I love this quote. And isn’t it true? Children have been teaching me what life is all about long before I had my own. They see the world and people in it for exactly what they are and they aren’t afraid to tell you what they think. The children in our programs are no different. They tell us, sometime with words and sometimes with just a sparkle in their eyes, that they understand their difficulties. I have pictures of children all over my office and every day, one of them reminds me what life is really about. It’s about hope, safety, love, and dreams….and all of us at Angel Covers are honored to learn from these children.

Angel Cottage

It’s supposed to rain today. Personally, I’m looking forward to it. But, I have the privilege of living in a house that doesn’t leak. I don’t have to pail the water out of the kitchen or my bedroom at the end of the day. The bedroom structures were only meant to be temporary at Angel Cottage, and the city council didn’t allow them to include drainage around the buildings. The kids come home every day and expect to help bail out the house. Shoes must still be washed, so it’s done in the muddy water on the ground. There is no yard for these kids to go play in puddles, and then leave behind for a dry, warm house. The water is outside their bedroom doors, filling up. The blessing is that so much rain water can be collected in barrels to help with other washing, like socks. Check out our new Flickr page for current pictures of Angel Cottage.

The good news is that a new Angel Cottage is being built, and more than $31,000 has been raised for this project. The bad news is that an additional $61,700 is needed to complete this project. Please visit the Angel Cottage web page to learn more and to help with a donation. Everyone who donates at least $10 will have their first name put on a brick at Angel Cottage.

Toy and Equiptment Donation for Ukraine

Thousands of baby toys and equipment such as bouncers, cribs, and swings were recently donated by Kids II to Angel Covers. Weighing more than 1,500 pounds, this baby equipment will be shipped to Ukraine in a huge container along with more than 1,000 other baby bouncers. Filling the container with other items such as blankets, new or gently used clothing for children up to age 5, and extra batteries (AA please) is one way you can help. You may send any donated items to us, or for an $8 donation you can purchase a blanket for one of these needy children in the Ukraine. Please consider donating a blanket for this container.

Nutrition Programs

Full children are happy children and in the past several weeks we have gotten lots of pictures of kids who are both. Angel Covers prides itself on helping schools and orphanages set up income generating projects that will continue to produce income and food for children without relying on Angel Covers once the project is established. Recently we received wonderful pictures showing the benefits of one such project. A chicken project at the Maranatha School in Uganda is now providing 1,000 children an egg each week. It may not seem like much to us, but for these children it’s life-changing. And, eventually this project will have 10,000 chickens and the children will have additional food each day. More pictures are available on our blog. Subscribe and you’ll receive updates automatically as they are posted.

Thanks to a grant from the Vista Hermosa Foundation, all the children of Humble Hearts are not only getting lunch each day, but each are receiving a glass of Ensure once a week. Because of the increase in nutrition, teachers are reporting that the children are happier, more alert in class, and better able to concentrate. We are currently looking for funding in order to provide the children with Ensure each day of school. If you would like to contribute to this great program, please donate here.

Field Trip for Kids

Another generous donor provided a field trip for the children of Humble Hearts. Many had never been outside the slums of Nairobi, so traveling to “City Centre” was like being in another world. The children were able to ride in boats, have their faces painted, and visit various landmarks.

We are excited to introduce you to Jennifer Yuenger who is our new sponsorship coordinator for the Humble Hearts program. If you have any questions or would like to sponsor a child, you may contact her at jennifer@angelcovers.org We are sad to see Patricia leave this position, but know she has a wonderful replacement in Jennifer.

Mama's Wish Letters

Wonderful letters and school report cards were recently received from our Mama’s Wish kids. Translations are taking longer than we had hoped, but know they are on the way…and well worth the wait! The letters are wonderful!

Product updates

Sadly, the adorable hooded towels we have been carrying for many years have been discontinued. We are already out of the pink bunny towels, so order others while you still can. Order yours today before they are all gone. And remember, summer is right around the corner so be sure to order sandals soon.

What can you do?

Time and time again we have received generous donations from places we never would have dreamed. Children asking for donations to come to Angel Covers rather than receiving birthday presents, schools holding dinners to raise funds for Humble Hearts, and blankets and clothing being donated for children in the Ukraine just to name a few. We are asked repeatedly how to help. Ever thought of hosting your own dinner party and ask for donations for food for children? How about holding a blanket drive at your child’s daycare? Do you have a home based business, such as Pampered Chef or others? Consider having a party and donating your profits for one night to the program of your choice. Making a huge difference in a child’s life takes only a few hours or your time, but means the world to a child.

So think about what children have taught you about life and what you are going to do with those lessons. Together we can continue teaching children around the world about the immeasurable size of their worth.

Kari
Executive Director, Angel Covers