Hope Notes Issue 22

Kids at Play Photo Essay PAGE 3

Becoming Joy In Nashisa PAGE 22

Does Poverty Provoke Extremisn?

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ISSUE 22

STORIES OF HOPE FROM AROUND THE WORLD

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

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Kids at Play

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How Child Sponsorship Transforms Communities

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I Saw It In His Smile

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Empowering Women, Sustaining Life

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Letters From the Kids!

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Gift Guide Impact

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Does Poverty Provoke Extremism?

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Not Your Average Paper Company

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Run for Water Makes a Splash

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Becoming Joy in Nashisa

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In 2010, my wife and I had the joy of beginning the sponsorship journey with a little girl from Uganda, named Mercy. At the time, Mercy was just six years old. Since then, we’ve gotten to know her through seasonal photos and letters. It’s been a special experience watching her grow as she is quite close in age to our oldest daughter, Lauren. I’ve had the privilege of personally visiting Mercy twice over the years, and am really looking forward to seeing her again in mid-February when I lead a team to Uganda with the Food for the Hungry (FH) Board of Directors.

Having just returned from celebrating an incredible graduation with the FH Burundian community of Kayanza, I am even more excited to see Mercy. In Kayanza, I witnessed the power of sponsorship at work. For ten years committed Canadian churches and individual sponsors walked with children and their families as Kayanza forged a path out of poverty and into self-sustainability. I eagerly anticipate seeing that same powerful transformation at work in Mercy’s home community of Marare, Uganda.

I hope you enjoy the stories in this issue of Hope Notes highlighting the impact of Canadian Child Sponsors and celebrating the successes of FH communities around the world.

Shawn with Mercy & her family.

Warmly,

Shawn Plummer President & CEO

ISSUE 22 SPRING 2018 Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada’s seasonal publication, celebrating stories of hope from partnered communities around the world.

Eryn Austin Bergen, Paola Cardona, Andy Chang, Margo Dennis, Kevin Faw, Robyn Ferreira, Aria Horvath, Delaney Konrad, Corban Lundborg, Catherine Moyer, Moses Mwalye, Kari Petzold, Mark Petzold, Shawn Plummer, Michael Prins, Eric Strom, Shelaine Strom, Martin Tai, Roro Wang, Donna Zaengle, and other valued FH staff and friends.

Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada is a Christian, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating sustainable, community development in order to bring about long-term change for those stuck in poverty.

Through project development, Child Sponsorship, and emergency relief, FH Canada strives to relieve all forms of poverty—physical, spiritual, social, and personal.

Our Purpose: To end poverty, one community at a time.

Our Promise: To graduate communities from poverty in 10 years.

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FH CANADA 1-31741 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1L2 80.5% Building Sustainable Communities 15.4% Invested to generate income 4.1% Administration & Running Costs

As a Certified Member of the Canadian Council for Christian Charities, FH Canada meets the stringent standards set by the CCCC for accountability and organizational integrity.

CHARITABLE REGISTRATION NUMBER: 132152893RR0001

T 604.853.4262 TF 1.800.667.0605 F 604.853.4332 info@fhcanada.org www.fhcanada.org @fhcanada facebook.com/foodforthehungrycanada blog.fhcanada.org @fhcanada

ISSUE 22

KIDS AT PLAY PHOTOS BY: MARK PETZOLD COPY & LAYOUT BY: CATHERINE MOYER

FHCANADA.ORG FHCANADA.ORG

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FROM PAT-A-CAKE UNDER A BEAUTIFUL MANGO TREE, to a rousing game of volleyball, the way kids in Ethiopia play is not all that different from what you might expect on a Canadian playground.

Neighbourhood friends gather outside to run, skip, and have fun together. The big emphasis is on the word outside.

When there's plenty of sunshine to enjoy—particularly on cooler mornings or evenings, or even from the shade when it's too hot out—there's no reason to stay indoors.

Playing outside also draws a crowd, turning any game into a spectator sport.

With the support of FH, communities now have better access to clean water, education, and healthcare which leaves more time for kids to just be kids.

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Clockwise from top left image: friends laugh and make silly faces for the camera; boys take turns getting rides on a wheelbarrow; an older boy spikes a volleyball; girls jump high while skipping rope; two kids-at-heart enjoy a game of checkers; an outdoor game of fooseball; Dibe and Maskerem play pat-a-cake in the shade of a mango tree.

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COMMUNITY

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SPONSORED CHILD CANADIAN SPONSOR

Children in Cambodia delight in a Kids’ Club game.

