4ish years ago Keith and I sponsored a child. But I didn't just want to go to a booth and pick out the cutest baby I could find (although there is nothing wrong with that, all those children are helped when sponsored).
I have a few social justicy passions, and if you are a loyal reader you are aware of those, like fair trade when possible, no animal testing on products I buy, just being an informed consumer of companies that use child labour etc. But my biggest passion is child prostitution. It just really boils my blood. So when Keith and I decided to sponsor a child I wanted to sponsor an older girl, in a country where child prostitution is very prevalent. Cambodia was my first choice, but there was no program set up there. But they found us Nida, in Thailand. She was 13 at the time we sponsored her. She was defiantly a girl at risk of ending up in the sex trade.
I received a letter yesterday saying she was no longer attending school and therefore could no longer be considered for sponsorship. My heart broke. I will never know why she stopped going to classes, but chances are good that it is not for a good reason. Her family probably needed more money and her being in school was not allowing her to bring money to the family and sadly many of those girls end up in the sex trade.
Along with the letter they sent me a new child, a little baby girl from Africa, the cute little baby picture you can't help but fall in love with. But all I can think about is Nida.
So if you remember say a little prayer for her and if you have daughters give them an extra big squeeze today, I am so thankful to be among the "rich" of the world compared to most. (Although child prostitution is a HUGE problem in North America and our girls are at risk of being lured by pimps, but that is a whole different post for a whole different time!).
I am so lucky to have you Ivy!:
