I have updates from the front lines for the Army of Good. I so appreciate these small donations that keep coming in, to my Post Office Box, and to my Paypal, for Devota, who spent a year walking across Africa to get to America, and for Mawulidi Diodone Majaliwa, a wood carver who had to leave his grandfather’s carving tools behind when he came to America last November.

We are hoping to pay off much or all of a $10,000 loan Devota took out for her college-bound son, thinking it was a financial aid grant, an all too common mistake involving student loans. So far, we have raised more than $5,000.

You can read about Devota here. You can read about Mawulidi here. I’ve met both of them in Albany, at the RISSE (refugee and immigration center) there. I will see them both again this Thursday, and will bring them the funds we have collected for them.

I hope can clear Devota’s $10,000 loan, but whatever we collect will help her greatly. I think we will get there, or get very close.

One reader of the blog, a self-described member of the Army of Good, is sending $300 to help Mawulidi buy the tools he needs.  I am also bringing him a wood carving kit so he can resume his smaller carvings. The bigger tools will have to come from Home Depot. I believe we have enough money to help get his tools now, and thanks.

Scores, if not hundreds of people are sending checks and donations for $5, $10, $20, even $100 for Devota, a woman grace and love for the four children she is raising by herself, the children of the rapes she suffered by soldiers along her long march.

I’m excited about the help we are going to give these two brave and loving people. They are our brothers and sisters in America, they came for the same reasons our grandparents and parents came, to live freely and give their children better lives. Thank you.

If you wish to contribute to the work with Devota, or other refugees or the Mansion residents, you can do so by sending a check to my post office Box, P.O. Box 205. Cambridge, N.Y., 12816 or through Paypal, [email protected].

Tonight, the RISSE soccer team is going to see “Spiderman” and eat lots of soda and popcorn, this was my idea and I paid for it, I didn’t wish to ask for donations for it. Monday, another portable air conditioner goes to the Mansion, this one for bill.  I think one more, perhaps to Sylvie, will do it. Thanks again for that. Life is good.