THE IMMEASURABLE REACH OF CHILD SPONSORSHIP Child Sponsorship has been a successful catalyst for community transformation for over 80 years. It has a unique way of bonding sponsor and child that nurtures loyalty in the supporter to stick with the family through thick and thin. Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada, specifically, has had the joy of facilitating these special relationships since 1989.

Through monthly donations, selfless Canadians have spent the past 28 years faithfully rewriting the futures of thousands of children stuck in poverty.

With financial support and encouraging letters, sponsors have provided them with practical skills and invaluable hope.

And along the way, 76 communities comprised of tens of thousands of families have graduated from poverty into a sustainable future.

You see, Child Sponsorship not only gives a child an education, nutrition, and healthcare, it also supports transformative programs in the community, providing parents with incomegenerating skills, neighbourhoods with water, families with health education, and so much more.

At FH Canada, we call this Child Focused Community Transformation.

FHCANADA.ORG

I Saw It In His Smile

BY: SHELAINE STROM

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WITNESSING FIRSTHAND HOW WIDE the impact of Child Sponsorship spreads. In July of 2016, I travelled to Cambodia as a new staff member with FH Canada.

In October 2017, I led a women’s vision trip back to Cambodia.

These visits to Food for the Hungry communities forever changed my perspective on the power of Child Sponsorship.

“This is an FH community, isn’t it?” asked Wendy, one of three women I recently brought to Cambodia.

Our Cambodian staff member and guide confirmed that yes, it is indeed an area where Food for the Hungry staff are actively engaged with local people. She returned a question. “How did you know?”

“Look at how clean the yards are compared to that other area we went through. And every time I see people here they are doing something purposeful. Look over there. Even the kids are fishing!” Wendy exclaimed.

I took in our surroundings with different eyes as we drove on to the home of my team member’s sponsored child, Vimean, and his family.

As we pulled into the long driveway, three boys came running toward the van. We exited and were ushered toward the back of the property. Carmyn, a Canadian Child Sponsor, sat beside Vimean and engaged with him about school.

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Mr. and Mrs. Nhanh with their three sons (from the left) Visal, Bory, and Vimean .

Vimean’s parents stood off to the side beaming. Can a face crack because the smile reaches beyond the muscles’ capacity?

Mr. and Mrs. Nhanh’s joy over our visit felt palpable and their gratitude for being able to partner with FH overflowed.

In 1993, on his way to fish at a pond on a farm in Tomnup Dach village, Mr. Nhanh stepped on a landmine and lost part of his right leg. He currently has a prosthetic limb and can walk now.

But as I would learn, historically, having a disability in Cambodia meant devastating outcomes.

“People living with disabilities are most often shunned,” explained a staff member. “Many times they are considered cursed and others avoid them.” I can only imagine the isolation, loneliness, and extreme material poverty Mr. Nhanh had thrust upon him, in addition to his physical pain and loss.

But that isn’t true for him today.

In July of 2017, FH Cambodia formed a relationship with Tomnop Dach village. Mr. Nhanh’s three boys entered the Sponsorship program and he was selected by his peers to be on the Community Development Committee (CDC).

The presence of FH and the Child Sponsorship program is opening doors for this entire family.

Mr. Nhanh proudly explained to me how his own children have been positively affected by child sponsorship. “My children are studying hard and get good grades in school. My eldest, Visal,

Child Focused Community Transformation, at its heart, means the entire village has the opportunity to become unstuck from extreme poverty and move toward wholeness.

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will be in Grade 5. My middle son, Vimean, will be in Grade 4.

My youngest son, Bory, will be in kindergarten. Visal, who was in Grade 4 last year, ranked number eight in his class. Vimean got number nine when he was in Grade 3.”

Mr Nhanh continued, “My children study so hard both at school and at home. They always do their homework and they always study before they go to bed. My three children have good behaviours, respectful and helpful…doing chores such as cleaning the house, washing dishes, cooking rice, and feeding animals.”

My mother-heart burst as I listened to these parents describe the opportunities their sons now have. Hope danced in their eyes as they recounted how the boys learn about health and safety in Kids’ Clubs. They giggled and told stories of how their life has changed based on information the boys bring home. Pointing to an area behind their home, Mrs. Nhanh said, “We always compost now. The boys learned about that in Kids’ Club.”

Clearly it isn’t just the children who are changed by sponsorship.

Child Focused Community Transformation, at its heart, means the entire village has opportunity to become unstuck from extreme poverty and move toward wholeness. I witnessed this firsthand.

Mr. Nhanh spoke of the bigger picture.

