Angel Covers

Tis the Season....

2009-06-02T10:32:00.006-06:00

Ok, not that season. But, it is the end of the school year season. Must of us in May and June are frantically trying to make all of the school plays, help our kids finish up big projects, and decide on gifts for teachers.

Little Brian Musyoka is 4 years old, is fatherless, and his mother is a prostitute. Before coming to Humble Hearts, Brian was locked out of his home and left to the mercy of kind neighbors. He has an eye problem that was never diagnosed or treated. But, because of wonderful donors giving the gift of education to children in African through our gift card program, Brian is now living at Angel Cottage and attending Humble Hearts.

These of Brian, children at Humble Hearts with fruit, and Tommy in China are all small representations of how gift cards have changed children's lives. These children and many others have been given gifts they never would have expected because so many people chose our gift cards for teacher gifts, Mother's day, Father's day, birthday's, etc.

Gift cards are the perfect way to give a meaningful gift to someone you care about while helping children around the world. Please consider going to http://www.angelcovers.org/giftcard s.html and give the gift of a new life.

Angel Covers is Huaibei, Anhui

2009-05-27T16:35:00.009-06:00

Angel Covers recently sent a volunteer to the Huaibei, Anhui SWI to meet the staff, see the children, and evaluate needs. What she found was exciting! We have always known that the staff at the Huaibei, SWI (Social Welfare Institute) truly cares about the children. They are loving, in tune with the children’s needs, and work hard to give the children the best care possible.

Laureen and her son arrived at the SWI and was given a tour of the baby’s rooms, the play room, and the grounds right away. The babies looked wonderful! They have put on weight since Angel Covers started supplementing the formula and rice cereal they receive, and have been less likely to get sick. Laureen stated that all of the 50 babies looked healthy, well fed, and very clean. As they toured the SWI, Laureen saw the formula Angel Covers purchases, the kitchen where meals are prepared, and the old broken down refrigerator the staff uses. Buying a new refrigerator quickly became a priority.

When touring the playroom, Laureen saw the bouncers and strollers Angel Covers has purchased in the past, as well as other toys for the children. The staff of Huaibei tries to take the older children to this room each day, and when the weather is nice, they are taken outside to play on the playground.

The Assistant Director took Laureen shopping and dozens of blankets and towels were purchased. Here is what Laureen said about their shopping trip. “We bought many blankets and large bath towels. We decided that the towels (soft ones) can be used as both blankets in the summer or towels when needed. The orphanage was warm and the need was for lighter blankets. In addition, the refrigerator outside the kids’ room where the formula and food is made was very old and not working, so we purchased a new refrigerator. It was $279.00 and AC paid $250 and the orphanage paid $29. There was a smaller one for 250.00, but they preferred the larger one.”

Angel Covers would love to work on purchasing additional items for the playroom. The floor is hard and the orphanage staff is concerned about the children throwing toys and breaking them. Therefore, toys other than balls are generally not allowed. Angel Covers would like to buy additional padded floor squares and many toys, so the children have a wide variety of items to play with. The need for additional physical and mental stimulation is great.

Additionally, the need for medical evaluations is also great. Anyone interested in helping fund physicals for children with known medical needs such as cleft lips and palates, possible heart conditions, and others. Angel Covers have established a fund for these needs and would be happy to receive your donation.

The nutrition program for Huaibei is always in need of additional sponsors as well. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting this life-changing program, please go to www.angelcovers.org/donation and you will be able to make a donation specific for Huaibei.

To see additional pictures of Laureen’s visit to Huabei, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelcovers/
Thanks to all of you who have supported this program! You have changed the lives of these children.

An Angel Cottage Update

2009-05-07T10:02:00.003-06:00

As you probably know, Angel Covers hosted a fundraising event at the Madcap Improv Theater on Sunday, May 3. Complete with a silent auction and private show by the Macap actors, this was a fun afternoon full of laughs and was a great success. $7,000 was raised for the construction of Angel Cottage! This money will soon be sent to Kenya so that construction can continue. With less than $18,000 still needed to complete this project, the children who will call Angel Cottage home, are closer to moving into a new home with plenty of space to run around and grow strong.

