Asian Aid is an organization giving hope, 00:00:22.12\00:00:25.12 an organization fostering permanent positive change 00:00:25.15\00:00:28.32 in the lives of disadvantaged children 00:00:28.36\00:00:30.33 and their communities, 00:00:30.36\00:00:32.23 an organization that is committed to 00:00:32.26\00:00:34.16 making a difference in the lives of children 00:00:34.20\00:00:36.30 and those who are in need, 00:00:36.33\00:00:38.23 serving communities in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, 00:00:38.27\00:00:42.20 Myanmar and India. 00:00:42.24\00:00:44.21 For the last forty years, 00:00:51.81\00:00:53.68 Asian Aid has invested in the futures of people 00:00:53.72\00:00:56.62 and their investment has proven infinite returns. 00:00:56.65\00:01:00.82 Driven by their dedication 00:01:00.86\00:01:02.36 to helping those who have the least, 00:01:02.39\00:01:04.86 Asian Aid is an organization 00:01:04.89\00:01:06.66 focused on the welfare of children, 00:01:06.70\00:01:09.16 implementing diverse development projects 00:01:09.20\00:01:11.90 and sponsoring thousands of children. 00:01:11.93\00:01:14.60 Their outreach spans from child rescue operations 00:01:14.64\00:01:17.97 to providing an education for orphans, 00:01:18.01\00:01:20.44 deaf and the blind children, 00:01:20.48\00:01:23.04 giving them a sense of place, a home. 00:01:23.08\00:01:25.71 But above all, Asian Aid is an organization giving hope, 00:01:25.75\00:01:30.49 giving hope to children, giving hope to communities, 00:01:30.52\00:01:33.76 giving hope to the ones who need it the most. 00:01:33.79\00:01:37.76 This is Hope in Motion 00:01:37.79\00:01:40.46 Hello, I'm Carl Ginger 00:01:53.14\00:01:54.58 and I'm on the board of Asian Aid, USA. 00:01:54.61\00:01:57.45 I'm going to talk a bit about Asian Aid and its beginnings. 00:01:57.48\00:02:00.98 Asian Aid started about 40 years ago, 00:02:01.02\00:02:04.25 with a vision. 00:02:04.29\00:02:05.75 And in that time it's grown from a thought, 00:02:05.79\00:02:08.39 a vision, a purpose and a mission 00:02:08.42\00:02:10.83 to something really significant today. 00:02:10.86\00:02:12.79 And it's making a significant difference 00:02:12.83\00:02:14.96 in the lives of children, families and communities. 00:02:15.00\00:02:18.90 Today, I'm going to be talking with Jim Rennie, 00:02:18.93\00:02:20.80 the CEO of Asian Aid USA. 00:02:20.84\00:02:23.37 Jim, good morning. 00:02:23.41\00:02:24.74 Good morning, Carl. 00:02:24.77\00:02:26.11 It's very nice seeing you again. 00:02:26.14\00:02:28.04 It's more than just being the CEO, 00:02:28.08\00:02:31.01 it's having a relationship and a friendship. 00:02:31.05\00:02:33.35 And I'm really grateful for that. 00:02:33.38\00:02:35.62 Jim, can you tell us a bit about Asian Aid, 00:02:35.65\00:02:38.05 to those who are not really familiar with Asian Aid. 00:02:38.09\00:02:40.99 What it does? 00:02:41.02\00:02:42.36 Some of the programs it does? 00:02:42.39\00:02:44.19 Well, Carl, as you said Asian Aid was established 00:02:44.23\00:02:47.83 just about over 40 years now in Australia. 00:02:47.86\00:02:50.73 And Asian Aid USA has been going about six or seven years. 00:02:50.77\00:02:56.17 Asian Aid is a really child focused organization. 00:02:56.20\00:03:00.64 And the main activity that we carry out is sponsorship. 00:03:00.68\00:03:05.31 And we have over 2800 children 00:03:05.35\00:03:08.22 and each child has an individual sponsor. 00:03:08.25\00:03:12.72 That's our main activity. 00:03:12.75\00:03:14.26 But on top of that 00:03:14.29\00:03:15.62 we are involved in over five orphanages, 00:03:15.66\00:03:18.59 a school for the blind, 00:03:18.63\00:03:19.96 a school for the deaf, in India. 00:03:20.00\00:03:21.76 And then in recent times, 00:03:21.80\00:03:24.23 we've become involved in operation child rescue 00:03:24.27\00:03:27.90 which is really exciting, 00:03:27.94\00:03:29.60 because we are involved in 00:03:29.64\00:03:30.97 the rescue of young girls from the sex trade 00:03:31.01\00:03:35.24 and also children from hard labor situations and beggary. 00:03:35.28\00:03:40.62 So Asian Aid is very child focused, 00:03:40.65\00:03:42.98 but it is involved 00:03:43.02\00:03:44.35 in a wide range of child focused activity. 00:03:44.39\00:03:50.29 Well, Jim, you mentioned that 00:03:50.33\00:03:52.09 Asian Aid is primarily about children and child sponsorship. 00:03:52.13\00:03:55.96 Can you give us a bit more information 00:03:56.00\00:03:57.33 on sponsorship? 00:03:57.37\00:03:59.07 Whether there are different categories for the sponsorship 00:03:59.10\00:04:01.60 and how it works, please. 