“FH Cambodia came to work in this village and help my family and other villagers. I am proud of myself that I am selected to be one of the CDC [members].”

Don’t miss that statement!

He humbly adds, “…our sponsor flew from Canada to visit my sons and us. I have never thought that there would be any foreigners and donors come to visit our house. I am so excited.”

And so were we.

The hospitality of this little family exuded pride and gratitude as we sat together on their wooden platform sipping fresh juice from coconuts Mrs. Nhanh harvested that day and prepared just for us. Mr. Nhanh’s smile seemed permanent.

Mr. Nhanh is not only committed to this process, he’s being transformed by it. I know; I saw it in his smile.

And this family is just the beginning. The momentum generated because of child sponsorship is steadily spreading throughout Tomnop Dach, causing sustainable changes in livelihoods, education, health, and more. The quality of life improves daily.

Mr. Nhanh is not only committed to this process, he’s being transformed by it. I know; I saw it in his smile.

Vimean holds postcards from his Canadian sponsor while FH staff member, Ly Ky, enjoys a fresh coconut.

“I am proud of myself…” These words came from the mouth of a man society had cast away for years, simply because of his missing leg. Now he stands tall, knowing he is providing for his family. He beams as he recalls being selected to give leadership to his village. He holds his head up as he tours us around his immaculate property, pointing out trees he’s planted, vegetables he’s growing, chickens he’s raising. He is a changed man.

Clearly it isn’t just the children who are changed by sponsorship.

The character of Mr. Nhanh and his opportunity to work and support his family were confirmed by Lorm Sinath, FH Area Team Leader. He described how Mr. Nhanh never misses a meeting where FH and community members gathered to discuss and plan the development of Tomnop Dach.

It seems child sponsorship has opened up Mr. Nhanh’s mind to dream again. “In the future, I want to see my family have enough food to eat, live in happiness, and be a role model for others.

I would like to see my children have good education and all to have a bright future. For this reason,” he added, “I will push and encourage them to continue to study until they graduate from college. I will teach them to be persevering, patient, and have hope when meeting with difficult situations.”

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Empowering Women, Sustaining Life BY: MOSES MWALYE

Last year, the national Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Connie Galiwango, presented FH Uganda with the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contribution in Uplifting the Lives of Women and the Girl Child in

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the Mbale district. This was awarded during the 2017 International Women’s Day (March 8) celebrations in the Mbale district headquarters.

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these areas. Women have been elected to leadership in various forums including Savings and Loans management committees, water user committees, local councils, and church councils, among others.

Moses Mwalye, FH Area Program Manager for Mbale, has worked to empower rural Ugandan communities for over 17 years.

FH Uganda has been an active development partner in Mbale for the last 17 years. We were particularly singled out for championing the needs of women and girls who are, in most cases, considered the most vulnerable in our Ugandan cultural context.

Women and girls in Uganda face many obstacles. First and foremost, there is a religious belief that ranks women differently.

For example, women can be seen in public, but are not supposed to be heard. This kind of teaching and belief discriminates against women so much so that it denies them an opportunity to exercise their God-given full potential as they ought to.

Secondly, some cultures in Uganda believe that women are meant for wealth creation and not education. They are seen as property to be inherited and traded, and so they do not deserve what boys or men deserve in society. This kind of belief has prevented and denied many girls and women an opportunity to access school in order to equitably compete with boys or men.

Thirdly, women are discriminated against owning land which is one of the biggest factors of production. This limits their ability to adequately grow food for domestic use and external sales.

Very, very unfair, indeed!

Both girls and boys were created with unique potential and ability, be it in academics, farming, arts and crafts, or leadership.

It was [God’s] good intention and plan that both men and women live to exercise these potentials freely, to complement and support one another for better coexistence.

In addition, FH Uganda has equally empowered women in the area of creating a saving culture. Today, women in FH Uganda communities are proud of their Savings and Loans group associations that enable them to support their children with school requirements like books, school fees, and clothing, without only waiting on their men to provide. This has consequently reduced the cases of domestic violence that were very common in the past. Most domestic violence in the past was centered around money. The moment women are empowered to earn money for themselves so they are not entirely dependent on men for every domestic need, it very much reduces domestic violence.

Personally, I believe the saying, “educate a woman, and you will have educated a nation.” Women are the biggest producers of any economy. When women are empowered, they are capable of sustaining lives at all levels.

