Shop & Give!

You may have noticed that I posted a new button in the upper right hand side of the blog. I hope that all of you will click and sign up.  Basically, iGive pays CHZ based on a percentage of what it's supporters spend though the iGive mall.  There is no extra cost to you.  It is just linking our group to your purchases, so that we get a percentage of what you pay to purchase the items.  We, also, get paid if you use their search engine to do your searches.  It is really simple to use, and if everyone participates, it could mean a large sum of money for our program.  Whenever I purchase something online, I just go to iGive first and click on the shop I am purchasing from there.  Also, it pops up a box that tells you what current offers there are for that store- i.e. free shipping, money off, etc.  Thank you to everyone who is already doing this!  It is a big help!! 

No Hope at all

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” -Dale Carnegie (1888-1955)

Maurren is a sweet girl who is in need of a sponsor.  She has been enjoying the sponsorship program for 8 months.  She has received school supplies, items for her preschool class, a hygiene kit, shoes, etc.  Her sponsor was unable to keep sponsoring her, so we are looking for a new sponsor for her.  Maurren is especially concerned that she will not be able to go to first grade next year.  Without a sponsor,she will not be sent to school because she has no one to pay her school fees. 

Maurren was featured in a video here: http://childhopezambia.blogspot.com/2010/05/meet-maureen.html

If you would like to sponsor Maurren, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Update: Maurren is now sponsored!!!  Thank you so much, Frauke! 

New Gift Items Added

Handmade beaded necklace- It has 3 strands and connects with a sterling silver clasp- perfect for anyone age 3 and up!- $6 each

Hand Made- Embroidered Features!  Completely Posable! African Doll- $9 each

Hand Made African Bracelets-All of the above colors available- $3 each

Three new items are available as extras that you can purchase for your sponsor child.  All three of these items have been made by our Miracles in Caring Coorperative in Kampala, Uganda.  Every time you purchase one of these items 100% of the sale goes back to the women that made the items!!  They are all very poor and have spent a lot of time in the stone quarry breaking rocks for a living.  Since starting the cooperative a little over a year ago, we have been able to provide income for 20 families!! 

We would like to be able to help more families, and help the families to break out of a life of poverty.  The income from these items goes to feed their children, provide housing for their families, provide funds if medical emergencies arise, and we hope that as the children grow up in these families they will, also, go on to get a higher education, etc. 

There are 19 dolls available for purchase immediately in Zambia.  These dolls can be given out at the upcoming distribution if they are purchased within the next day or two.  The bracelets and necklaces right now are only here in the USA, so after they are purchased, they will be shipped to Zambia for next distribution.  I have a total of 10 bracelets available.  The bracelets are elastic, so they can fit anyone.  They are loose on my 4 year old and slightly slack on my 6 year old, but any children age 7 and up should fit them fine without them falling off.  They even fit me, so they can be purchased for any of the mothers for Mother's Day as well.  The necklace that you see, I have 10 of those as well.  I have more necklaces, all different, but only 10 of the ones I am showing here.  If you would like to purchase any of these, send me an e-mail so that I can get you an invoice: macandmic@gmail.com

Math Class Pictures

Twin Sponsor Needed

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller (1880-1968);

These cuties need a sponsor that can help them both or share sponsorship with a friend.  Banji #214 and Mpimpa #213 will be turning 6 in May.  They are in preschool and enjoy playing football with their new ball.  They help their mother who is raising them on her own.  If you can help these two handsome boys, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com 

Once you choose hope, anything is possible

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”
Christopher Reeve (1952-2004)

Stanley #348 still has hope of finding a sponsor.  He has seen how sponsorship has helped the children in his village, and he desperately wants to be a part of that.  If you would like to sponsor Stanley, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com 

Sunshine

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.”


James M. Barrie (1860-1937);

Jossar #863 above is 4 years old.  He likes drawing and making things with clay at school.  There are 5 children in his family, so he would benefit greatly from sponsorship.  If you would like to sponsor Jossar, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Happiness Never Ceases by Being Shared

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will never be shortened. Happiness never ceases by being shared.”


