Children are our future. 00:00:22.98\00:00:25.85 They are full of dreams and desires. 00:00:25.89\00:00:28.59 But in a world of unspeakable despair, 00:00:28.62\00:00:30.76 these ignited minds live in poverty and pervasion, 00:00:30.79\00:00:33.86 helpless and hopeless. 00:00:33.90\00:00:35.56 Child Impact International is an organization giving hope. 00:00:39.13\00:00:42.90 It is an organization fostering permanent positive change 00:00:42.94\00:00:46.27 in the lives of disadvantaged children 00:00:46.31\00:00:48.38 and those who are in need, 00:00:48.41\00:00:50.81 serving communities in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, 00:00:50.85\00:00:55.48 Myanmar, and beyond. 00:00:55.52\00:00:57.99 For the last 15 years, 00:00:58.02\00:00:59.92 Child Impact has invested in the futures of children, 00:00:59.95\00:01:03.12 and their investment has proven infinite returns. 00:01:03.16\00:01:06.06 Driven by their dedication to helping those 00:01:06.09\00:01:08.60 who have the least, 00:01:08.63\00:01:10.07 Child Impact as an organization 00:01:10.10\00:01:11.97 focused on the welfare of children, 00:01:12.00\00:01:14.67 implementing diverse development projects 00:01:14.70\00:01:17.01 and sponsoring thousands of children. 00:01:17.04\00:01:20.14 Their outreach spans from child rescue operations 00:01:20.18\00:01:23.14 to providing an education for orphans, deaf, 00:01:23.18\00:01:26.01 and the blind children, 00:01:26.05\00:01:28.08 giving them a sense of place, a home. 00:01:28.12\00:01:31.72 But above all, Child Impact is an organization giving hope, 00:01:31.75\00:01:35.82 giving hope to children, giving hope to communities, 00:01:35.86\00:01:40.23 giving hope to the ones who need it the most. 00:01:40.26\00:01:43.30 This is Hope In Motion. 00:01:48.00\00:01:50.11 Welcome to Myanmar. 00:02:16.60\00:02:18.57 Child Impact International has been sponsoring 00:02:18.60\00:02:21.14 over 600 children in Adventist schools 00:02:21.17\00:02:23.94 all across this Southeast Asian nation. 00:02:23.97\00:02:26.04 Over 95% of the population here in Myanmar 00:02:29.74\00:02:32.65 practices Buddhism. 00:02:32.68\00:02:34.02 In fact, Myanmar is one of the most religious 00:02:34.05\00:02:36.38 Buddhist countries in the world. 00:02:36.42\00:02:38.72 The Seventh-day Adventist mission 00:02:38.75\00:02:40.42 was established here 115 years ago, 00:02:40.46\00:02:42.99 and Adventist education has played a central role 00:02:43.02\00:02:45.79 in spreading the gospel in Myanmar. 00:02:45.83\00:02:50.50 The challenge is that a decent education 00:02:50.53\00:02:52.53 is expensive. 00:02:52.57\00:02:53.90 Most people can't afford it. 00:02:53.94\00:02:55.44 This is where an organization like Child Impact 00:02:55.47\00:02:57.87 has such a great impact. 00:02:57.91\00:02:59.77 They're concerned and committed to the welfare of children 00:02:59.81\00:03:02.48 in need here. 00:03:02.51\00:03:05.18 Today, we join Jim Rennie 00:03:05.21\00:03:06.98 on a visit to Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary 00:03:07.02\00:03:10.05 and see what Child Impact is doing to bring hope, 00:03:10.09\00:03:12.95 salvation, and a future to needy children in Myanmar. 00:03:12.99\00:03:16.52 Well, I'm back here in Myanmar, 00:03:28.30\00:03:29.80 and I've just had a four to five hour drive 00:03:29.84\00:03:32.44 here to the seminary. 00:03:32.47\00:03:33.81 And on this trip, we really want to meet 00:03:33.84\00:03:35.64 some of the students that you have sponsored 00:03:35.68\00:03:38.78 and see the difference that we are making 00:03:38.81\00:03:40.65 in their lives. 