Letter from Henrique

Today I had a check-off letter from Henrique telling me about his community, where I learned he lives outside the downtown area, lives with his mother, father and siblings, the houses on his street are made of brick, mud and straw.  The most common type of transportation in his neighborhood is bicycle and on foot.  And what he likes best about his community is having a place to play and his Project (The Compassion project).  He asks what my favorite color is.

He also included this drawing, which seems to represent a happy child.  Of course he's happy--he's Brasilian!

Letter from Theresa

This was another of the check-off forms for little kids.  This one concerns the weather.  It is dated 13 June 2013.

1. We have two seasons in Ghana, namely the rainy season and the dry season.

2. Right now the weather is wet.

3. When the weather is sunny, I like to rest and cook with friends

4.  My favorite weather condition is hot.

5.  One thing I like about the weather condition is Theresa spends much time with her grandmother at the kitchen during the dry season.

She thanks me for words of encouragement, pictures, sponsorship and prayers.

I would like you to know more about my weather
The rainy season starts in March and ends in October every year.

Child's response to sponsor question(s).
Theresah usually has a birthday party or a birthday gift and song for her birthday celebration.  She says happy belated birthday.  Theresah gets her mails on Saturdays at the project centre where names of children who have received mails are mentioned and their mails given to them at assembly.  She really loves everything about your letters.

Update on Agatha

I made a Kiva loan to Agatha, a bread baker in Ghana, in February.  This is the first time Kiva has sent me an update on one of my sponsees.

Agatha makes and sells bread. She has been operating this business for 15 years. Before the loan, Agatha reported she was buying ingredients on credit and the price was very high. However, since the loan, she is now able to buy ingredients at a lower price and her profit has increased.

She is married to supermarket supervisor and together they have 5 children.

Agatha is finishing her 2nd cycle and states she has no real struggles or challenges. She is very proud she has been able to save and buy little things for her house. One day, Agatha will use her savings to support her business.

She is thankful to KIVA for giving her this great opportunity!

Letter from Emmanuella

 Letter dated 6/26/13

Dear Beverly,

Thank you for the letters you have sent me.

I don't know anything about pinatas and we receive letters in my town once a month.  In the cities, letters are delivered to their houses but here in my town we go to the post office to pick it up.  At Project they mention names and give them out.

Yes, I like the pictures you attach to my letters and I felt excited when I receive your letters.

I am now good at solving math questions.

How are your parent doing?

I pray that God will bless Lacie and Brianna.

Pray that God will bless my family and my country.

Memory verse:  Psalm 23:1  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Emmanuella

Letter from Samuel

This may be the quickest I've ever received a "first letter."  The front side of the letter is one of those check-off pages, the back side a little note.

 

Receive much greetings from your friend, Samuel.  He says that he is doing great and that he is happy to write to you today.

He says that he loves to go to Sunday School and to the projects, where he learns more about God.  He asks "do you go to church?" and he asks "What do you do?"

He asks you to pray for him to grow with the love of God.

Letter from Briana

I have had word that Briana's center may be disconnected from Compassion, so it was nice to receive this letter...things still well, at least for now!

5/13/13

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Briana greets you in the Living God's name.  How are you and your family?  She and her family are fine.  She hopes you're all fine in Jesus' name.

She's fine, thanks to God.  She thanks you for the gift you sent her.  She will keep praying for you all and asks you not to forget to pray for her too.

She'll soon raise the final comprehensive exam of elementary school, pray to God for her to pass it.

She asks you to say hello to Brianna from her and she asks about your dog.  She asks you to always stay with Jesus.  She hopes to hear from you soon, God willing.

Thanks!

This letter was written by her father for Briana.

Letter from Miche

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I am letting you know that I am doing well, praise God.  How are you and your activities doing?  I was glad to receive your letter and the picture.  You were sitting on a chair and wearing a red dress.  I saw the people in the party.  I always invite my friends and my family in for my birthday to celebrate with me.

Yes, I like receiving your letter and your picture.  Yes, you may send me more pictures.

I had a great Flag Day celebration on May 18.  What do you like to do in your life?  I like to go to church and to school.  I go to church every Sunday.  We celebrate Mother's Day on the last Sunday of May every year.

May God bless you.

A letter from me!

There are Compassion sponsors who have been sharing letters that they have written to their children.  I wrote one today to two of our 14 kids, two girls who are older and who have long hair.  I figured the girls from Africa couldn't really relate to this!  I have sponsored both girls for a very long time.  In fact, Anjali is the first child I sponsored.

Letter from Wainaina

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I'm so happy for this wonderful day that God has brought me and my family. I greet you in the name of the Lord.  How are you?  I hope that you are okay with your family.  I'm so proud of you for the letters that you have been sending to me.  I still pray for you every day I go to sleep and in the morning.  Do you really remember me as I do?  Are you and your family in good health?