00:04:01.64\00:04:03.30 Yes, Carl, well 00:04:03.34\00:04:04.67 there's a number of levels of sponsorship. 00:04:04.71\00:04:06.41 The first one is a "Day student." 00:04:06.44\00:04:08.28 But let me just go back a step. 00:04:08.31\00:04:10.68 Asian Aid basically takes children based on need 00:04:10.71\00:04:14.02 and places them in an Adventist school. 00:04:14.05\00:04:16.89 The first category is the "Day student," 00:04:16.92\00:04:18.95 so this is the child, who walks or catches the bus 00:04:18.99\00:04:23.36 from the local village to the school 00:04:23.39\00:04:26.33 and so that supplied an education. 00:04:26.36\00:04:29.70 Then we have a smaller category called "Day plus," 00:04:29.73\00:04:32.63 where it's the "Day student" 00:04:32.67\00:04:34.00 and we provide them the mid-day meal. 00:04:34.04\00:04:36.37 Our biggest category is "Boarder." 00:04:36.40\00:04:39.97 So this is a child who boards at the school, 00:04:40.01\00:04:42.68 obviously goes home for the holidays. 00:04:42.71\00:04:45.18 But they're getting education, 00:04:45.21\00:04:46.72 they get their meal, they get accommodation, 00:04:46.75\00:04:49.38 they get a uniform and a book allowance. 00:04:49.42\00:04:52.25 And than course above that is tertiary, 00:04:52.29\00:04:56.02 that's where they go to college or university 00:04:56.06\00:04:58.99 and a major part of their costs are subsidized by Asian Aid. 00:04:59.03\00:05:05.20 The unique thing about Asian Aid is 00:05:05.23\00:05:07.14 that when a child is accepted, 00:05:07.17\00:05:09.00 whether they have a sponsor or not, 00:05:09.04\00:05:12.37 they stay in the education program. 00:05:12.41\00:05:16.95 We always have a pool of unsponsored children, 00:05:16.98\00:05:20.22 so that we have children in reserve for new sponsors. 00:05:20.25\00:05:23.75 But also if the sponsor is unable to continue, 00:05:23.79\00:05:26.76 the child support continues. 00:05:26.79\00:05:30.49 Each child has an individual sponsor. 00:05:30.53\00:05:32.99 And that sponsor gets updates on the child, 00:05:33.03\00:05:36.20 annual report and in most cases 00:05:36.23\00:05:39.70 the child writes them two or three letters a year. 00:05:39.73\00:05:42.80 Now with the sponsorship, 00:05:42.84\00:05:46.17 with these various categories especially the "Boarders, 00:05:46.21\00:05:50.75 " how do we select them? 00:05:50.78\00:05:53.21 Well, the children are selected on needs. 00:05:53.25\00:05:56.22 So when we have a need for additional children, 00:05:56.25\00:05:59.99 we allocate it to a particular area or school. 00:06:00.02\00:06:03.12 And then based on the recommendation 00:06:03.16\00:06:05.23 of either pastors, 00:06:05.26\00:06:06.59 community workers or of the principal, 00:06:06.63\00:06:09.70 the children's names are put forward to Asian Aid. 00:06:09.73\00:06:12.63 And we have about eleven field officers in India. 00:06:12.67\00:06:15.90 So the field officer checks on their situation 00:06:15.94\00:06:20.61 and if possible visits their home. 00:06:20.64\00:06:22.54 And when they are accepted, 00:06:22.58\00:06:23.91 they go to the designated school. 00:06:23.95\00:06:28.52 And you mentioned orphanages. 00:06:28.55\00:06:30.42 Now in India we call them Children's Homes, I guess. 00:06:30.45\00:06:32.39 Correct. 00:06:32.42\00:06:33.76 Now running an orphanage or children's home 00:06:33.79\00:06:35.82 must have challenges. 00:06:35.86\00:06:37.26 It does. 00:06:37.29\00:06:38.86 How do you see this working? 00:06:38.89\00:06:40.60 What are the challenges? 00:06:40.63\00:06:41.96 And how do we manage that? 00:06:42.00\00:06:44.13 Well, our biggest orphanage 00:06:44.17\00:06:46.97 is one that Asian Aid USA built in recent years, 00:06:47.00\00:06:50.37 it's called Sunrise Home. 00:06:50.41\00:06:52.21 And it's in a beautiful location in the country, 00:06:52.24\00:06:55.94 in a town called Bobbili in Andhra Pradesh. 00:06:55.98\00:06:59.11 It has 10 acres of property. 00:06:59.15\00:07:01.88 And it's a fantastic home for the children. 00:07:01.92\00:07:05.52 There is a river flowing near by. 00:07:05.55\00:07:07.22 And you know when we go there, we always enjoy them seeing, 00:07:07.26\00:07:12.23 playing in the river. 00:07:12.26\00:07:13.60 I think the main challenge with these homes 00:07:13.63\00:07:17.03 is obviously finding the right staff. 00:07:17.07\00:07:20.74 I mean it's hard enough bringing up two-- 00:07:20.77\00:07:23.00 one two or three kids of your own. 00:07:23.04\00:07:25.17 Could you imagine having to bring up 70-100 orphans? 00:07:25.21\00:07:29.08 I mean these kids are just normal children. 