The Ties Shoppe! (Gifts That Change Lives)

WORLD TIES--WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

In partnership with The Ties Program, we are a  501 ( C ) ( 3 ) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in developing countries. 

Our mission is to identify humanitarian needs, providing charitable donations to orphanages and child care facilities visited by the Ties Program.  We provide a channel for Ties Program families, friends, and others to support identified projects that help people in developing countries create a better quality of life for themselves and their children. Our goal is to educate and inspire adoptees and their families about humanitarian work in developing countries.

INTRODUCING PROJECT KINDNESS

Kindness.

It is a global need and a personal need--both in the giving of kindness and in the receiving.

And it connects us all.

The many thousands of us who have traveled on a Ties Program have witnessed the needs of children throughout the world.  Project Kindness is an opportunity for each family to create a “kindness project” that benefits the children in their child’s country of birth.

We welcome new and innovative ideas, but also realize most families are “crazy busy” so to kick off this new project and make it easy for Ties families to participate, the 2008 World Ties ornament is entitled "Connect the World with Kindness."

On a porcelain circle, colorful flags from across the world, each representing a Ties country, are creatively connected in a beautiful collage, and hung on a yellow ribbon.  Our message to the world, "Connect the World with Kindness" is interwoven into the flags, sending a profound message.

This year, we encourage each family to become active in Project Kindness by ordering 10 to 20 ornaments---give them as gifts throughout the year, or use them as a “mini fund raiser" that collectively adds to the goals of Project Kindness.

Click here to order ornaments that will support Project Kindness programs in your child's country of birth. 

 
Click here to see how Project Kindness funds are being used via World Ties.

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WORLD TIES SERVICE TRIPS

Working together to create lasting solutions and lifelong ties.

Paraguay

Peru

PARAGUAY SERVICE TRIP- "UNA MANO A PARAGUAY"

Families traveling with The Ties Program often dream about the next visit to their child’s country of birth.  The thought of returning feels like “coming home” thanks to the experiences they've had and the people they've met while traveling with The Ties Program.  More often than not part of their dream includes getting involved in service work that benefits children.  To help that dream come true for Paraguayan Ties familes, Una Mana A Paraguay (Hands On Paraguay), a service and cultural immersion program was created.  To learn more about Una Mano A Paraguay, contact Bea Evans.

PERU SERVICE TRIP - "CONEXIÓNES"

The Ties Program was pleased to offer this opportunity in 2007 to past Peruvian Ties families in partnership with CrossCultural Solutions (CCS).  CrossCultural Solutions coordinates service placements in Peru as well as other places around the world.  CCS provides an infrastructure that enables participants to focus on their placements, encourages them to immerse themselves in the culture, inspires understanding, nurtures commitment, and fosters a sense of togetherness.  Please contact Bea Evans, if you are interested in a service trip to Peru with past Ties families. 

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WORLD TIES HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS: PROJECT KINDNESS IN ACTION

At World Ties, we are currently supporting humanitarian projects in several countries. To learn about our projects and how you can help, click on any of the country bookmarks below.

Projects in India

Projects in Peru

Projects in Paraguay

Projects in Guatemala

Projects in Korea

Projects in Vietnam

Projects in China

Projects in The Philippines

WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN INDIA

The possibilities for Project Kindness in India are huge!  PALNA Orphanage is home to many infants and toddlers and is run by the Delhi Council of Child Welfare.   In a wonderful article we came across, PALNA was described this way.  “It made tears well up in our eyes. These children are blessed to survive destiny's unexplained designs. And when they go as adopted children into homes, they light up eyes and lives like nothing else can. Smiles, giggles, wails, tears, shouts, hugs, kisses and a lot more to write in your personal diary.”

Always a Ties Program favorite stop--SOS Children’s Village.  This is a very significant part of India Ties, as it gives the children among us a chance to see India’s children being cared for with dignity.

Shishur Sevay Orphanage, where many of the former IMH Massie’s work.   Prior to the closing of IMH-Calcutta, we provided World Ties funds at IMH as well.

Sabera Foundation.  Among other things, Sabera provides the necessary infrastructure to provide future opportunities to the most vulnerable street girls of India.  The girls are given a home to live in, formal education, computer training, medical care, nutrition, and opportunities for sports, music and dance.

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WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN PERU 

In Peru, World Ties has an ongoing commitment to helping Instituto Chavez de la Rosa, an orphanage in Arequipa.  Donations  have provided a series of Hepatitis B shots for 60 children, purchased other needed medicine, and resulted in improved living conditions at the orphanage.  For a number of years, a February (mid-summer in Peru) trip to the beach was possible thanks to World Ties. 

