Spotlight Children of the Week, 5/4/2015

As previously mentioned, I have determined that I will not add any new sponsorships nor take any "replacement" sponsorships until I am down to just five girls. Somehow, though, I still find myself browsing through the list of waiting children. These are the two I currently wish I could take.

Nine-year-old Roshella lives in the Philippines with her parents and two siblings in a concrete and plywood house. She sleeps on that hard, concrete floor with only a mat for cushioning. The family must haul their water from a community pump, and they have tapped their electricity illegally.

How could I *not* want to sponsor two-year-old Brianna?! That's my younger sister's name! Brianna lives with her parents and four siblings in the Philippines in a concrete house with a corrugated metal roof. They are fortunate to have running water in their home, but though electricity is available in their community, they do not have access in their house.

((Blogger's photo tool isn't cooperating at ALL at the moment ... I'll add photos to this post when I can!))

Spotlight Child of the Week, 5/28/2014

How could I not feature Princess Shannen?! I would sponsor her myself in a heartbeat, but I absolutely cannot take on any new children at this time. This four-year-old cutie pie lives in the Philippines with her parents and one sibling. The family of four struggles to survive on a monthly income of only $90. Their home is constructed of concrete and corrugated metal. Princess Shannen is already attending school! She enjoys playing outdoors and dancing.

Spotlight Child of the Week, 5/20/2014

Six-year-old Insha lives in India with her parents. They live in a concrete and brick house with illegally-tapped electricity and no running water. The family struggles to survive on an income of only $56 per month. Insha is enrolled in school. She enjoys playing with toys and dolls, and counts drawing among her talents. Insha speaks Urdu.

Spotlight Children of the Week: 5/9/2014

I turned my focus this week to India. I have been researching educational opportunities and the system in place there, so the country was on my mind as I browsed through the waiting children list. I found three girls who speak minority languages only--not one of them speaks Hindi at all.

Two-year-old Shalini lives with her parents on a monthly income of only $70. Their home is made up of brick walls and a concrete floor with a corrugated tile roof. They are fortunate to have regulated electricity, but must obtain their water from a community pump. Shalini is still too young for school. She enjoys playing with dolls. Shalini speaks Bengali.

Fifteen-year-old Sajiya lives with her parents and three siblings in a home of concrete floors, brick walls and a tile roof. The family of six struggles to survive on a monthly income of only $80. They have illegally-tapped electricity and must get their water from community faucets. Against the odds, Sajiya is still attending school. She speaks Urdu.

Twelve-year-old Firdosh lives with her parents and one sibling on a monthly income of only $66. Their home is entirely concrete: floor, roof and walls. They have illegally-tapped electricity and must get their water from community faucets. Firdosh attends school, and in her free time she enjoys playing indoor games. She speaks Urdu.

Spotlight Children of the Week, 5/4/2014

For this week's Spotlight, we turn our attention to Africa. As you have probably heard by now, over 230 girls were abducted while they sat an exam at school in Nigeria. Although Zambia and Nigeria are separated by three thousand miles, it seemed appropriate to focus this week's Spotlight on CI's operation there.

Ronica, age 14.

Fourteen-year-old Ronica lives with her parents and two siblings in a concrete home with a corrugated tile roof. Electricity is not available in her community and she must obtain her water from community faucets. The family of five struggles to survive on a monthly income of only $70. Against all odds, Ronica is still attending school. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her friends. Ronica speaks Lozi in addition to Nyanja.

Fridah, age 13.

Thirteen-year-old Fridah lives with her mother and one sibling in a concrete home with a corrugated metal roof. She is lucky that electricity is available in her community. The family obtains their water from community faucet and struggles to survive on a monthly income of only $80. Fridah sleeps on that hard concrete floor with a mat. She is enrolled in school. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing with her friends, and playing with dolls. Fridah speaks Tonga in addition to Nyanja.

Spotlight Children of the Week, 4/21/2014

Sunita, age 5.

Punita, age 4.

This week I'd like to introduce you to a pair of sisters from India! These adorable girls live with their parents and four other siblings. Their family of eight struggles to survive on a monthly income of only $127. Their house is constructed of brick and they are fortunate to have electricity, but they must obtain their water from a community pump. Both girls sleep on the floor on a mattress, and both girls enjoy playing with their friends. Five-year old Sunita is enrolled in school, while four-year-old Punita is still too young.

Let's team up and make a change for these girls and their whole family! If I sponsor Sunita and your sponsor Punita, we could combine forces and really lift them from the clutches of poverty!

Spotlight Child of the Week, 4/14/14

Four-year-old Ma. Alliah Nicole Beralde lives with her parents and two siblings in the Philippines. The family of five struggles to survive on an income of only $34 per month. They can barely put food on their table, and have no hope of creating a safe, solid home--their current house is constructed of bamboo, plywood and palm leaf. Ma. Alliah is too young for school. She enjoys playing with her siblings, dancing, and singing. With your help, Ma. Alliah's family will have peace of mind knowing that there will be food on their table and medical attention will be available when she falls ill. Won't you put the smile of hope on this little girl's face?

