Seasons Greetings!
I don't know about you, but this year-end snuck up on me all to quickly. I pray that you and all that's yours have a wonderful Christmas!
This past year has gone so quickly, yet so much has happened with GIBTK and our vision to transform lives in S.E. Asia.
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Anou, our first grad from Cambodia!
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Our homes in Cambodia have matured and we have our first college graduate! I am humbled that that the dream Dorothea and I had in 2002 has now seen 62 kids graduate from University or higher level vocational training. With 39 currently enrolled!
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Dorothea's Project Legacy
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Dorothea's Project Legacy has taken off beyond my hopes. However, I guess it's not a surprise since it was my Brides dream. Project Legacy is a place where local children can come and have a safe place to hang out, and get tutoring. We have 4 full time teachers on staff. Teaching 53 kids from secondary to high school learning English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Computer skills, life skills and emotional health. Soon we will be adding elementary classes. .
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Linda helping to make "foot print" memories for the moms and their babies at The Father's House
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The Father's House; our unwed mothers home has had 61 babies born. With 3 mothers who are eagerly awaiting the birth of their child. In the home the girls are taught about hygiene, proper care of their babies and we work diligently to help the girls regain self-esteem. We also have been teaching them soft skills so once they leave they are prepared to enter the work world and get jobs. We have seen 30 single moms who have gotten married!
One of our new programs we just recently launched is Mother's Love. It is a place where unwed mothers who have a place to live, can come and receive the same teachings the girls do at The Father's House.
Honestly, as I step back and see all these new programs and the success we are seeing, I am left speechless. (I know hard to believe) Girls are learning to care for their kids, and training them to encourage and build into their children's lives.
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| Moms and their kids having fun in one of our A Mother's Love program rooms |
Our emotional health program has continued to mature and grow in acceptance, providing tools for the kids to recognize they are precious and valuable. Recently we have been asked by a University to come and present the emotional health program to their students and we are in the process of setting up training for the teachers, so they can make it a regular part of their curriculum! All this in a country that so many thought would not accept such things.
Our most recent Gala, "Journey of Hope" was the best yet! We raised funds for 67 heart surgeries!!! Kids will have a chance to live a full life! Our orthopedic surgery program has continued to grow, with much thanks to Free Wheelchair Mission who has recently been donating medical equipment, which gives us free or discounted surgeries.
The friendship program led by board member Linda Shaul has most of the kids with "pen pals". We do have a number of single moms and college students still in need of a "pal." If you are interested in learning more please email Linda at linda@givingitbacktokids.org. If you have time to be a "skype friend" A place where we connect teens with friends of GIBTK. It gives our kids a chance to learn English pronunciation as well as building relationships.
I know there is so many needs both in our country and around the world. If I may ask to consider GIBTK in year-end giving. We believe that every child deserves a chance, no matter where they are! Donations can be made safely on line at
www.gibtk.org
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Teens from a recent "teen trip" interviewing a recipient
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Please join us and come see what GIBTK is all about! We have tentative trips planed for April, and of course our annual teen trip in July! May God Bless you this coming year and know that without all of you GIBTK would not be transforming kids lives
