ChildVoice

THIRST FOR CHANGE: Access to clean water is still a key issue worldwide

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SummER 2010 | ISSuE 9

A legacy of helping children

Turning

50

In this issue, we celebrate 50 years. Fifty is less than half the age of Confederation and twice as old as the first Apple Macintosh™ computer. But no matter what you use as a chronological yardstick, this gives us a fair amount of experience in helping people around the

world. And, when you multiply our programs, staff, and field partners by 50 years, this adds up to hundreds of years of experiences and lessons that are reinvested into the lives of children and their families.

I genuinely want to thank you for helping us change lives. There are children who are alive today because of you. However, I do feel the responsibility to ask us all to do more. Though the world has made some great strides in helping the poor, today there are more than eight million children under the age of five who still die from hunger and disease each year – all prevent-able deaths.

At 50, we are fit and ready to take on new challenges to help children. It’s been a long journey, but it’s been worth every step to see smiling children at the finish line. CV

mARk LukOwSkI, CEOChristian Children’s Fund of Canada

mark Lukowski talks to a sponsored child in Ghana.

SummER 2010 | ISSuE 9

VICE PRESIdENT, mARkETING & COmmuNICATIONS Carol Larusson Froom

dIRECTOR, COmmuNICATIONSPhilip Maher

mANAGING EdITORMelissa Yue

dESIGN ANd PROduCTIONJanice Van Eck

CONTRIBuTORSRosanna MenchacaBartolomé Ibarra Mejía

ChildVoice is a publication of:

wHO wE AREWe strive as a worldwide team to create a future of hope for children, individuals, and families of all faiths and cultural backgrounds and are inspired by Christ’s example of personal, caring love.

INTEGRITY - OuR VALuEd ASSETChristian Children’s Fund of Canada upholds a strong record of 50 years of results, integrity and accountability. Project evaluations and independent audits ensure quality and account-ability. Our audited financial statement is available for all at www.ccfcanada.ca.

OuR VALuESWe embrace and practice – Results, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence.

Christian Children’s Fund of Canada1200 Denison StreetMarkham, ON L3R 8G6tel 905-754-1010 ext. 610toll free 1-800-263-5437www.ccfcanada.ca

Charitable Registration# 10691 8543 RR0001

Printed in Canada on FSC Certified paper (50% recycled).

Canada Post Mail Reg # 40065713

ChildVoiceupfront A Note from the Ceo

Drop us a lineLet us know what you think of this issue of ChildVoice and receive a FREE Christian Children’s Fund of Canada lunch bag. You can also write to us about what sponsor-ship has meant to you or your experiences with Christian Children’s Fund of Canada.

Email your letters to WriteToUs@ccfcanada.ca or mail to: Communications Department, Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, 1200 Denison Street, Markham, Ontario, L3R 8G6. Letters may be edited for content, clarity, or brevity. Note: lunch bag quantites are limited.

YoUr LetterS

“it was one of the happiest days of my life when I saw my spon-sored child, Martha, in Nicar-agua this year. Martha has been my sponsored child for more than 10 years and we have ex-changed letters on a regular basis. Judging from her letters, I saw in Martha a confident, young girl who is very, very ap-preciative of our help.

I met Martha’s mom, grand-mother, brother, sisters, and many others. They are an amaz-ing family. Martha shares a small room with her two sisters and their home was very clean inside.

During our visit, we saw sev-en to nine-year olds in other communities working and fill-ing in potholes on the main highways for tips. If I won the lottery, I think I would sponsor every kid in Nicaragua.

I see that my money was not wasted by helping Martha. CCFC is giving kids like her a chance to succeed in life. They are the future of Nicaragua.

I will not wait 10 years to see Martha again. She will graduate from high school and I hope to be there when she does – in two years.”

—Ken Acton, Quebec

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upfront 2 A note from the Ceo Your letters 4 What’s new

departments 11 Lasting legacy 12 CCfC in action

Improving lives, one step at a time

13 Sponsor focusWoolwich Dairy owners

14 Living responsiblySummer gift ideas for the developing world

14 Supporter fAQs 15 face of success

features 5 Parched community thirsts

for change A small community in Paraguay suffers the devastating consequences of dirty water.

Victims dream of a better life.

