Merry Christmas

and 

Blessings to You All

WHEN SENIORS ARE DISMISSED....

GETTING OLD

AND BEING DISMISSED

CAN BE DEVASTATING

HOPE RETURNED

DIGNITY RETURNED

When Pastor Beauty Bogwasi told our team the stories of how seniors were being abandoned, stolen from, left without help to meet daily needs and neglected for long periods of time, she set forth to make a change.  

#1:  She initiated a feeding program - taking food to the seniors on a regular route and on a regular basis.  She could not feed all the seniors who had the need for help, but she could do something for some of them...AND SHE DID.

#2:  She gathered volunteers to help - someone to cook the food, persons to deliver it, transportation to carry volunteers and food.  

#3:  All done out of faith and following the command and encouragement noted in James 1:27.

Then ideas began to surface!  

A DREAM TAKING SHAPE....

• What about a place for the seniors to gather
• Where they can get a shower
• Where they can meet with other seniors and talk, laugh and play
• Where a meal can be served to them as they sit together
• A place where they can make things, sing songs
• A time to pray and be prayed for

THE BIRTH OF THE SENIOR CENTER BEGAN TO TAKE SHAPE

She obtained land and started to DREAM OF THE CENTER

ENTER LAMb

When LAMb Team members Jenny and Bryan Richardson went to Botswana to review and determine the next steps there for LAMb, they returned home having caught the vision.  

"Let's help her build this center!"

THREE YEARS LATER LOOK AT THE RESULTS

SELFIE?  WHAT IS THAT?  ALL WITH "GIGGLES" GALORE!

TRAFFICKING IS REAL - OUR PROJECT UPDATE ON BRIDE KIDNAPPING

OVER 100 STUDENTS

IMPACTED

BY LAMb's 

TRAFFICKING

TRAINING 

"this month alone"

The work of LAMb/GCBN in Kyrgyzstan and surrounding countries has several focuses - one being the illegal practice of Bride Kidnapping.  This month our team did training for over 100 young persons and adults on the topic of Bride Kidnapping and the issues around trafficking.

LAMb trainer provided education about trafficking to school students...

Ala Kachuu– trafficking/bride kidnapping.  This part of the project is growing dramatically and offers a strong potential for safety for many as a result of the educational process of the team.  We have been presenting information almost weekly in Tokmok and monthly in other parts of Kyrgyzstan.  We are finding a lot of interest increasing in this topic – although illegal in KG – it still happens across the country.  

Education about Ala Kachuu - and the illegal practice of Bride Kidnapping
Education to help youth be safe and protected is a start!

We conducted three more classes this month on Ala-Kachuu.  One was held in the IUCA for medical students who are visiting from another university and attending some IUCA university classes here. They were very excited about the information and asked if we would come to their university and educate the students there.

The other training was at a local village school.  We had over 40 girls in attendance (see photos). One of the girls told us that she did not want to come to the training, BUT her mother said she MUST attend.  Many of the parents do not want their daughters to be kidnapped, but if they are the parents they make them stay once this has happened.  They do this because the girl and her family will be shamed by family and the community if she leaves the forced marriage.

One of our translators tells her story of Bride Kidnapping in this training:

She had been kidnapped in her village, three times.  The first time neighbors helped her to escape.  The second time she was able to convince her kidnappers that she was too young.  The third time she was able to escape from the house when no one was looking.  The young man ended up in jail for one year for the kidnapping.  He and his family moved out of the village because of the 'shame' of not succeeding in the kidnapping.

The third training this month was training for six boys.  This was held at the students apartment.  One of the boys is going to translate our boys power point into Kyrgyz…we are very excited about this.  

We continue to offer education on this and other important areas to serve vulnerable, exploited and orphaned youth - as a critical component of our LAMb/GCBN outreach!

You can invest in this opportunity to help young girls be safe 

- check the investor button on the side of the blog.

Thank you so much,

The LAMb Team

NEEDING A LITTLE HELP HERE - GRANDMOTHER AND HER GRANDCHILDREN

ALONE

MOTHER PASSED AWAY JUST AFTER BIRTH OF THIS CHILD

HELP NEEDED - Just $450 USD

In the village of Khwai, Botswana, lives this grandmother and her grandchildren.  She is their sole provider - living on very little income - just what she received as an elderly woman.  The grandchildren are her focus.  

