Walk with the Poor

NCYC update

2009-11-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

We are one day into the National Catholic Youth Conference, and already the NCYC youth have walked enough minutes to help Mae, a 15-year-old girl from the Philippines, and Rosmely, a 17-year-old girl from Guatemala, finish high school! Our last minutes update was at 676. They are now walking to help Jose finish high school. (See below to read more about all three of them.)

As we mentioned earlier this week, the NCYC youth have the opportunity to raise money to help six Walk with the Poor students finish high school. Each NCYC youth who decides to walk on the CFCA treadmills will get to sign a WWTP shoe print for our booth wall. Each foot print represents four minutes of walk time. Each minute earns $4.

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Mae is finishing high school!

Rosmely is finishing high school!

Walking for Jose

We'll see you at NCYC

2009-11-16T10:57:00.000-08:00

NCYC alert: The CFCA treadmills are back!

The National Catholic Youth Conference (or NCYC, as it is more commonly known) is a three-day event, full of prayer, fun and oh, did we mention, 20,000 high school students. The biennial conference comes to Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 19-21, and CFCA is excited to be at NCYC again this year.

Back to the treadmills, two years ago, NCYC participants were invited to walk on treadmills to raise money for students living in poverty. This year, we’re doing it again.

We’re hosting an interactive exhibit (Exhibit 9) in the Reign Forest where students can learn more about sponsorship, watch videos of students around the world and walk on treadmills to raise money toward the sponsorship of Walk with the Poor students.

To top it off, CFCA sponsor and Colorado high school student Sami Freese, 17, will deliver a key-note address at the Saturday general session for all NCYC attendees. We can’t wait!

At NCYC 2007, youth walked a total of 2,234 minutes on the treadmills. This year, while they walk, they’ll get to watch this video of Sami telling about why she sponsors through CFCA.

Sami Freese: Why I walk from CFCA on Vimeo.

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Let's Walk2gether

2009-08-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Henry Flores, director of the communications center in El Salvador. For the past two years, I have been helping guide Daniel (read more about Daniel) in his dream to become a journalist. Praise God, he finished his first college semester and passed all subjects, with an 85 percent as his lowest grade. Recently I gave Daniel the assignment to cover the first solidarity walk of the CFCA Project Santa Ana, El Salvador, and I think he did a great job interviewing and taking pictures, below is his final article, which was translated from Spanish to English.

For many people, walking is a way to exercise; for many others, walking is a necessity, and there are millions of people around the world who must walk to school, to work, to get water from the river, to see a doctor. In this spirit, CFCA tells the world, let’s “Walk2gether.”

CFCA President and Co-founder Bob Hentzen will embark on a 16-month walk from Guatemala to Chile beginning Dec. 29, 2009. Hentzen, 73, will walk an estimated 8,140 miles through 12 countries in Central and South America.

CFCA Project Santa Ana, in El Salvador, recently celebrated an eight-mile solidarity walk, which inaugurates the project’s activities in connection to Walk2gether.

“The idea of this solidarity walk is to give the initial kick off to the project´s activities in relation to Bob´s pilgrimage. Short solidarity walks are being organized among all our CFCA families in the country,” said Yesenia Alfaro, Santa Ana project coordinator.

The staff members of Project Santa Ana felt supported when they saw sponsored families cheering for them along the walk route.

“To see the families, along our eight-mile solidarity walk, was very gratifying. It was exciting to see how they took time out of their daily lives to come greet us as we arrived at our destination in the community of San Luis La Planta. It was a great moment because, for us, to walk is to tell them that they are not alone and their welcoming was their way to tell us, you are not walking alone either,” Yesenia said.

For those who are not accustomed to walking, it may look like fun in the beginning, but later, one discovers that it is not easy; it is then, when you connect with all sponsored families around the world who walk every day.

“Today we walked about eight miles and, in many moments, we felt very tired,” said Yesenia. “This helped us to connect and understand the sponsored families and their daily burdens.”
The mission of CFCA calls us to be pilgrims, to be connected as a community.

“I hope that this solidarity walk will instill in all of us that all our future steps in CFCA must be focused in the support, the learning and offering our work for our sponsored families.” Yesenia said.

Written by Daniel, CFCA sponsored youth and scholarship holder, in collaboration with Henry Flores, director of the communications center in El Salvador.

Building a foundation

2009-08-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Taylor Ventura traveled to Guatemala with members from her church for a mission awareness trip July 24-31. During the trip, Taylor met Beverly, her sponsored child, and helped build a home for a Guatemalan family.

By Taylor Ventura

Going to Guatemala was a great opportunity to “build my foundation” on God. The trip to Guatemala was my first out of the country and certainly won’t be my last. Ever since the trip was presented at my church with the little blue sign-up sheets waving in the air, I have wanted to go. My mom always said, “You have to be older to go.” So every year, I would look forward to this and finally in July 2009, it came.

The Sunday of the trip, I met the most beautiful and sweet young lady named Beverly. She ran up to me saying, “Hola, mi Taylor Ventura!” In shock that she was finally here, I gave her a big hug and the day just got better from there. She brought her mom and her brother, and we ate lunch together. I knew some Spanish, but not enough to completely have a conversation. Despite the language barrier, we connected well because of the joy that we brought each other. The family traveled 10 hours just to see me! But, they didn’t care. They were just so grateful that we were meeting, that a small distance was worth it.

