It only takes a few

Julius grew up in a very small rural village in Kenya. He desperately wanted to attend nursing school, as there is no medical care for miles and miles of his village, and adults and children frequently die of such issues as diarrhea, lack of vitamins, and child birth. Three years ago, three fabulous woman came together to sponsor Julius Fentra. These women paid for his schooling, housing, and provided him spending money for food and other necessities. They wrote encouraging emails to him, and were excited when he sent reports of high grades.

Saturday I learned that Julius is done with school and awaiting his scores on final exams. Although we know he did great, the results won't be back until September. The next step will be completing and internship. Julius is so close to achieving his dream of providing medical care for his village. Because of these 3 sponsors, Juluis has not only had his life completely changed, but the benefit to his village is immeasurable.

Would you like to make a change in the world like this? Please consider sponsoring Charles. Charles graduated from high school a year ago against all odds. His father died many years ago, and during high school, his mother also died. He has had to fight for everything he's ever had. Angel Covers paid for him to attend secondary school and his grades were amazing. Just recently, Charles was given a scholarship to attend the University of Nairobi to study civil engineering. Although the scholarship covers most of his costs, he still needs $2,600 for living expenses and a tuition fee. If you would like to help Charles realize his dreams, please go to http://www.angelcovers.org/donation.html and make a donation. Just put "Charles" in the memo section and you will be an official sponsor changing Charles' life.

I have always said that Angel Covers has the best supporters out there. Julius' story proves that our sponsors really do completely change lives.

Tis the Season....

Ok, not that season. But, it is the end of the school year season. Must of us in May and June are frantically trying to make all of the school plays, help our kids finish up big projects, and decide on gifts for teachers.

Little Brian Musyoka is 4 years old, is fatherless, and his mother is a prostitute. Before coming to Humble Hearts, Brian was locked out of his home and left to the mercy of kind neighbors. He has an eye problem that was never diagnosed or treated. But, because of wonderful donors giving the gift of education to children in African through our gift card program, Brian is now living at Angel Cottage and attending Humble Hearts.

These of Brian, children at Humble Hearts with fruit, and Tommy in China are all small representations of how gift cards have changed children's lives. These children and many others have been given gifts they never would have expected because so many people chose our gift cards for teacher gifts, Mother's day, Father's day, birthday's, etc.

Gift cards are the perfect way to give a meaningful gift to someone you care about while helping children around the world. Please consider going to http://www.angelcovers.org/giftcard s.html and give the gift of a new life.

Angel Covers is Huaibei, Anhui

Angel Covers recently sent a volunteer to the Huaibei, Anhui SWI to meet the staff, see the children, and evaluate needs. What she found was exciting! We have always known that the staff at the Huaibei, SWI (Social Welfare Institute) truly cares about the children. They are loving, in tune with the children’s needs, and work hard to give the children the best care possible.

Laureen and her son arrived at the SWI and was given a tour of the baby’s rooms, the play room, and the grounds right away. The babies looked wonderful! They have put on weight since Angel Covers started supplementing the formula and rice cereal they receive, and have been less likely to get sick. Laureen stated that all of the 50 babies looked healthy, well fed, and very clean. As they toured the SWI, Laureen saw the formula Angel Covers purchases, the kitchen where meals are prepared, and the old broken down refrigerator the staff uses. Buying a new refrigerator quickly became a priority.

When touring the playroom, Laureen saw the bouncers and strollers Angel Covers has purchased in the past, as well as other toys for the children. The staff of Huaibei tries to take the older children to this room each day, and when the weather is nice, they are taken outside to play on the playground.

The Assistant Director took Laureen shopping and dozens of blankets and towels were purchased. Here is what Laureen said about their shopping trip. “We bought many blankets and large bath towels. We decided that the towels (soft ones) can be used as both blankets in the summer or towels when needed. The orphanage was warm and the need was for lighter blankets. In addition, the refrigerator outside the kids’ room where the formula and food is made was very old and not working, so we purchased a new refrigerator. It was $279.00 and AC paid $250 and the orphanage paid $29. There was a smaller one for 250.00, but they preferred the larger one.”

