Tag Archives: children

Shelley Callahan | March 29, 2022

In December of 2021, our partner, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, supported our work through a fundraiser in which they donated $1 for every item purchased through their website to Children Incorporated for the entire month—all to go towards helping children in through our Hope In Action Fund.

After a successful fundraiser, we are so thrilled that Banter was able to donate $50,000 to or Hoe In Action Fund.

In early November 2021, to announce the partnership, our Director of Development, Shelley Callahan, wrote:

“We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda®. Starting this upcoming Giving Tuesday, $1 will be donated to Children Incorporated from any item purchased from Banter by Piercing Pagoda’s Kids Collection through December 19th, up to $50,000.

All proceeds will go to our Hope In Action Fund which supports children and families in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, extreme hardship due to health challenges, and when families are unable to pay for school activities for their children.”

In response, Brandi Guccion, Vice President of Brand Marketing, Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda®, added:

“We’re excited to partner with Children Incorporated this Giving Tuesday to help kids on their journeys to becoming the best versions of themselves. When we came across Children Incorporated, we felt an immediate connection based off our brands’ mutual passion for everyone, and in this case children, to have the opportunity to succeed.

“Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® empowers individuals to celebrate who they are and have the confidence to believe in themselves, which is why we felt an instant synergy with Children Incorporated. Using every purchase from our Kids Collection for this partnership only felt right when working with Children Incorporated to support the need of the children they serve, and we can’t wait to continue our partnership in the future.”

After a successful fundraiser, we are so thrilled that Banter was able to donate $50,000 to or Hope In Action Fund—which in the upcoming months, will change the lives of so many children in need.

Thank you, Banter, for your support of our work!

ABOUT PIERCING PAGODA

Today, Piercing Pagoda®, the rapidly growing, affordable fine jewelry and piercing retailer, announced it’s ushering in a bold new chapter in its 50-year evolution with the testing and introduction of a new master brand name, “Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda®.” This new name reflects the personal relationship the retailer has with both its new and long-held customers, its innovative customer experiences, and its omnichannel growth strategy. “Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda®” has plans to roll out the name to its more than 500 U.S. locations, digital platforms, and social media channels. Already, one-fifth of existing locations are testing the new Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® name in cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

“Our new Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® name is full of energy, invoking the excitement of playful conversation, like the adrenaline of a new piercing or piece of jewelry. Our customers are fiercely individual, creative people who inspire us to reject labels and celebrate our unique identities each day,” said Kecia Caffie, President of Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda®. “Guided by our Inspiring Brilliance strategy, our passionate team draws inspiration directly from our customers to continually evolve our product offerings and our connected commerce experiences so that we’re there for them whenever, wherever and however they choose to shop with us.”

Known by its distinctive gold-script capital letter “B,” Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® aims to empower more customers to express themselves with chains, charms, necklaces, and earrings that are gender neutral – and safely offers piercing services for the face, nose, and ears. Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® combines stylish designs and approachable service at affordable price points with tech-enabled stores and warm, modern service.

Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® is part of Signet Jewelers, the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry. Within the Signet portfolio, which features nine jewelry retail brands with distinct value propositions, Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® caters to the tech-savvy Gen Z and millennial customer, who is passionate about jewelry and fashion – and lets their style tell their story. Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda® takes inspiration directly from its customers to evolve product offerings, underscoring the company’s consumer-inspired strategy based on data-driven insights.

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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 | March 22, 2022En Español

It is easy to think that children around the world have access to some of the most basic needs when attending school because we are accustomed to certain standards — but in reality, many children have to pay for necessities that we take for granted in the United States.

Because of donations to our Hope In Action Fund, we have been able support the Centre’s efforts to build brand new desks for children in our sponsorship program.

In Kenya, students at the Dandora Community Centre are expected to pay tuition, buy their uniforms, afford school supplies and books — and even purchase their own desks with locks. These expenses add up quickly and can make attending school for children living in poverty completely out of reach. Thankfully, our volunteer coordinators at Dandora recognized this need and reached out to Children Incorporated to ask for help. Because of donations to our Hope In Action Fund, we have been able support the Centre’s efforts to build brand new desks for children in our sponsorship program, and now we have received an update from Dandora thanking our sponsors and donors for all their support!

A note from Janet

“Here we are continuing very well together with our children. I am very glad to send to you the attached photos of the modern desks that you supported us with.

