Angel Covers

Report from Mama's Wish - Huangnan No. 2 School

2012-05-22T19:53:00.000-06:00

Are you a Mama's Wish sponsor? If so, your student wants to hear from you! Interested in supporting a promising young lady's high school or college education? If so, we've got sponsorships available.

Students from Huangnan No. 2 School

1. School background

The Huangnan Nationalities Teachers’ School (HNTS) was established in 1957 which is the oldest school in the town of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and in the last 50 years educated 5,886 primary school teachers. From the 1960s to 1990s, students from the counties’ middle school had to come to this school when they finished three years of primary. And after three years from this teacher’s school, they would graduate and the government prepared jobs for them. Because of the new education policy and the amount of students, it has now become a Senior Middle School and is called the Huangnan Nationalities Number Two Middle School (HNNTMS). The school has around 1200 students from four counties (Tongren, Zeku, Henan and Jianzha) and there are 120 teachers and workers. There are 16 classes at first to third year senior middle level. Subjects taught are Tibetan, Chinese, English, mathematics, history-politics, geography, and drawing, science subjects including biology, physics, chemistry as well as computer class and physical training.

2. We are from poorer families but we are the luckiest girls in this school

All the girls we are supporting in this school are also from different areas and some of them are the first high school girls in their villages. During our meeting I interviewed some of them about their current family condition and what are they going to be when they will be graduated from college. They have different dreams; most of them want to be teachers and some of them want to be doctors. But Cairang wants to be a famous singer and Lamao wants to study abroad. The funniest thing is that Machigcuo wants to be a pilot. She would like to "fly in the spaces to learn different cultures and customs." I asked them if they were happy at school and their impressions on Mother’s Wish Foundation. All of them told me that they are really happy in the school; “we do not need to worry about anything and without Mother’s Wish Foundation, we would not have a better future.”

I told them it is impossible that you don’t need to worry about anything. How about your studies? All of you are the best ones in your class? All of them were quiet for a while and then told me that English is the hardest subject for them. They also told me that if there is an English program during the winter and summer vacations, their English would be improved.

“Would you like to say something to your sponsor?” I asked them. Everybody says “yes!” We would love to invite our sponsors to our homes. We would love to have letters and photos of them. We would be really happy to meet them and thank them from the deep of our hearts. “Ok, thank you so much. I am going to send your messages to your sponsors and I will give you their letters and photos whenever I get one from them,” I promised. All of them are really happy and we didn’t know how the three hours already passed! After that they took me to their dormitory and playground where we took many pictures. Ok, let’s go to the photo gallery.

3. The photo gallery

Everybody has the responsibility to take care of the environment

Good students always cooperate and help each other

Cairang is singing a Tibetan song

The students are playing in the school garden

Students are self-studying in the school garden

Students are chatting in the dorm rooms

4. Conclusion

It is always a happy and unforgettable memory every time we see the students. Everybody is fine and heathy; they are really doing well.

Rinchen Dhondrup

Mama’s Wish Teacher and Translator

April 20, 2012

Report from Mama's Wish - Huangnan No. 1 School

2012-05-04T19:56:00.002-06:00

Students from Huangnan No. 1 School, Qinghai Province, China

1. School background

The Huangnan Nationalities Number 1 Middle School was established in 1992. There are 15 classes with approximately 1000 students from different counties and there are 70 teachers and workers. Especially the government is aimed to collect students from other counties because there are no senior schools from other areas. Since this school was opened, it gives the chances to the rural girls to enter high school and now the amounts of female students are yearly increasing. We are really happy to support education for girls from this school because most of them are coming from nomadic places and some of those are the first high school students in their villages. Since people knew that there is a foundation which only supports education for girls, some of the teachers and parents often came to Mother’s Wish Foundation for support. In 2011, we interviewed each student and finally we selected 14 girl students for this school.

2. Why we support girls in this school

The first thing we do when selecting a student is, we talk to teachers and ask if there are any students who really need our help for education. Then the teachers give us a list of students, but it is impossible to support all of them. These 14 girls are not from Tongren; some of them are from Zeku, Henan, and Jianzha. When we saw their family conditions (in the personal interviews at their homes), we were convinced that we should support them.

“You have to study hard, never let down your sponsors.”

In our recent visit, Mr. Jian Cuo told the students that many of their photos are hanging on the walls in the family of their sponsor and that the sponsors had included them as their family members. He also told them that their sponsors are not rich people and there is no money on the trees in their garden. But they are very kind hearted and generous so they should never waste their support.

3. How we give them tuition fees

It is always the same system when we provide the tuition fees for the students. The student and one of their parents must sign on the receipt papers and they also must print their finger on these two papers so that the money is directly received for them on their behalf.

Signing tuition receipts

4. School activities are part of their lives.

For the students, they must study hard but also need some free time to relax and do other activities.

(Even though I am disabled, I can still do my exercise)

(Students are self-studying after dinner)

5. Conclusion

Everybody would like to say thank you so much, and the headmaster requested that it would be really wonderful if Mother’s Wish Foundation could support more girls in this school.

Rinchen Dhondrup

Mama’s Wish Teacher and Translator

April 20, 2012

Tupperware for Tots

2012-04-21T11:49:00.000-06:00

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Angel Covers has partnered with Tupperware and Barbara Ingalsbe. Orders placed through the link below will provide 40% of the purchase price to the Angel Covers Foster Care Program.