Her daughter, the mother of these children passed away suddenly right after this little one's birth.  He has hydra syphilis - and has needed medical help over the months since he was born.  We have been able to help her along with our partners.  

The grandmother does everything she can - living in the bush and caring for the children while sometimes seeking help from others.

Last month we were approached with a need - she is asking for a gas freezer so she can store meat and vegetables.  We have given the go-ahead and let her know we will meet the need and we will seek funding through our prayer partners and investors.  Full cost for the freezer, gas canister, gas, and food to fill it - $450 USD.

Want to invest in this grandmother's life and in the lives of her grandchildren?  Please just go to the blog and invest today.  If we receive more than needed - we will use the additional funds for food for her in the future.

Thanks and Blessings to Each of you!

A visit to Maun to ask for the help.

Home in the bush with her family.

NICARAGUA - SERVING ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN

BUILDING 

A CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM

IN NICARAGUA

(5 intensive days - and a plan in place!)

CHANGE is coming and it is GOOD.  With 5 different entities (centers - representing 273 children) here in Nicaragua, the mission of LAMb is being carried forward:

• Ephesians 4:12 - ...equipping the church for the purpose of ministry...
• James 1:27 - ...pure and undefiled religion is to serve the orphan and widow in their distress...
• Matthew 16:20 - ... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...

With a team of committed and passionate leaders, LAMb will be working to help build a comprehensive Capacity Building Program with our Nicaragua partners to ensure the teams from 5 different centers are working to bring children to Safety, Permanence and Well-Being. 

With a focus on Family-Based Care and a great partnership with MiFamilia, these centers are committed to change - progress - and efficacy in ensuring their programs are working towards the three goals mentioned for all their children.

And how will this happen?

1) Training system to be in place to meet the competency needs of all workers in the five centers

2) Internal system to ensure the transfer of learning with those working with vulnerable exploited and/or orphaned children, visible improvement of Life Skills, and trauma strategies being used

3) Development of a comprehensive plan to assess the present condition, identify strengths and apply strategies to address gaps and areas needing development, change or growth

4)  Attend to the whole child:  Physical, Social, Intellectual, Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being.  Ensure strategies are there to attend in all five areas and noted in plans for each youth

5) Apply plans and strategies that all youth are on a Life Path for Success in Adulthood as they transition to PERMANENCY through reunification, guardianship, building life-long connections or transition to adulthood as sons and daughters.

Working together - tirelessly to ensure 

SAFETY, PERMANENCY AND WELL-BEING!

Brainstorming - WHAT CAPACITY BUILDING IS AND WHAT IT COULD BE

EVERYONE HAS A VOICE TO DEFINE THIS

THEN WHAT IS OUR STATEMENT THAT PULLS IT ALL TOGETHER?

WE HAVE A DRAFT TO SHARE WITH OTHERS

WHAT ARE OUR STRENGTHS TO ENSURE CAPACITY BUILDING

WHEW - LOTS OF WORK - READY TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND LEADERSHIP TEAMS

PLANS OF THE HEART IN KYRGYZSTAN

JEREMIAH/DAYSPRING

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

A report that touches our hearts to share.  Partner with us and step into the story of a young person!

WHEN SENIORS ARE FORGOTTEN - SOMEONE MUST CARE

SENIOR DAY CENTER

MAUN, BOTSWANA

" A Place of Caring and Sharing!"

PROGRESS - MIGHT WE SAY SOON...... TO OPEN

Well, it has been a journey - but today we are so pleased to show you some of the final work at the first building of the Senior Day Center in Maun, Botswana - a LAMb International Project - led by our amazing team members -  Jenni and Bryan Richardson!  We are so proud of where this project is leading - to ALMOST DONE and Seniors with a wonderful place of fellowship.

