Tuesday, September 24, 2013

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 :).




 

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