Happy New Year....and Starfish

Happy New year to all Hope4China Friends...

...and a Story for 2009

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean.""I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said,

"It made a difference for that one."

You are a very special group of people around the world, and together we have managed to make a difference to many, many "Starfish"

Hoping that 2009 will be a good year for us all and that we will have the opportunity together to throw back many more Starfish........

Over this last year, TOGETHER, we have raised over £31 000 which has all gone to China.

• This is helping over 70 children giving them hope in a loving family.
• We are helping over 74 girls providing hope and an education.
• Helping children in Angel House for children with Cerebral palsy.
• We have also provided extra for medical needs for children , glasses for girls at school who simply couldn't see, warm winter clothing for the girls, helped with a new Clean water filter at Desheng SWI, and many other "small" things which all make a difference in our growing realtionships with our precious children.

It has been wonderful to see the gifts sent by sponsors to their children both in Foster care & in our school programme, and the letters which have crossed back & forth.

We now get emails from our older schoolgirls too :-)

These are the Little Things which make a Huge Difference

Just wanted to let you ALL know how important you are in this work and how valued each contribution is - whether it is money, fundraising, support, encouragement - it is all so important!

So A BIG THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

to all who threw back Starfish last year......

I will soon be sharing the stories of two very special little Starfish who desparately need our help over the next year... please check back soon.....

All Best wishes for 2009 :-)

Linda & Iain