Donations went to local businesses who built the desks – so our support was two-fold in that helped children and individuals in the community.

We are very happy because our children will be in a very conducive learning environment. We really appreciate your continued support so much. We were able to purchase 130 desks. Some of them were delivered today and we gave them out to some of the pupils. Kindly find our pupils receiving with a lot of happiness as we wait for the rest to be delivered soonest.

Thank you so much and may the Almighty God continue blessing you —it is our prayer. Have a wonderful rest of the week.”

Janet
Volunteer Coordinator, Dandora Community Centre

About Kenya

Located in the Great Lakes region of eastern Africa, Kenya is known for its fertile highlands, grassy savannahs, wildlife, and its namesake peak, Mt. Kenya. Its economy relies heavily upon agriculture and tourism. Kenya is also a cradle of civilization, rich in cultural heritage and diversity. The nation’s wealth of natural beauty, resources, and culture, however, belie the poverty in which most of its residents live. Tragically, destitution and weak government institutions permit frequent violations of human rights. Kenya is also plagued by a severe shortage of healthcare workers, which contributes to lower life expectancies, high infant mortality rates, and widespread preventable disease. The sprawling nation’s capital is no exception to these maladies.

In this way, the Dandora Center gives these deserving children the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances that they face.

About the Dandora center

Plagued by extreme poverty, disease, and crime, Nairobi is home to thousands of children suffering from malnutrition, abuse, and neglect. For this reason, the Dandora Community Centre serves as a safe haven and a beacon of hope. Established in the Dandora public housing projects and operated by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, the center’s mission is to serve the nearly 7,000 residents of this overcrowded slum neighborhood. The community center’s dedicated staff instills moral and spiritual values by way of a well-rounded education while providing for such basic needs as nutritious food and medical care. In this way, the center gives these deserving children the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances that they face.

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How do I sponsor a child in Kenya?

You can sponsor a child in Kenya 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 in Kenya that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | March 13, 2022En Español

Sometimes it seems that what we provide for our sponsored children around the world is so simple that it couldn’t possibly make a huge difference in their lives — but in reality, the simple things do often make a lasting change.

In reality, the simple things do often make a lasting change.

Our volunteer coordinator at the Armenian Evangelical Secondary School in Anjar, Lebanon wrote us a letter of appreciation after we recently provided vulnerable children in our program with school supplies that he insists are allowing them to continue to pursue their dreams of getting an education:

A note from Reverend Hagop

“We appreciate your generous donation that was used to purchase stationary, paper, books, pens, pencils, and rulers for the children who are in the Children Incorporated program.

The stationary items were purchased, and the students received them with great joy and appreciation. The children were in great need of them, since their parents were unable to afford buying them due to the economic depression and degeneration of the Lebanese currency against the foreign currencies. But now, due to your generous contribution, the children are able to follow their education with greater ease and joy.

Thanks to their sponsors, children in Lebanon have brand new school supplies.

Our school administration along with the school parents and teachers appreciate the thoughtfulness and consideration of our sponsors and the great work achieved by the Children Incorporated program.

We hope and pray that your program continues its blessed work in aiding children in need around the world.”

About Lebanon

Renowned for its towering cedar trees, Lebanon boasts fertile valleys, snow-capped, ore-rich mountains, and – in a region where water is scarce – sixteen rivers that flow into the glistening Mediterranean Sea along Lebanon’s western coast. This small Middle Eastern country has an incredibly rich culture, evincing the influence of Greek, Roman, Arab, Ottoman Turk, and French culture. However, Lebanon’s wealth of diversity has also contributed to its turbulent history. Lebanon continues to suffer repercussions of a history riddled with wars – both civil and international. Poverty, unemployment, and the ever-present threat of war are tragic realities here.

About our affiliated site

Recognized as a World Heritage Site, Anjar is located near the Syrian border in the fertile Beqaa Valley, where much of the nation’s vegetables, grains, and wine grapes are produced. In the 1930’s, an influx of Armenians (a minority ethnic group in Lebanon) fleeing Turkey settled here.

“We hope and pray that your program continues its blessed work in aiding children in need around the world.”