Chinese Proverb -
 
Vincent #890 is in preschool in Naleza.  He likes painting and playing football.  He lives with a house full of sisters (3 in total).  He is looking for a sponsor to help him purchase school books and learning toys.  If you would like to help Vincent with his early start on education, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Crazy Ones

“While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."- Apple Computer Inc

Car Situation

Here is the video of the car after it had problems.  Nicole is searching for an organization that could help us with the purchase of a 4x4.  We are in desperate need of one for use in the field so that they can get to the children more often and with more reliability.  If you have any ideas on organizations we can contact, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com  CHILDHOPE-ZAMBIA is a registered NGO in Zambia, so there are tax benefits for Zambia companies.  Shortly, we will have the 501c3 status in the US, and will be able to provide tax benefits to US donors as well. 

Several of you requested translation on these videos, so here is what Chim is saying:

"Here we are again in Simwaba. We are stuck with the vehicle, so we are trying to appeal to someone who can help us buy a vehicle for operations. It has been very difficult for us to operate due to lack of a vehicle. So, we still appeal to any support that we have out there to help us purchase a 4 x 4. To help us reach more children on time and do our program as it is supposed to be. We are very grateful and appreciate anyone who can help us to purchase a vehicle. Right now we are trying to go down and check on what is going on with the vehicle- under the engine to see what the car has.


We really need someone who can come and help us purchase a 4x4, so that we can get to the field on time and try to help the children on time. Thank you so much."

A Equals B

2011 Third Distribution Post 32: Final Post

 Joe 47 above and Naomi 93 below

Coilard 94 above and Mutinta 115 below

Verian 259 above and Purity 401 below

Kelvin 453 above and below

Tristen 561 above and Rebbeca 645 below

Willard 830 above and Kasamba 957 below

Ozwell 1128 below

Simwaba Hunter - Brian #722

It is funny to me how a child's face or information can grab my attention sometimes.  I was rearranging the photo albums when I ran into this little guy.  His photo made me smile, so I had to share him with everyone!  He has such a serious look on his face, but the alien with the pointy ears ruins the seriousness he is trying to portray.  That is just hilarious to me!  Anyway, I looked at his bio and was amazed that his household chore is hunting.  He lives with his single mother, and so the chore of hunting falls on his shoulders.  I hope he is not using a gun- my goodness!  He is turning 5 in two weeks, but still, I think it may be a little early for artillery.  Here is his full bio:

Name: Brain Chaambwa 

*not sponsored*

Child #: 722

Sex: Male
DOB: 4/8/2006

Grade: PreK

Wants to be a footballer

Speaks Tonga

Favorite Subject: english

Favorite Color: red

Favorite Pastime: soccer

Lives in Simwaba with his mother, 1 brother and 2 sisters

Chores: hunting

Health is: fair

If you would like to sponsor Brian, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com  Also, once you become his sponsor, maybe you can find out what he hunts with and get back to me on that one =)

More with the Math Class

Several of you have asked that I provide the written words of what the teacher is saying. I will go back shortly to add to the previous videos. In this video, you will hear the math teacher teaching her class algebra. She says that "a equals b, and when a equals b, this is how we write it =". "Any questions?"

2011 Third Distribution Post 31: Random

 Miyoba 17 above and Nathan 128 below

Esnart 286 above and Simon 434 below

Ivy 525 above and Tristen 561 below

Maxwell 833 above and Cathreen 1063 below

Ozwell 1128 above and Memory 631 below

Mweenze 1027 below

Here are some more pictures I received.  Chim is looking through what he has pictures of and comparing it to the list I have given him of photos we should be getting.  He will send more photos if he has them.  Otherwise, we will have the children on the list to get items at this upcoming distribution.  I have even more updates to send the sponsors individually, so watch for those as well.  =)

Teacher in Simwaba explaining hunger

The 5th grade math teacher in Simwaba is explaning how the children come to school hungry. 
She would like them to have access to more food, so that they can come to school with a full stomach and ready to learn.  As we get closer to the planting season, it will be important for these families to have access to seeds and fertilizer, so that they can provide for their children.  Even a bag of mealie meal helps the family a lot!

