Troubles

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”  Dr. Suess

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

986 Anita Hameenka

970 Monica Mweene

That's what little girls are made of... These sweet girls are from a community known for its sweetness!!  Mazabuka is known for its sugar production =)  If you would like to sponsor one of these preschool girls, go to www.mwanahopezambia.com and search by their ID numbers.  Then, click on "Sponsor Me!" 

I need your help part 2 of 6

Name: Alex Mubanga Moonga

*not sponsored*

Child #: 1015

Sex: Male

DOB: 2/8/1997

Grade: 7

Wants to be a driver

Speaks Tonga

Favorite Subject: english

Favorite Color: blue

Favorite Pastime: soccer

Lives in Simwaba with his grandparents, 2 brothers and 1 sisters

Chores: herding cattle

Health is: fair

Name: Chisuta Mweemba

*not sponsored*

Child #: 1064

Sex: Male

DOB: 11/1/1998

Grade: 7

Wants to be a doctor

Speaks Tonga

Favorite Subject: english

Favorite Color: red

Favorite Pastime: soccer

Lives in Manyana with his uncle and 1 brother

Chores: looking after cattle

Health is: fair

Name: Clever Mweemba

*not sponsored*

Child #: 1069

Sex: Male

DOB: 5/20/2005

Grade: PreK

Wants to be a teacher

Speaks Tonga

Favorite Subject: painting

Favorite Color: red

Favorite Pastime: free play

Lives in Naleza with his mother, 2 brothers and 2 sisters

Chores: herding cattle

Health is: fair

This is the second post of the children that have been dropped by their sponsors.  Here is the text that went with the first post: Let me tell you my delimma: I have some children that have been enjoying the sponsorship program. Some have been receiving sponsorship gifts for over a year, and others for just a few months. The sad thing is that when the sponsor decides they can no longer support the child, the child is left abruptly wondering what happened- Did the child say the wrong things? Did the sponsor not like the photos? Millions of questions run through the child's head, and it leaves me heart sick for them.

The best case scenario is if the children can be responsored before they find out they have lost their sponsor. The worst case scenario is the one I described above where the child is questioning what happened and is no longer participating in the program with their friends.

So, I am hoping you can help me get these children responsored before they find out that they have lost their sponsors. I have several children to feature over the next few days. Even if you can not sponsor one, please consider fostering so that they will get a gift every now and then. These 3 boys above are 3 of the bunch that need new sponsors. Thanks for your help!

I need your help part 1 of 6

Name: Ivy Shanamaila

*not sponsored*

Child #: 525

Sex: Female

DOB: 11/4/2000

Grade: 4

Wants to be a teacher

Speaks Tonga

Favorite Subject: mathmatics

Favorite Color: black

Favorite Pastime: wathing tv

Lives in Manyaana with her mother, 1 brothers and 2 sisters

Chores: dish washing

Health is: fair

These three pictures above are all of Ivy.  The three pictures below are all of Floriana.  Both girls were sponsored for about 1 year.

Name: Floriana Lwiinda

Child #: 273

Sex: Female

DOB: 2/5/1997

Grade: 8

Wants to be a nurse

Speaks Tonga/English

Favorite Subject: english

Favorite Color: orange

Favorite Pastime: studying

Lives in Block - E with her father, 2 brothers and 0 sisters

Chores: house cleaning

Health is: Good

Let me tell you my delimma: I have some children that have been enjoying the sponsorship program.  Some have been receiving sponsorship gifts for over a year, and others for just a few months.  The sad thing is that when the sponsor decides they can no longer support the child, the child is left abruptly wondering what happened- Did the child say the wrong things?  Did the sponsor not like the photos?  Millions of questions run through the child's head, and it leaves me heart sick for them.  

The best case scenario is if the children can be responsored before they find out they have lost their sponsor.  The worst case scenario is the one I described above where the child is questioning what happened and is no longer participating in the program with their friends. 

So, I am hoping you can help me get these children responsored before they find out that they have lost their sponsors.  I have several children to feature over the next few days.  Even if you can not sponsor one, please consider fostering so that they will get a gift every now and then.   These 2 girls above are 2 of the bunch that need new sponsors.  Thanks for your help!

Waiting a Long Time - 9th Graders

Three of the unsponsored children in the first 100 children to enroll are in 9th grade. These children hope to find a find a sponsor before they graduate the program, which will happen in December, if they pass on to 10th grade. Moving to 10th grade requires doing well on a large test, so these children can really use the support and encouragement that sponsorship provides. These children can be sponsored for $15 or $9 a month. If you can sponsor one of these young adults, please send an email to macandmic@gmail.com.

