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Published: April 9th 2014
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Toilet training
SVA had a day of training. Most of the new children at school have never used an indoor toilet. This is a typical "squatty potty". (The child is only posing, not really using the pot). As I sit in my living room with beautiful classical music flowing through the spring air coming in from the open windows and as I sip my dark, delicious Ethiopian coffee I thank God for a beautiful life. It is not beautiful because it is trouble free for that does not exist. What exists is a Redeemer with whom I walk through those troubles. All it takes is a click of this mouse to see that life is not the same in most other places. I thank God for my haven and I pray I can spread my wings from this sanctuary and soar with a message of hope to some of those whom have do not have the privileged to experience such peace. What the refugees, those entrapped in human trafficking, the orphans and the destitute do not need is pity without action. What they need is empathy garnered together with a response in order to turn their situations from despair to hope. If you would like to make a tangible difference in the life of one (or hundreds) in need there are very practical ways to do so! 1. First of all This is how we wash our clothes
Children start from an early age washing their own clothing. They had a training session. find your passion. If you are passionate about a certain tv show then maybe it is time to find a new passion. An idea is to cut the cable so that you are not drawn into someone else’s reality (or mainly unreality) and take that time to soul search so you know what kind of imprint you want to leave on society. Social media has its place but unfortunately it so easily takes the place of investing deeply into the lives we live.
2. Find an organization that is passionate about the same thing. Do a little research to see if they are reputable. Once you find they are… 3. Invest time, talents and treasures (finances) into reaching your personal goals of creating change and those of the organization with whom you decide to partner. 4. Reap the richness of living beyond yourself and blessing the lives of other human beings that otherwise will remain entrapped. According to Global Issues.org…
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1.8 billion people who have access to a water source within 1 kilometer (a little over ½ mile), but not in their house or yard, consume around 20 liters per day. In the United Kingdom the average person uses more than 50 liters of water a day flushing toilets (where average daily water usage is about 150 liters a day. The highest average water use in the world is in the US, at 600 liters per day.)
In Kenya having a well drilled at Spring Valley Academy has brought enormous change to the slum area. The people now have access to healthy water and do not have to hike to a body of water when the city water is turned off to the slums (which happens often). This is tangible change that is saving lives because one lady who is passionate about providing clean water took action. •
Twenty percent of the world's wealthiest population consume 76.6%!o(MISSING)f the world's goods with the poorest 20%!c(MISSING)onsuming a mere 1.5%!.(MISSING).there is a wide margin, a huge gap between those who have and have not.
What this means is while we eat our junk food and diet drinks and throw away our leftovers there are others who are praying they will get at least one meal for the day, and others that will not eat for days on end. The big picture is overwhelming but change is so easy as $35 will feed and educate a child for 30 days! We can change a life for $35 a month!! We can lift a child from despair and hunger to a place of thriving for $1.16 a day!
The children living in the slums by Spring Valley Academy (SVA) no longer have to scrounge the garbage for food or hope there is at least one meal a day. In 1999 at Spring Valley Slum 418 children died due to hunger related illnesses. Not one child has died due to malnutrition since SVA started providing food the following year. Over 350 children now receive two hot meals a day. This is possible because people have taken action and donated financially so that others may live! Our girls at Spring Valley Academy no longer have to miss school for a week while having their menstrual cycle. This is because people have taken action and donated funding so sanitary napkins can be purchased. We now have a group from Grace United Methodist church that applied their talents and sewed reusable sanitary towels that we will give to the The importance of washing hands.
Since SVA got their own source of water the percentage of ringworm reduced by over 90%. school aged girls in Kenya as well as the young ladies in the refugee camps in Ethiopia.
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At least 80%!o(MISSING)f humanity lives on less than $10 a day. The unaccompanied refugee minors in Ethiopia have zero income and no parents to purchase anything for them. Some do not have a bed to lay on or toilet paper with which to clean themselves. HOWEVER, because people have taken action and donated ITHM is able to purchase the materials to make beds and purchase mattresses and bedding for each child at the transition center where we will work. The transition center has over 130 youth sleeping on the cement floors. We also have funds to start building a wall of protection that will eventually be around the new girls’ dorm that we are planning on building once we raise $50,000. We are bringing people to love the children, to listen to their stories and to let them know that people do care. If you have a heart to help children in need and you haven’t found an organization that you are partnering with, let me invite you to partner with International Treasure House Ministries! We are Thankful children
The students thanked the staff of SVA for their training as many said they never received such teaching at home. creating change and leaving an imprint of hope wherever we go.
Thank you, Jennifer Phillips Lawrence *If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation towards a dorm for keeping refugee girls safe, or food for school children in the slums, or for girls that are being protected from traffickers, or any of our other projects you can earmark your donation. Otherwise it is used where the greatest need is at the time the gift is received. For donating you have the following options: 1.Make a check to: ITHM 23223 S. Warmstone Way Katy, TX 77494 2. Donate on facebook at www.facebook.com/ITHMinc on the “Make a donation” button. Be sure to “like” us while there! 3. Set up automatic bank drafts for monthly giving. 4. Another way to help support our work is by shopping through “Goodshop.com” and having “Goodsearch.com” as your browser. Select International Treasure House Ministries as your preferred charity and every time you click and/or shop ITHM will get a donation! Easy peazy! 5. Also by sharing our posts on facebook you can help spread awareness!
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Betty Phillips
non-member comment
Beautiful letter
Thanks Jen for writing another blog. It is a good witness and I pray others will help when they read this letter. God Bless all the little children. Love, Mom