Category Archives: World Vision

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Sponsor a Child

The following children are in need of sponsors.

For only $35 per month through World Vision, you can help a child’s community to fund projects that provide clean water, nutritious food, basic healthcare, educational opportunities and economic development assistance. Each community, along with World Vision, determines its most pressing needs.

You can also build a relationship with your child through letters. Will you consider changing a life today?

PriyankaIN-WV

Six-year-old Priyanka from India.

Priyanka is six years old, and she lives with her father, who is a farm laborer. She is in primary school and enjoys studying the national language. She helps at home by carrying water and likes to play with dolls.

The typical home in Priyanka’s community in India is made of wood, with a thatch roof and dirt floor. Rice is a staple in the diet.

Your sponsorship helps to provide Priyanka’s community with improved health through access to clean water and training in nutrition and hygiene. It also provides tutoring, vocational training and leadership training, as well as innovative agriculture and livestock training.

JuanPabloCO-WV

Juan Pablo, 7 years old, from Colombia.

Juan Pablo lives with his mother and one sister. He is seven years old.

Juan Pablo is not in school at this time. He likes to play with toy cars and helps at home by putting toys away.

He lives in an urban community in Colombia, where the typical home is constructed of wood with cement flooring. Common foods are rice, eggs, beans and plantains.

Your sponsorship helps to provide Juan Pablo’s community with special healthcare, vaccinations against major diseases and special feeding programs for undernourished children. Your support also helps to reconstruct the community, which has been devastated by an earthquake and war.

DeborahUG-WV

Eight-year-old Deborah of Uganda.

Deborah, 8, lives with her father and two brothers in Uganda. Her father is self-employed, and struggles to provide for the family.

She is in primary schools and enjoys foreign language. At home, Deborah helps with cooking meals. She likes to play outside.

Deborah’s community in Uganda has been severely affected by the HIV and AIDS crisis, leaving many children without parents. The typical home is made of mud and bricks with tin or thatched roofs. Common foods are cassava, maize, sweet potatoes and beans.

Your sponsorship will help to provide Deborah’s community with improved healthcare and support, emphasizing assistance to those affected by HIV and AIDS. Your support also helps children to attend school, and gives farmers seeds and training on new farming methods.

OpherZA-WV

Opher, 9, from Zambia.

Opher is a 9-year-old boy living with his mother and three brothers. His mother is a farmer.

He is in primary school and enjoys foreign language. Opher helps at home by running errands, and he likes to play soccer.

Opher’s community in Zambia has been affected by the HIV and AIDS crisis. The typical home is made of brick or mud with a thatched roof. A common food is a porridge called nshima, served with vegetables or occasionally meat.

Your sponsorship would help to provide Opher’s community with new wells for clean water and reading and math clubs to improve education. Your support also would provide instruction on the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS, care for orphans and agricultural training for farmers.

DianaBR-WV

Diana, 13, of Brazil.

Diana, 13, of Brazil, lives with her parents and two sisters. Her father is a driver, and her mother is a vendor.

She is in junior high school and enjoys mathematics. Diana helps at home by being good, and she likes to play video games.

Diana lives in an urban community where homes are built of brick, and are small and airless. Common foods include bread, biscuits, cereal, vegetables and meat.

Your sponsorship yeps to provide Diana’s community with greater access to nutritious food and improved healthcare and hygiene. Your support also helps to provide education and tutoring to school-age children, teach mothers to read and fund skills workshops to help older children gain employment.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or have any questions, please contact me in the comments section below.

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Last Progress Reports for the Year

This past week, I received the final four World Vision progress reports I was expecting. It’s great to see how these children have grown since last year, and to get a glimpse of them in their communities in Romania.

DragosAug2014

Dragos, 14, is my oldest child with World Vision. He is in seventh grade, and says he wants to be a policeman when he grows up. His family has received beehives and beekeeping materials from World Vision.

AndreiAugust2014

Andrei is 13 years old and in seventh grade. He writes that he works in the garden with his family, and he has participated in information sessions on health issues and children’s club educational activities through World Vision.

DanielAug2014

Daniel, 14, is in seventh grade and wants to be a football player when he grows up. He has participated in religious celebrations, like Easter and Christmas, and also extracurricular activities through World Vision.

