High Cloud Blog

Children at Pronoei Rayito de Sol in Peru

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009













The High Clouders brought smiles of joy to many underpriveleged children in Lima, Peru during the Holidays! High Clouders also provided Educational Workshops focused on: 1.) Importance of Christmas 2.) Nutrition: What are fruits and vegetables and the importance of each 3.) Health: Importance of drinking water (this is crucial since it is Summer in Peru) 4.) Tested the students on numbers and letters.



After the workshops the party began with hot chocolate and fruit cake. Once the children were finished the gifts and other surprises were brought out for each child with their name on each gift. Three of the kids were not present and have not been back in school since June. The three gifts that were left over were given to the best student’s ages 3, 4, and 5.





A large stuffed monkey (donated) was also given out in a raffle with three of the kids that have perfect attendance participating. Jordan one of the children was the winner of the monkey. He started to cry because he wanted the monkey from the beginning. For the mothers a book bag was raffled off (donated).



All the children, mothers and teachers were very happy with the workshops and party.

DROUGHT THREATENS HIGH CLOUD EFFORTS IN KENYA

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009
Written by Megan Zingarelli

High Cloud Foundation News -- High Clouders in Kenya are struggling to keep students enrolled in school as severe drought affects Masai pastoral areas. Children are moving with their families and livestock, so they are forsaking education and home comforts.

"Education is not a guarantee or a priority, rather everything has to be put on hold because the cattle are their source of livelihood," said Rachel Herbers, High Cloud's liaison to Africa. "It's a matter of survival for both the livestock and the family."

The Kenya Red Cross reports that ten million people are in danger of starvation, and pastoralists like the Masai tribe are among those at greatest risk. The Kenyan government declared a drought emergency in January.

Infrequent rains have precipitated food shortages and population displacement across Kenya. Some people must walk longer than 20 miles to find water. The conditions have sparked conflict among some tribes, and the region still suffers from the outbreak of post-election violence from last year.

Joseph Ole Tipanko of Masai Good Salvage Outreach Organization and The High Cloud Foundation is keeping High Cloud initiatives going in the region. School starts Monday despite drought conditions. But the drought serves up a struggle, and Tipanko has notified the foundation that many children have moved with their parents and livestock to find fertile land.

"Our working here has been greatly been affected by the current drought situation affecting Kenya and Masailand now," said Tipanko. "Some of the students and families have moved from their homes to follow their cows, goats, sheep and donkeys in search of green pasture and water for their livestock."

The animals constitute the backbone of the Masai pastoralists' livelihoods. But Tipanko continues the struggle to keep children grounded in their education.

"Sometimes we are forced to follow the children and find where they are to try and assess their fate and assist them where possible," he said. "But our assistance has really been affected by lack of resources and funds to buy the school children and their families the much needed food."

The Kenya Red Cross and news sources confirm that children are likely to leave home as the drought continues.

"This is a very sad time in Kenya, but I know that there are many people all around the world who are experiencing such hardships and challenges," said Herbers. "I hope that by good people uniting in efforts to help others, that we can truly make a positive impact on this world."

READ MORE ABOUT THE DROUGHT IN KENYA:
http://www.africanews.com/site/Poor_rains_to_trigger_severe_crisis_in_Kenya/list_messages/24593
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82683

High Cloud Humanitarian Mission to Colombia

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009













The High Cloud Team accomplished a great Humanitarian Mission in Colombia during the holiday season this year. The High Clouders from North America and Europe flew into El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia and met with additional High Clouders providing humanitarian support in Colombia. The next day was spent going to local markets and plazas in Bogota to gather supplies for Humanitarian Activities as well as attending a dinner with a local family and viewing a cultural folk dance.















The Team then planned the final phases of the Humanitarian Mission in Colombia with the teachers and local community leaders located near the school of El Limonar, Colombia.















The next day, the High Cloud Team went to the El Limonar School and Orphanage to greet the children and orphans and take a tour of the facility and spent half of the morning interacting with the children by viewing their school work, their musical presentations, etc. Also, the High Cloud Team shared a snack with the children and the community.















The High Cloud Team gathered all of the children and the community in the courtyard of El Limonar to speak to them and to provide educational workshops to the community as a whole. The High Clouders led the community in an icebreaker event with the emphasis of “Today I am Happier Than Yesterday, But Less Than Tomorrow” to help the community realize their inner virtues and happiness.















For the afternoon, High Cloud divided the groups into two and conducted the Cloud of Knowledge program with the children and orphans, which was led by High Clouder Dr. Mara Eileen, a psychologist with a Masters in Education with the assistance the entire High Cloud Team. The High Cloud Team taught the children and community about the High Cloud values and ethics, including: love, respect, tolerance, solidarity, honesty, responsibility. This Cloud was taught in English as well as Spanish.