As a Christian, I certainly think that God endowed all of us with great potential—both women and men alike. It was his good intention and plan that both men and women live to exercise these potentials freely, to complement and support one another for better coexistence. Genesis 1:28 says, “God blessed them [man and woman] and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”

The Hon. Connie Galiwango sports festive face paint as she presents the Women’s Day award.

FH Uganda has remained diligent in its work in Mbale to give women and the girl child a reason to believe in their God-given potential. One way we have done this is by supporting them with dairy cows for milk production, not only for generating income to improve their home situation, but also for improving their nutritional levels. This has worked out so well.

Another way FH has supported women is by openly advocating for the equal treatment of both the girl and the boy child in all spheres of life in all communities of operation. Both girls and boys were created with unique potential and ability, be it in academics, farming, arts and crafts, or leadership. In contrast to before FH came to Mbale, today, women are respected in most of

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Letters from Uganda!

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s blessed a h d o G ? nada of rain How is Ca t lo a h it isa w us in Nash reen everywhere. I wg y and it’s no g well in class. Ever ssin to sing in am progre h c r u h c go to o joining Sunday I ls a m a I hool. appy and h Sunday sc m a I ! ll team the netba tudies. enjoying s you, God Bless Gloria

Hello,

Jesu s I stud is good? y at Scho N ol. My ashisa P rim good s kitche chool has ary surro n unde garden a a d of co n rn. I li by green d it’s ke chicke ga n. I a to eat r rdens ic netba ls ll and o like to e and p athlet ics a I participa lay some t sch te in ool.

God ble so m ss you u Fiona ch!

Hi,

My wa nam e i l s M and king t a o is o Shed sch ry. I Ma ne k ia ev ool w like i ma rare lomet ery d ith A als ize, m comm re a ay. I sha w o gra kee illet, unity ay. t ndm p co an w In oth ws d be e pla Ma er' and ans nt s b y G . lac I lov We od k d e ble I og. my ss rem you Ma ain ! ry ,

G L O RI A

MAR 12

Y ISSUE 22

ARE YOU A CHILD SPONSOR? Check out your NEW ONLINE ACCOUNT FEATURES!

Have questions about getting into your account on our website?

We're here to help!

FHCANADA.ORG

As a child sponsor, you have an account on the FH website. From now on, the history of your relationship with your sponsored children will be recorded in a personal inbox. Watch as they grow up over the years and write them messages, all in one convenient place!

Don't worry. We know there's nothing quite like receiving a hand drawn letter or card, so you'll still get those in the mail!

fhcanada.org/MyAccount

fhcanada.org/MyAccount 1-800-667-0605

sponsorship@fhcanada.org 13

GIFT GUIDE IMPACT! BY: DELANEY KONRAD & ARIA HORVATH

GROWING SUCCESS THEAT THENG AND HIS WIFE, LUCK, WERE HAPPY IN LOVE but struggling under the yoke of poverty. Luck remembers, “We couldn’t grow enough food to last the whole year, so for two or three months, Theng and I had to work for other people in the village.”

Theng adds, “But even with all this hard work, we still often had to borrow rice from the neighbours to feed our family, and then pay them back during the next harvest season.”

Theng explains how life began to change when he and his wife took agricultural training with FH, “I learned new techniques for planting vegetables.” They used that training to start their own business, “Luck and I decided to start a small business by planting and selling vegetables. After some success, we were

Theat Theng sprays organic fertilizer in his vegetable garden.

FRUIT PURIFICATION & VEGGIE SEEDS FILTERS Boeng Mealea, Xonca, Cambodia Guatemala

able to buy a hectare of land for ourselves and expand our business. Not only do we sell these vegetables in the market, but our children eat them, too.”

Thanks to the training they received because of Gift Guide Fruit and Veggie Seeds, Theng and Luck now have the tools to grow vegetables all year round, so they never run out of food!

“If all the people in my village get the same agricultural training I received and put it into practice, they’ll get more income and have better living conditions, just the same as me.”

Theat Theng and his wife, Luck, work together to prepare fertilizer for the garden.

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This year they planted eggplant, cucumber, long beans, and spinach. Theng explains the business side of their vegetable farm, “In just the first year, we got a return of about 1m KHR–1.5m KHR ($316 CAD–$474 CAD). Now, we no longer need to borrow money because we’re making enough to run our business, and to actually save money. In addition to our vegetables, we sell ducks and chickens. Our profits enabled us to even buy a hand tractor.”

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crops, which meant insufficient money to pay for her children’s education.

“Things started changing when Food for the Hungry came to our community. My daughter, Aline, was sponsored and I was enrolled in FH trainings. They opened my eyes, and revived my hopes and dreams for a future which had died in me.” Jacqueline soon joined a Savings and Loans group.

