Participants:
Series Code: HIM
Program Code: HIM000155A
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00:14 Just over five years ago,
00:15 we wanted to find a way of sharing with you the sponsor 00:19 and the wider church community 00:21 the difference that Child Impact is making 00:24 in the lives of children and the people that we serve. 00:28 We were able to show you some heartbreaking stories. 00:31 We were able to show you some exciting stories, 00:34 but most important, we were able to show you the change 00:38 that is being made in the lives of these children and people. 00:42 Child Impact through it series Hope and Motion 00:45 is really excited 00:47 that we can bring some more touching stories to you, 00:50 real stories with real people and real children, 00:54 and the impact that we're making in their lives. 01:09 Children are our future, 01:12 they are full of dreams and desires, 01:15 but in a world of unspeakable despair 01:17 these ignited minds live in poverty and privation, 01:20 helpless and hopeless. 01:25 Child Impact International is an organization giving hope. 01:29 It is an organization fostering permanent positive change 01:33 in the lives of disadvantaged children 01:35 and those who are in need. 01:37 Serving communities in India, 01:39 Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and beyond. 01:44 For the last 15 years, 01:46 Child Impact has invested in the futures of children 01:49 and their investment has proven infinite returns, 01:52 driven by their dedication 01:54 to helping those who have the least. 01:56 Child Impact is an organization 01:58 focused on the welfare of children, 02:01 implementing diverse development projects 02:03 and sponsoring thousands of children. 02:06 Their outreach expands from child rescue operations 02:09 to providing an education for orphans, deaf, 02:12 and the blind children 02:14 giving them a sense of place, a home, 02:18 but above all, 02:19 Child Impact is an organization giving hope, 02:22 giving hope to children, 02:24 giving hope to communities, 02:26 giving hope to the ones who needed the most. 02:34 This is Hope in Motion. 02:59 Situated amidst a lush green paddy fields of Bobbili, 03:03 in Andhra Pradesh, India is an institution 03:06 that is home to some of the most disadvantaged 03:08 children in the society. 03:12 This is the school for the blind 03:13 run by Child Impact International. 03:17 In a world where blindness is considered a curse 03:19 and blind children are abandoned, 03:21 this campus is a refuge for children 03:24 seeking care and comfort. 03:31 There are various circumstances that have contributed 03:34 to these children losing their sight. 03:36 Some of them are victims of accidents, 03:38 some due to vitamin deficiency 03:40 factored by lack of nutritious food, 03:43 but most of them were born blind. 03:45 Okay. 03:49 Fine. 03:51 Okay, let it. Okay, let it. 03:53 Akhila Macha is a seventh grade student at the school. 03:56 She comes from a small tribal community 03:59 not far from the school in Bobbili. 04:01 Akhila is the second girl child in the family 04:04 and was born blind. 04:19 When Akhila was born blind, her father wouldn't accept her 04:23 and wanted to abandon and leave her at the hospital. 04:27 In a patriarchal society, 04:28 where a girl child is often considered a burden, 04:31 Akhila's father did not want another girl child, 04:35 that too a girl child with visual impairment. 04:39 You know, there are people who are poor, 04:42 who are really struggling to bring up, 04:44 to look after their family and bring up their kids, 04:47 and then what happens if you're a girl in the family, 04:49 you know, where do you sit in the hierarchy, 04:51 how are you accepted in society. 04:54 But the boy is given education above the girl, 04:56 so straightaway the girls 04:58 really have an extra challenge here. 05:00 And imagine if that girl has a disability, 05:02 where does that person sit? 05:04 So the need to provide special support 05:09 for all children but especially for girls 05:11 who have disabilities 05:13 is an amazing opportunity to help them, 05:17 because there is very little that can be done. 05:19 And if they are in their family environment 05:22 they can't really contribute, 05:23 they can't work and contribute to their family, 05:25 so they are real burden to their family. 