Something to celebrate!

As many of you know, I am an avid supporter of Love146. This fine organization was established to put an end to child trafficking and exploitation.

Although it appears to be unrelated to Love146, some very exciting news came out of Toronto today. Click the link below to read the write-up on NPR. That article includes a link to the press release from Toronto.

Police Arrest Hundreds In Global Child Porn Sting

 

 

  Click here 

if you would like to make a donation to assist Love146.

Click here

to read how your money will be used to help survivors.

Pook News

Nazeli Uchparmakyan turned 3 on June 17th. 

Here's a pic of her and her mayrig, Gohar, with the gifts from America. What a pook!!

Sorry it's blurry. Doesn't Gohar look like we could be sisters?!

Letters From Armenia

A letter and photo arrived this week from Armenia. Geghetsik is really turning into a lovely young lady. At 13, she's grown her hair longer and is beginning to lose the baby fat in her face. She says the winter there is warm, without much snow. I guess the U.S. took the brunt of it for them this year.

A couple of weeks ago I received a letter from Nazeli's mom, Nazeli being too young to write, of course. Their family is doing fine and appreciates the support from abroad. Her mom seems very nice. She did not, however, include any photos.

I still hope to travel to Armenia one day and meet both the Uchparmakyan and Arakelyan families in person.

Update on the G-girl

Geghetsik will turn 13 this Saturday, January 9th. Her family's health is good now, they send their best wishes to all of our family.

This photo was taken in November. It's unfortunate that it takes so long for either of us to receive mail from the other, but I'm glad to know they are doing well over there.

Next time you bemoan your quality of life, take a look at the background in this picture taken of Geghetsik in her family home..

O, Sousanna, don't you cry for me!

Well, coincidentally, the letter from World Vision arrived today. It says, "Sousanna is no longer available for child sponsorship. Her family has moved out of the region as part of a resettlement plan organized by the local government. At times, families like Sousanna's are relocated to different areas for social or economic reasons."

Yikes. A very ominous statement considering we're talking about Armenia. Steve says I shouldn't fret - they were probably just being disruptive.

So, moving right along, Koby and I sat down at the computer tonight and picked a new pook. Meet...

Nazeli This little doll is just two years old. She was born in June of 2007. Nazeli lives with her parents and one brother. Her father is a driver who struggles to provide for the family.

I've been un-pooked!

Dear Mimi, The World Vision office in Armenia has notified us that your sponsored child, Sousanna Hakobyan, is no longer participating in World Vision's sponsorship program. Please watch for a letter in the mail that will provide more details, and take a few moments to look through the information enclosed with the letter. We know that it can be sad when a sponsorship relationship ends. Through gifts, correspondence and shared prayers, many sponsors develop close relationships with their sponsored children. We want to thank you for your generosity and commitment to Sousanna. Please know that your love and support have made a difference in the life of this precious child. Watch your mail for more detailed information

Well, I didn't exactly have a relationship with Sousanna yet, but this is sad in a way, and I just hope that her dis-association with the program means that she and her family have risen above their poverty and are doing well. If I learn more once I receive the correspondence from World Vision, I'll post an update, Regardless, I'll pick another pook.

Stay tuned...

Why

This is why I do what I do, and why I wish you would, too.

(18-minute video) (go ahead, take the time to watch)

Thank you. Go save the life of a child.

An Addition To Our Family!

In fulfilling one of my two major goals this year, we are adding a member to our family.

Sousanna is 11 years old and in 6th grade where her favorite subject is Foreign Languages. She lives in Armenia with her mother and one brother. She helps at home by working with her mother doing household tasks. She likes to play with dolls. She is in satisfactory health. Her mother takes care of the household and struggles to provide for the family. Despite her efforts, it is difficult to meet the family's needs.

Sousanna is growing up in a poor community in Armenia. Due to the 1988 earthquake that destroyed the city, housing is still very impaired and decaying. Apartments have bad sanitation and no heat when it is needed. The usual diet consists of potatoes, bread, noodles, beans, oil and greens. Meat and fruit are scarce. It is generally mild in the summer but winters can be harsh.

Sousanna becomes the second pook in my Pookfolio. Many of you dear readers (perhaps all three of you) are familiar with my long-standing pook, Geghetsik.

Geghetsik turned 12 in January of this year. She, too, is in the 6th grade. She loves Math and wants to become a physician. In spite of some bouts of tonsillitis, she’s been able to stay healthy. Her dad got treatment for his hernia and is back to work, helping to support the family.

We’ve been able to sponsor a tree planting event in Geghetsik’s village, as well as provide some refurbishing of the meager school facilities. In addition to planting (and naming!) the trees, the village kids got together and cleaned up the play areas for the kindergarteners. In return they received new clothing, backpacks and school supplies.

Geghetsik wrote me that she has been receiving lessons in human rights, democracy and…wait for it…cow insemination! “Some children went to the summer camp and returned much inspired.” (I’ll just bet they did.)