As the day went on, Beverly never left my side. We laughed together, played together and danced together. Although I was aware of her life back at home and how devastating that might be, I forgot about all of it that day. I realized that Beverly and her family were so happy because they had built their foundation on God rather than material things. This was extremely touching, and when the day came to an end, I did not want to part ways. We were so inseparable for those few hours, and I knew that even though we live in different places, our hearts will remain together.

The week after, we built a house with Church of the Risen Christ group and some of the CFCA staff. It started out looking like a small area and lots of dirt, but with teamwork and a lot of prayer, it was beginning to look like a house. Everyone had their jobs: cement mixing, digging and refilling water. No matter what the job was, it helped. Our goal was not to complete the house, but to grow new relationships between us, the staff and the family who would own the house. So everyday that we went to work, no one would complain or whine because they knew it would be a great day, even if it was hard work. As the work days passed, progress continued to excel, and at the end, the family shared something with our church. The mother said, “I have nothing to give you and my husband has nothing to give you, but we have something even stronger. We pray to God that each one of you receives a spiritual blessing for the work you have done here because it is truly God’s work. Thank you.” This beautiful statement made me realize that we weren’t building a house: we were building a home.

The Guatemala mission trip helped me to see life through a different light and really focus on building a foundation on God because as Beverly and the family showed me, happiness is found there.

Focused on his children

2009-06-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

Daniel, 18, was first featured in the opening edition of The Scholar. Since that edition, Daniel was sponsored, graduated high school and started his journalism studies at a university. Here, his father reflects on raising his children and seeing Daniel graduate. As told by Daniel’s father to Henry Flores, director of CFCA’s communication center in El Salvador.

My name is Daniel Ernesto, I am 46 years old and I was born in Santa Ana, El Salvador.

I have two brothers, however, we did not grow up together.

When I was little, my father decided to take me to his sister's house to live with her because neither of my parents could take care of me. My father died when I was 2 years old, so I did not get to meet him.

My aunt did not have any children, so she gave me everything I needed. Now that I am an adult, I realize that family is more important than having everything you need. The family and the mother offer a natural trust.

My aunt was a teacher. She died when I was 19 years old. However, I was blessed to finish high school and had some extra education in electricity.

When my aunt died, and I got married, I started to work in anything that would give me some income. I did carpentry, bricklaying, etc. When you want to accomplish things, you need to put forth all your efforts. Good things are hard to get.

One of the most difficult moments in my life was when my wife left me and our three children. I stayed with the three of them. From one day to the next, I had to wash their clothes and cook for them. I remember I used to get up very early in the morning to do all this.

It was very difficult for me to adapt to my new situation as a single father, but I trusted God so much. He has never left me alone.

Raising my children was hard, but I had solid moral values. I told myself, “I have gone through this, I grew up without a father or a family, I don’t want my children to live what I lived.” My mother even told me to let her raise the children, but I told her that I was going to be their mother and father.

When he was about 10, my son Daniel would take care of his younger siblings when I was working. The three of them were attending the afternoon shift in school, so I would leave Daniel to take care of his siblings in the morning. He would heat up the food I had made the day before, feed his siblings, and later they would all go to school.

There were times I had to stay home from work because one of my children was sick. One thing I remember is that Daniel was always there with me, helping me. He has been such a great support for me.

I worked at a restaurant for 14 years. I was cook, waiter, cashier, maintenance person. I would do all kinds of jobs in that restaurant. But the business was sold, and I was left jobless. I then started work as a day laborer.

I never had a doubt that Daniel and my other children were going to study. I knew that I was going to do all I could to send them to school. Daniel deserves that opportunity. He has given so much of himself, and he has demonstrated that he is a good person, a good son and a very good student. I was going to do everything it took to send him to high school.

One thing I tell Daniel, now that he is in college, is that no matter his level of success, he must remember to be humble.

I think my son has chosen a good career. He has everything to be a journalist. From a very young age, he has enjoyed talking in front of people, doing research and other things.

When I saw Daniel receive his diploma at his high school graduation, I felt so many emotions. I was so proud of him and proud of myself because I was able to put my child through school with the help of God and CFCA. It’s a nice feeling. It is an experience that I will never forget, to see all our effort and sacrifices reflected in that diploma, reflected in him.

The moment I enjoyed the most during his graduation was when he called me to walk him up to receive his diploma and to see him actually receive it. It was great. (Ed. note: In El Salvador, parents walk their children to the podium and wait while they receive the diploma.)

Daniel is now about to finish his first semester in journalism. College is more difficult. It has been hard for him. He goes to bed late at night. But I keep telling him to study hard, and he will be compensated in the future.

My dream for Daniel is for him to reach all his goals. I work hard every day for that.

Praise God, Daniel is being supported with the scholarship and sponsorship, but I still have two more children to work for: my daughter, Diana Marina, 15, and my son Ernesto Enrique, 11. Imagine, Diana is about to start high school, Ernesto will soon be in junior high and Daniel is at the university. I am trying to find a stable job to give me a base salary, and I can work extra on weekends. However, it is difficult because at my age, people don’t want to give me a job, even though I may have more experience than those they hire.

I am focused on everything I can do to bring up my children with an honest life and to help them graduate.