Place your orders between April 21-30 to support our beautiful foster children and their families...because every child deserves a loving home.

http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/home

Zeke and his foster mom

Hank and his foster mom

2012-04-20T20:55:00.000-06:00

Report from Mama's Wish

Earlier this week, students at the Tongren School were visited by Jian Cuo and Rinchen, of the Mother's Wish Foundation. Below is Rinchen's report regarding their visit. We hope you enjoy reading about them!

Tongren Middle School Mama's Wish students

1. School background and the situation of Tibetan females

Tongren Middle School is the oldest and biggest school in this county. It is now 40 years old and thousands of Tibetans were educated and graduated from here. Currently there are more than 1500 students and now there are both junior and senior classes and the students are from different places but most of them are from rural and very remote villages. In the past years, the families didn’t want to send their daughters to schools; they thought that education was not very important for females, because the female is the only person who works the fields and serves the animals in the nomadic places. That was one reason why there were so many illiterate females in Tibetan societies.

2. Why Mother’s Wish Foundation supports education for females

Since Mother’s Wish Foundation was established, our first goal was to give a better education for females, fill the gap of equality and build a wonderful future. In order to do this, the staff members went village to village, talked with their parents, talked with the teachers to get more information about individual students and then final selection was made for the students who would really love to study but financially were poor and living in poverty. From 2006, Angel Covers found this situation and gave their warmest hearts and generous hands immediately to the Mama’s Wish program and since then so many female students got their support and it has changed their lives towards a brilliant way. Nowadays, with the greatest financial support from Angel Covers and the power of unity, there are more and more females who get marvelous chances to continue their education and we proudly want to say that there are even some university students who will soon get bachelor's degrees.

3. Our day at Tongren Middle School

On the 18^thof April, we got up quite early and drove to Tongren Middle School. When we entered the school gate, all the teachers including the headmaster were waiting for us. They took us to the school meeting hall and the school headmaster gave a speech about the school system and current conditions. He really showed the sincere thanks to the sponsors on behalf of all the teachers and students. Mr. Jian Cuo added that Mother’s Wish Foundation could not do anything for the school without kind-hearted people around the world. After the meeting we went to the students' meeting hall and there were 41 students waiting for us. Everybody stood up and welcomed us warmly.

Tongren Middle School classrooms andteachers' office

During ourvisit, some students were planting flowers in a small garden.

Zhaxi and Laheng were on class duty on that day.

They were washing mops during the break.

Mama's Wish students studying in the classroom

Students relaxing in their dorm rooms

Playing games during the school break

1. Conclusion

Spending the day with the students was unforgettable. They are very nice and there are always smiles on their faces which means they are very healthy and happy at school. All of them are very curious to know when their sponsors will come to visit them.

Rinchen Dhondup

Mama's Wish Teacher and Translator

Report from Humble Hearts

2012-02-06T09:35:00.002-07:00

Below you will find a letter from the Director of the Humble Hearts School, sumerizing the 2011 school year. Enjoy!

To Our dearest Sponsors:

I wish to take this time to highlight the 2011 events as I appreciate you all, our work wouldn’t be possible without you our sponsor who have a variety of backgrounds and skills you all bring something different and special to HH. No appreciation is enough for your great kindness and generosity, may the Almighty God richly reward you all.

As you all know our aims are simple and straight from the heart.
To create a safe, loving and nurturing environment for needy children.
To give them a healthy diet and a good education.
To release them back into the community as healthy, educated, and well adjusted adults so they better the lively of their families and the future the Kenyan nation.

HIGHLIGHTS

All of you have helped in ensuring that our aims become a success , in 2011 we came up with the ideas of farming which we implemented successful, with this we now have enough maize in our store to run us four to five months.
We also build a permanent class which we now use as hall during parents meeting and other gatherings
Our furniture has greatly improved at secondary level we have one child per desk.
Not forgetting the addition of new beds and texts books which has boosted the performance in the school over all we can now boost of two children sharing a book unlike when it used to be six to ten children per book.
All work and no play makes Jack and dull boy, yes we have been able to kick dullness out of HH by having an equipped colorful playing ground which the kids love with a passion.
The HH children who graduated from primary class were all able to get a grade above the pass grade this gives us great joy as parents, sponsors and educators, we have surely seen the fruit of our labour.
HH has continued to work hard in reducing the statistic that over 90% of deaf people in developing countries have no access to education, our doors are opened to admit needy deaf children who need an education, we have gone ahead to create smaller classes in which the teacher can have a one on one session with children with multiple needs.
So much has been accomplished in 2011; it’s been exciting times as we continue to pursue an agenda of change that will transform HH to an even better living and learning place.
See, we could not have come this far without your support.

The Future

Entering 2012, our focus has been honed as you all know we will be putting more effort in ensuring that the children are granted of meals each day, we will therefore be running a poultry and green house project in which we believe will generate food and generate income for sustainability.
We look forward to having more children being sponsored, constructing standard classrooms for both secondary and primary constructing more bathrooms for girls and boys and putting up a computer laboratory.
We believe that together we will be able to accomplish this step by step.
We thank you for letting Kari and Ida visit HH in 2011 it was great having them round, for together we were able to do a lot of work and brain storm on the future, we look forward to at least each of our loving sponsors visiting HH and meeting the children that they support.
Thank you for believing in all of us as we look forward to keeping intouch throughout 2012

With lots of love

Beatrice Anunda
Director
For Humble Hearts School and Angel Cottage, Kenya.

