March 2012 - Ten more families in Vietnam have new homes thanks to the efforts of Mr. John Donovan. Mr. Donovan raised $10,000 USD and, along with matching funds from the Vietnamese government, 10 Loving Houses were built in February in Tien Giang Province. All the families received their homes on March 3rd and 4th. We would like to congratulate Mr. Donovan for his initiative and achievement! LHP was happy to provide Administrative support for this building project.

LHP Director Joe Hursey was able to visit four of the families who received Loving Houses in previous years and is proud to report that the families are doing fine and the homes are very well kept!

January 2012 - The work at El Hogar San Francisco de Asis has been completed. LHP funded a remodeling of their kitchen and one bathroom and painted the entire building. Additional funds raised were donated to help with the construction of an elevator for the home. This elevator will make the lives of many of the children with mobility problems safer and much easier. It was an honor for us to work with Dr. Anthony Lazzara and his staff. We hope that in the future we will be able to work at El Hogar again. For more information about El Hogar, visit: www.villalapazfoundation.org

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who offered financial and moral support for this project!

November 11, 2011 - Joe and I spent the last two days getting to know the 57 children of Villa La Paz or, El Hogar de San Francisco de Asis, and the amazing staff and volunteers. Although it can seem a little chaotic at times, everything is very well organized considering the many different illnesses and disabilities of the children. They are always happy and ready to help each other and do their chores.

The new tile and counters in the kitchen are almost half way done. We are hoping to start painting the building on Monday. Photos coming soon!

We are very happy to announce that Loving House Project has met its fundraising goals, thanks to the support from our family, dear friends and the Chesterton Lions Club and Duneland Resale. We would also like to thank a local business woman, who wishes to remain anonimous, for her major continuous support of LHP. We leave on November 9th to Chaclacayo - Peru, to work on the projects. Our special thanks to our granddaughter Alyssa Main for her giving heart. For two years in a row, in lieu of presents for her birthday, she asked her friends to make donations to LHP! We are so proud of you Lyssa Lou!

“Great compassion is the root of altruistic action. It really is a source of wonder. There is no greater source of help and happiness“. (Dalai Lama)

Loving House Project has commited to helping Villa La Paz Foundation in Lima, Peru. Dr. Anthony Lazzara and his staff are doing amazing work for the Lost Children of Peru. LHP needs to raise $5,000 USD to fund painting the entire building and replacing the old countertops in the kitchen. Please visit their website for more information about who they are and how they work, at: http://www.villalapazfoundation.org

We thank you for your continuous support! More information coming soon!

Loving House Project regrets to inform that our plans for the project at Casa Criança Feliz in Dourados, Brazil, has been put on hold due to labor scheduling conflict. We are currently researching another project.

After 3 years working in Vietnam, helping 2 Orphanages and building 16 Loving Houses, we are moving on to help the poor and disadvantaged in Brazil. Each year LHP will identify honest and needy institutions and work to make a difference in those people’s lives.

This year, LHP will help “Casa Criança Feliz” in Dourados – Mato Grosso do Sul. The Casa Criança Feliz, a non-for-profit organization since 1996, is a daycare that attends an average of 180 children per day. These children, from 6 to 16 years old, come from very poor families in the community. Most families are of single parents who would not be able to work if their children didn’t have a place to stay, or they would end up on the streets. But at Casa Criança Feliz they receive 2 balanced meals per day, assistance with their homework and health /dental care. They all come to Casa Criança Feliz in the morning and have breakfast together. After that, they take turns going to school, some go in the morning and the others in the afternoon. Lunch is prepared and served with the help of Mr. Claudio, the cook, and many volunteers.

While at Casa Criança Feliz, they practice sports and attend professional training such as computer classes, music, gardening, cooking, arts and sewing. The institution also works with the parents providing educational workshops and visits from a social worker to the families in their community. While the children are cared for and fed at Casa Criança Feliz, the mothers can work and help increase the families’  income.

The Casa Criança Feliz seeks to improve these children’s self-steem and prepare them to enter the job market with a positive and responsible atitude. Although they work in partnership with the local government, most of their funds come from spontaneuous donations.

But this year they have a challenge. In order to keep their permit and continue to help these children, the local Health Department requires that the wood walls of the dining facility be replaced with cement and tile construction.

Loving House Project goal in 2011 is to raise $5,000 USD to remodel their dining area.

We count on your support to help Casa Criança Feliz continue to improve the lives of these children.

We are very happy to announce that the three Loving House recipient families for 2010 are now enjoying their new homes. We would like to thank all of you who made this possible, especially our granddaughter Alyssa Main.

Alyssa, who turned 11 in June, decided to have a fundraiser party and asked her friends to make donations to LHP in lieu of presents. Our little Alyssa proved that one is never too young to have a giving heart. Papa and Vovo could not be any more proud of her. Thank you Alyssa!

For more information and photos of the Loving Houses, click on the link: “Loving Houses” and select the family on the “Projects” drop down menu.

On Sunday, October 17th, Joe and our dear friend Mrs. Thuy visited the Hoa Hung Orphanage. There are only 9 children now since Viet, Thu and Tien went back to live with their families, helping with their work.

The children of Hoa Hung were thrilled to see Joe. Mrs. Thuy visits them every Sunday an cooks a wonderful meal, providing an extra dose of protein. We are very happy to see that they are all happy and healthy!

LHP would like to inform our friends and supporters that the construction project at the Suan Luang Ethnic High School and Orphanage will not be completed. Due to Administrative difficulties, Lao-Kids together with Loving House Project decided to abort the project. LHP donated $1,000 USD to Lao-Kids and the funds will be used to provide food and some necessary medical treatment for the children.