YEAR IN REVIEW
BEB AROUND THE WORLD
I mpact of the Child Welfare Community
JANUARY
Children First Software advances in Paraguay to support their adoption and foster care efforts.
FEBRUARY
Sierra Leone begins the implementation phase of Children First Software. The team is mapping and registering children’s homes across the country, reaching remote areas by motorcycle.
MARCH
Frank Garrott, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, travels to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to attend the third World Without Orphans Global Forum to build more like minded partnerships.
APRIL
BEB leadership team travels to Africa and conducts a first-ever African staff training, helping the African BEB team further the work of Children First Software in our partnering countries.
MAY
BEB team hosts Paraguay and Ecuador governments for a delegation in Plano, Texas. This meeting represents the first time in BEB history that two countries were brought together with BEB leadership to discuss Children First Software.
JUNE
Uganda BEB team hosts Zambia for a delegation to showcase the progress of Children First Software and discuss an implementation plan.
“[Because of CFS], we can now see clearly the work we’ve been doing with the children and reporting made easy.”
- Koko Bassey, Founder of David Bassey Ikpeme Foundation and Home for Children
JULY
BEB team attends International Council for Adoption Research in Minneapolis, Minnesota to hear from top researcher and scientists in the child welfare community and share the successes of Children First Software.
AUGUST
Congo Brazzaville and Nigeria start registering children’s homes in Children First Software, giving many children digital identities.
SEPTEMBER
Mark Schwartz retires as BEB’s President. Under his leadership, CFS expanded from 3 to 13 countries. Bruce Graham steps in as BEB’s 4th president.
OCTOBER
BEB team meets with Save Ukraine to discuss Children First Software and how it could assist their efforts in the rescue and reintegration of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly taken to Russian institutions.
NOVEMBER
BEB hosted the first-ever African Summit in Uganda bringing together senior government officials, IT leaders, and Country Managers from 10 different African countries. The government leaders discussed how Children First Software is helping address issues related to child trafficking.
DECEMBER
BEB Latin America team attends the Alianza Cristiana para los Húerfanos (ACH) conference to collaborate and connect with similar organizations to accomplish their common goal: help many vulnerable children find families.
14 countries and counting...
GLOBAL REACH
LATIN AMERICA
56 BEB team members deliver our mission: 41 in Latin America and Africa and 15 in the USA
CONGO
BRAZZAVILLE
COSTA RICA
ECUADOR
GUATEMALA
NIGERIA
PARAGUAY
SIERRA LEONE
THE GAMBIA
ZAMBIA
children were moved to a family through CFS in 2024.
AFRICA
ETHIOPIA
MALAWI UGANDA TANZANIA
ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE
GOOD NEWS FOR CHILDREN
Latin America & Africa
BEB Guatemala team finally visits children's homes to help implement CFS
After years of the BEB virtually implementing CFS and training users due to COVID-19, the BEB Guatemala team finally received permission to enter children's homes in 2024. The team is actively working with homes like Casa Bernabé and Casa Aleluya to make sure every child has a digital record. This initiative marks a significant step forward in securely storing each child's information and making it easily accessible, facilitating better care and support.
In October, Bruce Graham, the president of BEB, met with the director of Casa Bernabé to gain a direct understanding of how CFS is influencing the home's efforts for its children. As governments in Latin America continue to transition every three or four years, BEB leadership diplomatically forges ahead and works to establish CFS as the system of record for child welfare administrations and alliances.
“The mission of BEB is to bring children who are in institutions to a forever family; to have the nurture that only a family can give.”
- Fabiola Pineda, Latin America Regional Director
African government leaders using CFS to address their issues of child
trafficking
Child trafficking poses a significant challenge across West African countries, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. Leaders from these nations are forming a working group to explore how data generated by CFS can help identify trafficking "hot spots" and patterns of abuse.
Nigeria, the largest country in Africa, faces a daunting issue with many children living without the support of a loving family. Although Nigeria estimates that 200,000 children reside in childcare institutions, the actual number remains uncertain due to reliance on paper records.
In 2022, BEB partnered with ASOHON, a non-governmental organization managing over 600 children's homes in Nigeria. Within a year, this collaboration expanded to include the Plateau State government and is set to extend to the national government of Nigeria.
As governments and institutions begin adopting CFS and providing digital identities for children in their care, BEB partners are recognizing the potential of this data to protect the most vulnerable children.
28,000
CHILDREN ARE NO LONGER 'PAPER FILES' BUT HAVE IDENTITIES THROUGH ACTIVE PROFILES IN CFS
IMPACT OF CFS
The Story of Benjamin Joseph, a Nigerian Boy
At just six years old, Benjamin Joseph’s life took a devastating turn. After losing both of his parents, he was left in the care of his half-siblings. His mother died when he was a baby, and his father, a policeman, had also died, leaving the family without access to his benefits. Struggling to make ends meet, Benjamin’s half-siblings, who were still minors themselves, were unable to care for him. Recognizing their limitations, they brought Benjamin to a nearby orphanage and left him without proper records.