“FH training opened my eyes and revived my hopes and dreams for a future which had died in me.”

Jacqueline and her daughter Aline taking care of their goats.

DESPAIR TURNED INTO HOPE A YOUNG MOTHER WHO ONCE LIVED IN COMPLETE DESPAIR now has hope for her family’s future, thanks to a Savings and Loans group.

Jacqueline got married when she was just 17. Never having had the chance to go to school, she thought her marriage would be the solution. Soon, her dreams turned into complete despair.

They were always struggling. Insufficient land meant insufficient

PIGGY BANK Kabarore, Burundi

“I decided to borrow 30,000 BIF ($21 CAD) to buy a goat in addition to the one that FH had given me. After some months, the goats had kids so that I had four goats, which later gave birth again. For me it meant that I was getting rich as they provided fertilizer for my crops. Using my hot compost preparation training, I applied the goat manure to restore my land’s fertility and have increased my agriculture productivity.”

“Today, I feel confident that the future of my children is guaranteed. Indeed, my harvests are very good since I have enough manure to fertilize my crops. The different trainings I received opened up my mind and I have become creative in matters of making money. I do not know what to say to express my deeply felt thanks to FH for the support provided to my family.”

PURIFICATION FILTERS Xonca, Guatemala

WATER IS LIFE MARÍA PÉREZ EXPLAINS HOW HER THREE CHILDREN USED to get sick from drinking contaminated water. These frequent illnesses slowed their growth and development. So when María learned that her community would be receiving Gift Guide Water Filters, she was delighted!

"Since starting to use the water filter, my children have not become sick like before."

The filters provide safe and clean drinking water that no longer has to be boiled. “The only thing I have to do now,” María says, “is take a few minutes to clean the filter and drink safe water. Since starting to use the water filter, my children have not become sick like before.” María’s children are now gaining weight regularly and growing strong.

María Perez and her son love their Gift Guide water filter!

FHCANADA.ORG

With a warm smile on her face, María explains, “The water filters have helped my children drink safe water, and that makes me feel good. Water is life—when we consume it safely. I appreciate the support of FH toward my community, and the donors who have done everything possible to help us.”

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Does Poverty Provoke Extremism?

BY: ERYN AUSTIN BERGEN

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In a survey of 500 members of African extremist groups

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the vast majority cited lack of employment, healthcare,

education, security, and housing as the primary reasons they joined these violent groups.

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s the next terror attack just around the corner? Western media reports from 2017 would lead readers to believe, Yes! It is. According to one site aggregating global crowdsourced data from 2017 there were 1,136 terrorist attacks resulting in 7,656 fatalities last year.1 These kinds of numbers make it feel as if the threat from extremist groups is becoming omnipresent, as if there is no corner of the earth untouched by the likes of Al Shabaab in Somalia, Boko Haram in Nigeria, Daesh-Maute in Southeast Asia, ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and of course, the long standing Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Hamas—sadly, the list goes on.

But there is an alternative, and quite compelling, argument that suggests a different source for the rise in global extremism.

Look at the continent of Africa, for example.

This new normal begs the question—what is fueling extremism?

In October 2017, Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, published an article entitled, “Driven to extremes: How poverty fuels extremism, and how to help Africa’s youth.”2 Chatterjee is not the first expert to suggest that poverty is a major driver of extremism. It’s been punted around by pundits for years, and usually swiftly batted down in favour of more inflammatory theories.

Terrorism is, of course, a multi-faceted, complex issue. The familiar narrative presented in Western news outlets, however, is that of a war of religions—terrorists are religious extremists who will stop at nothing to universalize their own, particular version of their faith. Whether they are Muslims from Syria or Hindus from India or Christians from Nigeria, those who kill in the name of religion are all painted with the same broad strokes.

In 2015, David Sterman, a policy analyst specializing in security issues, countered mainstream media reports when he argued that there are undeniable connections between poverty and extremism that should not be swept under the rug. While acknowledging three common arguments against the connection he was making3, Sterman highlighted studies that portray poverty as a key motivator for young people especially to join certain

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extremist groups. He argued that all contributing factors must be weighed individually and in context, and cautioned pundits and journalists against painting all groups with the same broad brush. In conclusion, Sterman called for more concrete data on the complex issue.

If we want to get serious about ending terrorism we need to get serious about ending poverty.