00:07:29.11\00:07:31.55 They want to do all the things a normal child does. 00:07:31.58\00:07:34.92 But so finding dedicated staff, dedicated Christian staff 00:07:34.95\00:07:40.52 who can be a parent to these children, 00:07:40.56\00:07:43.99 can manage a large number of children, 00:07:44.03\00:07:46.63 but most of important 00:07:46.66\00:07:48.43 give them a Christian influence in their lives 00:07:48.46\00:07:52.10 is our biggest challenge. 00:07:52.13\00:07:55.20 I think the second challenge is obviously 00:07:55.24\00:07:58.81 meeting the legal requirements of the government. 00:07:58.84\00:08:02.24 And we're very blessed that Sunrise home 00:08:02.28\00:08:05.38 is one of the first government approved orphanages 00:08:05.41\00:08:08.55 that the church and Asian Aid has and... 00:08:08.58\00:08:12.22 But the work these homes are doing is just amazing, 00:08:12.25\00:08:17.99 just amazing. 00:08:18.03\00:08:19.39 And so it's always just great to visit these homes. 00:08:19.43\00:08:24.00 Now with all of these children, 00:08:24.03\00:08:25.37 you mentioned before that we have sponsors. 00:08:25.40\00:08:28.90 What makes a sponsor want to be involved? 00:08:28.94\00:08:32.27 And how do they actually get the joy and the pleasure 00:08:32.31\00:08:35.68 of being involved? 00:08:35.71\00:08:37.45 Well, I think, sponsorship is a very unique way 00:08:37.48\00:08:40.82 of making a difference. 00:08:40.85\00:08:42.18 We all can't visit the mission field. 00:08:42.22\00:08:43.92 We all can't go on mission trips. 00:08:43.95\00:08:47.29 And so sponsorship means that every morning 00:08:47.32\00:08:51.19 you are making a difference in the life of a child. 00:08:51.23\00:08:54.20 That child is depending on you for its education 00:08:54.23\00:08:57.90 and in some cases its food and not only that, 00:08:57.93\00:09:01.40 you're giving the Christian influence 00:09:01.44\00:09:03.24 to that child. 00:09:03.27\00:09:04.84 And hopefully, the child writes to you 00:09:04.87\00:09:07.14 and you can write to the child. 00:09:07.18\00:09:09.04 You get their annual school report. 00:09:09.08\00:09:11.45 "Oh! 00:09:11.48\00:09:12.81 My child is getting an A or a C." 00:09:12.85\00:09:14.62 So you're involved in the life of a child 00:09:17.19\00:09:19.95 and you're making a difference every day. 00:09:19.99\00:09:22.22 And I guess that the big thing is that 00:09:22.26\00:09:24.13 the sponsors, are-- stay there for the long term. 00:09:24.16\00:09:27.60 I see them like postage stamps. 00:09:27.63\00:09:29.80 They stick to their cause 00:09:29.83\00:09:31.83 and their commitment to the end. 00:09:31.87\00:09:33.84 And I would assume that, 00:09:33.87\00:09:35.34 often, when they get to the end of the child's education, 00:09:35.37\00:09:38.07 they might sponsor another child too. 00:09:38.11\00:09:40.34 Oh! Yes, yes. 00:09:40.38\00:09:41.71 We have, in fact I, just the other day 00:09:41.74\00:09:45.35 I was talking to a sponsor, 00:09:45.38\00:09:46.72 who had sponsored the particular child 00:09:46.75\00:09:48.78 for 10 years on that--tertiary 00:09:48.82\00:09:51.42 And that particular lady took a new child. 00:09:51.45\00:09:55.26 So she's been sponsoring with Asian Aid over 10 years. 00:09:55.29\00:09:59.49 Now that's a good news story. 00:09:59.53\00:10:01.63 So Jim, when we're talking about Bobbili, 00:10:01.66\00:10:03.80 it's in a rural area. 00:10:03.83\00:10:05.17 We not only have the children's home, 00:10:05.20\00:10:07.10 but we involved in the community, 00:10:07.14\00:10:09.20 in the local area. 00:10:09.24\00:10:10.57 Could you give us an idea of what we do there? 00:10:10.61\00:10:12.41 And the impact it's making on these people. 00:10:12.44\00:10:14.84 Well as you remember, 00:10:14.88\00:10:17.68 Bobbili is not far from the major city of Vizag. 00:10:17.71\00:10:20.98 in the city of Vizag, 00:10:21.02\00:10:22.48 you remember we went to the slum school. 00:10:22.52\00:10:24.79 I remember that well. 00:10:24.82\00:10:26.15 Yeah, it's a very unique school that Asian Aid funds 100%, 00:10:26.19\00:10:30.69 it's located right in the center of the slum. 00:10:30.73\00:10:33.66 There's 80 small children there, 00:10:33.70\00:10:35.63 in fact, I think there's about 90 at the moment. 00:10:35.66\00:10:39.10 And the amazing thing here is that, 00:10:39.13\00:10:42.57 if that school wasn't where it is, 00:10:42.60\00:10:44.81 right on the hat of the slum, 00:10:44.84\00:10:47.51 50% of those children wouldn't be at school. 00:10:47.54\00:10:50.71 It faces tremendous pressures, 00:10:50.75\00:10:52.65 because the parents quite often want the children 00:10:52.68\00:10:55.45 to be on the streets begging. 