This blog contains information about child sponsorship. All of the sponsors mentioned here support their sponsor children by making regular contributions that enable the sponsor children to receive health benefits, tuition support, food, and many other benefits. If you have ever doubted the value of becoming a sponsor- take a few moments to check out this blog. Most importantly, take note at the difference a special needs donation makes with our Make a Change fundraisers!
Lilliam will turn 13 years old tomorrow!! She lives in Ecuador. Alice first began sponsoring her in August 2008. She recently purchased a bed for her, and I will be posting pictures of the bed soon. I will, also, post the thank you letter that she wrote in a later post. Here is her bio:
Age: 12
Gender: F
Date of Birth: 3/1/1996
Height: 5 Feet 4 Inches
Weight: 146 Pounds
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
2. Health problems, if any:
3. Attends School: Yes
4. Favorite School Subjects: Grammar, Languages
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing with friends
Chores at Home: Running errands, Washing dishes
Talents or Hobbies: Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
5. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $250.00
6. Name of Father: Luis
Age: 44
Occupation: Mechanic
(If not present, why?) Abandoned family
7. Name of Mother: Liliam
Age: 36
Occupation: Laborer
(If not present, why?) Does not live at home at present
Yomalin lives in the Dominican Republic with her mother, sister, and younger brother. Alice began sponsoring her in August 2008 (right before her 16th birthday).
And here is her bio:
Age: 16
Gender: F
Date of Birth: 8/31/1992
Height: 5 Feet 0 Inches
Weight: 92 Pounds
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
2. Health problems, if any: None
3. Attends School: Yes
4. Favorite School Subjects: Mathematics, Reading, Grammar
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing with dolls, Playing volleyball
Chores at Home: Running errands, General housework, Washing dishes
Talents or Hobbies: Dancing, Singing
Languages Spoken: Spanish
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
5. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $130.00
6. Name of Father: José Ramón
Age: 44
Occupation: Street Vendor
(If not present, why?) Separated
7. Name of Mother: Mayra Del C
Age: 36
Occupation: Homemaker
(If not present, why?)
8. Brothers and Sisters:
Name Jose
Age 12
Gender M
Name Yomaira
Age 16
Gender F
9. Child now living with: Mother
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
10. Description of Home: Dining Room, Kitchen, One Bedroom
Here is Alice's 2nd sponsored child. She began sponsoring Eclipse 1 year after sponsoring Claritza. Eclipse is from Zambia. Two years after she first began sponsoring Eclipse, she decided to sponsor his sister Sharon (who was three at that time). I don't have a lot of introductory information on the kids, but you will be seeing their letters, updated pics, special donation pictures and thank yous, so stay tuned... Here's his bio:
Age: 7
Gender: M
Date of Birth: 6/21/2001
Height: 3 Feet 7 Inches
Weight: 22 Pounds
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
2. Health problems, if any: None
3. Attends School: Yes
4. Favorite School Subjects: Electronics
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing with friends
Chores at Home: No Chores, child is too young
Talents or Hobbies: Dancing
Languages Spoken: Nyanja, Tonga
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
5. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $24.00
Alice began sponsoring Claritza in August 2005 (3 years later, she took on Claritza's brother Carlos who will be featured later). At only 5 1/2 years old, she just wrote her first letter to Alice! It is short, but very sweet... And considering she is ONLY 5 years old, I think it is beautiful! This is what she wrote:
Dear Sponsor Alice,
I am happy to know that someone love me so much as you do. I am happy because I can do the letters by myself. I recieved your gift. Thank you so much. I hope to know you someday. With so much love say bye, Claritza
And, here is her bio:
Age: 5
Gender: F
Date of Birth: 7/27/2003
Height: 3 Feet 4 Inches
Weight: 33 Pounds
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Black
2. Health problems, if any: None
3. Attends School: Yes
4. Favorite School Subjects: Art
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing with dolls
Chores at Home: Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Singing
Languages Spoken: Spanish
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
5. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $100.00
Ok, I have to start somewhere in order to explain the project that was begun in January. This was my e-mail that I sent to a couple of people to start a group of 4 sponsors that are dedicated to making big changes in their sponsored children's lives:
I have a fundaising idea, so I want to run it by you. Tell me what you think... What if we have a group of 4 people. Every month we give $40 for fundraising. Each person gives $40, and the person with the sponsored child for the month gives $40 (or more depending on what that person wants to accomplish). That will make a $160 donation, so we will get pics. Each year, that would mean each of us would be giving 3 special needs donations, but every month we are just putting up $40. If it is my month, I would choose one of my sponsored children, and that is where the donations would go (to that child). Like this: January~ fundraiser for Mack's child February~ fundraiser for Alice's child March~ fundraiser for Heather's child April~ fundraiser for a child that is in a different sponsorship program, whose pics we won't see
Then, back to Mack, etc. Everyone would have to be faithful about the donations and be committed to doing it for at least one full rotation, otherwise, it wouldn't be fair. We could start in January, and you could draw names to see who goes first, second, etc. I have a few projects. For example, in the DR, one of my sponsored children only requires $116 for a bed! With my income now, it seems unreachable, but I could do $40 a month. The other good thing is we could play a part in helping more children (example, I would get to know your child's needs and the gift I helped you purchase for him/her).