7 50 years of caring for children Knowing CCFC’s roots is just as important as knowing where we’re headed. Learn about

CCFC’s history and read testimonies from our enthusiastic staff and sponsors.

CCFC builds a legacy in Burkina Faso. Read about André’s story on page 11. inside

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upfront WhAt’S NeW

CHILD ESSENTIALS PROGRAM

A reNoVAteD PreSChooLLas Abejitas preschool (translated as “Little Bees”) in the city of Somoto, northern Nicaragua, was in desperate need of repair.

It had shabby walls made of wood and broken pieces of brick; a kitchen with an unfinished roof that allowed cockroaches, wasps, and mosquitoes to get inside; and a very rough and dusty floor. It was also dangerous for children who would travel by a hilly, dirt road to get to the school—especially when it rained.

“There aren’t any other preschools nearby for these children,” says Jorge-Luis Hernández, CCFC Nicaragua’s Country Director. “In this area, when buildings are damaged, they have to close and parents have to try for another school (which is often full).”

The 54 boys and girls who attend Las Abejitas preschool love to learn and participate in activities like crafts or painting. In addition to lessons on numbers, vowels, and colours, the children learn about respect and how to interact with each other. The school also provides children with lunch to keep them energized until their parents return from long days at work.

“Before, the teacher could barely organize activities on the floor because it was rough, causing bruises on our children’s knees,” says Marlene Sandoval, a mother from the community. “For 20 years, no other organization cared about rebuilding the preschool or improving the conditions for the children so they could have a better quality education.”

CCFC staff, along with community members and our partner on the ground, INprHu (Institute of Human Development) worked

together to renovate the deteriorating infrastructure, funded in part by the Child Essentials program. They replaced the steep dirt path to the school with stairs, refinished the floors and walls, in-

stalled sanitary services, and built a retaining wall to support the structure.

The renovations have greatly improved the children’s attitude towards their education. It has also brought peace to worried parents, as well as a sense of empowerment to the community as they have seen what they can accomplish when they work together.

“Thanks to the project, the preschool is much more suitable for our children,” says Elsi Yami-leth Betanco, another parent. “The community is now willing to take care of this preschool and will continue to take action to make it safer.”

Today, the preschool doubles as a community centre. The space gives elementary school students the opportunity to receive after-school help and also allows community members to meet and participate in training and workshops.

The Child Essentials program is a monthly giving option that contributes to projects like the Las Abejitas preschool to help children, families, and the community. Visit www.ccfcanada.ca/MoreWaysToGive for more information on how to become a Child Essentials supporter. CV —Notes provided by Bartolomé Ibarra Mejía

Improvements to the Las Abejitas preschool have made it more accessible, safe, and hygienic for the students, teachers and community.

Celebrating the reopening of Las Abejitas preschool; the new stairway makes for safer access to the school, especially after a rainfall.

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feature WAter

Six-year old Mia Belen grabs her three-year old sister Nancy’s hand as they stand in their colourful flip flops near a murky river next to their small wooden home, about 200 km from the paraguayan capital Asunción.

The girls are oblivious to a small monu-ment that sits behind them, a short distance away. The house-shaped stone structure is for a little boy named José who drowned last

year, just one day after his second birthday. “For us (the community), little graves are

part of our lives,” says the girls’ 32-year old mother, also named Nancy, who herself lost a child several years ago in the same com-munity. After suffering from diarrhea and anemia, Nancy miscarried a daughter, Juana.

It is not unusual for children to die in *Ypota as a result of unsanitary conditions.

And most of the community suspects they know the cause – a lack of access to clean water.

* Name of community has been changed for child protection purposes.

PHOTOS ANd INTERVIEwS PROVIdEd BY ROSANNA mENCHACA

Parched community thirsts for change

fACtS AboUt PArAgUAY

• 76 per cent of families drink potable water, but 89% don’t have access to basic sanitation services

• Only 60 per cent of the rural areas have access to clean water

• Thousands of Paraguayans get sick as a result of drinking non-potable water

• diarrhea is the second-leading cause of death for children under the age of five

6 | ChildVoice SummER 2010 www.ccfcanada.ca

feature WAter

about 400 families live in the Ypota com-munity, where 70 per cent of the houses have only one room shared by a family with five children. The river is their only water source and is highly contaminated.