00:10:55.48\00:10:57.25 So there is a lot of pressure to keep the kids at school. 00:10:57.29\00:10:59.95 And so Asian Aid is very proud of that ministry 00:10:59.99\00:11:03.12 and what is achieved. 00:11:03.16\00:11:04.49 And every time I visit that school, Jim, 00:11:04.53\00:11:06.86 I just feel the faces of these children. 00:11:06.90\00:11:09.76 Their smiles are so broad 00:11:09.80\00:11:12.13 and they're so happy to be at school. 00:11:12.17\00:11:14.07 It's an inspiration. That's right. 00:11:14.10\00:11:16.14 It's a delight. 00:11:16.17\00:11:17.51 Then as you get nearer to Bobbili, 00:11:17.54\00:11:21.01 there's a number of day schools, 00:11:21.04\00:11:23.68 where Asian Aid have sponsored children, 00:11:23.71\00:11:26.98 there's the sunrise home as we mentioned. 00:11:27.02\00:11:29.85 But then right on the other side of Bobbili, 00:11:29.88\00:11:32.49 the Sunrise, 00:11:32.52\00:11:33.86 we have the Asian Aid School for the blind. 00:11:33.89\00:11:36.52 And once again this is a very unique school. 00:11:36.56\00:11:38.93 We have 160 either blind or partially blind children. 00:11:38.96\00:11:43.93 And once again these are from 00:11:43.97\00:11:45.93 very, very poor remote villages. 00:11:45.97\00:11:50.67 And in most cases, these are shunned by society. 00:11:50.71\00:11:54.18 They are rejected by society. 00:11:54.21\00:11:56.31 So a lot of these kids 00:11:56.34\00:11:57.68 would have never got an education. 00:11:57.71\00:11:59.75 And what would happen if they don't get an education? 00:11:59.78\00:12:02.48 Well, we've seen some pretty sad stories. 00:12:02.52\00:12:04.69 One day when I was there, a girl was brought in 00:12:04.72\00:12:07.59 and her parents had chained her 00:12:07.62\00:12:09.32 in the basement of the house for three years 00:12:09.36\00:12:11.99 because they didn't want... they were filled by... 00:12:12.03\00:12:14.20 were ashamed in having this daughter. 00:12:14.23\00:12:16.36 And when she arrived, she couldn't speak. 00:12:16.40\00:12:19.13 And I went back a couple of months later 00:12:19.17\00:12:21.27 and that brought tears to my eyes, 00:12:21.30\00:12:22.97 as I saw this little girl singing a song. 00:12:23.00\00:12:27.78 As I said, people like this are rejected by society. 00:12:27.81\00:12:31.25 The parents don't know what to do with them. 00:12:31.28\00:12:33.82 And so it has a big impact on the family 00:12:33.85\00:12:36.72 that their child can't get education. 00:12:36.75\00:12:39.85 And now we've saved them a tertiary 00:12:39.89\00:12:41.59 and we have some actually working in call centers. 00:12:41.62\00:12:44.93 So it's truly a blessing. 00:12:44.96\00:12:47.50 And so it's not only the child that's having a new future, 00:12:47.53\00:12:51.50 the parents also can have a new start 00:12:51.53\00:12:54.14 because their child can do something 00:12:54.17\00:12:56.64 and they can support the child. 00:12:56.67\00:12:58.61 And as you said, when they grow up 00:12:58.64\00:13:00.18 the child can be of a blessing to the parents too. 00:13:00.21\00:13:03.14 Yeah. 00:13:03.18\00:13:04.51 So Jim, with such a lot of influence in the community, 00:13:04.55\00:13:07.92 the things we're doing in the community 00:13:07.95\00:13:09.72 and I'm sure the community participating in these things. 00:13:09.75\00:13:13.59 Do they see us as Christians? 00:13:13.62\00:13:15.29 As Adventists? 00:13:15.32\00:13:16.83 How do they see us? 00:13:16.86\00:13:18.79 Well, I think it's exciting how they see us 00:13:18.83\00:13:21.93 because, yes, they know we're Christians. 00:13:21.96\00:13:24.47 Yes, they know we're Seventh-day Adventist. 00:13:24.50\00:13:26.94 Now sometimes, they don't understand 00:13:26.97\00:13:28.50 what a Seventh-day Adventist is. 00:13:28.54\00:13:30.01 But over time they learn and understand who we are. 00:13:30.04\00:13:34.91 80% of these children are not from Christian homes. 00:13:34.94\00:13:38.91 So it builds a unique relationship 00:13:38.95\00:13:42.58 between the church and the community. 00:13:42.62\00:13:45.29 And quite often these children 00:13:45.32\00:13:47.02 take the Christianity back to their homes. 00:13:47.06\00:13:50.26 So it's one of the most amazing 00:13:50.29\00:13:52.46 outreach programs that you are a part of, 00:13:52.49\00:13:56.87 when you are involved in sponsorship. 00:13:56.90\00:13:59.93 Thanks Jim, now apart from all these things that we do. 00:13:59.97\00:14:03.47 Sponsorship programs, community development programs. 