So, that is the background on the undercover project that is going on between 4 sponsors. It is now out in the open, so if anyone would like to mimic the idea and start a group, feel free.
Now, I said all of that because I will be adding Alice's sponsored children to my blog (and hopefully, adding Mack's sponsored children, too). I will first introduce them one by one in the order that they were sponsored, so that we can all get to know them. Then, the pictures and letters received from all 20+ children (from the combined 3 CI sponsors) will be posted here. I hope to have at least one post a day to keep everyone motivated & to see the difference being made in these kids' lives... So, stay tuned. Tomorrow, I will begin introducing Alice's 8 kids!
It's official! Dulce is on her way to receiving a comfortable bed of her own!!! Jaden has raised enough for her, so I sent the money off this morning. Next on the list is Jonathan. We need $137 more, and Jonathan will have a bed soon. The Wiggles shirts are still on sale on my Ebay page, and Jaden is, also, still doing the coin drive. If you want to help, drop me a line and let me know. 3 more beds to buy... and then, we will be on to a new fundraiser :0) Thank you to everyone who helped with Dulce's bed! I will keep you posted when I get the thank you letter and pictures from Children International.
Here is what Henry wrote: My family and I hope that you all are well. Thanks for these wonderful gifts. I received a letter, 8 shirts, 1 pair of Spiderman Pajamas, 12 pencils, 1 book, 2 toy cars, 2 toothbrushes, toothpaste, sharpener, erasers, 1 photo album with pictures inside, 1 photo album for me to fill up, 1 soccer ball, 1 Mickey Mouse Soccer puzzle, 2 Spiderman containers. I liked all those gifts so much. Thanks and may God bless you! Your sponsored child says goodbye with love and affection~ Henry (package sent to him on 11/1/08, arrived 12/19/08, delivered 1/28/09, thank you arrived 2/20/09)
I got a letter from Yessica a few days ago, but my scanner has been down. I got it back up and running, so now you can see the pretty picture that she drew for me. Now, here is what she wrote: Thank you for the letter and the picture that you sent me. I am very happy with you all, and yes, I am eating very well and will continue studying this year. I hope we continue to keep in touch. I had a nice Christmas with my grandparents and family. I ate tamales, drank fruit punch, ate chocolate and bread. I, also, played with firecrackers. Well, this is all for now. I send you a big hug and many kisses. ~ Yessica
The article about Jaden and Morgan is now live & will be up on the Children International web-site for the next 2 weeks. Enjoy: http://www2.children.org/en/us/News/FeatureStories/2009/Pages/SponsorshipExperience-AFamilyAffair-2-17-09.aspx?sid=F22461C-840F-4BFE-9097-ADAF89036C931
I got this is an e-mail and had to share it: A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that :
We have taller buildings but shorter tempers,
wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less,
we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families,
more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense,
more knowledge, but less judgment,
more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,
laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry,
stay up too late, get up too tired,
read too little, watch TV too much,
and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,
big men and small character,
steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,
fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one-night stands,
overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Ok, if you have looked for Jaden and Morgan on the Children International web-site, you have already discovered that they are not yet there. It was supposed to go live on Tuesday, but they are having technical difficulties (and trying to revamp the site)... So, hopefully, it will be up by tomorrow.
