AS LIFE RETURNS TO NORMAL.....

I received this email from Half the Sky today:

On behalf of many, many thousands of children who remained safe and
warm
through China’s toughest winter storms in 50 years, THANK YOU!

The weather has warmed considerably. On Wednesday, all power was
finally
restored.

Director Liu of the Yihuang County SWI in Jiangxi province called us on
Friday. He said that Yihuang was the last place in China to have light
again. Thanks to you, the orphanage was able to buy a generator which
produced just enough power to light the children’s building. Although
one
of their buildings was severely damaged by snow and the staff had to
fetch
well water from the countryside for many days, no one was hurt and all
63
children stayed well. The director called to make sure we all knew how
grateful he is for aid from the Little Mouse Emergency Fund.

Our staff in Beijing has had conversations like this one all week long
as
we made arrangements to wire reimbursement for locally purchased goods
to
98 different welfare institutions. Today we are pleased to announce
the
end of this extraordinary relief effort. From all over the world, this
community has raised almost 5 Million Yuan RMB (US$700,000) to protect
the
children!

Approximately 3 Million is going directly to those institutions which
suffered through this disaster. The remaining funds will be used to
help
all children's welfare institutions establish a store of emergency
provisions so that this never happens again. 100% of the funds donated
to
the Little Mouse Emergency Fund are dedicated to this purpose.

On Wednesday we will meet with Vice-Minister of Civil Affairs, Dou
YouPei
to make a ceremonial presentation of the proceeds of the Little Mouse
Emergency Fund to China’s orphaned children, and to discuss a plan for
disaster preparation in the welfare institutions. The Ministry of Civil
Affairs understands that this is a gift to the children from people of
many nations and they look forward to the opportunity to express their
gratitude.

It has been a tremendous pleasure and an honor to be a part of this
effort. I understand what “people power” means in a whole new way.
When
people really care, nothing can stop them from doing what needs to be
done.

As of today, the Fund is closed.

If there are donations on the way, we will include them in the fund.
But
if you are considering a gift today, please, instead, support the Half
the
Sky programs that give children the loving care of family every single
day. Even when the weather is calm.

With love and gratitude,

Jenny

Jenny Bowen
Executive Director
Half the Sky Foundation
www.halfthesky.org