Hands to Hearts International
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March 2008 |
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Dear Friends, The story goes that "I up and quit my real job over three years ago to begin Hands to Hearts". I had worked for over ten years in the field of children's mental health, I saw a lot of healing, but I also witnessed intense sadness and untold amounts of pain. Again and again, I met children too broken, too young -- and all the kings horses and all the kings men (and all of our counseling and services) couldn't put them back together again. I know that children have a critical window of time to learn to bond and attach and that when that window closes and they have never experienced love and nurturing then many of their windows of opportunity can be forever closed. HHI is "making it" in the world. There are no longer the questions of: "does our program make sense? does it make a difference? will HHI make it in the world?" (The list of questions could go on for the rest of this page, but you get the idea, so I will spare you.) In 2006 and 2007, HHI led 68 trainings, in 6 languages, to 809 women who are now providing more nurturing care for more than 7,269 orphaned and vulnerable children. HHI is now training teachers in the world's largest early childhood development program (ICDS in India, sponsored by the World Bank and UNICEF). The interest in HHI's simple yet powerful model is huge and the ideas on how we could strengthen and streamline the child health programs led by other agencies is seemingly limitless! I have had initial meetings with CARE India, World Vision, Family Health International, USAID and UNICEF. There has been talk of applying HHI is slum areas, disaster resettlement zones, refugee camps, orphanages, for women and children rescued from brothels and this list also goes on and on. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by brilliant minds, generous and visionary donors, hardworking and talented volunteers, a savvy Board and a loving family and community. To all of you - Thank You for believing, being a part of this a, sharing my dream and bringing this gift into the world for thousands! It is humbling and inspiring to know that together we are making a beautiful dent in this world of ours. We are only just getting started and I hope to have some very exciting new announcements to make in the next newsletter - so please stay tuned! In appreciation, Laura Peterson, Founder & Director
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| June 11th - HHI's Third Annual Golf Benefit in PA
Save the Date to golf for good! Hosted by Roberta & Don Peterson at the Kimberton Golf Club in Kimberton, PA. Stay tuned for more information, or contact rsvp2peterson@comcast.net for more details and to get involved. |
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| Blog Entries
2007 - The Year I Didn't Quit - It is that time, the time when one sits back and takes account of all that did and did not happen in the year - and for me, there is a lot to remember! Investing in Child Health - a "course to a better future" - With child Survival as the theme for the State of the World's Children Report this year, UNICEF acknowledged the central role that front liners (such as the ICDS teachers HHI trains in India) play in saving lives of children. A Little Bit of Glory - The Northwest Regional Soroptimist International has awarded Laura Peterson its "Making a Difference Award for Women". The Children Take Over - Last week Sujatha was leading an HHI Training for caretakers at an orphanage. She reported that, "the children in the orphanage were watching me explaining the massage and they all came with their dolls to do the massage. They asked me to stop teaching the women and they wanted me to teach for them." |
“This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one..." George Bernard Shaw