Once my children are grown and have graduated, I will feel satisfied. Then, I may have a chance to think about me and my life.

When Allison met Allison

2009-05-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

By Allison Kline, student at Missouri State University

My mission awareness trip to Costa Rica was one of the most unique experiences of my life. I got the chance to practice my Spanish and meet my sponsored child, Allison.

Before my trip to Costa Rica, I had never left the United States, so I didn't really know what to expect. I have studied Spanish in school for the past six years, but I had never spoken it outside the classroom. But, on my first day in Costa Rica, that changed.

My mom, who works in communications for CFCA, was taking pictures of families at the La Estrella subproject, and she needed to tell them that the pictures she was taking were for CFCA. She asked me to tell the parents what the pictures were for, using my Spanish. I was really nervous, but surprisingly, they could understand me, and they seemed happy that I communicated with them in their own language.

The highlight of my trip was the day that the sponsors and sponsored children got to spend together. We spent the whole day at a beautiful park area playing games and getting to know the kids. Allison, who is 7, really enjoyed jumping on the trampoline that was set up. She would have spent the whole day jumping if she could.

I taught her how to use my digital camera and showed her how to look at the pictures she'd taken. She caught on quickly, and she took a bunch of pictures of the children and their sponsors playing and having a good time. My mom and I really enjoyed spending the day with Allison. She was quiet, but the whole day she had a big smile on her face.

The next day, my mom and I went with three social promoters and a translator to visit Allison’s house. When we got to their neighborhood, we had to climb up a muddy hill that the promoters told us was almost impossible to climb during the rainy season. We could imagine that: we were having problems climbing it in the dry weather.

Allison's house was made of tin and had cardboard walls. Seeing the house was sad, but it made me happy when we walked inside and saw Allison and her older brother and sister coloring with the coloring books and colored pencils we brought them. Allison's mom showed us Allison’s school notebooks filled with her schoolwork, and we got to see some of the food benefits and the bunk beds that the family received from CFCA.

Going to Costa Rica was one of the best experiences of my life, and I especially enjoyed getting to know Allison and her family. A mission awareness trip is a really eye-opening experience, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to participate in one.

House building is the 'party' on this spring break

2009-04-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

This year for spring break alternative, 17 students from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., traveled to El Salvador to build two houses for CFCA sponsored members Ines, 88, and Yesenia, 7, and her family. By working eight to nine hours a day, the students were able to complete their goal, plus build a latrine and half of a third house (which was completed two days later by the two men who helped the students with the construction). The third house was built for sponsored member Raymunda, 84.

Below, students Catie Kneemiller and Holly Lancaster share some reflections about their time in El Salvador.

Related links:
Watch a short video about Ines and Raymunda
View a slideshow created by Denise Whelan, one of the Benedictine students

Day 1 (by Catie)
Today was absolutely incredible. This afternoon we left for the work sites and got to actually see El Salvador in the daylight. There is so much hope and such a sense of community here. They really do depend on each other. In the U.S., many times we do not connect with our neighbors. Here they rely on and depend on their neighbors for basic needs. So many times we don't want to have to rely on others, but we were made to support and build each other up, and those who we are serving today are living that out. They know what it truly means to give of yourself so that others may live. They are able to find joy without needing material things, and just knowing that they have their community and are loved by the people in that community. Their community is what makes them strong, which is so amazing to see and learn from.

Day 2 (by Catie)
We definitely worked hard today. Our group leveled the ground for the house, built the frame and put it up. All of these tasks are easier said than done. The wood had to be cut certain lengths for the frames, and the ground was nowhere near level. It made me realize how much work ethic they have. I have also come to see how strong the people here are. They live in such poverty, but I never hear them complain. They are so grateful for everything they have, and for everything we are doing for them. The majority of Americans are not that grateful, and we take so much for granted. Even in the work today, I realized how much we take power tools for granted. Here they make the most with what they have. I am learning so much from them, and I know that I have not even begun to get it all.

Day 3 (by Holly)
Wow! What a great feeling it is to come back, after a long day, and have your hands full of dirt and sealer! I seriously had a BLAST today, and it was so fulfilling.

We got to the site this morning after breakfast and prayer and started to put up the sheet metal on the sides and roof of the house. In the afternoon, Steve, Catie and I put up the window and the door. How great of a team we all were, and everyone did a great job. Our work seemed to fly by, and although most of us had a few scrapes and cuts and bruises, we still got our job done and kept up the enthusiasm.

We had a really good breakthrough with Oscar, a neighborhood boy, and some of the other people living in the area. Marty had a soccer ball, and they were kicking that back and forth for a bit, and then we brought out the bubbles, and the excitement on Oscar's face was indescribable. Even the other little kids were so excited. We asked Ines and her friend if they wanted to blow bubbles. It was so cute and so great to watch their interaction with the bubbles, us and each other. I really believe that they trust us now and are glad we are there. We had some neighbors stop by to look at the house as the day was ending, and it was so nice to see their community together. It really makes me want that in my life—a community full of love, support, laughter, and to take nothing for granted.

Day 4 (by Catie)
I absolutely love all of this! Today we worked on a bunch of different projects, finishing up little things on the house, built a latrine, an oven and worked on Raymunda's house. It is awesome to see how we work together, yet apart. It's amazing how much people can accomplish when they put their minds to it. In working on the neighbor’s house, the construction workers realized it was going to collapse soon. As a group we decided to work all day tomorrow and work on starting to build her a new house. I absolutely love our group.

