I can hardly believe we are already 6 weeks into 2008. So much has happened in such a short amount of time. The recent turmoil in Kenya has made me realize even more how precious children are, how much they have to face each day, and how vulnerable they can be. Fortunately, we have a unique opportunity to help so many of these children see a brighter future. There is a quote on my computer that says, “All children smile in the same language.” The source of the quote is unknown, but clearly they understood children around the world.

In January, Angel Covers agreed to help raise funds for baby Cong to have heart surgery. This beautiful little girl had a serious heart condition. Unfortunately, baby Cong passed away as arraingments were being made to move her to the hospital.  Her heart was just unable too keep fighting.  We were honored to help Love Without Boundaries find funding for this critical need and we thank all of you who donated towards Cong.  These funds will be used to provide surgery for another child. 
 
Angel Covers also had the opportunity to help LWB fund the care needed for Baby Hua. This little boy was born weighing just 2.2 pounds. Unable to eat on his own, he was placed in intensive care and is now growing stronger and able to suck on his own. He now weighs 3.6 pounds. Although he will need to be in the hospital for a while, he’s making improvements every day. Thanks to The Red Thread and others for providing much of this care to baby Hua.
 
In January, 40 cribs were purchased for the Chuzhou orphanage.  The director asked if they could have even more, so another 25 will soon be sent.  If you'd like to help with this need, please mark your donation for Chuzuo cribs..  They really could use another 40 so any help with this important need would be a huge help to this orphanage. The director told us the kids were so excited when the new cribs arrived they had a terrible time gong to sleep.  :-)  Baby bouncers have also been ordered for Chuzhou and are expected to arrive next month. 
 
Isn’t this little girl beautiful! She is in our nutrition program in Huaibei.  Chuzhou has also asked for a nutrition program of baby formula and rice cereal.  It came to our attention in January that the babies are being fed adult milk powder.  If you or anyone you know would like to help start a nutrition program for these babies, please let me know!  Right now we are looking for pledges to start this program, which will cost at least $1500 a month. If you’d like to help with this important program, please make at donation and mark it for Chuzhou or send an email to kari@angelcovers.org.
 
As you know, the violence in Kenya has been great throughout January.  We were thrilled to hear that all of the 250 children attending Humble Hearts are safe.  Although they have not all been able to return to school, they have called and we know they will return as soon as they can.  We also know they will have lunch each day because of a grant received at the end of 2007.  Food each day for us is considered normal....for them it's extraordinary. 
 
We have also started a new program to help raise funds for Angel Cottage. This is a home we are building for approximately 80 children. The current Angel cottage has 36 kids living in a home made for 25 originally.  For just $10 you can put your first name on a brick, or a short message of “Love,” “hope,” or others.  Those bricks will be hung throughout Angel Cottage and remind the kids of all of us around the world who love them.  Please consider donating $10 for yourself and each person in your family!  Let's give the kids a way to see each day how much they are loved by strangers around the world.

Angel Covers also received wonderful news that our Yak Project has been accepted by Alternative Gifts International for their 2008-2009 fiscal year. These yaks will provide milk, cheese, clothing, and heat to children throughout the Tibetan Autonomous Region, including the XiangGen and Xuri schools we already support through sponsorships. Because AGI has accepted our project, hundreds of children will benefit from yaks in 2009. Thank you AGI!

The Wenle School has been supported by so many of you and we would like to thank each of you for your help in the success of this school. This school and children are doing well because of the support you have given them. Because of the success in this school, they no longer need such support. Angel Covers was introduced to the Yushu Batang County Central Boarding Primary School ( Batang School) located near Yushu County’s capital.  Currently, there are 413 students who study and live at the school.  Of these 413 students, 59 are orphans (both parents deceased) or half-orphans, and the need is huge. Our sponsors of Wenle students have graciously agreed to transfer their sponsorships to the children of the Batang School. Many of you have been matched with children and more will be matched in the next week or two. We also have sponsors who are new to our program and we will need many more.
It is our desire to help this school continue to make progress in the health and education of the children.   You can sponsor one of the orphans at this school through Angel Covers. For $10 a month, you can help one of these orphaned students receive needed medical care, clothing, books for school, and extra nutrition.   We would like to thank you all for your support in helping make a difference in a child’s life.

The beginning of 2008 brought the unique opportunity to help special needs children in a Palestinian orphanage. This orphanage has little outside funding and no help from the government. We were fortunate to be able to provide these children with funds for one month’s medication, to repair wheelchairs, and because of your generosity during the 2007 Gifts From The World auction, six girls were able to continue their education for another six weeks. These girls are learning to make candles, note cards, and to recycle paper.
 
There are still a few styles of shoes on sale, although they are going fast.  The passenger pals and sweatshirts also on sale.  Much of our income for our general funds comes from the sales of our products so please keep this in mind with you need a gift.  And, don't forget to shop Amazon.com or IGive.com through our website.  You'll be making a huge difference in the lives of so many kids without any extra effort.

Check out our 2007 Annual Report!  Hopefully everyone received the emailed link, but just in case you didn’t, here it is again. Please check out everything you helped make happen in 2007!

2008 has already started out full of generosity and hope. Children are being healed, held, fed, and educated because of your efforts and the efforts of those around the world. Thank you for providing smiles to children of many languages!
 

Kari
Executive Director, Angel Covers