Children Helping Children.

One of our partner organizations is Kids Caring 4 Kids, a non-profit organization devoted to raising awareness of the fact that despite their youth, children are some of the most important catalysts in paving the way for change. The members of the organization encourage children, regardless of age, to get involved in causes that matter to them, reminding them that the littlest act of service can sometimes go the longest way. 

It seems that the mission of Kids Caring 4 Kids is catching on. Recently, Touch A Life consultant Emily George was able to educate a class of students on the injustices occurring on Lake Volta. Via Skype, an online communication server, she taught a group of third-graders in Alberta, Canada, about the children who were working as slaves on the lake. Inspired, they decided to hold a popcorn sale to raise money for hygienic products, especially toothbrushes and toothpaste. They managed to raise $60.00, which allowed them to purchase 57 toothbrushes and 62 tubes of toothpaste. 

The point isn't really how much the children raised. Instead, the beauty is in seeing these young hearts come alive with the desire to make a difference in the world. It has been ingrained within them that even the smallest of donations can change lives. The world is theirs for the taking, and we are so proud to be affiliated with children with such generous hearts and giving spirits.

Ghana Trip: March 14.

Beautiful boys at the Village of Hope Orphanage.

On Saturday morning, the Touch A Life team members tackled the task of interviewing the 21 rescued children to acquire their biographies. Because of the level of excitement generated by the new visitors at the Village of Hope, all of the children wanted to participate, resulting in the acquisition of over 100 biographies. It was chaotic, hilarious, productive and fun. 

The team members explored the local village of Gomoa-Fetteh and spent as much time as possible bonding with the kids. In the evening, some of the Touch A Life team members doled out new shirts from our donors for the kids. Kids Caring 4 Kids and the ATO Fraternity at Pepperdine University donated shirts from their causes and the children loved trying on their new clothes. They were so excited to receive new outfits. It was so much fun playing and laughing with them. 

Up next: the tale of the traumatic 10-and-a-half-hour drive to Lake Volta...

Some of the 21 rescued by TAL in their Kids Caring 4 Kids shirts.

Pam, bonding and coloring with the kids.

Mark and Rachel, donning the new Touch A Life foundation shirts, which feature the name, handprint and rescue date of the children the organization has saved.

Mark was the first boy rescued off of Lake Volta by the Touch A Life Foundation.

Pam and Rachel with Mark.

Sweet boys at the Village of Hope.

Rachel

Kids Caring 4 Kids.

Kendall Ciesemier with Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. As recognition for all of the hard work Kendall has done, Clinton surprised her at her high school and brought her downtown Chicago to be a guest on Oprah's popular talk show.

It has been a blessing for the Touch A Life Foundation to partner financially with Kids Caring 4 Kids. Kendall Ciesemier is a 15-year-old from Wheaton, IL, (which is my hometown! This makes our partnernship with this organization all the more exciting for me.) who started raising money in 2004 to benefit orphans with AIDS in Africa. The organization has turned into a group that raises money with the intention of donating it to various non-profits whose goals are focused on eradicating slavery, poverty, hunger and AIDS in African nations. 

Kendall is an inspiration to me. She is an example to youth everywhere that no one needs to wait another day before taking action to change the world. Kendall has undergone two liver transplants (both during the summer of 2004) yet she has a disposition of peace, confidence and strength. At age 15, I was nowhere near the level of maturity that Kendall has already achieved. I am so impressed by her grace and courage. 

I took the following quote from the Kids Caring 4 Kids Web site because I feel that this sentence sums up the organization perfectly:

:: By watching Kendall think of others during her time of need, many kids have been inspired to look at how they, too, can be a "kid caring 4 kids," seeking to make their own positive impact on the world. ::

Rachel