Pearl S. Buck International 2014–2015 Gratitude Report Through the Eyes of a Child Opening Doors to the World Board Chair/CEO Message 4 Strategic Goals 5 The Year of Pearl 6 International Programs 7 Pearl S. Buck House Museum 8 Culture and Education 9 Imagine watching the world through Romalyn’s eyes, Engaging Community 10 seeing poverty and despair at home, school, in the eyes of Leadership 11 your little brother. A world that lacks fresh food, potable Financial Statements 12 water, and opportunity for education, health care and Donor lists by category 13 nutrition. You live amongst others who are hungry and malnourished. They have neither social services nor a system that provides a safety net. Now consider that you receive help from a caring compassionate individual far away from the world in which you live. The generosity of this individual affords you the opportunity to stay in school, purchase a school uniform and supplies so you can learn alongside your peers. A letter comes to you and the Pearl S. Buck Child Sponsor Coordinator reads the note from your ‘sponsor.’ The letters come reliably and lovingly. In addition to the food, clothing and shoes, there is the hope and connection to the idea that anything’s possible. Born in the United States as the child of missionary parents, Pearl S. Buck (1892– 1973) lived the first40 years of her life in China before moving back to America. Her experiences in China enabled her to bring the mysterious world of China to life for millions of readers in The Good Earth. The novel catapulted her to fame. She became the first American woman to receive both the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes for literature and published more than 1000 works. The next 40 years of Buck’s life was spent championing Mission Pearl S. Buck International provides opportunities education and health care as vehicles to uplift children to explore and appreciate other cultures, builds better lives in the U.S. and six Asian countries. Pearl Buck for children around the globe and promotes the legacy of our envisioned a global village that included understanding founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic between the different races and Landmark home. cultures in the world. Vision The legacy of Pearl S. Buck unites nations, societies, communities, and individuals with an appreciation for cultural differences and a commitment to service. Chairman and CEO Message This year concludes with gratitude for your continued trust and support It is the duty of all, of the stellar performance of Pearl S. Buck International. When reviewing therefore, to open every the year’s highlights outlined in the report, we invite you to step back and take account of your achievements: door of approach, to raising awareness about the legacy of Pearl Buck, her home and National Historic Landmark site, offering educational and cultural programs in cultivate every source of local and overseas communities, and securing more Child Sponsors for children who desperately need your help. knowledge, to try to find We stand proud that our work has been performed efficiently and out by any means possible, effectively, documented by the critical evaluation by outside reviewers, such as our reaccreditation by Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit the ways and habits and Organizations’ (PANO) National Standards for Excellence. Perspective is often granular, dealing with details and the everyday operations to beliefs and hopes of other make sure children are connected to support systems, families and food. With a perspective of the big picture, it is rewarding to know that you peoples not their own, to have made a direct difference in the lives of 96,557 children and family members last year and millions of sponsored children’s lives since the the end that with common organization’s beginning in 1964. knowledge and in mutual As we applaud the outstanding work with children, future leaders of understanding, all peoples the world whose developmental years are critical, let’s also assess how well the objectives set out in the road map we call the strategic plan may work together for a were accomplished. Did we meet our program goals, our development and financial targets? According to our internal measure and outside good and peaceful world. evaluators, goals have been achieved and exceeded. Pearl S. Buck, It is important to pause and reflect on the past as we develop future My Several Worlds plans to continue uplifting children throughout the world, consistent with our founder’s vision. As part of this introspection, thank you for making a difference in the lives of children immersed in poverty but full of aspirations and optimism. Thank you for opening the eyes of students here and abroad so they have opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, and thank you for your generosity. With gratitude, Janet L. Mintzer David R. Breidinger President & CEO Chairman of the Board Roadmap for Tomorrow: 2014–2020 Strategic Goals Goal 1 Serve children