_________________
WR Email Updates
|
|
|
| |
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
|
|
Greetings!
 With rampant violence, high crime, widespread poverty and corruption, large-scale unemployment and underemployment, inadequate education, the theme in the five countries served by Child Sponsorship remains the same, although each country has its own particular history and story.
A British Colony for over three hundred years, Jamaica achieved its independence fifty years ago, but has struggled to develop a strong economy. With a shrinking economy many Jamaicans depend on lower paying services work, heavily reliant on a cyclical tourism industry. The result is extremely high unemployment at 13%, with that rate doubling for young people. This creates a significant crisis for the country, which contributes to the despair that drives crime and violence.
|
|
While Jamaica isn't known for the stark poverty represented by Haiti, for example, almost 40% of its nearly 3.0 million population, 1.1 million people, live on less than $2.50 per day, the "official" poverty line as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition, the IMF indicates that Jamaica has more of a "split class" economic structure than even Haiti. In other words, while the overall poverty isn't as significant in Jamaica, the separation between the "haves and the have nots" is greater than Haiti and the second worst in the Caribbean Region.
With many families out of work or involved in low paying service jobs, education is one of the first areas to suffer, and many Jamaicans can't afford to send their children to school. Many students who are able to attend school and graduate find it very difficult to enter productive careers. This issue is especially acute for special needs or troubled children, which has been the focus of Child Sponsorship in Jamaica for fifteen years.
|
|
Your Sponsorship Can Make a Difference
|
 In Jamaica, where there are an estimated 2,500 deaf children, there is a Child Sponsorship opportunity for individual deaf students being educated in a boarding school environment. Although the Gospel is available in Jamaica, a deaf person cannot hear the spoken Word of God. The Gospel message is presented to deaf children using sign language. Currently, Child Sponsorship supports over 130 deaf students in Jamaica through 400 sponsors, where each child's education, room and board costs $250.00 per month. This may be provided by one sponsor (at $250/month) or up to ten sponsors (at $25/month). Your donation provides a Christian education, room and board on campus, clothing and medical care, sign language instruction, education during the school year and training to become proficient in a trade. In addition, Child Sponsorship works with another school to provide remedial instruction for children and mentoring of young adults.
As you can imagine, this Christ-centered education makes an incredible difference in the lives of these challenged young people, providing an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and allow them to become a productive and contributing adult in a very difficult and challenging environment.
|
 But, most importantly, your child sponsorship participation can assure that they will hear the Gospel message and learn about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This knowledge can also provide a path to an eternal home in Heaven, not only for them, but for their circle of influence, including parents, siblings, relatives, friends and countless future relationships that will be established over a lifetime.
In summary, the challenging environment in Jamaica breeds significant despair, where traditional values and opportunities are stifled by violence, crime and unemployment. For young people, especially those with special needs, the situation is even more desperate, with their expanding numbers pitted against a shrinking economy and limited opportunity.
|
In this environment, a Christ-centered education can make the difference between a productive life filled with promise and hope... or one that is destined to remain anchored in poverty and despair, with no knowledge of the great eternal promise.
Please consider becoming a sponsor today
You can make a difference in the life of a child in Jamaica.
Contact our office at:
PO Box 36
Morton, IL 61550
309-266-6080 Phone
|
|
Thank you for your support and prayers for the work of World Relief through Child Sponsorships. Sincerely,
Jim Plattner, Chairman
Apostolic Christian World Relief |
|
|