Throughout the Humanitarian Mission, the High Cloud Team conducted the Cloud of Environment program with the community and children. This Cloud was led by High Clouder Dr. Laura Victoria, an Environmental Engineer who recently was the Director of the Los Flamingoes National Park in the State of La Guajira, Colombia. The Team presented details on how to improve such things as: the sanitation habits practiced by the community/children; the correct disposal of trash; how to conserve resources; recycling methods; and the connection between the High Cloud values and conserving the environment. The Team also conducted the Cloud of Nutrition program with the community and children where they reaffirmed the importance of hydration and proper nutrition in the high temperature environment El Limonar.















The Team conducted the Cloud of Sports program by organizing a 4 mile race for the entire school as well as all of the single moms in the village. The High Clouders also provided High Cloud uniforms for everyone, handed out small medals, divided up the groups into three categories and organized the post race events. This Cloud taught the children and the community about setting personal goals, training to accomplish a task, challenging oneself to accomplish a difficult objective and a deep belief that anything is possible with perseverance.















The High Clouders had the opportunity to experience outdoor activities as a Team such as hiking, running with the children and supporting the local community in different endeavors.















The Humanitarian Mission concluded with a traditional meal with the community and a meeting with the teachers to plan future educational activities and identify immediate necessities. This is just a testimony on the power of giving and the countless opportunities that the High Clouders are opening for so many children in need. We invite you to join us in this effort so that you too can make dreams come true!


High Cloud in Runners World Magazine in stores now!

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009
















We would like to share with you great news - your High Cloud Foundation is featured in the December issue of Runners World Magazine that is available now in all bookstores and supermarkets! Runners World Magazine featured High Cloud thanks to you generous support and the tremendous impact that High Cloud is making in the lives of many children and orphans all over the world. This is atestimony that together we can build a better tomorrow and that we can be the change that we want to see in the world! Make sure to pick up your copy of Runners World today and send us your feedback at founder@highcloud.org.
We would love for you to become a High Clouder. At High Cloud, you can realize your aspirations and the dreams of the most vulnerable among us. There are more than 200 High Clouders around the world actively involved in High Cloud's humanitarian endeavors. Now, we would like you to join us in this journey - we need your help to continue making dreams come true. Send High Cloud's Project Coordinator, Milvi Saarna, an e-mail at milvi@highcloud.org and "cc" founder@highcloud.org and don't forget to get your copy of Runners World Magazine!

Brazilian children and orphans receive support from High Cloud

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009
The Team of High Clouders provided humanitarian support and educational programs to the children in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. The High Cloud children reside at a favela called Roupa Souja and shanty towns seem only to end on the horizon. Stay tuned for a great report from one of the High Clouders who conducted this wonderful Humanitarian Mission. 

High Cloud in Kenya!

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009













High Cloud has established a way to support children and orphans living in extreme conditions in Naroibi, Kenya. The ages of the children are 2 to 6 years old and their most immediate need is food, shelter, clothing and school books.

Please see the video below for a small collage of photos of the children of the Boran Children Education and Rehabilitation Centre and the Upendo Girl-Child Refuge.

Please help us make the dreams of all High Cloud children come true!


High Cloud Provides Support to Children in Colombia!

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009













The High Cloud Foundation provided school supplies, food and educational programs to children ad the community of El Limonar School in Colombia! Stay tuned for September's Newsletter to see details of this great humanitarian mission.

Support the High Cloud children by attending the International Happy Hour!

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009

















This will be a wonderful event that will help so many children and orphans who are living in extreme poverty! Click here for a downloadable version of the International Happy Hour flyer.


High Cloud Foundation in Peru!

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009













The High Cloud Foundation conducted an amazing Humanitarian Operation in Lima and Cuzco, Peru and we would like to share with you a small video of this incredible philanthropic activity that serves as testimony how High Cloud is making a tremendous difference in the lives of many children who live in extreme conditions all over the world.















Let's continue to be the change that we want to see in the world!

High Cloud Provides Humanitarian Support to Children in the Middle East!

High Clouders - Friday, May 08, 2009
The High Cloud Foundation provided humanitarian support to children and communities throughout the Middle East. Numerous workshops were conducted teaching children of such wonderful places as Bethlehem and Julis music, art, sports and a love of humanity.








The High Clouders also assisted the community of Bethlehem in creating what will become a Computer Science class room that will provide computer science courses to more than 500 people.
In the beautiful town of Julis, in Northern Israel, the High Clouders were welcomed into the Druze Community where they provided philanthopic activities to children of all ages.
Stay tuned for upcoming posts on the High Cloud Blog discussing this wonderful Humanitarian Trip in further detail.

All the best,
High Cloud Foundation

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