00:03:40.68\00:03:42.02 Come and join me on this trip as we meet these students 00:03:42.05\00:03:45.15 and see the impact on their lives, 00:03:45.19\00:03:47.46 which is very real. 00:03:47.49\00:03:48.82 Come with me. 00:03:48.86\00:03:50.19 Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary or MUAS, 00:03:57.00\00:04:00.60 as it is commonly known, 00:04:00.64\00:04:02.00 is the only Adventist institution 00:04:02.04\00:04:03.94 of higher learning in Myanmar, 00:04:03.97\00:04:05.57 and it plays a very important role 00:04:05.61\00:04:07.34 in developing young minds who are the future torchbearers 00:04:07.38\00:04:10.18 of the church. 00:04:10.21\00:04:11.55 Presently, there are 600 students 00:04:11.58\00:04:13.28 at the college taking religion, education, and business 00:04:13.31\00:04:16.42 as their fields of study. 00:04:16.45\00:04:17.99 Most of them come 00:04:18.02\00:04:19.35 from financially difficult backgrounds 00:04:19.39\00:04:21.06 and 160 students are sponsored by Child Impact. 00:04:21.09\00:04:26.13 These young people come from all over Myanmar 00:04:26.16\00:04:28.70 and Child Impact is making it possible 00:04:28.73\00:04:30.77 for them to be able to learn and acquire skills 00:04:30.80\00:04:33.34 needed for employment. 00:04:33.37\00:04:35.30 I'm here at Myanmar Adventist College 00:04:35.34\00:04:37.57 where they are a group of over 160 students 00:04:37.61\00:04:41.04 that are sponsored by Child Impact International. 00:04:41.08\00:04:44.71 And just meeting with them and just talking with them, 00:04:44.75\00:04:47.48 it's so exciting to see the real difference 00:04:47.52\00:04:50.25 that sponsorship is making in their lives. 00:04:50.29\00:04:53.09 Standing behind me are the future doctors, 00:04:53.12\00:04:55.86 the future dentists, the future nurses, 00:04:55.89\00:04:58.66 teachers, and pastors. 00:04:58.69\00:05:00.50 And this will impact on their lives, 00:05:00.53\00:05:02.83 this will impact on their families' lives, 00:05:02.86\00:05:05.53 but most important, 00:05:05.57\00:05:07.10 have a big impact on the church in Myanmar. 00:05:07.14\00:05:10.01 Just looking at their faces, 00:05:10.04\00:05:11.54 you can see the difference that sponsorship is making 00:05:11.57\00:05:15.01 not only in the lives of their children 00:05:15.04\00:05:17.41 but of their families, their community, and the church 00:05:17.45\00:05:20.88 just shows the success of sponsorship. 00:05:20.92\00:05:25.12 For us, in our union, 00:05:25.15\00:05:27.32 the Child Impact International sponsorship is very important 00:05:27.36\00:05:33.26 because it is among the many sponsorship programs. 00:05:33.29\00:05:37.90 It is the biggest. 00:05:37.93\00:05:39.93 It sponsors more than... 00:05:39.97\00:05:43.44 600 students in our union. 00:05:43.47\00:05:47.58 We have more need for the sponsorship. 00:05:47.61\00:05:53.62 If... 00:05:53.65\00:05:56.92 Child Impact International can more students, 00:05:56.95\00:06:01.66 more students can learn, and more students can be, 00:06:01.69\00:06:07.30 what do you say, 00:06:07.33\00:06:09.86 in one or other way, they can help the children 00:06:09.90\00:06:12.93 finish their education. 00:06:12.97\00:06:14.30 Education is vital in this country. 00:06:21.68\00:06:23.98 It is important education is subsidized 00:06:24.01\00:06:26.35 so that we can create the environment 00:06:26.38\00:06:28.02 in which children have an opportunity 00:06:28.05\00:06:29.65 to learn and achieve their dreams. 00:06:29.68\00:06:31.69 And the Adventist school system 00:06:31.72\00:06:33.46 not only helps children grow mentally and socially 00:06:33.49\00:06:36.39 but they also have an opportunity 00:06:36.42\00:06:37.99 to grow spiritually. 00:06:38.03\00:06:40.06 Well, as we all know, 00:06:40.10\00:06:41.76 Seventh-day Adventist education was prepared and launched 00:06:41.80\00:06:46.84 through very intensive information 00:06:46.87\00:06:50.61 that God gave through Ellen White as to 00:06:50.64\00:06:53.98 how Seventh-day Adventist education 00:06:54.01\00:06:56.08 ought to be different from other places. 00:06:56.11\00:06:58.41 It was to reach the head, the hand, and the heart. 