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Helping Students Here and Abroad
Despite discouraging statistics, these two ministries are making a difference for Christ by helping students—in their cities and around the world.
Deep Impact
The United States has one doctor for every 390 people, but other countries aren’t so fortunate. In Liberia there is only one doctor for every 33,500 people and in Malawi just one for every 50,000! FAME (Indianapolis, Indiana) works to change these ratios with its Impact Partners Scholarship Assistance program.
For just $30 each month, or an annual gift of $360, the Impact Partners program helps fund the medical education of a promising student in another country. Organizations already working with FAME, such as Central India Christian Mission and Ghana Christian Mission, recommend candidates for the program and provide regular updates on their grades and personal growth.
“Many people in developing countries don’t have the opportunity to attend college at all, and those who do often leave the country after receiving their education,” says Rick Wolford, executive director of FAME. “But the students receiving help from our Impact Partners commit to spend at least two years working in their native country after graduation.”
Nine students currently receive the scholarship funds, in varying amounts based on the cost of medical school in their country. FAME provides each Impact Partner with quarterly reports on the students’ progress and connects with the students when possible.
“I’ve met at least half of the scholarship recipients, and these are quality men and women,” Wolford says. “One in Mexico has already been through a preaching program. One in Honduras worked as a youth minister in the local church. Many of these young people are actively involved in ministry already, which is important to us—we want to train kingdom workers, not just doctors and nurses.”
To learn more or to become an Impact Partner, visit www.fameworld.org.
Shop Talk
In Lawrence County, a rural area of Illinois, more than 10 percent of families live at poverty level. Many more eke out a living above that threshold but have little cash to spare for extras. To serve both groups, Bill and Helen Hanson and Kristy Dutton created the “Kids Shopping Day” at Central Christian Church (Lawrenceville, Illinois).
Hanson and her scores of volunteers take the typical back-to-school supply drive a step further by creating a “mall” where each child can choose new outfits, supplies, and other treats.
Families begin lining up for the experience at dawn. At 9 am the doors open and the fun begins.
“A volunteer serves as a ‘personal shopper’ for each child, helping him choose two new outfits and new shoes plus socks and underwear,” Hanson says. “Volunteers even provide on-site alterations. Other volunteers fold and bag the clothes while ‘oohing and aahing’ and telling the child how great she will look.”
From there, the volunteer escorts the child into rooms filled with school supplies (already organized by school and grade) and new backpacks. The kids also receive a small bag of personal care items like toothpaste and shampoo, and local Gideons offer each child a New Testament.
The team launched the program in 2006 after learning about similar initiatives in neighboring areas, and today 18 churches in the county contribute volunteers, collect donations, and shop the clearance racks. Hanson hopes other cities will replicate the program, and at this year’s shopping day on August 1 she hosted several groups interested in starting their own shopping days in nearby communities.
“It takes all year to solicit donations and buy the clothes, and a full week to set up the shopping area,” Hanson says. “But it’s so worth it.”
www.centralchristianchurch.us
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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