Tragic news from Humble Hearts

On the evening of the 22nd, I received one of the most heart-breaking emails ever from Beatrice. The government of Nairobi, Kenya is working to put a pipeline throughout the city. Sadly, they are simply bulldozing neighborhoods where the pipeline needs to be buried. Approximately one week ago, the government bulldozed Humble Hearts and the neighboring businesses and homes. I've been learning more and more details, but it's clear that most of the school is lost.

We are grateful that the latrines were left untouched and the water tank is safe. As the bulldozers were moving through the school, staff and neighbors were able to safe about 10 of the classroom blackboards and some books. However, all of the classrooms have been flattened as well as the office and kitchen.

Right now the question is where to rebuild the school. Community members are coming together and working with human rights lawyers trying to ensure that this doesn't happen again. Sadly the government is admitting that bulldozing the area was a mistake but are unwilling to help rebuild.

Right now there is a blackout through Nairobi because of intense rains, so I have been unable to get pictures of the destruction. What we know is that are going to need to raise a lot of money in order to rebuild Humble Hearts and allow the children to return to school.

During the holiday season, if there is any way you can help these children regain some of the hope they have lost please go to http://www.angelcovers.org/donation.html and make a donation.

Everyone at Angel Covers is so very sad that this has happened to children who already have so little. Your support through the year has been incredible. Please help us show these children that they will still be able to reach their dreams through an education.

Kari

December already?!

As I got to my office today, I was shocked that the calendar said December 7 already. Didn't my kids just return to school for the year a couple of weeks ago? Since I apparently missed a couple of months somewhere I have so much to tell you.

The annual Gifts From The World auction was a great success. More than $1,900 was raised for the children of Angel Cottage! When adding that to the total we have raised from the sale of holiday cards http://www.angelcovers.org/holidaycards.html and the America's Giving Challenge, more than the $10,000 needed for the matching donation has been raised since October 1. What fabulous donors we have!! The first $5,000 has been sent to Angel Cottage and beds, tables, benches, materials for the fence, food, fuel for the stoves, and many other needed items were purchased for the children. Before school resumes in January, the remaining $10,000 will be sent and even more items will be purchased for these great kids. What an amazing Christmas present you have given them!!!

Speaking of presents... :-) As the holiday's approach, please remember to shop Amazon.com through the Angel Covers' website. By following this link, you will not only get your shopping done, but will also give Angel Covers 4% of your purchase without it costing you anything. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/home/home.html

Searching for the perfect gift? Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/ to complete your search. By using Good Search, Angel Covers will receive $.01 for each search you complete. I know $.01 doesn't sound like much, but just today we received a check for $36.54 because of people around the world designating Angel Covers when using Good Search. I've been using this service for months and I really believe it's just as good as Google and other other big search engines. Plus, through the toolbar, you can shop using Good Shop and Angel Covers will receive even more!

Our gift cards remain a great item for teachers or those who have everything. Our gift cards http://www.angelcovers.org/giftcards.html and greeting cards http://www.angelcovers.org/greetingcards.html make great gifts and make a huge difference in the lives of children all over the world. Plus, there is still time to get custom made blankets, and many other items delivered to you by the holidays. Check out our website for lots of great ideas.

We still have two girls in our Mama's Wish program who need sponsors. For $130 a year or $11 a month, you can send one of these bright young ladies to high school. This would make a great present for someone or a wonderful way to end the year making a life changing gift to a child. Please contact Karen if you are interested in helping. karen@angelcovers.org

Your support throughout the year has changed the lives of children in China, Kenya, and Ukraine. Children are attending school, are receiving plenty of food each day, have new toys to play with, and are hitting developmental milestones they wouldn't have otherwise because of your generous gifts. Please help us end the year by continuing to show these children that each of them have a special place in our hearts.

So very grateful,

Kari

2009 Gifts From the World Auction

Hi Everyone,

This years Gifts From The World auction is up and running! There are more than 75 beautiful items from around the world. The auction is over on Friday the 20th, so bid soon. Every single penny raised will go to finish purchasing items for the children of Angel Cottage, including educational needs like desks, textbooks, and blackboards. We have raised more than $8,600 towards our goal of $10,000. We don't have far to go. With the holiday's right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to start some of your shopping!

Click this link to view the auction!

Please pass this link on to your family and friends. You have all been incredibly supportive of the children living at Angel Cottage! Here's a great opportunity to not only help these children further, but get beautiful items for yourself or those you love.

