Dear Angels,

Here we are, last quarter of the year! So far into 2009, we saw some progress in some areas and stagnation in others.

Our work with Thursday Tutoring in Malaysia is going strong and there has been a lot of awareness stirred up by the local media. We hope from all that, more members will be encouraged to take the step to donate 2 hours a week to the 3 shelter homes we have been volunteering at.

While there was a small Taipei event created in March, we have not managed to create a program that is sustainable. I suspect we need the Taiwanese leaders to step up before that chapter is ready to take off. When I visit next I shall personally learn more about what we can do with Helping Angels Taiwan.

For now we are also waiting to see how the project in Hong Kong will come together. This is the program we are preparing to spearhead with Xuan Yuan Education Fund Association 轩辕教育基金会, who build and restore schools for the underdeveloped communities in rural China. Our objective is to help respond to the mountain of letters posted to their administrative office written by the children who attend those schools. That is why the name of the quarterly event will be coined the Gratitude Letters project. It would be meaningful to read their thank you letters, sharing their life in the new schools. The blessed members who volunteer in this program will gain awareness through further understanding the children’s lack. By writing back, we also offer them international exposure – not to mention the joy to receive mail.

We also started the year with the ambition to have all group emails (such as this one) translated into Chinese. However we were unable to continue with this plan due to lack of help. Thus if any bilingual angel who is keen to step up and volunteer their professional skills to do prompt and accurate translation, please write me an email okay? This is an opportunity for you to plant the seeds of aspiration. By helping with translation, you will be making our Helping Angels movement available to those angel members who are proficient only in the Chinese language – as we are gaining membership in Taipei and Hong Kong, those members are increasing in numbers. For those who are happy to translate it into other languages, please volunteer yourself too – French, Thai, Spanish, Russian, et cetera. It would be a blessing to reach as many folks around the world as possible.

We do have members all over the world and I have personally met so many folks with golden hearts! It has been a real lift to meet angel members visiting from different international cities. Even when there is a language barrier at times, it is heartwarming enough to know that we are bonded with a kindred movement and intent in making the world a better place. We had our doctor friends from Boston and Connecticut joining our tutoring sessions in Malaysia while they were on a business trip – teaching and interacting with the children at all 3 homes under Thursday Tutoring. We were also lucky to have a Carnegie Hall violinist playing surprise concerts and the Kyrgyzstan circus gypsy girl mesmerizing us with her stunt performances. The beautiful imprints left in our minds are so powerful that I expect seedlings to grow into trees that will bear fruit.

Through these wonderful moments, we have discovered little hints of talents in the children we have been helping. I am now specifically on the lookout for somebody who can teach the drums because I noticed an 11-year-old boy with rhythmic talent deftly tapping away during one of the musical performances. Anybody?

If you have a skill, you have something to contribute! The doors are open to all who has the heart to leave a mark anywhere in the world, with aspiration we can make anything happen.
Perhaps you are good in photography and would rather hide behind the lenses, do offer your services by capturing the magical moments for the group. We always say, if you have the wits enough to join the dots, you are ready to give back to this world. Lastly I would like to call out to members who are interested to sharpen up their leadership skills – here is your chance to put your management skills to greater use. Just introduce yourself to us.

For further reading, here is a link to “How You Can Help” -http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=5583718222&topic=6917

Love & Aspirations To All.

Yours, P