Drina's Dreams

This past week has been such a humbling experience. HALO was featured on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric Wednesday night and it has been such a humbling experience.

Drina at the Mengo Home in Ugand

HALO has grown with the help of people like you. Hundreds of people with huge hearts and the ability to respond. If everyone brings their skill or compassion to the table, we are able to reach more children in need. Children like Drina.

Drina is an 8 year old girl who was abandoned on the streets of Uganda at a very young age. She is now living in a HALO supported home where she loves to dance and is a very fast runner. Drina dreams of being an accountant someday and with her high scores in Math, she is well on her way. Drina is the most energetic of the house. She is always giggling and running around with a lot of energy. If there is something funny, there is no hiding it! She slaps her hand over her mouth and starts belly laughing.

With the help of our HALO Hero, HALO Helper, and 1for30 programs, Drina will will have the opportunity to reach her dreams and she will never again have to worry about being abandoned. Thank you to our supporters who have signed up to look out for her future! Click here to learn more about helping children like Drina reach their dreams. Even the smallest act of kindness makes a huge impact.

The Seed of Confidence

Mrs. Grider teaches Julian a Front Stance

In a room full of kids from the HALO Center in Denver, I hear them shouting over and over in a military fashion:

I     PRACTICE     TO     GAIN   CONFIDENCE.

I watch as Julian, pictured, stands tall and proud with his chest out, ready to conquer the world. Our newest Volunteer Martial Arts Instructor, Mrs. Grider, approaches him with a high five for his efforts, and Julian's face lights up.

Confidence. That is our word for the next 2 months. It is a life skill that has the ability to dramatically affect the outcome of everything we do.

Julian got me thinking. He started his classes shy and scared to do the moves. Scared of what others would think of him. He has shown so much improvement in the past 2 months. He is no longer scared to speak up in class and has learned how to do some great kicks and punches. He stands proud.

He will be able to use this skill in other areas of his life like saying no to drugs or gangs, saying yes to homework, and practicing respect for people in his life.

Confidence is a powerful thing. It has the ability to change the course of a life. We are grateful Mrs. Grider is such a wonderful volunteer, planting the confidence seed in the lives of HALO children.

To learn more about how to help children like Julian, visit www.haloworldwide.org 
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http://www.youtube.com/HALOFoundation

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Paradigm Shift

My first experience out of the U.S. was a 6 month stint in Honduras. It opened my eyes in ways I could have never imagined. Here is a little bit from my journal upon my return:

I ran off the plane, down the runway, reaching my neck over people to see my mom at the window. I was full of fear, gratitude, love, excitement and...fear. We just stayed there for a while and hugged until my mom said, "You look healthy. Really healthy. Did you put on some weight? Where are your bags?"

I could hardly talk. I knew my jeans would hardly zip up and my ragged sweater hardly fit but did I put on some weight? I hadn't looked in a full mirror for months.

We walked through the pristine airport that smelled like America and outside to complete order. Things had their place. People were put together. I literally dropped to my knees thankful to be on that ground. Thankful for America. Thankful for peace. Thankful for safety. Thankful for order. Thankful for English. I could not stop the out pour of tears streaming down my face. My mom had to think I was headed for a mental institution.

Its the things we don't notice. Like how clean our cars are or how clean the roads are and the lines are straight and the signs actually tell you where you need to go. Or that you can call the police and they are there to actaully help you. At night you can go outside without feeling scared. Its the houses. With yards that have green grass all the same length, weed eaters, lawnmowers, insurance, cell phones, computers, tile floors, computers, hair dryers, clean & reliable hospitals, healthy pets and things that didn't need to be fixed.

I didn't have to pause every time I went to drink a glass of water because ALL of our water is clean. The food at the grocery store is always good because we have rules and regulations against anything less than the best. We can speak our minds and hearts without fear of blood running in the streets. These are the differences between us and the rest of the world.

This experience has changed the course of my life. I will again never take for granted the freedom we have as Americans and I will never turn my back on children in need.

To read more about how to help the children of HALO, visit www.haloworldwide.org

Something in the Air

There is definitely something in the air during the Holiday season, stretching from November to beginning of January with New Years Resolutions. In our industry, it is an exciting time when many donors make the decision to give until it hurts just a bit.

This New Year, many of our supporters are increasing their involvement in HALO by signing up to support a specific need each month.  We call these people “Guardian Donors” because they are looking out for the future of HALO children, much like a parent or guardian. A monthly gift commitment takes discipline and sacrifice. That sacrifice may be one less dinner out, one less new outfit, or one less new CD. Whatever it is, that change in habit makes an impact on a child in need. The commitment to make this sacrifice each month helps us rely on our supporters and plan for the future.

Sharon dancing at the HALO Girls Home, Uganda

My favorite part of this job is watching a child transform from being in desperate circumstances to having a solid belief in his/her self worth and future. My second favorite part is witnessing the joy of the donor when he/she realizes this transformation has happened because of them.

What helps me get out of bed every morning and rise with a smile on my face is the faith I have that we are truly making a difference. Far more than what I ever imagined. The obvious help we give the orphaned children of HALO is comforting and rewarding. However, it is the transformation in the mindset of able supporters that truly makes me realize that the power of HALO is infinite.

If you are interested in learning more about our guardian giving programs click here.