Share In Their Future

The Brent Kegley Memorial Race

Magda Kegley, Director of our Latin American Division, tragically lost her son Brent Kegley to a car accident on November 12, 2007.  Brent was a highly valued employee of Deer Park Water, and his coworkers have chosen to honor his memory by organizing the first annual Brent Kegley Memorial 5K Run/Walk. The race will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland.  Registration will cost $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event.   All proceeds will be divided between Children, Incorporated and Earth Share.  Click here for more information, and click here to register.  If you have any questions about this event, please contact us at (800) 538-5381 or at inquiries@children-inc.org.

Winter in South America

If you sponsor a child in South America, don't forget that it's currently wintertime in the southern hemisphere. 

Most  of our South American children live in homes that are not equipped with heating systems.  Consequently, there is a great need for blankets, sleeping bags, coats, hats, and other cold-weather items.  You can help us provide these supplies by donating to our Annual Fund, which we use to offset miscellaneous urgent needs, among other expenses.  You can also call our office at (800) 538-5381 to find out whether your particular sponsored child is in need of winter clothing or other materials. 

Photo Essay: Our Peruvian Children (Part 2)

Photo Essay: Our Peruvian Children (Part 1)

 

 

 

 

8-Year-Old Dinosaur Expert Gives Tours at Museum

Young Oscar of Sucre, Bolivia wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up, and he's already well on his way to achieving that goal.  At just eight years old, he is an expert on dinosaurs, and he has been hired by Sucre's Cretaceous Park to lead tours on Saturdays and Sundays.  For five hours on each weekend day, Oscar guides groups of visitors through the park and shows off its extensive collection of dinosaur footprints and full-scale models. 

Oscar has become something of a local celebrity.  He has been featured in several Bolivian newspapers and websites, and he is one of the most popular guides at the park.  Visitors are always charmed by the clever boy who is eager to tell them all about the lives of prehistoric creatures. 

When asked about his favorite part of working at the Cretaceous Park, Oscar responded, "I like how the children listen to me and ask me questions like I'm an adult.  They're my inspiration.  And that makes me want to go on learning more."   And his favorite dinosaur?  "The T-Rex!"

Oscar has been sponsored through Children, Incorporated since 2006.  His sponsor's support pays for a portion of his school fees, which helps to ensure that Oscar can continue to progress toward his chosen career. 

Oscar stands next to one of his favorite dinosaur models:

A newspaper in Sucre published an article about Oscar:

ODU Students Volunteer at Project in the Dominican Republic

This past March, students and staff from Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia spent a week volunteering at the National School for the Blind in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  There they worked with many students sponsored by Children, Incorporated.  Special thanks go to the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in  St. Augustine, which sent a representative to Norfolk to help the ODU students understand how to work with blind children. 

International Education Programs of Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida facilitated the ODU trip. This year, IEP also sent students on spring break trips to Guayaquil, Ecuador to work at projects where CI supports children.  In the summer, IEP sends student volunteers to CI-affiliated projects in the Philippines. 

You don’t have to be a college student to volunteer.  IEP welcomes participants of all ages.  Please visit IEP's website for more information.

The ODU students shared with us many photos of their work and of the wonderful children of the Dominican Republic:

 

Update: Bolivian Crisis

Most of our Bolivian projects are once again receiving funds.  A majority of schools are still open, and the children are receiving the support that they need.  Some paperwork has been delayed by the recent mail strike (which ended on April 21), so your children's letters may arrive much later than they normally would.  This delay, however, is for the most part no longer affecting our ability to send money to Bolivia.  If you have questions about a specific project, please contact Magda Kegley, Director of the Latin American Division, at (800) 538-5381 or at mkegley@children-inc.org. 

Update: Bolivian Crisis

Bolivia is still experiencing major unrest. 

A postal workers' strike--which is entering its third week--is the most recent crisis. Bolivia has had no mail service since late March . The country is also suffering from violent political protests and the devastating effects of a series of natural disasters. Major roads are blocked, and airports close for undetermined hours every day. The price of food has nearly tripled, and parents struggle to feed their children. President Juan Evo Morales Aymo is urging Bolivia's citizens to carry arms in anticipation of civil war. Bolivia's most developed and industrialized city, Santa Cruz, is on the brink of seceding and becoming an autonomous country. 

If you sponsor a child in Bolivia, please be aware that your child’s letters will be greatly delayed by the mail strike. Distressingly, our financial support will also be late in reaching our Bolivian projects. All of us at Children, Incorporate are deeply concerned about this situation, and Magda Kegley, Director of the Latin American Division, is leading the effort to find a way to send help. If you have any questions about the status of our Bolivian programs, please contact Magda at (800) 538-5381 or at mkegley@children-inc.org.

Health of HIV-Positive Child Improving

Wilmer is an HIV-positive 4-year-old boy in Paraguay.  His mother and siblings have died of AIDS, so he lives in an orphanage managed by an order of Catholic nuns.  When Wilmer arrived at the orphanage in December of 2007, he was very ill.  His skin was covered with sores, and he was lethargic, underweight, and withdrawn. 

Today, merely four months later, Wilmer's health has improved tremendously.  He has plenty of energy, he has gained weight, and his skin condition is nearly gone.  The nun who serves as Wilmer's primary caregiver attributes much of this improvement to the support the child receives from his Children, Incorporated sponsor.  In a recent letter to the sponsor, she wrote:

Dear Mr. David,

Have you seen a more beautiful picture than this?

I told Wilmer while they were taking the picture to "smile for your sponsor, Mr. David," and his beautiful face lit up!  As you can see in this photograph, he is doing really well and is very playful. 

Thank you very much for your monthly gift.  Because of your assistance, Wilmer does not lack for anything.  He loves for us to talk to him about you.  He understands somewhat. 

I'm sure you're happy to know that Wilmer is really improving.  We pray that science or a "miracle" will make him totally well.  Why not!  We take very good care of him, as you can see.

When Wilmer first arrived at the orphanage, he was shy and diffident.  He could not communicate in any way.  Time and the love we offer have turned him into the treasure of this orphanage.  All of the children are beautiful, but there's something very special about Wilmer. 

Wilmer sends you his love, and I send you mine.  Once again, THANK YOU.

Until next time,
Sister Elfride

Update: Bolivian Crisis

Marcela Molina, coordinator of our Bolivian projects, recently sent us the following update on Santa Ana de Yacuma:

“I have just called Sister Ana (project volunteer at Lourdes school) and she assured me that the Children, Incorporated children are doing well.  It has rained for the past 3 days, but there is no further flooding.  The ground is saturated everywhere you go.  Sister Ana, in order to get around and check on our families, travels by canoe. 

She said that most of the village families are living under tents and they are expected to remain there until June, more or less.  I informed her that Children, Incorporated is about to send funds to help the families with their most urgent needs. I asked her to take photographs of the flooding and of the makeshift tent communities.  She said  that she would, but that it might take sometime as she prefers to wait until some of the water recedes.  The important thing is that the children are safe.  Some of the classes are being held under tents.  The teachers do not want the children to go too long without schooling. 

The truth is that the situation in Bolivia worsens with each passing day.  Inflation has grown considerably, and it’s difficult for people to afford to buy anything.  The value of the dollar decreases every week and workers' salaries continue to decrease.  Last night, here in La Paz, there were some violent encounters between two groups of protesters.  I had to stay at work until after 10PM because the demonstrations were across the street from where I live.  We all pray that our country's situation will improve one of these days."