More Than Money

It's crazy to think that over a year ago I sat in anticipation, making my way to Uganda. I can't believe it's been that long. At times it feels like it was still yesterday.

It's been over a year since I've held my Jackson, played and loved on those amazing children. It's been over a year that I embarked on an adventure that would change so much in my heart. It's been over a year that I stepped off that plane, inhaled the wonderful dry African air, and I felt immensely in love with a people and place that I long to return to.

There is so much I could write about, how this past year has only increased my desire to return to Africa, what I've learned over this past year, or my plans when it comes to my next trip.  Instead I want to take some time to write on how to change the world.  Yes you read that correctly!!  I'm going to write about how we can make a difference in this world, one child at a time!

I adore youth.  I love working with teens, playing hide and seek and building forts with kids as well as holding precious babies.  While in Uganda I was fortunate enough to get to love on so many children throughout the couple of communities we visited.  I love my kiddos and miss them all so much.

Many of the children I met while there were extremely poor and suffering from disease, hunger, abuse, and environmental disasters.  Thankfully there are ways you can help, make a difference in a child's life without traveling across the world.  It's simple yet makes such a remarkable impact for a child.  Allowing them to go to school, have a meal that otherwise couldn't be guaranteed, and access to some amounts of healthcare.  This avenue of helping that I fully support and suggest is through child sponsorship.

WHY CHILD SPONSORSHIP IS SO IMPORTANT    

I think most people consider sponsoring children as something out of their doing, too expensive, far too large of an undertaking.  Fortunately, that is not the case.  Child sponsorship is one of the most effective ways to change a young person's life! It could be the difference between them going to school and not. The difference between having a continued education and not.  The difference between eating and not, pulling themselves out of poverty, having a future that far exceeds what could have been. 

School in Uganda isn’t like school in America. The kids actually want to go. It’s a privilege.

And it’s expensive. Many Ugandan families can’t afford to send their children to school.  Or if they can usually can only afford to send one child to school, to get an education.  What a terrible burden that would be for a parent. To have to choose between their children which they will invest more in. Which child out of them all can go to school, get an education, and have the opportunity to invest in their future.  I couldn't imagine that burden.  What's great about child sponsorship is that we can easily from our homes give to a child, to a family such an amazing opportunity and much needed services.  

MORE THAN MONEY

I'd like to spend a few paragraphs emphasizing that sponsoring a child goes beyond writing a check, paying electronically and calling it good.  I mean as sponsors we pay $35-$40+ per month, which does a tremendous amount but there is more to it.  It's more than sending your love through these forms of financial support but what can possibly greater than sending your love and support through words.  One might ask how could a letter really matter?  Letters are important to a child's development.  Letter writing improves children's basic literacy skills, their self-awareness and their ability to put thoughts and feelings into words.   Letters to your sponsor child represent your physical presence to these children and their families.  Do you remember when you received mail as a child? The excitement you felt knowing you had a letter specifically meant for you.  Just imagine their face when they are handed a letter from someone who cares for them.  How not only sent them money to go to school but has taken the time out of their lives to write down some words of how they are thinking about them, want to get to know them, and love them.   Our words are more valuable than our automatic withdrawals.  And we can change the course of history by investing in the person instead of just the payment plan.

If you've ever toyed with the idea of making a difference in a child's life by child sponsorship, I encourage you to check our Africa Renewal Ministries and get started today!

Until next time! -Melanie