Everyone at Forever Angels - the Children, Staff, Volunteers, Managers and Trustees would like to wish our Supporters, Sponsors and Friends a very Merry Christmas....Thank you all for your continued support.

Today, my Dad - David Stacey Lithgow, was cremated in Mwanza, Tanzania, after tragically dying on Monday 15th December 2008. He was not just my Dad - he was a HUGE part of what makes Forever Angels Baby Home what it is today. We have just lost one of main supporters, dreamers, founders and Trustees and so many people will miss him dearly.



My Dad tripped on some steps at his favourite restaurant, hit his head and died immediately. His autopsy showed no underlying illness. It was just a tragic accident and such a waste of a wonderful man.

Me, my Mum and many of my Dad's friends attended a short service for him today and for those of you who wanted to be present but could not be - here are the words spoken for my Dad at his service.


My Mum read this poem for her husband:

He is Gone By Anonymous

You can shed tears that Dave is gone
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he's gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what Dave would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

I said some words on behalf of my whole family:

"These words come from the hearts of me, my siblings and my Mum who have just lost someone so special...please excuse me if I am not able to read them with the passion and strength I hope to and which my Dad so deserves.

It still seems so surreal that we are standing here today to say goodbye to my Dad, Dave Lithgow. We can't understand why such a tragic accident had to happen and I don't think we ever will.

My Dad, my Mum's Husband, was such a good man. He was compassionate, kind and caring. My Dad hated injustice and suffering and was never afraid to voice his opinions and to fight for what he believed was right.
My Dad gave those qualities to me and my siblings and maybe that's one of the reasons I am living here in Tanzania today and built Forever Angels?

On the 38 hour journey from England to Tanzania we had a lot of time to think. We tried to think of a reason why? We tried to find something positive from my Dad's tragic and untimely death and I guess when you look deep enough, there are positive aspects to be found even in a tragedy?

My Dad didn't suffer. He felt no pain. He had no idea he was about to die. He never looked after himself - he drank too much, smoked too much and had a terrible diet. We all believed he would die from bad health one day. Probably from a long and drawn out illness? But I guess he got the last laugh about that....apparently he was quite healthy! But my Dad didn't suffer and for that we are grateful.

My Dad died fulfilling one of his dreams by moving out to Tanzania. He had so many plans and ideas....and we guess we will never know what he could have achieved? We are proud of him for trying to follow these dreams though - despite him only being given 5 weeks to do it.

My Dad died walking into his favourite pub to get a beer after work. He did this every day. We think he would have died with a smile on his face.

We didn't get to say goodbye to my Dad - but then he was a man of few words and he probably wouldn't have known what to say to us anyhow?

My Dad hated the thought of getting old. He always wanted to die young. We guess he got his wish?

My Dad hated being cold. He loved the climate in Tanzania and didn't understand why I was travelling back to England in freezing December.

For us, his friends and family - my Dad's death is tragic and we are all suffering. But my Dad didn't suffer and so maybe for him it wasn't so tragic? We all have to die some day, maybe for my Dad this was a good way to go?

My Dad adored his family and he leaves behind 4 adoring children - Karen, Zoe, Mark and me.



He also leaves behind a loving wife Val.



He leaves 8 amazing Grandchildren.



And also his brother and his Mum.

None of our lives will ever be the same.

I know that my brother and sisters all wish that they could be here today and they want me to tell you Dad just how much they love you and how much we will all miss you.

My Dad also had many friends - both here and in England who he cared about so deeply and who so clearly cared about him.

Losing my Dad has made us all realise that life is short. Life is not fair. Sometimes the best among us are taken from us and we do not understand why...and we probably never will.

But my Dad's death has made me realise what a wonderful community I live in and what a wonderful place my Dad had just started to become a part of. Mwanza is full of people who pull together, who love and support each other and who help whenever and wherever they can. I think my Dad would be happy to know that he died here.

Thank you SO much to Ian Wilson and to Chloe. You have made a devastating time a little easier and my Mum and I just do not have the words to thank you both for everything you have done in the last 4 days. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

And thank you to everyone else to helped my Dad or who cared about him in his short time in Tanzania.

We all love you Dad and will miss you always. We still can not believe you are gone but your death is made that little easier knowing that you were happy and following your dream.
Your life was not wasted - you will live on in your family and you will be in our hearts forever.

We love you Dad. Forever and always"


I then read a poem which I had written for my Dad:

My Dear Dad

My Dad didn't believe in angels,
But I know that he will become one.
A man with such compassion,
Surely has a purpose even after he's gone?

My Dad didn't believe in heaven,
But I know that that's where he'll be.
Although he has left us for another place,
My Dad will always be here with me.

One more star will shine tonight,
And one more bird will fly,
One more wave will crash at shore,
As I search for a reason why?

Dad, I will love you forever,
You were one of the main lights in my life,
You were the one I could always rely on,
In times of trouble and in times of strife.

You supported my choices and my crazy dreams,
And even lived those dreams with me,
You made me so proud to be your daughter,
And you helped me to become me.

Dad I will love you forever,
And although I can no longer see your face,
I know that you are smiling down at me,
From a happier, more loving place.

My Dad didn't believe in angels,
But I know he will become one,
Because a man with such compassion,
Surely has a purpose even after he's gone?

We finally played my Dad's favourite song - 'Fields of Gold' by Eva Cassidy and then his Tanzanian friends sang for him which was just beautiful.