An additional 20 children who are currently on the wait list for Angel Cottage will also move into this new home. Currently these children are not attending Humble Hearts School because it too far or too dangerous to walk there everyday. Angel Cottage will not only provide a safe place for them to live, but will also allow them access to a great education, medical care, and healthy nutrition....none of which they currently have.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project and came to our event on Sunday. You are completely changing lives.

Kari

Tommy and great gifts.

2009-04-23T21:12:00.005-06:00

Angel Covers is proud to be able to continue sponsoring Tommy, a beautiful little 4 year old boy at the Believe In Me School Jingzhou, China. Your willingness to order gift cards for education programs in China has provided sponsorships to Tommy for more than a year. Tommy continues to grow and learn. He's also playing well with others and telling others his name.

Gift cards have also made it possible for us to send significant funds with Laureen to China. She leaves Friday and will be purchasing blankets for the Huaibei orphanage because of donations from gift cards. As soon as she returns from her trip, we'll post pictures of all the warm blankets she was able to purchase.

With Mother's Day and the end of the school year coming for all of us, please remember these great gifts. Your generosity provides warmth and security for children, while providing a gift to those you care about. http://www.angelcovers.org/giftcards.html

Angel Cottage

2009-04-13T12:20:00.004-06:00

Recently we received some pictures I thought everyone would enjoy seeing. Because of recent donations, construction is progressing very quickly. We are excited that less than $25,000 is needed to complete Angel Cottage, and know the children will love it once it's finished.

I especially love the doors and windows. Don't the hearts just scream "welcome!" to all the kids?! Making this home warm and inviting has been the biggest goal for this project. We want the kids to know that this is truly their home and they are loved here. This isn't just a place for them to sleep.

Enjoy the pictures and please consider coming to our event at the Madcap Theater on May 3. All proceeds will go to the completion of this much needed home.

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The saddest news.

2009-04-02T21:12:00.004-06:00

This week, Angel Covers received the saddest news possible from Humble Hearts. One of the beautiful children of this school died. Little Ruth Muhonja has had HIV since birth. Ruth also lost her hearing after contracting meningitis and malaria as an infant. Unfortunately Ruth was never able to received treatment for the HIV and she was recently hospitalized, and died this week. We are so sad that Ruth had such a short time at Humble Hearts, but so grateful that she knew her sponsor loved her. She was a bright, active little girl who deserves to be more than another AIDS statistic. She was a daughter and friend. I met her once and will never forget her beautiful smile and loving way.

We will miss you Ruth. May you know peace.

Kari

Web searches help Angel Covers

2009-03-16T14:02:00.005-06:00

How many times a week do you search for things on the internet? Dozens? Hundreds? Now there is a great way to do all your searches and help Angel Covers too. Angel Covers has recently registered with Good Search. http://www.goodsearch.com/ With Good Search, you are able to search on anything just like you do now with Google and others. But, when you pick Angel Covers as your charity of choice, Angel Covers will get a donation of $.01 for each search you make. OK, so $.01 doesn't sound like much. But, think about how many times a week you search the internet. Pennies add up quickly. Millions of dollars are raised each year by charities around the world by asking children to save their pennies. This is no different. Millions of dollars have been donated by Good Search to Charities throughout the country.

Please go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and check it out. You can easily add a tool bar so that you never have to remember to go to the Good Search site. I added a tool bar to my screen a couple of months ago and love it! Since it's there, I remember to use Good Search every time I need to complete a search and it's not in the way at all.

Thanks for considering this easy way to help Angel Covers. It's quick to add and costs you nothing to complete searches and help children around the world.

Kari

Water is so precious!

2009-03-11T20:16:00.002-06:00

Everyone will agree that water is vital to our health and survival. Everyday I’m so thankful I can simply turn on the faucet and watch it flow. I am constantly thinking of ways to use less to help protect the planet, but never do I truly worry about not having water when I need it. The children living at Angel Cottage aren’t so lucky. For the past several years, there has been a terrible drought in Kenya. Because it’s summer in Kenya now, the hot weather is making water harder and harder to come by. Because there is no water tank at Angel Cottage, the staff is forced to buy water from the city each week and store it in any container available. Unfortunately, so few containers are available for water storage that the children are running out after only 2 days, causing the staff to purchase water at a much higher price from neighbors or local businesses.

