During these times when most of us are ‘social distancing’ and ‘sheltering in place’, we probably have much more time on our hands and yet are unable to be in touch with many of those on our minds. This is especially true of our sponsored children. We know they and their families are experiencing the same difficulties we are, and possibly more, depending on where they live in the world.
All our sponsorship programs have been affected due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As schools are closed and churches are not meeting, our normal weekly program activities have been greatly altered. Thankfully, our staff is creatively finding ways to still serve the children and their families with food and supply pick-up and deliveries. The major area that has been affected is that of personal contact.
While we wait for things to return to normal, here are a few things we can do to help us be more connected:
Fortunately, right now, this is something we’re probably finding very easy to do and it is the most important. Most of the countries our children live in have limited resources and infrastructure and are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis. Our prayers for health, protection, wisdom for their governments, good information, communication, and availability of health care resources, food, water, etc. are essential. Praying for our sponsored child, their family, their community, and their country unites us together in spirit and helps us feel closer.
Although quarantining has required that correspondence be temporarily suspended, you can still write to your sponsored child. Many times, writing down our thoughts and feelings helps us to process them, and it draws our hearts closer to our friends or loved ones. Notes of encouragement, prayers, scripture verses, and just your usual expressions of love are great, as well as talking about what you and your family are doing together during this time. Letters are still being forwarded to our staff and they are saving them until they can be safely delivered. Your sponsored child will feel so special and loved to know you were thinking about them.
Like so many, Forward Edge’s ministry has been financially affected due to the nationwide shutdown, and this has carried through to the operation of our programs as costs have increased to procure and provide food and goods. We have also, unfortunately, lost sponsors and donors which has had a considerable impact. If you are in a position to help, please consider sponsoring another child, increasing your sponsorship, or giving an additional gift to support all our children’s programs through our Day by Day campaign; they need more support than ever through these challenging times and through the recovery that will likely last for some time to come.
We are so grateful for all our dedicated sponsors and donors; your partnership with Forward Edge in the caring of our children is invaluable. You mean so much to us and so much more to them. We are praying for you and your families. May God keep you in His loving care and bless you as you continue to bless others.
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I just returned from a mission trip to our child sponsorship program in El Cobre, Cuba and spent several days with not only my sponsored child but some of yours as well! What a joy to see them face to face, hug them, and to share some quality time. One
10 yrs. old
Entered the program: March 2023
Wunintira lives with her parents and three siblings in a mud house with a thatch roof. The family has no access to electricity or potable water. Residents draw water from the village dam until it dries up; then, the women and girls of the community have to walk long distances to find other sources. Wunintira’s village is very poor and lacks many resources.
Wunintira’s family is Muslim. Her father is unemployed and her mother periodically sells rice to help with the household income. They live on less than a dollar a day and usually have one meal a day. Before Create Hope, providing for Wunintira’s school fees and supplies was an added hardship. She requires ongoing healthcare; as she has suffered with seizures since birth.
Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!