Fortunately, more research has been done since Sterman’s 2015 article. According to Siddharth Chatterjee this research demands that the world take poverty more seriously as governments struggle to implement global security. He references a 2017 UNDP report revealing that many extremists in developing countries in Africa, specifically, are not motivated by religious ideology.4 In a survey of 500 members of African extremist groups the vast majority cited lack of employment, healthcare, education, security, and housing as the primary reasons they joined these violent groups.

It appears terrorism is a poverty issue, after all.

While terrorist groups can be motivated by historical injustices, ethnic differences, personal disenfranchisement, power lust, and yes, sometimes religion, in Africa they seem to be primarily motivated by poverty.

And this puts children and youth in those countries at severe risk.

Parents who are trapped in poverty and watching their children suffer the crippling effects of malnutrition, or worse starvation, often fall prey to extremist recruiters. It’s not uncommon for terror groups to approach these families with the promise of feeding

and housing their young teenage boys if the parents agree to allow them to join the so-called freedom movements. In addition, these groups also offer the family cold, hard cash in exchange for a child. This precious money means the parents will be able to save the lives of the remaining children.5 When it’s a choice between watching all your children starve or sending one child away to fight for a cause, well, many feel it’s no choice at all.6 Children and youth in poverty are, themselves, extremely vulnerable to recruitment or abduction. With no economic opportunities in sight for their future, it’s easy for “young boys and girls [to] be attracted by the idea of martyrdom and heroic death.”7 In addition, extremist ideologies can easily creep into teachings at school so that children are, effectively, brainwashed into believing that joining an armed conflict or strapping on a bomb vest is the right thing to do. Once again, these children are not making a free choice.

These are horrifying truths that none of us wants to be faced with.

But they are well-documented realities. The evidence in many African countries dealing with these issues appears to suggest a strong link between poverty and the growth in extremist activities both in sparking violent attacks and in fueling child recruitment.

But I think that’s actually good news.

Because poverty is an issue we can do something about.

Children and youth in Africa need shelter. They need healthcare.

They need education. They need stable homes. And a lot of that boils down to the economy—their parents need a secure way to make a living and the youth need a future to hope for.8 Is it surprising when youth raised in refugee camps with no hope of exiting those camps turn to extremism, or when youth raised in cities with no job prospects are easily recruited as weapons of terror? Youth who watch their siblings die of preventable illnesses, youth who see their family’s crops fail without adequate

These teenage girls in Nashisa, Uganda are confidently going to school, thanks to Child Sponsorship support.

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Kids can just be kids in Busekera, Rwanda where children and families are daily encouraged by FH partnership.

rainfall, youth whose hopes for education are dashed because of a demand for child labour—these youth subjected to extreme poverty are made vulnerable to radicalization.

Children in these situations are not free, self-determining individuals.9 They need the protection of their communities.

If we want to get serious about ending terrorism we need to get serious about ending poverty.

Development is not a silver bullet solution to extremism. The complexity and unique makeup of individual terrorist groups is not going to magically disappear just because Canadians show up with clean water and education. But if it’s been proven that children and youth, in Africa specifically, are joining violent groups primarily because they lack employment, healthcare, education, security, and housing, then why not work with their communities to address those needs?

Through the support of child sponsors, Food for the Hungry builds relationships with at risk communities stuck in poverty to create income generating opportunities and remove obstacles for children to go to school. In doing so, they equip families to protect their children. From educating parents and teachers to facilitating workshops with the children themselves, FH staff ensure that every party in a community knows and supports the rights of their most vulnerable population—their children.

In many cases, Child Sponsorship effectively liberates parents from the excruciating catch-22 of choosing between losing all their children or losing one. It empowers them to safeguard their whole family. And it opens up a hopeful future for children and youth staring down the barrel of a life in poverty.

When a community is given the support they need to lift themselves out of poverty, they become strong, self-determining agents of their own destiny.

A collaboration between the Esri Story Maps team and PeaceTech Lab. Moderators include experts in the field of global conflict and terrorism. (2018). 2017 Terrorist Attacks.

Retrieved from http://storymaps.esri.com 2 Chatterjee, S. (2017, October 17). Driven to extremes: How poverty fuels extremism, and how to help Africa’s youth. Retrieved from http://news.trust.org 3 He pointed out that (1) there are millions of poor people who are never radicalized, (2) many terrorist organizations recruit upper and middle class members, and (3) reputable studies show little to no connection between the two. Sterman, D. (2015, February 4). Don’t Dismiss Poverty’s Role in Terrorism Yet. Retrieved from http://time.com 1

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When a community is given the support they need to lift themselves out of poverty, they become strong, self-determining agents of their own destiny.

