Before the age of 3 years old, 80% of a child's brain development occurs.

This is the critical time when the child learns to bond ... to love and be loved.

In Asia alone there are 10.5 million orphaned children age 5 or younger UNICEF

In these same communities, young women struggle to provide for their children,

because they have minimal access to education and employment.

These women often feel they have little power to change their circumstances.

There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. Kofi Annan, Secretary General to the UN

India, 2006 Hands to Hearts International is designed to work in developing countries.

Training and then employing women who don't otherwise have jobs or any sort of educational opportunities

to fill the gaps in care for babies laying untouched and unloved in orphanages.

The program is designed to give communities tools to heal themselves.

They have the resources that are untapped in their community of women who don't have jobs

or employment who are perfectly capable, willing and very interested in serving these children.

These women were trained in 4 short days

on the importance of child attachment, the importance of child development,

with social skills, language, cognitive and physical development.

And they soaked it up, and applied it, and applied everything we taught them.

And these were women, some of whom, couldn't read or write

and clearly understood what was being discussed, expanded on it,

and made a difference for these babies using it on a day to day basis.

At the graduation ceremony, these women received their diplomas

from a highly established figure in the department of social welfare

who stood with each of them, praised them on their accomplishments and achievements,

and encouraged them in what they were going to do.

Helping poor women around the world is one of the best ways to end poverty and bring hope for the future.

Women's Edge Coalition

Dr. Vonda Jump Utah State University

It's been wonderful to bring what I know to what you know and to have a meeting of the minds.

You have one of the hardest jobs that's out there because you're the only person that's going to love these babies.

Everybody else has forgotten them.

It's evident when you look at this, to see the women glowing with pride,

the children giggling, smiling, making eye contact and just feeling loved and cared for.

Laura Peterson Founder, Hands to Hearts International

The difference this will make is immeasurable.