World Ties also supports the SOS Children’s Village in Arequipa, a world renowned organization providing family like communities where children in need of a family can grow up.

 But without a doubt, the most moving orphanage that Peruvian Ties families visit is Hogar Mercedes de Jesus Molina, located in a very poor area about 30 minutes from Cusco.  Over the years, World Ties has donated money to meet both long and short term needs of the children that live here.  For example, in 2005 a delegation of Ties families went to the market to purchase each child a pair of sturdy shoes and then housewares including an industrial size set of pots and industrial size spoons and ladles to go with as well as a plate, cup, bowl, and silverware for each child.  Additional funds were used to buy huge bags of rice, flour, sugar, powdered milk and other staples which would stock the kitchen for six months as well as some special treats.  Money has also been spent on wood to heat the orphanage and books. Over the years, several Ties families have opted to sponsor children from The Hogar providing for their daily care and educational needs.

As you can tell, this orphanage needs a great deal and just a little goes a long way. Sadly, many orphanages around the world do not receive government help and this is true in the case of Cusco. A donation of $50, $100 or more will be used to buy food, fuel, clothes and comfort for the children who ask for nothing.

“The world as we thought we knew it stopped for our kids. For our adults.  No child should have to live like this.  No adult should have to work and pray so hard each day, and then be able to only provide this environment to children.”  - Becca Piper, Ties Founder

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WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN PARAGUAY

Located in the village of 21 de Julio, over 300 children attend school at Defensores de Chaco.  Spread over morning and afternoon sessions, students often walk a great distance to come to school.  An area rich in clay, the fathers of many of the children are brick makers, while the mothers create artful household items from clay.  Books, an audio sound system, dental hygiene supplies, school supplies, and building materials for a bathroom and kitchen are just some of the items purchased through World Ties for students at this school.

Looking ahead, World Ties is excited about exploring the needs of women and children with Gladys de Escobar, a social worker in Paraguay who has assisted families for a number of years.  With support received from World Ties, Gladys has facilitated the purchase of Christmas gifts and playground equipment for children attending an Asuncion guarderia (a daycare center).  Recently, Gladys currently works with women and children in the public hospital in Lambare, a city adjacent to Asuncion.  Through her, several projects benefiting women and children are being identified for World Ties to support in 2009.

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WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN GUATEMALA

Hurricane Stan devastates Guatemala and Lake Atitlan region

 Guatemalan Ties visits several regions of the country, including the Lake Atitlan region which was devastated by Hurricane Stan in 2005.   Following this disaster, our Guatemalan guide, Sergio, informed us that hundreds of children were left without schools, forcing them into the streets, depressed, scared and unstructured. As a way to help, Sergio organized a musical outlet for children. Sergio writes "When a natural disaster strikes, children are often left to cope with the mental burden of not knowing what will happen next." 

World Ties families reach out to children of the Lake Atitlan region

Thanks to the generous contributions received, World Ties assisted Sergio with the purchase of instruments to be used with children in the Lake Atitlan region.  Sergio wrote the following note from Panajachel, Guatemala on December 21, 2005:

"To all lovely people involved in the Guatemalan Ties Program:  Gracias, maltiosh, maltiosh, gracias!  All what you have sent has been very well used.  All your greatest feelings have been very well felt by these guys...All your demonstrations of love are unforgettable...THANKS AGAIN!!!!  Caninosamente, Sergio"

Other ways to help in Guatemala

World Ties is pleased to support the efforts of Common Hope, Maya Medical Relief, The Open Windows Foundation and Semillas de Amor Children’s Village.

The Open Window’s Foundation is located in the village of San Miguel Duenas near Antigua. The Foundation is a non-profit organization, dedicated to improving the literacy rate in the community by providing open access to their library, computer center, and school (materials) loan program. In just a few years, over 500 children have used their programs to improve their education, job opportunities, and life skills. Funded completely by donations from generous people all over the world the Foundation offers their services free of charge to the people in the community. They also enlist the help of local and international volunteers who assist with the services provided.

Semillas de Amor's mission is to provide a loving and safe place for children to grow up.  A relatively young organization, World Ties is committed to supporting Semillas de Amor's goal of building a children's village.  The mission of the Semillas de Amor Children’s Village is to provide care, high-level education, and solid futures for Guatemala’s at-risk children. In addition to consisting of a home for children who are unable to remain with their biological families, plans for the children’s village include a school, a clinic, and a daycare facility for working mothers. 

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WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN KOREA

INTRODUCING PROJECT KINDNESS--KOREA!