You may not think of your Child Sponsorship as fighting extremism, but every month when you give $38 you provide families trapped in poverty with resources to overcome seemingly overwhelming situations. You empower them to say no to violence and yes to hope.

UNDP. (2017). Journey to Extremism in Africa. Retrieved from http://journey-to-extremism. undp.org 5 Fabe, M. and Toledo, D. (2018, January 5). Terrorists recruiting child warriors from Sabah and Marawi. The Manila Times. Retrieved from http://www.manilatimes.net 6 United Nations. Root Causes of Child Recruitment. Retrieved from https:// childrenandarmedconflict.un.org 7 Ibid.

8 Ojomo, F. (2017, February 8). Obsession with ending poverty is where development is going wrong. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com 9 Fabe, M. and Toledo, D. http://www.manilatimes.net 4

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Not Your Average Paper Company

Martin visits with Bedjina (blue) and her family, one of several children sponsored by his office team in Surrey, Canada.

INTERVIEW BY: MICHAEL PRINS Martin Tai and Andy Chang started One Source Office Supplies (Surrey, BC) in 2013. It took a lot of work to get their business going and to build a philosophy of “putting people first,” but they never stopped believing in their company’s potential to do more than sell paper and desks. Here’s their account of how One Source Office Supplies became one of Food for the Hungry’s newest and most enthusiastic Child Sponsors.

What brought you to FH? Martin: Last year, our fourth year of business, we saw good growth. We felt it was time to explore options on how to make a bigger difference. We discovered FH through a local church’s website and thought, okay, let’s give those guys a call! We felt our values are very similar to FH: that is, very relational. FH has an approach to not only just give funds, but to develop relationships with locals and bring long-term change.

How did you become partners with Mategouasse, Haiti?

What are you doing to bring that home with your staff and customers?

Martin: Using part of what we want to see our company donate annually, we said let’s sponsor one kid per employee. Right now, that means sponsoring eight more children. Each work station will have a photo of a kid in it for each member on our team to daily see and know they are making a difference in a kid and family’s life. Each one can have the opportunity to write a letter and build a relationship with a child. As we grow, we will add one child for each staff member we add. I love being able to tell our staff, “Hey, on your behalf we will be sponsoring this kid.

Everything you contribute is helping this kid!”

Martin: We were invited on a short trip this past November to Haiti with a few other Canadian supporters; my wife and I took the opportunity. I found it so personally encouraging to visit the community before becoming a partner. The sacrifice of the local staff in Haiti, how much they want to help their own people—it’s what we hoped to see. The trip made it so much more meaningful and tangible!

Andy: One staff member went home and told her mother, and the first thing her mom did was ask where to find the website and where she can donate. The team is really excited—you can tell from their commitment to their work every day. It brings a bigger sense of purpose—doing good and helping the poor.

What was it like, visiting the community and meeting your sponsored children?

Andy: We are just thrilled! That’s what we want—to work in lives here and also in lives in Haiti. Maybe we just sell office supplies, but it’s a platform to channel more support through customers and create awareness in our community. This is now part of us, part of who we are.

Martin: To experience it firsthand was beyond words—to see how they live, the conditions of their households and the environment where kids play with no shoes—it was an eye-opener. Meeting with our three sponsored children and seeing them smile and getting to play with them definitely impacted my wife and me.

I have three kids myself. When I first got back from the trip I noticed how differently my kids go through their day—they have a roof over their heads, a hot shower. To compare that with what these Haitian kids do not have—they have to walk to get water just to drink! I couldn’t help myself from crying.

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Each employee at One Source Office Supplies is building a relationship with a sponsored child.

For more information about partnering with communities as a business or church, visit:

What does being a sponsor mean for you?

Martin: We talk a lot about putting people first, that is, putting our staff and employees and customers first over profits.

Sponsoring these children completes our vision—it enables us to share the resources we have earned. It is so much more than just writing a number on a cheque. God calls people into business and his intention is for us to be a solution for poverty. Running a business isn’t about bettering only our lives; there is a calling to the business community to be a solution to the hurting world.

FHCANADA.ORG/PARTNER

ISSUE 22

KI N G A M A BIG

SPLASH! BY: MICHAEL PRINS

Water was on everyone’s mind last summer, and not just because it was one of the hottest on record. Last May and June, nearly 4,500 joggers and walkers got moving in Abbotsford and Calgary to support communities in Ethiopia through the annual Run for Water events.

