World Vision has captured my heart!!! Having had the opportunity to sponsor a child in another country 9 hours away has changed my life more than I think I'll ever know. Kailale has a very special place in my heart and receiving his letters brings such a huge smile to my face!!!!
Recently I have been talking a lot about World Vision to a lot of people. Mostly because of my upcoming travel/vacation to Kenya in only 6 DAYS!!! On December 18, I will get to meet Kailale and his family and his community first hand in Lokori. I am taking a chartered plane (paid for by me not World Vision) to his village- Lokori, which is about 350 miles northwest from Nairobi (where I'll be staying with Emily & her parents). I have only been dreaming about the day when I will get to see him face to face and give him a great big hug for just over 5 years. Its like this impossible distant dream finally coming true and I am super excited!!!!!
World Vision's mission is about building a better world for children. My sponsorship of Kailale has not only changed his life or his families but their entire community!!!! The sponsorship helps to address the most basic needs- immediate and long term. With over 50 years of experience they have discovered the most effective way to build a better world for children is helping the entire community. World Vision intentionally works with locals to determine the communities specific needs and helps the community to gain access to resources to meet those needs. Such as accessing clean drinking water, improving nutrition, health care education, economic opportunities and vocational training. By strengthening the community they are able to bring hope of a brighter future for the children and lasting change!
There is even a 10+ year plan for each community that they bring hope and change.
Phase 1 (years 1-3)
Building trust and laying the groundwork
-- Partnership with community
-- Needs and resources assessed, plans to meet needs
-- Begin child sponsorships and community project
Phase 2 (years 4-9)
Building hope & skills
-- Community participates in progress and embraces project ownership
-- Children continue to benefit from projects
------ education/ school
------ nutrition/ food
------ clean water
------ health care
------ spiritual nurture
Phase 3 (years 10 til project close)
Building confidence for the future
-- self-assurance and self-sufficiency grow
-- years of hard work and partnership transform lives of children & the community
I know that my sponsorship with Kailale will one day come to an end. The effect I have on his life now through my sponsorship will stay with him and his family forever. My sponsorship may conclude if his community has "graduated" The goal of sponsorship is end the cycle of poverty so the children, their families, and their community can move into the future with a strong foundation of hope. Also, if Kailale finishes school, marries, or becomes self sufficient my sponsorship is no longer needed. And is something unforeseen happens such as his family leaving the community our relationship will end.
For the skeptic people in the world I want to tell you that World Vision is making a difference in the lives of children all over the world and even right here in America. They respond to natural disasters similar to the Red Cross and have the experience of changing lives for over 50 years. For every dollar donated more than 86 cents goes directly to that cause! Just click here for their charity rating and financial information from Charity Navigator if you have doubts.
"Success" By Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and love much
To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children
To earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends
To appreciate beauty
To find the best in others
To give of one’s self
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded
I just got my world vision welcome packet and my first picture of Eminet. My 6yr old little girl from Ethiopia that I am now a proud sponsor of. I am soooo excited to get started! I will write my first letter to her soon and I know that this will be the beginning of a wonderful and loving relationship for both of us. Thanks, Amy for introducing me to World Vision. It took me a couple of months from when you first told me about it before I took that next step, but through more research of my own, I got here, and even though I have not even written or received letters for Eminet (because I have not really started yet), I am already so thankful and excited about the wonderful changes that I know are in store for both of our futures. Just getting started as a sponsor I know that I have grown as a person. I hope to encourage and inspire others to do the same, just as I was inspired by you. Thanks again and I hope to see you soon before you are off to Cali!
ReplyDeleteGod bless (your ex-roomie)
Nicole
P.S. you should see how big Bella is getting
Nice touch at the end with the quote Amy, you certainly embody it to a T. Whoever you heard that from must know that without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteCan we get a picture of Kailale? I see a picture on the side, but which one is he? Education is key, that will get them ahead and able to find a job to support themselves as they get older.