05:27 So we can transform not just the child, 05:31 but the family as well by creating a whole new world 05:34 for this child and for the family. 05:40 Cultural issues are hard to understand. 05:42 It may even seem bizarre and cruel at times. 05:46 It's difficult to change people's perceptions 05:48 that are rooted deep. 05:49 While rural traditions and socioeconomic difficulties 05:53 dictate life in rural India, their children pay the price. 05:56 In rural villages where being handicapped 05:59 is considered a curse, 06:01 blind children face an uncertain future. 06:06 For blind children like Akhila, 06:08 the school for the blind in Bobbili 06:10 is a place of refuge. 06:24 Every year we go for campaign to find visual impact children. 06:30 That's how we found Akhila in our village, and we saw her, 06:33 and she was so in depleted condition. 06:36 And we talked to their parents. 06:40 Mother was not convinced 06:42 to send her to hostel or to our school 06:45 because she was afraid something would happen, 06:48 or something would do for the child. 06:50 So she was not convinced for one year. 06:54 Again we went for next year 06:58 and she sent some people to check how the school is 07:03 and what are the activities going on. 07:05 And then later on, she was fully convinced 07:09 and she felt happy that this is a place 07:10 where Akhila should go and study. 07:13 So that's how we picked her up from there to our school. 07:17 For all its traditions and practices, 07:20 the fact remains 07:21 that all parents love their children 07:23 and want the best for them. 07:25 For someone like Akhila who comes from a tribal area, 07:29 the change for Akhila and her parents is huge. 07:34 Akhila would not have had any chance of education 07:38 without the blind school that she goes to. 07:41 Her parents were very cautious in letting her go. 07:45 But when they know 07:46 that she is getting an education, 07:48 they moved from cautious and scared not knowing 07:52 what to do with a blind child to having hope to being proud. 07:56 And so, Akhila is an example of the change 07:59 that is made by taking a child from a community 08:03 where there is no hope for them, 08:05 and giving them an education and giving them hope. 08:13 Child Impact sponsors the majority of children 08:16 living and studying at the school. 08:18 Without sponsorship, these children would not have 08:21 the opportunity for a new chance in life. 08:24 The school for the blind is not just an institution 08:27 that provides food and shelter for the blind, 08:29 but it's an institution that prepares them 08:31 for the world outside. 08:33 We are not preparing them 08:35 only for a place to live, and eat, and grow up. 08:41 We're preparing them 08:42 for the opportunity to prepare for a career 08:47 where they can be self-sustaining adults 08:50 throughout their life. 08:51 It's not just a temporary fix and then we kick them out. 08:56 Are they good to survive on their own, 08:59 they then can leave the school and go out and fill a need 09:02 that the government will assist them with, provide them for, 09:06 where they become productive in society on their own. 09:10 The exciting thing in India is that the government 09:13 has made jobs available for these children. 09:16 So we're equipping them 09:18 for roles that they can step into. 09:20 We're giving them, probably their only chance 09:23 of any training in this particular, 09:26 very rural, very tribal, very poor community. 09:29 So we're not only giving them education, 09:32 we're giving them a critical stepping stone 09:35 for the roles that are available for them 09:37 in the community. 09:52 These children may not have the ability to see, 09:54 but this disability does not deprive them 09:56 of the ability to learn. 09:58 They are perfectly capable of acquiring skills 10:01 needed for employment. 10:03 In fact, the Indian government refers to them 10:05 not as disabled but differently abled. 10:08 And the school for the blind provides them an ideal place 10:11 for these differently abled children to acquire skills. 10:14 For Akhila's parents who are daily laborers, 10:17 knowing their blind child is attending school 10:19 is a satisfying feeling. 10:47 Without sponsorship, 10:49 Akhila would not be at the school. 