Aura's House

Aura's House provides funding for small-scale projects for children around the world, involving the provision of schooling, housing, clean water, and household items. The organization was originally created in February 2003 to raise $4,500 to build a safe, sturdy brick home for Aura Hernandez and her family in Guatemala. Since then, they have helped needy families throughout the world. Aura's House added a new feature in January 2006, the Small Projects section. This feature provides individuals an opportunity to raise up to $500 for each project. These projects acquire furniture or supplies for a sponsored children's family. Its motto is: "Small Projects: a World of Difference."

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Projects

*Nairobi Kenya's Waddington High School Project Begins! Launched 9/6/06. The children at the Waddington High School will be provided desks, books, and lab equipment for Form 3 in the newly built high school provided by Galilee and Kenya Kids in Need. Without these items, students cannot continue their studies. Over 1,100 would benefit from this project that will help lift them out of poverty.

*Philippines classroom project, Manila, the Philippines. Aura's House's latest project was launched on January 9 2006; this project raised funds to build a new classroom for the Sto. Nino School in Manila. Children International selected the school because of its teacher to student ratio (1 to 57) and lack of adequate classroom space (some classes are held outdoors and must be cancelled when it rains). On July 7, 2006, the site reached its goal will also provide the school with desks and supplies. Project Completed!

*Water well for Khordanahala village, India. This project was launched in September 2005, and sought to build a tube well for Rituparna Mandal and her village. Children International once again chose the village based on need, though Aura's House volunteers had asked that this project help sponsored children in India. Khordanahala village was chosen because its one tube well often did not function, forcing families to fetch water from a contaminated river nearby. In three months, Aura's House raised the funds needed for the new well, completing the project at the end of 2005. The well's construction was completed in February 2006.

*Hosie's School, Zambia. Also in September 2005, the site began raising money to help Children International sponsored children in Zambia attend school. The initial project sought to raise funds per child to buy a uniform and supplies; however, due to Zambia's weak education infrastructure, the money raised instead paid tuition (plus uniform and supplies) for twenty children to attend private schools. The project was put on hold on December 22 2005.

*House for Rojas family in Honduras. Aura's House's second project officially launched on March 28 2005. This project aimed to raise funds for a house to aid Maria Rosa Simion Rojas and her family of 10 who live in San Pedro Sula. Children International chose the family based on need. By August 2005, Aura's House had raised the money for the house plus an additional furniture and supplies. The construction of the home was completed in November 2005.

*House for Hernandez family in Guatemala. Although it was developed in February 2003, the site officially launched its first project on June 30 2004. The original project sought to build a sturdy brick house for Aura Yesenia Solis Hernandez of Guatemala City. The site built a following and gained sponsors via word of mouth advertising and Internet-based promotions utilizing sites like Craigslist. In six months the site raised the money needed for the house, as well as furniture and the remaining helped supply Aura's elementary school with desks. The family moved into their new home in June 2005.

Small projects

*Small Project #10: Jessica's Project launched October 20, 2006. Emily (6) of Guatemala and Juan Carlos (9) of Mexico and their families will live an improved life through this project's items such as blocks, cement, and iron for home replairs as well as food and household items. You can view pictures of Emily and Juan Carlos at this project.

*Small Project #9: Jessica's Project launched September 17, 2006. Jesica’s family living in Caloocan City, Philippines, will receive supplies for home and school that will improve their quality of life. You can view pictures of Jesica and her family. Please note, this project is complete.

*Small Project #8: Marie’s Project launched August 10, 2006. Marie’s family received piglets as an income-generating project. You can view pictures of Marie Cris and her family. Please note, this project is complete.

*Small Project #7: Innocent's launched August 4, 2006. Innocent (8) and his famiy in Zambia received the gift of beds, mattresses, and furniture and an income generating project for his mother. You can view pictures of Innocent and his family here. Please note, this project is complete.

*Small Project #6: Albert and Ashido Project launched July 16, 2006. Dipika Mandal (11) and her famiy in India received the gift of badly needed repairs on their house, furniture, food rations, and supplies. View some photos and a letter from Dipika Please note, this project is complete.

*Small Project #5: Albert and Ashido Project launched May 10, 2006. Albert Didi (4), Ashido Markdady (3), and their families in Lusaka, Zambia were provided badly needed beds, food rations, and supplies. View photos of Albert and Ashido and their families. Please note, this project is complete.

*Small Project #4: Kenci Furniture Project launched March 26, 2006. Kenci Julissa Alvarado Mendez (6) and her family in Honduras were provided badly needed beds, food rations, vitamins and supplies. Please note, this project is complete.

*Small Project #3: Cindy Furniture Project launched March 2, 2006. Cindy Villamor (12) and her family of nine from Legaspi City, Philippines live in a small, one-room shack. The family owned no beds and had to sleep together on their concrete floor. Aura's House provided Cindy and her family beds and other furnishings and supplies. See more photos of Cindy's home. Please note, this project is complete.

*Small Project #2: Luis Furniture Project launched Jan. 16, 2006. Project Complete on 3/1/06. Luis and his family of Guatemala City, Guatemala have now received the gift of badly needed beds, supplies, and repairs to their meager home. See more photos of their home. See photos of the family with their new beds and supplies. Please note, this project is complete.
*Small Project #1: Levy's Furniture Project launched Dec. 16, 2005. Levy and her family in Manila, the Philippines were in need of beds, supplies, and furniture for their new home. Please note, this project is complete.

Affiliation

Aura's House is affiliated with Children International, a Kansas City, Missouri-based non-profit organizartion which pairs individual sponsors with children living in poverty. Officials from Children International oversee the implementation of all projects once the money is raised, as well as choose recipients for certain projects (as noted above). In addition Aura's House has begin a new affiliation with Galilee School/Kenya Kids in Need.

External links

* [http://www.aurashouse.com Aura's House]
* [http://www.children.org Children International]
* [http://www.galileeschool.org/ Galilee School/Kenya Kids in Need]