Choose one word? Smh....! Four words that connect.

Alright everyone the compassion blog post assignment for week two is up. They want us to write three things about one word. Here are some solid suggestions for the one word:
   * hope
   * poverty
   * silence
   * sacrifice
I am going to change it up a little though. I have to be a little complicated of course. I looked at the words they posted above and couldn't decide on one word. My change up. How about write about each of these four words that they posted. They all connect in one way or another.
Me being the type of person not ashamed of telling about my past after all it has made me who I am. I will put some of my life in this. I think some may be able to relate better and to maybe envision the kids with compassion lives. Maybe you can relate to them maybe to my stories. Maybe not... Either way here it goes.
Poverty, sacrifice, silence, hope they all lead one to another. You can be the one to cause the last hope. Something not experienced in a lot of third world countries without help.

Have you experienced the life of poverty. Maybe you have. Maybe it was in your life more so than others. Maybe you haven't had to worry about poverty. Either way imagine my life with me. My poverty could of been worse growing up I know, but think. My mother went to college one year to get her degree. After all by that time she was expecting me if I am correct. My dad graduated high school to enroll straight in to the army.

Boy do I love hearing the stories from that. My parents married as soon as my mom graduated at 17. Funds were always tight for them. Very tight. When I came along around five years later funds became even tighter. Boy did I wish I could do some of the things I had heard my fellow classmates were doing. I wanted to learn ballet I couldn't not enough money. Wanted to play baseball I couldn't not enough money. I learned that because we were still struggling that if I could what I wanted I should teach myself. I taught myself to draw, to do a few things dealing with ballet. Don't get me wrong I was very loved by my parents. I was their world. They were mine.

 

Children in the third world countries compassion works with and more have it worse when it comes to poverty. They starve, go around some without adequate clothing, and in fear of death. They fear sickness, some their neighbors, their environment. They live a very rough life. It causes all hopes and dreams to be shattered.

  

 Now poverty leads to sacrifice. As you can tell what I sacrificed a little further up. The children that are through compassion sacrifice so much. Some of these sweet children sacrifice education. Sometimes all meals for that day going to bed on empty stomachs. Medical care even. Sometimes even their childhood. Sometimes even their purity. 

Sacrifice leads to silence. Whether it is silently taking a very hungry and grumbly stomach. Crying at nights because they are told they aren't smart so they have to settle. Silently hurt and ache from fever or whatever may come their way. Silently take leading there family without the ability to play. 

If a child has the chance or their parents allow it they are lucky enough to experience hope through compassion or other organizations. Compassion makes sure the child has at least two meals a day. That they can have as much of a childhood as possible. All the dental and medical care the child and even usually the family needs. To their joy and sponsors like I an education. An even safer environment than if there wasn't compassion.

Like I the kids can experience hope and joy whether it is just through a ball, a doll, shoes, clothes, food, a few simple words, paper, and help.

I would like to see my kids along with others experience the few simple happinesses that revive their hope and give them the chance to dream.

Like I:

Whether it is because of that simple giving of a doll or for a doll.

an education or a place to do schoolwork.

a simple popper

Imagining that box is a ship or car that they transport their babies in.

 

Now I want to tell of one of my kids lives. His name is Mario.

Mario lives in Honduras and is 12 years old. He has older siblings that have moved out of the home. It is just his mother, sister and him living in the home. His father became angry one day and ripped half of the roof off of their home. It has left them with no way to use that part of the home. All three share one room to sleep in. The kitchen sink, stove, and all is outside. He has around an hour walk to school and the compassion center because the hills are to steep to ride his bike. He is the man of the house now.

Here is his home.

He and his sister. He still manages to keep a smile.

Ridding his bike at home

 

A simple gift from a fellow friend and who advocated for him when I saw him.

or even just eating popsicles with friends.

All of this so simple, but means so much to him. Given to him through the thoughtfulness of his mother, compassion, those who loved him before sponsorship, and I after sponsorship. He is one of my many little blessings and one of my many little hero's.

Will you help a child? Will you give a child hope a chance to dream? I have posted a direct link below so you may check out compassion, read up on compassion, or even sponsor if you want. It is your choice what you do. I will say though sponsorship is life changing and one of the best things to ever happen in my life. A lot of other sponsors agree. The choice is yours. Will you make the leap? 

http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=131923

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Maylin's fourth letter

Very excited I got another letter from Maylin. Her fourth letter to me. This one came in a matter of a little over a month. Great timing.

