Dear Aura's House Friends and Supporters,

When the headlines in your newspaper offer nothing but bad news, it's nice to know that there are still some good things going on in the world. Cases in point:

Guatemala Bed Project Over Half Complete
That's right. So far we've raised $2,397 as of October 6, 2008. That means that 22 out of the 40 families we're aiming to help will receive beds, mattresses, and bedding. Children once vulnerable to illness and injury due to sleeping on a cold, dirt floor will soon have a soft place to lay their heads at night. Well rested children are children who do better in school. Educated children grow up to become adults able to lift themselves out of poverty. There's only one catch. The beds can't be ordered until we raise the full $4200 goal and help all 40 families on Children International's list of most needy families served by their Guatemala City agency. We hope to finish this project before the holidays.

Daniela (Small Project #19) Receives Gifts
Our goal was to give Daniela Feliz Cuevas and her family of The Dominican Republic the following gifts: a refrigerator, a chest of drawers, an atlas, and a dictionary. We raised $575. See below or visit Small Project #19 to see the photos of what she received.

Small Project #20 Launches
Our goal is to give Lesly Viviana Culajay Larios (7) and her family of Guatemala City, Guatemala the following gifts: a bunk bed for Lesly and her siblings, a bed for Lesly's mother, a wardrobe closet, a small table top stove, and bed linens. We aim to raise $500. All donations are 100% US Tax Deductible. Learn more about Small Project #20.

Welcome to Our New Partner
Hooray for Heather LaBonte, our newest partner and Head of Promotions at Aura's House. Heather is an American living in Bristol, England. She's done such an amazing job of spreading the word about Aura's House, we decided to ask her to become one of the partners who run the site. Read more about Heather below and see a pic of all five of us. We're a good looking group. :-)

OK. Now Take a Break and Watch This Video
Communication students from The American University of Rome created the video below. It's a Top 5 Finalist in the UN's Hungerbytes competition. The connection to Aura's House? Their professor is the founder of this website. The video aims to help spread awareness about world hunger and ultimately help needy families in developing countries. The makers of the video that gets the most views by World Hunger Day (October 16, 2008) will be sent to film a WFP Feeding Center, Please watch. Better yet, pass it on or post it to your blog!

Speaking of blogs, ours is back open again. Check out Aura's Blog here.

We hope you enjoy our latest newsletter. Thanks as always for your help and support. Please consider making a small donation to one of our worthy projects. It's nice to know that even when economic times are tough, even as little at $1 will help those less fortunate than us.

Best Wishes and Happy Autumn,
Kristen, Anastasia, Mike, Christina, Heather, and the Aura's House Team