The solution? To purchase a large water tank for Angel Cottage, just like the one that already exists at Humble Hearts. This tank can be purchased for $2,150 and will be large enough to provide all 37 children water for at least a week. And, after the new Angel Cottage is completed, the tank can be moved to the new home and used there. Although the new Angel Cottage will have access to running water, frequently during drought this water is shut off and the tank will provide a great back up system for the children and their caregivers. Additionally, this water tank will be a source of income because excess water in the tank can be sold to neighbors in need. Please consider donating to this critical need! www.angelcovers/donation.html

Mama's Wish Letters Are Here!

2009-02-25T17:13:00.012-07:00

We are delighted to have just received another big batch of letters from our Mama's Wish students. We are so pleased to be able to send these letters to their sponsors. They are wonderful to read and give a small glimpse into the girls' lives. Many of the girls write about their family's traditions during the recent Lunar New Year celebration, including sharing meals with relatives, visiting the local temple and a hair cutting ceremony. I was very touched by how many girls, despite their own hardships, wrote of their concern for their sponsor's well being during these tough economic times. Each of the girls are so incredibly grateful for the opportunity their sponsors are giving them.

We still have several students that need sponsors. I would love to be able to send their letters to their new sponsors. Please visit our website to see their photos. http://www.angelcovers.org/mamawishsponsorship.html
We are hopeful that we can find sponsors for these bright girls.

If you are interested in sponsoring a Mama's Wish student, please contact karen@angelcovers.org

In the words of Mama's Wish student Li Mao - "I wish you everyday happy."

Karen MacNair
Sponsorship Coordinator - Mama's Wish Education Program

Mama’s Wish Sponsors Needed

2009-02-05T08:14:00.018-07:00

Over the past year and a half our wonderful Mama’s Wish sponsors have given the amazing gift of knowledge to over 100 bright girls in the rural QingHai Province of China. These young students aspire to be doctors and teachers, scientist and lawyers, and each one dreams of the day she will be able to give back to her community. But without our help these dreams would not be possible. Most of these girls would have been forced into marriage at a very young age, working menial jobs to support their families.

We now have three high school students and one college student who are in need of new sponsors. These are incredibly hard working students that deserve our help.

#7 - Duojie is in her third year of high school. She hopes to become a female politician. Her favorite subjects are geography and politics. She enjoys climbing mountains and singing.

#92 - Wan is in her second year of high school. Her favorite subject is Chinese. She is very motivated and works hard on her school work. In her free time she enjoys being with her friends.

#97 - Li is in her second year of high school. She looks forward to being able to give back to her community and helping other poor children in the future. She is an excellent student and earns very high grades.

#1001 - Gen has beaten all the odds and is now attending college! Her goal is to become a biology teacher in her home town. She works very hard and gets excellent grades. During her vacations, she volunteers her time teaching poor children in the rural countryside.

Can you help these bright girls? For just $120 we can send one student to high school for a year, while $1350 funds a year of college. College fees can easily be split among several donors to keep payments affordable.

If you are interested in sponsoring any of these students, please contact karen@angelcovers.org

More information on the Mama’s Wish Program can be found at our website: http://www.angelcovers.org/mamawish.html

Thank you for giving these girls this priceless gift of knowledge.

Karen MacNair
Sponsorship Coordinator - Mama’s Wish Education Program

Our sponsors are AMAZING!

2009-01-29T19:53:00.007-07:00

In the past week or so I have gotten so many pictures of the children at Humble Hearts. All of the pictures have been of children who are sponsored. Sponsors always have the option of providing extra items for their kids....books, hygiene items, clothes, etc. But every day I turn on the TV to hear more and more stories of the current US recession. More and more I'm hearing of people in threat of losing their homes, losing their jobs, or having a hard time paying bills. And yet, individuals from around the world continue to send items to children in Kenya they have never met. Children, who without their support, would have no steady source of food or education. Children who have never had someone constantly in their lives to care about them and their future.

I simply want to post several of the pictures I have received this week. The smiles say it all. You don't need me to tell you that these children feel loved and respected by their sponsors. It's written all over their faces.

To all sponsors everywhere, I say....YOUR AWESOME!

An Angel Cottage Update

2009-01-21T16:15:00.004-07:00

Since posting 2 weeks ago about the desperate need for more Angel Cottage funding, donations have been coming in steadily. In such hard economic times, the outpouring of support for this project is wonderful to see. Approximately $1,100 has been received and numerous names have been added to the list for bricks. Beatrice tells me she will be able to start making bricks at the end of this month. I can't wait to see names on the walls!