“Drinking this water makes us sick and a lot of children and adults in the community regularly have diarrhea, infections, and stomach pain,” says Maria Justina, who has lived in the community for four years. “But we don’t have any other option.”

Community members use the river to do their laundry, bathe, and cook food. They blame other communities for throwing gar-bage and dead animals into the river and say that when the garbage runs into the water, it is like drinking the “tea” of the garbage.

“Even though we know this water is not really healthy, at least we have it and we don’t have to walk long distances,” says Maria Jus-tina. “I moved here because we didn’t have water in the community where I lived before.”

A lack of access to clean water took its toll on José, who drowned in March 2009 after going to the river by himself to get a drink of water. residents say that it was something the boy loved to do and noted that the river was only about two metres from his house.

José’s death has brought new fears to par-ents in Ypota. Aside from worrying that their children will drink the water and get sick, going to the river may mean that their chil-dren can drown, be bitten by snakes, or be exposed to strangers that may harm them.

———according to statistics from the World Health Organization, 884 million people in the world do not have access to safe water

YoU CAN mAKe A DIffereNCe. CoNtAmINAteD WAter AND Poor SANItAtIoN KILLS 1.4 mILLIoN ChILDreN eVerY YeAr. See oUr INSert for INformAtIoN oN hoW YoU CAN SAVe theSe PreCIoUS YoUNg LIVeS.

and 2.6 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation. Diarrhea caused by un-clean water and poor sanitation kills one child every 20 seconds or 4,000 children a day. This means diarrhea kills more children every year than aids, malaria and measles combined.

The lack of potable (drinkable) water im-pacts the poor more than anyone else. The human body is made up of 60 per cent water and requires, on average, 2.5 litres of water every day. In the developing world, people will often drink unsafe water simply because they need it – regardless of whether the water will give them a disease or make them ill.

———CCFC and its partner, Dequeni, are em-powering the Ypota community with educa-tion and confidence that their voice is being heard. Together, they have cleaned their river and lobbied the municipality and an-other agency for access to clean water at an affordable rate. At present, the municipality has committed to donating pipes to connect to their existing system, but the residents cannot afford the water rate unless it is lower than the average cost that city dwellers pay. Once they secure an affordable rate, CCFC and Dequeni will work with the community to install the system. CCFC has also been educating community members on the im-portance of potable water, caring for their water source, proper sanitation practices, and treatment of contaminated water.

Community members looking at a photo; Juana’s grave—one of the many who have died from water-related causes; washing at the river.

CCfC’S WAter SUCCeSS ProjeCtSCCFC programs provide clean water and safe toilets for homes, schools, and shared community facilities. Here are some of the things we did last year:

NICARAGuA: provided 300 families with toilets, soakaways (an effective way to disperse wastewater), and drainage systems

SRI LANkA: constructed three water points (areas where communities gather to collect clean water from a faucet) for 1,950 beneficiaries

ETHIOPIA: provided training to 549 community members on hygiene and waste management

INdIA: provided five rainwater harvesting tanks, benefitting 862 people; built washroom facilities for two government schools benefitting 650 students

“A lot of good things have happened in our community with your support,” says Aurelio, who has lived in the Ypota community for 22 years.

“Our dream is to have clean water.” CV

“…when the garbage runs into the water, it is like drinking the ‘tea’ of the garbage”

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feature 50 YeArS

It was a simple idea in the beginning: reach out to children.

Of course it wasn’t easy. Imagine travelling by steamship for weeks to help needy children in China or how about try-ing to organize programs without any form of electronic com-munication? Charities used to mainly offer orphaned chil-dren a group home, hot meals, and food parcels. But even in the early days, CCFC understood we had to do more.

So we tackled some of the root causes of poverty with train-ing, healthcare, advocacy, and education, understanding that

a community must take into consideration a host of other critical issues in order to be successful. For example, by helping children to understand their rights under the Convention on the rights of the Child, they can stand for themselves and build a more equitable future.

50 YeArS OF CARINGFOR CHILDREN

By ensuring girls have access to education, they can earn a better income and provide for their families. By educating individuals on HIV/AIDS, they can prevent its spread and reduce public stigma.

The list of changes that must take place to fight poverty is long: caring for the environment, organizing co-operatives, encouraging land reform, and promoting democracy. And though there is still much to be done, CCFC’s work – which began in China – now circles the globe. It hasn’t been a short stroll, but you have partnered with us every step of the way.

