September gave Pearl S. Buck International two great
opportunities to bring the world a little closer.
As many people know, Pearl S. Buck grew up in
multiple worlds, living the first 40 years of her life in China, and the second
40 years of her life in Bucks County, PA, so much so that she titled her
autobiography,
My Several Worlds. Many
remember her as the bridge to the East and the West, and Pearl S. Buck
International continues that legacy today by building a global community
through international adoption, child sponsorship, multicultural programming
and the preservation of the Pearl S. Buck House.
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| Pearl S. Buck International building bridges for a global community |
Last month, Pearl S. Buck International hosted a Global
Conference on the grounds of the national historic landmark Pearl S. Buck House.
The week-long conference is held every other year for the executive directors,
staff and board members of our overseas affiliates and partners in China, South
Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, The Philippines, and Vietnam to foster the exchange of
ideas, best practices and thought leadership. This was a particularly exciting
year, because it was the first year the Global Conference was held in the
United States.
In the end, while much information and educational material
was imparted, the best outcome of the conference was the blending of cultures and
mutual appreciation for the work accomplished to continue the legacy of Pearl
S. Buck both in the East and West.
While our overseas affiliates see firsthand how sponsored
children benefit from the programs in their countries, their attendance at a Living
the Legacy fundraising breakfast on September 20th enabled them to experience
the mission and legacy on a whole new level.
As guests at the breakfast, they listened to compelling
stories from adults, once sponsored children, who gave testament to the power
of a $25 monthly donation from Sponsors. Their stories were not only about the individual
lives that changed as a result of a Sponsor caring enough to help them receive
an education, they told about the life they are leading now as parents,
physicians, Army Staff Sergeants, executives and other business
professions.
Many lives and many spirits convene each day on the grounds
of the home that Pearl S. Buck lived in for 40 years, but it was never more
apparent than through this unity of spirit during one incredible week where
cultures merged.
Pearl S. Buck reflected
on the same sentiment in her autobiography when she said, “Our contribution to
the solutions to the world’s problems will come only from the working of the
American spirit.” The American spirit was abounding as our affiliates from
abroad met with many Sponsors who attended the breakfast. Everyone left the
breakfast and our country knowing that child Sponsors continue to be part of
the solution in changing lives. Visit
www.pearlsbuck.org/sponsor to meet
the children who hope for an opportunity to receive an education through the
generosity of the spirit of a Child Sponsor.
Pam Carroll
Marketing Director
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