Many of you have not only made a donation,but have also passed the word along to family and friends about this great need. One example is of a couple who decided to look through their checkbook and make a donation equal to their largest Christmas present, and challenged their friends to do the same. Because of this great idea, hundreds of dollars was raised for Angel Cottage.

Just this week, Beatrice send me another story highlighting this great need. I'm going to post the story of Peter below. Feel free to pass this story on to anyone you know. We need less than $26,000 to complete this project. I know this seems like a lot of money, but just a month ago more than $40,000 was needed. Every single dollar makes a huge difference in the lives of these children. I'm so grateful to each and every one of you who has supporting Angel Cottage and the children who live there. They have a bright future because of your support.

"Peter walked in at Humble Hearts (HH) just at about 4pm when everyone was preparing to go home. He was in the company of a lady aged about 58 who introduced herself as a social worker. She then narrated on how she had met the lone Didi on the streets of Nairobi three and half years ago and took him to a government rehabilitation center where she works. Many of this government run centers are in pathetic situation and corruption is the order of the day.

The Center works hand in hand with police who bring them children that are lost or runaways some of the children end up being united to their parents but also most of them don't. The high rates of street children has lead to the home being over crowded all the hearing children in the center of 250 are taken to a school near the center except for Didi who could not cope in the hearing school due to his disability.

For the three and half years Didi has always been left in the center helping with the delaying chaos, longing for a day when he too will be able to go to school like other children.

Peter Didi became his nickname since those who found him and live with him don't know any sign language and neither does his.

The social worker was told about HH by a friend and she promised herself that she was not going to take NO for an answer, she said all the children living in the center came out to escort Didi to his new school and would be very sad if he was turned away.

No words could convince the two that AC was already full, they were willing for Didi to sleep in the class but attend school as the center could not afford his daily fares to school and back to the center.

Didi who we suspect could be about 15 years is now leaving at AC we have found him a mattress, blanket and sheets and he is now sleeping on the floor.

Didi looks very happy to be among other deaf children and really wants to learn sign language."

Momentum

2009-01-06T10:19:00.013-07:00

Throughout 2008 you heard us talking over and over about the need to build Angel Cottage. This is a huge project that feels like it's been around forever. Dozens of deaf children are waiting for this new home so they can not only attend school, but learn a language, be valued, and see a life completely different than they one they currently living.

2008 was hard for all of us. Overall Angel Covers donations and sales were down by 34%....about the same amount we have all lost in our 401K's and other accounts. People are struggling to pay for food, gas, and other necessities. Fund-raising for Angel Cottage stalled and the construction almost completely stopped.

But then December 2008 came around and so many people donated saying they believe the true meaning of the holiday season was to give to those who have even less than they do. More than $12, 500 came in for Angel Cottage in December. Dozens of individuals and businesses purchased their holiday cards through us and our greeting cards were given as numerous gifts. Because of these purchases, another $2,250 was raised for Angel Cottage.

As I have been opening more and more donations for this extraordinary project, the word that keeps going through my head is momentum. We have been given a huge gift in the past couple of weeks. Currently less than 1/3 of the total cost of Angel Cottage is needed. Dozens of names have been added to the list of bricks to be made. To those of you who have supported this project, you have my sincere thanks and appreciation.

Please helps us keep up this great momentum. Spread the world to everyone you know. Every single dollar makes a huge difference in this project. Gas prices are down, the holidays are over....please consider making a donation to this project. Help us get Angel Cottage built! If all of the funds were raised today, Angel Cottage could be completed in 2 months. Wouldn't it be amazing to think of 55 deaf children moving into this beautiful new home before school starts in May???!!!!

The waiting list of deaf children currently been locked away at home, not allowed to attend school, unable to communicate with their family or peers, is long. Please send this to anyone you know and help us change their lives from one of complete isolation to one of laughter, love, and fun as soon as possible.

http://www.angelcovers.org/angelcottage.html

My Christmas Wish

2008-12-26T13:18:00.007-07:00

I came home from work a few days before Christmas to discover the ginger bread houses the kids had worked on that day. The boys decided to make their own style of home instead of being confined to the directions on the box. This is the result of their labors. We have probably the most unique gingerbread house there is.

