Update on the Children's Home

Update: This was in my inbox when I woke up this morning. It's a note from Chala, the man who took all of these kids in and cares for them. His English is spotty, but it's his 9th language. He's brilliant and could do so many other things with his time and energy. Here is what he says.

your brother just mentioned that he just wants want other to take care of them. (We're trying to find good homes for them in case we have to fold.)
For me I love them so much and there are several reasons that I can't give these kids to the other. finally I will beg the rice from the temple and feed them. I will never give up.
But please find out support for them step by step.
Thankyou very much
Sincerely Chala

Heart breaking.


Have you heard about this yet? How long do you think it will be that a government is permitted to attack it's own people so, to jail and kill any voice for change, to allow through neglect the death of thousands within it's own borders? I wonder what it will take to stop the killing.

This latest attack on Karen people, and influx of refugees is only adds to the number of children in crisis and needing homes. In the meantime the children's home we support through the charis project is also in crisis. The health inspector came and said they would have to move the children to a different house, that it isn't in a safe location and it's not big enough for all of them. That in addition to all the other difficulty may be the final straw. After months of doing all that we know to do to raise enough money to care for these kids, there still isn't enough, there are still not enough sponsors or donors. The home incurs more and more debt each month, food continues to be in short supply, and the situation has yet to stabilize.

If the situation has not changed by the end of the month we do not think that the home will be able to carry on. Every dollar donated has gone directly to meeting their needs. Yet the need is greater than what has been given. We're now looking for a safe alternative for the kids if they need to be moved. We won't just abandon them, you can be sure of that.

Will you help? Will you sponsor a child? Tell other people they can sponsor a child? All it takes is 80 people who will commit to sending $35/month to feed, clothe, house and educate a child.*

The blogging community is big, and often generous. Surely by working together we can find the 80 people who are able and willing to help these kids. My stats finder shows at least that many people come here every day. If we all told at least two other people in real life, wrote a post about it, passed it on to other bloggers we know, how many would we reach. How many would be able to help? Saving this children's home is entirely possible. It could happen this week even.

I think often we look at a need and think that others are sure to help, and in the end, few people do anything because we're all expecting someone else to do it. You have the power to save a child in your hands. You have the influence to recruit another to save one more. Will you use it? Will you help?

I know many of you have been faithful supporters of this project from the beginning, and I thank you for that, from the bottom of my heart. Without you we would never have made it this far. Will you help one more time and share the need with others?

You could post a link on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and whatever other networks you are part of. You could paste the sponsorship widget where others will see it, and write about why it matters. Will you help? My heart is breaking at the thought of what will happen if no one does. But I have seen this community of bloggers do amazing things. I'm hopeful that we can turn this thing around. Together.

To find out more about sponsoring a child click here, and here.

*Most sponsorship programs don't provide housing, or round the clock care, or help with homework. They are a supplement to children living with family or friends, providing some, but not all of their basic needs. Needing to provide all of their basic needs is why each of our kids needs two sponsors. If we can do this together, these kids will be raised in a home where they are loved, in their own culture, that the Burmese government is working unceasingly to obliterate, and saved from the danger and anonymity of either street life, or large institutions where abuse is often prevalent due to low adult to child ratios.