Lori Baxter

From the Heart Change is in the air! In my hometown, the leaves are changing colors and falling. The night air is crisp and cool and suddenly hearty meals sound appealing. This prompted me to think a little more about change. You see, the Philip Hayden Foundation has been undergoing change for the past three […]

From the Heart Decades ago, Tim and Pam Baker moved to China to teach English. They were later joined by their good friend Philip Hayden. While living in China, they became aware of the plight of vulnerable children, which touched their hearts. This became much more hands-on with the adoption of the Baker’s daughter, Esther. […]

Philip Hayden Foundation is stepping up to encourage children living in extreme poverty to attend school. We are partnering with a local charity in Mérida – Red de Ciudadanos de Mérida – to provide school supplies to needy children.

From the Heart Are you part of a community? Every community has a purpose, like a source of social connection or a sense of belonging. Sociologists tell us that, as humans, we need that sense of belonging to thrive. Most of us are members of more than one community, and if you read this newsletter, […]

From the Heart Twenty years ago, we saw the very first photo of our fourth daughter. While our other daughters are also adopted, this was our first adoption from China and the first one we had chosen to adopt a child with correctible special needs. Her photo had been taken nearly a year before, and […]

Cleft lip and cleft palate are lip and mouth malformations that occur very early in pregnancy, typically before ten weeks. Clefting, or separation between the two sides, happens when the tissue that is available does not join properly. The split can be in the lip, the palate (the roof of the mouth), or both; it […]

Free Health Fairs in Yucatán, Mexico What would it be like not having access to medical care? Unfortunately, it’s a reality for many families living in extreme poverty near Mérida on the Yucatán Peninsula. Our partner, Red de Ciudadanos de Mérida, a local charity, addresses this concern. A health fair with free access to medical […]

Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and it has been celebrated for over 2000 years. This double five day is considered to be a lucky day. Dragon Boat Festival is one of the four top traditional Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn […]

A devastating fire broke out on Saturday, May 13, destroying three shanty homes near Mérida on the Yucatán Peninsula. All three families lost all their physical possessions, but the third family had an even more significant loss – the loss of a husband and father. Your donations can help this family. Two young boys, Didier […]

How many people do you know with asthma? As you may know, asthma affects the airways in the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. For some people, asthma is just an inconvenience. But for others, it can interfere with daily activities and lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. May is asthma awareness month, so let’s consider how […]

From the Heart How many people do you know with asthma? As you may know, asthma affects the airways in the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. For some people, asthma is just an inconvenience. But for others, it can interfere with daily activities and lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. May is Asthma Awareness Month, so […]

From the Heart Have you ever planned a BIG family vacation or experience? Did you read about your destination or ask friends for recommendations? Travelers often plan their sightseeing or activities based on personal interests and values, perhaps museums, waterfront activities, or local restaurants. For example, when we traveled to China to adopt our daughter, […]

PHF provides access to medical care to vulnerable children in Mexico. Many families in poverty lack the safety nets we have in the US.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities are defined as impairments in physical, learning, language or behavior areas. Some disabilities are visible at birth, but others are diagnosed when a child’s development is slower than normal in a single area, like language development, or in many areas. Some developmental disabilities are related […]

Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that impacts a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. PHF continues to provide care for kids with CP in China.

Andrés lives near Mérida with his mama and grandmama. Andrés has ADHD and autism, and his hearing loss made connecting with his community even more challenging. PHF partnered with Red de Ciudadanos de Mérida to provide hearing aids for Andrés.

Look at these big smiles! The delivery of free milk to children and their families looks like hope to children and families in poverty. Every liter of milk is shared with a human connection, a promise that they are not alone. Philip Hayden Foundation partners with Red de Ciudadanos de Mérida to distribute more than […]

Dr. Fajardo, the only specialist in Mexico trained to complete the necessary complex surgery, evaluated Matías. Timing for this life-saving reconstructive surgery is crucial. Matías is ready for the surgery and passed his initial physical evaluation. Our partners, Red de Ciudadanos de Mérida, worked tirelessly in the past few months to arrange the surgery and […]

Fátima passed away in February 2023. Your donations to the PHF medical fund will help her younger sister, Rosalía. The hearing aids will now help André. This sweet girl is Fátima Natalia, who is 14 years old. Doctors discovered a large, malignant tumor in her brain two years ago. Fátima had been in high school, […]

From the Heart Are you “in the middle?” Unfortunately, many of the children and families we help are. “The middle is fog, exhaustion, loneliness, the daily battle against despair, and the nagging fear that tomorrow will be just like today, only you will be wearier and less able to defend yourself against it,” writes Shauna […]

From the Heart As we close out 2022, stories of heartbreak and hope fill my thoughts. Because of local civil affairs restrictions, Shepherd’s Field Children’s Village remains closed. I miss the ring of children’s laughter, the chatter of the nannies as they gather meals for their houses, and the parade of children making their way […]

From the Heart As 2022 comes to a close, we are thankful for you and the impact you have made in the lives of children. Your donations to Philip Hayden Foundation have transformed lives in China and Mexico, with success in providing humanitarian aid, medical and therapy care, education, and vocational training. You can read […]

This holiday season offers an opportunity to bless others, and to share hope. Philip Hayden Foundation has designated several projects in Mexico and China that will impact children and strengthen families. You can choose a project to support! You can also designate your gift to be used in one of our four program areas – […]