00:06:58.45\00:07:03.39 It was to help people following in Christ's ministry, 00:07:03.42\00:07:06.86 helping children, young people, physically, mentally, 00:07:06.89\00:07:09.89 socially, and spiritually, 00:07:09.92\00:07:11.79 helping them to become a whole person 00:07:11.83\00:07:14.66 so they can be sent from those schools 00:07:14.70\00:07:17.60 to be wonderful testimonies for the Lord. 00:07:17.63\00:07:20.37 Seventh-day Adventist education is unique, 00:07:20.40\00:07:23.54 and it is powerful because it's from heaven. 00:07:23.57\00:07:28.14 To move forward with its focus in Myanmar, 00:07:28.18\00:07:30.58 Child Impact has established the Educate Myanmar fund. 00:07:30.61\00:07:34.15 The purpose of this fund is to help sponsor children 00:07:34.18\00:07:36.58 in Adventist mission schools here in Myanmar 00:07:36.62\00:07:39.15 and help with resources and other needs 00:07:39.19\00:07:41.16 such as classrooms. 00:07:41.19\00:07:43.29 The college has many needs, and Child Impacts also address 00:07:43.32\00:07:46.70 another important issue of congestion in the dorms 00:07:46.73\00:07:49.56 and other infrastructural needs. 00:07:49.60\00:07:51.47 Currently, it is helping the college in finishing 00:07:51.50\00:07:53.64 the building of classrooms for theology students. 00:07:53.67\00:07:56.24 It's quite exciting to see what is happening 00:08:08.88\00:08:11.05 with this building. 00:08:11.09\00:08:12.69 I'm here with Dr. Connelly who is the president 00:08:12.72\00:08:15.36 of the Myanmar Adventist Union College. 00:08:15.39\00:08:18.46 And in talking with him, I can now see how important 00:08:18.49\00:08:22.50 the theology and religious training is 00:08:22.53\00:08:25.60 from the Myanmar Adventist Union College. 00:08:25.63\00:08:28.60 It's the only source of Bible workers and pastors 00:08:28.64\00:08:32.71 for the country of Myanmar. 00:08:32.74\00:08:34.74 And so Child Impact International 00:08:34.78\00:08:37.11 is really excited that, with the help of our sponsors, 00:08:37.15\00:08:40.62 we can sponsor a Bible students and theology students, 00:08:40.65\00:08:45.19 but also, if possible, we can help with the finishing 00:08:45.22\00:08:48.66 of this new theology department building. 00:08:48.69\00:08:51.49 The Educate Myanmar fund is fully committed 00:09:11.35\00:09:14.08 to helping Adventist schools in Myanmar. 00:09:14.12\00:09:16.42 But more importantly, it is committed to helping 00:09:16.45\00:09:19.25 give young boys and girls from difficult backgrounds 00:09:19.29\00:09:21.96 an opportunity to receive an education 00:09:21.99\00:09:24.63 through sponsorship. 00:09:24.66\00:09:26.90 I'm here in the boys' dormitory at Myanmar Adventist Seminary. 00:09:26.93\00:09:31.60 It's a large room 00:09:31.63\00:09:32.97 with over 20 boys sleeping on the floor, 00:09:33.00\00:09:35.67 which to us is a little strange. 00:09:35.70\00:09:37.84 But, in fact, culturally, 00:09:37.87\00:09:39.31 this is how they probably live at home, 00:09:39.34\00:09:42.04 in their village house, and they sleep on the floor. 00:09:42.08\00:09:46.18 I'm here with Sanga, who is an inspiring story 00:09:46.21\00:09:50.15 from sponsorship. 00:09:50.19\00:09:51.59 He comes from a very large family 00:09:51.62\00:09:53.96 of seven siblings. 00:09:53.99\00:09:55.59 And he's the only one getting an education. 00:09:55.62\00:09:59.36 His father is a farmer, a poor farmer, 00:09:59.39\00:10:02.30 and the rest are at home working in the field. 00:10:02.33\00:10:05.57 Sanga, at an early age, 00:10:05.60\00:10:07.00 was given the chance to go to an Adventist school, 00:10:07.04\00:10:10.51 and he's been through the high school, 00:10:10.54\00:10:13.38 and now he's at the Seminary doing the religious studies 00:10:13.41\00:10:17.25 and theology course. 00:10:17.28\00:10:19.18 And we're real proud of his achievements today. 