Today, our motivation remains the same. We will simply and ef-fectively share practical Christian love with children through our hands-on caring approach. We hope you will join us in celebrating 50 years of serving children, families, and their communities. CV

feature 50 YeArS

ChrIStIAN ChILDreN’S fUND of CANADA WAS foUNDeD IN 1960 bUt oUr rootS DAte bACK to the 1930s, IN the mIDSt of A WAr thAt rAVAgeD homeS AND DeStroYeD fAmILIeS. tWo StrANgerS oN the SAme mISSIoN of CArINg CoLLAborAteD to mAKe ChrIStIAN ChILDreN’S fUND A VIbrANt forCe for the WeLfAre of ChILDreN AroUND the WorLD.

1938 Dr. J. Calvitt Clarke, a Presbyterian minister from the U.S. is disheart-ened by the 10 to 15 million children who had become orphaned as a result of the second Sino-Japanese war (1937-1945).

A question gnaws at his soul, “Are we doing all we can to help?” A gifted fundraiser, Clarke organized the largest-ever collection of used clothing for Armenian refugees in the 1920s. And in 1938, Clarke established the China Children’s Fund (CCF) in Richmond, Virginia.

1939 CCF raises more than $10,000 (worth about $156,000 today) in contributions in its first year. This money is sent to KuKong Orphanage and Ling Nan University in China. In CCF’s second year, the organization raises $35,279.

1941 China Children’s Fund establishes the first “adoption” plan for sponsors with an initial yearly fee of $24 per child. This new concept enables people who are able to send smaller amounts of money on a regular basis to help an individual child - pioneering the philoso-phy of child sponsorship. With an annual income of $169,712, CCF assists children in 29 orphanages.

1942 Dr. Verent Mills, a church worker from Winnipeg, Manitoba who moved to China in the early 1930s, had been placing war-orphaned children into “children’s refuges”, which he created from abandoned schools and ancestral halls. In these orphanages, he and his workers would clothe, feed, and nurse the children back to health.

When war encroached on his orphanages he travelled on foot with 142 young children to the CCF-assisted orphanage more than 300 miles away.

1945 After a brief visit back to Canada, Dr. Mills returns to China and is alarmed there is only a three-month supply of food left for the 700 children in his orphanage. He contacts Dr. Clarke at the head office of CCF in the USA who agrees to take over financial responsibility for the children. Mills starts a technical training program so the children can learn to become independent and self-reliant. Children learn carpentry, plumbing, metalworking, masonry,

farming, small engine repair, weaving, sewing, and cooking. At the close of WWII, and just seven years after its founding, CCF was sending over $372,000 in sponsorship donations annually to China.

1946 Dr. Clarke travels to China to meet Dr. Mills and is very impressed by the technical training program. At this point, CCF is extending its assistance to the Philippines and Burma.

1947 Dr. Mills is appointed CCF’s regional director of North China, Japan and Korea. Eventually CCF begins serving children in Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, and India. In his 34 years with CCF, Dr. Mills serves as Regional

Director in the Far East (1947-1958), Director of Operations (1958-1970) and finally as Executive Director from 1970 until his retirement in 1981.

1951 Following the collapse of the Chinese government and takeover by the communists, the CCF Board of Directors changes the name of the organization from China Children’s Fund to Christian Children’s Fund to reflect the broader scope of the work.

1953 CCF manages 23 orphanages serving more than 4,000 children.

1957 Dr. Mills starts a massive “cottage plan” orphanage called Children’s Garden in Hong Kong to provide for refugees and orphans. The idea was to de-institution-alize orphanages and re-create a supportive, home-like environment that would promote better emotional support and psychological development of the children. This project eventually houses 1,000 children in 98 cottages and becomes a model for many similar projects through-out Asia.

TRACING oUr hIStorY

Where we came from…

dId YOu kNOw? It is estimated that between one and two million Chinese children died in this period alone.

dr. Clarke

dr. mills in korea, 1950

8 | ChildVoice SummER 2010 www.ccfcanada.ca

1960 Christian Children’s Fund had earned a very positive reputation and Canadians wanted to be a part of the uplifting work. Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) is established. Its first office opens at 1139 Bay Street in dowtown Toronto.

