Update on the crisis caused by China's severe winter.

The following is a letter written by Jenny Bowen, Executive Director of Half the Sky Foundation, to thank all those who donated to Half the Sky to help the orphans in China during the most severe winter storms they have had in 50 years. My gratitude to my friends who contributed and or prayed, when I sent out an SOS about the situation.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27 NIV.

Here's the letter:

On behalf of many, many thousands of children who remained safe and warm through China’s toughest winter storms in 50 years, THANK YOU!

The weather has warmed considerably. On Wednesday, all power was finally restored.

Director Liu of the Yihuang County SWI in Jiangxi province called us on Friday. He said that Yihuang was the last place in China to have light again. Thanks to you, the orphanage was able to buy a generator which produced just enough power to light the children’s building. Although one of their buildings was severely damaged by snow and the staff had to fetch well water from the countryside for many days, no one was hurt and all 63 children stayed well. The director called to make sure we all knew how grateful he is for aid from the Little Mouse Emergency Fund.

Our staff in Beijing has had conversations like this one all week long as we made arrangements to wire reimbursement for locally purchased goods to 98 different welfare institutions. Today we are pleased to announce the end of this extraordinary relief effort. From all over the world, this community has raised almost 5 Million Yuan RMB (US$700,000) to protect the children!

Approximately 3 Million is going directly to those institutions which suffered through this disaster. The remaining funds will be used to help all children's welfare institutions establish a store of emergency provisions so that this never happens again. 100% of the funds donated to the Little Mouse Emergency Fund are dedicated to this purpose.

On Wednesday we will meet with Vice-Minister of Civil Affairs, Dou YouPei to make a ceremonial presentation of the proceeds of the Little Mouse Emergency Fund to China’s orphaned children, and to discuss a plan for disaster preparation in the welfare institutions. The Ministry of Civil Affairs understands that this is a gift to the children from people of many nations and they look forward to the opportunity to express their gratitude.

It has been a tremendous pleasure and an honor to be a part of this effort. I understand what “people power” means in a whole new way. When people really care, nothing can stop them from doing what needs to be done.

As of today, the Fund is closed. If there are donations on the way, we will include them in the fund. But if you are considering a gift today, please, instead, support the Half the Sky programs that give children the loving care of family every single
day. Even when the weather is calm.

With love and gratitude,

Jenny

Jenny Bowen
Executive Director
Half the Sky Foundation
www.halfthesky.org

Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance the prospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate infant nurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for older children and establish loving permanent family care and guidance for children with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphaned child has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future.

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