| Presidents Letter 2011-2012 |
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Dear Friends,
WE ARE WRITING TO YOU FROM BEIJING, CHINA THIS YEAR where The Grace Children’s Foundation (TGCF) has further expanded its outreach to increase the number of orphaned and underserved children we care for through TGCF’s Children’s Resource Exchange Center, an innovative coordinating mechanism delivering vital resources…connecting the need to the remedy. Our organization is providing children, on a case by case basis, with medical, education and humanitarian aid resources. At the same time we are working with our partners in the United States and in China, developing long-term solutions for generations to come. While we increase the available resources in our networks of healing and learning, we continue to look at the big picture—what works and what does not. Living here this year has given us first hand experience and a better understanding of the challenges at hand. We have witnessed a lack of strategic coordination among workers and organizations who are on the front lines but simply cannot find each other. There is a critical disconnection between needs and remedies with often devastating outcomes for children. This inefficient, chaotic environment exists everywhere in the world where there are children left bereft by abandonment, disease, natural disasters and lack of vital resources. This is not a China problem. It is a global one. There is more than enough compassion, expertise and funds in this world to provide for our children. We simply have not made it a priority, taken the time and made a commitment to organize our efforts. We take a stab at fixing a problem but do not make it part of a systematic, sustainable model. None of us can create lasting solutions on our own. At present, however, we see a transformative change underway here. Individuals and organizations are taking serious steps to address the myriad challenges that face orphans and children who have parents and caregivers who are simply unable to access necessary resources. Through TGCF’s Children’s Resource Exchange Center, our organization has been embraced as part of a sea change. At the same time, TGCF’s Youth Initiative has launched its Hi World, Are You Getting the Message? LOVE, HEAL AND EDUCATE CHILDREN campaign where we are engaging students and young professionals in the practice of “Mindful Giving.” It has been a very good year. We have met children from all over China and other countries as far away as Afghanistan. Each one has taught us through his or her courage and dignity. Each of them and their parents and caregivers are grateful for the love they have felt and the expertise that has helped to save the children’s lives. They all inspire us every day to continue on this incredible journey. We are ever grateful to you for your commitment to the children who wait. Sincerely,  |