CCF assists more than 36,000 children in 50 countries with an annual budget of more than $4.5 million.

1967 Canadians sponsor 8,000 children around the world through CCFC.

1970 CCFC donates $25,000 to CANAIRELIEF to provide for victims of the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. CCFC opens an office for field staff in Bangalore so they can run programs in southern India.

1973 Appointment of first executive director of CCFC, Mr. Frank J. Whilsmith.

1985 Canadians respond to the African famine. CCFC moves to 1027 McNicoll Avenue, Toronto.

1988 CCFC sends $138,500 to Jamaica in response to Hurricane Gilbert’s devastation and $40,000 to Bangladesh to provide for flood victims.

1989 Canadians sponsor 30,000 children around the world through CCFC.

1990 Launch of CCFC subsidiary, Global Relief Fund (Global). The purpose of Global was to combine cash subsidies with sufficient quantities of needed donated items like food, medical, and school supplies.

1991 A powerful cyclone strikes Bangladesh, killing more than 138,000. CCFC, with assistance from CIDA, delivers food and blankets, provides shelter, and sends medical teams to help. CCFC airlifts over $700,000 in medical supplies to a hospital unit helping Kurdish refugees in Iran.

In partnership with other NGOs, CCFC helps with a $5 million food distribution program in Sudan to help with the famine.

1994 The Rwandan genocide. CCFC sends a $300,000 shipment of clothes and $500,000 shipment of medicine and medical supplies for children in refugee camps.

1999 CCFC sends $140,000 worth of children’s medications to Tirana, Albania within days of the start of the Kosovo Crisis. In the summer, CCFC sends $300,000 worth of emergency medical supplies to Turkey after its devastating earthquake to aid 100,000 survivors.

2002 A group of interna-tional child sponsorship organizations join together under the banner of ChildFund Alliance to become a global force for children. The Alliance offers a combined US $561 million in resources annually to children and families in 55 countries. The 12 Alliance member organizations represent: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United States.

2004 South Asian tsunami. CCFC, in partnership with ChildFund Alliance member Taiwan Fund for Children and

Families, donate more than $100,000 (CAD) in reconstruction relief.

2006 CCFC moves to its current office at 1200 Denison St. in Markham.

2008 CCFC helps 364,174 children and family members through sponsorship.

2009 CCFC celebrates 17 program graduations in several countries, including Jamaica, Peru, and Nicaragua. This means the communities are now able to sustain themselves.

2010 CCFC has earned a reputation of trust due to our response during times of famine, illness, drought, conflict, and devastation. We will continue to imple- ment new initiatives to care for our environment, raise awareness for injustices, provide dignity to those suffering from HIV/AIDS, empower women and children with education so they know their rights as individuals, and show the poor that we value their lives - no matter what their status or class in society may be. Thank you for support-ing CCFC’s work in the past, present, and future!

dId YOu kNOw? CCFC’s office later moved to 1407 Yonge Street at a cost of $215 per month, including janitorial and other services!

dr. and mrs. mills with dr. and mrs. Chan and their family. dr. Chan grew up in one of the CCF-assisted orphanages.

CCF welfare Center, 1960

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ChrIStINe SmIth, 17 years, Child Correspondence Administrator“In my current role, the most rewarding part is reading the correspondence sent by children and families on how their lives have been impacted through sponsorship. Sponsorship has provided training for individuals, business loans for families, and has helped communities become self-sufficient. It is rewarding when a youngster is able to finish high school and continue on to a vocational school or college, better enabling them to help both their families and themselves. Seeing the smiles on the faces of children and knowing that I am helping in some way is very fulfilling.”

SUZANNe goSLINg, 16 years, office manager“It is a blessing to work at a Christian organization. The most rewarding part of my job is interacting with my colleagues, which I find personally edifying.”

PAULette ChUNg, 22 years, Sponsor and Child Services manager “I had the amazing opportunity to visit a program country and see the children and families in their community. It was overwhelming and very humbling to hear children and families speak of their deep appreciation for CCFC and how the sponsors are impacting their lives. The children cherish letters, cards, and words of encouragement from their sponsors overseas. But what means the most to them is the knowledge that someone out there values their well-being and cares for them.”

