Participants:
Series Code: HIM
Program Code: HIM000103A
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00:14 Child Impact International is an organization giving hope
00:18 previously called Asian Aid. 00:20 Child Impact International is an organization 00:22 fostering permanent positive change 00:25 in the lives of disadvantaged children and their communities. 00:28 Child Impact is committed to making a difference 00:31 in the lives of children and those who are in need. 00:34 Serving communities in India, Nepal, 00:36 Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, 00:39 and will soon expand to other countries. 00:41 For the last 50 years, 00:43 Child Impact has invested in the futures of people 00:46 and their investment is proving infinite returns, 00:48 driven by the dedication 00:50 to helping those who have the least. 00:52 Child Impact is an organization 00:54 focused on the welfare of children, 00:56 implementing diverse development projects 00:59 and sponsoring thousands of children. 01:01 Their outreach expands from child rescue operations 01:04 to providing an education for orphans, deaf, 01:07 and the blind children giving them a sense of place, a home, 01:11 but above all, Child Impact is an organization giving hope, 01:15 giving hope to children, giving hope to communities, 01:18 giving hope to the ones who needed the most. 01:21 This is Hope in Motion. 01:40 Good morning, sir. Good morning. 01:41 Good to see you again. How are you? 01:43 Ladies. 01:47 Oh, thank you. 02:07 I'm Jim Rennie. 02:09 For over the last eight years, 02:10 I've been CEO of Asian Aid USA. 02:14 Asian Aid was established over 50 years ago 02:17 and in that time has helped tens of thousands of children 02:21 in over five countries. 02:23 As a part of a bold new strategy, 02:26 we're changing our name. 02:28 We are now Child Impact International. 02:32 We feel our new name 02:33 will better encompass the work that we do. 02:36 Let me briefly explain what I mean. 02:39 This exciting new name Child Impact International 02:44 will give us momentum as we move forward 02:47 to help thousands of additional children. 02:50 As we work with our focus groups, 02:52 we felt Child Impact International 02:55 describes who we are 02:56 and what we do for the following reasons. 03:00 This name reflects far more clearly the critical work 03:04 that we're doing with very needy students, 03:07 their families and mission schools. 03:09 Child Impact International gives momentum and direction 03:13 to a bold growth strategy 03:15 that will impact the lives 03:16 of thousands of additional children. 03:19 This name avoids any confusion in regards to where we work 03:24 and what people consider Asia. 03:27 This name gives a clear distinction 03:29 between this organization 03:31 and Asian Aid Australia, 03:33 which are completely separate. 03:36 The name Child Impact International provides us 03:39 the opportunity to help more children 03:42 and expand our activity beyond Asia. 03:46 Internally, nothing will change, 03:49 the board, staff, policies, 03:51 and work we do will stay the same, 03:54 and at the same level of excellence 03:56 that we're known for. 03:58 We're staying in Collegedale, Tennessee. 04:01 Philosophically however, 04:02 the new name Child Impact International 04:06 will allow our organization to expand 04:09 and give momentum to help 04:11 thousands of new needy children. 04:20 You have an opportunity to be involved 04:22 in the mission field every day, every morning 04:25 with child sponsorship. 04:27 You can impact on the lives of children 04:29 just like these ones here. 04:31 You can help set their lives on a new course 04:34 and also give them hope 04:35 that can change their lives forever. 04:39 Our funds go directly to support 04:41 the needs of an Adventist mission school, 04:43 which heightens the quality of education 04:46 just not for the children who are sponsored, 04:49 but all the children in the school. 04:51 The reality is that poverty is very hard to change. 04:55 Child Impact International sponsorship program 04:59 takes the child based on need 05:01 and puts them in an Adventist mission school. 05:04 It gives them a direction, it gives them hope, 05:07 and also has an impact in the communities 05:10 and with their families and friends. 05:13 Together, you and I can have a huge change 05:16 on an entire community 05:18 just like the ones around the school. 05:22 For existing donors, the only change you'll see 05:25 is an advancement in the communication 05:28 between your child and projects. 05:31 You'll see a real difference by using new technologies 05:35 to keep you up-to-date 05:37 on how you support Child Impact. 