"We live in a wonderful country, but the poverty right here often goes unnoticed. Often, in order to help support the family, students leave school. Our dropout rate is higher than the state average. Thankfully our CI sponsors are aware of the poverty and are reaching out to help. For many of our students, the free meals they receive at school are the most nourishing they enjoy each day. Our students desperately need the financial support that sponsors send each month. This helps pay for clothes, paper, pencils, calculators and other materials needed for success in school. [One] special highlight this year was a generous gift from a sponsor who provided formal attire for four lucky young ladies and gentlemen for our Senior Prom. These students could not have attended without her help. They looked so nice in their tuxedos and gowns, and it touched our hearts. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do! We are proud to be associated with people like you who are making a difference in the lives of children and young adults in our country."

Jack Brooks, Principal
Mitchell High School
North Carolina

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"The CI program complements the mission of our Youth Services Center and what we try and do for the students better than anything that has ever come our way here in Pike County. Words cannot begin to describe how much you have helped the children in this area. No matter what problem arises in our community, I know that I can rely on CI to help. Our students enjoy shopping for their own clothing, and thanks to their sponsors, they can look as appropriate as any other student in school and be happy about it. Fitting in and not being labeled poor is the difference for some of these students between success and failure. The CI program provides financial and emotional benefits. We even have two former students in college because of Children, Inc., thanks to scholarships from a generous sponsor. One has a 4.0 GPA and the other has a 3.5 GPA. Without outside assistance, these students would not have been able to attend college. One wants to be an engineer and the other wants to be a teacher, and there is no doubt they will succeed in life. I wish that I could personally thank each and every one of the sponsors. CI is the heart of our program. I know there is a lot of paperwork that comes with it, but it is well worth the effort. Thank you for everything ? I appreciate you!"

Judy Fields
East Ridge High School
Kentucky

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"The CI program is one of the greatest programs in the Magoffin County school system. It has helped students both financially and emotionally. As a result of their participation in the program, students have acquired greater self-confidence and higher self-esteem. The program has helped so many, with needs such as winter coats, school outfits, shoes, personal hygiene and grooming items and school supplies. All of the extra gifts that are received from the sponsors are such blessings. The children love hearing from their sponsors! They really appreciate all the notes, family snapshots, etc. Our principal and faculty see improvements in the children?s school work and behavior. CI has been a great asset ? these children would have done without many needed items if not for the generosity of their sponsors. I thank each of you for your concern, and my prayers are with you."

Arbadella Reed
Millard Hensley Elementary School
Kentucky

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"I have once again had the pleasure of working with Children, Incorporated for another school year. Our less fortunate students received classroom supplies and appropriate seasonal clothing throughout the year. Hygiene products and items needed for school projects were also purchased as needed. Children, Inc. also helped with a special gift so that our graduating CI students could participate in the 8th grade graduation trip to New York City. (Although they had been fundraising, many came up short.) Each one had a proper outfit and money for food. This trip provided an opportunity that several of these children will never have again. They were SO excited to ride on a charter bus and stay in a hotel for the first time, and you can imagine what a culture shock NYC was to them."

Lisa Shilot
Fort Gay Middle School
West Virginia

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"Sadly, many children in Kenya are being cared for by local Kenyan orphanages. They are victims of either HIV/AIDS or war-torn tribal conflicts which have taken the lives of their mothers and fathers. One such child was Stephen Kamande Murugu. Orphaned as a young boy, Stephen grew up in the Dandora, Kenya orphanage – the only home he can remember. An affiliate of Children, Incorporated, the orphanage staff enrolled Stephen in the CI program. With help from his Children, Incorporated sponsor, Stephen over the years was able to continue his education; receive invaluable preventive healthcare; encouragement and emotional support. Today, this young man runs his own trash collecting business. The business is successful enough to employ several men within Stephen’s community. Thus, the effects of child sponsorship are far-reaching. Not only did Stephen’s Children, Incorporated sponsorship make a difference in his life, but it touched the lives of countless others, as well."

Stephen Kamande Murugu
International Division
Kenya

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"Children, Incorporated and my sponsors, Cindy and John have been a true blessing in my life. My father was in a mining accident my freshman year of high school and was no longer able to work. Money was very hard to come by, but thanks to CI and my sponsors, I was able to continue my education at Pikeville College. I will be graduating this May with a BS degree in Psychology and Human Services. I plan on finding a job in the mental health field hopefully as a therapist working with children. After I work in the field for a year or so I plan to go to graduate school to get my masters in Social Work. I love helping others, which is why I feel I have chosen the right career path for myself. I am so excited to begin a new chapter in my life. I hope my story will influence others when they read of the difference CI has made in my life."

Tiffany
Appalachian Division
Feds Creek, KY