10:51 Today, because of Child Impact sponsorship program 10:55 and individual supporting its program, 10:57 hundreds of differently abled students 10:59 like Akhila can receive an education, 11:02 an education that will help them to lead a dignified life. 11:06 If people like, children like Akhila, 11:10 if they don't come to our school, 11:12 they would have stayed at the home, 11:14 their condition become worst, 11:16 and people don't really love her 11:19 or they won't take her in the family. 11:22 So it is must for us to go forward 11:26 and find children and sponsorship for them 11:30 especially is very much mean to them, 11:34 because people like Akhila who are visually impaired 11:39 needs to have this kind of education 11:42 in this part of Andhra Pradesh. 11:46 The child is the center of Child Impact's work, 11:49 whether one is able to contribute in a small way 11:52 or in a big way, 11:53 sponsorship endows these children's future, 11:56 giving them the life they deserve. 11:58 Child Impact work 11:59 with these special needs children, 12:01 also has a much bigger impact in the community. 12:05 Our special schools have a special impact, 12:08 and the reality is that many people 12:10 at all levels of society are becoming now at work 12:14 through these special homes and schools. 12:17 So they are impacting the child, the family, 12:19 and the community with what Christianity 12:23 and Seventh-day Adventist are all about. 12:26 Special needs ministries is an area in which 12:30 we are very, very interested and very proactively working, 12:34 helping the world feel to understand that 12:36 there are many people in various areas 12:39 and sectors of the population that have not been touched. 12:43 Special needs ministries 12:44 and Child Impact is also extremely helpful 12:48 to God's church, 12:49 because those who are physically impaired, 12:54 those who are visually impaired, 12:56 or perhaps hearing impaired, they are the individuals 13:00 that are being wonderfully serviced 13:03 through Child Impact in India, in other places, 13:07 six different countries that Child Impact is active in. 13:12 You know, the Lord really wants us to attract, 13:15 and be friendly to, 13:17 and help those who are the least of these, 13:21 and they in turn 13:23 will then become great missionaries for the Lord 13:26 within their sector and people group. 13:38 Thanks to the generous support 13:40 of Child Impact and its sponsors, 13:42 blind children like Akhila not only have a place 13:45 where they can acquire life skills 13:46 for the world outside, 13:48 but they have a place where they can prepare 13:50 their souls for the world to come. 13:57 A couple of years ago my daughters 13:59 and I had a wonderful opportunity to travel to India. 14:02 And while we were there, 14:04 we met yet another part of our family 14:06 and that's our sponsored daughter Sheila. 14:09 We've had the privilege of sponsoring Sheila 14:11 through Child Impact International 14:14 for more than three years now. 14:16 And, you know, while we were there, 14:18 she shared with us that her dream 14:20 was to become a nurse. 14:22 Now, what a wonderful privilege it is for us now as a family 14:27 to know that she is fulfilling that dream. 14:30 Sheila is now studying to be a nurse. 14:33 She's in college, and we could not be happier for her. 14:36 It's been wonderful to be part of that journey with her. 14:40 And, you know, sponsoring a child 14:42 through Child Impact, 14:43 it's made an incredible difference for our family. 14:46 And I know that for you sponsoring a child 14:49 can make a difference for you too. 14:51 And most importantly, it can make the difference 14:53 in the life of a child every day. 15:06 Hi, I am Jaime Jorge, 15:08 and I want to tell you, I am honored to be 15:10 a Child Impact International ambassador. 15:13 I've had the opportunity to travel to India and Myanmar, 15:17 and I've met hundreds of young people 15:19 that are being sponsored by wonderful folks here 15:23 and in other parts of the world that are making it possible 15:27 for these young people to have an education, a future, 15:30 salvation and hope in Jesus Christ. 15:34 So I'd like to invite you to consider 15:37 becoming a sponsor for Child Impact, 15:39 and changing the life of one of these young people. 