Lending a Helping Hand
She was 13 when she found herself expelled from school. Why? Because she didn’t have the necessary school supplies. Her family was ultra-poor so there was no way they could afford such luxuries as a notebook, pen, pencil and chalk. Most days, her family had little, if anything, to eat. So, rather than tell her parents about her needs, she pretended to go to school each day – but instead would find a quiet place in her village to cry.
That is, until the day a young man approached her and promised to buy her school supplies and food … if she would do him a favor.
It wasn’t long before the vulnerable little girl found out exactly what that favor cost her – she was pregnant. And, of course, the man never gave her any school items or food. In fact, she never saw him again.
Now, she was left to face her parents with the devastating news that she was pregnant and unwed. She knew her strict parents would disown her. And the stigma associated with teenage pregnancy in her community meant she would be rejected, insulted and even physically assaulted. Worst of all, she must leave school for good – the one thing she knows is her ticket out of this life of poverty.
A child alone and pregnant. Where does she go? Who will help her?
This heartbreaking, true story is played out again and again among schoolgirls living in impoverished communities in developing countries. They are victims of sexual predators simply because they haven’t eaten in days, they’ve been banished from their homes, or worse.
These young ladies are so desperate for food, for the humiliation at school to stop, to attend school to get an education … they are willing to do anything. In the end, however, they are left homeless, with no job, no education, no support --- and expecting a baby. And they are just babies themselves.
We’ve been so moved by stories like this one that we are providing a new branch of ministry called “Helping Hand.” Through this initiative, Julie’s Heart Cry will partner with other faith ministries and their supporters who have been led to give. Gifts through this initiative may include things like school supplies, benches for a classroom, a vehicle for evangelism, college scholarships or a business start-up kit.
We will partner with vetted national pastors and Christian schools like Good Samaritan School in Uganda whose founder is a native pastor serving one of the poorest communities in East Africa. Because he is embedded in his community, he is able to identify the needs of the poorest families – including vulnerable children from refugee camps.
By providing school supplies, socks and shoes, classroom benches and more, you will help ensure vulnerable girls are in class instead of at risk from sexual predators. You will help them get an education, a possible college scholarship or business start-up kit that will put them on the path to a life free from the shackles of poverty.
Helping Hand is critical to supporting the uncompromising message of the sanctity of life. Please prayerfully consider how you can give today.