05:54 The work of Child Impact International will continue 05:57 to grow in the countries 05:59 we already operate in like India, Myanmar, 06:02 Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. 06:05 And as opportunities arise, 06:07 we will expand into other countries. 06:10 The poverty which you see 06:12 in communities like this is real. 06:14 These families struggle to feed and educate their children. 06:19 You can have an impact right here, 06:21 right now by becoming a sponsor of a child 06:24 or partnering with Child Impact. 06:27 Child Impact is a fully supportive ministry 06:30 of the Adventist church 06:32 and supports children, and orphans, 06:34 and special needs children' 06:36 in Adventist homes and mission schools. 06:39 Each child's life has changed 06:42 and the mission school gains unique funds. 06:46 You have an opportunity to be involved 06:48 in the mission field every day by becoming a sponsor 06:52 or a supporter of Child Impact International. 07:01 Jim, welcome once again. 07:04 Last year, you invited me to go to Myanmar. 07:07 And it was an eye opening experience for me. 07:10 I flew into the capital city of Yangon, 07:13 got in there late at night. 07:15 And I don't know if you remember 07:16 that very early in the next morning... 07:18 Very early. Yes, it was. 07:20 We left. 07:21 And we had this long trip full of bumps on the road. 07:26 And it seemed like it went on forever, 07:28 but it was about four, four and a half hours. 07:30 And we drove to the middle of nowhere, 07:33 and we went to the Myanmar Union College. 07:36 And the things I saw really encouraged me in many ways. 07:42 And I want to tell the folks a little bit about it. 07:45 Myanmar is the most Buddhist country in the world, 07:48 more than 90% of the population practices Buddhism. 07:52 We passed all kinds of pagodas which are Buddhist temples, 07:56 elaborate ones, simple ones, we heard them singing, 08:00 we heard them chanting. 08:02 And then we finally arrived in this area 08:05 where there's a college, 08:07 there's a school, there's a preschool. 08:10 I was really moved by the interest 08:13 that the young people have in learning about Jesus Christ. 08:17 Myanmar is a place that does not allow or permit 08:21 any kind of public evangelism. 08:24 So how do you preach the gospel? 08:26 Well, Child Impact is having a huge, 08:30 a huge presence in the lives of these young people 08:34 who now not only study there, 08:37 they go home, they share the gospel with their families, 08:42 and entire families are coming to know Jesus Christ. 08:46 So if it wasn't for this outreach, 08:48 the church probably wouldn't grow like 08:50 it's growing there right now by the grace of God. 08:53 I remember the concert we did that afternoon. 08:56 I played with 15 precious beautiful young people 09:01 all who played the violin, they were dressed in red, 09:03 we have the pictures, we visited the classrooms. 09:07 I also remember the young lady 09:09 who had gone through the school the entire process, 09:13 just a tiny vivacious, bubbly young lady, 09:17 full of joy, the joy of Jesus Christ. 09:21 And then the beautiful thing 09:22 was that when she finished school, 09:24 you know the story, she went back 09:26 and now she's a teacher at the preschool. 09:30 Tell me a little bit about the work. 09:32 It's only been happening there for a couple of years. 09:36 How did they get started? 09:37 How many young peoples 09:39 do we have sponsored there currently, 09:41 and what kind of need is there? 09:43 Well, Jaime, we about 09:45 two and half years ago got approached by the union, 09:48 the Myanmar Union that they had an urgent need for sponsorship. 09:55 A large organization was withdrawing support. 09:59 And it was going to have a tragic impact 10:04 not only on the lives of these children, 10:06 but on the schools that they couldn't have support. 10:10 And Myanmar, I think has about 20 or 30 Adventist schools. 10:16 So we stepped in on faith and took 600 children, 10:20 we have never done that before. 10:23 We didn't have sponsors. 10:26 We were very gracious to some people who stepped in 10:29 and sponsored them initially. 10:31 But we took 600 children and about 12 schools 10:36 including the Myanmar College that you've visited. 10:40 That's the only church college where they can learn education, 10:46 training, biblical studies, 10:49 and even for pastor training, ministerial. 10:54 They go to that college. 10:56 So that college fulfills a key need for the church in Myanmar 11:03 and also for training teachers in Myanmar. 11:06 So right now we have 600 children 11:09 and I have to be honest with you, 11:11 we still have about 200 un-sponsored. 11:15 So if you want to look up about the country of Myanmar, 11:18 you will see the huge need in that country. 