4 Pennies!!!

How often do you notice a penny lying on the sidewalk, or next to your car after you park - and you can't be bothered to pick it up?   My 3 year old has yet to grasp the miniscule value of a penny, so if he happens to find one, it's as though he's found a priceless treasure!  "Money, Mommy..." he'll exclaim gleefully, "I've got moneeeeeyy!"

What is the value of a penny?  I want to tell you some incredible news... next time you see a penny, or the next time your child picks up a penny off of the ground, you can think to yourself - "Just 3 more pennies, and I will be able to offer a serving of milk to a slum child in India!"  In case you are wondering if you heard me correctly, yes, it takes just 2 rupees or 4 cents to provide a serving of buffalo milk to one of the children who attends our slum schools.

Why milk? It is well known, especially in North America that milk is good for kids, helping them to build strong teeth and bones.  However, in India, milk is a luxury that most children will never have the opportunity to enjoy.  Each of our slum schools have a limited budget, and every dollar is frugally accounted for to offer the essential services such as medical aid, education and simple meals.  "Cartons 4 Kids" is a project to give these children something special that says "You are precious.  You are worth it!" (and, as most caring mothers might say:  "Drink your milk; it's good for you!")

Thank you for your support in the "Cartons 4 Kids" milk campaign!

Life In A Slum... the Grim Reality

Imagine your entire family living, sleeping and eating in the middle of the dump.  Scattered piles of refuse; empty containers, and bags of stinking garbage surround you as you struggle to provide a very minimal amount of necessities to your family.  Rodents scramble around the make-shift tents and hovels at night, sometimes biting you in your sleep.  You look forward to the coming of the garbage trucks the next day; a chance to dig through bags of people's trash - hopefully you can find something of value to sell or recycle, or, at best, find some food that is not too spoiled so you can share it with your family.

This seems like the description of a North American's worst nightmare, yet it is the reality for millions of people in India's crowded cities.  According to the 2001 census, the Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in India revealed that the slum population was an estimated 61.8 million people.

In New Delhi, where the 2nd largest slum in India exists, Victory Missions is making a difference.  We currently have 7 slum schools operating to feed, clothe, educate, and most of all pour out the love of Jesus into the lives of hundreds of children who are living the harsh reality of growing up in the slum. 

We want to bless these children, and provide them with the gift of Buffalo milk... to feed and nourish them with what would normally be considered a luxury.  The limited budget of the slum schools does not currently allow for them to include milk with the simple meals provided to these children.   This project will allow us to give a special gift, the gift of milk!

From now until November 6, 2011, Cartons 4 Kids will be collecting donations of your recyclable milk cartons and spare change, to make a difference in the lives of over 700 slum children.   

The India Milk Project...