Oct 2011 Update
Abha and her husband have 5 school aged children. Their father works as a day laborer doing electrical work for wages below poverty level. Abha is one of the faithful women who stitch the latest product at Hope for Artisans. Their story may not sound too unique until you hear about their 13 year old son who is fighting cancer.
Abha and her husband have sold practically every humble thing they own to pay for his treatments in a city 3 hours away. Abha and her son travel back and forth constantly for his care. With money so scarce the five siblings were not going to be able to write their final exams for the year without paying their exam fees. This would have negated all the hard work they poured out throughout the year. It was at this point that we learnt more about their situation and were able to take them into the Child Care program and provide for these kids to finish their year of studies.
That day we prayed with Abha for her children's school needs and were so pleased to share with her that there was money available in our fund for her kids to write their exams. (5 lives changed that day all because we could share with her just under 100 USD!). The tears welled up in her weary eyes as we gave thanks to God together for this provision.
June 2011 Update
One area where we feel that we can bring change is in the minds of those in poverty. To take time away to speak value into individuals says that they are worth more than their work, they are people first. In the last year, we have had two outings; one with the men artisans and one with the women. Both were a huge success with both men and women asking about next years plans already.
We plan to have an outing like this again next year to strengthen relationships and bring refreshment to our artisans whose lives hold much hardship and little simple pleasure.
February 2011 Update
Ali is not your typical 11 year old. Nothing about his life would be typical for those of us in North America and even for most of us living in the Eastern world. Ali has faced more challenges than most children I know, and still faces them daily. We have known Ali since he was 4 and have walked with him through many family challenges. Growing up in the poorest area of our crowded South Asian town of 2 million means little electricity, often dirt floors, shifting from house to house and poor drinking water. This isn't a "poor me" story in the least though, as Ali chooses daily to do his studies by candlelight or sitting in the extreme heat or cold as a dedicated young boy …more so than any other child I have ever seen. Ali knows the value of school and the deep privilege it is to be able to attend each year.
Ali is now coming to the age, grade 5, when most boys in a family anywhere near this desperation for finances would be taken out of school and put to work somewhere. Thanks to the school sponsorship program and the investment over the years, Ali's family sees his potential and has decided to keep him in school. Ali is incredibly bright and could do well all the way into college if he continues with his studies. This would be a miraculous turn of events for not only precious Ali but his family too.