YVoNNe rANSoN, 23 years, gift Processor“There have been many changes at CCFC over the years. First of all, our staff increased from 20 in 1987 to around 70 today. In 2006, we moved to a larger building to accommodate this growth. Second, the changes in technology have also been significant and it’s had a very positive impact on how we do business both here in Canada and in the field. Change is not always easy, but it is a part of life and there is so much work that still needs to be done to help those in need. CCFC will continue to move forward under God’s direction as He takes us to new places to accomplish even bigger and better things in the lives of children.”

YVoNe CAmACho, 18 years, Interactive marketing manager“It makes me feel good knowing that what we do on a daily basis matters, in some way, to someone - whether it’s a child, family, or community in need. Helping others isn’t a solo job, we all need to work together to make the world a better place.”

bLAISe ChIShoLm, Child Sponsor, Nova Scotia“Helping a child through CCFC has brought a ray of sunshine to my overall well-being and self-esteem, as well as joy in my heart, knowing that I am helping a child in my own little way. I am grateful to God to be able to help and to your organization for giving me an outlet to help.” CV

teStImoNIALSLoNgtIme StAff refLeCt oN CCfC oVer the YeArS, WhILe SUPPorterS ShAre AboUt WhAt ChILD SPoNSorShIP hAS meANt to them

Come CeLebrAte oUr 50th ANNIVerSArY! eNjoY AN eLegANt NIght of DINNer, DANCINg, AND PLeASANt ComPANY At the Le PArC bANQUet AND CoNfereNCe CeNtre IN thorNhILL (North toroNto) oN SePtember 11, 2010. tICKetS CoSt $150 AND ALL fUNDS rAISeD WILL beNefIt ChILDreN IN oUr ProgrAm CoUNtrIeS. for more INformAtIoN or to PUrChASe tICKetS, CALL DorothY tAm At 1-800-263-5437 ext. 525 or emAIL DtAm@CCfCANADA.CA. We hoPe to See YoU there!

LeSLIe PIKe, Child Sponsor, ontario “We enjoyed the experience of being able to help Raju and his family until the graduation of the program. We considered Raju to be a grandchild (we have 10 of our own) and he referred to us as his grandparents. Over the years, we had his picture up on our refrigera-tor as the new grandkids kept coming.

The best part of sponsorship for me and my wife was just knowing that we were helping somebody; that just a small contribution could make a difference in someone’s life.”

Leslie Pike and family on his 80th birthday. PHO

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Small curls of shavings haphazardly roll to the ground as André smoothes a board with a planer. The 19-year old carpenter looks at ease as he holds the planer in his hand and steadies himself for another swipe.

But André has not had an easy life. His family grew up in poverty in their hometown in Ouaga-dougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, and he had to work at an early age as a carpenter’s assistant to earn some money for the family.

Fortunately, André began receiving help from a sponsor and he was able to get the support he needed. “It was a long way to get to school, so CCFC gave me a bike,” says André. “It really helped.”

André also received fees for school, healthcare, and other support for the family. This included encouragement from his sponsor.

“I have many good memories of my sponsor,” says André, as he smiles and pulls out a pile of worn cards and letters. Even though André hasn’t been sponsored for three years*, he continues to cherish the memories of his sponsor’s care and the help that CCFC provided to his family.

André has now finished his education and is enrolled in night school courses. He still works at a carpenter’s shop during the day, but his education has made him realize that he can pursue other opportunities.

“I know now that education is important,” he says. “I want to further my studies in science and become a doctor.”

André feels confident that he can provide for his family and is optimistic about the future, thanks to a caring sponsor. CV

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CCfC IN ACtIoN

ISSUe A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti earlier this year, killing about 200,000 people and causing widespread devastation.

ACtIoN In order to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable children, families, and disabled individuals who were impacted by the quake, CCFC joined forces with Christian Blind Mission Canada and the Mennonite Central Committee to provide food, medical assistance, security, and long-term care.

• 450 children are regularly attending one of four day care centres where they receive food, counseling, and medical help. Some of the children are disabled and 15 have epilepsy. All the children are happy and thriving in this safe environment.

• 4,000 households in over 60 IDP (internally displaced person) camps received emergency food assistance.

• 1,000 water filters and tarps have been distributed in Port-au-Prince.• Four structural engineers are inspecting homes and buildings for safety.