Thank you!!

As you know, the America's Giving Challenge ended Friday, Nov. 6. We were so glad to be a part of such a huge challenge. Our little grass roots organization raised just over $7,700 for the children of Angel Cottage and came in 22nd out of more than 7,100 organizations entered. Amazing! Sales of holiday card and donations received directly by us during the month of the challenge raised another $600. The children of Angel Cottage now have more than $8,300 of the $10,000 needed for the matching funds. I can't thank you all enough.

In an effort to raise the remaining $1,700 needed for the matching donation, we will be holding our annual Gifts From The World auction starting this Saturday the 14th through Nov. 20. Please check out these great items donated to us from around the world. Think holiday gifts! Watch our website for a direct link to the auction. http://www.angelcovers.org/giftsfromtheworld.html The items are beautiful!

Please also remember to order your holiday cards. They are selling fast already! All of the money raised through the sale of these cards also go to the children of Angel Cottage. http://www.angelcovers.org/holidaycards.html

Please be sure to join the Angel Covers fan page on Facebook if you haven't already. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Covers/182221079501 We will be posting LOTS of pictures, updates of programs, and news as often as possible. It's a great way to keep up to date with what's happening with Angel Covers.

More than 30 deaf children moved into their new home this week. Because of all of you, they each have their own bed, the wall for the play area is started, and tables will arrive soon. These children have learned how capable and important to the world they truly are because of your support. There's no greater gift.

So very grateful,

Kari

Let's Finish Strong!

Tomorrow at 1:00 MST ends the America's Giving Challenge. At the start of this challenge, we set a goal to raise $10,000. So far we have raised almost $7,600 through this challenge directly. We have also raised another $600+ through the sale of our holiday cards and other donations. Because of all of you, we have less than $2,000 needed before we reach our goal!

Because of the more than $8,200 we have raised and the $4,100 matching donation, the children of Angel Cottage have new beds, a concrete wall is being built to create a safe play area, and tables are being built. Your generosity is turning this concrete building into a true home. The children are looking forward to having room to run and play, to having tables for eating and studying, and to having multiple bathrooms.

As the children prepare to move into their new home, please help us finish this marathon-like challenge strong. With your help, this home will be all they have dreamed it will be.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135

So grateful,

Kari

Before and After

I just love before and after pictures! They tell a story better than any words ever can. You may remember the pictures of of the kids crammed in their bedrooms at Angel Cottage. The beds are end to end, side to side, in small rooms with 2 and 3 children sleeping in each. Today, I got the best "after" picture of the girls' room at the new Angel Cottage!

I know that walking between beds seems completely normal. It is to most of us. But these girls have been living in very tight, very unhealthy rooms for the past 2 years because they have no where else to go. As soon as the kids move into the new Angel Cottage, they are going to feel like they are living in a mansion!

Angel Covers has a new fan page on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Covers/182221079501 We will post pictures and updates from all our programs on a regular basis. Join us and see lots of before and after pictures as soon as we receive them.

Your support of the America's Giving Challenge is making Angel Cottage a home. Keep up the good work!

So grateful,

Kari

Moving forward

The America's Giving Challenge is moving forward and so is Angel Cottage. Beds and mattresses are being moved in and the paint smell is on the way out. Beatrice and I decided to wait a week for the home to warm up and the paint smell to leave. It got quite cold in there after lots and lots of cold water was poured on the new concrete to help it cure. The walls have been painted a bright, cheerful yellow, and the dining room floor is red.

As the children prepare to move, we continue to work towards raising $10,000 for their needs. In the past 48 we have raised more than $250 and now only need to raise another $2,300 to meet our goal. A local girl scout troop recently donated more than $24 in change to help this cause. Way to go girls! More and more people are also purchasing holiday cards, with 50% of the cost of these cards going straight to the kids. http://www.angelcovers.org/holidaycards.html Additionally, our annual Gifts From The World auction will begin on Nov. 14 with all the proceeds going to the needs of Angel Cottage. http://www.angelcovers.org/giftsfromtheworld.html

The America's Giving Challenge ends on Nov. 6 at 1:00 MST. In the next 5 days, please ask as many people as you know to donate just $10 for these children, purchase holiday cards, or spread the word about our auction. Each of these is a way for you to provide vital assistance to the children of Angel Cottage. They are dreaming big because of the support from hundreds of people around the world. http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135/4968685?m=e56504ed

Thank you for helping make their dreams come true!

Kari