Above is Lucky Mwaabwa (#50). His caretaker is an older brother. It must be tough for the brother to provide for Lucky, even basic things like school fees. Lucky enjoys running, enjoys studying languages (Tonga and English) and hopes to be a TV anchor man when he's older. *not sponsored*

Above is Chinyama Madyabi (#56). She lives with her mother and 7 siblings. She helps at home by washing the dishes. She likes studying math and English and hopes to be a nurse when she grows up. *not sponsored*

Above is Maureen Milimo (#80). She lives with her father and 8 siblings. She also dreams of being a nurse. She enjoys studying math and she plays volleyball in her free time. *not sponsored*

Waiting a Long Time - 4th Graders

We have 5 unsponsored fourth graders left in the first 100 children to enroll in the program. These are the youngest unsponsored children remaining in the first 100. A year must feel like just about forever to a fourth grader. These children can be sponsored for just $9 a month. If you can sponsor one of the children below, please send an email to macandmic@gmail.com.

Above is Malambo Hanzenkule (#74). He lives with his father, 2 brothers and 2 sisters and dreams of being a teacher when he grows up. *not sponsored*

Below is Ellen Makoye (#73). She lives with her father, 1 brother and 4 sisters. She currently enjoys studying math, and she dreams ofbeing a nurse when she grows up. *not sponsored*

Above is Kasamba Choonya (#71). She is one of the many children in the program being raised by grandparents. Kasamba lives with her grandmother, 1 brother and 5 sisters. She likes studying math, and she helps around the house by doing the cooking. She hopes to be a teacher when she's older. *not sponsored*

Below is Alex Madyabi (#68). He lives with his mother, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. He likes playing soccer, and he helps at home by cleaning the house. He enjoys studying math and hopes to be a teacher when he's older. *not sponsored*

Above is Fides Hamoonga (#65). She lives with her mother, 1 brother and 2 sisters. She hopes to be a burse when she's older. She helps her family with cooking, and enjoys playing netball in her free time. *not sponsored*

Waiting a Long Time- 7th and 8th Grade Boys

Joseph Nyeleti #11 (above) is 15 years old and one of three 7th graders in this post. His favorite subject is English, and he would like to be a policeman when he grows up. He lives with his grandfather, 2 brothers and 1 sister. *not sponsored*

Mboozi Miyoba #12 (above) is the 2nd 7th grader in this group of boys. He is 14 years old, and just as Joseph wants to be a policeman when he grows up. His favorite subject is math. He lives with his father, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. *not sponsored*

Morgan Shamilimo # 14 (above) is the 3rd 7th grader in this post. He will turn 15 on June 3rd of this year. Like the other two 7th graders, he wants to be a policeman when he grow up (I think they must have had a discussion about it while they waited in line to get enrolled in the sponsorship program). Morgan's favorite subject is Tonga. He is responsible for the hunting in the household to provide meat for his aunt and and the extended family. He lives with his aunt, her family, and 2 brother and 2 sisters. *not sponsored*

Stephen Mweemba #15 (above) is 14 years old and in 8th grade. You will never guess what he wants to be when he grow up... Yep, a policeman!! His favorite subject is math, and he lives with his father, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. *not sponsored*

Milimo Hamanenga #16 (above) is 16 and in the 8th grade. Unlike the other young men in this post, Milimo would like to be a teacher when he grows up. His favorite subject is math. He lives with his uncle, 3 brothers and 6 sisters. *not sponsored*

I was looking back at our children who have been waiting for a sponsor for a long time. I was surprised to see that most of the children waiting are boys. In this post and even the earlier one, all of the children left from ID #20 and below are all boys. These are fine young men who have struggles, too. These children that are not living with their parents have it even harder as they are usually the last in the family to get school fees paid for them, if at all. It is very important that they find a sponsor if they have any hope of completing school and breaking the cycle of poverty.

If you would like to sponsor one of these cool young men, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Our Very First Children Enrolled

Godfrey/Geofrey Banda above finally has a sponsor after a more than 1 year wait!  I am so excited for him!  He was our first child enrolled in the program and now he is sponsored!! 

