Anti Poverty Saves Lives

According to Nicholas Kristof's article in the NY Times, 9/22/10, antipoverty work saves around 32,000 lives each day...based on the calculation of how many children died in 1960 (20 million) and the number dying now (about 8 million a year).

Twelve million lives are saved annually...roughly one every three seconds gives us some hope regarding the effectiveness of anti-poverty programs.

Affirming Human Dignity WorldWide

This information was sent to us by Dr. Nancy Murphy,Executive Director, Northwest Family Life. The information comes from Justice: A Global Adventure by Walter Burghardt.

Among industrialized countries the United States ranks number one in military technology, military exports, Gross Domestic Product, the number of millionaires and billionaires, health technology and defense expenditures; ranks sixteenth in efforts to lift children out of poverty; eighteenth in the gap between rich and poor children; twenty-second in infant mortality; and ranks last in protecting our children against gun violence.

Globally the statistics are staggering for children.

Over half a billion children are struggling to survive on under $1 per day

250,000 children and young people are infected with HIV/AIDS every month

130 million children lack access to education and 246 million children are child laborers

8.4 million children are trapped in slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, prostitution, pornography and other illicit activities

500,000 young people under 18 are exploited as child soldiers and 30,000 children die each day from preventable diseases

The Importance of a School Uniform

"A South African study found that giving girls a $6 uniform every eighteen months increased the chance that they would stay in school and consequently reduced the number of pregnancies they experienced."

From Half the Sky
Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

From Half the Sky...Some Lessons Learned

Three lessons learned from a story of a rescued girl from a brothel in Cambodia

First, rescuing girls is complicated and uncertain. It is most productive to focus on prevention and putting brothels out of business.

Second, never give up. Helping people is difficult and unpredictable, and interventions don’t always work out. But successes are possible and incredibly important.

Thirdly, even when a social issue is insoluble in its entirety, do what you can. It is important to the ones you are able to help, even if you can’t help them all.

Hope for Pakistan

Third Family Mission Trip to Peshastin

Both churches, MIPC and Peshastin UCC had a wonderful time doing VBS together from July 28-August 1. The picture of the lake and lovely beach is Lake Wenatchee State Park, where we spent Friday afternoon after VBS ended.

Summer Camp is Over... Muchas Gracias!

“Rosa, Maru, Elvia, Vicki, Paola, Kimberly and Zoraida ... girls who were every day with the kids and that made it possible for every child have fun and learn at this camp ... hopefully next summer and we're all volunteers to receive and learn with children ... much cooler from the city of Tijuana mexico all we thank each of you who made it possible for this small but great effort to ensure that children have a different summer ... as some of the children a camp that I may not forget ... Gracias