Spotlight Child of the Week, 4/6/2014

Meet four-year-old Madelyn Andrea! This cutie lives with her parents and a sibling in Guatemala. They live in an adobe home with dirt floors and unregulated electricity access. Madelyn enjoys playing with dolls, cars and other toys. She speaks Cakchiquel. Her fifth birthday is coming up soon on April 17th -- imagine what an amazing birthday present it would be for her to have a caring, supportive Sponsor enter her life!

Spotlight Child of the Week, 3/29/14

I've been very remiss in keeping this blog updated, but life is finally settling back to normal and I should be able to post more regularly now!

Two little girls in the Philippines have caught my eye each of the last several times I've looked through the list of waiting children, and they will be my Spotlight Children this week:

Alyzon Anne lives with her parents and one sibling in a plywood house with a dirt floor. They have non-regulated electricity and they must get their water from a neighbor's faucet. With a family income of only $87 a month, they have little hope of a bright future for five-year-old Alyzon. You can change that for them by becoming her Sponsor.


Four-year-old Xyriel lives with her parents and five siblings on a monthly income of only $134. The family is fortunate to have regulated electricity access, but they must get their water from faucets in their community. This sweet angel has to sleep on the concrete floor of her family's home without even a mat to cushion her. You can bring comfort and hope to her life by becoming her Sponsor.

Spotlight Children of the Week: Christmas 2013

'Tis the season! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Festivus, and Happy New Year!

There's a song that I hear often on the radio at this time of year. It was done by a collaboration of artists in the 1980s, and every time I hear it I am reminded of my girls and the work Children International does.  I encourage you to listen to it as you look over these children waiting for the miracle of hope. I have chosen to feature two children on the 'Most Needy" list from Zambia, since the song specifically mentions Africa.

Natasha lives with her mother and three siblings on $60 a month. Electricity is not available in her community, and her family must get their water from a community faucet. Despite the fact that she is approaching eight years of age, Natasha hasn't yet started school.She enjoys playing games with her friends, and she counts dancing and sports among her talents. An education will make all the difference to this young lady's future, but she cannot do it without your help...

Nine-year-old Christopher's story is very similar to Natasha's. He lives with his mother and three siblings on $60 a month. Electricity is not available in his community, and his family must get their water from a community faucet. He enjoys playing outdoor games with his friends, and he is talented in sports. He is fortunate to be enrolled in school, but he still faces many obstacles--obstacles he can overcome with the love and support of a sponsor like you!

Spotlight Child of the Week, 9/1/2013

This is seven-year-old Jannati. She lives in India with her parents and five siblings. The family struggles to survive on an income of only $140 per month and while they are fortunate to have regulated electricity for their home, they must obtain their water from a pump. Jannati sleeps on a mattress on the brick floor of her family's home, the walls and roof of which are also brick. She attends school, and she enjoys playing hide and seek with her friends.

I'm having a VERY hard time not sponsoring her myself--I have to keep reminding myself of the girls I have already made a commitment to. I would love if someone I know was to sponsor her, so that I could keep up with her progress that way! Won't you be the person to make a positive impact on this intense little girl's life?

Spotlight Child of the Week, 7/8/13

Meet seventeen-year-old Jonna from the Philippines. She lives with her parents and eight siblings in a plywood house in the Philippines. Although the family has running water in their home, they cannot afford electricity. Jonna attends school, and she will graduate from the Children International program on my wedding day!

Spotlight Child of the Week: Special Edition!

Those of you who have been following my blog know that my Spotlight Children tend to follow a pattern. Usually, they are girls. Usually, they are either a member of an indigenous group or they are from the Philippines. Today's post ... is different.

This somber young man is a very special six-year-old boy named Micky. Micky's family of five lives in Guatemala. They are so desperately poor that they do not even have their own home. Instead, they share one small room in a larger house made of scrap metal. Their few, meager possessions (including Micky's four outfits and single pair of shoes) are stored in this small, insecure place. 

Sponsorship would mean a world of difference for Micky and his family. Micky would receive clothes and school supplies, along with regular medical and dental care. Beyond these tangible benefits, your support and encouragement would let Micky and his family know that they aren't quite so alone in the world. The knowledge that someone cares has the power to bring this bright smile to his face. Won't you be the cause of that smile?

To Sponsor Micky, call 1-800-607-2080.

Spotlight Child of the Week, 3/15/2013

This is eight-year-old Sofia Elizabeth. She lives with her parents and four siblings in Guatemala. Their family of seven struggles to survive on a meager $260 per month. Their home is constructed of concrete and wood with a corrugated metal roof. They are fortunate to have regulated access to electricity, but they must obtain their water from a neighbor's faucet. Sofia does attend school. In her free time, she enjoys playing with dolls, cars and other toys. She is talented in singing, and also in reciting poetry. Sofia and her family face unique challenges and discrimination because they are Mayan. However, they have not given up their unique culture--Sofia wears the traditional Mayan outfit, and she speaks Cakchiquel in addition to Spanish.