Their house reminded me so much of Angel Cottage in Nairobi. It is a home that is incomplete. It has no roof. It cannot be lived in yet. Angel Cottage has been on my mind a lot recently and the need for completion was hammered home by an e-mail from Beatrice. Trying to be such a wonderful steward of money that has been donated, she has been purchasing items needed for construction as money comes in and at the best prices available. She was able to get a wonderful deal on some bags of cement that will be needed for the slab that will be the roof. The bags of cement are being stored. Her e-mail brought to our attention that if we store these for too much longer they will become unusable, as moisture will inevitably cause them to harden. It is very difficult to find a dry place to store these with the rainy seasons, and climate in that area. The thought of going backwards on this project was really devastating. We just can't go backwards.

Angel Cottage to me is an example of all that Angel Covers works towards. Yes, it will be a home for orphans and deaf children, but it is more than that. Right now there are deaf children that are being turned away because there isn't enough room in the current Angel Cottage. That means they also aren't in school at Humble Hearts because it is too far and too dangerous for them to walk on a daily basis. What it really means is they aren't in school at all, because there aren't other deaf schools that children from the slums of Nairobi can attend due to the costs. Instead they remain at home. They don't know sign language. Their families don't know sign language. They have no way to communicate to the world around them. Their families incomes are so small, that they most likely don't eat on a regular basis. In many cases they may be abused, as the families don't know how to communicate with them and get frustrated with these children they consider an embarrassment. This is not the way children are meant to grow up.

Angel Cottage would change all of that. It would mean a place to live where they are understood. A chance to learn how to communicate with the world around them. A chance to receive an education. A chance to have three meals a day, and a chance to be cared for medically with things that could normally not be afforded. It is the holistic program for children that Angel Covers strives to help create. But it has been slow. The poor economy here has not helped. My Christmas wish is that Angel Cottage will be completed in the first six months of 2009.

My jaw fell open two days before Christmas when I received news of a donation for Angel Cottage. It was a wonderful donation from a very kind individual that will allow the slab for the roof to be completed. Not going backwards on the project, but forward! It took me from feeling somewhat defeated to being excited and energized about it again.

I need your help. Spread the word. Donate a couple of dollars if you can. Make it your New Years resolution to help see this project completed.

Christmas day was wonderful. I enjoyed time with Kari and the kids. We gave each other wonderful things, but those items just don't fill the voids in life that we know about. This is my, not so secret anymore, Christmas wish! What is yours?

Maria's Bouncers

2008-12-10T09:03:00.003-07:00

In June, Angel Covers was asked to accept donations for baby bouncers in honor of Maria Chapman's life. The outpouring of support for this important project was overwhelming, and recently 186 bouncers were sent to Hope Foster Home in honor of Maria. These bouncers will be used in Shaohannah’s Hope Healing Home to care for medically fragile infants.

Through such a terrible tragedy, babies will have the equipment they need to develop into healthy, active children. A huge THANK YOU goes to everyone who helped keep Maria's memory alive through the precious children of SHHH.

The babies of Huaibei

2008-12-02T21:28:00.007-07:00

How appropriate that we received the Huaibei nutrition update at Thanksgiving time! As I sat down to a huge meal with family and friends on Thanksgiving, I couldn’t help thinking about the beautiful faces of children who have enough food because of all of you. The children of Huaibei are happy and healthy because of your support. These children are smiling more, crying less, and sick less often because they are getting hundreds of cans of additional formula and rice cereal.

Given the recent concerns about Melamine in Chinese formula, we were so relieved to learn that none of the children in Huaibei developed kidney stones. Angel Covers only purchases Nestle’s formula, which has not been shown to have elevated Melamine levels. We are so thankful that the children of Huaibei have remained safe and healthy through this terrible scare.

Additional baby bouncers were also recently sent to Huaibei. Although this isn't part of the nutrition program, the bouncers will allow the babies to be out of their cribs more often and develop fine and gross motor skills. Because there are fewer infants in Huaibei right now, the children will be able to use them even more often.

Another 11 cases of Nestles Neslac formula were purchased for the next 3 months. Combine with other formula, rice cereal, and table foods the children of Huaibei will continue to be happy and healthy. Just look at their faces! You have created these chubby cheeks and for that I will be forever thankful!

Beatrice goes home.

