Tag Archives: children in need

Shelley Callahan | May 20, 2024En Español

As our Director of International Programs Luis Bourdet continues his travels in India visiting our affiliated sites in the country, he tells us about the Lou Ann Long Girls’ Hostel, in which children in our program are in need of beds and linens for a comfortable night’s rest.

“Thankfully, the Lou Ann Long Girls’ Hostel is able to provide boarding, nutrition, and a quality education for area girls who come from families living in poverty.”

About the Lou Ann Long GIRLS’ HOSTEL

“The small town of Yadgiri, where the Lou Ann Long Girls’ Hostel is located, is in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Drought is a constant threat in this agricultural community, and employment opportunities are severely limited. Field laborers earn an average of only forty cents a day and struggle to provide even the most basic necessities for their children,” said Luis.

“Moreover, with shorter life expectancies, much lower literacy rates, and a markedly inferior social and economic status than males, young women in India begin life at a disadvantage. Thankfully, the Lou Ann Long Girls’ Hostel is able to provide boarding, nutrition, and a quality education for area girls who come from families living in poverty. At the home, deserving young women receive the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances they face.”

“The home is administered by the Methodist Church of India, and like the Chandrakal Boarding Home, it receives our support through the main office of the Methodist Church, as well as from Children Incorporated,” said Luis.

“Children at this home stay here during the educational year, and some stay during school breaks as well. Most of the children will be going home during school breaks (India follows a similar school year to the U.S.). Children Incorporated support is utilized to cover the cost of staying in the home, including the provision of food, educational supplies, clothing and shoes, as well as food support for the families when large additional gifts are sent closer to their breaks.”

Seeing the home for himself

“Currently, the girls at Lou Ann Long are staying at a dorm built with the support of Children Incorporated. However, the administrators are using the former dorm for the girls for playing and other recreational activities. The children attend a local school, located not far from this facility, also run by the Methodist Church. They are all enrolled in that school, with the exception of a couple of girls that are attending university thanks to sponsorship support through our Higher Education Fund,” said Luis.

“During my visit, I noticed that the Lou Ann Long Girls’ Hostel does not have beds for the children, as it is customary for them to sleep on small mats on the floor. I have mentioned that we could provide beds, so we are working on this support. Lou Ann Long also needs some improvements to the facilities. They mentioned that the building would be better with a touch of paint and perhaps sealing the roofs to avoid leaking. Because of the lack of funding, prevention is not the primary focus for these centers, as they live month-to-month. I will follow up to see what Children Incorporated could do to support these needs as well.”

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | May 12, 2024En Español

It has been almost six years since our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, has had the opportunity to return to our affiliated sites in India to meet with our volunteer coordinators and sponsored children there. Thankfully, this past October, he was able to make the trip along with our International Programs Specialist, Yefiny Mena, who was seeing India for the first time. They started their journey by visiting the Chandrakal Boarding Home, a long-time affiliated site with Children Incorporated, where sponsored children’s educational needs are met while they are also offered a safe place to live during the school year.

“Knowing that contributing to their child’s education gives the parents a great sense of pride. The home accepts whatever the parents can afford and sponsorship helps to cover the rest, along with other basic needs.”

Luis’ Visit

“In the fall of 2023, Yefiny and I met with all of our affiliations in India and Sri Lanka to evaluate their programs,” said Luis.

“The purpose of the evaluations was to first reaffirm regulations and funding utilization; second, become familiar with the personnel administering each affiliated site in India and in Sri Lanka; and third, visit the families with children enrolled and see first-hand the environment in which the children live. We also wanted to review norms and verify enrollment of listed children, and determine active participation with our program to evaluate benefits.”

“Another important objective was to discuss the plans and potential future development of each center, which included an assessment of any needs and future projections to enhance support for the children and the communities. Whenever possible, we wanted to visit a family or two with children in our sponsorship program, so that we could determine their needs and possibly augment our support,” said Luis.

the Chandrakal Boarding Home

“Founded in 1950 by American missionary Lillian Woodbridge, the home has provided education for thousands of impoverished children, many of whom have since made valuable contributions to their towns and villages in the fields of education, medicine and commerce. Due to the severe poverty in this area, most of the children’s parents are unable to pay tuition each month. Knowing that contributing to their child’s education gives the parents a great sense of pride. The home accepts whatever the parents can afford and sponsorship helps to cover the rest, along with other basic needs. In this way, the children receive an education that affords them the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and rise above the difficult circumstances that they face.”

