December Update

It is impossible to talk about children without talking about orphans. And it is
impossible to understand how, in the year 2006, we still continue to fail to
implement policies to address the torrent, the deluge of orphan children.
Countries have programmes of action; they languish unfunded. One of the
most chilling pieces of statistical data is the finding that only three to five
per cent of orphans receive any intervention of any kind from the state.
--Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa

 

Each year as we enter the holiday season starting in November, I always find it difficult to write a newsletter. The dichotomy of the excess which becomes a part of the celebrations here and the basic unmet needs of the children we work with can make it difficult to put into words the urgency of the needs without feeling guilty about enjoying the pleasures of the holiday season or sounding as though we look down on those who do. Looking at the children's needs on a daily basis makes it impossible to put them out of our minds while we spend time enjoying the holidays. But, we must also remember the differences we are all making in the lives of precious children around the world and not focus only on the needs. We do enjoy our time with family and friends. And we hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season while also remembering those in need during the celebrations.

As we look back over this past year we are so thankful for all that has been accomplished.

A new home for orphans has been built to replace one that was overcrowded.

School buildings have been built to provide classrooms for children that previously weren't receiving an education.

 

Libraries have been expanded providing children with even more beautiful books to read.

Food programs have been expanded providing more daily meals for children who are hungry.

 

Safe cribs have been purchased for orphanages and foster care programs.

Baby bouncers are getting babies out of cribs and helping provide more stimulation.

A young man is attending nursing school and will take those skills back to make a difference in his village.

Medical exams have been given to children who have never had them. Heart surgery was given to a boy who has lived with his problem for 10 years.

Mosquito nets are protecting children who live daily with the risk of malaria.

And even more has been done. It has been a good year. We are thankful for everything the children have received this year, for the growth in sponsors for the education programs and the support that we have received for needs in each and every program. This holiday season hundreds of children have more hope for the future than they did at the beginning of this year. Thank you!

As we move into 2007, we have many goals, many hopes, many things that we have already begun working towards.

The secondary school at Humble Hearts will be expanding. We have begun purchasing land to build the new secondary school and hope to complete this project. Angel Cottage has too many children for the space. Designs are completed and the land has been purchased. We need to raise the funds to build the new home.

Through our partnerships with other organizations we hope to expand a trade school that serves orphans in Kenya, and help build another trade school that will provide orphans with meaningful skills as they head towards life after the orphanage.

We have begun to work with doctors in Kenya to provide support for a program that treats kids with cancer.

In the first half of 2007, we should see several chicken projects mature and begin to provide for the children. We will continue to fund new chicken and other animal projects, which will provide meals for children who are malnourished.

We hope to continue to see the sponsorship programs grow providing educational opportunities.

Hundreds of dollars were raised because so many of you shopped on Amazon.com and IGive.com and selected Angel Covers as your charity of choice.  Even more of you purchased our products for yourselves or loved ones, helping raise thousands of dollars for children around the world.  Everyday people tell us what a wonderful "thing" we are doing by helping orphans around the world.  But, every time the response we give is that it's our supporters who are making all of this work possible.  All of you are bringing hope to children's lives each and every day.  You are putting a smile on the faces of beautiful children around the world whom you have never met.  You are trusting us with your support and telling your friends and family about Angel Covers.  Everyone at Angel Covers truly believes that all of you are the backbone of what we do.  We are so grateful!

It seems hard to believe, but we know that even more can be accomplished in 2007. Our hope and dream for children around the world is that they will have all of the skills they need to grow into happy, healthy, self-sufficient adults.  With your continued help in 2007, we will continue working towards this dream.

We hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season! The children that you have supported are having the best holiday season of their life. Thank you for helping us make a difference. Have a Happy New Year! We look forward to working together to make 2007 a happy year for even more children around the world.

Kari
http://www.angelcovers.org

p.s. We have created a Yahoo group for those who would like more details on an on-going basis of the work we are doing or would like to find a way to volunteer.  The group is called Angels for Orphans.  Subscribe today and find your place in making a difference in the lives of children.