11:22 I know we visited a village, remember, 11:25 and very basic village, 11:30 huge need, huge poverty, 11:33 but you well have noticed 11:35 they really care for their children. 11:37 Yes, they do. 11:39 And the young girl that you were talking about 11:41 actually went back... 11:43 Mia was her name. 11:44 Mia, that's right. Yes. 11:45 And she went back and shared the truth with her mother 11:49 who was converted, and her brother, 11:52 and it was just a privilege to visit with them. 11:57 The people there are very industrious, 11:59 they are very hard working. 12:01 And we see the schools are kept neat and tidy, 12:05 you will have noticed that. 12:07 But there's some huge needs there. 12:11 And I guess our biggest need is sponsorship, 12:15 once again I keep saying that, but it's real. 12:19 And or just supporting the Myanmar education fund 12:24 because it's a huge need. 12:26 And we want to grow our program in Myanmar. 12:29 You know, Myanmar is ripe for the harvest. 12:32 The people want to know about Jesus Christ. 12:35 And because of the way that Child Impact is set up, 12:39 it is basically doing evangelism 12:42 when the country doesn't really allow it to be done publicly. 12:46 And so, Child Impact is having a huge impact 12:50 for lack of a better word 12:52 in the lives of hundreds of young people 12:55 and their families in Myanmar. 12:57 And we invite you to please join us and be a part of that. 13:04 A couple of years ago, 13:05 my daughters and I had a wonderful opportunity 13:08 to travel to India, 13:09 and while we were there, we met yet another part of our family 13:13 and that's our sponsored daughter Sheila. 13:15 We've had the privilege of sponsoring Sheila 13:18 through Child Impact International 13:20 for more than three years now. 13:22 And you know, while we were there, 13:24 she shared with us that her dream 13:27 was to become a nurse. 13:29 Now, what a wonderful privilege it is 13:31 for us now as a family to know 13:34 that she is fulfilling that dream. 13:37 Sheila is now studying to be a nurse. 13:39 She is in college 13:40 and we could not be happier for her. 13:43 It's been wonderful to be part of that journey with her. 13:46 And, you know, sponsoring a child through Child Impact, 13:50 it's made an incredible difference for our family. 13:53 And I know that for you sponsoring a child 13:55 can make a difference for you too. 13:57 And most importantly, 13:58 it can make the difference 14:00 in the life of a child every day. 14:08 Our television series Hope and Motion 14:10 has been a big success. 14:12 And we want to continue to share with you 14:15 some of the field stories 14:17 that we have filmed over the years. 14:19 So just from time to time, 14:21 it may be referred Asian Aid 14:23 as we reflect on these great stories 14:26 as we share them with you. 14:42 Carl Ginger's involvement with Child Impact International 14:45 as one of its board members has taken him to India many times. 14:49 The vibrancy of life in India 14:51 is something that has captivated him, 14:52 and it's a place to experience and appreciate life. 14:56 For Carl, this was one such opportunity. 14:59 He is traveling with Jim Rennie, 15:00 CEO of Child Impact 15:02 and his fellow board member and friend Dittu Abraham 15:05 to the school for speech and hearing in Kollegal. 15:14 As they drive down into the campus, 15:16 the children appear from nowhere to greet them. 15:19 Their smiling faces 15:20 and their warm welcome was rewarding for the visitors. 15:23 The children were all well groomed 15:25 and were all ready for church. 15:33 I'm here at a church service with these children 15:37 and getting their responses toward the questions 15:41 we ask about Jesus Christ, 15:43 the energy they have, the commitment they have, 15:45 the pleasure in being part of a church service. 15:48 It truly is amazing. 15:50 This is something we can give these kids 15:52 that they would never have, 15:54 never have had the opportunity of knowing Jesus Christ, 15:57 and we are going to see results for eternity. 16:09 The church service was an amazing experience 16:12 that changed some of Carl's unconscious preconceptions. 16:16 These disabled children clearly demonstrated 16:19 their ability to praise God, 16:20 albeit in their own way 16:22 but it also demonstrated the role we play 16:24 as an institution and a church 16:26 in reaching out to this community. 16:29 When I look at this place, 16:30 I'm convinced that this is exactly what God wants us 16:33 to be doing as a church that working with the children 16:36 who otherwise in society would be rejected, 16:39 and cast aside, and not provided 16:41 the means to an education. 