Day 5 (by Catie)
Today was probably the hardest day yet. We tore down Raymunda's house and began to build a new one, while finishing up last-minute stuff on the other two houses. I didn’t realize how attached I had become to this place, until I realized I wasn't going to be back. There is such a great love here that I have yet to find anywhere else. Mass was also awesome today. It really struck me how we are a universal church. It is something we hear all the time, but I don’t think we can fully understand it until we see it with our own eyes. I absolutely love how no matter where you go in the world, you are going to understand what is going on in the Mass. Leaving today was so difficult. My heart is here with these people. Just because we leave doesn't mean their poverty goes away, doesn't make everything suddenly better. When we leave, they will still be here, still living in the same poverty. I don't think one can fully understand poverty until they see it for themselves. I know my life is going to be different because of this trip. I just have yet to figure out how so.

Touching hearts by way of feet

2009-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

By Father Mike Rieder, chaplain at Mercy-McGann High School in New York and CFCA preacher

A group of students and I are going on a special mission awareness trip in August to El Salvador. We plan to help build a house in a small Salvadoran community, so we want to raise money to cover the costs, but we want the activity to be meaningful.

We have a "walk with the poor" bulletin board with the footprints of the students who are going on the trip. On Ash Wednesday, we invited all the students to join us in our walk by letting us serve them. We worked in the cafeteria shining shoes as a sign of solidarity with children who have to work instead of going to school. Each person who got their shoes shined put their name on a little footprint that is now on that same bulletin board. This way, they are walking with us when we go to El Salvador.

The coolest part of the day was that a lot of kids wanted to join in the action. Students at the junior high want to keep shining shoes, and some are talking about doing it in their parishes. We have a little way to go to raise all the money we want to raise, but hearts are being touched (by way of feet!).

Notes from the Field #5 - Guatemala

2009-03-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Chris Palmer, CFCA mission awareness trip coordinator, talks about walking with the poor. During a recent trip to the CFCA project in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, Palmer spoke with CFCA board member emeritus Msgr. Greg Schaffer who spoke a simple truth, that we are not trying to “fix” the poor; the poor are not broken.

Zamboanga documentary preview: You are invited!

2009-02-04T08:35:00.001-08:00

We invite you to see our trailer of Zamboanga: Poverty War Music, the first CFCA-produced feature-length documentary. Filmmaker John Nosack has created an initial trailer that gives a beautiful overview of the story.

The film chronicles the journey of 13 teenagers who learn to play traditional Filipino musical instruments and end up as the headlining act at a five-hour concert in the middle of the jungle. The triumph of the teens’ performance is inspiring. But the triumph of the teens and their families in their everyday life will change your view of people living in poverty.

The five-minute trailer is on the film Web site at www.zamboangathemovie.com. Please take a look, let us know what you think and, while you’re there, sign up for Zamboanga e-news to receive film updates and alerts.

Currently: John is finishing the edit. We expect it to be done by the beginning of summer. We’ll keep you in the loop through this blog, the Zamboanga Web site and Zamboanga e-news.

A reward beyond measure

2009-01-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

By Miro Heyink

Miro Heyink arrived in the United States from Germany 10 months ago after graduating from high school. He came to volunteer at Shalom Catholic Worker House, a homeless shelter in Kansas City, Kan. and to learn about the country, culture and the English language. After hearing about CFCA from a friend who works there, Miro got an internship and learned more than he expected.

Here I am at CFCA working with beautiful, like-minded people who believe that we can make a difference in the world through compassion. It seems as if everyone here has been in a developing country, built relations with the poorest of the poor and made it their responsibility to change something.

I work in the child services department and most of the time I help update records and scan photos of children and elderly from 25 countries. By reading their stories and seeing their faces, their lives become part of mine. I care and pray for them, and when I hear that a child or a child’s parent dies, it strikes me just as if it happened in my own neighborhood. That thousands of children die from hunger everyday is not something I can ignore anymore, just like I can’t pretend there are no homeless in my city.

I was inspired when I learned about Walk with the Poor (WWTP), a youth movement started by CFCA. Students like me have financial aid and scholarships and often times, it is taken for granted. A lot of people our age in developing countries don’t have that aid and by joining the movement, we can enable others to achieve their full potential. Wherever I go, I tell people about WWTP and CFCA to hopefully inspire them the way I was.

Because of my experience working here, I decided that I want to go to college to further my education and become a part of the solution as a teacher. I realized that education can be the tool to break the cycle of poverty. Understanding that education in developing countries means supporting siblings, a meal for the day and a greater future for the entire family, made me choose my career path as a teacher for the neediest of society. I want to teach the poor to give them the tools to lift themselves out of poverty.

No matter where life leads me, I will work for social justice because I’ve learned at Shalom House and CFCA that we can make a difference and “gently shake the world”. We can volunteer in our local area, join student organizations, sponsor children, raise money for scholarship funds or help one WWTP student finish school and make a huge impact in their communities. Whatever we choose to do, once we decide to become part of the solution, nothing can stop us, because I have found that working for justice is rewarding beyond measure.