In 2022, everything changed with the implementation of Children First Software at the orphanage where Benjamin lived. This software allowed the staff to update their database and intensify their family tracing efforts,
giving children like Benjamin a real opportunity to reconnect with their roots.
In February 2024, Benjamin’s journey came full circle. He moved in with his uncle who provided a stable family environment. Finally, he was back with his biological family—a milestone made possible by CFS. Today, Benjamin is thriving; living with his uncle, he enjoys the warmth and support of family care.
His journey stands as a testament to the belief that every child deserves the love and stability of a safe home—and that with the right tools and support, those dreams can become a reality. CFS is ensuring that every child ends up in a safe and loving family.
An estimated 330,000 children live in institutions in BEB’s production countries. 18,000 children enter those institutions each year.
The exact number of orphans worldwide is unknown, but estimates suggest there are around 150 million. Imagine if there were a method to determine the precise number.
Children First Software is leading the way by providing governments with the tools necessary to ensure every child is accounted for. Follow
PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Compassion International
Compassion International needs no introduction. An organization with a large global footprint (29 countries), motivated by their Christian faith, Compassion has been serving the world’s most vulnerable children for over 70 years. When BEB had a specific need for a partner in Uganda, we approached Compassion who has been working in this country for over 40 years and partnering with over 485 churches to help children reach their God-given potential.
Through BEB’s Children First Software, thousands of reunifications were taking place in Uganda. Our challenge was that while CFS’s end-to-end platform encompasses digitizing tasks for post-placement monitoring, actually undertaking the tasks of monitoring and support is outside of our scope. That’s why we reached out to Compassion, with the shared goal of seeing recently reunified children thrive in their family.
In 2024, together we completed a pilot in Uganda - identifying children who fit the Compassion profile, i.e., extreme poverty and
proximity to a Compassion church partner. We connected the children and families to these churches to help ensure that support of the family and the child continued well beyond placement.
The pilot showed the power of BEB’s and CFS’s role in linking partners together to serve children in Africa. Historically, recently reunified families were occasionally monitored and given a one-time gift of supplies when the child arrived in their home. Now, with Compassion, the child and the family will be ministered to by the church partner and have access to ongoing services through the adolescence of the child. Discussions are underway to expand the partnership to other countries in Africa.
We take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Compassion for plunging in with BEB in this endeavor. Springing from this seed of a pilot in Uganda, tens of thousands of children will have the opportunity for brighter futures as cherished members of their families surrounded by the loving care of their local church communities.
- Frank Garrott, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
The Ahmed Family DONOR SPOTLIGHT
We are grateful to BEB for the impactful work they achieve globally in reducing the orphan crisis. It is heartbreaking to think that the difference between a successful adoption outcome can be as simple as a lost file. The practical and important work of this charity results in actual change for many children who would otherwise be stuck in a broken system. We are grateful for this organization’s personal leadership and involvement in fixing this crisis. The follow through and commitment of leaders like Bruce sets this charity apart from so many others. His accountability in seeing this mission through is evident in his talks and actions.
Our family feels especially connected to this cause because of our connection to Zimbabwe. Growing up in a country where basic necessities can sometimes be difficult to acquire transforms your perspective. The likeliness of successful adoptions in an already stressed environment is low. BEB is extraordinary in its efforts to engage the local community in helping achieve long-term homes for permanent family for children living in institutions. They understand the importance of cultural integration and trust. They have carefully investigated a successful approach to creating a model that can help thousands of children globally be united or reunited with family. For us, the most compelling reason for supporting this charity is their results. We know that we are supporting change and opportunity for children by supporting BEB.