 

 

This is what she wrote: Guatemala, July 16, 2013 Dear sponsor, Amanda Watts: What I l like best to do with my friends is: To play hide and seek.... The chore I like best is: To collect the garbage. I like this season because I like the rain. (she circled the rainy season) The activity I like best at the project is: Christmas Party The game I like best is: To play dolls. (She'll be very happy when she finds out some is bringing her a package to her for me. One thing a doll.) Maylin wants you to know what she likes to do best is to wash her socks. She likes to play lottery with her family. She would like to know, what is you favorite game with your family? Please, she asks you to pray for grandma, because she is sick. Maylin gives thanks for the letter and the picture. She asks you a favor, please send her letters always. She will pray for your family always. She sends you lots of kisses and hugs. Maylin / wriiten by: Norma Santiago / child's mom Drawing's translation: My favorite doll.

 

Now for her precious drawing she says it's of her favorite doll. She also puts a sun, trees, and hearts. I thinks it's just too cute. :)

 

Bullying.....

 

 

I wanted to share a post going around on facebook about one young boy and bullying. I know I what your thinking. "I thought she has said she will only post about her kids with the organizations she sponsors or corresponds with..." I promise this will all make since though and deal with my kids if you just read through to the end of this blog. I promise. Some my think what the person said is overboard, but they make a valid point.

 

Here the post words and all:

 

 

 

Ok this is from my heart and i will do my best not to offend anyone but im angry . a 15 yr old boy Gabe Saffer is dead because someone felt like they have a right to make fun and torment.Because they feel so much better than anyone else. I ...DONT CARE HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE,WHAT CLOTHES YOU WEAR WHAT YOU DRIVE OR THE HOUSE YOU LIVE IN .EVERYONE HAS FEELINGS! This isnt about pointing fingers its about awareness across the United States at the growing problem of bullying. Gabe took his own life other kids retaliating by school killing but no child should die!Parents need to take responsibility for their kids and their actions. Its hard enough on a kid to go to school these days much less face the hurt they do if their parents dont make enough money .Its not a kids fault and you can say what you want but half these kids get it from their parents who think they run everything!OUR KIDS ARE DYING!! Hes a baby his life was just starting and he was so broken in his little heart that he didnt want to be here anymore. How many teens feel that way today... But if those kids fight back they are labeled troublemakers A naked girl can get a million likes in few hours how many give a care enough to even share Gabes picture. I didnt even know this boy but i have cried since my sister shared it with me To all the kids who are in school who feel this way please talk to someone keep talking till someone listens i dont care if your the most popular kid in school the best athlete the richest the best anything you have no right to make fun of anyone Please share Gabes picture and just be kind you might save someones life ~Boots~See More

 I decided I wanted to add this link after I posted so here it is. Discovered it through a friend on facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=663103610368078&set=o.154152544784170&type=2&theater

Back to what I think

Bullying is truly hard and does put thoughts that otherwise the kid would of never considered. The word sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me is not entirely true. Words hurt and with time they can kill even. Please stand up against bullying. I would hate to hear of another child dying because they have had too much. Or like he and I begin to hate school, hate life, and lose self esteem. The battle will last a lifetime, but if only one person would stand up to the bullied you'll be amazed. Those few that stood up for me is what kept me going and helped me to smile every once in a while.

A few kind words and a good act does make a difference. The children like those I sponsor. I am not saying they live these lives I am going to talk about have many hardships. They live a type of bullying a little different than the kick, hit, or harsh words of a fellow student or students. There's is a stereotypical type of bullying. It has the same effect though. The thought that you don't matter, would life be better without them in it, their not pretty, their not handsome, their not smart. The list can go on. Most of these children do not see a school or rarely ever have the chance to go. They have to work to provide for the family no matter what age.

Some feel like they aren't loved. A few fellow compassion friends that have visited their children in their countries say they have spoken too other children at the project they go to visit. When asked if they had a sponsor or do they get letters the child either will give the happy reply with a smile that they are sponsored and get letters. Or the two sad comments that are yes they are sponsored, but don't get letters. Do their sponsors not have time for them. The worse answer I don't have a sponsor and don't get letters. Does no one love me. It makes me want to cry.

