to donate (please indicate that this is for the Haiti Fund)
P.O.Box 13546 Columbus, 43213 | Phone: (614)-668-1742 | Email: firstloveusa_yahoo.com | Website: www.firstloveinc.org | Last Updated: 01/04/2012
Duplication of any type is prohibited and enforced by law. 2012 Copyrights owned by First Love USA, Inc.
