My kids and I sponsor two children through World Vision. We sponsor a boy, Bassirou in Senegal. He was born the exact same day as Jon-Paul. We also sponsor a girl, Brenda in Brazil. She was born the exact same day as Madison. We are able to send small boxes to Brenda, but Senegal does not allow boxes to come in through World Vision. We are limited to a 6x9 envelope. We have been sponsoring these kids for years and Bassirou has always been wearing the same shoes in every picture we get. As you can see they are broken and have not fit on his feet for a long time.
I contacted World Vision to see what I could do about helping him with shoes. They said that I could send a special gift to Bassirou's family. The money that I send to World Vision every month allows Bassirou to be a part of the school and medical clinics that World Vision has in his village. 100% of the special gift, however, goes to Bassirou and his family. The family can then spend the money on what they need most. So I decided to do that and I sent that money in September. Today I got this picture of him. Look new shoes!!! He got a shoes, clothes, rice and a sheep for breeding. His father is a shepherd and he wants to be a shepherd too so this is a great start to a living for him! It's so exciting to see that we are making a difference in his life.
Here are some clips from the letter that he sent about the money we sent.
"It is great for me to be your child here in Senegal. I am glad to receive this gift which help me to buy many things like: a sheep, clothes, and rice. This sheep will help me to be a very shepherd and that justify my feeling of animals. These clothes will take part in my way of wearing. All my friends and my neighbor talk about your generosity and your kindness. They wish that God bless and help you all your life. The rice have a big importance in our life. That means we use it everyday. I haven't the best word to express my happiness about your generosity and your kindness."
"Above all, receive my parents greetings and thanks. They are also glad about this gift. They know that you consider me like your own child. That's justified by what you send to me. All the people in the village who are at the same age came to see what I buy with the gift. They thank you very much and they wish you log life with much peace. Everywhere in the village people talk about this gift. My parents haven't the best word to express their happiness about your generosity and your kindness. They haven't also the best expression to thank you. That's why the reason they stay everyday by praying for your and your family member good health, long life, and much peace everywhere."
I love the way his letters are translated! It's never quite right, but it's close enough that we understand what he means and it's so cute!