2008-11-17T13:20:00.005-07:00

After a whirl-wind trip across the United States, Beatrice Anunda headed back to Kenya today. Beatrice was thrilled to have been brought to the US by the Trillium School in Oregan. Very supportive of Humble Hearts, the Trillium School has sent two groups of high school kids to Humble Hearts with their teachers to help build desks, paint walls, plant a garden, and many other things.

While in Oregon, Beatrice learned new teaching methods from the Trillium School, was able to see the ocean, and met many wonderful supporters. We were fortunate that she also had time to come to Denver. While here she spoke at a school for the deaf, met with two non-profit organizations interested in helping deaf and impoverished children, had an online chat with sponsors, meet many sponsors in person, learned about Halloween, and many other things. She was also able to see snow for the first time and went to the top of the Continental Divide...exclaiming "I've never been so cold in my life!" :-)

After leaving Denver, Beatrice had the great fortune of going to Pennsylvania for a week to visit the Scranton School of the Deaf. It was exciting to hear her be so enthusiastic about what she had learned. Seeing New York City was a huge hit too.

Thanks to everyone who talked to her through the online chat, took the time to meet her, have her in your homes, and show her this beautiful country of ours. She had a wonderful time, much was learned, and many new people learned how they too can help Humble Hearts.

A day with the giraffes

2008-10-01T13:57:00.008-06:00

While in Kenya I had the opportunity to visit the Giraffe Center with Beatrice, her daughter Ashley, Jane and her son Niall. What fun it was to feed the giraffes and learn about these magnificent animals.

While were were there, Jane and Beatrice were able to talk to those in charge of arranging trips for under privileged children. The Giraffe Center agreed to allow 23 children and 2 teachers from Humble Hearts to visit the center for free including transportation and lunch! Additionally, the center has agreed to take children from Humble Hearts to the see the giraffes until all of the children have had this wonderful opportunity.

The first group of children, all deaf, visited the Giraffe Center last week and what a wonderful time they had. Feeding the giraffes and learning about how they live and what they eat was a wonderful opportunity. We don't know yet when the next group will go, but when we do, I'll be sure to post pictures. I hope all of the children enjoy this experience as much as the rest of us did.

Formula in China

2008-09-23T17:22:00.006-06:00

Recently we have all heard the horrible stories of children in China who have consumed formula tainted with melamine. This chemical is used in things such as wood adhesives, flame retardants, and various coatings. It has caused thousands of children throughout China to become seriously ill, and at least 4 have died.

Angel Covers purchases formula in China for the Huaibei, Anhui orphanage. However, Angel Covers only purchases Nestle formula, which has not been found to have been tainted with melamine. We have been very concerned about the children in our programs, as many of you have been, and have been asking for confirmation that the Nestle formula we purchase is safe. Nestle's formula has been tested by Nestle, the Chinese Bureau of Heath, and Civil Affairs with the same results. No melamine was found. Tests have also been conducted outside of China with the same results.

We are so relieved to know the children in our programs are not at risk. We will continue to do everything possible to protect the children in Huaibei and keep them as healthy as possible.

Helping Angel Cottage

2008-09-19T21:39:00.006-06:00

Many people have been asking how they can help build Angel Cottage even though they don't have the funds to send a donation. I'm always so glad people ask me this! There are several ways to help without making a direct donation.

One of our wonderful supporters sells Party Lite Candles. A portion of her profits are being donated to the construction of Angel Cottage. Additionally, if you would be willing to have a Party Lite Candle party, all of the profits from your party will support Angel Cottage construction. All you need to do is email Caroline at aijdinsmom@yahoo.com and request a catalog. She will send you everything you need for the party.

Also, check out our Giving Works page on eBay. All of the items listed have a portion of the proceeds coming to Angel Covers. All funds raised will go to Angel Cottage.
http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=4418

Angel Covers still have greeting cards and will soon have holiday cards for sale through our website. 100% of the proceeds from these cards goes to Angel Cottage construction. All of these cards were designed by the children of Humble Hearts and are beautifully made. http://www.angelcovers.org/greetingcards.html Please remember to use these for gifts during the upcoming holiday season.

All of ideas will help build Angel Cottage and provide 80 children a home they can only dream of now. Thank you for being a part of this great work.

Angel Cottage

2008-09-14T16:53:00.005-06:00

While in Kenya I promised more information and stories about my trip, the kids, and Humble Hearts. I thought I'd start by providing you details about the most important project we have going on in Kenya right now, building the Angel Cottage.

