Ceud Mile Failte
A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
The link to the website of I AM Childrens Family is a link to the website of an orphanage in Uganda. Our small home church has been working very hard for the past 2 or so years to help the orphanage. Before 9-11, most of the children were sponsored for school, after 9-11, they lost all their sponsors. Since then we've held two bake sales to help pay for extra expenses, both of which have earned almost $1000.00 each. A couple who run an online pearl business bought a peice of land for the orphanage to operate from. It has two houses, and a tall brick wall around the property. It allows them to keep the children safe from kidnapping. It has also allowed them, since they now own property, to be recognized as a legitimate orphanage. They have been able to receive help from world food organizations. Most of these children have lost one or both parents. Normally due to Aids, and some malnutrition. Some of the kids are Aids carriers, but all are taken care of as well as possible. Some children are simply abandoned by parents or relatives at the gates. In a few cases, such as Allan, who we sponsored, he was still going to school despite the fact that his mother had died and his father was so ill he was unable to even rise from bed. The school called I AM because Allan was literally starving to death. As you will see on website, he is now a very well nourished, happy child. Since then, his father has also died. Both died from Aids. The orphanage doesn't just give them food water, and education, they also love these children very much. They encourage personal and spiritual growth as well. Sponsoring a child is only $25.00 a month for school. One time gifts are also accepted, or if you prefer, a yearly gift so you don't have to fuss over remembering to send in your monthly amount. 100% of the money goes to the kids. There are no administration fees kept here by anyone helping to find sponsors. You will receive regular updates on the kids' school performances and letters from the children. Communication is encouraged between the sponsoring family/individual and the children. If anyone is interested, contact Laura Carter through e-mail. A DVD is available to watch from Tony & Laura Carter's trip there, so are pictures and the status of each child waiting for sponsorhip. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I pray that you will take a look and consider sponsoring children who are in so much need. ~ Theresa <><Benjamin Ealovega took the pictures featured on the I AM website. He also allowed us to use his photographs in the DVD and fliers. Thank you, Benjamin!
Uganda correction and update
I AM Children's Family Update
4-18-07 Update
Pastor Ponsiono died a few weeks ago from a heart-attack. Laura, our pastor's wife spent three weeks there to see how things were going to go. It really sounds like the family is pulling togther well and there's even a renewed vision for carrying on the work.
Something that really touched my heart this time around is a baby that was brought to the orphanage. The mother had died during childbirth and the father had considered two options, since he couldn't care for the babe. 1. Put it in a dumpster and let it die or 2. bring it to I AM. Fortunately he brought the baby boy to the orphanage. Laura said that he was literally almost dead by the time he did bring him. His hair was orange from malnutrition. But now he is 7 months old, fat and happy! His name? Stephen.
I AM is still looking for sponsors, and sponsorship is really inexpensive. $20.00 a month for a child in elementary-grade school. They're trying to turn a generation of people around who are responsible, educated and skilled citizens. One child at a time is the only way it's going to get done. Please consider helping.
Thanks! ~ Theresa