Blog #6 Save the Children

For the holidays this year my family decided to donate to Save the Children, a non-profit organization that connects children in need to a sponsor and provides them and their families with necessary food, shelter and education. A man came to our door and told us we could help a child and their family for $28 a month. We were assigned to sponsor April-Joy Lamit, a 10 year old girl who lives in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat in the Philippines. I got very interested in the program and read all the letters from April-Joy and history of the organization. My family and I wrote her an email; in Spanish. But then we found out people in the Philippines don't actually speak Spanish, which was kind of embarrassing. I watched some videos and read articles on their site about the history of the organization; it began during the Great Depression to help provide children lunch at school. Then it grew international after the destruction of the Great Wars, Save the Children was in Europe providing stability and relief to war destroyed children and communities. Building and working with a relief organization would be tough work, especially in places that are in extreme poverty or war devastated communities. I have great admiration for the volunteers who take time out of their lives and go to far away places, away from comfort and luxury; because they believe they will make a difference. I have great hope that our $28 a month that here buys a cheaper meal for 4 will make a significant difference in April-Joys life and community.
Caleb, (country director), Latha. "Save the Children." Letter to Marjorie K. Soper. 19 Jan. 2009. Philippines Field Office, Manila, Philippines.