Yak Sustainability Program Update

2012-01-25T11:43:00.016-07:00

The Yak Program is a self-sustaining project that provides yaks to rural boarding schools for orphaned and destitute children in some of the most remote locations in western China. These schools are very poor boarding schools with few resources and large numbers of children. Located at high altitudes, these schools and the children who attend them must live and learn in harsh conditions.

Whereas few animals are able to survive in the extreme conditions of such high elevation, yaks are uniquely able to live comfortably outside in these harsh conditions where vegetation is virtually nonexistent. Yaks are able to live by eating the little grass that grows at such high altitudes. Additionally, they are uniquely able to live outside without shelter during the harsh winters. Yaks also produce enough milk for the schools to make butter, cheese, and yogurt, and still allow the children milk to drink.

We rounded out the last quarter of 2011 with the final purchases of yaks from funding received from Alternative Gift International. We were very fortunate to have such generous donations making this program a huge success. Due to the remote location of the majority of these schools purchasing yaks and gathering reports has taken longer than planned, although I’m happy to announce that this program was able to provide over 100 yaks in the past 3 years! These yaks have dramatically affected the lives of over 10,000 orphans between 14 different schools. Schools are reporting that they able to provide milk anywhere from 3-7 times per week and 40-80 kg (roughly 88-176 pounds) of butter and cheese annually. Equally good news is the report of decrease in common disease. With food in their bellies, these children are facing their day and education with one less thing to worry about and the nutrition needed to help power their bodies and mind. Click here to browse through our photo albums of relevant photos or here to help expand this project to the 14 identified schools in need.

Misty Gillham- Nutrition Director

December Newsletter

2011-12-15T09:28:00.009-07:00

The holidays can be a time of abundance of food and fabulous feasts for many people. We, at Angel Covers, ask that you please keep the less fortunate in mind during this giving season. It’s easy to overlook or forget how far these programs have come have and what provisions are being made possible through donations. Your support means that many impoverished children won’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from or of what quality it will be. Please keep us, and the children we serve, in mind when considering your year-end charitable donations.

Huaibei

As you already may know, the formula for Huaibei we were previously purchasing from Nestle has been discontinued. We took advantage of the price before having to pay more when we begin buying the new Nestle formula, and purchased 40 cases in July instead of the usual 20. Because of the extra formula on hand at the orphanage, they were able to provide it to the older children with disabilities who need additional nutrition which meant that 35 of the 40 children were able to benefit from this last shipment. The supply has almost run out and we will be reordering formula in the next few weeks. The new formula is Nestlé’s Nespray and is of high quality, just like all Nestle formula, and will be well received by the children of Huaibei. This program has allowed the children of Huaibei to be stronger, healthier, and often times ready for needed surgeries. Will you please consider a donation?

Humble Hearts

Nutrition at Humble Hearts is gradually improving! Daily nourishment for the children includes clean water, brought in by truck each week, beans, rice, and maize. Kale is also frequently served to the children but it’s not necessarily a staple. On some occasions the children are fed meat and fruit as well. Vitamins have now become a daily supplement, since our bringing them from a generous donor and are expected to last 3 to 4 months. This is great example of how the children could benefit from additional sponsors or even one-time donations. Learn more about how you can help here.

Humble Hearts harvested their crops in Western Kenya this fall, which produced 75 bags of maize once it was all processed and dried, and one month’s supply of beans. Forty two bags of the maize will be sold to help pay for next year’s crop and the remaining 33 were kept to feed the children. The thirty three bags of maize are expected to feed the school for 4 months.

Another tidbit of good news is that the local price of maize has dropped due to market fluctuations. This is extremely beneficial when it comes to purchasing additional maize when the harvested supply runs out. This frees up funds to pay for other things that are much needed at the Humble Hearts School.

Donation Matching

We’re extremely grateful to have a donor that has agreed to do a 50% donation match, up to $5,000.00 of the total donations received, to benefit Humble Hearts School from now until the end of 2011. If you are thinking about donating please do it now while we have this great opportunity. Since Angel Covers is completely volunteer run, you can rest assured that your money is making the biggest impact possible on the lives of these children. Click here to donate.

Gift Cards

We all know what it’s like to shop for the person who has it all, our child’s teacher who doesn’t need another gift basket, or a friend who is extremely hard to shop for. We have the answer. Angel Covers Gift Cards!!! Make a donation in honor of a loved and we will send a card to them with a personal message from you, explain that you have made a donation in their name, and include a photo or photos showing the nutritional impact that Angel Covers is making with the help of donors just like you. Gift cards to support our nutrition programs include proving fruit to Humble Hearts and formula to Huaibei. To send a gift card to someone on your holiday list follow this link.

The Ultimate Gift

One of the best gifts you could give this holiday season is the gift of sponsorship. It’s a meaningful gift that will help to supply an impoverished child with the essentials that he or she needs to thrive such as basic foods, clean water, education, shelter, and/or medical care. By providing this foundation you offer a child the opportunity to escape the slums of poverty, stop the cycle from perpetuating, and create hope for a better tomorrow.

Our website is up to date with names and photos of children who are in need of your ongoing support. As a sponsor, you or the gift recipient will receive reports on the child and details about how your monthly sponsorship is improving your child’s life. Give the ultimate gift.

