Today I got to watch as our Abaana’s Hope Social Worker told two teenage boys and one young boy that they had been sponsored to be a member of Abaana’s Hope Child Development Program. The Child Development Program at Abaana’s Hope is designed to assist vulnerable children in realizing their full potential in Christ, in the home, and in the community. All three of the guys were excited, but the young boys reaction was nothing less than pure joy. It was the sweetest, most precious thing I have seen in a while. His smile went from ear to ear, he began clapping and then he quickly tried to hide his uncontrollable smile, as so many do in this culture. But, there was no chance of him concealing his beautiful smile!

How sweet it was to watch this boy have such excitement about getting the opportunity to attend school for the first time in a year. He had to drop out of school because his mother lacked the means to pay for him to attend. He understands what it is like to be the boy that sits at home while all of his friends attend school. He knows what it is like to watch his siblings go to school, but know there is not enough money to send him to school. He knows what it is like to be the only boy at the borehole with out a uniform on. Even at such a young age he knows what it is like to feel like an outcast.

But, now, here is the great part! He has now been chosen, by someone he has never met to be apart of a Godly holistic program. He now knows what it is like to get a second chance. Let me tell you, I can guarantee he is grateful to attend school again. He is grateful to have the opportunity to learn. He is grateful to be taught. He is grateful he was chosen. He is grateful to the person or family that chose to give $40 a month to make him apart of the Child Development Program.

I am also thankful. I am thankful for all of the individuals that believe in Abaana’s Hope enough to sponsor children through the Child Development Program. I am thankful to get to watch these children and their families grow spiritually and emotionally as they attend bible studies, Sunday school, special programs, and school. I am thankful I get to work with an organization that does not just pay a child’s school fees and then forget about them or their families. I am thankful to work with an organization that believes in a holistic approach to come along side families and ultimately point them to Christ.

On behalf of our children in the child development program I say thank you. If you would like to sponsor a child, we have many still available! Simply go to the website, Child Development Website, and follow the instructions.

Here is a glimpse of some of the children in the program. I could take pictures of these kids all day long! They are adorable and a challenge all at the same time!

It is the ministries goal to have a maximum of two sponsors per child. The children below still need at least one sponsor… If you click on the pictures below, each picture is labeled with the child’s name that you can match on the website, Child Development Website.