Rethinking Global Aid and Poverty

Rethinking Global Aid and Poverty

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“You‘ll never look at poverty and the Third World the same again.”

My son, Kyle, was good friends with Simon Scionka, who helped in the production and editing of Poverty Inc. This award winning film examines how sometimes our good intentions in providing global aid can lead to harmful unitntended consequesnces that can actually make the problems worse. This is a great film to watch, especially with your kids, to start a dialogue on all the issues presented and coming up with ways that might make your giving more benefial to those in need.

“As if poverty weren’t a challenging enough phenomenon unto itself, time has revealed that good intentions by outsiders can in many cases make the problem worse — a cruel irony that serves as the basis of Michael Matheson Miller’s “Poverty Inc.,” an easy-to-understand docu-essay with a tough-to-accept message, especially as it implies that some aid organizations may actually be cashing in on their concern. The idea isn’t to discourage giving, but rather to illustrate how the current paradigm doesn’t work, providing clear examples and practical solutions that serve as a useful conversation-starter flexible enough to enrich discussions everywhere from college campuses to community churches ” Variety

“Poverty Inc. critically examines an industry the chief product of which is good will and social status (virtually crying out for ‘smug’ emission standards) and attracts more celeb endorsements than soft drinks and weight loss combined. In fact, the poverty industry is the one industry which has such high social status that celebrities actually give money to it, in order to associate their names and faces with it rather than the reverse (which is the usual arrangement). For decades celebrities have been clamoring over one another to be chosen to stand in front of a mic and warble to the world, asking if “they know it’s Christmas over there…” in Africa, and to declare that they are the ones who get to declare, “‘We are the world,” or, “We are the One(s) which will end poverty in our day.” Second-rate rockers get knighted for being in on stuff like that. The poverty industry oozes good will and social status from every crevice, like oil from shattered shale, only goodness instead of evil hydrocarbons.

But the big question is, “Does it actually work?” And the almost-as-big question is, “Who would we need to talk to in order to get the right answer to the big question?”

The answers are (in reverse order): “The poor themselves,” and, “No, it does not.”   Forbes

It is a very thought-provoking film. Check out the trailer here:

Do you have a resource to share on this topic? Please let us know here!

Helping Local Refugees

Helping Local Refugees

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I first met Ann Heign, the executive director at International House, several years ago when my daughter’s much awaited mission trip to Africa was postponed. She was so disappointed, as she loves working with kids and had such a heart to go to Africa.

A daughter of one of my friends had mentioned that she had volunteered at Ihouse where she worked with refugee children. She gave me Ann’s name and number, and my daughter, Rebekah, and I met with her a few days later. As we sat in the Ihouse living room, Ann said to Rebekah, “I can bring Africa to you right here in Fort Wayne.”

By the following week, Rebekah started volunteering her time on a weekly basis providing childcare for the kids while their mothers were involved in any one of the life skills programs that Ihouse offers.

International House is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization committed to sharing the love and light of Jesus Christ with refugees and other internationals living in the Fort Wayne area.

At the same time, International House respects the right of each individual to decide his own religious preference and provides services without regard to religious preference.

Kids Club

Citizenship Class

Homework Help

Women’s Club

I also spent time volunteering at Ihouse helping some of the refugee women learn to read English. My younger two daughters, Promise and Autumn, would accompany me on those days and would help with childcare.  They loved hanging out with the kids! My daughter, Kristen, was able to help out using her organizational skills with whatever projects Ann would have for her.

Volunteering does help those in our community, but I have also found that it impacts those of us who are doing the serving, as well. It has given both my children and myself a much broader perspective of the needs around us. It builds compassion and empathy in your kids as it brings awareness to the trials that others are facing in their community. This often leads to a greater sense of gratitude in their own lives.

There are so many ways you can use whatever gifts and talents you have to serve this ministry! If you are interested in helping, or would like more information, contact Ann Heign here.

#Forti-fy

Character Ink Classes

Character Ink Classes

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Over the last 10 years, most of my kids have taken Cottage Classes offered by Ray and Donna Reish. They teach so many subjects!  And your students will enjoy learning from two teachers that enjoy teaching!

Here is a short video that tells you all the information you need to know about all Character Ink has to offer!  You can also check out their entire website here.