We all witnessed the needs of the children at Sung Ae Won Orphanage.  We joined hearts with the young mothers at Esther’s House.  Holt families learned about the needs of children in North Korea, and the new, much needed homes being created for young mothers who are finally being given a chance to parent their children.  Families with children from Eastern, SWS, Holt and KSS saw kids receiving quality care.  Such good care needs continual funding to stay good. 

With your help…..

Project Kindness-Korea can fill these needs!

Inspired by 16 year old Ana Dodson (see People Magazine’s Heroes Among Us article in attached pdf), Project Kindness was born from the idea that each of us has the capacity to do extraordinary things.  Ana was 11 years old when she traveled with Peruvian Ties, a catalyst for all the wonderful things she has done in a few short years. 
 
Be part of Project Kindness-Korea!

Be a “Project Kindness” Hero!!!

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WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN VIETNAM

Tam Binh Orphanage in Saigon is a special place for us.  Many of the Ties kids lived there as infants or toddlers.  Currently, Tam Binh Orphanage is home to about 350 individuals, ranging in age from infants to adults, many with special needs.  We are honored to help with expenses at Tam Binh as often as possible. 

Project Kindness-Vietnam will make that more possible.  There are many other orphanages World Ties has been able to help over the years, but not to the extent that we would like.  Among those are Hoa Binh Social Protection Agency, Sister Hai's Children, Soc Trang Orphanage, Tu Liem, Can Tho Orphanage, Kien Giang Orphanage, and Thai Binh Social Protection Center.

Vietnam Ties families also spend time with the families at SOS Children's Villages, and every year we are able to give at least one significant item for communal use among the families. 

As part of a humanitarian project in the Mekong Delta, we annually donate sampans to local farmers.  Sampans are the number one form of transportation in the Delta, like owning a car in the United States.  By donating a sampan, we are able to provide a farmer with the means to do business that can support his family. 

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WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN CHINA

Nearly every China Ties family visits at their child’s Social Welfare Institute in China.  As often as possible, we send World Ties funds with the families to be supportive of the orphanages and caregivers that loved your children.  Return visits are healing and  bittersweet.  We are thankful for what we have been able to do, but would like to do SO MUCH MORE in China. 

WORLD TIES PROJECTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

House of Refuge is home to 50 children.  Located in a residential neighborhood in the city of Marikina (metro Manilla), two adjoining town houses make up the facility. In September 2008, Bea Evans, co-director of The Ties Program, had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with the children and staff of the House of Refuge.  Glady Bunao, the directress of the facility, strongly supports Filipino Ties and has offered to assist Ties families in any way she can, including hosting the group for lunch while we are in the Philippines.

In the morning hours of November 21, 2008, a fire broke out at The House of Refuge in the living area for 21 boys and staff.    An overheated electrical fan is to blame for the destruction of clothing, toys, bedding, personal belongings and much more. Thankfully, no one was injured.  Temporarily, the boys have shelter in the remaining areas of the building, but a long-term solution will be needed because of the space constraints.  At this time World Ties is collecting financial contributions to send to House of Refuge to help aide with short- and long-term needs.  Your contribution will be greatly appreciated!

 For more information or to specify your donation to a certain project please email The Ties Program.

  Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child! 

World Ties is a non-profit, 501 (C ) ( 3 ) organization

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 WELCOME TO THE TIES SHOPPE!

Gifts purchased at The Ties Shoppe make a difference in the life of a child.  All proceeds are donated to orphanages, maternity homes and humanitarian organizations as Ties families travel. 

Each item comes beautifully boxed with a note saying,

"World Ties is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded for the purpose of raising funds to be used as donations to orphanages, maternity homes and child welfare agencies around the world. Please know that a child somewhere in the world is receiving a more nutritious meal, is getting better health care or sleeping in a warmer bed at night because you chose to share in this project and its expression of hope and love."       Thank you.

World Ties Ornament!!!!

The World Ties ornament is called  “Connect the World with Kindness.”

Colorful flags from across the world,             
each representing a Ties country, 
creatively connected
in a beautiful collage
that reminds us all that what connects us is…kindness.

Each ornament comes on a 2 ¾ inch porcelain round with a yellow ribbon for hanging, and is packaged in a beautiful box for safekeeping in the years to come. 

 $15.00

Note:  This unique ornament is being specially prepared for The Ties Program.  Orders will be shipped by December 10, 2008. Thank you for your patience.

Ties Programs fill quickly. While on the website, we invite you to pre-register for the Ties Program you wish to travel with by visiting your country page of choice and opening the PRE-REGISTRATION PAGE. 

2007, 2006, 2005 Series Ornaments

These lovely hand painted, custom made ornaments,  have year round meaning, particularly for the children who benefit from your purchase!

 2007 message: 

"Celebrate our Children of the World."

$12.00  (THREE left in stock)