00:10:19.21\00:10:22.32 Just to show the pressure for finance 00:10:22.35\00:10:25.49 and how poor his family is, in those three years, 00:10:25.52\00:10:28.92 Sanga's only been home twice 00:10:28.96\00:10:31.83 because he has to do a job on the holidays, 00:10:31.86\00:10:35.16 he has to work just to cover the rest of his overhead costs 00:10:35.20\00:10:40.00 in getting through college. 00:10:40.04\00:10:42.34 And he's really got a dream. 00:10:42.37\00:10:44.34 And, Sanga, tell us about your dream. 00:10:44.37\00:10:46.81 What do you want to achieve? 00:10:46.84\00:10:51.41 I want to be a good pastor, so I'm taking religion major. 00:10:51.45\00:10:57.09 Right. 00:10:57.12\00:10:58.45 So Sanga wants to go on to do his MA in theology, 00:10:58.49\00:11:01.89 and he wants to be a pastor, 00:11:01.92\00:11:03.83 and he wants to be a successful pastor. 00:11:03.86\00:11:06.53 And once again, that's really exciting. 00:11:06.56\00:11:08.66 And we want to support Sanga as he goes ahead. 00:11:08.70\00:11:12.37 And it really shows you 00:11:12.40\00:11:13.90 how sponsorship 00:11:13.94\00:11:15.27 through the different facets of education 00:11:15.30\00:11:17.91 is now turning this young man into a real success story. 00:11:17.94\00:11:22.98 And we're so proud of what he has achieved. 00:11:23.01\00:11:26.78 Sanga is one such story 00:11:26.82\00:11:28.88 of how sponsorship is having an impact 00:11:28.92\00:11:32.45 on the lives of these students 00:11:32.49\00:11:34.52 but also on their families and their communities. 00:11:34.56\00:11:37.59 And as I travel around, 00:11:37.63\00:11:39.29 it's just so exciting to be able to meet these students. 00:11:39.33\00:11:42.93 And shortly, I'll introduce you to two young ladies, 00:11:42.96\00:11:46.53 one who is doing a business major 00:11:46.57\00:11:48.84 and wants to have her own business, 00:11:48.87\00:11:51.01 and it just shows the impact that sponsorship 00:11:51.04\00:11:54.38 is having beyond the education. 00:11:54.41\00:11:56.78 It's giving their families hope, 00:11:56.81\00:11:58.61 it's giving their communities hope, 00:11:58.65\00:12:00.88 and it's having an impact totally on these 00:12:00.92\00:12:03.62 Adventists mission schools and seminaries. 00:12:03.65\00:12:06.59 I'm so proud of the work 00:12:06.62\00:12:08.62 that I see sponsorship is doing, 00:12:08.66\00:12:11.03 and I want to thank you for your support. 00:12:11.06\00:12:15.83 I'm Jim Rennie, 00:12:15.86\00:12:17.20 CEO of Child Impact International. 00:12:17.23\00:12:19.77 I've just returned from the country of Bangladesh. 00:12:19.80\00:12:23.00 Bangladesh is located northeast of India. 00:12:23.04\00:12:26.37 Bangladesh has a population of 163 million 00:12:26.41\00:12:30.35 and is actually one of the most densely 00:12:30.38\00:12:32.65 populated countries in the world. 00:12:32.68\00:12:35.42 For instance, 00:12:35.45\00:12:36.79 Los Angeles has 2,700 people 00:12:36.82\00:12:40.96 per square kilometer, 00:12:40.99\00:12:42.99 but the capital Dhaka 00:12:43.02\00:12:44.86 has 23,900 people 00:12:44.89\00:12:49.33 per square kilometer. 00:12:49.36\00:12:50.87 The Adventist church only has about 30,000 members, 00:12:50.90\00:12:54.60 but the church school system has about 10,000 children 00:12:54.64\00:12:59.04 in small village schools 00:12:59.07\00:13:00.88 and also larger boarding schools. 00:13:00.91\00:13:03.75 The main religion is Islam. 00:13:03.78\00:13:05.81 And the education is the key outreach 00:13:05.85\00:13:08.08 for the church. 00:13:08.12\00:13:09.52 Bangladesh is low-lying land on a huge area of river delta. 00:13:09.55\00:13:14.42 Late last year, Bangladesh suffered 00:13:14.46\00:13:16.83 the worst flooding in its history 00:13:16.86\00:13:19.26 with over 8 million people displaced or affected. 00:13:19.29\00:13:23.20 Thousands died in the floods. 