Ray and Donna Reish, homeschool veterans who have graduated seven children from homeschooling after thirty-two years of homeschooling, own and operate Character Ink Press (a small press publishing company for homeschooling materials), Learn-for-a-Month (a digital language arts, writing, and reading publisher and online teaching source), and Character Ink Cottage Classes and Educational Services (local classes, done-for-you homeschool programs, and more). Donna has written over 100 books totaling over 50,000 pages and tests those books and materials with fifty to one hundred students in small groups every year.

Have You Considered Music Therapy?

Have You Considered Music Therapy?

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Not too long ago, I ran into a friend of mine’s daughter, Olivia Fowler. In our, “What have you been up to?” conversation, she was telling me that she had become a music therapist. I personally had no first-hand knowledge of this field and was fascinated by all the different types of clients she worked with and the results that were achieved. I will be doing a more in-depth interview with Olivia in the future, but for now I just wanted to share this wonderful resource. Whether it be for a yourself, a child or an aging parent, you may find that this just might help you overcome a challenging health condition, reduce stress, or achieve more balance in you, or your loved ones, life.

You can check out Mainstay’s Website here.

On the American Music Therapy website page, you can read about all the diffiernt populations where music therapy is used.

Do you have a story to share about using Music Therapy? Please share it here!

Kroeker HomeSchool Academy

Kroeker HomeSchool Academy

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The first time I came across Kroeker Academy was when I was reading their course descriptions in a homeschool newsletter and was thinking, “Wow, how do they teach ALL that in one class?!”  So often times I wanted my kids to take classes they were offering, but due to schedule conflicts, it never happened. I often felt we missed out on some great learning! I have, however, had many friends whose kids have taken their classes, and they have confirmed what I instinctively knew – there is a whole lot of learning going on in those classes!

I got to know Miriam Kroeker at Fire and Light Productions, where some of our children participate in theater. I recently asked her to share a bit about Kroeker Acadmey:

“Kroeker Homeschool Academy has been committed to the Fort Wayne homeschool community for 17 years! Our goal and purpose is to promote academic excellence in our students through each course of study we offer. Involved parents and students have routinely commented on KHA’s rigorous and invigorating classes. Through the study of English, writing, Latin, history, logic, or speech, our academic classes focus on developing critical thinking skills while providing many opportunities for laughter and relationship building, all taught from a Christian worldview. Our music program, KHA Strings, covers all levels of string performance from the complete beginner to the advanced student with performance opportunities for all. In all KHA classes, students receive weekly, formal instruction along with clearly detailed, well-organized at-home work for the remainder of the week, so you, the parent, can remain actively involved in the educational process. Also, many classes operate on a three or four year rotation so students can enjoy a multi-year benefit.”

Here are a few testimonials:

“Our involvement with Kroeker Homeschool Academy has truly been a huge blessing for our family! The preparation for college level work has been outstanding along with the fun my boys have had and created while attending classes!

Deb, homeschooling 27 years

“The classes were very well organized. My kids learned discipline with their work habits. Although the classes were full of information, the variety made the classes interesting.  My kids are always telling me things they learned.  The Kroekers were very positive and encouraging.  My kids have all become better students.”

Renee, homeschooling 28 years

“My kids make absolutely no complaint about the classes and are glad to go every week.  Because they like the classes, they are motivated to work hard at their assignments.  I personally like the curriculum. I like the fact that they read a variety of books and write a variety of papers. This is a very thorough curriculum, and my children must work hard and apply themselves in order to do well. It has helped to foster virtues needed to continue to do well in their future education.”

Cheryl, homeschooling 28 years

“I love making music with other kids!” Elias, 4th grade

“I didn’t know I could like English!” Luke, 7th grade

“It was challenging. I learned a lot about Roman history and culture as well as the Latin language.” Tony, 9th grade

“Logic has helped me understand the fallacies of the media around us.” Adam, 11th grade

“These classes are very informative. I enjoyed them so much that I have taken four years of Latin and three years of English at Kroeker Homeschool Academy.”

Ethan, 12th grade

“This class really helped me improve my writing. It is a great class with excellent teaching from a very knowledgeable teacher who cares for her students.”

Gramm, graduate

Greg and Miriam Kroeker

If you are interested in finding out more information on all Kroeker Academy has to offer, you can check out their website here.

Clever Chore Charts, and Steadfast Playful Moms

Clever Chore Charts, and Steadfast Playful Moms

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Each week we’d like to take a moment out and share a few snippets of moms in our area  – doing what they do best – fortifying their families!  (more…)