THANKS TO YOU WHO HAVE BEEN OUR BIKE-A-THON SPONSORS

Floor tiling done. Now doing final plumbing. FLOOR TILING DONE  - CHECK FINAL PLUMBING ALMOST DONE - CHECK NEXT STAGE? THE RAMP - CHECK It will actually be done alongside the final plumbing of fitting of pipes. We are very excited about the completion of the centre.  Beauty says, "I am exerting a lot if pressure, okay gentle pressure, pressure on the builders to finish by the end of August.   We have  even set Sepember 21 for painting.  We are inviting the conmunity to do the painting.  It will be sponsored by local companies.  We are still in conversation but the interest is building. Sandra and Maria from Naletsana been invited to the activity. Thanks."  LOOK AT THE PROGRESS!!!

UNDERSTANDING A NATION IN CHANGE - KG GROWING AND DEVELOPING

"Bride Kidnapping - Illegal in Kyrgyzstan"

WHEN LAWS CHANGE

PEOPLE SOMETIMES 

FOLLOW 

ALONG

SLOWLY

LAMb's Response to Bride Kidnapping in Central Asia?

EDUCATION

We are committed to education and training to help those serving vulnerable, exploited and abused children and youth.  Trauma-informed training is a major focus at this time in the journey of LAMb International.  Our team members globally are all working tirelessly to make a difference. 

In Kyrgyzstan -  we started with bringing little girls who were rescued from abuse, abandonment and more - to our Dayspring program - now continuing with them through adulthood as permanence and family take root.  We added a transition program.

We have our older youth program - the transition program - now serving orphans who graduate from the orphanage system and need help with Life Skills, Education and Emotional and Physical support and care. We offer Life Skill training to three different orphanages, Education opportunities and housing.  Our mentoring program continues to evolve and develop in Kyrgyzstan.  

We are small in comparison to some ministry outreach programs - yet we still work in 32 different countries and have trainers equipped and serving across the globe.

IN KYRGYZSTAN - OUR PRIMARY FOCUS - we are dedicated to the issues that have caused such grief to many of the young women we work with - BRIDE KIDNAPPING.  

Ruby's sister, Sondra, has dedicated herself to helping educate youth about this illegal practice in Kyrgystan - teaching youth respect of persons both male and female, love for their country, how to be safe and how to help others be safe.

As mindsets change - so does a Nation.  Kyrygzstan is developing beyond past harms and is moving to be a nation that respects women and children.  Change is difficult - but change can be good.  This change is good.  No one person can do it all - but together we can be a loud voice for positive change.  All children and youth deserve Safety, Permanency and Well-Being - and the END TO BRIDE KIDNAPPING.

THE REALITY.... 

Bride kidnapping, also known as bridenapping, marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a practice in which a man abducts the woman he wishes to marry. Bride kidnapping has been practiced around the world and throughout history. It continues to occur in countries in Central Asia. 

Despite the illegality, in many primarily rural areas, bride kidnapping, known as ala kachuu (to take and flee), is an accepted and common way of taking a wife. A recent victimization survey in Kyrgyzstan (2015) included the crime of kidnapping of young women for marriage.

Fourteen percent of married women answered that they were kidnapped at the time and that two-thirds of these cases were said to be consensual, the woman knew the man and had agreed with it upfront. This means that about five percent of the current marriages in Kyrgyzstan are cases of 'Ala Kachuu' – although there is much controversy to this data.

There is another source that mentions much higher numbers. Approximately half of all Kyrgyz marriages include bride kidnapping; of those kidnappings, two-thirds are non-consensual. Research by non-governmental organizations give estimates from a low of 40% to between 68 and 75 percent of all marriages in Kyrgyzstan involved bride kidnapping.  Most significantly is the impact these marriages have on the culture and young women being forced into the marriage.

Bride kidnappings that involve rape do so to psychologically force the would-be bride to accept her kidnapper and his family’s pressure to marry him, since if she then refuses she would never be considered marriageable again.

Reports say there are nearly 12,000 bride kidnappings in Kyrgyzstan yearly.  Although the practice is illegal in Kyrgyzstan, bride kidnappers are rarely prosecuted. In most nations, bride kidnapping is considered a sex crime rather than a valid form of marriage.