Moldova (MNN) — The deadline for Little Samaritan Mission’s Face of Child project has just passed, but they’re extending it until Friday, September 22nd, especially for you, the friends of Mission Network News.
The reason? They have 50 more orphaned and impoverished children from Moldova that need loving sponsors for this special Christmas gift outreach. Sponsors receive a picture of a child and purchase gifts for that specific child. This year’s theme is “Back to School” and sponsors are given a list of school supplies and personal items to purchase and send in a backpack to their sponsored child.
This year’s project encompasses around 6000 children from a total of 43 orphanages and villages covering the entire country of Moldova. It’s a unique project and an amazing opportunity to directly impact the lives of children and families in Moldova. Recent statistics indicate that Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, and the winter months are especially harsh as incomes for families are seasonably dependent.
Each year around Christmas, Little Samaritan Mission travels through freezing temperatures, snow, rain and mud to deliver the Face of a Child project gifts to outstretched arms and smiling faces. In each village, the gifts are passed out together with Christian literature. Afterward, a holiday meal is served to the children.
Last year, they expanded to reach impoverished children in remote villages. That expansion brought up a need to add young toddlers and infants to that list as well, prompting the start of “The Face of a Baby” program. Since pictures of children are taken well in advance of the project, many babies are born in the meantime, leaving those babies under 18 months old without a picture to be given to a sponsor. Baby supplies and clothing are very expensive in Moldova, and most families cannot afford to purchase baby items. But Little Samaritan is inviting you to help with this new effort for babies. If you would like to make a special Face of a Child donation for a baby, contact Little Samaritan for details.
In addition, Little Samaritan would be happy to do the shopping for those unable to do so themselves. You can sponsor one child for $50 for the gift and $10 for the holiday meal and transportation.
It’s a great opportunity for MNN listeners to show the love of Christ and put a smile on a child’s face.
For details of the Face of a Child project and how you can help, click here. You can request a child’s picture from Little Samaritan Mission by phone, fax or email.
Note: The deadline listed on the LSM website has been extended; the new deadline is Friday, September 22, 2006. Be sure to let Little Samaritan know you heard the story on MNN and they will take a picture as they distribute your gift this Christmas.