“The children express happiness at being accepted at the homes, where they are willingly preparing for education in local government schools.”

“The evaluation of the Chandrakal Boarding Home indicated that the children are present and receiving support from Children Incorporated. All support has to be utilized to sustain the home and provide the children with the educational support needed for them to attend school and complete their education. We learned that our volunteer coordinator Laveena is new, but familiar with the program, as she is the sister of our former coordinator, Omega, and is now in charge.”

“Laveena has worked hard to complete many improvements to the Chandrakal Boarding Home, including upgrading the dorms, implementing electricity alternatives, and completing a new high school building. Children Incorporated also provided funding to purchase cots for the girls, help in implementing a computer lab, and help with many other improvements, along with the steady sponsorship program. Laveena indicated that she is still learning and adjusting to post-pandemic times, but she is doing fine. The children express happiness at being accepted at the homes, where they are willingly preparing for education in local government schools.”

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | May 5, 2024

Children Incorporated has helped so many students at Swansboro Elementary School gain access to the basic needs that help them focus on what is important: school.

Helping to feed children in need

One of my students this year has struggled with consistently having food in the home. The parents are doing their best but they are unable to work due to intellectual and physical disabilities. Sometimes there are gaps in when they receive their benefits, so they don’t always have a fully stocked refrigerator or pantry. Children Incorporated funds help feed this family when their benefit funds are low. It doesn’t happen often, but every few months we go grocery shopping to get them by until their benefits kick in.

I’m glad that at least he knows there are people out there that are willing to help.

The family is so appreciative, and the student understands that these funds are coming from individuals who are caring enough to donate their own money. Just recently, the sponsored child told me, “Thank you to my sponsor for getting food for my family.” I wish that this student didn’t have to be so aware of the reality he is facing, but children are smart and they pick up on more than we think. I’m glad that at least he knows there are people out there that are willing to help. With funds from Children Incorporated, I can help the family in a way that is not judgmental and is actually very easy and seamless. These generous donations from his Children Incorporated sponsor help this student have dinner and breakfast so that he can come to school prepared to learn, and that is truly a gift.

Children Incorporated also helps in ways that people may not think of. Food is vital for everyone, but funds from Children’ Incorporated also help provide items or experiences that are important in different ways.

Making summer that much better

Several of my sponsored students have been given the chance to go to camp this summer for free. While the tuition is paid for, the students don’t always have the clothing necessary to go away for a whole week. They would probably get by, but they wouldn’t have as many options as the other students at camp. Some of our students don’t have bathing suits, bath towels, swim shoes or extra pillow cases for example.

These things aren’t 100% necessary, but being able to help buy these items will make their camp experience so much better. They won’t have to worry about swimming in their shorts and tee shirts or not having the right bedding for the bunk beds.

Sometimes it isn’t always about necessities, but ways we can make students feel comfortable enough so they can focus on having fun like all the other children. Children Incorporated funds allow us to buy them the items that will help them have a fun time at things like summer camp, so they can come back to school in the fall feeling refreshed and feeling like a kid who is ready to learn.

I am so appreciative to partner with Children Incorporated, as it truly makes a difference in the lives of my students. The funds that sponsors so generously send really help our students in the biggest way. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Kimberly

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | April 22, 2024

Here we go, folks, we’re almost another year in and another year wiser. As our fifth graders begin to visit the middle school and prepare for elementary graduation, we sincerely thank sponsors and organizations such as Children Incorporated for all of the care and love shown to our students. The Family Resource Center (FRC) is feverishly finalizing summer Enrichment & Educational programs for families & students. Your financial assistance helps students enjoy summer activities with proper clothing and shoes they need for summertime fun!

We sincerely thank sponsors and organizations such as Children Incorporated for all of the care and love shown to our students.

Summer fun for everyone

One community partnership in the works this summer is a “Junior master’s Gardening Club” in collaboration with our local UK Cooperative Extension/4-H Office. The FRC is co-sponsoring a weekly Gardening Club for 25 students at Catlettsburg Elementary each Wednesday until the end of the school year. These same students will come to school this summer one to two days each week to cultivate plants, help pull weeds and water the garden.

