As I entered the school property in Beit Shemesh along with others of our BFP leadership team, we were blessed to see children laughing, smiling, and chattering animatedly. Their school experience is a happy one due to the support they receive from Christian sponsors around the world.
Several years ago when we started the Feed a Child Program, we were told that we could make a difference in children’s lives—children who had no hope of success in life because of their difficult family economic situations. Many of these children are immigrants or the children of immigrants who have found it difficult to become self-sufficient in Israel. By the time some are 15 and can opt out of school, many do so. They have no hope of a better future, and their lives are not reaching their full potential. Truly a life is a terrible thing to waste.
Today, the school masters at the seven schools we work with in Beit Shemesh and Karmiel rave about the results of the program. Children who previously were at the bottom of their class because they didn’t have books and often were hungry, today are often the leaders in their classes. More than one school administrator has told me that the scholastic level of the entire school has gone up as a direct result of Christians providing for the needs of children.
Another school year is starting soon, and I hope we can add more children to the program and give them a future as well. I wish you could meet all the children. Let me introduce you to three of them.
Guy (not his real name) studies in grade four at the Adayahu Elementary School in Beit Shemesh and has been on our program since grade one. He is being raised by his mother. She also cares for her elderly parents and so cannot work full-time; she earns less than minimum wage. Their flat is very small (50 sq. meters or 538 sq. feet), so Guy and his mother share the same room. In spite of these difficulties, Guy’s mother fights for the future of her son. With all her heart and soul, she wants to see her son succeed in school. She strongly believes that Guy will be the last member of her family to live in poverty and gives him as much love and time as she can.
Guy is succeeding in his studies and his achievements are high! In grade two, Guy took part in a national test to locate gifted children and was identified as one. With the help of his Feed a Child sponsors, Guy studies one day a week in a special school for gifted children outside of Beit Shemesh. He also receives advanced education in a local science center. Guy is a happy child who gives of himself to others by helping weaker children and has intellectual curiosity. “I shudder to think what would have happened to Guy if we did not have the Feed a Child Program, and he did not receive the prayers and blessings of people abroad,” said Othniel Galilee, school headmaster where 36 children participate in the Feed a Child Program.
“A tree is like a human being; the more a tree is watered and cultivated, the more it blossoms, grows up, and becomes better. It becomes more beautiful and strong. And you are like rain for me—you invest in my studies at school, and you nurture and nourish me. I hope to flourish and grow up and become better…like a tree.”
These words were written by Noga Goldberg, a young high school girl of Beit Shemesh who wanted to thank one of her sponsors for their monthly support towards her education. Noga went on to thank her sponsors and explain to them how their help gives her so much joy because it allows her the ability to study continually and successfully. She shared with them her dream to someday become a psychologist, to establish a home in Israel, and get married and start her own family.
Noga is not much different than the other children who are part of the Feed a Child Program. She is part of a growing number of children who are impacted by the generosity of the Christian community worldwide. Understandably, many of these children have an interest in an ongoing relationship with their sponsors. Noga’s final words in her letter were: ”I hope to tell you in the future about how I am making progress in my studies.”
Vicky, a beautiful 10-year-old girl, was born in Israel. She has a younger brother named Ronen who is eight years old. She and her brother live with their father, an immigrant from Ukraine who works in a factory. As a single parent, Vicky’s father must work long hours to support his family. He appreciates the Feed a Child Program because it provides hot meals everyday after school for Vicky and Ronen, as well as provides activities for them to be involved in while he works.
One of the activities Vicky enjoys after school is jewelry making. She finds it very rewarding to design and make all kinds of jewelry. Vicky has lots of friends in school and in the neighborhood where she lives. Her dream is to one day become a doctor.
Your gift can provide hope and a future to a child in need. Each child will receive a hot meal each school day, a backpack full of school supplies, all their school books (which are expensive in Israel), fees for school outings and special tutoring, classes or activities as needed. They receive a gift on their birthday as well. Sponsors receive a picture of their child with some biographical details. You can make a substantial difference in a child’s life for a minimal investment. One of the returns of the investment is that these children and their families know that Christians are helping them, and in this way, we are helping to heal the wounds caused by centuries of Christian persecution.
If you are unable to commit to sponsor a child but would still like to be a part of this program, you can do so! Your one-time gifts are used to provide equipment for the schools. We have sponsored computer labs, upgrades to classroom facilities, smart boards (interactive computerized white boards), and more.
Yeshua loves the children and blessed them. Now, you can bless them as well! “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven”(Matt. 19:14).
Blessings from Israel,
Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO
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