Another year has come and gone! And, while it seemed to whiz by, it had some incredibly amazing accomplishments in it we don’t want to forget. So let’s take a look back at the most memorable moments of 2014!
It may not be one single moment, but it’s too big to ignore. Because of you, kids all over the world are living happier, healthier lives. Hundreds of thousands of children and youth received medical and dental care, school-supply kits, nutritional support and more. Plus, our Youth Health Corps members reached hundreds of thousands more in their local communities – both sponsored and non-sponsored – with health-focused education. Health, after all, is the foundation on which we are helping kids build successful futures!
You’ve probably heard of TOMS Shoes, but did you know that Children International is a proud Giving Partner of TOMS? In 2014, the brand with the big heart gave shoes to CI kids in Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines and Zambia. These much-needed kicks protect our kids’ feet from rough terrain and harmful parasites, plus they give many students access to school when shoes are a requirement for attendance. (Thanks, TOMS! You rock!)
Community centers are the central hub for CI services and programs, and your support has been integral to making sure our 340,000 kids can enjoy them! Not a day goes by without kids receiving medical and dental services, getting tutoring in the libraries or just having fun on the playgrounds. In 2014, two new centers opened in Barranquilla, Colombia, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Even better? There are more in the works for 2015!
Remember looking for your first job? Our youth are following right in your footsteps. After all, to break out of poverty, youth need quality jobs. And to find jobs, they need employable skills. That’s where you’ve come in!
Your valuable support gives teens access to our Career Readiness programs! And, partnerships with companies such as the Hotel InterContinental Presidente Guadalajara in Mexico enhance opportunities for further experience. (Don’t you get a warm feeling knowing employers say our kids are the best? Love that news!)
Imagine being a teenager and having the power to tell stories that matter to the masses. Sounds cool, right? Our Community Youth Reporters started doing that in 2014! Currently operating with both formal and informal programs in Ecuador, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic and Zambia, these youth learn the basics of journalism and put their newly acquired skills into practice. They not only improve their communication skills, but they also get intimately connected with communities! Win, win!
We’ve teamed up with the Planet Water Foundation on numerous occasions now to construct AquaTowers – permanent water structures – and emergency water systems in the Philippines and India. The result? Grateful children and their families get access to clean, potable water. Let’s raise a toast to fresh, clean water for all!
We think our youth are amazing (and we know you do, too)! Turns out the rest of the world agrees. Reymart (top), 17, from the Philippines, and Francine (bottom), 12, from Zambia, both received special honors in 2014. Reymart was chosen as the official Philippines representative to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Children’s Forum in Thailand, and Francine was selected as the student ambassador for the “Let’s Read, Zambia!” program. (Both these kids get an A+ for their amazing efforts!)
How do you get the opinions of thousands of impoverished children and youth in front of the United Nations? Seems like a nearly impossible task, right? But, your help gave our youth the opportunity to do exactly that!
Thousands of them participated in two U.N. surveys: “MY World” and “The World We Want 2015.”
And, wow! Those kids were eloquent! Rukshar (left) from India wrote, “It is important to listen to the voices of children and youth because the policies being made for the future concern us, and it is sensible to take into consideration our opinions and concerns to get a holistic view.” (We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Rukshar!)
Speaking of the United Nations, three talented CI youth traveled to the U.N. headquarters in New York last summer. Diana from Ecuador, Dilnasheen from India and Jessalyn from the Philippines were finalists for the Children and Youth Finance International (CYFI) Youth Award for Entrepreneurship. Diana and Dilnasheen attended the awards in person.
Diana developed a homemade jewelry club microenterprise; Dilnasheen created crafts from recycled materials; and Jessalyn helped manage a food-vending project. (Watch out, world! These kids are going to accomplish some impressive things!)
Last, but certainly not least, after 29 years of distinguished leadership, Jim Cook retired as president and CEO of Children International. Over the past three decades, Jim helped create life-changing youth programs and innovative community centers. We’ll miss Jim dearly! But we definitely can’t help but shade our eyes in looking toward the bright future ahead under our new president, Susana Eshleman!
Susana spent 10 years on the CI Board of Directors, and she shares the organization’s passion of bringing real and lasting change to children living in poverty.
Susana says, “Creating opportunities for our kids makes my heart beat faster … really! I honestly can’t think of a better way to use my talents and energy than devoting them to such meaningful work.”
Welcome aboard, Susana!
Thanks to YOU, everything we do is its own amazing moment. We’re so proud of what you were able to partner with us to accomplish in 2014. We can’t wait to see what amazing things 2015 holds in store, and we look forward to sharing the stories with you along the way!
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