Angel Covers would love to work on purchasing additional items for the playroom. The floor is hard and the orphanage staff is concerned about the children throwing toys and breaking them. Therefore, toys other than balls are generally not allowed. Angel Covers would like to buy additional padded floor squares and many toys, so the children have a wide variety of items to play with. The need for additional physical and mental stimulation is great.

Additionally, the need for medical evaluations is also great. Anyone interested in helping fund physicals for children with known medical needs such as cleft lips and palates, possible heart conditions, and others. Angel Covers have established a fund for these needs and would be happy to receive your donation.

The nutrition program for Huaibei is always in need of additional sponsors as well. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting this life-changing program, please go to www.angelcovers.org/donation and you will be able to make a donation specific for Huaibei.

To see additional pictures of Laureen’s visit to Huabei, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelcovers/
Thanks to all of you who have supported this program! You have changed the lives of these children.

An Angel Cottage Update

As you probably know, Angel Covers hosted a fundraising event at the Madcap Improv Theater on Sunday, May 3. Complete with a silent auction and private show by the Macap actors, this was a fun afternoon full of laughs and was a great success. $7,000 was raised for the construction of Angel Cottage! This money will soon be sent to Kenya so that construction can continue. With less than $18,000 still needed to complete this project, the children who will call Angel Cottage home, are closer to moving into a new home with plenty of space to run around and grow strong.

An additional 20 children who are currently on the wait list for Angel Cottage will also move into this new home. Currently these children are not attending Humble Hearts School because it too far or too dangerous to walk there everyday. Angel Cottage will not only provide a safe place for them to live, but will also allow them access to a great education, medical care, and healthy nutrition....none of which they currently have.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project and came to our event on Sunday. You are completely changing lives.

Kari

Tommy and great gifts.

Angel Covers is proud to be able to continue sponsoring Tommy, a beautiful little 4 year old boy at the Believe In Me School Jingzhou, China. Your willingness to order gift cards for education programs in China has provided sponsorships to Tommy for more than a year. Tommy continues to grow and learn. He's also playing well with others and telling others his name.

Gift cards have also made it possible for us to send significant funds with Laureen to China. She leaves Friday and will be purchasing blankets for the Huaibei orphanage because of donations from gift cards. As soon as she returns from her trip, we'll post pictures of all the warm blankets she was able to purchase.

With Mother's Day and the end of the school year coming for all of us, please remember these great gifts. Your generosity provides warmth and security for children, while providing a gift to those you care about. http://www.angelcovers.org/giftcards.html

Angel Cottage

Recently we received some pictures I thought everyone would enjoy seeing. Because of recent donations, construction is progressing very quickly. We are excited that less than $25,000 is needed to complete Angel Cottage, and know the children will love it once it's finished.

I especially love the doors and windows. Don't the hearts just scream "welcome!" to all the kids?! Making this home warm and inviting has been the biggest goal for this project. We want the kids to know that this is truly their home and they are loved here. This isn't just a place for them to sleep.

Enjoy the pictures and please consider coming to our event at the Madcap Theater on May 3. All proceeds will go to the completion of this much needed home.

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The saddest news.

This week, Angel Covers received the saddest news possible from Humble Hearts. One of the beautiful children of this school died. Little Ruth Muhonja has had HIV since birth. Ruth also lost her hearing after contracting meningitis and malaria as an infant. Unfortunately Ruth was never able to received treatment for the HIV and she was recently hospitalized, and died this week. We are so sad that Ruth had such a short time at Humble Hearts, but so grateful that she knew her sponsor loved her. She was a bright, active little girl who deserves to be more than another AIDS statistic. She was a daughter and friend. I met her once and will never forget her beautiful smile and loving way.

We will miss you Ruth. May you know peace.

Kari