00:14:03.51\00:14:06.34 There are other issues that emerging as well. 00:14:06.37\00:14:08.38 You mentioned trafficking of children 00:14:08.41\00:14:10.85 into sex slavery and the trade. 00:14:10.88\00:14:15.55 And, you know, it's-- 00:14:15.58\00:14:17.89 there's so much more that Asian Aid is involved in. 00:14:17.92\00:14:22.16 And will be involved in. 00:14:22.19\00:14:25.53 So join me in a few minutes. 00:14:25.56\00:14:27.70 When we come back and we will talk to Jim, 00:14:27.73\00:14:30.90 more about how Asian Aid is participating 00:14:30.93\00:14:33.80 in these new programs and projects 00:14:33.84\00:14:36.77 and how they are making a difference 00:14:36.81\00:14:39.31 in the lives of children, 00:14:39.34\00:14:41.41 adults, families and communities. 00:14:41.44\00:14:44.15 My wife Angela and I are here in Andhra Pradesh, India, 00:14:58.49\00:15:01.90 visiting some of the Asian Aid projects 00:15:01.93\00:15:03.87 to see for ourselves, 00:15:03.90\00:15:05.43 how the work that is being done here 00:15:05.47\00:15:06.94 is transforming lives, 00:15:06.97\00:15:08.77 especially the lives of orphaned children 00:15:08.80\00:15:11.57 and abandoned children, 00:15:11.61\00:15:13.01 children from the tribal communities. 00:15:13.04\00:15:15.61 And we've discovered that because of sponsors like you, 00:15:15.64\00:15:18.08 they now have a place that they can call home. 00:15:18.11\00:15:20.18 They have wonderful clothing, nutritious food. 00:15:20.22\00:15:23.02 And they are being prepared 00:15:23.05\00:15:25.19 to propel themselves into the future 00:15:25.22\00:15:27.09 for a promising career. 00:15:27.12\00:15:29.02 But above all that 00:15:29.06\00:15:30.63 because of sponsors like you, they now have hope. 00:15:30.66\00:15:33.66 Hope for a better future. 00:15:33.70\00:15:35.56 Well, I'm here in Sunrise home with Sheila. 00:15:49.61\00:15:52.45 Now my family and I have been sponsoring Sheila 00:15:52.48\00:15:54.92 for just about a year now. 00:15:54.95\00:15:56.45 And I can tell you being here and spending time with her, 00:15:56.48\00:15:59.49 I can see the difference 00:15:59.52\00:16:00.86 that sponsorship is making in her life. 00:16:00.89\00:16:03.09 She now has plenty of food. 00:16:03.12\00:16:04.83 She has a beautiful place to sleep each night. 00:16:04.86\00:16:07.13 She has clothes. 00:16:07.16\00:16:08.50 She has a school uniform and an excellent education. 00:16:08.53\00:16:11.43 I can tell you, it's made a difference in her life 00:16:11.47\00:16:14.64 and it's made a difference in our lives too. 00:16:14.67\00:16:17.31 Now through sponsorship, 00:16:17.34\00:16:18.74 you too can make a difference 00:16:18.77\00:16:20.38 in the life of a child every day. 00:16:20.41\00:16:23.18 Welcome back. 00:16:38.29\00:16:40.13 I'm in conversation with Jim Rennie, 00:16:40.16\00:16:41.76 the CEO of Asian Aid USA. 00:16:41.80\00:16:44.57 Jim, the majority of our work is in India. 00:16:44.60\00:16:47.90 But we also work in other countries like Sri Lanka. 00:16:47.94\00:16:50.94 Could you give us some understanding of 00:16:50.97\00:16:52.31 what we do? 00:16:52.34\00:16:53.68 And where? Yes, Carl. 00:16:53.71\00:16:55.18 Well, in Sri Lanka 00:16:55.21\00:16:57.38 the main activity there is with Lakpahana College 00:16:57.41\00:17:00.72 and we have about 50 sponsored children there. 00:17:00.75\00:17:03.65 In Bangladesh, we have 300 children 00:17:03.69\00:17:07.69 and a number of Adventist schools. 00:17:07.72\00:17:10.33 We're shortly to enter Myanmar. 00:17:10.36\00:17:12.83 And in Nepal, we have about 150 children 00:17:12.86\00:17:17.43 and numerous Adventist colleges. 00:17:17.47\00:17:20.27 Now there are special issues in Nepal 00:17:20.30\00:17:24.41 and, it's like, child trafficking 00:17:24.44\00:17:27.04 is a big issue there. 00:17:27.08\00:17:28.41 Correct. 00:17:28.44\00:17:29.91 And do we have programs to address this? 00:17:29.94\00:17:32.78 Are we-- Where are we starting to address this sort of issue? 00:17:32.81\00:17:35.38 Well, we've made a decision with our program called 00:17:35.42\00:17:38.22 Operation Child Rescue 00:17:38.25\00:17:40.96 there we want to get involved in this area, 00:17:40.99\00:17:43.79 especially the targeting children. 00:17:43.83\00:17:46.16 So in Bangalore, 00:17:46.19\00:17:47.53 we have partnered with anorganization. 00:17:47.56\00:17:49.40 And we're directly involved in rescues. 00:17:49.43\00:17:52.63 The main activity is rescuing girls from the sex trade. 00:17:52.67\00:17:56.50 So we're involved directly in rescues. 00:17:56.54\00:17:59.04 They go and take these girls from the brothels 00:17:59.07\00:18:02.88 and do their best to rehabilitate them. 00:18:02.91\00:18:06.48 Now that sounds to me like a risky business? 