Dear Volunteers, Supporter, Donors, and Friends of Kids Without Borders,
Happy 2010 (and the Year of the Tiger, from the Lunar calendar). This is my ninth year-end message since the birth of Kids Without Borders in Janaury 2001. In spite of all the difficulties we all face at home, in our community, and around the world, it was another rewarding year for our organization due to the differences we made.
I found the words of an inspiring song (see below) which seems to represent the purpose of why all of us are involved with this organization. So these words are my year-end message to everyone.
You will find a summary of our 2009 activities below. I look forward to your guidance, encouragement, and support as we head into our 10th year. On behalf of the children and all the people we have served, THANK YOU for believing in us.
Yes, I believe.
-
Son Michael Pham
Founder and Volunteer
~ ~ ~
One day I'll hear
The laugh of children
In a world where war has been banned
-
One day I'll see
One day I'll see
Men of all colours
Sharing words of love and devotion
-
Stand up and feel
The Holy Spirit
Find the power of your faith
-
Open your heart
To those who need you
In the name of love and devotion
-
Yes, I believe
-
I believe in the people
Of all nations
To join and to care
For love
-
I believe in a world
Where light will guide us
And giving our love
We'll make heave on earth
-
Yes, I believe
...
Andrea Bocelli - I Believe, with Katherine Jenkins
~ ~ ~
A recap of 2009
Please note: stories, photos, and videos related to the listed programs and projects are posted within this blog site.
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Miracle Baby:
Thien Nhan, the Miracle Baby from Viet Nam, returned to the U.S. in September for tests by doctors in Houston. The results of complicated tests on Thien Nhan's hormone levels were not good. Thien Nhan will require lifelong hormone replacement therapy and be unable to father biological children. While we were disappointed, we remain convinced that Thien Nhan has a bright future ahead of him. He is a very courageous, smart, and determined little boy. Our next step is to find a pediatric endocrinologist, urologist, pshychiatrist, and plastic surgeon. Kids Without Borders will continue to raise funds to support future medical treatment for our 'Miracle Baby'. Donation to help Thien Nhan's medical treatment can be made online to Kids Without Borders.
-
Hand Me Up:
- Last summer, Kids Without Borders opened a new satellite operation center located in the Seatac/Tukwila area. Under the leadership of Katrina Dohn and her team of volunteers, KWB has distributed new clothing and new footwear to hundreds of school children in the Tukwila School District.
- We have continued our commitment to support the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle, a 'home-away-from-home' for seriously ill children and their families. Throughout the year, we distribute large quantity of new children's clothes, footwear, and products.
- We started a new partnership with the Burmese community leaders in our area and we were able to help this community including many new arriving refugees from Burma.
- Internationally in 2009, the Hand Me Up program benefited children in Cambodia, Honduras, Tanzania, and Viet Nam.
- If you wish to volunteer at our satellite operation center in Seatac/Tukwila, please contact us. You can donate new or slightly use clothes, household products, toys, children products, and school supplies, bu contacting us via email: info@kidswithnoborders.org .
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Power Of One:
Saluting some of our volunteers (listed in random order)
Pam Amado-Demagajes
Ken Lin
Marian Liu
Anne McSmith
Jessica Eastman
Phuong Nguyen
Jelly Duong
Susan Vo
Leanne Tran
Amy Wong
Giang Le
...
Without any paid staff, 100% of our work is made possible by our volunteers.
-
Teach Me To Fish (TM2F):
We organized four reunion meetings in 2009 (4 in Saigon, and 3 in Hai Phong/Hanoi). In spite of the difficult ecenomic condition in Viet Nam for the last 3 years, our TM2F children managed to survive and avoid becoming victims of life outside of the orphanage. We had several weddings, now two of the orphans have had their own families. We were able to reconnect with one of the young girl who dropped out of the program two years ago. We will have four orpans turn 18 years old in 2010, and we have been preparing them for their new life outside of the orphanage starting this July. We are gracious for the continue support from the sponsors, Rotary clubs and Rotarians. It (still) costs us less than $1.00 per day to support one orphan in the TM2F program ($350 will cover one annual TM2F scholarship for an orphan). Current funding can take care of less than 10% of our kids. We need your support and you can make your donation online to KWB.
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Making A Difference: listed in random order
Mary's Place
Against The Grain (ATG)
Forgotten Children's Fund
Hopelink
Agros International
Center for Human Services
Wheelchair Foundation
VNHelp
Tukwila Schools
Burmese American Refugees
Harvest Festival (by the ARAS Foundation)
Ronald McDonald House of Western Washington
Operation Nightwatch
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THANK YOU: listed in random order
Kids In Distressed Situations (KIDS)
Rotary International
School To End Poverty (STEP)
Toys R Us
Pro Sports Club
Bellevue Women's Club
Miller Buckfire & Company
Medtronic Foundation
Vizapak, LLC
Executive Development Institute (EDI)
Union Bay Sportswear
Microsoft Giving Campaign
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
Mike and Alex Shimizu
Tom and Lisa Gaughran
Lee Chee Chew
KWB Board of Directors and Global Ambassadors (all volunteers)
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