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Dear Half the Sky Community,

A while ago I wrote to you and shared that, like so many nonprofit organizations, Half the Sky was more than a little bit worried, during this uncertain economy, about what might happen to the children who depend on its programs.  No matter what, we knew we must somehow meet our promise to keep those programs going.

I just had to write and THANK YOU ALL. You heard us and you helped us. Over 320 of you answered our call for child sponsors - only 1680 to go! Many, many of you renewed your existing sponsorships or increased your annual gifts. Some of you had already given what you'd planned to give, and then you gave again.

Thanks to you all, when 2008 came to a close, we were not worse off than at the end of 2007. In these times, that is huge!

We are deeply grateful to you for trusting in us. Even given all the unknowns we live with, one thing is certain - Your love for China's orphans will keep us going.

A special big thanks to all of you who have contributed to our Children's Earthquake Fund. The response to help children orphaned and displaced by the quake in Sichuan has just been amazing. Today, I am very pleased to tell you that the Fund is now closed. You have provided sufficient funding to support six Big Tops for children's disaster relief and healing for the next 3 years! That is our commitment. And you have made it happen.

Finally, I am happy to announce, at last, that Give Me Wings! (and I Will Fly), our website for children helping children, is now officially open for visitors. It's far from finished (and really will never be) but we think we're at the point where we'd like to invite you to share your thoughts about what we're up to here (especially if you're under 15!) Check it out at http://www.halfthesky.org/give-me-wings/  and send us your ideas, your videos, your photos and . whatever.

At Half the Sky we hear from young philanthropists and volunteers all the time. Whether adopted from China, or growing up with sisters and brothers who were, or simply kids who care about the lives of others who have less - we see growing numbers of children and teens who want to know more about their world. And want to make a difference.

Give Me Wings! wants to share with you some of what other incredible kids are doing and invites all the incredible kids out there to share their stories too.  To parents - Give Me Wings! requires parental permission for your child to participate and we make every effort to protect each child's privacy. Please check it out yourself first!

Wherever you are, we'd appreciate it if you'd take a look and send us your brainstorms, corrections and contributions. Our GMW (Give Me Wings!) webmaster is Kate Gaines. Her address is wings@halfthesky.org. Kate lives in Beijing and can talk to you in English or Chinese. Please drop her a line!

On to a great 2009 - and THANK YOU again!

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.


Want to receive our free Half the Sky newsletter, full of stories and photos, via regular mail?  Just go to our website www.halfthesky.org and click on "Join our Mailing List."

Dear Friends,

As we turn the page on 2008, it's impossible not to reflect back on all we'd envisioned just a year ago. This was our tenth anniversary year, the Olympic year, the year of the launch of the Blue Sky Plan - the government promise offering Half the Sky an open door to change orphan care in all of China forever.

It hasn't turned out quite like that. We've seen storms and earthquakes. We've seen a financial crisis that rocked the world.

I am so proud of what we have accomplished together during this chaotic year.

We brought the loving care of HTS nannies, teachers and foster parents to children living in 41 welfare institutions. We created four new HTS Blue Sky Model Children's Centers. We trained orphanage staff across an entire province so that they can begin to offer HTS-style programs of nurturing care and education on their own. We brought relief to 98 orphanages battered by the spring storms. We brought relief to the quake-orphaned and displaced children of Sichuan. We set up six "Big Tops" - children's centers housed in giant tents in refugee camps near the epicenter - places where children can learn to smile again, nurtured by teachers receiving ongoing training to help traumatized children begin to heal.

It is, of course, your love and support that has made every bit of this possible.

When I last wrote, I told you why we can't stop now. Without our determination to help the children during even the hardest days, they will surely not be heard. When the whole world is hurting, these most vulnerable children will simply be forgotten.

Many, many of you have listened and you generously responded. Hundreds of you honored your loved ones through donations. Over 200 of you answered our wish for child sponsors for the more than 2,000 who need them.

But there's still lots to do. And there's still time! If you haven't yet made your year-end gift to help the children, you'll be glad to know it's not too late. To qualify for tax deduction in the US or Canada, donations paid by check must be postmarked by December 31. Or you can call our US office 1(510)525-3377. Or simply click here http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/StoreFront

Every little bit will help during these most critical days. The storms have passed; the quake area begins to rebuild, but the legacy of 2008 lasts as we enter the new year.

From all of us at Half the Sky - the nannies, the teachers, the field and office staff, the volunteers, and, especially the 5,000 children whom we serve  - in Anhui, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Sha'anxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Tianjin -  and soon we hope, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Xinjiang -

We hope this New Year's Eve and Day finds you safe, warm, at peace, with a heart full of hope, and surrounded by the ones you love.

Happy New Year!

With love and gratitude,

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.

Want to receive our free Half the Sky newsletter, full of stories and photos, via regular mail?  Just go to our website www.halfthesky.org and click on "Join our Mailing List."