At least two field trips are being planned this summer, one being a trip to the Extension Office to visit our local farmers market. The second will be a visit to a local greenhouse to learn about how to properly care for plants, in order to harvest healthy fruits and vegetables. Once our garden has bloomed, we plan to allow the students to use the food they have grown themselves in cooking classes. Students will learn how to measure ingredients, how to read a recipe and how to make healthy dishes.

In addition to the Garden Club, the local FRYSC’s are once again hosting the “Longest Day of Play” with several community partners. This event will be held June 20, 2024 at Ashland Central Park (summer Solstice-the longest day of summer). With over 1,000 in attendance last year, we are strategizing ways to make this year’s event as successful as last. Families will take a “Scavenger Hunt” around the park and try to find all of the hidden treasures.

Along their journey, they will have to stop at over 50 community partner tables to receive their next clue. Outdoor family activities such as: basketball, inflatables, volleyball, badminton, tennis, yard games, etc. will be found along the way for everyone to enjoy. Agencies will distribute information about free family events being held this Summer to encourage families to “go outside and play” for better physical fitness. The Boyd County FRC’s will also be hosting a collaborative “family movie night” later this same evening at the old Boyd County High School football field. Free food & fun activities will be included for any family residing in Boyd County.

Making sure children have what they need

During our spring break, we met our currently enrolled Children Incorporated sponsored children and parents at our local Walmart to purchase spring and summer clothing. The children were thrilled to be able to try on new shorts, sandals, tennis shoes, and tank tops to stay cool while enjoying the fifth grader, Tori, shopped with her older sister & brother and fell in love with all of the justice clothes. She squealed with delight when she found a tie-dyed bathing suit to wear to the pool. Fourth grade student, William, could not wait to show off his new “multicolored” tennis shoes and wanted his mom to let him wear them out of the store that very day!

Fifth grader, Louis, was excited to find a ton of basketball shirts and shorts that will keep him active and dry in the hot summer sun. Second Grader, Alice, chose a mix of “girly” tops and shorts, along with a few sundresses to look “cute” while in the summertime heat. Her third grade brother, Brad, wanted a good pair of shoes to ride his motorbike and to go on hikes with his family so he could climb up steep hills and walk for miles.

You have touched the lives of hundreds of Boyd County students and families over the years in so many ways.

After the summer programming comes to an end and the FRC staff spend some quality time with our own families, we’re ready to roll into a new school year starting with our county-wide READIFEST program. READIFEST will be held at our BCHS August 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. All Boyd County students (including Children Incorporated sponsored students) can attend and receive new school supplies, hygiene items, socks, underwear and health screenings. In addition to READIFEST, we also partner with a large community partner to purchase new backpacks, back-to-school clothing and school supplies for students to begin a new school year ready to succeed.

Alleviating Fears

Last but not least, are our annual kindergarten jump-start programs which are held approximately a week before school begins. Students and families get the chance to tour their new school, meet their kindergarten teacher, meet their new classmates and learn about policies & procedures before school begins. The goal of this program is to alleviate fears students may have of starting a new school and/or starting school for the first time. It helps families to prepare the children on what to expect on that very first day of school.

As you can see, it truly takes a village to raise a child, and we are so very grateful to have Children Incorporated in our village. You have touched the lives of hundreds of Boyd County students and families over the years in so many ways. It is our pleasure to work beside your staff & sponsors to assure that all children arrive at school ready to learn.

Sincerely,
Jenny

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | April 21, 2024En Español

Ensuring children are able to stay in our sponsorship program from their earliest days in school until graduation is something that our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube, works hard to do. With the public school system in the United States often times having three different schools — elementary, middle and high school — for children to attend, it’s crucial that we partner with each school to ensure sponsorship support is not interrupted — especially for children who need it the most.

Today we hear from a former sponsored child, Susan*, who grew up in our sponsorship program and attended Menifee High School in Kentucky, and writes to us to describe how her experience having a sponsor was formative to helping her become the adult she is today.

SUSAN’S STORY

Dear Children Incorporated,

Students hold many memories from their school days, and one memory that I hold dear is having the privilege of being a Children Incorporated student starting during some of my most formative years.

