We’re Losing A Friend, A Part of Our Family

Malnutrition so ravaged his little mind that the seizures began. His mother — out of food and out of options, but full of love — wrapped him in a blanket and kissed him one last time.

She saved his life.

She placed him outside a police station and waited. She hoped. Maybe she even prayed to one or many gods — that her boy would be found and loved, fed and healed.

And he is. Today, he’s my son.

We adopted our son Sambhaji from India five years ago.

He eats Cheerios at my kitchen table instead of parathas at hers. He throws a mean fastball and does better on spelling tests than I ever did — his mind and body have healed well.

He loves to read, pretend he’s Batman, and get mail from his friend Ranjith in India.

Ranjith is growing up in the same small Indian village where Sambhaji lived. My son is Ranjith’s sponsor, pen pal, friend.

 

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#GivingTuesday

Isn’t the little one so adorable?? You can help others like this family with Compassion’s #GivingTuesday

#Giving Tuesday is one of Compassion’s ministries to help newborns and their mothers in India. Nearly one in every three newborn deaths in the world occurs in India. And because every year, more than two million children under age five die in India. Funding the center in India will help the women by preparing the moms with training to help care for their babies, helping mothers learn to read and write, giving children a safe place to learn and grow, ensuring lifesaving medical care for babies and moms, proclaiming the hope of God to families living in poverty.

Pushparani’s first child was born the color of a bruise. He was one of the 30,000 babies in India each year who don’t survive their first day. And then, less than a year later, Pushparani buried another child, this time a daughter who lived for just two months.

Then, a third pregnancy. But this one would be different. This time, Pushparani had the support of the Child Survival Program that had recently opened in her community.

Every moment of this pregnancy Pushparani felt cared for and loved. She was well-nourished and went to regular prenatal appointments. When the time came to give birth to her son, she did so in a hospital, surrounded by friends who had prayed her out of the darkest place of her life.

Pushparani held her son in her arms, her little Ishu. Ray of light. A reminder of God’s promises.

“I owe what I am today to Compassion’s Child Survival Program,” says Pushparani. “Had I not been in the Child Survival Program, I would have ended my life. And now, I have big dreams for my son, Ishu — dreams of a healthy, happy child with hopes of the future. It did not seem possible before, but now I am filled with great hope and my dreams for my son will become reality. I look upon God and I will hold on to my dream.”

– Taken from Compassion’s website.

Compassion is asking for $25,000 dollars to help the Indian women. I know it sounds like a lot but…$605 dollars have already been raised. And it’s not even Tuesday yet. If everyone pitches in a little bit, generations of women and children will be helped.

“Which is why we want to focus our Giving Tuesday efforts this year on funding a Child Survival Program in a small community in Gujarat, India.

The realities these mothers face look very different from the ones my own mother faced.

The average woman is just 18 when she becomes a mother here.

She has four children.

More than 70 percent of the mothers here give birth in their homes.

Their children are malnourished.

And they are surrounded by illiteracy, alcoholism, child labor, child marriage and abuse.

Yet, in each of these young moms beats a mother’s heart. One who wants to provide for her child — to provide food and shelter and laughter and joy. She wants her child to have sweet memories, a favorite toy that brings him comfort.

All of that, and more, is possible through the Child Survival Program. The center we are funding this year, Calvary Child Survival Center, is full of moms who need your support. Who need you to release the burden of poverty and provide a place for their children to learn and grow and play.”

– Taken from Compassion’s blog.

With as little as one penny or $100.00 dollars, you can make a difference in a small community in Gujarat, India. You could help save one person. You could also help to save ten thousand people. All it takes is one donation.

Please, help these people here and change Gujarat, India.

Read more about it here.