Have
you ever considered adopting?
When
David Hayman visited one of the shanty towns near Cape
Town, South Africa, he discovered that a large number
of the families had no adults left and were lead by
the oldest child. This was the result of HIV - AIDS
that is decimating family life.
Many
of these children have to work rather than go to school
as there is no other way of supporting their siblings.
When we say 'work' this is usually on the streets as
prostitutes. There is very little alternative work and
therefore the eldest child often sacrifices their own
education so that the younger ones can continue with
theirs.
This
is where the question at the top of this page begins
to make sense. You could 'adopt' a an entire family
for only £35 a week. This could be joint project
for a group of you each putting a couple of pounds each
week into a fund. Some Church groups have already done
this and are now following with great interest, the
progress of their particular family.
Alternatively,
you could 'adopt' an individual child and contribute
towards their school fees and travelling expenses, enabling
them to complete their education and get a reasonable
job to support themselves and their family. This is
usually a three or four year commitment and would be
somewhere around £1,200 a year.
Payments
for both 'adoption options' could be made monthly or
annually its entirely up to you. Some people like to
know how there child or family are getting on whereas
others are happy to know that Spirit Aid is ensuring
the money is being properly used. 'Adopted' children
enjoy writing to their sponsor telling them about their
schooling and home life and Spirit Aid can arrange for
you to receive regular updates like this.
If
this is something in which you would like to become
involved, please contact the Glasgow office where they
will be pleased to give you more information and forward
you the Standing Order forms to start your 'adoption'.