00:18:06.51\00:18:08.75 It is. It is. 00:18:08.78\00:18:10.12 The team are constantly exploring, 00:18:10.15\00:18:12.49 exposed to danger 00:18:12.52\00:18:13.96 and there is obviously corruption at all levels. 00:18:13.99\00:18:17.26 And our team have to take very special precautions 00:18:17.29\00:18:21.76 in the work that they do. 00:18:21.80\00:18:23.50 And then also in Bangalore, 00:18:23.53\00:18:25.60 we're working closely with the trust 00:18:25.63\00:18:28.00 that actually rescues babies. 00:18:28.04\00:18:30.11 These are babies that are rejected by society. 00:18:30.14\00:18:33.27 They're left on the side of the road. 00:18:33.31\00:18:35.81 And so the police and social services 00:18:35.84\00:18:38.48 bring those babies to the rescue center. 00:18:38.51\00:18:41.78 And Carl, it's so heartbreaking to see these children 00:18:41.82\00:18:46.52 that have been rejected by society 00:18:46.55\00:18:48.72 but it's just so exciting to see 00:18:48.76\00:18:52.46 that these children have been saved from death. 00:18:52.49\00:18:57.83 And operation child rescue 00:18:57.87\00:19:00.10 was an important part of Asian Aid's 00:19:00.14\00:19:03.20 growing program. 00:19:03.24\00:19:05.37 So Asian Aid has an influence on children from babies, 00:19:05.41\00:19:10.25 you know, right through to adults. 00:19:10.28\00:19:11.85 Yes. 00:19:11.88\00:19:13.21 Asian Aid is a very unique ministry 00:19:13.25\00:19:14.85 that we're very child focused. 00:19:14.88\00:19:17.19 And yeah, we cover a spectrum of how donors and supporters 00:19:17.22\00:19:22.42 can be involved in changing the lives 00:19:22.46\00:19:26.26 and saving these children from death. 00:19:26.29\00:19:29.33 Yeah and it's not just all of these, 00:19:29.36\00:19:31.53 this whole spectrum of people. 00:19:31.57\00:19:33.57 We also are involved in special needs children 00:19:33.60\00:19:36.24 like the school for the blind and the hearing-impaired. 00:19:36.27\00:19:39.77 Give us a bit more information on these schools 00:19:39.81\00:19:41.64 because they are-- they serve special needs. 00:19:41.68\00:19:43.95 I know you mentioned previously about the school for the blind 00:19:43.98\00:19:47.58 but tell us a bit more about the school 00:19:47.62\00:19:49.35 for hearing impaired. 00:19:49.38\00:19:50.72 Well, you remember when you and I went there, 00:19:50.75\00:19:52.62 we drove in the gate and it was just so exciting 00:19:52.65\00:19:55.82 that these kids just came rushing around the car. 00:19:55.86\00:19:58.93 And you hop out and then without thinking, 00:19:58.96\00:20:01.36 you start talking to them. 00:20:01.40\00:20:02.73 Absolutely-- 00:20:02.76\00:20:04.10 You forget that they're deaf because they're so animated, 00:20:04.13\00:20:05.93 they're saying hello. 00:20:05.97\00:20:07.47 And once again, this is a very, very important school 00:20:07.50\00:20:11.84 because these children are from the poor villages. 00:20:11.87\00:20:15.21 Where it's-- the society reject them 00:20:15.24\00:20:19.08 and it's embarrassing to the parents. 00:20:19.11\00:20:21.38 And to see them singing hymns using sign language, 00:20:21.42\00:20:25.92 to see them doing a skit to music 00:20:25.95\00:20:29.66 but they can't hear the music. 00:20:29.69\00:20:31.03 Wasn't that amazing? 00:20:31.06\00:20:32.39 That-- Absolutely amazing. 00:20:32.43\00:20:33.76 The other thing, it's the concentration 00:20:33.80\00:20:35.30 on these children's faces. 00:20:35.33\00:20:36.70 Because they can't hear anything, 00:20:36.73\00:20:38.07 they just focus on what's being done. 00:20:38.10\00:20:40.20 That really amazed me. 00:20:40.24\00:20:42.17 I think the other important thing also, 00:20:42.20\00:20:45.34 is the difference it makes on the lives of the families. 00:20:45.37\00:20:48.58 All right, so we're not only sponsoring a child, 00:20:48.61\00:20:51.45 we're not only giving that child an education 00:20:51.48\00:20:54.48 but suddenly the parents, 00:20:54.52\00:20:56.65 the parents who have faced stigma, 00:20:56.69\00:20:58.92 the parents that have faced embarrassment, 00:20:58.95\00:21:01.09 are suddenly proud of their child. 00:21:01.12\00:21:03.69 To see parents in the slum, 00:21:03.73\00:21:05.79 who are proud of their little child, 00:21:05.83\00:21:08.13 in their daily uniform, heading off to school. 00:21:08.16\00:21:10.93 To see parents of the blind children, 00:21:10.97\00:21:13.67 who suddenly have a child they can talk about. 00:21:13.70\00:21:16.44 And these children make a difference. 