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." –Winston Churchill

More ways to support Angel Covers

Angel Covers is always in need of additional monetary support in order to continue providing and expanding current programs, and this is no different for our nutrition programs. We are frequently asked for creative ways to support children around the world, especially when making a direct donation isn’t always in the family budget.

• One of the easiest ways to contribute more is through employer matching gifts programs. Many employers will match any charitable donations made by their employees. We encourage you to check with your human resources office to see if your employer participates in gift matching. This would essentially double your monthly contribution.

• Have an old car that you want to get rid of? A lot of companies will pay cash for used vehicles, often times regardless of whether or not they run. I have personally done this. The company came to my home, evaluated the vehicle, made me an offer, towed the vehicle and supplied all of the DMV forms. In my case, it was $750.00. That would buy a lot of formula for Huaibei or quite a few nutritional staples for Humble Hearts!

• Have a yard sale to benefit Angel Covers. With the winter approaching and inevitably locking us indoors it is a great time to go through the attic, garage, and closets and set aside all of the items that you no longer want to keep. By spring you will likely have a large enough pile to make a yard sale worth your while. You’d be amazed at how quickly the bucks add up.

• Are you athletic? Whether it’s a run/walk 5k or a full marathon you can collect pledges from family, friends, or even local businesses in support of your efforts that can be donated to Angel Covers upon completion. To go a step farther you can talk to the charity coordinator at most major events and ask if you can form a team to benefit Angel Covers instead of the select charities that they normally offer. We’ll be there to support you all the way with a Team Angel Covers t-shirt and any promotional materials you might need.

• Is your company willing to make a donation of goods or services? A lot of our employers might be willing to make a one-time monetary donation or a donation of goods that can be used in our annual auction or supplied directly to one of our programs.

• Tax season is almost upon us. For those of you who are fortunate enough to get tax refunds next year it is a great opportunity to donate money you don’t regularly rely on. Don’t want to give it all up? Consider donating a portion of the return.

• Be creative! What interests you? Hold an event at your home or in your community. Ideas include a community tennis tournament with entry fees, dinner parties or a game night with friends and family and charge for tickets, hold a painting contest for children and charge an entrance fee, the possibilities are endless. Events like this not only help to raise money for Angel Covers but also increase the likelihood that those who participate will learn more about our organization through you and become sponsors as well.

Thanks! As 2011 comes to an end, we would like to give a very special thank you to our sponsors for their generous contributions. Your donations have improved the lives of thousands of children around the world and we thank you for helping to make it possible for yet another year. We’re energized about the possibilities that 2012 will bring and honored to have your continued support.

Misty Gllham
Angel Covers, Nutrition Director

Gifts From The World Auction

2011-11-28T12:53:00.010-07:00

Every year, Angel Covers hosts our annual Gifts From The World on-line auction. We are thrilled to say this year is no different. Beginning December 1, Angel Covers will have beautiful items from around the world for auction on eBay. Items such as a banana leaf Santa and sleigh, books signed by the author, Chinese yo-yo's, children's clothing, and eggs stands from Europe will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to the Humble Hearts School for the Deaf in Kenya. Making the auction even more beneficial to the school, again this year we have 50% a matching donation of all of the proceeds raised.

Admittedly, we are behind at getting the word out this year about the auction. Please spread the word about this great opportunity to provide unique gifts to your family and friends, as well has helping desperate children in Kenya. Desks, additional land for a garden, and new beds are just some of the things this years proceeds will be used for.

A link to the auction will be on our website as soon as its live. Check back often to be sure you haven't been outbid!

Thank you as always for your support!

Kari

Angel Covers' New Website

2011-11-15T10:53:00.009-07:00

I am thrilled to announce that Angel Covers has a brand new website!! Please check it out at http://www.angelcovers.org/ We are sure you'll find it easy to maneuver and full of wondering information about our work.

With the holiday's fast approaching, please consider shopping with Angel Covers. Our holiday cards are beautiful! Drawn by the children of Humble Hearts, these cards not only provide a great way to connect with friends and family, but also support the Humble Hearts School.

Other products such as shoes, blankets, hooded bath towels and craft aprons can be found on our products pages. The profits from the sale of these products support children around the world.

Not sure about a gift? Consider our gift cards! Make a donation in honor of a loved one and we'll send a card with a personal message. Or, consider the numerous children on our website who need sponsors and give the gift of sponsorship to both a child in need and your loved one. We'll happily send a card to the recipient.

Once again Angel Covers has a very generous donor willing to match by 50% all donations to the Humble Hearts School up to $5,000. When considering your year-end charitable donations, please think of Angel Covers and the children we serve. With no paid staff and very little administrative costs, you can rest assured your donation is making the biggest impact possible. We can't thank Kristen Kent with i2k Communications and Sheri Wahl with Trowen Communications enough. Their hard work made this website happen!

Thank you all for your continued support!