00:13:23.23\00:13:25.90 Unfortunately, farming was devastated by the flooding, 00:13:25.93\00:13:29.34 which caused food prices to skyrocket in price 00:13:29.37\00:13:32.71 and created food shortages. 00:13:32.74\00:13:35.38 In most of the country, prices still remain high. 00:13:35.41\00:13:39.21 This has put a huge financial strain 00:13:39.25\00:13:41.38 on our mission school finances. 00:13:41.42\00:13:43.92 Children are not getting sufficient nutrition 00:13:43.95\00:13:46.65 and the mission schools 00:13:46.69\00:13:48.02 are really struggling financially. 00:13:48.06\00:13:50.53 As I visited the schools, they asked for help. 00:13:50.56\00:13:53.83 I also had visited the villages 00:13:53.86\00:13:55.90 where the children live in the poor areas, 00:13:55.93\00:13:58.50 and they are really struggling also. 00:13:58.53\00:14:01.20 As I saw the reality of what was happening, 00:14:01.24\00:14:03.81 I realized we just had to help. 00:14:03.84\00:14:06.24 We don't normally do food appeals, 00:14:06.27\00:14:08.51 but we have no option 00:14:08.54\00:14:09.91 but to help these children and also the mission schools. 00:14:09.94\00:14:13.75 We are asking you to help us purchase 5,000 bags of rice 00:14:13.78\00:14:18.45 for $35 a bag. 00:14:18.49\00:14:20.72 A bag is about 110 pound and feeds about 105 meals. 00:14:20.76\00:14:26.26 Each bag you can donate will insure 00:14:26.29\00:14:28.80 the children are fed 00:14:28.83\00:14:30.17 but will also save the school's valuable funds. 00:14:30.20\00:14:34.30 You can donate 1 bag, 10 bags, 100 bags 00:14:34.34\00:14:37.87 or whatever you can share. 00:14:37.91\00:14:39.84 Each bag will impact 00:14:39.87\00:14:41.21 on hundreds of children's nutrition 00:14:41.24\00:14:44.58 and will give urgent financial relief 00:14:44.61\00:14:47.02 to those struggling mission schools, 00:14:47.05\00:14:49.35 some who are close to closing. 00:14:49.38\00:14:51.62 It's urgent. 00:14:51.65\00:14:52.99 Please help. 00:14:53.02\00:14:54.36 Just 1 bag for $35 or maybe 5 or 10 bags, 00:14:54.39\00:14:58.99 50 bags, whatever you can help with. 00:14:59.03\00:15:01.80 Please help these kids. 00:15:01.83\00:15:03.30 A couple of years ago, 00:15:10.14\00:15:11.47 my daughters and I had a wonderful opportunity 00:15:11.51\00:15:13.98 to travel to India. 00:15:14.01\00:15:15.58 And while we were there, 00:15:15.61\00:15:16.95 we met yet another part of our family, 00:15:16.98\00:15:19.01 and that's our sponsor daughter Sheila. 00:15:19.05\00:15:21.55 We've had the privilege of sponsoring Sheila 00:15:21.58\00:15:24.09 through Child Impact International 00:15:24.12\00:15:26.39 for more than three years now. 00:15:26.42\00:15:28.66 And, you know, while we were there, 00:15:28.69\00:15:30.53 she shared with us 00:15:30.56\00:15:31.89 that her dream was to become a nurse. 00:15:31.93\00:15:34.96 Now what a wonderful privilege it is for us now as a family 00:15:35.00\00:15:39.57 to know that she is fulfilling that dream. 00:15:39.60\00:15:42.94 Sheila is now studying to be a nurse. 00:15:42.97\00:15:45.57 She's in college, 00:15:45.61\00:15:46.94 and we cannot be happier for her. 00:15:46.98\00:15:49.24 It's been wonderful to be part of that journey with her. 00:15:49.28\00:15:52.75 And, you know, sponsoring a child 00:15:52.78\00:15:54.58 through Child Impact, 00:15:54.62\00:15:56.12 it's made an incredible difference 00:15:56.15\00:15:57.82 for our family. 00:15:57.85\00:15:59.22 And I know that, for you, 00:15:59.25\00:16:00.59 sponsoring a child can make a difference for you too. 00:16:00.62\00:16:03.43 And most importantly, 00:16:03.46\00:16:04.86 it can make the difference 00:16:04.89\00:16:06.23 in the life of a child every day. 00:16:06.26\00:16:08.13 Bobbili, a small rural town in Andhra Pradesh, 00:16:35.06\00:16:38.29 India has nothing to offer to a visitor. 