00:21:16.47\00:21:18.74 So the sponsor is making a difference 00:21:18.77\00:21:20.91 in the life of the family and that community. 00:21:20.94\00:21:24.38 So it has a very, very wide effect. 00:21:24.41\00:21:26.75 With our sponsorship program, 00:21:26.78\00:21:29.18 you're introducing the child to Jesus. 00:21:29.22\00:21:32.09 They come to the school 00:21:32.12\00:21:33.66 and suddenly they're learning hymns, 00:21:33.69\00:21:35.82 they're learning prayer 00:21:35.86\00:21:37.66 and they become-- they really are introduced to Jesus 00:21:37.69\00:21:42.00 and it's just so exciting. 00:21:42.03\00:21:43.87 We see baptisms. 00:21:43.90\00:21:45.47 We see them taking the Christian influence 00:21:45.50\00:21:48.60 back to their family and their friends. 00:21:48.64\00:21:51.97 So sponsorship is a very effective evangelism tool 00:21:52.01\00:21:57.71 that you are involved in, as a sponsor everyday. 00:21:57.75\00:22:02.88 And what that really also means is, 00:22:02.92\00:22:04.69 it's not just people knowing Jesus Christ, 00:22:04.72\00:22:07.86 but hope gives them another reason to live. 00:22:07.89\00:22:11.89 That's right. 00:22:11.93\00:22:13.26 And in Asian Aid's logo, 00:22:13.29\00:22:14.63 it says Asian Aid, give hope today. 00:22:14.66\00:22:17.80 And that's what we're doing. 00:22:17.83\00:22:19.50 The hope that's bigger than the hope of an education, 00:22:19.53\00:22:22.57 that's the hope of eternal life. 00:22:22.60\00:22:24.67 So Jim, to do all the stuff, we know, we need funds 00:22:24.71\00:22:27.54 and I know that at the-- at our board meetings, 00:22:27.58\00:22:29.74 one of the key item's is funds. 00:22:29.78\00:22:32.61 How do we raise funds? 00:22:32.65\00:22:33.98 And what are we going to do with it? 00:22:34.02\00:22:35.92 What's the challenges? 00:22:35.95\00:22:37.62 Well, fund raising is tough. 00:22:37.65\00:22:40.22 Where there's a lot of ministries out there 00:22:40.26\00:22:42.82 seeking the dollar, 00:22:42.86\00:22:44.36 the dollar that people want to share for good causes. 00:22:44.39\00:22:47.46 So it's a very competitive environment 00:22:47.50\00:22:50.13 but we've been very blessed with the Hope in Motion series, 00:22:50.17\00:22:53.57 that we're a part of right now. 00:22:53.60\00:22:55.57 And we've been very blessed with our partnership with 3ABN. 00:22:55.60\00:22:59.87 It's had a dramatic impact on people understanding 00:22:59.91\00:23:03.58 the work of Asian Aid. 00:23:03.61\00:23:05.11 We also have to travel all around America 00:23:05.15\00:23:07.65 going to ASIs and church meetings 00:23:07.68\00:23:11.02 and visiting churches. 00:23:11.05\00:23:12.59 So that comes with a high cost. 00:23:12.62\00:23:14.86 But the Lord's blessed us 00:23:14.89\00:23:16.79 and we plan to continue growing. 00:23:16.83\00:23:20.23 We plan to continue helping more children. 00:23:20.26\00:23:23.53 And Jim, I know that this comes at a cost 00:23:23.57\00:23:25.53 but the long-term benefits far outweigh these costs. 00:23:25.57\00:23:29.90 Yeah, the unique thing about sponsorship, 00:23:29.94\00:23:32.47 there's an investment at the beginning, 00:23:32.51\00:23:34.64 but the donor stays with us for five, ten years. 00:23:34.68\00:23:39.31 Yeah, but it's also impacting on the child 00:23:39.35\00:23:42.52 for five to ten years. 00:23:42.55\00:23:44.25 So it's a great investment. 00:23:44.29\00:23:46.62 And when we talk about 00:23:46.65\00:23:47.99 impacting on the child for five or ten years, 00:23:48.02\00:23:50.33 that's the immediate impact 00:23:50.36\00:23:52.23 but the future impact is priceless. 00:23:52.26\00:23:54.76 Correct. 00:23:54.80\00:23:56.13 Now tell me with all these sponsors, 00:23:56.16\00:23:58.67 how significant are the small, regular sponsors? 00:23:58.70\00:24:03.44 Well, no organization can survive 00:24:03.47\00:24:06.84 without the small donor. 00:24:06.88\00:24:08.84 We get very excited about large donations 00:24:08.88\00:24:12.38 but the secret is a large base of people 00:24:12.41\00:24:16.05 who give regularly. 00:24:16.08\00:24:17.42 So the five dollars a month, the ten dollars a month 00:24:17.45\00:24:20.62 is critical to our success. 00:24:20.66\00:24:22.89 And I'm so grateful for the people, 00:24:22.92\00:24:25.79 who don't have a great income, 00:24:25.83\00:24:27.53 who really support us regularly. 00:24:27.56\00:24:29.96 And the Lord will bless them. 00:24:30.00\00:24:32.33 And I will be so excited for the same, 00:24:32.37\00:24:34.60 for their contribution. 00:24:34.64\00:24:37.77 Jim, with the managing all of these children 00:24:37.81\00:24:40.98 and there must be a lag between 00:24:41.01\00:24:43.45 getting sponsors and having children. 