Leonard Mweetwa #2 (above) was the second child in line to enroll in our sponsorship program in April 2010.   On July 4th of this year, he will turn 11.  Sponsorship would make a great birthday present for hm!!   He works hard in school, likes math, and loves to read.  He would like to be a teacher when he grows up.  He lives with his father and two brothers.  *not sponsored*

Hinny Mulinga was the 5th child in line to enroll in April 2010.  He is the younger brother of Pretty and older brother to Ray and Lee.  He just turned 12 on April 28th.  He wants to be a pilot when he grows up, and his favorite subjects in 6th grade are English and math.  He lives with his grandmother, 2 brothers and 1 sister (his sister is actually out of town going to school, but she comes back to visit on school holidays).  *sponsored*

Adry Simweene was the 6th in line to enroll in the sponsorship program.   He is in grade 6 and turned 12 on the 4th of April.  His favorite subject is math, and he loves to read.  He is in an especially tough spot because he is from a large family and he is the only child enrolled in the sponsorship program.  There are 6 girls and 5 boys in his family and they live with their father.  *not sponsored*

I am posting this because we have our first child now with a sponsor.  The other 3 boys are the remaining 3 children that were in the first 10 children to enroll in the program.  They have all been waiting for a sponsor since April 2010.  If you would like to sponsor Leonard #2 or Adry #6, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com Thank you for helping these children!!

Sweet Little Ones

Name: Monica Mweene

Child #: 970

Sex:  Female

DOB: 8/2/2006

Grade: PreK

Wants to be a nurse

Speaks Tonga

Favorite Subject: numbers

Favorite Color: red

Favorite Pastime: playing  with toys

Lives in Manyana with  parents, 4 brothers and 3 sisters

Chores: playing

Health is: fair

Name: Grace Muube

Child #: 745

Sex: Female

DOB: 2/3/2007

Grade: PreK

Wants to be a teacher

Speaks Tonga

Favorite Subject: drawing

Favorite Color: blue

Favorite Pastime: free play

Lives in Chalimbana with her parents and 1 sister

Chores: fetching water

Health is: fair

Remember these little cuties?!  These sweet preschool girls are in need of a sponsor.  They are both 4 years old.   If you would like to sponsor one of these young ladies, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Update: These girls now have a sponsor!  Thanks!

A Clever Boy Whose Intelligence is Being Wasted

Sometimes, these letters from the children stand out.  This is Clever #456.  Clever wrote in his recent letter that he is having a hard time at home.  His father died in 2009, and his mother has been struggling to provide for him, his 1 brother and 4 sisters all on her own.  While children all over Zambia celebrated passing their 7th grade exams, Clever had nothing to celebrate.  Clever passed his 7th grade exam, and therefore, he advanced to the 8th grade.  Unfortunately, he is not able to continue his studies.  The increase in school fees from the primary level to the secondary level is too much for his mother to provide.

This, also, means that his 5 sisters and brothers will be in the same situation when they get out of primary.  Without assistance, these children will remain in poverty.  There is no where for them to go without an education, and a primary education is not sufficient for any well-paying job. 

If you would like to sponsor Clever or help get his 5 brothers and sisters enrolled and sponsored, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Update: Clever is now sponsored!  Thank you, Annie!  If anyone would like to help with any of the siblings, let me know and we can get them added. 

Less than 1 month to go!!

We have less than one month to go before we hit the one year mark of the sponsorship program.  As I mentioned earlier, there are still so many children waiting for sponsors.  Our goal is 350+ children to have sponsors by our anniversary date of May 1st. 

So many exciting things are ahead- monthly distributions, lots of photos, and if your child attends every distribution and they are one of those children who like to write, they can now write every month or more if they want to.  We want the sponsor-child bond to be strong, so we encourage you to write regularly and tell your sponsor child about your life.  Ask them about their life, and soon you will have conversations going back and forth across the ocean.  The children LOVE photos- photos of your family, pets, interesting things, activities, and anything else you can think of.  They cherish all of their letters and photos.  They like to see the photos of themselves.  Some of the children have never seen what they look like- they have not seen a mirror nor do they have cameras, so it is very exciting for them to get photos of themselves.  They show off their letters and photos to family and friends, and enjoy being sponsored. 

I can now say that 300+ children are successfully sponsored!!  We only need a little under 50 more children to find sponsors in order for us to reach our goal of 350 by May 1st.  I have letters from unsponsored children here, so if you would like to pick a child based on what they write about, drop me a line, and I will tell you what is in their letter(s).  Obviously, I can't post here what all of the letters say because there are hundreds of them, but I am happy to tell you about any child you are interested in.  Please spread the word about our sponsorship program.  The more people who know, the higher the chances are that children will be sponsored.  You can play a part in ending the wait for a child!!  I can not fully described just how much having a sponsor means to the sponsored child and their family.  There are very few things in life that can bring as much enjoyment as giving a child hope for the future, and putting a smile on their face in the present!!

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