As you may know, the budget for Angel Cottage is approximately $90,000. To date $40,000 has been raised and the structure is being built as quickly as funds will allow. But while in Kenya, I learned many new things that have given me even more faith in this project.

Two years ago land was purchased for Angel Cottage. Soon after two additional plots of land were purchased for the future secondary school. We then decided to build Angel Cottage several stories high so that the new secondary school could occupy the second story, which will cost less to build than an entirely new building. Now the land is not only home to the developing Angel Cottage, but will also have lots of space for kids to play. In large part because of Beatrice's amazing work.

When construction began on Angel Cottage, local people in the area noticed this huge project and wanted to buy land close by. Seeing this opportunity, Beatrice contacted the land owner and convinced him to give Humble Hearts 4 additional plots of land for free. Not a marketing professional by trade, Beatrice convinced the land owner that by giving Humble Hearts the land he would be able to tell others what great work is happening there, which will increase the price the rest of the land can be sold for.

Additionally, Beatrice has been working with businesses throughout Nairobi to get free and discounted building materials. More than $7,000 in materials have been donated and dozens of bags of concrete and rods of steel have been purchased at discounted prices. For instance, Beatrice has been able to purchase bags of concrete for 585 shillings rather than 780 shillings, saving approximately $3 US per bag of concrete. Higher quality steel was purchased for almost $15 per rod less because they were purchased from the factory, something everyone in Nairobi isn't able to do. Next month a bank is visiting Humble Hearts and Angel Cottage. Last Christmas this bank purchased gifts for all of the children. This year they are interested in helping with construction costs. Keep your fingers crossed that they will decide to become a sponsor of Angel Cottage.

Financial accountability is of utmost importance to all of us at Angel Covers. These examples show that making the most of the money provided is as important to Beatrice. She works every day to get the best price on materials and works to find companies or individuals willing to donate anything needed.

Please continue to spread the word about this worthwhile project. Your donation will go as far as possible...we are making sure of that in the US as well as in Kenya.
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Sunday and Monday morning

2008-09-07T23:15:00.002-06:00

Fortunately I'm able to send one last blog before I leave. It's Monday morning here and last night we sat down with Beatrice trying to talk about all of the things we haven't done yet. What a list that was. Today we will be finishing pictures of all of the sponsored kids, making sure we have all of the letters, writing more bios of unsponsored kids, and finishing the heights and weights for all of the kids who are now at school. It's going to be a busy day.

Beatrice told me last night that there are at least 7 kids who need glasses and an eye exam, there is at least 1 boy who has typhoid, and 2 deaf children who need hearing tests and aids. This of course doesn't include the children who have asthma or other respiratory problems. The good news is that children who have looked so sick in the past, now look great. Karen, Samson looks wonderful! He's still very small, about the size of a 9 year old and he's 15, but he's clearly much stronger. He's filled out, doesn't look sickly, and has put on enough weight to keep his pants up. :-) The milk and other nutrition he's getting is certainly working.

I learned so much about Angel Cottage and what Beatrice is doing here to make the construction go faster. I'll post more about this later, but know she's getting incredible donations from businesses here of materials and staff. She's amazing.

Later this week more posts will be coming about our trip. In the meantime, keep spreading the word about the needs. I've already seen donations for Angel Cottage and of band-aids. What a blessing!

Kari

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Saturday and Sunday in Kenya

2008-09-07T04:15:00.003-06:00

Unfortunately I wasn't able to post, but there wasn't much to tell you about Humble Hearts and Angel Cottage though. Since Jane is also here from England with her son, we decided to take the day off and go be tourists. Oh what fun that was. i haven't been kissed by a giraffe before or shaken hands with a baby elephants truck. The boys had a blast and we got some much needed relaxation.

Sunday has been spent purchasing items for our upcoming auction. That's always great fun because I know the items will bring such joy and needed help to our education programs. The auction is in November, and check the website for specific dates so you can mark your calender. The rest of the day will be filled with paperwork, and errands. Not much fun, but very needed.

I will not be able to post about Monday before I leave, as we leave Kenya at 9:50pm Monday night. Just know that many more posts will be coming when I return. There is so much to tell everyone...much more than I can get in any blog.

Thank you all for your support! You're changing the world.