Some countries the fathers teach their sons to become a man you have to sleep with a virgin. Sometimes even paying a very high price to pay for a virgin in a hostal. The girls are raised the family chooses your husband no matter if he is way older. Most are married off once they have a menstrual cycle or even hit 12. The girls are also taught as children they mainly are there in their lives to have many children, keep a house, and keep the husbands happy. 

I learned if I remember the country correctly in Bangladesh the hostal women that sale themselves for a very small price and think that is the only choice for them have another worry. If they conceive with a man the man can  live off of her already meager income and they can say nothing. This same profession is usually passed on to the child.

In Uganda children worry about being harmed in their own yards. It brings you wealth if you sacrifice a child. This is put into the peoples heads by witch doctors. When you can not afford doctors this is the only choice so the witch doctors are hard to end there. Some parents go so far as to pierce their children's ears whether their boys or girls. It means their no longer pure and lessens their chance of abduction.

Most male children in a lot of countries are put in charge of their families once their fathers pass or leave. No matter the age. Where's the chance to be a child there. To me I don't think it's there. If so it is rare and very far in between.

School and sponsors pull these kids out of poverty and allows them to know they do have a choice, they are loved, they can dream, they can hope, and most importantly they can be a child. With innocence a child can have all that shattered very easily and quickly. It may not be bullying the way we see it here, but in the end to me it still is a form. 

Compassion and these other organizations like it are trying to change this cycle. The same cycle that has been being taught for may years. The parents can't be blamed nor the generations before them they were just following this same cycle they were taught.  This same cycle they grew up learning.

My question is would you make the difference by helping a child that needs encouragement and love? Will you show them they are loved?  I am not pressuring anyone. I am just pointing out bullying is worldwide just in different forms. Some may disagree with me, but I just put my opinion. If you want to sponsor, look at the children, or just read bout compassion here is a link I have with compassion as an advocate.

http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=131923

Sad :(

 

I am sad to say I got the call while writing a letter to my childhood self blog post. My little Dafner in Nicaragua is gone. I guess I have the reason I have never receive a letter from her. Hope fully she can still get my letters on the way. I just sent two this month recently. I wrote her faithfully even if I never got a letter. Hope she can get them to treasure and encourage her. They said that she moved away and they had to hunt her down. I'm guessing they were trying to get her her birthday money when they found out. They said they were already gone when they went to her house. They were supposed to be going to see family. I told compassion that if she came back and her sponsor wouldn't take her back I would even if I never got a letter from her.

I am going to miss seeing my Dafner on my profile page.

Letter to my smaller self

Compassion is having blog month this month to spread awareness for sponsorship. The first assignment is writing a letter to your childhood self.
Dear child Amanda,
You may not want to believe that I am indeed you, but I will tell you that as proof. Your favorite color is blue and will always be blue. You want to be a singer at the moment. Let me tell you a few things. Do not change your life for anything though it makes you who you are today.
You know I say you want to be a singer right now. That will change a lot in the next few years. From a singer, to a dancer, to a model, teacher, cook, and the list goes on. Oh and by the way around 8 years old you will come to be obsessed with ballet. You will practice in homemade ballet shoes that are actually the foldable house shoes. It will drive mom crazy because your favorite place to practice is in the kitchen. Why you may ask is the reason; the excuse being it had hard floors and the bathrooms not big enough.
At about two and a half or three you will experience a lot of painful days after being shocked. Dasha your day younger cousin is to blame. We still talk about it today at 23. She helpped you move speakers and talked you into putting a bobby pin in the light socket. It's one of the few things I remember at such a young age. They will talk about skin graphs, but mom will not allow it. It is lucky for us we don't need it. The ice mom has to put your hands will be very painful and she'll have to break us from sucking our fingers. Don't worry though after it is all over we'll start back and will even share.

You at one time will think your daddy is horrible  and must hate you. I promise it is actually just a phase mixed with a little rebellion. Mama, Daddy, and of course Aunt Peggy along with other family will continue to love you and be some of your biggest supporters.

Daddy

Mama

                                                                              Aunt Peggy

You'll have a little brother. You'll tell mama to give him back at first. When he's born you'll be excited. Later you'll say you wish he was never born. Wanna know a little secret though no one better hurt him or mess with him. You'll protect him with all you have in you.