16:43 I think this is what the church would be doing 16:45 as part of this gospel outreach. 16:47 This is a testimony to the love of Jesus Christ, 16:51 or the most rejected, 16:53 or the most ignored part of society. 16:57 And these children are just the type of people 16:59 we should be serving. 17:02 Children like this are often seen as a liability 17:06 by the family and by the community. 17:08 This school changes that, this school gives them hope, 17:13 this school gives them an education 17:15 which, in most cases, enables them to have 17:17 a job and to have a future. 17:19 And then many of these children 17:22 assist in funding or supporting their family or village. 17:28 This school makes a difference 17:31 far beyond the child that attends here. 17:38 The school for speech and hearing 17:39 is what Child Impact is all about, 17:41 helping children in need 17:43 and giving them an opportunity 17:44 to look beyond their disability, 17:46 rejected by their family and society, 17:49 they would have lost all hope, 17:50 but this school has given them hope, 17:52 it has given them a future. 17:54 And for boys and girls that live here, 17:56 it has given them a place they can call home. 17:59 This is also having an impact on their family. 18:01 Their immediate family can be proud now their child 18:04 can achieve something and have a job. 18:07 This school is making a difference far beyond 18:09 the education the child receives at the school. 18:13 When we say, reaching out to the least of these, 18:16 this is what we mean. 18:18 This school and what happens here 18:21 is reaching out to the least of these 18:23 who would have been rejected by their society, 18:27 their family had no hope, 18:29 this school has made a difference, 18:31 and so they've gone from being the least of these 18:34 to being something to having a career, 18:37 and then actually impacting 18:39 on their village or with their family. 18:47 Lakshmi is a 12-year-old girl at the school. 18:50 She was born deaf and has been at the school 18:52 since she was just two years old. 18:55 Lakshmi's parents separated when she was just a baby. 18:58 And her mother was having a hard time bringing her up 19:00 along with her older sister and brother who was also deaf. 19:05 Lakshmi is right now doing her fourth standard here, 19:09 and we are hoping that she will finish her studies 19:11 from our school, go on to do college 19:13 just like her brother, and be able to earn a living. 19:17 Now the reason why Lakshmi's mother and father 19:20 were separated is because of some family issues, 19:23 and they've been separated for more than 10 years now. 19:27 The father lives with his mother 19:30 in another state, 19:31 and the mother brought up all these three children 19:35 by working in a factory that makes noodles. 19:39 And because she's not able to give them a good education, 19:42 she has put both her, 19:44 part of hearing children over here in our school. 19:48 Lakshmi's mother married when she was just 16. 19:51 Although such practices exist in rural India 19:54 since ancient times, 19:55 it would be hard for someone to assimilate this mentality 19:58 especially for a first time visitor to rural India. 20:02 Lakshmi's mother was also got married at a very young age 20:08 and that's the same thing 20:09 that she did with her elder daughter. 20:12 And we are hoping that that same thing 20:13 doesn't happen to Lakshmi 20:16 that she will be able to finish her studies, 20:17 her college, and then get into a good job, 20:19 and then look for getting married to someone. 20:22 We're hoping that that'll happen to her. 20:25 One can only hope that Lakshmi 20:26 will have the opportunity to break the shackles 20:29 of their long observed traditions and compulsions, 20:32 and hope that education will let her have 20:34 the freedom to choose how she wants to live. 20:46 Lakshmi's family lived in a nearby village, 20:49 and Carl was anxious to meet them. 20:51 Upon arriving at her village, 20:53 it was clear that Lakshmi's family loved her very much, 20:56 and she loved her family. 20:58 The home was certainly minimalistic, 20:59 but hospitality was evident. 21:01 Seeing how content they were with what they had 21:04 was such a blessing 21:05 and a valuable lesson to all addicted to consumerism. 21:09 Carl got to talk to Kalavathi, Lakshmi's mother 21:12 through the help of Rajkumar who is translating for him. 21:23 Her wish is her two children got educated in this Asian Aid, 21:26 through Asian Aid, sponsored through Asian Aid. 21:29 And there are many children in the villages, 21:30 she also want them to get educated same thing. 21:34 She want more sponsors to come forward 21:35 so that many children can come to the light. 