Holiday Cards from Angel Covers

2011-11-03T16:57:00.002-06:00

During our recent trip to Kenya, the children of Humble Hearts created beautiful sketches of a variety of different scenes. We are thrilled to announce that we have taken 10 of these sketches, added some color, & turned them into beautiful holiday These cards benefit the children of Humble Hearts & all proceeds are being matched by 50%. Order yours today! Quantities are limited.

http://www.angelcovers.org/angel-covers-store/greeting-cards/holiday-cards/

My Last Day in Kenya

2011-10-20T05:19:00.002-06:00

Today is my last day in Kenya, and I assume my last blog. Yesterday was very interesting, we went to Dagoretti to drop some supplies off at the school. Dagoretti is a much larger school than Humble Hearts, yet in more need than Humble Hearts. We toured the school, and ate some roasted peanuts, hot chocolate, and bananas. Roasted peanuts in the United States are roasted and then packaged; but in Kenya, they are roasted and served warm. They are the best.

After leaving Dagoretti, we went to the Java Cafe and had some lunch. We then went over to the enormous Nakumatt (Kenyan Walmart, with way more in it: Appliances, furniture, etc.) and looked at mattresses for Humble Hearts. We bought 10 mattresses and packed them in the back of Beatrice's car. We had to fold down the back seat and sit on the back of the back seat with the mattresses in our backs.

We left the store at 5:00. This is very important to know about the car ride home. We got stuck in traffic on the way back. We finally got back to the house, and it was 8:01. This was the biggest traffic jam I had ever seen. People ran out of gas because they were just burning fuel when stopped behind cars.

Today, we went to another store and bought some more mattresses, seven to be exact. This was not quite enough to have to fold down the back seat, but the trunk was packed. The kids were so happy to have the new mattresses at the school. Along with mattresses, we also ordered four, triple bunk beds, so that all the kids would be off the floor.

We leave at around 10:30 Kenya time tonight, and I have learned a lot. I am really excited to get home to my friends and family.

-Jacob Fillmore

Another Day in Kenya

2011-10-18T10:26:00.000-06:00

After another couple of days in Kenya, lots has happened. Yesterday was picture day at Humble Hearts. We made all the kids name tags and took their pictures one by one by class. After all the kids in the school had their pictures taken, the kids went back to their classes.

A little while later kids started piling on the see-saw. I quickly went over to play with them. At one point we had 10 kids on the see-saw. I was operating the see-saw so that the kids would get their enjoyment out of it, and not just sit there.

Today, before we went to Humble Hearts, we went to a shop to see what it would cost to get some more beds for Humble Hearts. When we got to Humble Hearts, we had a lot to do. Right away, we went into the kitchen to start making popcorn for all the kids and staff. Along with popcorn, the kids were also getting soda, yogurt candies, and biscuits (cookies).

It was a lot of fun to put the popcorn in bags and put the biscuits in with them. After that, I went out and played a game of tag on the jungle gym. I was moving around so much on the metal bars that my hand got a blister. We then finally went to the field and started sports day. There was a sprint (which I came last in), a relay race, a volley ball game and a soccer game.

After all the sporting activities were through, we passed out the popcorn, soda, and candy. The kids were really happy to have all this, and it was a lot of fun, yet we are now all really tired.

-Jacob Fillmore

Working Hard at Humble Hearts

2011-10-17T12:01:00.000-06:00

Monday in Nairobi was full of hard work. Ida and Jacob spent hours taking pictures of all the kids at the school, sponsored or not. Ida also interviewed all of the children who don't have sponsors and collected wonderful new social history information. So, if you know someone who is interested in sponsoring, we have 30 or so kids who need someone.

With only 120 kids at Humble Hearts now, passing out supplies takes much less time. Every child at the school received a water bottle, 3 pencils, a toothbrush and tooth paste. Markers, colored pencils, stickers, band aids, back packs, highlighters, more toothbrushes and toothpaste, even more pencils and pens, crayons, deodorant, and countless other things are all stored in the office and will be passed as as the children need them.

Recently, Raising Hope International donated funds for a playground to be built. Saying the kids love it, would be like saying the ocean is a puddle. :-) They are THRILLED and spend every moment possible on the swings, slide, seesaw, and jungle guy. A man was also hired to paint a mural on the wall next to the playground. The cheerful pictures next to the playground, and the equipment painted bright colors, creates a very happy place for the kids to play after a long day at school. Jacob spent a long time playing with the kids on the playground today.

Lots of time is being spent learning about possible income generating projects for Humble Hearts. Hours of brain-storming is leading great ideas and hoping in the next couple of days we'll have plans that will make a huge different to Humble Hearts.

Tomorrow will be another day with lots of works, so stay tuned!
Kari

ps. Apparently in the 1st blog about this trip I said that we arrived on the 22nd. Of course that's not right, since it's not even the 22nd yet. We arrived on the 12th (after leaving Denver on the 11th) and will arrive home on the 21st. Clearly jet-lag has set it. :-)

Kenya, from Jacob's perspective

2011-10-15T12:10:00.002-06:00

My 13 yr. old son is with me in Kenya on this trip. here's a blog from his perspective.

During my time in Kenya so far, lots has happened. We first went to the textbook store, to purchase all the textbooks that Humble Hearts needs. There were three big boxes of textbooks to give to the school. We then went to the school (Humble Hearts) and got to work right away. We unloaded all six suitcases that had been brought with us, and distributed: toothbrushes and toothpaste, pencils, pens, waterbottles, and vitamins to the children.

It was amazing to see how excited a child can get over a pencil, in the US, we look at a pencil as a object of no signifigance, and shrug when someone offers one to us. Yet in Kenya, the kids faces light up with the brightest smile when they recieve one.