Here in Kenya we have been experiencing cold every day since last month. 

I feel so happy when I remember you.  Have a good and enjoyable life.  May God bless you.

Letter from Josphat

This is one of those fill-in forms, this one about his friends.

Some of my friends are Madarake, Saidinou, Leo

Activities I do with my friends:  playing, running

My friends do go to school with me.

My best friend is Leo

He is 7 yrs.  My best friend is special because he is kind.

I met my best friend at our village.  My best friends does not go to the project with me.

There follows a note from Josphat's project worker:

Receive much greetings from your sponsored Josphat.  He says he is well together with his siblings.  He greatly appreciates you for supporting him and also for the beautiful letters that you have been sending to him.  He tells you that he loves them and enjoys hearing from you.  He informs you that he is progressing well with school but he is on holiday.  He tells you that it is raining and that they have planted maize and beans.  He tells you that he loves you and he ends by saying bye!

Josphat draws pictures each time and seems to really really like helicopters, since he draws them every time!

Letter from Shallon

My lovely Beverly Sykes,

Let me take this opportunity to thank God who has given me this golden chance to talk to you through this letter.

I thank you for the letters you sent to me.  I send my prayers to you and your family.

I send my love to you and your friends.  Tell your friends that I love them.

It is wonderful to see you replying my letters.  I thank you very much.

I hope that baby Lacie and Brianne are fine.

We are still in wet season.  Trees are shedding off their beautiful leaves.

We are not planting anything because the rainfall is too much.  My friends are greeting you in the name of Jesus Christ.  My friend and I request you to give me more information about Ned because Ned is a good musician.

I want to  send you a verse in the bible.  It is from Psalms, Chapter 130:7.  It says "Trust in the Lord.  The Lord is the one who is faithful and true."

How is your legs?  Are you fine?  I wish to see babies Brianna and Lacie.  If you don't mind you can send me their photos.

Let me stop here.

Yours faithfully,
Shallon

New Kiva Loan

 

The choice for this loan was a no brainer...her name is Karen, my sister's name (my sister's birthday would have been this week) and she lives in the Philippines, where my Compassion child, Fred, lives.

Karen is a 55-year-old mother who was gifted with only one child. Since farming is the main source of their living, she supported her husband in managing their rice-farming business to ensure a high production. They aimed to increase their production and income to satisfy their necessities and save some for future emergencies. Due to insufficient capital, Karen is asking for an additional of PHP 50,000 to buy the fertilizers and insecticides needed to sustain their rice production. She is hoping that her loan request will be granted in order to improve their rice farming business.

Meet Lovson

Lovson is a 15 year old boy from Haiti, who is my latest correspondence child.

He lives with his father and his mother.  He is responsible for carrying water, buying or selling in the market, and gardening.  His father is sometimes employed and his mother is sometimes employed as a seller in the market.  There are 5 children in the family.

Soccer, singing and playing with marbles are Lovson's favorite activities.  in high school his performance is above average and he also regularly attends church activities, youth group, and camp.

Lovson lives in the mountainous community of Anse-a-Foleur, home to approximately 27,000 residents.  Typical houses are constructed of cement and have corrugated iron roofs.  The primary ethnic group and language is Creole.

Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean.  It is one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in the world. Most Haitians are subsistence farmers who cultivate small plots of land around their mud-and-thatch homes.  Most speak Creole, but their official lanuage is French.

In 1492, Columbus discovered Hispaniola and the island became the center of Spanish rule in the West Indies.  The indigenous people were quickly wiped out and slaves were brought from Africa to populate the island.  Slaves initiated a rebellion in 1791 and by 1803 they had succeeded in ending not just slavery but French control over the colony and achieved independence.  Forty years later, the eastern part of the island split off to form the Dominican Republic.

Meet Samuel

Now that my mother has moved into Independent Living, I was able to cancel her LifeLine, since the place where she lives has its own system, which is included with her rent.  So that gave me $50 more a month and I decided to sponsor another child.

It took about 2 seconds for me to choose Samuel.  With his oversized head and distended stomach, he looked like a little Yoda and I could not resist him.  I want to see what a difference Compassion can make in his life.

Samuel lives with his father and mother.  He is responsible for gardening.  His father is sometimes employed as a laborer and his mother is sometimes employed as a farmer.  There are 5 children in the family. 

Soccer is Samuel's favorite activity.  In kindergarten his performance is average and he also regularly attends church activities.

He lives on the plains of Kasyalani, home to approximately 3,000 residents.  Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and thatched rofs.  The regional diet consists of maize, millet and cow peas.