00:16:38.33\00:16:41.46 Its streets, often bustling and chaotic, 00:16:41.50\00:16:44.07 are typical of rural towns in India. 00:16:44.10\00:16:49.24 Poverty is widespread and people struggle 00:16:49.27\00:16:51.71 to meet ends doing menial jobs 00:16:51.74\00:16:53.84 and often tending to paddy fields owned 00:16:53.88\00:16:55.81 by landlords. 00:16:55.84\00:16:57.18 Visits to villages around here only amplify one's perception 00:17:04.19\00:17:08.32 of abject poverty people live in 00:17:08.36\00:17:10.33 on a daily basis, 00:17:10.36\00:17:11.79 but it is in this despairing and gloomy environment 00:17:11.83\00:17:14.63 we often get to see 00:17:14.66\00:17:16.00 and experience hopefulness and optimism. 00:17:16.03\00:17:18.33 Over the last 15 years, Child Impact International 00:17:26.74\00:17:30.65 has undertaken numerous development works in 00:17:30.68\00:17:33.15 and around the Bobbili area. 00:17:33.18\00:17:35.22 The Sunrise Children's Home, 00:17:35.25\00:17:36.99 situated about 10 miles from Bobbili, 00:17:37.02\00:17:39.35 is one such project that gives orphaned 00:17:39.39\00:17:41.86 and abandoned children an ideal place 00:17:41.89\00:17:44.09 to live and learn. 00:17:44.13\00:17:45.59 Ten-year-old Akhil Muttaka 00:17:57.01\00:17:59.07 and his younger brother Charan 00:17:59.11\00:18:00.71 were orphaned at a very early age 00:18:00.74\00:18:02.74 and came to live at Sunrise Home 00:18:02.78\00:18:04.45 two years ago. 00:18:04.48\00:18:06.41 Their family belonged to a tribal community 00:18:06.45\00:18:08.72 who live in the mountainous region bordering 00:18:08.75\00:18:10.39 the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh 00:18:10.42\00:18:12.55 in southeastern India. 00:18:12.59\00:18:15.22 This is Akhil and Charan's aunt's house. 00:18:15.26\00:18:17.79 They're living here. 00:18:17.83\00:18:19.16 Actually, they're up on the mountains, 00:18:19.19\00:18:20.93 live up on the mountain. 00:18:20.96\00:18:22.93 They came down and came down. This is a very poor village. 00:18:22.96\00:18:26.94 And this village has no water facilities, 00:18:26.97\00:18:29.67 no agricultural facilities. 00:18:29.70\00:18:31.41 The people are depending on the forest products. 00:18:31.44\00:18:34.68 They collect the forest products 00:18:34.71\00:18:36.14 and they survive. 00:18:36.18\00:18:37.78 Every day afternoon, they'll eat some porridge. 00:18:37.81\00:18:40.38 There's no rice 00:18:40.42\00:18:41.75 or no other stuff to fill their stomach. 00:18:41.78\00:18:43.99 In the nighttime, they'll cook a little bit rice 00:18:44.02\00:18:47.16 and some vegetables and they'll eat. 00:18:47.19\00:18:48.92 Every day, they'll eat one meal. 00:18:48.96\00:18:50.29 The majority of children at Sunrise Home 00:18:56.90\00:18:59.13 come from tribal villages and communities around Bobbili. 00:18:59.17\00:19:02.34 And the home is well regarded in and around Bobbili 00:19:02.37\00:19:05.41 because of Child Impact's development work 00:19:05.44\00:19:07.64 among the tribal people. 00:19:07.68\00:19:09.41 A few years ago, 00:19:09.44\00:19:10.78 Child Impact had conducted a vocational training program 00:19:10.81\00:19:13.68 for young men and women from the tribal community. 00:19:13.72\00:19:16.32 It was during one such project that Raj Varma, 00:19:16.35\00:19:19.69 field officer of Child Impact, came across Akhil and Charan. 00:19:19.72\00:19:24.13 In 2014, I came to this village for tribal development project. 00:19:24.16\00:19:29.10 So at that time, 00:19:29.13\00:19:31.17 the Child Impact International wanted to do 00:19:31.20\00:19:33.37 some development project for tribal people, 00:19:33.40\00:19:36.71 improve their living standards and the livelihood. 00:19:36.74\00:19:39.57 So that time, these ladies showed 00:19:39.61\00:19:42.64 these children 00:19:42.68\00:19:44.35 and explained their story and requested me 00:19:44.38\00:19:48.72 to take them to the Sunrise Orphanage. 