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!!!