A smiling class of children in a Christian Kenyan school supported monthly by Heaven’s Family
“The children would be better off if their parents were dead.”
Strangely, those words were the catalyst for what would become our Education Fund’s most significant accomplishment in 2014.
My African host explained his disturbing statement.
In many countries throughout Africa, poverty-stricken parents work hard every day when employment is available, but too often, they can barely pay the rent on the tiny shacks in which they and their children live. Paying school tuition is out of the question. Many parents have no hope that their children will ever attend school. Adding to their anguish is knowing that their unschooled children will also miss school-provided daily lunches, which for many poor children is their only meal, or at least their only nutritious meal.
My host explained that Christian agencies generally help orphans. Thus, when it comes to getting an education, it would be better if the poor parents of unschooled children were dead.
We had to help. So last year, Heaven’s Family’s Education Fund launched a student sponsorship program. Compassionate sponsors make it possible for poor children to attend Christian schools by subsidizing tuition payments. The parents of children who benefit share responsibility, as we require them to pay a portion of their children’s tuition with money, goods, or services to their child’s school. We currently have over 150 children sponsored, and we keep adding more. In 2014, Education Fund contributions increased 750% over 2013!
Last year our Education Fund partnered with 20+ Christian schools in 13 countries—Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda, Philippines, Rwanda, DR Congo, Tanzania and Cambodia. We not only helped with tuition payments, but also erected buildings, repaired roofs, purchased computers, provided meals, curriculum and more, touching the lives of over 2,000 students. Thanks to everyone who made these blessings possible!
