A milestone was reached in October 2008 when we passed into our third year of Hope Walks. We reflect on the incredible growth that has occurred as a result of individuals, organizations and corporations recognizing and responding to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV in resources poor countries.

Empowering Lives International (ELI); Bukavu, DR Congo:

Bulangalire Materanya is seven years old and lives in the Keredi slum of DR Congo with his mother and four siblings. His father abandoned the family which has been moving from one home to another within the slum for his entire life. His mother sells fruits in the market to support her family, but the meager income from her business is not enough to provide three meals a day or to send the children to school. But the family now rejoices because the money raised through Hope Walks has allowed Bulangalire to attend the ELI Christian Academy located in the center of his community. The funds from Hope Walks help to provide a free education for him, one meal a day at the school, a uniform, and basic health care. The meal he receives at school is often the only meal he eats each day. He thanks God for the provision of at least one consistent meal. In school, his favorite subject is math and when he grows up, he has decided that he wants to be the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We believe with him that the Lord can fulfill this dream and use him as a powerful leader in his country to bring hope and change. Thank you for your partnership to help orphans like Bulangalire, giving him hope to dream and believe that God does have a future for him and that he is not forgotten!

Children of Grace (COG); Jinja, Uganda:

The funds raised through Hope Walks has allowed us to ensure full health care for the children enrolled in our program. COG works through St. Francis Health Clinic to monitor the health and development of each student, providing much-needed health care. Joshua is one of these. He suffers constantly from parasites and skin diseases but now receives treatment. Alice missed many school days due to frequent bouts with malaria. With health care, her attendance and academics have greatly improved. Sarah, who is HIV positive, receives treatment for opportunistic infections and will receive antiretrovirals when needed. Stewart suffers from sickle cell anemia and is provided with medical support and additional nutritional guidance. Limon is an exceptional student with great promise, but his guardian cannot provide school fees. COG has given him an academic scholarship with the Hope Walks funds. These are just a few of the many examples of ways these funds are put to use. Children of Grace is so very thankful to Global Strategies for HIV Prevention, Hope Walks, and all its participants as they minister to God's children in Jinja, Uganda.

Sahaya International; Tamil Nadu, India:

Maheswari, is in 6th grade, and lost her mother because of AIDS. Her father is a day laborer, but on an average day he only earns one dollar which is not sufficient to feed his three children and to keep them in school. Thanks to Hope Walks, Maheswari is able to continue her schooling, and her family is getting extra assistance. We are moved by the response of children like Maheswari.

Dear Friends,

This is Maheswari writing this letter with loving greetings to you all loving people. I am fine and wish to hear the same from you. I am studying well and in the first mid term test I scored 359 marks and in the quarterly examination 470 marks. I am 1st in rank in the class. I am very thankful to you all for your help and your support to me.

Thank you for the new dress for Diwali festival and other schooling materials like a dictionary, pen, uniform dress, notebooks, geometry box and so on. I am so happy to have them all and so are my family members. I am studying in 6th standard now. I am studying in Government Girls Higher Secondary School. Because of your help I am studying well without any worries and secured first place in the quarterly examination.

Thanks... Thanks... Thanks... Yours lovingly, M. Maheswari

HEAL Africa; Goma DR Congo:

Jean-Claude, a four year old boy, lives with his family in the town center, behind the main commercial street. During the recent upsurge in conflict in Goma, three looters dressed like soldiers and speaking Kinyarwanda (Rwandese language) came into Jean-Claude's house around midnight. They terrorized his mother, forcing her to give money. She gave them everything she had and then the robbers began to quarrel among themselves. They beat her up and forced her to carry all the household items to their car. They killed her older brother, Jean Claude's uncle. They exploded a grenade under Jean-Claude's mattress causing serious injury to him. Jean-Claude was treated at HEAL Africa through the pediatric Mercy Fund supported by Hope Walks which pays for the medical bills of children who's family cannot afford basic healthcare, let alone traumatic care. On behalf of Jean-Claude, thank you for your support.

The needs of orphans and vulnerable children exist each and every day. With your support through the Hope Walks program of Global Strategies for HIV Prevention, there are now over 1,800 orphans and vulnerable children whose needs are being met. There is much more to do. To donate to a walk in your area or to support Hope Walks directly, visit us at www.HopeWalks.org. Thank you.