At Humble Hearts, a man is painting a mural on the wall, it is a very nice painting, of the alphabet and most of the sign languare alphabet (not all leters are there), and two dolphins swimming in a circle. Along with painting the wall, he also painted the new playground equipment. The playground equipment is very simple, all metal swings, a slide, and a see saw (which in my opinion, is built better than some cars).

Today we went to the market downtown, where everyone has there things laid out on a blanket on the ground. there are no set prices for things, so you barter for the thing you want. The person selling the item, usually tells you the price is double or more than what it should be, So when i wanted to buy this colorful hippo, they told me it was 500 shillings (about $5).
i said i would pay 250 shillings, and after a minute or two, they let me have it for 250 shillings. The problem was, i did my math wrong, and thought they gave me 50 shillings extra in change, yet they shorted me 50 shillings, so I really paid 300 shillings. :(

Even though I have not been here very long, i am really glad I am here to help out.

Jacob

Kenya and Humble Hearts

2011-10-14T06:08:00.003-06:00

It's been WAY TOO LONG since anyone at Angel Covers has posted a blog. Fortunately, what that means is that we've been crazy busy with so many wonderful things going on. We were thrilled to find out that we made it to the top 10 of the Gildan competition, The Mama's Wish girls have started back to school (we have 10 high school girls who need sponsors if you're interested), a new website is being built, we have a new Nutrition Director, and our Executive Director (that's me) and Humble Hearts Sponsorship coordinator (Ida) are in Kenya. While that sounds like a lot, I know I've missed listing many things.

Having arrived in Kenya the night of October 22, we have been extremely busy getting reacquainted with everyone at the school. We are starting to cross things off our to-do list, and Ida is quickly learning how the school runs on a daily basis. Yesterday we spent time buying more than $1,000 worth of text books and Bibles to support the curriculum. We were thrilled to learn that currently, every primary student has a set of textbooks all his/her own and the secondary students have one set for every 2 students. These statistics are a rarity for Kenya, where frequently there are only enough books for every 4 or 5 students to have a set. We've put Jacob (my 13 yr. old son who also came) to work making sure all of the new books have the Humble Hearts' stamp and a book number in case they are lost.

We learned yesterday that there is a severe bed shortage. Many of the older primary and secondary students are sharing a bed, as are quite a few of the boys. Unfortunately, we also learned that the price of new, steel, beds like we had made last year has drastically gone up. Three-teerd bunk beds like those purchase last year have gone up from approximately $150 to $250 as the cost of steel has sky rocketed. We will be exploring options this weekend and hope to at least help this problem. I know I wouldn't want my children sleeping on the cold concrete with a very thin mattress as many of these kids are doing.

Much of today (Friday) was spent with approximately 15 students creating beautiful art work for the upcoming holiday cards. They have created amazing pictures of birds, animals, flowers, and holiday scenes. Soon you will find these pictures on our website so stay tuned!

We have a very busy week ahead of us, so stay tuned. I will do my best to post an update every day.

Kari Fillmore
Executive Director

2011-08-28T22:21:00.002-06:00

Gildan, a clothing company many of you may know, is running a FaceBook campaign called, “I Support”. They are looking for people to nominate their favorite, most worthy non-profits. The top ten will be considered for prize money. As you all would agree I’m sure, Angel Covers is worthy and could really use the money for our current programs. We are currently in 9th position and have to remain in the top ten to be considered for any of the prize money. The key is that nominations count far more than "votes". Please get all your FaceBook friends to do the same by the end of August.

All you need to do is go to this link: https://www.facebook.com/genuinegildan?sk=app_10531514314 click on “nominate your charity” and nominate Angel Covers. Below are a couple of sentences you can cut and paste to make it even easier. Or create the nomination in your own words! It shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes.

Thanks for your support.

Angel Covers is a volunteer run organization dedicated to caring for orphaned and destitute children around the world. We believe that each and every child deserves access to quality medical care, education, nutrition, and housing. We are proud that since the founding of the organization at least 97% of our donations have directly benefited the children and programs with which we work.

Real Hunger

2011-07-14T12:26:00.005-06:00

Real hunger is an experience I have never had. I can only try to imagine the hopelessness of needing to feed my family with nothing left at home while drought and poverty block all attempts to get more food. For miles, as far as can be seen, there is little relief. Prices for simple items such as beans and maize sky rocket beyond reach. Desperate neighbors steal from meager gardens. Schools close because even the government hasn’t the means to conjure lunch food where there is none.

This is a picture of much of Kenya today. Even Humble Hearts School, having planned ahead by trying to develop self-sustaining farm projects, is facing the challenge of caring for the children amidst these complicated problems. Beatrice writes:

Can you believe that maize has gone up to 6,000 shillings a sack?! Many schools and homes are finding it very difficult to feed children. There are schools even thinking of closing until they can get enough food. I visited the farm where we had grown maize and had thrown in a few beans. We were able to harvest four sacks which will last us two weeks, though we had to rush to harvest them since people were stealing them from the farm. There is so much hunger in Kenya right now; we were among the few people who planted early so our beans were ready before the others. The maize will be ready in September -we are hoping to harvest at least 50 bags. We intend to sell half to support the farming and feed half to the children. It will be a great relief when we can harvest the maize from the farm.

