I’ve had a cold this week. You call know the kind. You don’t feel sick enough to stay in bed all day, but don’t feel well enough to do much. And I’m the first to admit, that I’m not good at being sick. I get frustrated at not being able to accomplish as much as normal, and will try about anything to feel better. But, all week I’ve been thinking about kids around the world who are sick more often than I am and who can’t take medicine to make them feel better. Who have to sleep on hard dirt floors without a comfy pillow, warm blankets, and a nice hot shower in the morning. Children around the world must sleep with their sick siblings, wondering when they will start coughing, knowing it’s only a matter of time before their caretakers get sick and can’t work. And if a caretaker can’t work, the children can’t eat. My cold has been an annoyance for sure, but for children around the world, mild illnesses have enormous consequences for themselves and their families.

Cao Fu Yi is a very sad example of how treatable illnesses can be life threatening. As so many of you know, he was featured on our website for several weeks because he needed heart surgery. Sadly, just as we were able to fund the surgery Cao Fu died. His heart condition was not thought to be life threatening, but sadly he just couldn't hang on. Cao Fu reminds us of how fragile life is and how we must continue to work hard each do to make sure no more precious children are lost. Thanks to all of you who donated towards his surgery! Your donation will be used to fund another surgery very soon.

Angel Cottage progress

In an effort to provide orphans and deaf children of Humble Hearts with a safe, loving home, we have started building Angel Cottage. The foundation is done, and the walls will soon be going up. This home, which will eventually be a safe home for 80 children, is going to be the first home many of these children have experienced with their own bed, guaranteed meals each day, clean water, and a safe environment. The original budget for this home was $50,000 but with each day that passes, the cost of iron, rock, and labor increases. Currently, $30,000 has been raised for this home. Please consider helping us build Angel Cottage either through donating, or holding your own fund raiser for this important project . You can also help Humble Hearts and Angel Cottage by purchasing our notecards. There is a limited quantity and they're going fast. They make great gifts so order your boxes today!

Mama's Wish

"Recent UNICEF estimates indicate that an average of only 43 percent of girls of the appropriate age in the developing world attend secondary school." - UNICEF

The response to our Mama’s Wish program was overwhelming! When we agreed to establish this program, we were hoping to be able to send 67 girls to high school and college. Because of your unprecedented response, Angel Covers was able to commit to sending 100 students (93 high school girls and 7 college girls) to school! UNBELIEVABLE! But, right now 10 high school girls and 1 college girl still needing sponsors. Please consider sponsoring one of these wonderful young women.

As the college age girls were told to pack their bags for school, we realized that they have never been exposed to many of the things we take for granted. These girls have no idea what an elevator or escalator is, they don’t know how to use a vending machine, and many have never used a computer. In order to ease their transition into city life, Angel Covers asked the Love Without Boundaries college girls in the Mama’s Wish program to be mentors to the new college freshman. The girls met and talked about practical ways to handle all of the changes they are experiencing in their lives. We are excited to know these girls will have a much easier transition into school life and will have someone to rely on through the stresses of college life.

Nutrition for Huaibei...

Because we believe nutrition is vital to a child’s ability to stay healthy and grow strong, Angel Covers has agreed to fund a nutrition program at the Huaibei, Anhui SWI. In partnership with Love Without Boundaries, Angel Covers will provide 110 boxes of rice cereal and 168 bags of formula each month to the approximately 40 babies of Huaibei. The LWB mobile medical van will deliver the formula each month and will send pictures and reports to AC. Please consider supporting the nutritional needs of these babies for a donation of $15 a month. You will receive quarterly reports and photos showing what a huge difference your generosity is making.

"There is no finer investment for any community than putting milk into babies" - Winston Churchill

We have a blog!

Angel Covers is excited to announce our blog! We will be posting stories and updates about programs on a regular basis. Subscribe and you’ll get posts immediately. Since September 30, we have had 2 volunteers in China. They are visiting all of the Mama’s Wish girls and will be posting in the blog about their trip when they have access. Check it out and watch for their amazing stories and pictures.

Auction coming in November...

The Gifts From The World auction has given hundreds of children around the world the gift of education. Building, text books, desks, school supplies, and so many other educational necessities have been provided when beautiful items from around the world are auctioned for kids. The Gifts From The World auction will once again be held this year. Mark your calendars for Nov. 4-10 and send this flyer to everyone you know. Once again this year the need for computers, desks, new classrooms, and textbooks is great. Please help us make this auction a success as well.

We are starting to get orders for the holiday’s already! You still have plenty of time to order. Remember, we have several styles of shoes on sale, including canvas shoes for girls, which are almost gone. We also have sweatshirts and passenger pals on sale, so check them out before they are no longer available. Not sure what the perfect gift is for someone this year? Consider our gift cards. They make the perfect gift for anyone on your list.

Find your place...

Look for our new “How You Can Help” page on the website. This website will give you a list of positions we have open, items we always need donated, and great shopping opportunities that benefit Angel Covers. Included on this page is a great opportunity to purchase a children’s poetry book, “Livin Like a Kid”. With the purchase of each book, the author will donate $5 to Angel Covers!

A big THANK YOU goes out to the First Presbyterian Church in Salina, KS. I had the opportunity to visit and speak to the congregation recently and what a wonderful group of people they are. They are touching the lives of so many children each year with their support. Because of their support, 40 unsponsored children at Humble Hearts School for the Deaf will receive lunch each school day in 2008! They truly are making a difference in the lives of children around the world.

While speaking at First Presbyterian, I was asked when I’ll know if Angel Covers is a success. What I’m sure of, is that in many ways Angel Covers is already a success. Children have opportunities they never would have had before. They are healthier, well fed, have a safe place to live, and have gotten medical care that was otherwise not available. But, the greatest success will be when the children we work with know they are the heroes. They are the ones who took the opportunities we gave them and used those opportunities to change their lives and the world around them. They allowed themselves to trust us to continue the work we do, so they would always have the chance to make the world a better place for themselves and their loved ones. When they are sick or their family members are sick, when the rainy season washes away the warmth in their shacks, when the sun goes down and there is no more time to study….that’s when these kids smile and think of the opportunities of the next day. They look to the future with a sense of hope and belonging that most of us take for granted. They have an optimism that comes from having so very little, but dreaming such big dreams. For these reasons and so many more, these kids are my heroes.

Thank you for supporting heroes around the world!

Sincerely,
Kari Fillmore
Executive Director, Angel Covers