We are happy to announce that we have started 10 Alternative Learning Program Centers in a new municipality for our Captivating Village Program in Nepal
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Sita* (name changed for privacy) was discovered by the police in a traumatized and abandoned state. Despite being transferred to a shelter in India, staying for several months, and taking medication, her mental state did not improve. Due to the language barrier, the India team could not counsel her. The organization contacted various Nepalese NGOs to help locate her family, but none took the initiative to bring her back to Nepal.
Rescued by the 3 Angels Team and the Indian Team[/caption]During a cross-border meeting, a representative from the Indian organization shared Sita's situation. The following day, our field partner in Nepal, the 3 Angels Nepal Team (3AN), visited the organization to assess her situation. She was brought to our transit home and given undergarments and a new set of clothes since she had none.
The 3AN staff provided counseling before taking her to the district police. The only thing she could remember was the name of the school she attended. Armed with this vital information, they went to the police to determine if the school existed.
Fortunately, they could contact the school principal, who then contacted the local government representative. Eventually, they located her elder brother and other family members, who were contacted and reunited with her.
After a month, 3AN reached out to her brother and discovered that her psychological condition had greatly improved. They also learned that she had been a victim of child marriage. At a young age, she had been married off and taken to India by her husband. Her husband had sold her in India, leading to her mental breakdown as she was ruthlessly exploited and abused to the point of being discarded on the roadside.
36 SHARESLast May, Tim, a senior manager of Unionbank, initiated an outreach for the beneficiaries of our Manila Slum Program. His group helped us encourage the children to go to school. Tim’s influence in the company grows as more branches of Unionbank reach out to us because they also want to help.
33 SHARESGeraldine is part of our microfinance program in the Philippines. With all four of her children studying, Geraldine ensures her made-to-order rice cakes stand out from the rest. She has shown that rice cakes, which are typically plain in color, can also be fun and exciting. These are just some of the designs that she's made.
Her clients can also come up with their own designs to make it more personal to them. Besides these cute rice cakes, Geraldine still offers other Filipino delicacies. Now, in her fourth loan with us, she used the money to add more stocks and materials needed to do more designs.
Geraldine shares that she is also getting an increase in orders due to school graduations. She hopes that more and more customers will enjoy her creations, which will secure a steady income for her family.
Geraldine is just one of the women that we are able to help through our microfinance program. This is made possible with the Honor 1000 team, our field partner in the Philippines. We celebrate mothers like Geraldine who are not only hard at work but are also creative in their approach to improving and growing their businesses!
23 SHARESBack in 2018, Sotuo was one of the participants in the very first class of the Husky Energy Tailoring Skills Program for Women. It was a life-changing experience for her, igniting her passion for tailoring and empowering her with valuable skills.
As Sotuo honed her craftsmanship, she often found solace and joy in creating beautiful clothing at home, sharing her love for tailoring with her daughter, Tamtin. Tamtin admired her mother's dedication and the magic she wove with each stitch. Inspired by Sotuo's journey, Tamtin dreamt of becoming a talented tailor herself.
Tamtin, Sotuo's daughter[/caption]Fast forward to 2022, Tamtin has grown into a skilled and ambitious young woman. Fueled by her determination to follow in her mother's footsteps, she eagerly joined the Husky Energy Tailoring Skills Program for Women. The program gave her the foundation to explore her passion further and refine her talents.
Last September 22, a date etched in their hearts, Sotuo and Tamtin embarked on an incredible adventure together. With their dreams intertwined, they proudly opened their small clothing shop in a commercial building. It was a magical moment where a mother's legacy of passion and skill seamlessly passed to her daughter.
In their shop, colorful fabrics adorned the walls, and a rich tapestry of garments awaited the customers. From elegant shirts to cozy summer robes and warm winter attire, each piece bore the imprint of Sotuo and Tamtin's dedication.
Running a business came with challenges, but Sotuo and Tamtin faced them with unwavering determination. The annual rent of RMB 15,000 (US$ 2,057) was a significant investment, but they saw the potential for growth and success in their venture. As time passed, their hard work and commitment paid off, and their net profit steadily grew, averaging around RMB 5,000 to 6,000 (US$ 686 - US$ 823)
Sotuo, Francine, Tamtin, Carrie[/caption]Beyond financial success, what truly warmed their hearts was the bond they shared as mother and daughter, working side by side to bring joy and beauty to their community. Sotuo's guidance and Tamtin's fresh perspective complemented each other, making their shop a special place filled with love and creativity.
Their shop became a hub of creativity, where Sotuo and Tamtin not only crafted garments but also cultivated connections with their customers. They took pride in offering personalized designs and understanding each individual's unique preferences.
As the reputation of their shop spread, Tamtin's dreams expanded beyond the village borders. She aspired to grow their business and open more shops in the surrounding villages. Together with her supportive mother, Sotuo, they dreamt of becoming renowned tailors, celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship and the love they poured into every creation.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
49 SHARESZhou Dongyi is one of the many students who are able to continue their studies through the One More Year Scholarship Program. This is her letter to her sponsors.
"Hello! I would like to express my gratitude for your support and assistance. Thank you for your selfless contribution. 'A drop of water in need, a gushing spring to repay.' " I will strive to study hard and not let your expectations down.
Thank you for your encouragement. I made progress in my grades last semester. I will continue to work hard and aim for further improvement in my studies. As they say, 'You reap what you sow.' Although the progress may be small, it indeed proves that I have made an effort. But this effort is not enough for me. I should work even harder so that the fruits of my labor will be greater and sweeter.
Last semester, our school organized a week-long art festival, which was lively and enjoyable. Our class wore traditional Han clothes during the festival, organized by our Chinese teacher.
The art festival had many performances, and I learned a lot from them. From the poetry recitations, I learned to be calm and assertive. They recited without any stage fright, with composure and strength. From the English recitations, I experienced their confidence. From the dances, I saw them dancing like butterflies in a flower garden. My classmates and I also put a lot of effort behind the scenes for our performance. 'With effort comes reward,' so we received a third prize. Participating in this event made me more cheerful and lively, and I learned a lot.
When the new semester began, I walked into the campus with my backpack, feeling refreshed. Because of your sponsorship, I have felt warmth. Your help has touched me deeply. I will study hard, and when I have the ability in the future, I will pass on this love just like you, helping and caring for more people.
42 SHARESPuja, 32, is one of our My Business My Freedom (MBMF) microfinance program members in Nepal.
52 SHARESWe recently conducted an online safety seminar and distributed OSEC information and activity booklets to the 146 beneficiaries of the Manila Slum Program.
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