Math Class Teacher

Math Class

Primary Class Outside

290 Children Sponsored!!

We are coming up on the 1 year mark for the sponsorship program.  We will officially be one year old on May 1st, 2011.  To date, we have 290 children sponsored!  That is an amazing feat! 

So many more children are waiting for sponsors, and the benefits to the children are immense!  As the 2011 budget comes in and the gift distribution list is put together, you will find even more benefits than before.  While companies are down-sizing, we are up-sizing!  We want the children to have as many benefits as possible... and we would like as many children as possible to have the benefits. 

With a month and a half left until the 1 year mark, we can easily hit the 300 mark with sponsored children, but how about if we aim for 350?  or 400?  It is easy to speak numbers, but not so easy when you think about what we are speaking of are children...  Real children waiting for a real person to accept them and help them to break the cycle of poverty.  Every child deserves a better future. 

There is no difference between these children and children born into privilege, except that one thing that the children (or us) who have been blessed with more than our share are in the fortunate position to help those who do not have enough.  You may think you do not make enough money to help, but the reality is, if you are looking at this post on a computer screen, you are already more fortunate than 70% of the world's population who does not have access to the internet at all!!  Do you own a car?  If so, you are more fortunate than 91% of the world's population! 

If you really look at it, it is surprising how little it takes to make a difference!  30 cents a day- that is right- 30 cents a day is all it takes to provide one of our children with fees to attend school, a uniform, items to keep clean for medical and dental health, access to medicines to fight malaria and other deadly diseases, school supplies, etc.  For 30 cents a day, I can't even buy a candy bar, gum... I can't think of anything I can buy for 30 cents any more!!  But, for 30 cents, I can make sure that at least 1 child will not have to suffer through a bought of malaria without access to medication- at least one child will be able to go to school without facing the fear of being kicked out for not paying school fees...  Can you think of a better way to spend 30 cents?

When that 30 cents goes toward the sponsorship of a child, it can help everyone in the community.  The sponsorship means that the single mother does not need to worry about how she will come up with school fees for one of her children.  She can, then, put her money toward feeding all of her children, buying more seed to add to her garden, purchasing livestock to sell and use for food... All from my 30 cents!  It is the domino effect.  AND, further, when that child is able to continue his/her education past primary school and into university, bigger changes happen!  That child can return to his community as a doctor, a nurse, a teacher... Together as hundreds of sponsored children with higher education, they contribute to the evolution of the entire community from poverty to prosperity!  This is the future for our children in the southern province of Zambia- all thanks to you!!    

If you would like to help us help one more- spread the word!!  You never know who may be listening.  And many children are waiting for someone to decide that they can spare 30 cents...

2011 Third Distribution Post 30: Clothes~ Unsponsored Children

 Somaria 768 above and Rotrida 998 below

 Elita N above and Frank M below (both children are not enrolled in the sponsorship program)

 Ivy M above and Joyce M below (both children are not enrolled in the sponsorship program)

 Matanda N above and Nchimunya M below (both children not enrolled in the sponsorship program)

 Patrick N above and Precious M below (both children not enrolled in the sponsorship program)

 Precious Mw above and Richwell M below (both children not enrolled in the sponsorship program)

 Usher M above and Worship M below (both children not enrolled in the sponsorship program)

Most of these little ones are still at home with mum.  However, they are not too young to get some clothes to keep them warm =)  I always like to see the mothers in the pictures anyway.  They remind me that even though we are thousands of miles apart, we are not that different.  We all want the same things for our children- a better future and a life free of poverty.