00:24:43.48\00:24:45.48 So you must have some un-sponsored children. 00:24:45.51\00:24:48.58 How do the un-sponsored children work? 00:24:48.62\00:24:50.95 Well, Carl, at most times 00:24:50.99\00:24:52.75 we can have 2- 300 un-sponsored children, 00:24:52.79\00:24:55.56 because we obviously have to have 00:24:55.59\00:24:57.13 a pool of children available. 00:24:57.16\00:24:58.89 But also sometimes, sponsors fall out 00:24:58.93\00:25:01.60 and once a child enters our program, 00:25:01.63\00:25:03.80 Asian Aid continues to support them. 00:25:03.83\00:25:06.63 So the un-sponsored child fund is critical 00:25:06.67\00:25:10.24 to running an efficient sponsorship program. 00:25:10.27\00:25:14.04 Now the un-sponsored child fund is a unique way, 00:25:14.08\00:25:18.41 that someone who doesn't want to pay a monthly cost 00:25:18.45\00:25:21.65 or a monthly donation can make a one-off donation. 00:25:21.68\00:25:25.45 So one of the good ways 00:25:25.49\00:25:26.99 that a person can support a child 00:25:27.02\00:25:29.16 without the monthly commitment, 00:25:29.19\00:25:31.46 is to contribute to the un-sponsored child fund. 00:25:31.49\00:25:34.60 It's a big need for us but it's an important need. 00:25:34.63\00:25:38.20 And this fund actually guarantees 00:25:38.23\00:25:40.27 that the child can continue. 00:25:40.30\00:25:41.74 Correct. 00:25:41.77\00:25:43.10 It guarantees that the children can continue in the program 00:25:43.14\00:25:46.78 and it gives us a pool of children 00:25:46.81\00:25:48.78 to ensure our growth. 00:25:48.81\00:25:50.95 And Jim, it sounds like Asian Aid, 00:25:50.98\00:25:53.21 it's a learning organization. 00:25:53.25\00:25:55.05 We learn from what's happened yesterday, 00:25:55.08\00:25:57.49 we do things today 00:25:57.52\00:25:59.45 and we create a future for tomorrow. 00:25:59.49\00:26:01.42 Correct. 00:26:01.46\00:26:02.79 So tell us how would others get involved with Asian Aid? 00:26:02.82\00:26:07.80 Well, I think the best place to start 00:26:07.83\00:26:09.83 is the website which is AsianAid.org. 00:26:09.86\00:26:14.14 It's www.asianaid.org. 00:26:14.17\00:26:18.67 And there you can see the activity we're doing. 00:26:18.71\00:26:22.74 You can look up our phone number 00:26:22.78\00:26:24.41 and call us if you want to. 00:26:24.45\00:26:26.38 You can actually donate online? 00:26:26.41\00:26:28.55 You can sponsor a child online. 00:26:28.58\00:26:31.25 So that's the best way. 00:26:31.29\00:26:32.62 Or give us a call. 00:26:32.65\00:26:33.99 Or if you see us in an event, 00:26:34.02\00:26:35.59 come and ask us for some information. 00:26:35.62\00:26:38.23 We want to hear from new donors. 00:26:38.26\00:26:40.10 We want them to read about us and understand what we do. 00:26:40.13\00:26:44.10 So it's really easy to get involved? 00:26:44.13\00:26:46.07 Correct. Just call. 00:26:46.10\00:26:48.00 Talk to us. Yes. 00:26:48.04\00:26:50.11 So to all our sponsors, I'm sure you would say, 00:26:50.14\00:26:54.28 "Thank you for all your support." 00:26:54.31\00:26:56.44 Oh! Look, I'm just so grateful. 00:26:56.48\00:27:00.18 When we open the mail on a Monday morning 00:27:00.22\00:27:02.48 and I just see people, 00:27:02.52\00:27:03.85 who I know, don't have a big income 00:27:03.89\00:27:05.72 but they're giving something for these children. 00:27:05.75\00:27:08.82 And I'm just so impressed. 00:27:08.86\00:27:11.23 And it's so emotional sometimes, 00:27:11.26\00:27:14.10 when we see 00:27:14.13\00:27:15.60 what people are doing, to help our organization 00:27:15.63\00:27:19.60 but more importantly the hope for children 00:27:19.63\00:27:22.24 that we're educating or rescuing. 00:27:22.27\00:27:25.11 And I'm just so grateful to the donors 00:27:25.14\00:27:28.21 and the supporters of Asian Aid. 00:27:28.24\00:27:31.68 To all of you, who are watching 00:27:31.71\00:27:33.62 this special edition of Hope in Motion. 00:27:33.65\00:27:36.92 You can see that Asian Aid is making a difference. 00:27:36.95\00:27:39.99 They are committed to making a difference. 00:27:40.02\00:27:42.46 And this certainly can use you 00:27:42.49\00:27:44.96 and your commitment to further this cause. 00:27:44.99\00:27:48.50 I would encourage you to call Asian Aid 00:27:48.53\00:27:51.53 and give of your time and resources. 00:27:51.57\00:27:54.10 Because you can make a difference 00:27:54.14\00:27:57.21 in the lives of children, families and communities 00:27:57.24\00:28:02.08 and help create and guarantee, 00:28:02.11\00:28:06.08 tomorrow's generation can be filled with hope. 00:28:06.11\00:28:10.35