Letter from the Director

SAWSO 2009

Dear Friends,

ACEH INDONESIA

2009 was a remarkable year for SAWSO. We have been working in Aceh, Indonesia since 2006 re-building over 500 houses in a completely brand new community. I wish you could have seen the faces of the families when they were given the keys to their new homes, along with two new trees to plant and 10 pounds of rice. They had been living in old wooden barracks with communal bathrooms and now have their own homes (with their own bathrooms). Why, because you cared to support The Salvation Army World Service Office.

SRI LANKA

We have worked very hard in Sri Lanka to complete over 495 separate new homes throughout the country. We have also built 7 Community Centers and a football (soccer) field. We have provided three mobile Clinics that continue to operate that specialize in primary community health. We expanded our service to include eye exams and have found many incidents of glaucoma which we have been able to treat along with another local NGO. We had a nationwide closing celebration for over 3000 people to rejoice that in spite of many challenges in the last 2 1/2 years we were finally able to complete their homes.

AFRICA

There are so many stories that I would like to tell you about and if possible would love for you to see. I would like you to see the faces of women who are learning how to read; the look on mother's faces as the see the babies gain weight each month due to better nutrition; women who have a safe place to go when they are victims of trafficking or other gender abuse; 65,000 HIV/AIDS patients and their families improve daily because of consistent use of ART drugs in Uganda and continued AIDS education programs

Our women’s empowerment and microfinance programs have reached over 45,000 women and caregivers in Tanzania and Uganda with new skills in generating income and literacy. An additional benefit from this program has been an improvement in the health care of children and more girls going to school.

AROUND THE WORLD

We have so many partners that I would like to express my appreciation a gratitude for their support of SAWSO - United States Agency for International Development; our faithful donors, foundations and businesses that monthly provide their continuing support.

OUR PLEDGE

SAWSO will continue to explore new ideas, methods, and partnerships as we continue what has worked well in the past in reaching out to men, women and children. Please review the section entitled OUR YEAR for more detailed ways you have helped us to reach out.

Thank you,

Daniel L. Starrett, Lt. Colonel

SAWSO Executive Director