To this day, Armenian agricultural laborers who earn very little comprise an extensive portion of Anjar’s population. For this reason, the Armenian Secondary School serves as a beacon of hope. Serving both boys and girls of this impoverished and marginalized population, the school contains an attached boarding home for students whose parents cannot afford to send them to school. In conjunction with Children Incorporated sponsorship, the Armenian Secondary School provides these deserving children with the opportunity, through a well-rounded education, to rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances that they face.

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How do I sponsor a child in Lebanon?

You can sponsor a child in Lebanon 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 in Lebanon that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | February 24, 2022En Español

It is always exciting to hear from our volunteer coordinators that they are able to expand our sponsorship program within their regions because it means that more children in need will benefit from having a loving sponsor. This year, thanks to the efforts of our coordinators in the Philippines, we have added not only one new affiliated site but two — which will help hundreds of children in need.

This year, thanks to the efforts of our coordinators in the Philippines, we have added not only one new project but two — which will help hundreds of children in need.

Of course, we couldn’t do our important work in the Philippines without the support of our amazing sponsors who are now able to sponsor children in two new locations in the Philippines — the Santo Nino Center and the Cangumbang Center, which help change the lives of some of the most impoverished children and their families in the Philippines.

About the Philippines

The Philippines comprise a vast island nation in Southeast Asia. This archipelago of more than 7,000 islands boasts sandy beaches, towering mountains and volcanoes, tropical rainforests and an incredible wealth of natural resources and biodiversity. Humans have called these islands home for thousands of years, predating historic records. Today, the Philippines incorporate a staggering number of languages, ethnic groups, religions and cultures. Despite its status as an emerging market, however, nearly half of all Filipinos still earn less than $2 a day. Adequate sanitation, access to healthcare and access to potable water are still daily challenges in this widely underdeveloped country, which is also prone to typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic activity.

About the Santo Nino Center

Families from from Tacloban, where the Santo Nino Center is located, earn meager incomes, and often only one parent is working in the informal sector. Most inhabit concrete dwellings, but many others live in shacks fashioned from nipa palm shingles, bamboo and castoff boards. Children living in these impoverished conditions tend to suffer from neglect, abuse, or displacement. Amid this devastating poverty and its socioeconomic effects, the Santo Nino Center serves as a beacon of hope.

The Center is dedicated to facilitating community development, providing healthcare and promoting education. Especially in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan — one of the worst storms to hit the area in a hundred years — in November 2013, Children Incorporated plays a vital role in this mission. Together, we can help provide these deserving children with the opportunity to rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances from which they come.

About the Cangumbang Center

The Cangumbang Center, located on the southern side of the province, is categorized as an agricultural area, and is almost thirty minutes away from the city, which can be reached by jeepney and habalhabal (a single motor vehicle). Most families here are farm tenants and belong to poor families. The area is known to be flood prone, and during rainy or typhoon season, knee-high deep floods are common. Most families struggle while waiting for harvest or planting season. The children we support in this center come from families with meager income, most often with just one parent who works in the informal sector. Due to a lack of education, many parents end up in low-paying jobs. Some children at the Center are also neglected, abandoned, abused or displaced. Thankfully, with the support of Children Incorporated sponsors, we can help provide these deserving children with the opportunity to rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances from which they come.

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How do I sponsor a child in the Philippines?

You can sponsor a child in the Philippines 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 in the Philippines that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | February 3, 2022

Dear Friends,

I often share personal stories about the positive effects of our work on children and families. Our Hope In Action Fund is one of the most meaningful ways we improve lives, and our volunteer coordinators, both in the United States and abroad, can testify to that fact on a regular basis, as they witness first-hand the changes among the children in our program that they serve.

Our Hope In Action Fund is one of the most meaningful ways we improve lives.

At Sparta Elementary School, in the scenic foothills of the North Carolina mountains, our volunteer coordinator, Mandy, has these words to share:

“All of our sponsored students received a Holiday Meal Bag before the Thanksgiving Weekend in 2021. Each bag included a country ham, a 10-lb bag of dried pinto beans, biscuit mix, cobbler mix, jam or jelly, fresh fruit – and a little bit of candy. While
picking up the food items, our parents and guardians repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Children Incorporated for providing these meals during the holiday season!”

Maria, from the Visayans Community Center at Bliss in the Philippines says:

Donations to our Hope In Action Fund continuously change the lives of children in our program.