Students' pottery helps WWTP student finish school

2008-12-29T07:28:00.000-08:00

By Matthew Ryan, Rockhurst High School student and RHS Justice League member

When visiting the Walk with the Poor Web site, it becomes very evident that so many people need help in this world. The poverty, malnourishment and oppression of so many of my fellow brothers and sisters lead to sadness and grief. CFCA believes one of the best ways to counter these problems is through education. They understand that education is the root of most successes, and education plants a seed of hope. Without education, there is very little one can accomplish. With it, endless opportunities exist. Those opportunities and hopes can be witnessed in the eyes of every student sponsored by CFCA.

The Justice League at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo., believes in the message of CFCA. As a Justice League member, I am proud to say that we sponsored a child, Peter, from Kenya. Peter lives in extreme poverty, but with the strength and will of a handful of teenagers, we are able to support Peter and help him overcome his difficulties. We understand that the dignity of God is in all people. Peter deserves just as many opportunities as we have been given.

We raise our money for Peter through fair-trade coffee. Almost weekly, the Justice League serves fair trade coffee in the commons to all students. We accept donations. The money raised goes on to fund Peter. For two days before Christmas Break, we conduct a Fair Trade Fair. Under the motto “Christmas with a Conscience,” we invite local fair-trade stores to set up tables in the commons, where students can come and purchase their Christmas presents. The fair is a smashing success. This year, some of our fellow classmates were kind enough to sell their handmade pottery. With the proceeds, we were able to sponsor Aileen, a student from the Philippines.

Our mission is simple, and so is our means of accomplishing it. We wish to help one child at a time. We wish to give Peter and Aileen an opportunity to succeed, and we, like CFCA, believe that opportunity is through the hope of education. We do it by selling coffee and pottery. Yes, the poverty in this world is complex and difficult to overcome, but by simple means we are able to take one step in the right direction.

Ed. note: The Fair Trade Fair was held Dec. 9-10, 2008 at Rockhurst High School.

Guatemalans celebrate Christmas with tamales and Las Posadas

2008-12-23T11:08:00.000-08:00

One benefit that comes from helping a student in a developing country is the opportunity to learn about his or her culture. In other countries, the Christmas season includes many fun and interesting cultural traditions.

For example, in Guatemala, neighbors get together every night from Dec. 16- 24 and celebrate Las Posadas, a candlelit procession commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. At the end of the evening, they enjoy tamales and fruit punch. Everyone—mothers, fathers, teens and children—plays a role in the celebration.

The following video shows sponsored members and their families from Santa Teresita, Guatemala, making tamales and celebrating Las Posadas.

Thanks to sponsorship, I will begin my dream

2008-11-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

Daniel, 17, was first featured in the introductory edition of The Scholar. At the time of the story, Daniel was not sponsored but was receiving a CFCA scholarship. He writes about the blessing his sponsorship has become to complete his schooling. You can also read a story about his sponsorship here.

Dear CFCA,

My name is Daniel. I am originally from a small community within the city of Santa Ana, El Salvador, in Central America. I am a person who is willing to work for the people. My dream is to study the arts of communications, especially journalism, to inform and at the same time to help people with my reporting about their problems and daily events.

I am in my high school senior year and my situation was not the best to reach my dream and study in the university. I did not have enough economical resources to pursue a career in journalism, in spite of having a scholarship from CFCA, which has been a great help covering my high school educational expenses.

As a blessing from God, in a recent CFCA mission awareness trip to El Salvador, I met Darlene and she sponsored me. We spent time together and got to know each other better. Thanks to her sponsorship and the scholarship from CFCA, I am about to begin my initial course at the university and in two months I will begin my dream.

The reality I live in is hard. I live with my father and two siblings. My father does not have a steady job and works as a handyman. Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of work for him. My brother is in eighth grade and my sister is in fourth grade.

I want to study journalism to let others know about different situations. I want to cover events that others don´t see or take into account. I want to bring the truth to the people, to find some help to their problems, and share about organizations like CFCA.

I know I can be the difference because I am unique. I see myself as a successful person in the future, full of values, willing to help communities, and I know I can do it with God´s help and your help.

Thank you so very much for your time.

Daniel

"CFCA brought a smile to me..."

2008-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

The following letter was written by a sponsored youth in CFCA's Nairobi, Kenya project. She writes about her life experiences, and about how sponsorship allowed her to go to school and change the direction of her life. We hope you'll take a minute to read her touching words.

My name is Sylvia. I was born on 8th December 1989 in a family of six, two brothers and two sisters. I am from the Maasai community, a pastoralist community in Kenya. Maasai tribe is a very unique community in Kenya. This tribe has preserved its culture and some of the things we do are outdated. There is high preference of early marriages, female genital mutilation, use of traditional dressing, lives in Manyatta (traditional houses), moranism (where young people are trained in the forest to be courageous), less value of education and traditional drinking of raw cows’ blood.

Despite being born in the Maasai community - a tribe which migrates due to its pastoral practices in search of pasture, my dad took me to school at a tender age of 5, which was very rare. At that time, girls of my age were being taught how to manage their own homes. My dad was not educated but he wanted all his children to be educated. He had a vision and he knew education would empower his children. Schooling was exciting but not all that fun because my school was a bit far from home and at times the weather was not conducive for schooling because our place is semi-arid.