16:00 Wonderful, so wonderful 16:04 Is Your unfailing love 16:09 Your cross has spoken mercy over me 16:11 In mission fields like Myanmar, 16:14 our Adventist schools are a wonderful place 16:16 for us to introduce Jesus 16:18 to the children at a very early age. 16:20 But a good Christian education is not easy to get, 16:22 particularly, in rural areas 16:24 where obtaining a good education 16:26 is not within reach 16:27 of a majority of Adventist families. 16:30 Poverty is a vicious cycle 16:32 and in Myanmar, it is very visible. 16:34 The great thing 16:36 about education is that it breaks 16:37 that cycle of poverty. 16:39 This is why sponsorship, in a country like Myanmar 16:41 is very significant for not only the child, 16:44 but also for their families. 16:50 Well, I'm right here in a village that's very close 16:52 to the seminary and college that we've been visiting. 16:56 And I guess it's here that we see the reality 16:59 of where these families come from, 17:01 where the students come from, 17:03 and I guess it really emphasizes 17:06 the difference 17:07 that sponsorship is making in the lives 17:09 of these students, these children. 17:12 They simply wouldn't have had a chance. 17:15 And as you can see, even now, 17:16 there's children here that aren't at school. 17:20 It's very touching to visit these places, 17:23 and yet their parents are so proud and so thankful 17:26 that their students are able to get an education 17:29 through your giving 17:30 and your support of these special children. 17:36 There are many young people 17:39 that just do not have the opportunity, 17:41 but they have a lot of potential 17:43 to be discovered and developed. 17:47 For me, that without somebody helping me, 17:50 like my aunt provided me opportunity to study, 17:53 I will not be having this opportunity 17:55 serving the church. 17:57 Likewise, there are many young people 17:58 that they has the potential. 18:00 And then I'm so thankful to God, 18:02 and to each of our leaders, 18:04 and the donor of the Child Impact. 18:07 And I'm really thankful to God for what we are doing, 18:11 the passion and the mission 18:13 that you have for this young people, 18:15 and then the reward that you will be getting 18:18 that is in the heaven. 18:19 You will never realize 18:21 the support that you have given, 18:23 opportunity that you have given to the young people 18:27 that will really contribute to the work of the church, 18:30 in the community life 18:32 and in the country like in Myanmar and in Bangladesh. 18:35 Sponsoring a child not only has short-term effects 18:40 but it has a long-term effect. 18:43 Sponsoring a child is investing 18:45 in the character of a young person for eternity. 18:49 We're taping this right here in Myanmar, 18:52 at the Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary, 18:56 and about one-third of the students 18:58 or one quarter of the students are being sponsored 19:01 by Child Impact. 19:03 People who become workers in God's church, 19:07 people who make an impact in the community 19:10 have been people who have been sponsored. 19:13 Your sponsorship is absolutely an investment 19:17 in the future of the church. 19:43 Mu Hsan Hgee or Mumu, as she likes to be called, 19:46 is a final year business student at MUAS. 19:49 Her mother passed away 19:51 when she and her siblings were very young. 19:53 Her father remarried but found it hard 19:55 to care for the children. 19:57 He came to know about the Adventist school, 19:59 which is right across the street from the college, 20:01 through a church pastor. 20:02 Mumu and all her younger siblings 20:04 are now sponsored by Child Impact. 20:08 Well, just before the break I told you that 20:10 we would be sharing the stories 20:12 of two young ladies here in Myanmar. 20:15 And I'm just so excited today to be with Mumu, 20:18 and she is doing business studies 20:21 here at the seminary and she's in her last year. 20:26 And she comes from a very tough family situation 20:31 where she has five siblings. 20:34 Sadly, her mother passed away and her father has remarried. 20:39 And she is just so excited that she has been able 20:44 to be a Child Impact sponsored child. 20:47 And her dream is that she will, 20:50 when she completes her studies this year, 20:52 get some work experience in a business 20:55 or a NGO and then she wants to start her own business. 21:00 She really feels 21:02 that she can have her own business. 21:05 So once she has completed the course 21:07 and then once she has had some work experience, 21:11 she wants to start her own business. 