A Birthday Party Means Much More than a Celebration!
Do you remember when your sponsored child's birthday is? Each person has a birthday, but not everyone has the opportunity to celebrate it. In poor communities, parents may not have the resources to celebrate their children's birthdays. They may not even know that their children need birth certificates in order to enjoy their basic rights such as receiving education and medical services. World Vision holds birthday parties for children in some communities, and it's more than just making children feel loved and valued! This issue of "Discovery Sponsorship Journey" brings you to one of World Vision's "Multi-Purpose Birthday Parties".
More than just a celebration
Besides making birthdays a memorable occasion with cakes, games and performances, such multi-purpose birthday parties also come with an educational significance, including promoting children's rights to sponsored children and their families, as well as encouraging parents to register the birth of their newborn children.
Life is difficult for most families in this community, who cannot afford to celebrate their children's birthdays. World Vision holds collective birthday parties for about 600 sponsored children here every year to encourage families and children to have fun together and strengthen their relationships.
The villagers here never celebrate birthdays. When children receive birthday cards and new clothes, they are happy to know that their births are worth celebrating and that they are loved by God and their sponsors. World Vision also invite other villagers to celebrate together to enhance neighbour relations.
These children were delighted when World Vision staff handed them birthday cards from their sponsors, which made them feel loved and cared for. "My mother loves me, but she doesn't remember my birthday," said 15-year-old Tisunge (second from right). "Birthday cards are new to our whole village."
You can also participate in your child's birthday!
A child's birthday is significant, and it is even more fun when you are a part of it! This year, we encourage you to mark down the birthday of your sponsored child on your calendar and to keep your sponsored child in your heart. We have recently designed a new digital birthday card, which will be sent to you by email two months before the child's birthday to remind you to send birthday wishes to your sponsored child and show that you care!
Next time you receive an "Annual Progress Report" from your sponsored child and his/her community, you may wish to check if something similar to the following statements is present:
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"As I celebrate my birthday, I feel loved and cared for by my family and neighbours."
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"My friends and people in the area celebrated my birthday and I felt special."
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"Celebrations were arranged for me and other children with close birthdays. I feel valued."
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"I feel valued and loved, and I want to share that love with my friends and neighbours."
If there are any questions about sponsorship, or other topics that you would like us to cover, please send us an email at [email protected] to "Discovery Sponsorship Journey". Your questions may become the topic of our upcoming issue!