Each week, Angel Cottage and Humble Hearts School must reevaluate and ration their resources in order to feed the children who are in their care. The teachers and families helping are always willing to labor tirelessly in order to harvest and prepare whatever can be gathered to feed the children. I am humbled and amazed by their persistence and dedication! We need more help, however, over and above the financial commitment our wonderful sponsors continue to send. The children for whom we care and guide toward a better future -need food. It’s that simple. They are hungry and need nourishment to survive, let alone grow and thrive. Please help. A monthly donation commitment or a one-time offering for this purpose can do so much toward making sure Humble Hearts will not have to tuck hungry children into bed at night, or God forbid, close its doors. Across this globe, there is provision for people in need. Please consider extending a portion of your abundance to meet a portion of their great need. Thank you!

Ida McManis

Humble Hearts School Sponsorship Coordinator

http://angelcovers.org/donation.html

Ways to help and not spend anything!

2011-04-26T14:49:00.004-06:00

So often people think they are not able to support an organization unless they are able to write a check. While checks are always nice there are so many, equally as important ways you can help children around the world. Several have materialized in just the last 2 weeks. Please take a moment to consider changing the lives of children around the world with just a few minutes of your time.

Great Nonprofits is having a campaign asking for the public to review non-profits they love. The Children’s and Families Campaign will recognize any non-profit having 10 or more positive reviews by April 30. That’s where all of you come in. We need your help to get as many reviews as possible about Angel Covers and the work we do. Just follow the link and type Angel Covers into the non-profit finder at the top.

Ever heard of Gildan sportswear? I bet you have a t-shirt made by them in your closet. I know I do. They are having a contest and the top 5 non-profits with the most votes by June 30 will win $10,000 or more. Amazing! You may vote every day and if you'd write a story about your experience with Angel Covers, your vote counts even more. Please consider bookmarking the link to the Gildan contest and vote every day.

Recently two elementary school held book drivers for the wonderful children of the Humble Hearts School. More than 2,000 books were collected and will be sent on a shipping container to the school along with numerous other supplies. Would you consider holding a book or school supply drive for the children of Humble Hearts? We can provide you with planning information and fliers, which you can tailor for your specific school. What a great way to help children around the world and teach others about serving others.

These are just a few of the many ways to make a difference in the lives of children around the world without spending your hard-earned money or having to find any more time in your day. Your votes, your reviews, and your organizational skills will provide invaluable support for so many children. Please take a few minutes to check out the links above. Your support is priceless.

Kari

A Success Story!

2011-03-10T14:24:00.008-07:00

Three years ago Angel Covers was asked to support Juilus Fenta and his dream to become a nurse practitioner. Since graduating from High School graduation in 1998, Julius had been dreaming of being able to provide medical care to his village of 15,000. With no medical professional in the area, villagers have to walk more than an hour for any kind of medical care.

We were thrilled when three generous women stepped up and agreed to sponsor Julius throughout nursing school. They have stuck with him, supporting him and joining him in his successes. In January, we learned that Julius was done with all of his schooling and internships and was able to register as a nurse practitioner. Upon returning to his village, he began researching how to best support his village with this newly gained skills.

Julius' sponsors have recently agreed to provide the start up costs for a new clinic! Because of the generosity of these amazing women, 15,000 people in the village will no longer have to walk for an hour or more to receive basic medical care. Women having complications giving birth, will have immediate medical care for themselves and their new babies. Sick children will not go untreated because help is now just down the road.

Julius is a perfect example of why Angel Covers began. Every person has the potential to do great things. We all need support and someone who believes in us. Julius has amazing sponsors who have believed in him for 3 years and their faith in him has changed an entire village.

If you'd like to help with start up costs for Julius' clinic, or support another child in our of our programs, please contact us anytime. Julius is proof that numerous lives can be changed by just a few.

Forever grateful,

Kari

Giving and Giving with little effort!

2011-02-09T13:18:00.001-07:00

Valentine’s Day is almost here!

Wouldn’t it be great to tell someone you love them AND help us provide support orphans in China at the same time? We’ve teamed up with Causes for a very special Valentine’s Day opportunity. If you buy flowers/chocolates/your Valentine’s gift through our cause, our nonprofit gets $10 for every purchase! The flowers and gifts are the same price to you but you can feel great about the fact that your gift is also going to support projects like our nutrition program in Huaibei, Anhui, China. More than 40 orphans receive extra formula each month because of the Angel Covers nutrition program. Your Valentine will love your gift and the gift to the children!

It’s really simple – just use this link to buy your Valentine’s Day gift and $10 will automatically be donated to us:

http://www.causes.com/valentines/16135?ref=com16135

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Angel Covers

Almost 2011?

2010-12-30T10:16:00.005-07:00

It's hard to believe 2011 is just around the corner. We have been blessed throughout the year to see the lives of children changed in ways we could only imagine. The Humble Hearts School was bulldozed at the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 held so many challenges. Where would the school reopen? How many children were displaced and unable to return to school? How would the students learn without textbooks, desks, etc? While we knew the school began thriving after the move to the Angel Cottage sight, my trip to Humble Hearts in September, revealed that the school is even better than it was before the demolition. Bulldozing = blessing in disguise? Maybe.