One Saturday morning, my dad woke me up so as not to be late for school. Pupils in higher class level (6-8) were expected to go to school on Saturdays but only for six hours. After classes that day we started heading home. A big crowd had formed near our homestead. What is it? What is happening? Many questions lingered in my mind.

When we approached our house, people gave us stares. In the crowd women were crying and men grieving also. My Aunt came and ushered me in to the house, while my brothers were taken by some men. My mother was in the house crying and some women were there comforting her. When she saw me, she burst in tears. She held me and made me sit beside her. “God is the one who takes away, Silvia your father ….has passed away,” she cried. No! it can’t be. How can this be, my dad woke me up this morning and was fine. I could not imagine. My dad was a gentleman; he wanted the best for his family. He allowed my sister and I to go to school, something that was rare in our community.

My elder sister passed away while in grade 11 and the second-born sister did not go far with her education. She got married at an early age as is the custom of our community. When my father passed away, I was in grade six and we all knew that nothing was going to be easy. My mother was not working. She was a housewife and she had to provide for her family. Our cattle, goats and sheep were sold to pay for our school fees.

I sat for my national primary school examination in the year 2002. I passed very well and got myself a place in a mission school in our district. At this time my brothers were also in high school. My mother used to do bead work to earn an income. She also tried a business in green grocery at the local market and also sold tea in the market. During school holidays we used to concentrate on the bead work to help our mother raise some money. My brothers could not stand the frustration of being in and out of school due to lack of school fees, and they eventually dropped out of school while in high school.

I got enrolled in a Catholic secondary school for my higher education. Apart from regular education, we were taught how to achieve our career goals, how to trust in God and how to pray. I can remember once when I was sent home for school fees and ended up staying for a whole month at home. At this time I helped my mother in selling tea around the market. My mother also taught me how to bead, how to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings. The proceeds from our products helped me to pay for some of my school fees. In my books, I did not know people of good faith, genuine friends, people with golden hearts, people who would assist selfishly. Now I have come across them. They are CFCA sponsors.

I got sponsored in October 2004 and it was like the time of Moses when manna fell from heaven. Assistance came to me while I needed it most, just at the right time. I think of it as a tree in the middle of a desert, the only place for shelter to hide myself from the scorching sun, or a mango tree with fruits for the hungry. Bravo! CFCA brought a smile to me when I could not smile.

When I got sponsored, the CFCA project helped me to pay for my school fee balance. I was not sent home again for fees, and therefore I had happy times in school like other students from well-to-do families.

I sat for my secondary school examination towards the end of year 2006. For a good part of year 2007, I worked with my mother in bead work. I am so happy that when CFCA sponsors visited Kenya on a mission awareness trip in September 2007, we were invited to sell the beads and other products to the sponsors. This extra income is a big boost to my mother’s income.

I am currently in college, where I am taking an advanced diploma course in community development. I will learn sociology, gender issues, human growth and development, criminology, crisis management, micro-finance, entrepreneurship, project management and logistics. This is a one-and-a-half year course.

My goal in life is to have a degree in community development. When I get employed, I will start a project on girls’ empowerment. I will educate girls on the importance of schooling and rescue Maasai girls who are forcefully married at tender age. I will also offer free counseling classes for drug addicts and help in rehabilitation of women who have been physically and emotionally abused by their husbands. I would want to bring light to our people. I also want to be a role model to our Maasai girls, to show them that they can also make it in life. If one of their own has made it in life, why not them?

My special appreciation goes to the CFCA program and to my sponsor Melinda, who has stood by me through both difficult and good times. In spite of the financial support I have received, I have also received a lot of moral support through letters she wrote to me while in school, and this played a role in my life.

It is a challenge to have girls of my age (older teens) get willing sponsors due to the high cost of education. You may not know what change your contribution brings to a needy child’s life, especially the older teens. Whatever little you contribute counts a lot in this person’s life. I have a testimony that whatever sponsor Melinda has contributed over the years is the cause of this smile I have today. Put a smile on a teen’s face today by sponsoring one!

Blog Action Day: The seeds I sow

2008-10-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

From Paul Pearce, director of international programs:

On a recent trip to Kenya, I met a number of sponsored teenagers whose stories and challenges they are facing in their lives brought me to a new level of humility and appreciation for the promise, potential, and tremendous burdens on these young people. I won't use their names to protect their families' privacy.

In one house, I met a 15-year-old young man, who greeted us with a palpable energy and excitement. He and his mother and three younger brothers live in a very small, simple home on quarter acre of ground just outside town on the skirts of Mt. Kenya.

His father had worked hard and purchased this lot last year. The boy's parents dreamed of moving their family out of their cramped quarters in the town's slum area. In their new home, they would have room to cultivate maize (corn), potatoes and squash to help make ends meet in the most humble of family budgets.

Last year, the family worked with CFCA staff to figure out how they could tailor the benefits toward their goal of building this home. They forfeited the program's nutrition benefits for eight months in order to buy the iron sheets used for the house, where they live now. Then unexpectedly, his father died a few months ago.

We met with this youth and his mother in their little living room. When the social worker began to tell us about what the family had been through, the boy's mother could not keep her emotions in, and had to excuse herself. She stepped outside to cry, and regain her strength to visit.

I could feel the strong spirit of her husband.