00:19:48.75\00:19:52.32 Raj Varma had learned from the boys' relatives 00:19:52.35\00:19:54.92 that their father had fallen from a tree 00:19:54.96\00:19:56.66 and had died and the boys came to live with their aunts 00:19:56.69\00:19:59.43 who took turns to look after them. 00:19:59.46\00:20:01.06 When inquired about 00:20:01.10\00:20:02.43 the whereabouts of their mother, 00:20:02.46\00:20:03.87 Raj Varma was told that she had died of malaria. 00:20:03.90\00:20:07.27 Seeing their pitiable living conditions, 00:20:07.30\00:20:09.47 he brought Akhil and Charan to Sunrise home. 00:20:09.50\00:20:12.27 It was at Sunrise the boys revealed 00:20:12.31\00:20:14.58 the real whereabouts of their mother. 00:20:14.61\00:20:17.48 According to my knowledge, when I asked the children, 00:20:17.51\00:20:20.88 when I'm writing the story, Akhil, elder one, 00:20:20.92\00:20:25.22 he said my mother went away with another man. 00:20:25.25\00:20:29.12 I felt very sad and very bad. 00:20:29.16\00:20:32.29 Children, when they're grown up, 00:20:32.33\00:20:34.70 they won't have love towards the parents. 00:20:34.73\00:20:37.80 When they are grown up, parents will come. 00:20:37.83\00:20:40.94 When the mother comes, when the children see them, 00:20:40.97\00:20:44.67 what respect will they have? 00:20:44.71\00:20:46.21 Parents, they will never have respect 00:20:46.24\00:20:48.28 because she just left them and went away. 00:20:48.31\00:20:52.41 And immediately, when the children told that, 00:20:52.45\00:20:54.88 I felt very bad and very sad also. 00:20:54.92\00:20:57.39 But as a mother, I'm giving them love. 00:20:57.42\00:21:01.52 And they know I am the mother, 00:21:01.56\00:21:03.66 so they love me, and I too love them. 00:21:03.69\00:21:06.19 Now they're very happy. 00:21:06.23\00:21:07.90 They says, "Momma, you don't send us to home. 00:21:07.93\00:21:11.50 We don't want to stay there." 00:21:11.53\00:21:14.47 It is not uncommon for a single parent 00:21:14.50\00:21:16.84 in tribal communities to abandon their children 00:21:16.87\00:21:19.27 when his or her spouse dies. 00:21:19.31\00:21:20.94 And the children's relatives don't reveal the whole story 00:21:20.98\00:21:23.71 because they're ashamed of the truth 00:21:23.75\00:21:25.41 and are unwilling to reveal the customs 00:21:25.45\00:21:27.22 and practices that are prevalent 00:21:27.25\00:21:29.12 in their community that may seem bizarre 00:21:29.15\00:21:31.49 and cruel to an outsider. 00:21:31.52\00:21:34.69 Well, I don't think we can understand 00:21:34.72\00:21:36.36 the life of an orphan. 00:21:36.39\00:21:38.03 They may not know who their parents are 00:21:38.06\00:21:40.26 or they may know the tragic circumstances 00:21:40.30\00:21:42.93 they come from. 00:21:42.96\00:21:44.30 So we not only give them an education, 00:21:44.33\00:21:46.70 we give them a home. 00:21:46.74\00:21:48.10 We give them hope. We give them a future. 00:21:48.14\00:21:51.21 And just for a child knowing that they've got a future, 00:21:51.24\00:21:54.48 knowing that they've got somewhere 00:21:54.51\00:21:55.88 they can go in their life 00:21:55.91\00:21:57.61 makes a huge difference to them, 00:21:57.65\00:21:59.95 and we're just so excited 00:21:59.98\00:22:01.35 that we can be a part of making that total difference. 00:22:01.38\00:22:06.82 If they didn't come to Sunrise Home, 00:22:06.86\00:22:09.32 today, they might be somewhere, no one knows, 00:22:09.36\00:22:12.56 no education facilities, 00:22:12.59\00:22:13.93 no proper facilities, and also no food. 00:22:13.96\00:22:17.93 Even though they fill their stomach 00:22:17.97\00:22:19.60 with some porridge, that's not valuable food. 00:22:19.63\00:22:22.97 Here there's no valuable food, 00:22:23.00\00:22:25.51 most of the children are malnutritious. 