Big announcement! Of course, we all know how special both of the girls are, but soon the world will know. Jaden and Morgan have done a few projects to help others and already understand that there is a world beyond themselves with people that have less than they do. For Christmas, you may remember they put together Christmas gift bags for 40+ families in the Dallas area. Now, Jaden and Morgan have decided to get money together to purchase beds for 4 children who do not have a bed. None of this came by my persuasion but rather by Jaden seeing a need and asking questions. Of course, all of that will be in the article that will go live tomorrow. It will be on the home page of the Children International web-site for a week. To see it, starting tomorrow morning, go to: http://www2.children.org/en/us/Pages/Home.aspx?sid=7AEBEA10-4811-443D-BCFE-6EBCE651AB41 , and scroll down to the bottom of the home page on the left hand side.
Great news! I was able to find more Wiggles shirts, so the Wiggles fundraiser is still underway!!! Jaden has raised $125.45 so far, and she has decided to go ahead and get the first bed for a girl~ So, Dulce will be the first recipient. Her bed is $116, so that will leave some money left over to go toward the next bed (which will be for Jonathan). She is still collecting coins, too, but the Wiggles shirts make the fund raising go faster :0) Since, we want the kids to have the beds ASAP. I am anxious for a letter from one or two or three of the kids!!! Correspondemce is slow these days.
Jaden finally has enough money raised to buy a bed for one of our HIV+ kids. Now, she says that she wants to buy one for Jonathan first... She is debating between Jonathan or Dulce... So, I will update everyone when she decides who to give to first. If it is Jonathan, then, she has a few more dollars to raise. Of course, she continues to raise money in order to get all 4 of them a bed. Updates to come!
Did you see this story this week? If not, you have to check it out!!! Here it is:
Cristina Benavente was excited and nervous when a staff member at our agency in Tabaco, Philippines, informed her that her sponsor, Barbara Broderick, wanted to talk to her over the phone. It would be her first conversation with Ms. Broderick, and Cristina wondered what she’d tell her and what stories she’d hear in return.
That was December 2007, and Cristina, then 18, had no idea it would be the one and only time the two ever spoke to each other.
During their conversation, Cristina learned that Ms. Broderick was suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer. “She told me that whatever happens, I should pursue my studies and that I shouldn’t get married at an early age,” she recalled.
Cristina couldn’t hold back the tears. She was struck by the realization that the person who had been helping her couldn’t even help herself.
Ms. Broderick explained that if it weren’t for her cancer, she would have visited Cristina in the Philippines long ago. “She apologized because she wouldn’t be around for long to help me. I told her to stop worrying about me – it doesn’t matter if she stops helping me as long as she gets well,” remembered Cristina. “She kept telling me to study hard because a good education would take me places and help me realize my dreams. It would be my greatest achievement, and it would help me spell out my future.”
Before they hung up, Ms. Broderick asked Cristina to write her a letter. Soon after, Cristina received a card
from her sponsor, along with a gift for Easter, and she promptly wrote her a letter in reply. But nothing followed.
Weeks later, Cristina was called to the community center. She assumed it was for the usual sponsorship updates and requirements. When she arrived, the chief of sponsor relations, Raynor Rodriguez, told her that he had some good news and some bad news for her.
Cristina broke into tears the moment she heard the bad news. Ms. Broderick, her sponsor and friend, had passed away. It felt like she had lost someone in her own family. “Even though we didn’t have the chance to see each other, I felt that she was someone who really cared for me,” Cristina confided.
Cristina used to only dream of leaving her remote island village to attend college. But a final gift from her former sponsor will make that dream a reality.
Then came the good news. Ms. Broderick had included Cristina in her will, with instructions to cover Cristina’s educational expenses through college.