The son stayed inside with us. He told us he was preparing for exams coming up that next month and hoped to continue to college. His face was bright as a star as he talked. His mother returned and sat next to him, tears still lining her eyes. She shared that their plans were to save up to run a water pipe to their house so they could begin irrigation.

The group headed outside. The boy lingered in the house a bit, still sitting tall in the chair next to me. I encouraged him in his studies, told him he was on the right path. He nodded in agreement, the same brightness in his face, but this time showing through held back tears.

I think God gave us tears for when words just don't do. I can only imagine the young man's feelings, of perhaps being rudely awakened from adolescence to head of household in a flash, his dreams of school, his father now gone, the responsibility he feels towards his mother, towards his three younger brothers.

We got up and headed outside. The young man took a moment alone to regroup. There were flowers planted around the outside of the house. I could see that they had a few potato plants started that had been watered by hand...

Please visit these blogs from the CFCA community also participating in Blog Action Day '08:

"CFCA came in with HOPE..."

2008-10-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

The following letter was written by a sponsored youth in Liberia. He writes about the challenges he has overcome after 14 years of civil unrest in his country and about how CFCA (sponsor of Walk with the Poor) has been a constant source of hope in his life. We hope you'll read his letter to you.

My name is Nyankoi. I was born on Sept. 9, 1986. I am a Liberian. As most Liberians, I have had my share of trauma, challenges and difficulties in life.
After 14 years of civil unrest, I am happy to be among the living. During the years of civil war, my mother and I went to the hinterland along with my brothers. We went to our village from Monrovia where we lived prior to the war. We returned to Monrovia in 1991 and I started pre-school, which was at first free. I attended for a year and could not continue because of financial reasons. My late father was not working then and hence things were very difficult.

It was there and then that CFCA came in with HOPE. It is often said that a man can live without food for seven days, without water for three days, but no man can live without HOPE for a second. It is in this light that I can never forget the pit of sorrow CFCA took me from.

I became a part of the CFCA program in 1994 when I was 8 years old and in the second grade. I was accepted into the program when my father asked the priest at our parish for assistance in getting me to school. It was then that Father Jackson decided that I should get on the program because of my financial status. Since then there has never been a turning back because I took it as a challenge and never repeated a single class throughout my entire school year.

Today, I am proud to say that because of CFCA, I am who I am. My entire high school and even to some extent my college fees have been paid through the service-scholarship by CFCA. Throughout my high school years, I had many tough times but I believe that tough times don’t last but tough people do. This has moved me to persevere in all I do. ...

My first sponsor friend was Mrs. Ann C. Raffetto, who helped me with encouragement and motivation and this greatly helped me to continue. I was happy that I was again benefiting from the program. My father was now relieved a bit because he had my brothers and cousins to attend to because CFCA had already offered HOPE to the family again.

Then I had the greatest challenge so far in my life, the death of my father on Jan. 10, 2005. It took me a long period to get over it. After my graduation from the 12th grade Aug. 1, 2005, not having the slightest thought of going to college because of financial problems, CFCA stepped in again with sponsorship and service-scholarship programs.

At this point in time I had a change of sponsor which made me very sad at first. I had already established a closer relationship with my first sponsor and I felt a part of her family, too. After some time I got a new sponsor, Joseph and Pat. It was just the matter of time and I was not sad anymore because my new sponsors made me to feel a part of their family as well. They encourage me like my previous sponsor, and today I have an extended family far away from home.

I had the chance to tell my new sponsor friend about college life in Liberia and how it differs from that of the Western world. I made them understand that unlike Western countries that charge so much for universities and colleges, in Liberia, colleges are not very expensive. They got to understand that the same amount they contribute to grade school students could also do something significant in Liberian universities. Many teens can do a lot with sponsorship funds in universities if they decide to only use it for that purpose and forget about other benefits. Education is paramount among the youth of postwar Liberia, and I am certain that every child wants to get a career and be independent one day.

My sponsors got to know that I am studying electronics engineering in a Catholic university and they continue to encourage me. They are always happy with me and they feel proud of me because for five semesters I had scored three points and continue to do my best. I admire my sponsors so much because of their pieces of advice.

I am now a senior student at the university and will hopefully be graduating with a bachelor of science degree in electronics engineering in two semesters. I am proud to be a CFCA beneficiary in Liberia with the greatest CFCA experience. Also, I hope my academic achievements will serve as an encouragement to the younger beneficiaries with very poor beginnings to forge ahead. What the sponsors are giving us (no matter how small or big) is our inheritance for the future. That assistance is purely silver and gold in my heart.

I can now say that I am part of a big family—CFCA. There is no way I can divorce my achievement and where I am in life from the help of CFCA. No way! I am grateful.

International Youth Day - You can!

2008-08-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

Today is International Youth Day - a day designated to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.

Recently, youth from the Kansas City area created this video to share with other teens why it's important to care about people living in developing countries and why it's important to help: because teens CAN make a difference.

We hope you enjoy their video!

How are you involved in global poverty issues? Let us know!

Youth group helps Kenyan student finish school

2008-07-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

A Kansas City youth group came to CFCA last week to stuff folders. But they ended up doing much more. They discovered a young man in Kenya who needed help in order to finish his schooling and they agreed as a group to sponsor him.

