Beatrice goes home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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