Our Education Director had the joy of traveling to China to visit our foster care program in Huaibei as well as almost all of the Mama's Wish girls. She was also able to purchase yaks for numerous school in the Tibetan Region of China for extremely poor schools and the Tongren School, where most of the Mama's Wish girls attend high school. For some time, we have been hoping to be able to increase the nutritional level of the girls in the Mama's Wish program, but it's been difficult to figure out how to provided them with much needed extra nutrition while they are attending a school of hundreds of kids. Yaks were the perfect solution. Milk is now being provided to everyone in the school and the girls are getting the nutritional support they need.

While the goals met throughout 2010 are numerous, there are still many that are a work in progress. Sponsors are always needed for the foster care program and the nutrition program in Huaibei. Both of these programs are making a huge difference in the health and happiness of the children, but both need a significant influx of funds. Interested in helping one of the Mama's Wish students? We still have a few in need of sponsors. These sponsorships are $130 a year. Wouldn't it be amazing to be able to tell all the girls they have sponsors just in time for the new year?!!

Please join me in celebrating the successes of Angel Covers throughout 2010 and continuing to support our work as we ring in 2011. Your end of the year donation is 100% tax deductible and will change a child's life in ways that he/she can only dream.

Humbled,

Kari

A Fantastic Day!

2010-12-02T10:33:00.006-07:00

Today we learned some wonderful news! As you know, we've been working for the past two months to raise $10,000 for Humble Heart. If we were to raise this money, an anonymous donor would match it by 50% or $5,000. The Gifts From the World Auction was held, holiday cards are being sold, gift cards have been purcahsed, and donations have been pouring in. So far, Angel Covers has raised approximately $5,000!!

However, even more amazing news came today. Jane, with Angel Covers UK, has been working on a grant for Humble Hearts. Beds, textbooks, desks, and an underground water tank were are on the greatly needed list of items for the school. Today, we are thrilled to announce that the grant was awarded for $10,000!!! Now, when the kids return to school in January, they will have so many more of the basic necessities we take for granted.

The school is also in desperate need for additional income generating projects that will sustain the lunch program. A chicken project will soon start and we are hoping to have cows for milk and land to grow corn and beans. With the grant just awarded, funds already raised, and the matching donation, all of these are within reach.

Thank you to Jane and all her hard work on this grant, and to all of you who have contributed to this wonderful goal! You change lives each and every day.

Thrilled and grateful,

Kari

Gifts From The World Auction

2010-11-13T12:04:00.008-07:00

Today our annual Gifts From The World Auction began. More than 90 items from around the world are available for bidding. Items such as beautiful hand-made wine stoppers, blankets, clothing, and even a vacation home just to name a few will help us raise the $10,000 needed for Humble Hearts. While this auction can provide you with wonderful and unique items for yourself or others (are you thinking holiday gifts?), it will also provide daily necessities to the children of Humble Hearts.

Currently there is only one water tank at Humble Hearts. This water tank is way to small for the 140 children living there to have water to drink, as well as using it for cooking, cleaning, and showering. Every single dollar raised from this auction will be matched by 50% and one of the first purchases will be an underground water tank holding 30,000 liters of water. Then additional beds will be purchased so fewer children have to sleep on the floors.

Please, spread the word about this great auction and the enormous difference it will make in the lives of these precious children. Your bid is not only a bid for one of these beautiful items, it's a bid for a better life.

Kari
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Recycle Halloween for a great cause!

2010-10-27T10:24:00.001-06:00

Halloween is a fabulously fun holiday for children. The candy, the parties, the costumes – what a treat! The trick is that not every child is fortunate enough to share in the innocent fun of dress up and make believe. Wish as we might, we can’t take the joy of Halloween to orphaned children, but there is something you can do to help make their lives brighter.

Send us your costume! Angel Covers is hosting a Halloween Costume Drive. So, when you turn your calendar to November please gather your costumes and send them to:
Caroline – Angel Covers, 9420 E. Golf Links Rd., PMB #204, Tucson, AZ 85730.

We’ll gratefully accept all costumes – for babies, children, teens, and adults. They don’t need to be in perfect condition and don’t worry about the chocolate stains or minor wear, we still want them! Please ask friends, neighbors and co-workers for their costumes too. Costumes will be sold on eBay with proceeds benefitting Angel Covers and the foster care program in Huaibei, China.

Thank you!
Caroline

Meet Emilio

2010-10-25T11:33:00.005-06:00

In late 2009, Emilio was only a few months old living in the Huaibei, SWI in China. He was in great pain and in need of surgery for intestinal atresia. Fortunately Emilio was able to have surgery and began putting on weight right away and in July we were able to place him in a loving foster home in Huaibei, Anhui. Emilio is simply thriving! Emilio is walking around his new home holding onto his foster mother’s hand and is able to stand on his own. He’ll be walking on his own soon for sure! He has favorite toys, and does a great job feeding himself table food. His foster mom is completely in love with him and describes Emilio as lovely, active, and even a little naughty. We think that sounds just about perfect for an eleven month old.

By the December 31, Angel Covers would like to raise $3,000 for kids just like Emilio. As I type this, there is another little boy just waiting for a foster home. He too has recovered from life-saving surgery, but funding is not available to provide him with a foster home just yet. As of today, $110 has been raised towards our goal of $3,000. We are thrilled to know that we are on our way to providing a home for even more deserving children like Emilio. Would you please send this email to all your friends and family? A donation of just $10 will quickly add up and make a life-changing difference for Emilio and so many others.

Always grateful for the support of so many,

Kari Fillmore