Juna Amagara means "SAVING YOUNG LIVES"

My last couple of posts have been incredibly cheerful and uplifting. That's because I feel enormously proud to say I share this Earth with some of the most beautiful and joyous people on it. The Ugandan people have reignited my spirit. If I became any happier to return to Uganda I'd spontaneously combust!

But right now it's time to get serious for a minute. Because sometimes I also find myself feeling enormously embarrassed to say that I share this Earth with some of the most beautiful and joyous people on it. I feel embarrassed because We. Aren't. Doing. Our. Job. We aren't taking care of our brothers and sisters. We aren't even thinking about them. I live in enormous excess and luxury and I am embarrassed.

Take a moment to please, please, please watch this video.

 http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1475560

It's time get real and it's time to get raw. Children need our help. And they live all over the world. They need our help in Chicago, in Detroit, in Atlanta. In Russia, Guatemala, Cambodia, Pakistan, Somalia, Korea.

I know how extremely overwhelming that feels. To even imagine how many children in how many places need a warm meal today.

I have a group of children in southern Uganda that you have access to. Children that I know personally with names and photos. Children whose homes I've visited and spoken to. Children whose stories can be told and shared with you. They are not faceless, nameless statistics...part of the 147 million orphans around the world. They are accessible. They are reachable. They will be in my arms in just a few weeks time. They are so easy to help!

There are nights when I can't fall asleep because I'm doing the math to figure out what time it is in Uganda. I lay in bed and I say their names out loud. Gilbert. Bibian. Jethro. Annah. Grace. Betsey. Dickson. Barbara. Blessing. Ruth. Ronald. Marcus. Caleb. Christine. Timothy. John. Pheonah. Prince. Isaac. Benson. Isaiah. Dennis. Eric. Patience. Julius. James. Mercy.

Did you know that $35 a month sends a child to school and puts three warm meals in their belly each day?

That small payment can transform children from this....

Into....

Yesterday I went online and I purchased the new Hi-Dunk Nike Wedges for $120. I'm going to a concert tomorrow that cost me $75. My favorite leather jacket that I got for Christmas last year? $500. And I feel tremendously embarrassed about that.

I'm not saying you should stop enjoying the luxuries you work for in your life. Don't do that! That'd be silly.
I'm not asking you to stop eating out or to stop splurging on new handbags.
I'm not even asking you for a large amount of money.

I'm only asking you to please sponsor one child. 

The things needed to keep a child happy and healthy in Uganda are so inexpensive! They need clean water and nutritious, consistent meals. They need shoes. They need a mesh net over their beds to prevent malaria. They need to attend school.

$35 a month. One child. Change the world for one person. I know that you can fit that into your monthly budget.

What if that was your child?
Your Hudson.

They are.

If you click on this link you will be directed to JAM's sponsorship page. Here you can click on any of the children's photographs to learn their name, gender, age, village. You may choose a boy or a girl. A young child or an older child. You might choose two. Write down the child's name and ID number for your records to ensure you receive written letters from that child. (Isn't that awesome by the way?!)

Here are photos of waiting children.....

 Jimmy, 7

 John, 13

 Topista, 5

 Isaac, 7

Once you've decided to sponsor a specific child, click on the "sponsor this child" button underneath their photograph. You will be redirected to JAM's sponsorship application where you will need to fill in your name and other basic information. They will ask you if you prefer to make a yearly payment ($420) or a monthly payment ($35). Afterwards, you will have a JAM profile with a username and password. (In the future this can easily be accessed by clicking on "donate" at www.amagara.org. Here you will be able to login in and keep track of your transaction histories.)


On the online donations page simply set up your choice of payment ($420 or $35). You do this by typing that amount in the Child Sponsorship column. Next to the amount you can provide the child's name and ID # to once again ensure that child is receiving sponsorship. 


Once you finish entering your credit card information you have gained a child sponsor! Juna Amagara Ministries will receive your payment and immediately apply it to the child you have chosen. They will begin school at JAM's designated primary in their village. 


Soon afterward, you will receive a letter from JAM in Glen Ellyn, IL. They will write to you about your role as a sponsor, how to write letters to your child and also what not to do (like mail candy and toys). 


After a few months time you may receive your first letter from your child!!! The young children have help from teachers writing the letters. Older children write to you on their own. JAM will also send you an updated photo of that child. (Because mail to villages can take awhile, be understanding that sometimes you may only receive about 3 letters a year from your child.)


As time goes by, you will develop a special relationship with your child. You can visit them! Sign up to travel with a team through Juna Amagara Ministries. I have visited Gilbert twice now, making this November the third time (and I will aslo meet my newly sponsored child Bibian for the first time).

2007

2012

 Bibian 2013

Gilbert and Bibian are being fed consistently. They are clothed and warm at night. They have adults that love and support and hug them. They have learned English and how to read and write. They have shoes on their feet. They sleep in beds. They enjoy school and have many friends. They honor their teachers and parents by studying hard and testing well. They will continue on to enjoy very successful futures----will be able to end the cycle of poverty in their families and affect the next generations of their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. Juna Amagara does not only feed and educate orphans. They ensure all students pursue higher education. They find them scholarships and education programs beyond secondary school. They find them jobs specific to their learned skill. They make sure you're donation never, ever stops at that one child. You're single sponsorship will affect generations! JAM sponsored students will payback ten-fold what Juna Amagara has given them.

Please, sponsor a child. They are waiting.