The St. Thomas Episcopal middle school youth group of Overland Park brought 19 boys and girls to CFCA as part of a summer community service project called Reaching Out To Community (ROTC). The youth, aged 11 to 14, spent the morning assembling folders that contain photos and information for CFCA children and aging waiting to sponsored.

As they worked, the question arose as to whether their youth group sponsored anyone through CFCA. When Katie Knoll, youth director, and Rev. Gar Demo, rector, asked whether they would like to begin sponsoring, the immediate answer was “yes.”

After the youth group finished stuffing folders, they went to the office of Rev. Kelly Demo, the wife of Gar and a CFCA preacher. She showed the students the Walk with the Poor Web site, featuring young people overseas who need help.

The group voted to sponsor someone in Kenya and then chose Titus after hearing his story. Titus, 19, is studying accounting and hopes to graduate in 2012 so he can help his large family emerge from poverty. After Titus’ father died in 2003, relatives forced the family from their land and they wound up in the Mathare slums. Violence that erupted following last year’s contested presidential election in Kenya caused the family to lose everything.

By choosing to sponsor Titus, the St. Thomas youth group agreed to raise $30 each month until they reach a total of $1,590—the amount Titus needs to finish school.

How will the group raise the money?

“Every time you come to youth group meetings instead of buying a Coke, you’ll give the money to the CFCA fund,” Knoll told the group.

One of the youth members, Carson, pointed out what she liked most about the group’s good deed.

“It’s knowing I’m going to help a child who needs food and shelter,” she said.

Scholars in Venezuela impact their community

2008-06-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

Recently, CFCA hosted a Mission Awareness Trip to Venezuela. Two members of our staff sent this reflection about their time with CFCA scholars there – students benefiting from the scholarship program.

The Barquisimeto project in Venezuela has a very active and talented group of 128 scholarship students. The students volunteer 32 hours a month helping their respective subprojects in addition to studying and fulfilling their household responsibilities. They are beautiful role models for younger sponsored members. Scholars perform administrative tasks, they organize sporting events for younger members, they tutor students and they help children write letters, among other activities. They are also good friends and serve as a valuable source of moral support for one another.

(L to R) CFCA scholars Eliani, Joana, Adrian and Antonio

We heard a presentation by four CFCA scholars. Eliani organizes scholars. Joana helps keep the children’s files in order. She is in the third semester of nursing school. Antonio supervises the dining room for 259 sponsored in the Maria Auxiliadora school. “They receive a good lunch every school day and medical care,” Antonio said. “I am also supporting my mother and my sister, a special child. This is the hand of God.”

Scholar Adrian Mendoza works with the children and youth in Ciudad de los Muchachos, a foster home for girls and boys. “We want to give our youth tools to continue,” he said. Adrian grew up in Ciudad de los Muchachos (subproject M) and was sponsored through CFCA from age 7 to 17. He then became a CFCA scholar and has now graduated from college with a major in business administration. Adrian will continue his studies in psychology. He still lives and works at Ciudad de los Muchachos. He communicates very well and shows tremendous poise and rapport with the children and staff.

Letter from the Philippines

2008-05-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

A sponsored youth from the Philippines recently wrote this letter to her sponsor. We're encouraged to hear of her progress in school, and how sponsorship is making that a reality.

Dear Rola,

First of all, I would like to greet you in a pleasant day, hoping that you are in good condition together with your son ...

I am so thankful to have received an easter card and a post card from you and also I am very much proud of your nice message in it.

During my graduation day I'm being proud of my self because I'm getting 6 medals with the 8 certificate awards... Most Honest, Actress of the Year, Outstanding Pupil Librarian, Journalist, Best in Home Economics, Choir in church, and also the Youth Congress Award ...

I'm taking up in first year High School by next school year. It would not have happened if not for your support. I am thankful that CFCA is there, by your help and support. I am thankful I enter schooling in the National High School. I would like to say many many thanks to you.

I hope to receive more letters coming from you. This is my wish this year. God bless you and your family... I miss you.

Love,
Mariefranz

Week 7 - So, now what?

2008-03-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Global Poverty and Solidarity series
Imagine you have $5 to give away. What would you do with it? Now imagine you have $100 to give away. There will always be others who need your money. When choosing where to give, use both your head and your heart.

Week 7 - So, now what?

What is the "Global Poverty and Solidarity" series?
A seven-week series exploring issues affecting youth around the world and how we impact those around us. Topics to be covered: HIV/AIDS, the orphan crisis, housing, food, water, preventable illnesses, education and child labor.

Week 6 - Child Labor

2008-03-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Global Poverty and Solidarity series
Make a list of your favorite foods, restaurants, clothing companies and other companies whose products you buy. Do you know how these companies rate in the areas of labor rights, health and safety so you can make informed buying decisions?

Week 6 - Child Labor

Week 5 - Education

2008-03-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Global Poverty and Solidarity series
It is time to go to school but you don’t want to get out of bed. Let’s reframe this. Today, 100 million primary school-age children will not attend school. Week 5 takes a deep look into appreciating your own education.

Week 5 - Education

Week 4 - Food, water and preventable illness

2008-02-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Global Poverty and Solidarity series
Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease which could have been prevented. We explore these issues and others during Week 4 of our curriculum.

Week 4 - Food, water and preventable illness