ISSUe Children in Ghana became infected with intestinal worms. Worms feed on whatever food is available in their little host’s body. This can cause anemia, malnutrition, stunted growth, and long-term slowness of mental and physical development. Severe worm infestations can lead to death.

ACtIoN Since the start of this year, CCFC has provided deworming medicine to 44,900 children in 190 schools in the Northern Region of Ghana. Anti-parasitic medicine and vitamins were also provided to health institutions and communities to improve the children’s nutri-tional status. CV

ISSUe Many children, pregnant women, and adults suffer from iron deficiency in Nicaragua. Iron is an important mineral that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It is important for fighting infection and ensuring the body is performing at its optimal level. Pregnant women need extra iron for their growing babies. A lack of iron can result in fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and learning difficulties in children.

ACtIoN CCFC is distributing 500,000 iron tablets through Nicaragua’s Ministry of Health. This will help children to combat sicknesses and will also give them the energy they need to focus on their studies. Women will also have the strength they need to deliver healthy babies.

ISSUe Eight-year old Beza Solomon needed surgery for her eyes, but her sole guardian and grandmother couldn’t afford treatment and was too frail to make the 40-kilometre journey to the hospital.

ACtIoN One of our generous donors read about Beza’s situation through CCFC’s eNewsletter. He decided to sponsor Beza and fund all the costs for her operation. CCFC staff in Ethiopia worked to co-ordinate transportation, find a suitable doctor, and care for Beza throughout the surgery. Today, Beza can see properly and is so thankful for her sponsor’s kindness.

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www.ccfcanada.ca SummER 2010 ChildVoice | 13

SPoNSor foCUS

F ramed, handwritten letters and per-sonal thank you notes from satisfied customers cover an entire wall on the second floor at Woolwich Dairy Inc.’s

headquarters in Orangeville, Ontario. “Your Brie is exquisite!” writes Michel. “I

was able to taste your goat cheese and I enjoyed it so much,” writes Margaret.

For co-owners Tony and Olga Dutra, the letters of commendation are silent motiv-ators, showing them that they are positively impacting lives – even though they may not always hear about it.

It’s a common theme for this power couple, who left their full-time jobs in 1986 to start a business based on Tony’s mother’s goat cheese recipe. At the time, the couple worked 14-hour days, perfecting their products and working on their award-winning brand. Due to their busy schedule, the couple didn’t think they would have time for children.

“Our first kid was our business,” laughs Olga. “Then we saw your commercials on television and thought, ‘Why don’t we spon-sor a child?’”

In fact, Tony and Olga started spon-soring four children. As their company expanded to more than 150 employees and three manufacturing facilities in Canada and the united States, so did their commit-ment to helping children and communities around the world. The Dutras have spon-sored 96 children through Christian Chil-dren’s Fund of Canada, many of whom have graduated from the program and now lead healthy lives.

“When I read some of the children’s let-ters, I realized that being a child sponsor was giving the children security,” says Tony. “They get the sense that some stranger in the world cares about them and it gives them hope.”

Olga remembers the first time she received information and photos of her sponsored children. “My heart broke,” she says. “There were some children with happy faces and some with sad faces and I thought, ‘How can this be? How can the world be like this?’”

Today, the Dutras have two children of

Woolwich Dairy is Canada’s largest goat cheese producer and currently makes 61 varieties of goat cheese. Their products can be found in restaurants and major grocery chains across North America. If you’ve ever had goat cheese, you’ve probably tasted it!

woolwich dairy owners Tony and Olga dutra have supported 96 children through CCFC.

mILK of hUmAN KINDNeSSDAIrY oWNerS ShAre theIr reCIPe for heLPINg ChILDreN

their own and 38 sponsored children. In a few years, the family hopes to visit their sponsored children together.

“It’s important to show our kids why it’s important to give,” says Tony. “I know for myself, when I got that first handwritten letter and saw the photos of the children, it just really convinced me that what we were doing made a whole lot of sense.”

Though the Dutras may never know the full

extent of the personal impact and changes they’ve had on the 96 lives they’ve sup-ported, they are happy that they can share with their community and their world.

“Sponsoring a child has made me very grateful – grateful to be living in the country that I’m in and also that I’m able to touch these children’s lives,” says Tony.

“I would do the same thing again in a heartbeat.” CV

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Did you know? Our staff processed 177,688 pieces of mail to sponsors last year.

