Monday, April 23, 2012

HAITI :: Society of Young Black Professionals fundraises for The Red Thread!


Petera and Brandon, two of our counselors from the January session of Camp Jake, are both active members of The Society of Young Black Public Health Professionals in New Orleans. Following their work with our team in Haiti, they wanted to do more for the kids they met from St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children. 

Petera with Danika, a hearing impaired girl

 Brandon with the blind guys

Since so many of St. Vincent's students are hearing impaired, Petera and Brandon decided to support our efforts to provide 500 digital hearing aids for the hearing clinic. This would provide enough hearing aids for every child as well as stock the clinic to provide for others in the community where hearing aids are a priceless gift. 

If you are in the New Orleans area, please come out and support The Society of Young Black Public Health Professionals, The Red Thread Promise and the beautiful children of St. Vincent's.


An Evening In Haiti
Saturday, April 28th from 7 - 10pm
1834 Club • $5 cover • Cocktail attire suggested

Enjoy an evening of delectable hors d'oeuvres, door prizes, 50/50 raffle and the rhythmic sounds of the BRASS-A-HOLICS as they vibrate through the 1834 Club on the second floor of the Laven-Berick Center. 

All proceeds go directly to The Red Thread Promise and their efforts in Haiti. Please read below for more information about this amazing organization and their effort. 

The Red Thread Promise (TRTP) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to bringing hope and healing to needy and orphaned children. TRTP has taken on the challenge of raising funds and awareness for new digital hearing aids and establishment of distribution of hearing aids in a permanent hearing aid clinic for St. Vincent’s children. Previous to this venture, children at St. Vincent’s were tested and given refurbished analog hearing aids. 

The Society of Young Black Public Health Professionals, along with your support, would allow TRTP to provide the children of St. Vincent’s and the surrounding community to receive new digital hearing aids.  

Sponsored by The Society of Young Public Health Professionals.
For any questions or concerns please contact: Brandon Darrington bdarring@tulane.edu 


Saturday, April 21, 2012

HAITI :: Hear us on Rotary Club Radio!


Big thanks to Rotary Club Radio for the wonderful podcast that was released this week featuring an interview with Kathy and Sonya of TRTP! The podcast covers our beginnings in China and our current work in Haiti. When you have a few moments, give it a listen. 

The play button is directly under the graphic 
pictured above on the RCR website.

We've already teamed with Rotary of Edina (MN) to bring wheelchairs to the Dominican Republic and would love the opportunity to work with other service-oriented organizations and Rotary Clubs that share our vision.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

CHINA :: Another blessing

Baby JH in May, 2011
Meet Baby JH. This little guy came to Swallow's Nest in May of 2011 with Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome—a condition closely linked to spina bifida—a neurological disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column (from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Again, Swallow's Nest was able to provide swift surgery for JH and the prognosis is good!

Lili, Baby JH's caregiver, says that he is a shy boy but is beginning to crawl and stand alone. He gets along with the other children and is a good eater. (And might we add that he is adorable?!)

Lili holding JH, March 2012

The Red Thread Promise is sponsoring Baby JH's care until he is matched with his forever family. His file is currently being prepared for adoption. $175 per month will cover his nanny and foster care, clothing, food and some medical care. 

If you are interested in supporting JH during his time in China or would like more information about his adoption, please contact kathy@redthreadpromise.org.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

CHINA :: New strides for Baby XX


April 2012

January 2012

Baby XX is growing up and, as you can see from this photo, as cute as can be! Her life has drastically changed for the better thanks to the support of people like you

We met this little one in December 2011. A moment that should have brought great wonder instead brought a dim future—she was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus—and her parents left her in the care of an orphanage. Thankfully, XX has already received her initial surgery and a follow-up CT scan, great steps toward her recovery. Since then, XX has been cuddled, loved and cared for by the specially trained nannies at Swallows Nest during her recovery and is doing well.

The Red Thread Promise is committed to supporting Baby XX’s post surgical care until she is matched with her forever family. It is estimated that she may be in foster care for two or more years due to the severity of her special needs. 

For $125 per month, together we can provide for her nanny as well as her medical needs, food and clothing. If you would like to help XX, please consider donating toward her care. One-time and monthly gifts are welcome in any size. Donations can be made through PayPal (link in the right sidebar) or sent via check to the address at the top right.

Once again, this is a perfect example of how your generous hearts are helping special needs children in China.