and families who would otherwise be denied education, basic nutrition, healthcare. Goal 2 Offer opportunities for international exchange, cultural Thanks to you 100% of awareness, diversity appreciation to equip people with the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st Century. the 2014–2015 strategic objectives have been Goal 3 Increase public awareness of Pearl S. Buck and her relevance today in building bridges to other cultures. achieved. Goal 4 Inspire people who visit Pearl S. Buck House by her story, so that they embrace and engage in her continuing legacy. Goal 5 Build a vibrant development program to support financial growth, diversity and success. You achieve results. The Year of Pearl in Review 2014-2015 was a year that the story of Pearl S. Buck was illuminated: A feature film about the life of Pearl Buck, starring Juliette Binoche was announced to begin production in 2016. Most of my dreams have A musical dance performance produced and directed by Daniel Ezarow, about the cross cultural life of Pearl Buck graced the stage come true, I am a happy of Lincoln Center to sold out crowds. woman and happiness A multicultural group of scholars discussed race through the lens of Pearl Buck, to a diverse and attentive audience at the African overflows into every American Museum in Philadelphilia. relationship and activity of Award-winning filmmaker Robert Child created adocumentary film entitled Pearl S. Buck: A Life, A Legacy. my life. An audience including scholars engaged in a Pearl S. Buck Pearl S. Buck Symposium in Zhenjiang, China. You illuminate Pearl. Building Better Lives for Children Around the Globe In schools and orphanages, through educational and child sponsorship programs, the lives of 75,942 children and families in China, Korea, How Does the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Garden Grow? Vietnam were transformed. 96% of sponsored children progressed Chairman of the Pearl S. to the next grade. Buck International Board of Directors David Breidinger witnessed malnutrition amongst the children in the Philippines first hand and had an idea: to rally his friends to fund a gardening project that addresses the nutritional needs of the community. They exceeded When they their home his goal and the project now supports the nutrition of 120 donated to steal their children and families through money Myrly’s belongings. back yard vegetable gardens. Retired teacher Regina sponsors gave The Finlayson (below with her the family construction Sponsored Child) was most concerned with the children’s peace of mind also provided nutrition believing that children cannot learn if they and a great a restroom are hungry. night’s sleep, because they no and sink inside the house that longer need to worry about has positively impacted the water leaks during rainy family’s health and improved seasons or thieves entering their sanitation. February 2015 Philippines Success Story You give hope. Chinese Exclusion Act exhibit March 1–July 31 Equality Triumphs over Exclusion Guided Tours 7 Days a Week Promoting the legacy of our founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic Landmark home. This year21,571 visitors toured the National Historic Landmark house to experience Pearl Buck’s intact personal collection that showcases art, history and the bridging of east and west cultures. “The grounds are beautiful, This year five exhibits were featured: the house has been kept up Pearl S. Buck Advocacy in Action: The Chinese Exclusion Act very well. It was simply a Returning to Our Korean Roots, 50th Anniversary very pleasant journey and 36th Annual Festival of Trees education about such a Vietnam Baby Airlift: A Mission of Hope superb writer.” Philippines & USA: Friend to Friend Trip Advisor 2015 You open doors. A Unique Program: Museums Connect Funded by the American Association of Museums Students from Souderton (PA) Area High School and China worked together to explore pop culture, stereotypes, and to recognize how their perceptions of one another’s cultures were formed as a result of conscious or unconscious exposure to those social forces. The students Providing opportunities to appreciate have professed a commitment other cultures. to breaking down stereotypes • Partnering with Delaware Valley University to recruit students and promised to share their from China and matching them with local families to assist with experiences with others their integration into American culture and education system so that more individuals • Implemented first service-oriented cultural tour to the Philippines will become open minded • 917 local students participated in educational programs to building relationships • Held the inaugural Cross Cultural Conversation examining the and lifelong friendships topic of race through the lens of Pearl S. Buck with people from other • 60th Annual International Picnic held in celebration of Adoptive Families nationalities. • 3,025 community members participated in one or more of 86 public programs offered You teach appreciation.