Trash Ball

Many of you have asked me how you can help the children of the Virginia Home.  There is the possibility of something very exciting happening for them (so pray, pray, pray), but in the meanwhile, there are many needs!  We do bring supplies and donations when we come or we pay for a trunk ($150) to come with someone else who's coming.  But, in reality, the easiest way to help is money.  Money can be donated to ACO (African Christian Outreach) and specifically earmarked to help the children of Virginia.  We are feeding 100+ children and staff daily.  The cost for a one month supply of food is about $1500.  I have had several friends and family members donate to the food program.  There is also the sponsorship of a Form 1 (high school student) for $500/yr.

But there are many other things I'm now thinking of if people want to help.  They need water, and I have heard it is very cheap (like $50, but I need to verify) to have a water truck deliver water, or perhaps we could start to raise money for new uniforms (as most of theirs are in rags...) or even a smaller donation to buy them some new soccer balls.  They go through the soccer balls VERY fast as they are cheap and they basically play all day long on rocks and dirt.  Right now their "soccer balls" are trash balls.  They bind up trash they find around very tightly into a ball shape and use it for their games.  I played with one of their trash balls the other day and they are not so great, but I am inspired by their innovative thinking.  It's difficult to carry soccer balls over here in a trunk (they take up a lot of room) so sending money is ideal.  However, I do believe our soccer balls in the states are far superior...

I will think of additional ideas for helping, but contact me if you want to donate money and SPECIFICALLY how you would like it to be used.  I will make it happen! :)

This is Abram in his school "jumper" (sweater).  It is literally in rags.