It kicked off in Abbotsford on Saturday, May 27, where 250 joggers huffed and puffed over Sumas Mountain, challenging a 10K, 25K, or even a staggering 50K Trail Run. Running any distance over rough mountain terrain and up to a cumulative 3,000 foot elevation shows the dedication to clean water that makes Run for Water such a splashing success.

The following day, thousands gathered in Mill Lake Park, Abbotsford, to hit the pavement on a half marathon, 10K run, or 5K Fun Run. Individuals, families, and school groups sporting all manner of fluorescent gear went the distance. It was a particularly special year for the community of Abbotsford as they rallied around the Reimer family who had abruptly lost their daughter Letisha in 2016. Letisha had a passion for bringing clean water to girls in Ethiopia and had participated in Run for Water for five consecutive years. A well in Ethiopia has since been dedicated in her honour.

A few weeks after the Abbotsford events, on Saturday, June 10, the races continued on St. Patrick’s Island in Calgary. Over 200 people—many families with young children, some donning tutus—similarly enjoyed a 10K, 5K, or kids’ Fun Run.

FHCANADA.ORG

Through these events, a record $450,000 was raised to dig wells and provide clean water to thousands of families in Ethiopia. A significant portion of those funds helped communities in Dengali, Ethiopia who partner with Food for the Hungry. Dirty water is a debilitating problem for families in rural farming communities in East Africa. Many children become sick from water borne diseases that keep them from school, or spend their days walking to and from distant water sources.

This May and June 2018, Run for Water and FH will again walk or run alongside families in Ethiopia to bring even more communities clean water solutions. Runs of various lengths— and even an inaugural Ride for Water biking event—are planned for Abbotsford and Calgary.

RUN FOR WATER A B B OT S F O R D | C A LGA R Y M AY 2 6, 2 7 | J U N E 9

For 10 years, Canadians like you have been involved in a movement to help people become active in bringing clean water to our world.

RUN, BIKE, VOLUNTEER, FUNDRAISE.

RUNFORWATER.CA

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Becoming Joy In Nashisa BY: MARGO DENNIS Do we truly know the meaning of humility? By we, I mean those of us who grew up in Western culture with our basic needs for survival barely registering in our conscious lives and rarely entering our minds even when we devote time to be grateful before God, our Creator and Provider. Rarely have I heard thanks given for clean water that is delivered to us instantaneously. And I had never heard thanks given for technology that allows us to cook without any smoke irritation affecting our eyesight and our respiratory condition—until Nashisa.

I didn’t know how humbled I would be by meeting the women who appreciate God’s goodness in such practical provision.

One of the wonderful experiences I had occurred on the first day of arrival to the village: the Naming Ceremony. Each visitor receives a name in the local language, Lumasaba. I confess to being a bit nervous about this ceremony. Having grown up in a small rural Canadian town with the name ‘Margo’ in the 70s, I was teased a lot. The refrain that bothered me the most came from a song by folk singer, Stompin’ Tom Connors: “Margo’s got the cargo.” Perhaps a few of you can recall the lyrics—the ‘cargo’ is actually cow dung from Newfoundland, a place almost as far away and foreign to us in Western Canada as Nashisa. I am grateful that my Lumasaba name was not a direct translation of ‘cow dung’ for those of you worried I was heading down that path.

The Lumasaba name bestowed upon me after 48 hours of being in Africa was ‘Mwikhoyo’—‘Joy’.

The people I met in Uganda taught me about humility and gratitude, but they also taught me about joy: great joy in the faces of those who greeted the strange mzungus (white people) on the bus with song and celebration; great joy in the faces of the children who held our hands and skipped before us; great joy at meeting my sponsored children, Gerald and Godfrey, and their families.

Through their joy, these caregivers of Nashisa modeled to me gratitude at God’s provision, humility at the exquisite perfection of his solutions, and God’s own delight in seeing his people in Nashisa leading the way in caring for his creation.

“Wele Umulayi! Imbuku yosi!”

“God is good, all the time! That is his nature!”

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ISSUE 22

Margo embraces Godfrey and his mother at the end of a wonderful visit.

FHCANADA.ORG

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M

NEUFELD JON

AEL W. SM I ICH

TH

TO OUR

DON MOEN

S

S

IAL THAN C K PE

CHILD ADVOCATES FOR CONNECTING SPONSORS WITH CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD!

TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO SPONSOR, VISIT:

FHCANADA.ORG/CHILD

1-31741 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1L2 1.800.667.0605 info@fhcanada.org fhcanada.org @fhcanada facebook.com/foodforthehungrycanada blog.fhcanada.org

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@fhcanada

ISSUE 22