21:40 Although the pain of life struggle was deep within her, 21:42 one could sense how happy she was knowing 21:45 that her daughter Lakshmi was well taken care of, 21:47 and she was thankful for what we could do as an organization. 21:51 Rajkumar, we've just been talking to Lakshmi's mother. 21:55 There must be lots of other children in these villages 21:59 who have disabilities. 22:03 What would be the situation if there was no help? 22:07 If there is no outside help, for example, like Asian Aid, 22:12 the other NGOs in India, 22:15 families like this will suffer very much. 22:20 And the pathetic situation is, 22:21 if there are no NGOs coming forward 22:24 to help them like these kids, 22:27 the society will be dropping them to one corner. 22:31 They'll not come out, and they can't get exposure. 22:35 If people, the society from outside, 22:40 comes and helps people like these small villages, 22:43 remote villages, 22:45 children like Lakshmi will come up much brighter. 22:49 Their future, they can read it. 22:51 Otherwise, their future will be in debris. 22:58 You know, this is an example of what can happen 23:01 when someone like Asian Aid gets involved 23:04 and sponsors get involved in the child's life. 23:07 We can transform the person, give them a future, 23:11 create opportunities for them to be themselves, 23:14 be what God intended them to be. 23:18 What a privilege to create, 23:20 and generate, and multiply hope. 23:34 For someone like Lakshmi, 23:35 having a loving family is a blessing. 23:38 Because her mother wanted the best for her, 23:40 she was willing to leave her 23:41 in a school's boarding environment 23:43 just so she could give her the education, 23:45 she otherwise would be unable to provide. 23:48 Most of these children 23:50 understand their difficulties at home, 23:51 and understand the opportunities 23:53 they've been given by their sponsors, 23:55 and are ever thankful for the part 23:56 they are playing in their lives. 23:59 I'm sure that these children 24:02 are very thankful to their sponsors 24:04 and the sponsors should know this that everyday, 24:08 the children pray for them. 24:09 There's not a day goes 24:11 without the child praying for their sponsors. 24:14 And we are very thankful to the sponsors. 24:17 And they know the importance of sponsorship. 24:20 It's because of that sponsorship that they are here, 24:23 and they are having new friends, 24:27 a new life given to them. 24:32 Well, when I come to the school, 24:34 it's just touching. 24:36 I wish the sponsors could be here. 24:38 I wish the sponsors could really see 24:41 beyond the difference they're making. 24:43 The kids are so happy. 24:44 The kids want to touch you, 24:46 they want to communicate with you. 24:48 And without the sponsors, this simply wouldn't happen. 24:52 It's bigger than their education. 24:54 It's bigger than the child at the desk. 24:56 It's giving these kids a delight in life, 24:59 and that's what I see when I come here. 25:02 When Jesus was on this earth, He invited the poor, the blind, 25:06 the lame, the deaf into the temple 25:08 and had fellowship with them. 25:10 Jesus mentioned that when we do service to the least of these, 25:14 we are doing service to Him, 25:15 and this is what Jesus meant to take care of the ones 25:19 who are less fortunate than us. 25:20 What a blessing it is for us to be in His service. 25:24 Many times I question myself asking, 25:27 "Am I doing the preaching work here, 25:31 or am I doing some kind of service?" 25:32 But then I realize what Jesus told, 25:35 that true religion is to take care of the orphans, 25:39 the widows, and the less fortunate ones. 25:42 And then by seeing the lives of these children transforming, 25:46 it gives me hope and courage, Yes, what we are doing here is, 25:51 any day, the best thing that we must be doing. 25:53 It's important that the church has 25:56 these services going on. 26:01 Today, this school for speech and hearing 26:03 is a beacon for Christ in this area. 26:05 With this school in Kollegal, Child Impact International 26:08 is not only bringing hope to the children, 26:11 but also the community 26:12 as it sees practical Christianity in action. 26:15 The church could not have scripted a better outcome, 26:18 just being there and demonstrating love 26:20 on a consistent basis reflects the image of God. 26:26 These children are preparing for their final exams tomorrow. 26:31 And it's clear that these children 26:35 are being prepared not just to survive, 26:37 but for a future tomorrow and a future for eternity. 26:41 And for Asian Aid to be involved 26:44 in creating these opportunities really warms my heart. 26:47 It's helping me see what it is really to be human. 26:52 And I'm so glad to be part of that. |
Revised 2018-04-26