"Last summer (June-July 2007) I traveled to Zambia with ten friends. It was the experience
of a lifetime. I have always dreamt of helping children around the world and I was certainly
blessed with the opportunity through the Sisters of St. John the Baptist. These amazing women
acted as our hosts, cooks, itinerary coordinators, drivers, and friends while we visited. By
showing us some of the much needed facilities they started and maintain around Zambia, they
opened my eyes to the injustice and hopelessness that many suffer in this society. I believe
that everyone should at least be given a fighting chance to not only survive, but to thrive.
Many of the children I met had been shunned from their families, abandoned, orphaned, and left to wither away. One particularly horrifying story was of a girl from the orphanage who had been buried alive on top of her deceased mother because no one in the community could take care of her. A brave little boy heard her cries, dug her up, and carried her in his bicycle basket to the door of the Sisters. I believe that much needs to change in the world- from corrupt politics to greed to overindulgence to priorities in life. I also believe that it doesn't happen overnight and that it is almost never easy. Regardless, I want to try to live by the words of Mahatma Gandhi- "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to go back to Zambia for a few months after I graduate. I plan on making sure each of the children has clothes on their backs and food to eat. I also hope to provide them with something more sustainable- such as opportunities for their futures, since the majority end up begging as "street kids" or worse. I think the long term goal in giving aid to Africa is that one day it will be able to stand on its own two feet. I hope to acquire many of the provisions for the children through local markets, so that the money donated will not only directly help the children, but their economy as well- thus compounding the effectiveness of your donation.
From my visit to Zambia and talking to the sisters who have dedicated their lives to helping these children, I have come up with some specific projects (listed in the proposals above and further explained on each page) that I will personally see through while I am over there. I will be paying my own way there and covering all of the administrative costs associated with a project like this because I want 100% of the money donated to go to these children.
I have been blessed with friends who have voluntarily helped along the way- especially Laura Calabro- who spent countless hours designing this website since I'm "computer language" illiterate, Justin Furniss- who provided me with the web server, Chris Marchese- who made the awesome logo, Sr. Elsa and Sr. Gertrude- who helped me maintain contact with Zambia (no small feat!!), Monsignor Brown and Anne Thoms- who generously helped me set up a tax-free account, all those who spent or will spend time putting up flyers around colleges, sitting at tables canning with me, participating in fund-raisers, and so many others along the way.
To all who donate: I promise to use all of the money I receive to better the welfare and future of these children. Thank you for your generosity! You have helped directly change a life!"
- Justen Beneduce, Founder of Sign of Hope
Many of the children I met had been shunned from their families, abandoned, orphaned, and left to wither away. One particularly horrifying story was of a girl from the orphanage who had been buried alive on top of her deceased mother because no one in the community could take care of her. A brave little boy heard her cries, dug her up, and carried her in his bicycle basket to the door of the Sisters. I believe that much needs to change in the world- from corrupt politics to greed to overindulgence to priorities in life. I also believe that it doesn't happen overnight and that it is almost never easy. Regardless, I want to try to live by the words of Mahatma Gandhi- "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to go back to Zambia for a few months after I graduate. I plan on making sure each of the children has clothes on their backs and food to eat. I also hope to provide them with something more sustainable- such as opportunities for their futures, since the majority end up begging as "street kids" or worse. I think the long term goal in giving aid to Africa is that one day it will be able to stand on its own two feet. I hope to acquire many of the provisions for the children through local markets, so that the money donated will not only directly help the children, but their economy as well- thus compounding the effectiveness of your donation.
From my visit to Zambia and talking to the sisters who have dedicated their lives to helping these children, I have come up with some specific projects (listed in the proposals above and further explained on each page) that I will personally see through while I am over there. I will be paying my own way there and covering all of the administrative costs associated with a project like this because I want 100% of the money donated to go to these children.
I have been blessed with friends who have voluntarily helped along the way- especially Laura Calabro- who spent countless hours designing this website since I'm "computer language" illiterate, Justin Furniss- who provided me with the web server, Chris Marchese- who made the awesome logo, Sr. Elsa and Sr. Gertrude- who helped me maintain contact with Zambia (no small feat!!), Monsignor Brown and Anne Thoms- who generously helped me set up a tax-free account, all those who spent or will spend time putting up flyers around colleges, sitting at tables canning with me, participating in fund-raisers, and so many others along the way.
To all who donate: I promise to use all of the money I receive to better the welfare and future of these children. Thank you for your generosity! You have helped directly change a life!"
- Justen Beneduce, Founder of Sign of Hope
children in Zambia by supplying medical, educational, and living provisions
to these children while also securing opportunities for their futures through medical
care and scholarships. We believe that all children deserve the chance to have an education, a happy
and healthy childhood, and a future regardless of disabilities, financial status, or ethnicity.
St. Martin's, located in Kitwe, Zambia is an orphanage currently housing 23
children and a school to even more. Many of these children have been abandoned or are the
victims of the AIDS crisis.
The Proposal:
- Baby supplies
- Clothing and shoes
- Children's books
- Money for nutritious food
- Set up an Emergency Hospital Fund
St. Joseph's, located in Lufwanyama, is the only comprehensive deaf school
in the whole country of Zambia. It is the only chance of an education for most,
if not all, of its many students.
The Proposal:
- Assistive teaching technology
- Clothing and shoes
- Basic school supplies
- Medicine for clinic
- New bedding (if funds allow)
- Fund for Gallaudet University scholarships
Kacema Musuma is a community school located in
Chingola. It caters to 566 orphaned and otherwise vulnerable students. Over half
of the students are orphans and all suffer from poor nutrition.
The Proposal:
- Money for food
- Clothing and shoes
- Books
- Basic school supplies
- Pulley system for community well
Questions? Comments?
Contact Sign of Hope
Contact Sign of Hope