- Julie and Sulman Ahmed
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS
DONORS
Global Impact Sponsor $250,000+
Kershaw's Challenge
Lori and Luke Morrow
The Marie M. and James H. Galloway Foundation
Family Forever Sponsor $100,000+
Linda and Bruce Graham
Laura and Bob Hefner
Nancy Rickman
Kelli and Mark Schwartz
Josie and Carl Sewell
Diane and Paul Sullivan
Lydia and Brandon Webb
Child Registration Sponsor $1,000+
Stephanie Ahmed
Holly and Stephen Bailey
Delilah and Brad Cahoon
Ellie and Rob Campion
Carrie and Alan Catalani
Sherry Huang and Kye Cheung
Tonika Cheek and Taj Clayton
Ashley and John Coker
Kate and Adam Cox
Katie and Peter Crow
Lauren and Ben Davis
Rachel and Sam Davison
Anita and Mike Douris
Children First Sponsor $50,000+
Roxanne and Harry Oellrich
The Power of Hope Sponsor $25,000+
Julie and Sulman Ahmed
Susie and Eric Cullison
Jayme and Bret Dixon
Mary Jane Wahl Gearns Foundation
Aimee and Mark McClanahan
Shackouls Family Foundation
Catie and Strother Simpson
The Tyler Foundation
Leadership Sponsor $10,000+
Kate and Brack Bryant
Barbie and Gary Coleman
Samantha and Mark Crosby
Laura and Jason Downing
Enterprise Mobility Foundation
Alice and Brian Fant
Martha and Scott Farrell
Lynne and Frank Garrott
Carol and Don Glendenning
Kimberly and Aaron Graft
Katherine and John Hall
Emily and Michael Paul Hammond
Julie and Clayton Harrison
Carrie and Bryan Henderson
Jim Henson
Robin and Chad Hufsey
Tracy and Perry Jager
Mary and Dana Johnson
Kevin Jones
Deb and David Knust
Kristi and John Lowe
Melissa and Brian Mason
Stephanie and Dana Deree
Abigail and David Foose
Jane and Mark Gibson
Marcia Johnson
Lauren and Rob Langley
Courtney and Patrick Leach
Sewell Automotive Companies
Luci and Will Robinson
Implementation Sponsor $5,000+
Ngozi and Samuel Acho
Debbie and Brian Berry
Laura and Jay Boynton
Shannon and Fred Cerise
Leila and Jamie Cornelius
Karen and Bryan Perry
Jeff Puckett
Amanda and Anson Reilly
Rachel and Hampton Richards
Lyle and John Field Scovell, III
Margaret Elizabeth and Michael McKissack
Vicki and Brian Miller
Michal Powell
Sonya Jagwani and Anupam Pradhan
Lupe and Jose Prado
Brooke and Bobby Renkes
Mitch Seagraves
Sarah and Russell Smith
Hannah Song and Mark Chang
Courtenay and Randy Stebbins
Rick Strickland
Camille Szelc
Rebecca and Richard Szelc
The Paul R. and Nancy R. Saueracker Family Fund
Marcia and Trey Herman Walker, III
Julie and Mike Wallis
Rebecca and Scott Whitaker
Jordan and Wilson White
Jenny Wilkinson and Mitch Salzberg
Melissa and Doug Willmarth
Morgan Wilson
BEB LEADERSHIP
Craig Juntunen
Luke Morrow, Chair
Brack Bryant
Eric Cullison
Samantha Crosby
Dana Deree
Michael Douris
Bruce Graham
C.R. Bob Hefner, Jr.
Dana E. Johnson, M.D., Ph.D.
BOARD STAFF
Marcia Johnson
Harrison Oellrich
Mark Schwartz
Bruce Graham President Vice President
Frank Garrott Vice President Strategic Partnerships
Will Sanchez Vice President Implementation
Steven Scally Director Software Development
Strategic Partnerships
CFS
Fundraising
TOTAL REVENUE
$4,017,482
TOTAL EXPENSES $3,544,895
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Bruce Graham
Dear Friends,
The progress of 2024 and the impact on the children that now enter 2025 in the love of a family are made possible thanks to partners like you. We are all so grateful you’ve chosen to invest in this work and hope you are blessed when you read about the impact of your gifts.
I became involved with BEB in 2015 while I was at Tyler Technologies, when Tyler partnered with BEB to develop Children First Software. I served alongside Mark Schwartz as board chair until he retired in 2024, after which I became president. Mark’s selfless service, without compensation for over 7 years, set a high bar for this role. During his tenure BEB expanded our work from 3 countries to 13, and helped move over 9,000 children living in institutions to families. I’m grateful he is still serving on our board and there when I need his counsel.
We saw significant breakthroughs in 2024, especially in the countries we serve in Africa, as we expanded the depth and breadth of our work. We’re now working in ten countries on that continent, including the two largest countries by population (Nigeria and Ethiopia). In November in Uganda, where we’ve been working the longest, we held our first ever BEB Summit, bringing together child welfare leaders from all ten countries to share successes and collaborate on challenges, like child trafficking, where BEB and CFS can help. In Latin America we began to work with the faith
community as well as the government, and we’re now seeing the door crack open in multiple countries.
Our work on behalf of these children does take us to some hard places, and one has stuck with me throughout the year. I traveled to a pre-teen girl’s residential care center in Ethiopia, where I was followed by a young 7-year-old-girl throughout our tour. Her mother had died and, after being abused and discarded by her aunt, she was sent to this government-run center. I have three daughters and remember the spark and life they had at that age, and this girl had the same. She just wanted the love of a father, and it broke my heart to have to say goodbye and leave her there in a grim, sterile place with little hope, knowing that without a family life is stacked against her.
Thankfully we get to work on transforming the system she’s a part of in Ethiopia and all the other countries we serve. Hopefully we can help her, but based on the results we’ve already seen, I know we can prevent thousands of children from ending up in the same place.
Thanks for joining with us in this work, we are ever grateful for your partnership.
Sincerely, Bruce
Children spending their childhood in institutional care is an unnecessary tradegy, and one we’re committed to solving.
- Bruce Graham
5960 BERKSHIRE LN, STE 600
877-908-5161
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THANK YOU TO OUR FOUNDING STORY MAKERS IN 2024:
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Kristen Graham
Linda and Bruce Graham
Shannon Graham
Dana and Darin Lauer
Kristi and John Lowe
Tracy and Arthur Makuluni
Christy and Will Sanchez
Layla and Robert Schott
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