“Thanks to contributions from Children Incorporated’s Hope In Action Fund, I was able to purchase homemade peanut butter from the mother of one of our sponsored children. Instead of buying from one of the big grocery stores, we opted to buy twenty jars of her homemade peanut butter to help augment the family’s income. The pandemic has had a huge impact on this and many other families’ ability to generate money. Parents struggle to find ways to earn and secure food. We are so happy that through the funds received from Children Incorporated,we are able to help them make ends meet.”

Josephina, our volunteer coordinator at the Laboure School in El Salvador, writes:

“Last year, we enrolled a little boy named Ricardo in the Children Incorporated program. In the comment section of his forms, we indicated that Ricardo is deaf in his left ear, is partially deaf in his right ear, and that he needed hearing aids. I made Children Incorporated aware of this, and within days, I heard from the director of their International Division, stating that they could help. Soon after, Hope In Action Funds were sent to us for Ricardo so we could purchase the hearing aids he needed. They were life-changing for him.”

At the St. Mary’s Girls’ Hostel in India, our coordinator, Rao, says:

“Thank you very much for providing funds so that we could purchase 103 packages of sanitary napkins. Thanks to funding from the Hope In Action Fund, we will have enough of this product to last for up to six months. Many of our girls face a great number of difficulties when it comes to sanitation and hygiene, so we really appreciate your contribution to help and support them during these hard times. Our children convey their highest regards to the donors for their kindness, generosity, and caring.”

Please consider making a donation to our Hope In Action Fund today.

These are just a few of the hundreds of comments that we have received about how our Hope In Action Fund regularly impacts the lives of children and their families. Unfortunately, our funds are limited, and there are needs that sometimes go unmet. Our goal is to meet more and more of those needs in 2022, to improve many more lives, and to alleviate suffering in as many situations as possible.

With your help, we can continue to make a difference and, as I like to say, “change the world, one child at a time.” Please consider making a donation to our Hope In Action Fund today.

From the heart,
Ron Carter

DONATE TODAY

Shelley Callahan | January 17, 2022En Español

When we consider the needs of our sponsored children, we especially need to consider the particular needs of young girls who might not have access to feminine hygiene products while living in poverty — most likely because their families can’t afford them. When young ladies don’t have access to sanitary napkins, they often skip school to stay home which can be detrimental to their education.

“As we know, girls face a great number of difficulties when it comes to sanitation and hygiene. We really appreciate your contribution to help and support our children during these hard times.”

Throughout the 2021 year, we focused on providing supplies of sanitary napkins to girls at our affiliated projects in Kenya and India on a continuous basis — in large part thanks to our long-time partner, Altar’d State — so that they may remain in attendance at school throughout the year.

According to their website, “Altar’d State is a rapidly growing women’s fashion brand with more than 100 boutiques in 30 states. They offer a place of respite and a distinctive shopping experience with the latest fashion finds, the most sought-after accessories, charming home decor and gifts.”

Additionally, the company seeks to “inspire through action and supports a mission of standing out for good in the world” — which they have done by donating to Children Incorporated with a focus on providing feminine hygiene items to hundreds of girls around the world.

A letter from India

Upon receiving funding from Altar’d State to purchase hygiene items for sponsored children at the St. Mary’s School for Girls in India, our volunteer coordinator writes:

Girls at the Dandora Centre in Kenya pose with their feminine hygiene kits

“Thank you very much for allowing us to be able to purchase 103 sanitary napkin packets which can be used for up to six months. As we know, girls face a great number of difficulties when it comes to sanitation and hygiene. We really appreciate your contribution to help and support our children during these hard times. Also, all our children have conveyed their highest regards to the concerned donors and once again thank you so much for your kindness.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Rao”

Stats about Girls and Feminine Hygiene

Why is it so important to support girls and their healthy menstrual hygiene? According to the Days for Girls website, “period poverty is a term used to describe the lack of access to adequate menstrual health management supplies and education for women and girls. Many families are unable to afford feminine hygiene products because of how expensive they are. This lack of resources and supplies for menstrual health can have negative consequences on girls.”

Additionally, poor menstrual hygiene can cause physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections (UNICEF). It also inhibits girls from reaching their full potential — young girls who do not receive an education are more likely to enter child marriages and experience an early pregnancy, malnourishment, domestic violence, and pregnancy complications as a result.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

You can sponsor a child with Children Incorporated 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