21:13 Now she's told me that she likes cooking 21:17 and playing the piano, 21:18 so maybe she'll end up in a cooking business 21:21 or a food business, I don't know. 21:23 But this is just one of the ways 21:26 that sponsorship is having an impact. 21:29 And here it is, this is not teaching, 21:31 this is not ministry, 21:33 this is in the business studies area 21:35 and it's just so exciting to see a young lady 21:38 that has taken up this direction with her career. 21:42 And, Mumu, we really wish you well 21:44 in your business studies 21:46 and we wish you well in finding a job 21:50 but then we know that you, 21:51 one day, will be a very successful business lady 21:55 with your own business. 21:57 And it just shows you the different directions 22:00 that sponsorship can lead to, and we're so proud of Mumu 22:04 and what she has achieved so far. 22:10 Mumu shares her room with many other Child Impact 22:12 sponsored girls, like her friend Papa. 22:15 Like the boy's dorm, the girl's dorm is filled to capacity. 22:18 Visiting the girl's dorm, it is very evident 22:21 the boarding facilities lack 22:22 the conducive living environment. 22:24 But students like Papa consider living 22:26 and studying here a privilege and want to make the best 22:29 out of this given privilege. 22:37 Papa, your sponsors are really happy. 22:41 Well, I'm here in the library 22:43 at Myanmar Adventist Union Seminary 22:46 and I'm really excited to be with Papa today. 22:49 Papa is in her final year of education studies 22:53 to become a teacher. 22:55 And Papa has been a Child Impact sponsored 22:58 all the way through her education up 23:02 until where she is now. 23:04 Now Papa comes from Central Myanmar 23:07 which is obviously north of here 23:10 and comes from a very poor, large family and, 23:13 in fact, she has 11 siblings. 23:15 Now sadly, her father passed away 23:18 and now her mother struggles to bring this family up. 23:22 But the exciting thing is that sponsorship 23:25 has given Papa and her family 23:28 an opportunity for her to have a career. 23:31 Papa, tell me about what you would like to do 23:35 when you leave this seminary? 23:38 After I finish, I want to be a teacher 23:41 at Mountain View Academy. 23:43 Right, so Papa wants to be a teacher 23:47 at the Mountain View Academy, 23:49 which is a key school for the church 23:51 located in the Central Myanmar near where she comes from. 23:56 And this is going to make a big difference in her life 24:00 and in the lives of other children. 24:02 And I just want to say to you sponsors 24:05 that if you look Papa in the face, 24:07 if you can see the difference in her life, 24:10 her family are a Buddhist family 24:12 and she has been introduced to Jesus 24:14 and she has accepted Jesus as her savior. 24:19 And also, you can see the inspiration 24:23 that this family has, 24:24 the inspiration that she has to be a teacher 24:28 and make a difference in the lives of children. 24:31 And this is what sponsorship is about, 24:33 it's giving the families hope, but it's inspiring her 24:37 to be a teacher and to impact in the lives of other children. 24:45 Talking to the children at the college, 24:46 Jim learned the role Child Impact 24:49 and more importantly, 24:50 individual sponsors are playing in the lives of these students 24:53 that come from such impoverished backgrounds. 24:57 Child Impact is having a very strong impact 25:02 on many of the students. 25:03 It's an amazing opportunity in these mission schools 25:08 to touch the lives of young people, 25:11 not just for their professional lives 25:13 in the future but eternally. 25:17 Child Impact is an organization that wants to make 25:20 a significant contribution in the lives of needy children. 25:24 Today, Child Impact is making it possible to give them 25:27 that opportunity to not just receive an education 25:30 but, as Pastor Wilson said, 25:32 an opportunity for eternal life. 25:36 Well, as you've seen in meeting these three young students, 25:39 you've actually got to see the impact 25:42 that you are having on their lives. 25:44 They come from very difficult family backgrounds 25:46 and you have given them the opportunity for education. 25:50 And you can also see the impact that will have on their future. 25:54 I just want to thank you for the difference 25:56 that you have made. |
Revised 2018-07-30