Can You Help?

(click for more photos)

With Christmas soon approaching, I thought I'd take a moment to remember the children across the world that are living in orphanages, foster care and hospitals. One statistic says there are over 143 million orphans worldwide. It saddens me to think of all those children not having homes and families to hug and kiss them when they are hurt or sad, to read them bedtime stories and tuck them in at night, to laugh with them and tickle their toes. I look back at the pictures from Izaak's babyhouse and wonder if the cute little boy climbing up the slide or the toddler girl who pushed her friend on the swing have found their forever families. I often think of the beautiful older children we met at Zhas Dauren and I pray they are happy and well cared for.

I ran across this song/video. Again, it reminded me of all the children who have been left behind. Steven Curtis Chapman’s video, All I Really Want For Christmas: (click here to view video)

Mike and I have decided to sponsor a child (age 8-18) this year. We will receive at least two updates/letters from the child (hopefully more) and will have the opportunity to write and send pictures as often as we like. The sponsorship program is at Zhas Dauren in Uralsk, so it will be nice to get to know someone growing up in Izaak's birth city. The money that we contribute will go towards helping the child when she/he turns 18 and leaves the orphanage. We are very excited and will keep you updated. ~A

We received a letter from our Adoption Agency asking "Can you help?" I thought I'd share part of that letter, in case even one of you reading this can help the orphan children in Kazakhstan.

"This time of year many of us are asked to reach into our pockets and help people in need. I think many of us give willingly while others hesitate due to the uncertainty of not knowing exactly where the money goes.

For years WPA has given back to Kazakhstan for the wonderful gifts they have given our families. In the past six years alone WPA and our partners have given in excess of one million dollars to help the orphan children have better lives. The President's Committee in Kazakhstan recently recognized our partners, Zhana Zhol for their work in humanitarian aid to children. They were the only adoption organization to receive such an award.

100% of money given goes into our programs to help improve the life of a child. We do what we do for the love of our children's birth country and for our love of the children that will never experience the joys of having a family. WPA does not withhold anything from what we receive, all of it goes to benefit the children.

I would encourage you to visit our website's Humanitarian Aid page and see for yourself some of the work we have done. Since WPA is a 501(c) 3 corporation all donations are tax deductible and receipts will be issued. http://www.worldpartnersadoption.org/project.html

From all of us at WPA we wish you the best this holiday season has to offer!!

- Jim Harding"

Please leave a comment if you decide to contribute in any way. We'd love to hear from you.