Despite everything - and in Tanzania nothing goes smoothly and there are always stories to tell which one day I will - I think my Dad would have been happy with today. He didn't want any sort of funeral - but he deserved one.

Thank you to everyone who came to say goodbye to my Dad today and to everyone who has supported me and my family over the past few days. They have been the hardest and saddest days of my entire life.

Tonight we are going on a boat to scatter half of my Dad's ashes on Lake Victoria. This is what he wanted. The other half will be taken home for us to scatter in the sea in his home town of St Bees.

I love you Dad - always and forever your 'petal' - Amy.



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We do have some good news from today. Tumaini's adoptive parents came to the Baby Home with their permission letter to take him home with them! He will leave with them tomorrow in time for Christmas. Tumaini is thrilled and so am I. It was a happy end to a very sad day. I will post photos of him and his new family in a few days.

Today I will by flying back to Tanzania with my Mum.

We just heard the tragic news that my Dad, Dave, died this afternoon in Mwanza. This is a complete shock to us all.

We do not know the full story yet - but he apparently fell, banged his head and died instantly.

My Dad was an amazing man who had compassion and love most people never knew.

I don't have any other words today. I love you Dad. So much.

Yesterday we had the most wonderful news....Baby Sophia got a new family for Christmas!



Limi and Lucas Ndaro have been approved as Foster Parents for a long time and have been waiting patiently for the paperwork to begin fostering Sophia....and yesterday they received it and took their little girl home!

Limi and Lucas are wonderful people and I couldn't have choosen a more loving, kind and caring family for Sophia.....I am absolutely thrilled for them and for Sophia.

Sophia is gaining, not only wonderful parents, but also 3 fabulous big brothers. Congratulations to you all!

I will post some photos tomorrow - but I just wanted to share the great news.

For Sophia, for the Ndaro family and for me....this is the most amazing Christmas gift imaginable. Nothing makes me happier than seeing our wonderful angels return home to their familes, or gain new families.

We love you so much Sophia and will miss you - but couldn't be happier that you finally have your 'Forever Family'.

Happy Christmas Limi and Lucas!

Well - I am now in England with my family and children and have left the Baby Home in the capable hands of Chloe, Meghan, my Volunteers and my Staff.
I hear that everything is running smoothly and it is nice to be with my own children to spend quality time with them - and of course my family in England.

I have to say that even though I knew it would be cold here - it is freezing! It takes forever just to leave the house with 4 children....wrapping them up in layers of clothes and hats and scarves and gloves and boots!
We went out for a walk yesterday and afetr about 5 minutes my children decided they were too cold and wanted to go home! I had forgotten just how restricting the English weather can be!

I will give you updates of the Baby Home as they come in from Chloe and Meghan. They are planning a Christmas Party for the children and staff which will be wonderful.

In the meantime...I will go and dress all my children in lots of warm clothes so we can nip to the shops!!

Well - only 24 hours to go before my family and I board the plane to go to England for the first time in 3 years!

The kids are all ridiculously excited and I am ridiculously busy!

I have spent the last few days bulk buying in terms of nappies and shopping for while we are away....and writing lists and notes to everyone.

I am leaving the Baby Home in the very capable hands of Chloe and Meghan....but I am still a little nervous about leaving the place for a whole month!

Thankfully Alfie and Tumaini are now home and doing much better.

We have had some bad news though about Baby Milk. In the news the last few days there has been a lot of talk about Lactogen Milk (which we give to all of our babies here!) being contaminated with Melamine.....like the problems recently in China.

It has been difficult to get hold of for a few weeks now and the Tanzanian Drugs Authority have now banned its import into Tanzania.
There is a specific batch which is contaminated and so we are busy checking our stock to make sure we do not have any of this particular batch....but who knows what will happen in the coming weeks. WE have enough to last us until January.....

If anyone knows anyone that would like to sponsor a container which we can fill full of Baby Milk we would love to hear from you!

It is essential that we can have Formula Milk available with 45 babies!

Here are some news items about the scare:

http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/observer/2008/11/30/127327.html

http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2008/12/01/127371.html

http://english.sina.com/life/2008/1201/201687.html

Sorry that I have not replied to emails the last few days - we have been exceptionally busy! As soon as I arrive in England I promise to get in touch!

Thankfully Tumaini and Alfie are getting better and should be discharged from hospital on Wednesday. Alfie has been so ill and lethargic - but was up and laughing and playing with Chloe in hospital today which makes me SO happy!

We have yet more strange illnesses at the Baby Home now though! One of my staff had what seemed to be 'facial palsy' at the weekend....a droopy face, eye and mouth on one side. She has been sent for tests and is off work.

Then, today, Maggie got the same thing! It was SO bizarre! She is fine, but looks like one side of her face is paralized! Chloe and I have been busy finding a cause -and just discovered that chicken pox and shingles can cause facial palsy about 10 days after diagnosis!

We haven't been to the Doctor as there is no chance in the world any of the Doctors here would have diagnosed that, but it should clear up within a week or so.
I DO love the internet but am getting a bit fed up with all these illnesses!!

I think we are getting a new child this week - Mrs Misana our Social Worker called me this afternoon to see if I have room for another child. I do not know any information as yet, but of course we said yes!...that will bring our total up to 46!

Margaret and Evie moved to the Baby Home today. I will miss them as it has been so nice to have such tiny babies around my house again - but having 6 children did make it difficult to do much work (and have any sleep!) and I am going to England in 3 days and so have LOTS to do before we go!!

Here they both are cuddled up on my sofa before I took them up to their new home...