Like many children in Menifee, my family was not privileged. My family owned a small farm, and both my parents worked; however, having three growing children, money was always tight for our family. Shortly after I started the 6th grade, my school’s Resource Center Coordinator sent home paperwork to my parents asking permission to allow me to participate in the Children Incorporated program.

“I can truly say that being a Children Incorporated participant helped shape the person I am today.”

I was unaware of what all the Children Incorporated program entailed in the beginning, but was very thankful for the opportunity that was given to me. Like many within my county, I grew up wearing hand-me-downs that were far from perfect, but I knew my parents were doing their best to keep us kids clothed and fed. Middle school years are hard years for any student, but it was tougher for the children that came from poor families. Often, I was made fun of because my clothes were not like others; they may have had stains, or may have even been a little bit too big, but that’s all I had. Because of the comments I received, my self-confidence slowly began to dwindle. I was too proud of my parents to ever let them know what other kids were saying about me, and I knew that my parents loved me and were trying their very best to provide us with what we needed.

A BLESSING TO HAVE

As I began my journey as a Children Incorporated student, I was given a sponsor that was truly an angel in disguise for me. I will forever remember my first gift from my sponsor; she gifted me several outfits that were really trending at the time. I was in complete shock when I received the gift. She also sent a letter telling me all about herself and what she enjoyed doing during her free time. This letter was the first of many conversations that took place between the two of us over several years. I was so excited to send my sponsor a letter back telling her how thankful I was for the gifts she had sent. Through each letter we shared our life experiences with each other, and even though I never met this person face to face, it seemed as if we had known each other our whole lives. As I continued through school, I had a total of three different sponsors. Each of my sponsors and I shared many experiences together even though we may have been hundreds of miles apart.

Being a Children Incorporated child was a blessing for me, not just for the gifts I received but the self-confidence and encouragement it gave me throughout my school years. I can truly say that being a Children Incorporated participant helped shape the person I am today. Many people may think of this program as a handout for poor families, but that is far from the truth. This program is much more than that; this is life changing for those that are eligible to be a part of such a wonderful program. I will forever be thankful for the wonderful memories that I hold from each of my sponsors, and there isn’t any way that would be enough to thank them for all that they have done for me over the years. The sponsors in the Children Incorporated program are truly a gift from God.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN LIFE

Now as a soon to be 30-year-old, as of March 2024, I will finally be able to say that I am the first out of my immediate family to obtain a bachelor’s degree. I have made leaps and bounds since graduating from high school. I currently work within our local elementary school and have the pleasure of interacting and making an impact on the next generation of students.

Because of the Children Incorporated program, I strive daily to make a positive impact on each student I serve. I am living proof that underserved children can overcome any obstacle that is thrown their way with a little encouragement and love, even if it comes from a stranger that they have never met. I will forever be thankful for the Children Incorporated program.

*Name changed to protect the individual.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | April 14, 2024En Español

While visiting our affiliated sites in India this past fall, our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, met with Chinna Ramavath, who is now Dr. Ramavath, thanks to support he received from our Higher Education Fund. Today, Luis recounts his time meeting with Chinna while in Guntur in October, in which Chinna caught him up on what his life is like now thanks to support from Children Incorporated.

“Chinna was one of the first enrolled in our program when he was eight years old. His father was a rice paddy worker, making about $50-60 a month for the upkeep of the family, which was very difficult for him to support his family on,” said Luis.

Helping an entire village

Chinna is pictured filling out a medical report with some of his patients in India.

“Chinna and his family lived in St. Francis in Mellavagu, which is a small rural community, about 60 miles away from the city of Guntur. Chinna completed his primary and secondary school in the area. After that, and with the help OF Children Incorporated and his sponsor, Chinna was accepted in the School of Medicine near Guntur. Without this help, Chinna would not have had a chance to even finish primary and secondary school, let alone attend university. He graduated as a doctor and pharmacist, a newly implemented career option at the time in India. He then worked as a government doctor near Guntur, and of course, his salary was a bit larger than his father’s!”

“One time while visiting with Chinna, he asked me what he could do to give back the support he received from Children Incorporated to make his dreams a reality, and I replied, ‘Please help your family, help yourself, and help your village.’ Chinna is now a doctor working for the Indian government near where he grew up, helping his own community. We are very proud of him and all his hard work!” said Luis.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD