Although this month´s update comes a little late it contains significant news. Home of the Open Heart is moving to a new location. Here is the story of how we got to where we are:

Our plan to buy the Mountain View property fell through because the vendor reneged. But as we found ourselves in a position to look elsewhere, we did find a great block to buy right next to and connecting with, our respite care property. We had been given a gift to purchase Mountain View, so we used the donated funds towards the purchase of the land. We were excited that this door opened and we plan to move there by the end of April. Therefore, we will no longer need to pay rent. There is just one house on the property and we will initially all squeeze into that house. Yes! With all eight children. There are many advantages in having both properties together. However, we still need a further $27,000AUD or $20,000USD to complete the purchase within the next two years.

Next year´s goal is to raise funds to complete the purchase of the land and build another house for the children on it. We will then use the existing baby house as an office, kindergarten and meeting room.

We are currently busy making preparations to build a bathroom and store room onto the existing house and renovate before we move in May. Anyone wanting to come and help with our renovations would be hugely welcome. Please email. We need a plumber, an electrician, a painter, a cabinet maker, a couple of brick layers and two labourers: all who do not mind the heat of Thailand´s hot season (very hot and muggy!!). Please contact me by email at openheart@lannalife.org if you are availabe to come.

Please visit this site again next month for photos of the children in their new home and news of the continuing renovations.