Violet.

Violet is a 12 year old little girl being seen and cared for by Special Hope Network. She was born with hydrocephalus and a mass on the back of her head, now post surgical removal of the mass and shunt placement. Her tiny form was skeletal, but she was wearing a pink princess tutu when I met her, and her mother’s eyes were full of love and pride. She was the 5th or 6th child that I had seen that day, one of many children with disabilities, but hers were so pronounced - so severe. Violet’s eyes were permanently damaged from the surgery: one fixated towards the right and the other tracking inconsistently without focus. But her smile was beautiful – toothless grin that curved up whenever her mama spoke to her. I reached out to touch her little leg, and it equaled the size of two of my fingers stuck together. It was all I could do not to gasp audibly.

I was struck by the desperation of the situation, that this little girl had feeding difficulties so severe that she may not live to see her 13th birthday. I was surprised by this mother. In a world where her child would normally be hidden, where children and adults with disabilities are misunderstood and mistreated, this mother could not stop cooing and caressing her beautiful child. She was not only keeping this little girl alive somehow, she was loving her openly and seeking out knowledge to give her the best care she could offer. Many mothers who are coming for help with their children with disabilities are still struggling with acceptance and love for their child who has challenges they've never seen before. Not Violet's mama. I have never seen eyes fiercer with pride. And yet, the challenges this mother has to love and care for her baby, her princess, seem insurmountable.

And here I was spending 20 minutes with this child and her mother looking to change her life. I found myself desperately sharing strategies with her for feeding, communication and care as quickly as I could. And yet I knew it was not enough. But my heart welled with hope for this baby and her mama. For although this child would have greatly benefited from modern technology, consistent therapy and a higher level of medical care, this mother was the solution in my eyes – a single voice among a nation of scared and voiceless mothers, saying, “My daughter is beautiful just the way she is and I love her.”Special Hope Network is finding these children and these mothers and supporting them in their pursuit of love, care, and opportunities for their little ones with disabilities. Jake and I sponsor Violet, and I am so thankful that Special Hope Network is working hard to enable and empower her mama to take care of her, all the while providing her with a learning environment that is friendly and encouraging to little ones with special challenges.

The organization that I am a part of, CLASP International, allowed me to meet sweet Violet because they too are working hard to be a part of the solution. I feel privileged to be involved in these organizations, working together from different angles to be a Voice for the Voiceless in Zambia and all over the world.
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Sponsor a Child

Charles

I wanted to let all of you know about a neat opportunity for you to consider or to consider passing along to your friends and family! I wanted you to know about this organization in particular because I love what they're doing! I also want you to be able to copy and paste this if you do know of anyone who is looking for a place to give or a child to sponsor. It's a sacrifice of $35 a month. Definitely a sacrifice, but after seeing this place and seeing these kids reaping the benefits of love and care, it's money well spent.

 

One of the organizations that I worked with when I was in Zambia with CLASP International has opened up a child sponsorship program. Special Hope Network has community centers for children with disabilities and their mothers to come for meals, classes, school, therapy and medical care. Their mission is incredible, with the long-term goal of having a Special Hope Village for adults and children with disabilities to work and thrive in a community where they are accepted! Go to their website and check it out!! The kids' pictures are so fun to look at. They have such joy!

 

Emmanuel

It is rare to know exactly where your donations are going, or to know exactly who they are going to. I had the wonderful privilege of spending a day at their community center and was able to assess many of their kids for speech and intellectual needs, providing their caregivers at the community center with goals and strategies to help these kids communicate and grow.

 

A couple reasons why I believe this organization will last and is worth it:

Ephriam

1. Although founded by a group of Americans who now live in Zambia, Special Hope employs Zambian teachers who have personal experiences in their lives with children with disabilities. This ministry is driven by the Zambians. I have met and worked with these teachers and I have never met a more compassionate and passionate bunch!

 

2. I held these children and met their mothers - Special Hope is making a HUGE difference in these kids lives!!! Kids that would normally not live to see their next birthday because of severe feeding disorders that come with their disabilities. Kids that have been hid in closets and under their beds because they're "different," now out in the open sharing their smiling faces with us!

 

Michael

3. The founders are truly following  Jesus, and He has blessed them in their endeavors thus far. I feel confident in supporting them knowing their relationships with the Lord are genuine.

 

And that's that! I appreciate you reading about an organization that I am passionate about. There are still kids on the website who I got to evaluate and hold, and meet their moms: Michael, Ephriam, Emmanuel and Charles - precious in His sight. There are others up there too, just as wonderful! Little Violet is my sweet one that Jake and I sponsor. I will post her story tomorrow! Say a prayer for them! Special Hope has about 75% sponsored, and when they hit 95% they will be able to start pulling kids off their waitlist! I want to spend this week telling YOU about them so that they can reach their goal.

 

Thank you for reading this AND passing this along! We are all called to give and in many areas. If you're looking for a place to give or don't have one yet, please pray about making a difference in one of these kids lives :).