A Welcome Surprise From Zambia
Life has thrown us a couple of curve balls lately, so we’re a bit behind on stuff here in NVR land. It’s taking us a bit longer to settle into post mileage run life, but we wanted to carve out some time to at least put up a quick post this week.
This is a letter we received from the girl, Ailess, that we sponsor. She lives with her family in a shantytown in Zambia. Before we got involved in her life, she wasn’t going to school and couldn’t write. Now, at 12, she is on her way to a better life. Check it out:
Having a look at this note put smiles on our faces and made us happy that we’re part of a movement of people trying to help expand the circle of opportunity for people like Ailess. Everyone deserves the chance for a dignified life. We only wish we could help more.
Here’s to you Ailess!
What’s your dream for a better world?
That’s really sweet. How do you sponsor her? I’ve had nshime!
We sponsor her through Children International. Check ‘em out!
That put a big smile on my face too! I love that she has learned to read and write. That’s so inspiring
(The giraffe stationery is too cool!)
Awesomely inspiring! Hey Ben – what is nshime?
This is great guys! It’s good to see good news like this. I sponsor a boy around the same age in Colombia!
Well done on this and well done Ailess!!
What a wonderful surprise. I think it is the little things that happen unexpectedly that can brighten our whole day.
Well done, guys!
That is just so sweet! It is so rewarding to give back.
That’s fantastic! Well done!
That is awesomely the sweetest thing I have read today. Great work guys!
Awww.. very cool. That would put a huge smile on my face too.
Awww, that’s so sweet. That just melts your heart. It’s amazing sometimes how little it takes to make huge differences in a person’s life.
Awah that’s adorable. It’s amazing how there are so many people in other countries that haven’t been taught simple things like writing. I wish I had the income to travel and help those people!
Very cute! The little guy I sponsor in the Philippines is still too young to write his own letters, but I always look forward to the ones I get from his Mom.
Have you ever visited this village. I guess there must be a school there now for all the kids? For the future – I think there is still the dream that they’ll come up with a $100 computer with widespread affordable wireless/satellite coverage, which would give these kids everything a kid in Manhattan has. Do you think?
Wouldn’t that be great!
Yes, we have visited the community. There is no school nearby – it’s a long walk. It takes physical commitment AND mental commitment.
It’s so great that you two are doing this! Random question about sponsoring a child abroad — are you able to write letters to her as well? Is it sort of a conversation back and forth, or does she just send periodic letters on her progress and what she’s up to?
Sponsoring Ailess was our gateway into hard-core giving back. We write back and forth and have visited her. It’s been a extraordinary experience.
It’s partly in honor of her, her family and her community that we try to live with intention every day. Our freedom to do as we please is so valuable.
How lovely! I sponsored a little girl in Africa through World Vision. I was so sad when she finished school (aged 13) that I just couldn’t bring myself to sponsor another.
I should do it now, though. I’ve had time to recover. I loved getting her reports in the mail.
Cool, it’s nice to get some feedback to know you’re really making a difference.
This personal sponsoring is so much better and more gratifying (for both sides) than just making a donation to a charity.
Wow, good for you guys!!
This put a smile on my face, too. Here’s to you guys and Ailess!
Good for you, guys.
Jason
This is great, guys! Such a lovely post to read on a sunday night!
That’s a beautiful thing to see. Children are the most important people in the world, and it’s great that you’re giving one new hope.
So cool, and such a nice gesture. We almost got involved in a similar program after returning from Gambia, but for some reason we didn’t follow through. This post is a great reminder.
It’s been a rewarding experience for us. I recommend it!