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Not an IACA Member Yet? Join Now!  |
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Newsletter
Community
Information And Services
Do you think about the others? The little girls in China’s
orphanages. You may have been blessed with parenting or knowing a child adopted from China. Do you think about the others? The little girls in China’s orphanages who need medical treatment to survive, who are doomed to a life of servitude without education, and those who have not yet been adopted. I think about them on a daily basis and feel an overwhelming sense of connection to the little faces that I will never see or kiss. Thanks to two groups of dedicated humanitarians working to improve the quality of life for China’s orphaned children, you and I have an opportunity to do something for the “others”. Please read further to learn about how you can make a difference. You are invited to support a fundraising event organized to aid Half the Sky Foundation. and Heartland Medical Express. Half the Sky Foundation was founded by parents who have adopted from China and their board includes some very respectable members: Dana Johnson, MD, PhD, Director of the International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota and Kay Johnson, PhD, FCC parent and authority on Chinese culture. According to Half the Sky Foundation Executive Director, Jenny Bowen, their mission is to establish early childhood development centers in welfare institutions in China. Bowen states, “Our goal is to give the babies and small children who wait for families and those who will spend their childhood in orphanages, stimulation, individual attention, an active learning environment and a chance at a better life.”. This organization has the insight to recognize that due to developmental delays, most of the orphanage residents cannot qualify for public education in China. And without this meager education, their chances for independence and economic survival are extremely limited. Half the Sky Foundation is nearly ready to initiate one-year pilot programs in two welfare institutions. The programs include Little Sister Preschools and Grandma Infant Nurture Centers. Chinese early childhood educators who have trained in the United States will work with teachers and citizens in Changzhou and Heifei to establish and evaluate the programs. Bowen has accomplished a monumental feat thus far but needs our help. She has established all necessary governmental approvals, hired well qualified program directors, secured teachers for Changzhou, and confirmed sponsors for all children for in the Little Sister’s preschool. Their hope is to serve approximately 200 children in three programs. Half the Sky Foundation still needs approximately $30,000 in monetary support for teacher and grandma salaries, classroom environments, and educational materials for this year alone. The second organization to benefit from this event is the Heartland Medical Express. Heartland is an Indiana based organization formed out of concern for the health and development of children around the world, particularly those who reside in orphanages. Their members believe that children have a right to develop to their potential and that the well being of children around the world will impact our future as a global society. They have been referred several children who reside in orphanages in China. Each child is in need of heart surgery and time may be a critical factor for their survival. Heartland co-founders, Chris Kauffman and Keith Wallace, and a dedicated cadre of Hoosiers are learning that when a referral comes, the organization must be ready with both information on international medical resources and financial support for the medical services. By now you are asking, “How can I help?” * Mark your calendar for Thursday, August 10, 7 PM and Saturday, August 12, 2:30 PM at the American Cabaret Theater for the staged reading of “My brother was my mother’s only child”, an original play by Sharon Jean Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton writes of her life long journey to make sense of family dynamics-a topic that most any audience member can relate to. This is also an adoption story that will leave few dry eyed. Dr. Hamilton, Professor of English at IUPUI, is donating a production of her acclaimed work for this event. You will be receiving detailed information on how to purchase your tickets or donate at various levels of support. * When you receive your personal invitation to the play, reproduce the materials and send them on to at least 5 friends, business acquaintances, and family members with a personal note asking for their support. * Become involved in the fundraising and publicity by joining the team to market the event to the target audience. Help us identify potential funds for the event and persons who could make substantial donations. Help by making personal contacts with potential donors. Call Pam Carlisle, 581-1307 if you can donate any time to this event. * Volunteer to be an usher, serve refreshments at the reception, help with mailings, etc. Call Pam Carlisle, 581-1307 if you can donate any time to this event. This event can only be a success with your support. The “others” are counting on us. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Wondering what you have missed or would like to remember some of our past events
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