Almost 2011?

It's hard to believe 2011 is just around the corner. We have been blessed throughout the year to see the lives of children changed in ways we could only imagine. The Humble Hearts School was bulldozed at the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 held so many challenges. Where would the school reopen? How many children were displaced and unable to return to school? How would the students learn without textbooks, desks, etc? While we knew the school began thriving after the move to the Angel Cottage sight, my trip to Humble Hearts in September, revealed that the school is even better than it was before the demolition. Bulldozing = blessing in disguise? Maybe.

Our Education Director had the joy of traveling to China to visit our foster care program in Huaibei as well as almost all of the Mama's Wish girls. She was also able to purchase yaks for numerous school in the Tibetan Region of China for extremely poor schools and the Tongren School, where most of the Mama's Wish girls attend high school. For some time, we have been hoping to be able to increase the nutritional level of the girls in the Mama's Wish program, but it's been difficult to figure out how to provided them with much needed extra nutrition while they are attending a school of hundreds of kids. Yaks were the perfect solution. Milk is now being provided to everyone in the school and the girls are getting the nutritional support they need.

While the goals met throughout 2010 are numerous, there are still many that are a work in progress. Sponsors are always needed for the foster care program and the nutrition program in Huaibei. Both of these programs are making a huge difference in the health and happiness of the children, but both need a significant influx of funds. Interested in helping one of the Mama's Wish students? We still have a few in need of sponsors. These sponsorships are $130 a year. Wouldn't it be amazing to be able to tell all the girls they have sponsors just in time for the new year?!!

Please join me in celebrating the successes of Angel Covers throughout 2010 and continuing to support our work as we ring in 2011. Your end of the year donation is 100% tax deductible and will change a child's life in ways that he/she can only dream.

Humbled,

Kari

A Fantastic Day!

Today we learned some wonderful news! As you know, we've been working for the past two months to raise $10,000 for Humble Heart. If we were to raise this money, an anonymous donor would match it by 50% or $5,000. The Gifts From the World Auction was held, holiday cards are being sold, gift cards have been purcahsed, and donations have been pouring in. So far, Angel Covers has raised approximately $5,000!!

However, even more amazing news came today. Jane, with Angel Covers UK, has been working on a grant for Humble Hearts. Beds, textbooks, desks, and an underground water tank were are on the greatly needed list of items for the school. Today, we are thrilled to announce that the grant was awarded for $10,000!!! Now, when the kids return to school in January, they will have so many more of the basic necessities we take for granted.

The school is also in desperate need for additional income generating projects that will sustain the lunch program. A chicken project will soon start and we are hoping to have cows for milk and land to grow corn and beans. With the grant just awarded, funds already raised, and the matching donation, all of these are within reach.

Thank you to Jane and all her hard work on this grant, and to all of you who have contributed to this wonderful goal! You change lives each and every day.

Thrilled and grateful,

Kari