CristianAug2014

Cristian, 5, is the first child I sponsored through World Vision in October 2012. He is in Kindergarten and likes to listen to music with his family. He has participated in information sessions on health issues this year, as well as school/kindergarten competitions.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child through World Vision, please click here.

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More Progress Reports

It’s a fun time of year for me as a World Vision sponsor, as annual progress reports have begun arriving in the mail. I’ve recently received two new reports for children in Romania. Below are the photos I received with those reports.

GabrielAugust2014

Gabriel, 10, is in third grade, and he wants to be a soccer player when he grows up. His project is committed to addressing issues such as a poor economy, child abuse, scarce education and lack of quality health services.

MihaiJuly2014

Mihai, 7, writes that his favorite meal is mashed potatoes and schnitzel, and his favorite season is summer. This year, he learned to recite poems and sing, and he likes to go caroling at Christmas. His project is working toward many goals, including providing access to educational activities focused on developing children’s communication and cognitive skills.

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Progress Report

World Vision sends out wonderful progress reports to sponsors annually, and I received my first one for this year today!

AurelProgressReport2014

 

This one is from the boy I sponsor in Albania. It’s folded into thirds, and when opened, is filled with colorful artwork and lists meant to let you get to know your child better.

There are things like the child’s nickname, grade, favorite subject and best friend’s name. Also included are areas to fill in the child’s health condition, and what World Vision has done to help the child if he has a health issue.

My favorite lists come later. One is titled “The animal that best represents me.” My boy chose tiger “because it’s beautiful and strong.”

Another says, “I was very happy when.” My boy checked the boxes next to “I received a letter/gift from you” and “You said I love you.”

It is with the progress reports that sponsors receive an updated photo of their child as well, and it is fun to see how he has grown since his last photo.

I guess for a while I’ll be stalking the mailbox not only for letters, but also more progress reports!

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Comforting Words from around the World

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Riley (1996-2013)

 

Last September, we lost a treasured member of our family. After 16 years of loving and enjoying our cat Riley, he died from kidney failure complications.

Riley came into our family one year before we had our first child. He lived to see us bring home six babies in all. He moved with us four times. Two of these moves were fairly short, but two were more than 400 miles. Through each change, he adapted to his new situation. He mellowed with age, and toward the end of his life, the once-spunky kitten had turned into a calm, old cat who shockingly was known to groom our pet bunny once in a while.

My love for Riley surely showed through in letters to my sponsored children because I received quite a few condolences regarding his death.

These responses ranged from compassionate and simple: “It is sad to hear that your pet Riley has died,” from Daniel, 14, in Bolivia, to downright funny: “Sorry for the dead cat. I hope you get another one,” from 14-year-old Seline in Kenya.

Some children, like 12-year-old Jhon of Colombia, offered more philosophical words of comfort: “It is sad that your cat has passed away. He left you good memories, and they will not die.”

Others, like 8-year-old Aurel in Albania, empathized due to their own love of animals: “I am so sorry for your cat because I do also love cats.”

Still others were eager to make things better by suggesting we adopt a new pet right away.

Jose, 10, of Nicaragua wrote, “I am very happy because I got your letters, but feel very sad because of the death of your cat, and I am praying for you. Don’t be sad. After the cat’s death, do you get another pet?”

And 14-year-old Camelia of Romania wrote, “I’m sorry for your cat. If I could send you one, I would send you three, not one.”

These sweet children definitely lifted my spirits with their kind words, and I’m sure many of them were happy to find out months later that we did, in fact, adopt two new kittens, whose photo I have shared with them in letters already.

The following are more caring words from around the world:

“You have told me sad news that your cat Riley died, and also me, I am in sorrows with you. But I am praying so much that you can pass through it, God will bless you and you will get another one.” – Edwin, 18, Uganda

“I am very sorry to hear that your cat has died. I am praying for you so that you get another one.” – Swalehe, 14, Tanzania

“I was sad to learn that your cat died. I know it’s hard to depart from a dear friend. I wish you strength, and I asked God to give you another one.” – Jimmy, 14, Haiti

“I am very sad to know that your pet cat Riley has died.” – Boidyanath, 14, Bangladesh

“I pray for your children and for you, Kerri, to pass over this sad moment from your lives.” – Dragos, 14, Romania

“I’m very sorry for your cat, especially because it was so beautiful.” – Andrei, 13, Romania

 

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Family Gift

Family Gift

Cristian, 5, is shown at left with his sister and nephew in Romania. His older sister listed the items the family bought with a recent gift: flour, rice, beans, tomato pasta, canned food, honey, peas, potatoes, dairy products, fruits, mushrooms, pasta, halvah, bagels, jacket, blouses, a tracksuit for Cristian and tracksuits for his sisters, washing powder, soap, shampoo and diapers for his sister, toilet paper and many other things.