14 | ChildVoice SummER 2010 www.ccfcanada.ca

LIVINg reSPoNSIbLY

Q Why does it take so long to hear from my sponsored child?

A Children love to get letters from their sponsors. It touches their hearts to know that someone in Canada cares for them and their well-being. The following process describes how your letters get to your sponsored child:

1) The Country Office receives your letters.2) They are translated into the local language.3) Letters are delivered to each child’s village.4) The child/family is advised to pick up mail

from the program office.5) The child/family prepares a reply letter.

SUPPorter fAQs

Sometimes this letter is dictated to pro-gram staff by the child or family if they are unable to write.

6) The child/family’s response letter is sent to the Country Office and translated into English.

7) In order to save costs, letters are couriered to CCFC’s office in Canada once a month.

8) Once the letter is received, it is docu-mented and then sent to the mailroom for processing.

The entire process takes an average of three months – depending on the distance of the program from the country office. CV

Summer gift ideas for the developing worldSummer means barbecues, patios, flip-flops, time with friends, and picnics! Just before you kick back and relax in the hot summer sun, consider purchasing a gift for children and communities in need.

COST

$15

$25

$30

$40

$50

$90

$125

$140

$170

ITEm3d movie ticket

Flip flops + tote bag

10 lattes

A tank of gas

A new swimsuit

Concert/Sports tickets for twoOne-night hotel stay New in-line skates

designer shades

YOu GAIN…An opinion when friends discuss summer flicks

Days of looking fabulous at the beach

A 10-day caffeine perk

Sense of accomplishment in completing your errands

Confidence—you’ve finally accepted your body

Time with a loved one

Peace as you abandon the stresses of home life

Exercise and adventure

Protection from the sun

ITEmVegetable garden seed kit“For women Only” hygiene kitTwo mosquito nets

School uniform + shoes for a childFive chickens

Corrective eyeglassesShare in a clean water well

Hearing aid

Child’s bicycle

YOu GET THE SATISFACTION IN HELPING OTHERS GAIN…Independence. A garden provides food and the opportunity to earn an additional income.

Dignity. Hygiene kits help young girls stay in school and care for themselves in private facilities.

Protection. A family of four will have a defence mechanism against mosquitoes that carry malaria or other illnesses.

An education. In some parts of the world, a child who does not wear the proper uniform can be banned from attending classes.

An income. A hen lays about 259 eggs a year, providing a source of protein to hungry children + a steady means to earn money.

Peace. End a lifetime of discomfort for children who need glasses. Improve their ability to learn so they can do well in school.

Improved health and safety. A clean well gives communities safe water to drink, decreases disease, and protects women and children from attacks during their walks to distant water sources.

Confidence. Children with hearing impairments experience ridicule and rejection. Boost their self-esteem and ability to interact.

Time. Families often live far away from amenities like clean water, health clinics, and schools. Give a child a bike to shorten the distance.

FOR mORE IdEAS, VISIT www.ccfcanada.ca/donateNow/GiftCatalogue/

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fACe of SUCCeSS

On a hot and dusty afternoon in Northern Ghana, a woman and child wait for their regular medical checkup outside the CCFC-supported Zogu health clinic. According to a uN report, each year, 536,000 women and girls die from complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or the six weeks following delivery. Almost all of these deaths (99 per cent) occur in developing countries. CV

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www.ccfcanada.ca SummER 2010 ChildVoice | 15

Imagine what your sponsorship can do for her…Sponsorship is a powerful way to directly impact one child.

Normally, a child living in poverty struggles to get healthy food, clean drinking water, vital medicines and education. But because of your monthly gift of $35, your sponsored child won’t have to worry about everyday necessities.

The opportunities you open up to your sponsored child are significant. They can dream about becoming teachers, doctors, business people and leaders – and know it is possible to achieve their dreams.

A child right now is waiting for a sponsor. You can change a life today by visiting www.ccfcanada.ca and selecting a child to sponsor. You can also call a Supporter Services Representative at 1-800-263-5437 or local 905-754-1010 ext. 610.

Change a child’s life today!

1200 Denison Street, Markham, ON L3R 8G6tel 905-754-1001 | toll free 1-800-263-5437www.ccfcanada.ca | Charitable Registration # 10691 8543 RR0001

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