I sat and stared at my son and daughter as they slept last night. At 14 and 12, I no longer need to tip-toe in to the room fearful that any creak in the floor, any stepped-on Lego may result in the noise that rouses them permanently from the deepest of sleep.
There has always been something magic about watching them at peace (despite having two restless sleepers – one who often talks in complete sentences and the other who sleeps sideways). The hustle of the day is gone. The anxiety about starting school is at bay. Even the laughter is silenced. What is left hanging in their room – my complete love for them and commitment to raising them to be the best human beings possible.
I’ve often said that one of my primary goals as a parent is to raise my small people to be good citizens of the world. With more than 14 years invested in this parenting gig, I’m keenly aware their biggest lessons come not from what I tell them to do, but what I show them and what we do together.
Our sponsorship is through an extraordinary organization called World Vision. World Vision’s missions include empowering people out of poverty for good (this is, in part, where child sponsorship comes in to play) with a focus on the smallest among us, partnering with local churches, providing emergency relief and promoting justice.
I have the privilege of spending the next eight days visiting villages, hearing the stories of the people who live there, connecting with the World Vision team who has made helping people their life’s work, and meeting Samanya.
He likes to play ball. So do Cooper and Delaney. He helps at home with house cleaning. So do my kiddos. His birthday is in June. Coop is a June baby.
As you can imagine, the similarities in their worlds are small, but their basic rights as children are EXACTLY the same. They deserve to be loved, to have their needs met and to have the opportunity to grow up to make their own mark in the world.
Not only does a sponsorship help to pull Samanya’s family out of poverty for good (I will be sharing so much more about this), but it keeps him safe. Tragically, there are other dangers.
I have so much more to share. I so hope you will follow along. I leave mid-day tomorrow and arrive in Uganda late in the evening. Our work will begin first thing on Sunday morning.
Thank you, beautiful friends, for following along. If you choose to follow on social
World Vision: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Or me: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
I will be with a wonderful group and we will be using the hashtag #WVBloggers.
I cannot wait to follow every single footstep of your journey
What an amazing opportunity. Can not wait to follow along.
I am so excited for your experience and cannot wait to hear about it!
I love the work that World Vision does. I can’t wait to follow you on your journey and see everything!
What a beautiful thing you are doing with World Vision. I love everything they stand for and cannot wait to see the good you will be doing in Uganda!
World Vision does such incredible work and I look forward to reading all about your travels and the great work you’re doing with them!
It’s wonderful to introduce the children to charity and helping others in need. I think it’s amazing what you’re doing, providing a future for this boy. It’s really nice to be able to give back as we’re so lucky to have all these blessings in life.
I would want to be part of a campaign/volunteer work like this at least once in my lifetime. I mean my family and I do volunteer work locally but we would like to be part of bigger things. Please do share your experience with World Vision.
I believe this is one of the most wonderful things a person can do. I look forward to following along in this journey.
I am happy that you will finally meet Samanya. That must be really exciting. We have been thinking of sponsoring a child too, and World vision is the best way for us to do that. Wishing you all the best and hugs to you and your sponsored child.
You inspire me.
I’m grateful for you – thank you for this. I admit, some of the stories we heard today were HARD….but I am processing it all.
I love that you are doing this! We have a sponsor child in Uganda also and I would love to go visit her. Sponsor programs are so good for both the sponsors and the children. I love that the programs afford people the opportunity to directly contribute to eliminating poverty in the life of another human being.
Oh Sarah – yes – this is just how I feel. It was such a treasure to visit him and to spend a week traveling around the country. Do you know where your child lives in Uganda? I learned so much while I was there.
My child is in Buteba at one of the child development centers. We have sponsored her since she was 6 and she is now 15. We sponsor her through Compassion International. My parents have done sponsorships through both organizations and I highly recommend either of them. I met a military officer on exchange from Uganda and he knew about the sponsorship programs in Buteba and was from that area. It is good to hear from a “local” about the good these programs do in the areas in which they operate.