Common health problems in this area include malaria and typhoid.  Most adults in Kasayalani are unemployed but some work as subsistence farmers and earn the equivalent of $25 per month.  This community needs polytechnic institutions and improved agriculture methods training.

Letter & Photo from Emmanuella

I received this beautiful photo from Emmanuella today.

 

This is a thank you for the backpack she got for Christmas, I think, though the letter does not include a thank you. But my God is this a beautiful photo.  With her head shaved and the hint of a smile, I think it brings out how beautiful her eyes are.

Here is the letter (dated 5/5/13) that accompanies this photo:

Dear Beverly,

Thank you for the letters, pictures and words of encouragement you gave me.  I am very glad to have you.  I wish you happy birthday, Beverly!  Yes, I can identify you in the picture.  You are in the black t-shirt.  My mother prepare sweet pastries, e.g., cake, meat pie and rough barns. (I'm not sure what "rough barns" are!  I had asked how her family celebrates birthdays)

I was 6th in my class exams this term.

How old is your father now?

I pray that God will give you everlasting life.

Pray that God will give my parent wisdom to take care of me.

Romans 6:23:  For the wages of sin is death but the gifts of God is eternal in Christ Jesus, Our Lofd.

Letter from Henrique

Finally a Letter from Miche!

I say "finally" and add an "!" because I sponsored this kid about eight months ago, but his first letter, which came in January, was supposed to be in an envelope I received, but the envelope only had a form for me to answer his letter, no letter was included.  They couldn't find the letter and it has taken this long to get another letter from him.  It is dated 4/12/13.  But it was worth waiting for.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Today I'm really glad to write you and greet you as my dear sponsor.  How are you?  And your activities?  All is well with me and my family, thanks to Jesus.  I'm so glad to write you this letter.  I like to study my lessons and I like to go to school.  My favorite subject is maths.  My favorite animal is a goat.  I was so glad to receive your letter.  I'll pray for you a lot.  I live in Baineti, n the southeast part of my country [Haiti].

I always come to the club.  I attend Wesleyan church and I go there every Sunday morning.  I like to play football with my 3 brothers and 4 sisters.  I pray that God will bless you.

Letter(s) from Esther

I last heard from Esther in February, letters dated December.  Then I received two nearly identical letters in one envelope.  This letter is dated 4/4/13.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I was so glad to receive the letters and photos you sent me.  Beverly, I am so glad to hear about your family's activities over there.  Beverly, soon or about 1 week after I write this letter, I will face my national exams.  Actually, being 17, I have so many things to do, such as learning to cook, learning to take care of my nephew/niece, etc.  It seems that I like to be photographed lately.  Some day I will send you my photo.  Beverly, there are many new things which I learn with my friends.

I thank you for the letter and photo you sent me, Beverly.

In March during the Easter celebration there were many programs held by my school, such as competitions interclasses and a service.There was also a drama about the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.  How was Easter celebration in your country, Beverly?  I like to sing Easter and Christmas songs.  My favorite Christmas carol is "Joy to the World" because  once sang it during a singing competition at school to represent my class and my class won the 1st place.  My family and I wish you a happy Easter!

May God bless you and your family over there, Beverly.

Love, Esther.

Letter from Fred

Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian Greetings!

Thank you for the letter you sent me.  Thank you also for sponsoring me.  If I have no sponsor maybe I will be sad but I am happy that I have you.  Thank you very much.  I am so glad that we have rest from our classes.  I hope that you will be far from accidents.  I am also glad that I have a younger brother and I love him.  When will be your vacation?  Please pray that I will be more godly.  God bless you!

Love,
Fred C.

Letter from Anjali

This is a nice long letter from Anjalli, but it's very difficult to read because of her handwriting.  Nevertheless, I shall try. I know I have some of it wrong. But first, here is a sample of her handwriting:

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I received your letters.  We you happy my family members also happy. Thanky for you prayers. My family also fine. How is Tom and his daughters.  I pray for your volunteer job.  Photos very beautiful.  Belated happy birthday to you Lacie.  I pray for you.  Month good health.  How [agreast?] God proted you mother (my C.D.M.) lord one story and she sound currice lay lesson.  In the projeect we are in wenter new days. After comminy summer.  I have "A" grade in both yearly exams.  Alsways happy when the season changes.

Our church gives cloths for poor people every Christmas.  You one very beautiful in cooking uniform.  Your grandchildren Brianna, Lacie and Jeri, Tom, Ned, I pray from all you family members.

Thank you for your information.  I went to church every month in the project every Sunday gatteneeded the Bible quiz and children in prayer.

I have one brother, one sister, all members. happy we celebrated Christmas and New Year. 

How is your Christmas and celebration? Once again thank you for your prayers, letters, photos, I remember you in my daily prayers.  Thank you for your family.  Thank you for your love and support.

Your loving child,
M.Anjali