Kari

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Friday in Kenya

2008-09-05T23:20:00.002-06:00

What a busy day! Today was filled with gathering as much information as possible on unsponsored children, interviewing teachers, taking pictures of kids already sponsored, buying food for Angel Cottage, and organizing books in the library. The list of unsponsored children is very long and full of need. Two girls stood out to me yesterday. One is a little girl named Claris. She is approximately 6 and deaf. Claris has never been allowed to attend school and was never taught sign language. She came to Humble Hearts this week and is curious about everything. She seems to be very bright and is picking up on the routine, a few signs, and classwork quickly. Another girl I learned about is Laureen. She has been at Humble Hearts for 2 years with no sponsor. She is in Form 2 (a sophomore in high school) and seems to have asthma. She loves to participate in sports, but it's hard because of her difficulties breathing. We will be sure she is able to see a doctor about this. If you would like to sponsor either of these girls, please contact us at patricia@angelcovers.org. As soon as I return, I can send a full bio and picture.

The dedication of the teachers was obvious during the interviews. I had the privilege of interviewing 5 and all love their jobs. They are working for approximately $90 a month, compared to 4 or 5 times that in government schools. One of the deaf teachers was told her entire life by her father that she could not go to school because she was partially deaf. She would sneak out of the house to go to school and when caught, would be locked in. She convinced the neighbor child to rip his textbook in half and give her half his pencil so she could study. After being severely beaten by a teacher because she didn't understand what he was saying, so lost all hearing in her left ear and for years had puss coming out of the other ear. After not passing the national exams to attend college, she worked in the rural areas growing ground nuts to pay for another year of high school in order to fulfill her dream to be a teacher. Against all odds she eventually attended teaching college and is now working at Humble Hearts. We are BLESSED to have her.

These are just a few of the stories I learned yesterday. The dedication of these great people is beyond compare. I'll post more stories when I return, but know you are a part of great things.

Kari

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Thursday in Kenya

2008-09-05T11:47:00.002-06:00

The day was started by sorting the 3 huge suitcases full of school supplies, maps, pens, pencil sharpeners, stickers, toys, medicine, and countless other things we brought the kids. The teachers said over and over again it was like an early Christmas. The children had huge smiles on their faces and we were thrilled to be able to provide them with things they can't get in Kenya or cost too much to buy. The teachers were completely out of pens, and seeing their faces light up because of something so simple was great. We also recorded the heights and weights of all of the kids in school.

One thing we learned is still needed are bandaids. So, if any of you would like to purchase a box and send it to Humble Hearts by yourself, or send it to Angel Covers and we'll mail it for you, that would be great. All sizes are needed.

The afternoon was spent at the Dagoetti School. This is a school of approximately 590 children with very little outside financial support. Another suitcase full of items was given to them and they were equally pleased. Angel Covers has started chicken projects and purchased cows for the school, which were feeding 300 of the children 3 days a week. However, with the recent post election violence, the cows were stolen and most of the chickens have died due to disease because vaccines had to be missed because of the turmoil. The stories the men tell of tribal members hiding in the woods to burn houses, churches, and kill individuals just for the sake of killing are simply beyond anything I've ever heard before. The teachers are grateful to be alive for sure. The cow shed and the chicken coops remain, but funds are not available or another cow and there are only funds for 100 chicken, rather than the 500 they previously had. If you would like to help with this great need, please go to the donation page Textbooks and funds for teacher's salaries are also needed.

After visiting Dagoretti, we went shopping! It became clear that the children of Angel Cottage are in great need of boots for the rainy season. We were able to give each of them a new backpack yesterday morning, along with many of the secondary kids. So, the evening was spent buying rain boots, more backpacks, toys, and sanitary pads for the older girls. Many of you have asked me how much those are. Right now the cost is 70 or 75 shillings depending on what is purchased and the exchange rate is 68 shillings per dollar. So, for just over 1 dollar a girl can stay in school each month.

Tomorrow will be spent gathering bios and photos of children who still need sponsors, interviewing teachers, sorting textbooks, and taking pictures of sponsored children. Even though school started for the term on Monday, not all of the children have reported. We are hoping they will all report by Monday of next week so we can get pictures of everyone.

Internet is spotty at best, but feel free to email any questions or comments to kari@angelcovers.org I'd love to hear from you!

Kari