The news arrived at a pivotal point in Cristina’s life. She was about to graduate from high school, and her parents wouldn’t be able to help her pay for college on the $45 they earned each month as daily workers. Her only alternative was to find a low-paying job and continue her studies once she saved enough money. But as to when that would be, she wasn’t sure.
Cristina returned home that day, overwhelmed with mixed emotions. She was grieving the loss of her friend, and at the same time, she couldn’t believe that Ms. Broderick was thinking about her until her very last moments.
Now whenever Cristina tells the story, she can’t help but get emotional. “I promised myself that when I graduate from college and find a job, I’ll go to the States and pay her a visit, even if it’s just her grave. I want to meet her family and thank them for all the help they gave me…and for making me feel that they cared.”
Before she passed away, Ms. Broderick asked her good friend Bernard Damashaek to carry on her legacy. Mr. Damashaek continues to sponsor Cristina to this day. He is committed to helping her enroll in college and achieve her full potential.
Ok, here are some more pictures of my friend's visit to Frankellys. Sorry about the bad quality of the pictures. This was done before I got my scanner. My scanner right now is not working, so this is the best I could do.
This is what the Children International sponsored children will receive for Easter this year:
Colombia Cartagena and Barranquilla (Henry, Diego, and Aldair) – All children will receive a pair of black leather shoes.
Chile Valparaiso – All children will receive a pair of black leather shoes and a pair of socks.
Honduras San Pedro Sula – Boys will receive a pair of pants. Girls will receive a new skirt and a pair of socks.
India Sahay and Disha – All children will receive two pairs of new shoes – canvas lace-up shoes and rubber slip-ons.
Dominican Republic Santo Domingo (Katherine, Dulce, and Leydi)– All children will receive a blue button-up shirt and a pair of socks.
The Philippines Manila, Tabaco and Legazpi – All children will receive a new pair of shoes. Quezon City – All children will receive new shoes and a pair of socks.
Zambia Lusaka (Mwanza)– All children will receive a pair of brown leather athletic- style shoes.
Guatemala Guatemala City and Rural Guatemala (Yessica) – Boys will receive a brand new pair of denim jeans. Girls will receive a choice of a pair of jeans or a cardigan sweater.
Ecuador Quito – All children will receive a new polo-style shirt. Guayaquil (Jonathan) - Children 10 and under will receive black leather shoes and three pairs of socks. Children over 10 will receive a pair of black leather shoes.
Mexico Jalisco – All children will receive two t-shirts, two underpants and a pair of socks.
United States Little Rock – All children will receive a variety of age-appropriate reading books and educational puzzles and games.
Here is the article that will be posted on the CI web-site in a couple of weeks:
I have been a sponsor with Children International for a year-and-a-half-now. I started with only two children, but, little by little, as I grew closer to each child, I added to my sponsor family. I never knew how much my enthusiasm for sponsorship would rub off on my own young daughters.
At one-and-a-half, Morgan, the younger of my two daughters, does not yet fully understand what sponsorship means. Fortunately, she likes to imitate her big sister, who sets an excellent example of the personal joy that comes from showing compassion for others. Morgan knows all of our sponsored kids by name when she sees the photos, which is quite an accomplishment considering there are nine names to remember!
Jaden, my 4-year-old daughter, first showed interest in sponsorship when she saw the pictures of the kids. She naturally asked me who they were, but her curiosity did not end there. Jaden continues to be fascinated by my "other" children, and badgers me with questions about their parents, if they have siblings, and where they live.
When our sponsored family reached nine kids, I had to come up with another way to answer Jaden’s persistent questions. I put together a small photo album featuring all of the children. When my daughter opens the album, there is a child’s picture on one side and information about them on the opposing page. That way, I can easily answer any of the questions she has by looking at the information page.
I only intended the album to be used for that purpose, but Jaden had a better idea. She carries the photo album with her everywhere! She stops friends and family to show them her album. When she flips through the album, though she can’t read, she can tell people each child’s name, plus a little about him or her, from memory. She calls them “her sponsor kids.”
One day, Jaden and I were sitting at the computer watching all of the Children International YouTube videos. Jaden never ceases to amaze me. She watched the videos with intensity and caught everything that was happening in the different programs. She noticed details in the videos that even I didn’t see. When she saw things that she thought weren’t right, she would ask me why. For example, Jaden once asked, "Why doesn't that girl have shoes on?"