That upset you will feel and those tears you will cry because you live in a trailer and are teased for it. Goodness if anyone found out you had to share a room with your little brother. Smile and hold your head up. I know you will at school. You will move to a house with your own room later.

That girl in sixth grade that threw a rock at you and called you a bad name because you wouldn't give your swing up. Guess what she reached out to you when she moved back in high school. She's now one of your best friends and we laugh about the craziness of that situation now. Bet you didn't think that would happen since you promised yourself in sixth grade you would never forgive her.

That cousin that you grew up with, lived with, got your way with, and called a brother. He married and won't speak to you now. You'll cry, but I promise things will get better. You'll in 9th grade decide to become a nurse after taking care of your grandpa. Granny, grandpa, and Uncle will pass. All will break your heart, but they will remain in your heart. You'll want to try and be strong for your cousin when uncle passes, but cry too. You'll want to try and be strong for your brother when your grandpa passes. He was your brothers world and you are big sister. Cry though at least in private please. You'll want to be strong for your mom and brother when granny passes. You were close to her too. You will watch her for a long time when she gets sick. You'll break down a few times in front of family and friends, but will end it quickly. Cry though you'll feel a lot better.

That bike your step papaw Randy will give you for your 5th Christmas right before he passes you won't want to give up. You'll even cry when daddy takes it. So what that it's falling apart and your too big to ride it. You'll have to give it up though you can't keep it forever.

I bet your feeling down that you can't do any fun things. You wanted to play baseball since you were around five. Mama and daddy says maybe soon they don't have the money. One reason also that you try to teach yourself ballet and you teach yourself how to draw along with your little brother. I promise though we won't be really poor our whole life. In 9th grade you get to start playing softball your brother teeball. You'll love it. Make sure you tell your couch you can't be catcher without gear that practice game though. Without gear you really mess your knee up, but like a trooper you will pull yourself back up for your team that same practice and save your parents a little worrying. You get applause for that same determination.

You will flip onto your head when swimming in a pool and become terrified of lots of water. Mom and dad will try to get you swimming lessons to help, but due to your terror you will after two try's refuse to go in the water. So what if you can still stand in it it's to your neck and that's to much. Don't worry though you'll get over that fear by slowly getting over your drowning fears by dunking your head in the tub and holding your breath. You won't be the best swimmer and will be a late learner. You'll be able to swim like a fish and float, but over water you'll still have issues with sinking like a rock. 

You will have tough time as a child with family telling you that you cannot do things with them, feeling not wanted and crying because the other kids said to leave, have doors slammed in your face being told not to come anymore, all sorts of things. You will only forget and forgive each time and it will make you stronger for school. You will be teased from fourth grade after getting glasses to 12th grade. The teasing will be from harsh words, to being kicked, hit, and teased about your faith. You'll have a few great and supportive friends to help you through though. I will be completely honest though in 11th and 12th grade you won't be able to take it anymore and break down twice. You will continue to keep a smile on your face and kind words pretty much always on your tongue. You will decide not to care what anyone says or does in college and that works out great. You will meet your first and hopefully only boyfriend; the love of your life the summer of your 12th grade year. Those that teased you try to make conversation now. Your polite and smile. You try to forgive and move on even now.

One of the most exciting things I want to tell you is you were lead to an amazing organization called compassion. So don't worry about what people say right now about sponsorship organizations. Here are your kids you'll sponsor. You'll also correspond with some children, but I will leave you those for surprises. I know how you kind of like those. Don't you want to help them have what you want right now too. It's well worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know it may seem like a letter filled with a lot of bad things in it. It may even sound a little scary to you, but I promise there is good in your life too. I chose to tell you the bad things so you would be prepared and let the good things surprise you to give you a smile. Continue to smile because a smile is worth a million words and will get you through. I know this to be true.

 

                                                                                                              With Love,

                                                                                                                     Your older self

http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=131923

 

A Happy 7th

I know I just did one of these yesterday, but I have quite a few close together. I want to wish a happy 7th birthday to one little boy with the most beautiful smile and the cutest dimples. Shouting out birthday wishes all the way from the US to Uganda. I hope you liked your birthday gift.
HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY PHILIP!!!

The big ole 12

Excited to wish one of my sponsor babies a happy 12th birthday. He has been through so much yet still holds his head up. Shouting out a very happy 12th birthday to my sweet and very strong Mario all the way from the US to Honduras.
HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY MARIO!!!