00:22:25.54\00:22:31.25 If they didn't come to Sunrise Home, 00:22:31.28\00:22:33.65 by this time, 00:22:33.68\00:22:35.02 the children might have been disappeared. 00:22:35.05\00:22:39.65 Knees bent... 00:22:39.69\00:22:41.02 Stomach out... 00:22:41.06\00:22:42.39 Head bent... 00:22:42.42\00:22:44.03 Making melody in my heart 00:22:44.06\00:22:47.50 Making melody in my heart 00:22:47.53\00:22:51.87 Making melody in my heart 00:22:51.90\00:22:55.57 Making melody in my heart 00:22:55.60\00:22:59.21 Unto the King of kings 00:22:59.24\00:23:02.34 Sunrise Home has given Akhil and Charan 00:23:05.28\00:23:07.78 a sense of belonging, 00:23:07.82\00:23:09.15 a sense of place that is safe and comfortable, 00:23:09.18\00:23:11.79 a place where they don't feel 00:23:11.82\00:23:13.15 like they're orphaned or abandoned. 00:23:13.19\00:23:15.19 Thanks to Akhil and Charan's sponsors, 00:23:15.22\00:23:17.63 Child Impact is giving them a new life at Sunrise Home 00:23:17.66\00:23:21.13 and giving them an opportunity to receive a proper education. 00:23:21.16\00:23:25.63 Really, I want to thank Akhil and Charan's sponsors 00:23:25.67\00:23:29.20 for playing an important role in their lives. 00:23:29.24\00:23:32.27 And now they're very happy here, 00:23:32.31\00:23:34.11 I'm only the caretaker, 00:23:34.14\00:23:35.48 who is taking care of them and molding them, 00:23:35.51\00:23:37.68 but they are important persons who had given them good life. 00:23:37.71\00:23:43.35 Well, when I go to Sunrise Home, 00:23:43.39\00:23:45.85 children like Akhil and Charan just come running towards you. 00:23:45.89\00:23:50.16 They're just so happy to see you. 00:23:50.19\00:23:52.29 It's as if they have the sense 00:23:52.33\00:23:54.30 that you are a part of their family, 00:23:54.33\00:23:57.00 and it's one of the most rewarding aspects 00:23:57.03\00:24:00.24 of the job that I have. 00:24:00.27\00:24:01.90 And I'm very grateful that I've had this experience 00:24:01.94\00:24:04.84 of having children just so happy, beaming, 00:24:04.87\00:24:08.04 and if you saw them 00:24:08.08\00:24:09.41 when they had first come in to where they are now, 00:24:09.44\00:24:12.35 we're not only giving them education, 00:24:12.38\00:24:14.65 but we're making their lives. 00:24:14.68\00:24:16.58 We literally become a part of their family. 00:24:16.62\00:24:19.35 And it's just so exciting, and I'm just so grateful 00:24:19.39\00:24:23.96 that I can be a part of this work 00:24:23.99\00:24:26.39 that the donors do. 00:24:26.43\00:24:27.76 Today, Child Impact International 00:24:34.07\00:24:36.57 is reaching out to children in need. 00:24:36.60\00:24:38.37 And for brothers like Akhil and Charan, 00:24:38.41\00:24:40.68 Sunrise Home is a safe haven, 00:24:40.71\00:24:42.78 providing not just their basic needs 00:24:42.81\00:24:44.71 and an opportunity for an education 00:24:44.75\00:24:46.92 but giving them parental love and affection, 00:24:46.95\00:24:49.55 a chance and a hope for a brighter future. 00:24:49.58\00:24:53.76 Coming, where I do, from America, 00:24:53.79\00:24:57.76 I knew, I read, I've heard the stories, 00:24:57.79\00:25:00.96 I've seen the film clips, 00:25:01.00\00:25:04.23 but until you walk... 00:25:04.27\00:25:10.54 Until you walk on these sidewalks of the home 00:25:14.44\00:25:19.41 where the children are staying and you see 00:25:19.45\00:25:22.75 what is going on in their faces, 00:25:22.78\00:25:27.06 you can be assured that a good work is happening, 00:25:27.09\00:25:32.53 you can rest assured that lives are being changed, 00:25:32.56\00:25:36.80 children are being made happy, 00:25:36.83\00:25:39.07 and it was a powerful experience 00:25:39.10\00:25:41.17 that allayed any concerns 00:25:41.20\00:25:45.41 that I had about the value 00:25:45.44\00:25:48.11 that I am getting from my sponsorship. 00:25:48.14\00:25:51.75 There's no problem. 00:25:51.78\00:25:53.11 I just love, love what's going on. 00:25:53.15\00:25:55.28