Rose of Sharon children playing street soccer.
(Photo by International Needs)

Colombia (MNN) — If you usually throw your obsolete prescription glasses away, there could be a better use for them.

Right now, International Needs is collecting eye glasses to send to children in Barranquilla, Colombia.

These particular children are the 500 students at the Rose of Sharon School.

Rody Rodeheaver of International Needs says, “A high percentage of these children would never get an education were it not for the Rose of Sharon school which is a ‘from kindergarten through high school’ Christian education that’s being funded by people in the United States.” This happens through child sponsorship or individual one-time gifts.

Many of them come from a slum that Rodeheaver describes as a despicable place to live. There seems to be no end to the poverty there, and like many slums, the extreme lack of opportunity is apparent. According to International Needs, very few children or their family members are able to visit a doctor even if their life depends on it.

The Rose of Sharon is an institution that brings hope, possibility, and opportunity through the education it provides. The school is also a place where children can take part in Bible Studies and learn more about Jesus Christ. Read more about how they are impacting the community here.

A first doctor’s appointment

For the first time, International Needs is sending a medical missions team into this community in Colombia. The trip will take place from January 30 to February 6.

The clinic will be set up in the school, and the children will get tickets in order to bring their family members to see the doctors as well.

Rodeheaver says, “Our goal is to see about 2,500 people. We will have doctors, dentists, optometrists, nurses, and lots of helpers to take care of these children and their families.”

Volunteers with the medical team will be able to treat ailments or other conditions that these people may have been dealing with for a long time. They can also refer them to the Baptist Clinic of Barranquilla for those conditions that can’t be treated at the school.

Your old glasses could change the course of life for a child

(Image courtesy of I.N. Network via Facebook)

Rodeheaver says that they are also collecting used or new prescription glasses until January 9.

Some children have trouble reading and end up falling behind in school work. Your old pair of glasses could change that.

“Some of them will become better students because they’ll be able to read better, be able to see better,” says Rodeheaver.

If you would like to donate a pair of glasses, write the prescription on a piece of tape and attach it to the wing of the frame. Reading glasses are also accepted.

Send the glasses to International Needs, 5570 32nd Street, Hudsonville, Michigan  49426.

Helping them see

This trip will be an opportunity to reach the children’s families with the story of Jesus.

“The Gospel is very present,” Rodeheaver says. “As we are taking care of these children and adults, some people are assigned to share the Gospel–to do evangelism while the kids are there.”

Even while waiting in line to see the doctor, some may receive the healing truth of Jesus sacrifice.

“All those children are exposed to the Gospel while they’re in school. But this also gives us a great chance to work with the parents and the people related to them,” Rodeheaver explains.

In addition to a quality, government-approved education, the
students also receive school uniforms and one hot meal a day. In addition, the school staff have the
opportunity to share the Gospel with the students and their families. 

Since Colombia
does not offer free public education, the students at La Rosa de Saron would not be able to receive an education from
any other place. 

Over 2000 families live in squalor in La Playa, a community
outside the city of Barranquilla.  The community suffers from 80 percent
unemployment, and single mothers lead the majority of the families.

1200 more children in La Playa do not have access to
education. Guerilla groups and criminal gangs frequently target children who do
not attend school. Martha Villamizar de Palacio, Executive Director of I.N.
Network Colombia
and founder of La Rosa de Saron, hopes to expand its student body from 400 to
650.

She also hopes to provide a base salary for the teaching
staff. The teaching staff currently
receive no salaries. All of them are
Christians, and they volunteer not only to provide an education but to raise up
strong leaders for the kingdom
of God. 80 people worship at a church on the school
property, which is pastored by de Palacio's husband in conjunction with another
pastor. 

Almost half of the Colombian population lives in poverty,
and armed conflict has displaced two million people. Violence, often tied to drug cartels, is
common. 

Due to economic hard times, many of I.N. Network's child
sponsors have had to discontinue their sponsorships. Many children need new sponsors. Click here if you can help transform a
community by sponsoring a child for just $32 a month.