Spotlight Child of the Week, 3/7/2013

My apologies, dear friends, for my extended absence. My family is going through a difficult time as we prepare for the passing of my uncle, and that has kept me otherwise occupied of late. I'll try to return to my regular schedule ASAP!

This sweet angel is four-year-old Sandy Amelia. She lives in Guatemala with her parents and one sibling. The family of four is struggling to survive on only $104 per month. Their home is adobe with dirt floors. They are fortunate to have running water, but although electricity is available in their community, they cannot afford to have it in their home. Sandy enjoys running and playing with dolls. She speaks Spanish in addition to her native Cakchiquel.

Spotlight Children of the Week, 2/4/2013

There were four indigenous children when I browsed through the waiting list this afternoon, however only three are featured here. Stay tuned for details on the fourth child!

This is three-year-old Damaris from Guatemala. She lives with her parents and one sibling on only $78 per month. The family's native language is Cakchiquel, but she also speaks Spanish. They are fortunate to have running water in their concrete and corrugated metal home, but their electricity is unregulated. Damaris is too young to attend school. She enjoys playing with dolls.

Nine-year-old Namukolo has been waiting for a Sponsor for almost three years! She lives with her parents and four siblings in a concrete and corrugated metal house in Zambia, and she does attend school. The family struggles to survive on only $80 per month. Electricity is available in her community, and her family gets their water from a community pump. In addition to Nyanja, Namukolo and her family speak Lozi. 

Seven-year-old Doris Marisol lives with her parents and two siblings in Guatemala. Her home has adobe walls and a dirt floor. They are fortunate to have regulated electricity, but they must get their water from a neighbor's faucet. Doris does attend school, and she speaks Spanish in addition to her native Cackchiquel. She enjoys playing with dolls and running.

Spotlight Children of the Week: 1/27/2013

Meet Jenifer Mariela! She lives in Guatemala with her parents and two siblings in an adobe home with dirt floors. The family is fortunate to have a private well for their water needs, but their electricity is tapped illegally. The family of five is struggling to survive on $117 per month. Jenifer only speaks Cackchiquel--since she is four years old, she is too young to have started school. She enjoys playing with dolls, and counts singing among her talents.

This is seven-year old Precious from Zambia. She lives with her parents and one sibling in a concrete home with a corrugated metal roof. Electricity is not available in her area, and she must get her water from a community faucet. The family of four is struggling to survive on a mere $50 per month.  Precious enjoys playing with her sibling and her friends, and she has a particular fondness for playing with toy cars. She shows an aptitude for sports. Precious does attend school, and she speaks Nyanja in addition to her native Tonga.

Spotlight Child of the Week, 1/14/2013

There are no new indigenous children listed this week, so instead I will feature the child who has been waiting the longest.

This is Nayely. She lives in Chile with her parents and two siblings in a house with wood floors and walls and a corrugated metal roof. The family is fortunate to have running water and electricity in their home. Nayely enjoys playing with dolls and counts dancing among her talents. She will celebrate her eighth birthday in February, and she has been waiting for a Sponsor for 1153 days! Give her an early birthday gift and end her wait!

Spotlight Children of the Week: A New Year

Being a linguist, I have always been drawn to the children on the waiting list who speak one of the minority or indigenous languages of their country. In 2013, I plan to focus my Spotlight on these special children. Preserving their culture and language is a cause near and dear to my heart, and I would love to see these children receive the support of Sponsorship.

The largest minority population among Children International's children seems to be the Mayan children in Guatemala. They are usually easy to identify: they speak the language Cakchiquel, and the girls wear traditional blouses and skirts:

Yenifer, Age 3

Leslie, Age 4

Damaly, Age 7

 

In Zambia, the clothing of the children isn't useful as a clue to their heritage, and so I have to rely entirely on the listed languages that they speak. Nyanja and Bemba seem to be the majority languages, so I look for others (Tonga, Lozi, and Luvale are the three I have found so far):

Gladys, Age 5. Luvale.

Nayawa, Age 5. Lozi.

Mariot, Age 8. Tonga.

Ecuador has Otavaleno children and children who speak Quichua (sometimes spelled Kichwa).

Alex, Age 16. Quichua.

  The primary languages of Children International kids in India seem to be Bengali and Hindi, however India also has children who speak Santali and Urdu. 

Md, Age 3. Urdu.

Nabed, Age 7. Urdu.

Mohammad, Age 16. Urdu.

Chile has Mapache children, none of whom are currently listed.

This isn't a comprehensive list--I'm still exploring and learning about the countries Children International serves. But this gets us off to a good start for the new year!

Spotlight Child of the Week, 12/20/2012

In celebration of the upcoming holiday, I have chosen a Christmas angel as today's Spotlight Child of the Week!

This beautiful little girl is Diana. She lives in the Dominican Republic with her mother. Together, the two of them struggle to survive on only $50 per month.They are fortunate to have running water and electricity in their home, which has a concrete floor, wood walls and a corrugated metal roof. Diana likes to play with dolls, and she shows a talent for dance. She will celebrate her third birthday on Christmas day--what better gift could she receive for her extra-special day than the promise of Sponsorship?