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There’s No Debating the Value of Child Sponsorship

On Monday, many in the world of child sponsorship were shocked when World Vision announced its decision to change its employee conduct policy, allowing gay Christians to work in its United States branch.

The World Vision U.S. board spent several years praying about and discussing this issue, according to a letter by World Vision U.S. CEO Richard Stearns. World Vision U.S. will continue to expect abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage for all staff, and will continue to require every employee to agree to the doctrinal issues in the Apostles’ Creed or World Vision’s own Statement of Faith.

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“Thank you for your letter and for taking the time to write me. I’m sure you’re quite busy and that your family needs all of your time.” – Cristian, 5, Romania

Stearns pointed out in his letter that World Vision employees belong to more than 50 denominations, a number of which have sanctioned same-sex marriage for Christians.

Stearns wrote, “I want to be clear that we have not endorsed same-sex marriage, but we have chosen to defer to the authority of local churches on this issue.”

And with that announcement, Christian leaders across the country were ready to voice their opinions.

Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, quickly issued a statement against World Vision’s new policy, calling it offensive. Others speaking out included Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptists’ Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; and John Piper, retired megachurch pastor.

Child ambassador volunteers have resigned, and sponsors have canceled their sponsorships, while many have taken to social media to debate their opinions on World Vision’s decision.

As a sponsor and child ambassador myself, it has been heartbreaking to watch this play out.

This post, however, is not intended to change the reader’s opinion on World Vision’s new policy. I will not argue this issue. It has all been said before, and likely will continue to be hashed out over and over until the end of time.

Andre

“I’m also very happy when I get letters from you. I’m looking forward to your next letter. May God bless you.” – Andrei, 12, Romania

While that debate rages, though, I will urge you not to cancel your sponsorships. Please, do not give up on these children, with whom you have formed loving, long-lasting relationships. And if you have not yet sponsored a child, maybe now is the time to do so.

This new policy will in no way affect your sponsored children across the world. Why punish them?

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“I would like to be friends all my life. No matter what will happen, I will be near your family all the time.” – Dragos, 13, Romania

These are real children, and much more than just a photo stuck to the refrigerator with a magnet. These are children who are living in poverty. They may have difficult home lives. Their sponsor may be the only person who affirms to them that they are loved.

No matter a person’s feelings on this new policy, I pray that sponsors will not let this come between them and their children.

Do you not believe that you are important to your sponsored child? Please read the quotes under the photos in this post. They are directly from letters from my own children, whom I sponsor through World Vision.

And for every Bible verse that backs up your opinion for or against World Vision’s new policy, I suggest there are just as many verses commanding us to care for the poor.

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 82:3-4

UPDATE: World Vision has announced today that it has reversed its new policy. For more information, click here.

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Five Beautiful Children

As a Child Ambassador for World Vision, I have five children for whom I am advocating right now. Please take a look and see if any of them touches your heart. Maybe one shares a birthday with you or a family member. Maybe you share a hobby with one or are particularly interested in their country. If you see a child you would like to sponsor, please contact me. You can make a difference in the life of one of these children.

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Ganesh is a 5-year-old boy living with his parents and one sister in an Indian slum. His father is a driver and struggles to meet the family’s needs. Ganesh likes to play ball games.

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Elder Aroldo, 8, lives with his parents, two brothers and four sisters in Guatemala. His father is a farm laborer. Elder Aroldo is in primary school, helps at home by gathering firewood and likes to play with toys.

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Nuredin is a 10-year-old boy living in Ethiopia with his parents and one brother. His father is a farmer. Nuredin helps at home by caring for animals. He likes to play basketball and enjoys drawing.

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Seraphine, 12, lives with her parents, two brothers and three sisters in Rwanda. She helps at home by gathering firewood, and she likes to play ball games. Seraphine is in primary school, where she enjoys learning a foreign language.

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Mariney is a 13-year-old girl living in Colombia with her mother and extended family. In primary school, Mariney enjoys art. She helps at home by sweeping floors, and she likes to play hide and seek.

