Isabelle Redford is only 7 years old, but she is making a difference for orphans around the world.

What started as a local fundraiser with her homemade cards is now a global project called Art for Orphans.

It all started when Isabelle's mom, Kelly, told her a story about two orphan girls.

"Their momma died while they were being born," Isabelle said.

The story inspired her to do something to help.

"There were nights when she was first ... building up her collection of cards where she would come home after school and work from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.," Mrs. Redford recalled.

Within nine months, Isabelle had raised enough to build an orphanage in Haiti. Last month, the Redfords travelled to the country to see it.

"I met my six girls that are living in my home right now and lots of other fun kids," Isabella said. "One even made me a necklace."

"They spoke a different language, but most of the time I could understand them because most of the time we were just laughing and having fun," she said.

Her mom is proud of her accomplishments, but feels the best is yet to come.

"She has a hugely compassionate heart for the tiniest little bug to the biggest person," Mrs. Redford said. "For me, sitting back and watching her, I see it all just coming together ... I feel like it's just getting ready to explode. I feel like this is just the beginning."

Now, less than two years after Isabelle started her project, builders are breaking ground on a second orphanage in Malawi, Africa.

*Originally aired July 21, 2009.

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