When I explained that their mommies and daddies don’t have enough money to buy them shoes, she questioned, "Does Henry and Katherine (two of our sponsored children) and the other kids have shoes?"
I told her that I wasn't sure, but it was possible that they did not. Jaden's simple reply was, "Then let's send them shoes!" Similar conversations occurred for sinks, water, toilets, houses, clothes, dishes, beds, etc. My daughter's response was always, "Well, then let's send them some!"
After we were finished watching the videos, Jaden asked why the children were so sad. I explained, "Because they are hungry and dying."
She said, "Well, let's go there and help them. Come on, Mom!!!"
I told her that we couldn't go immediately. When Jaden asked me, "why not," I replied, "because it costs a lot of money to go there."
That wasn't a good answer for her, of course. Her response was, "Mom, do you have ANY money? Because I have $1. So, let's go!!"
Jaden may only be 4 years old, but she is more empathetic than most grown people. She saw the children in the videos lying on the dirt floor. She asked me why because “they would get dirty.” I went on to explain that a bed is a luxury that not everyone can afford. Some children sleep on the dirt floor because they have nothing else to sleep on. This revelation was heartbreaking to her.
We have four sponsored children that are suffering with a virus that is deeply affected by the quality of their living conditions. If they do not keep up a healthy environment (including a good night’s sleep), they risk their life by compromising their immune systems. Jaden has decided that she is going to find a way to help at least three of the sick children get the beds that they so desperately need. She has started collecting money in a jar with the change that friends and relatives have given her. Her goal is to raise $504 to buy the three beds. She has raised $25.71 so far!
After she hits the goal of $504, she has more plans for the change (including more beds). She will continue to collect and give, and I am so excited for her to be able to see the fruits of her labor. When we eventually get pictures of three smiling children with their new beds, my daughter will know that even a 4-year-old child can change the lives of others!
Ok, as I hinted at earlier, my 4 year old daughter will be featured on the Children International web-site this month. I will let you know when it is actually up on the site to see. Anyway, it is supposed to be up on week #3, so February 15th is the date to look out for. I want to warn you in advance that if you want to be surprised by the story, I am going to ruin it for you... Tomorrow, I will post the article... 2 1/2 weeks in advance. I know I don't have that many "followers" to my blog, so I am sure I am not ruining the surprise for anyone! LOL!!!
This is one of my previously sponsored children (the oldest girl) with her brothers and sister in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I am VERY fortunate to have a friend that lives there. She went to visit Frankellys and her family back in 2007. She brought her a package full of stuff that I had sent, and she took pictures of the house, family, staff and neighborhood. I was very exciting to see more of the family. In fact, I have the pictures of her opening up the package in her scrap book, so I will post those in a later post. I would like my friend Alexandra to visit my current children in Santo Domingo (Leydi and Dulce), but it costs a lot of money to do. In order to do what I did with Frankellys, I sent Alexandra a package a month in advance. It had 2 disposible cameras in it plus gifts for Frankellys and her family. The total cost of that was around $100. Then, I had to send Alexandra $150 to cover film developing, taxi fees, and of course, something extra for her time. Since she is unemployed, that helped her out as well. It was a lot cheaper than a personal visit from me, and Frankellys was just as excited to see a friend of mine come visit her. (at least it seems to me). I would love to be able to go see all of them one day, but in the meantime, this is a cheaper way to do it, it provides work for a Dominican, and I get to see the smiles on their faces!!!
My 4 year old daughter Jaden is proud to be a sponsor. Like I had said in an earlier post, she is raising money to buy 4 of the children beds. Children International will be posting an article about her on their web-site this month!!! Keep your eyes out for it. In the meantime, I will share the article with you on a "sneak-preview" basis in a later post.
Lilliam will turn 13 years old tomorrow!! She lives in Ecuador. Alice first began sponsoring her in August 2008. She recently purchased a bed for her, and I will be posting pictures of the bed soon. I will, also, post the thank you letter that she wrote in a later post.