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World Vision Gift

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Mihai with his sister and mother in Romania

A beautiful family photo isn’t the only reward for sending your World Vision sponsor child a family gift, but it is a pretty great one. Of course there’s also the great feeling you get knowing you helped someone out.

But the most important aspect of sending that family gift? It’s this: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” – Hebrews 13:16

It pleases God.

In verse after verse in the Bible, God commands us to share our blessings and care for the poor, and in my experience as a sponsor, He always has rewarded me many times over when I have been faithful to Him.

With just $100, Mihai and his family in Romania were able to purchase warm winter clothing and boots for both Mihai and his sister. His mother wrote that this was much appreciated because this winter would be a very cold one for them.

They also purchased school supplies for both children, a large blanket, shoes and toys.

Looks like money well spent to me.

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Love in Letters: Fishes and Eels?

I receive many letters from my sponsored children throughout the year, and like all children, they often have a funny way with words. Sometimes the letters leave me chuckling, and other times teary-eyed. I’m going to share some of these funny and loving tidbits more regularly, and will post under the title “Love in Letters,” so that you, too, can enjoy these remarkable children.

This is the ending of a letter from my sponsored boy in Albania, 8 years old:

“The number of fishes and eels are there in the sea,

That is the number of greetings I sent to you.”

I love it, and look forward to sending him just as many greetings.

Note: I did not include my boy’s name in this post because he is from Albania, which is one of World Vision’s restricted countries. Sponsors are asked not to share names or photos of children from these countries. The majority of families in these countries are not Christian, and World Vision follows local laws and customs in order to work there. 

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Christmas Wishes from Albania

I received a Christmas card this week from my sponsored boy in Albania.

He wrote a message inside: “Dear Friend, I wish to you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hugs!”

The children’s drawings used to make the card are beautiful, and the card includes the verse Matthew 2:10: “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

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front

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inside

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back

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Christmas Wishes from Romania

This week, I received Christmas cards from two of my World Vision sponsored boys in Romania, Cristian and Andrei. Each country has its own style of card, which the children send to their sponsors every year. Below are photos of both the front and inside of this year’s card from Andrei, and also the front of last year’s card from Cristian.

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Front of card from Andrei, 2013

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Inside of card from Andrei, 2013

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Front of card from Cristian, 2012

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Crying Out for Congo!

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 9 out of 10 mothers will lose a child before it reaches the age of 5, and children in the Congo face malnutrition rates of 3 times higher than the rest of the world, according to World Vision. This is also an area that has been severely affected by the HIV and AIDS crisis, leaving many children without parents.

There is something you can do to help these children. World Vision is working with communities in the Congo, and you can sponsor a child there for only $35 a month. Your sponsorship provides a child and his community with improved healthcare and support, emphasizing assistance to those affected by HIV and AIDS. Children will attend school, and farmers will be offered seeds and training on new farming methods.

The following children are available for sponsorship in this area, where many families live in small mud and brick homes with tin or thatched roofs.

Magy lives in this region, with her mother, one brother and one sister. Her mother is a market vendor and struggles to provide for the family. Magy is 4 years old, likes to play with dolls, and helps at home by running errands. Her birthday is Jan. 1, 2009.

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Magy, 4

Dany, 9, lives in the Congo with his father, three brothers and one sister. His father is a market vendor. Dany enjoys mathematics in school, likes to play soccer, and helps at home by carrying water. His birthday is Aug. 7, 2004.

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Dany, 9

Verro, 4, lives with her parents, two brothers and four sisters in the Congo. Her father is a social service worker, and her mother is a market vendor. She likes to play with dolls, and her birthday is Jan. 1, 2009.

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Verro, 4

Platini lives in this area with his parents, two brothers and six sisters. His parents are farmers. Platini, 9, enjoys reciting poems and stories at school, likes to play soccer, and helps at home by running errands. His birthday is Aug. 14, 2004.

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Platini, 9

Jeremie, 9, lives with his grandmother in the Congo. He has one brother and two sisters, and he likes to play soccer. Jeremie’s birthday is Aug. 1, 2004.

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Jeremie, 9

Please contact me if you are interested in sponsoring any of these children, or click here if you wish to see other children living in the Congo who are available for sponsorship. You can also view a short video about the Congo by clicking here.