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ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ

December 2024 Minesweeper: stories of transformation and hope


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In brief

ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ's mission takes us to communities around the world, where we see firsthand the powerful impact of your support. In this edition, we highlight the resilience of disabled communities in Cambodia, innovative partnerships for mine clearance in Kosovo, the continued legacy of Princess Diana's humanitarian efforts in Angola, and our latest Impact Report showcasing ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ's achievements. Read on to learn how your contributions are making a difference.

Welcome to the first ever Holiday edition of The Minesweeper! I’m excited to share some recent stories and achievements that have really inspired me - and I think they’ll inspire you, too.

Lately, it can be easy to feel weighed down by the negativity we see in the news and online. But as we wrap up 2024, I can’t help but feel incredibly encouraged by the strength of the ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ community and the powerful difference we are making together. THANK YOU for being a part of this!

I hope you’ll take a moment to read on and see for yourself the real difference you are making for families and communities.

Wishing you a very Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Lisa Balestrieri

The Mesones School: cleared and restored

After more than a decade, a school in Mesones, Colombia has re-opened after ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ deminers worked painstakingly for years to clear the surrounding area from landmines. This incredible achievement is a powerful example of the transformative difference the ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ Family continues to make.

and check out the super cute photo gallery of the students and teachers giving the school a fresh coat of paint and creating this mural.

Jebrail: a safe new town for Afghanistan

Ten years ago, the town of Jebrail, Afghanistan, was a desolate and dangerous place. Today it is unrecognizable. The streets are lined with trees. Schools and health clinics serve a vibrant community of 80,000 people. and see how your generosity helps communities not only to survive- but thrive.

Celebrating your Giving Tuesday impact

Your generous support on #GivingTuesday helped us raise nearly $25,000 for communities plagued by landmines. Every dollar you donated during #ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµGivingWeek not only will protect the men, women, and children who have to worry about stepping on a landmine, but has been matched 100% by a ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ Ambassador.

Watch your personal thank you video from ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ CEO James Cowan.

There is still time this year to support ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµâ€™s end of year giving campaign, Clearing the Path for Transformation. Read the stories of transformation, and before December 31.

Note: Many people choose to give from assets like stocks, gifts from their IRA, cryptocurrency, and from their Donor-Advised Funds to see even larger tax savings. For more info, contact lisa.balestrieri@halousa.org.

ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ El Salvador's mangrove workshop: inspiring young minds

ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ El Salvador held a small workshop with children from Sisiguayo School, located in the heart of the Xiriualtique reserve. The workshop taught the children about ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµâ€™s mangrove restoration projects, emphasizing the vital role mangroves play in protecting ecosystems. The children learned about how important it is to take care of the natural world around them, got to meet with the ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ El Salvador team, and made some incredible drawings at the same time!

Rebuilding hope in Jeeza Navy

ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ teams in Libya have been working tirelessly to clear Jeeza Navy of explosive ordnance since 2019. So far, they have safely removed 759 explosive items, including hand grenades, mortars, and projectiles. Families like Salha’s are still hopeful they can one day return home. And ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµ is working hard to make that a reality.

This year, Kosovo celebrated the 25th anniversary of the end of the devastating Kosovo War. ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµâ€™s clearance in Kosovo has made such a difference for families still living with unexploded ordnance decades after the end of the fighting. – well-known for their precision and ruggedness, have been an instrumental part of ÇÑ×ÓÊÓÆµâ€™s work in Kosovo, and we are grateful for their partnership.

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