Annual Report

After a long wait, the children at Holt-Fontana Village in Haiti are enjoying their new playground! The playground was built simultaneously with four new houses for the children. Due to construction delays, this project took longer to complete than we had originally planned, but we are so happy for the children now that it is finished!

On a personal note, due to our husbands’ jobs, Cristi Steed and I have both relocated to Shanghai, China for the next three years. We are very excited at the opportunities that lie ahead for Raising Hope while we are living in Asia! It is a dream come true for Cristi and me to be able to visit some of the orphanages we have helped in the past, as well as to travel to others to meet with orphanage staff to assess needs.

John Bunyon said, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." In spite of a difficult year for many of our donors, due to the economic crisis, all of us at Raising Hope International wish to thank each of you for your continued support and generosity this past year, in helping hundreds of children who will never be able to repay you. Please know that your kindness is greatly appreciated, and that the joy each child felt this year as they played on a playground for the first time, would not have been possible without you.

Again, thank you for bringing joy to many special kids in 2008. All of us at Raising Hope look forward to continuing on this journey to brighten the lives of children living in orphanages and foster care, one swing and one child at a time.

Raising Hope International remains a United States-based non-profit corporation, and all donations made in the United States will continue to be tax-deductible. We vow to continue to be good stewards of the donations you entrust to us, but please bear with us if there are delays in reporting back to you on the progress of our projects. Know that you can contact us through email at any time if you have any questions or concerns.

In May, the newly-built Jinjiang Child Welfare Institute (CWI) in China was ready for Raising Hope to provide a large playground to accommodate its many children living there. The project was completed in July, and the children now have a fun, colorful playground to enjoy! Some of the children moved to Jinjiang CWI from smaller orphanages that did not have adequate space for outdoor play areas, so you can imagine their excitement now that they have a fun place to play out in the fresh air and sunshine!

In December, playground equipment was purchased in cooperation with Holt International for an orphanage in Nepal. Installation will be completed in the coming months, at which time we will post a final report with pictures on our website.

Another project due for completion in 2009 is a new playground for the children at Hebi SWI in Henan, China. Previously funded, installation of this playground has been delayed due to remodeling construction at the orphanage. We will keep you posted on the progress of this project on our website, as well.