Our church supports a number of children's homes in the US, Myanmar, India, and Liberia (all are run by one organization). We recently got a letter about the one in Liberia, which has been badly affected by persecution and a not-so-good economy. It was estimated that the average family takes in the equivalent of $20 a month. A 100# bag of rice, which provides meager meals for a family of five for a month, costs $25. We were encouraged to help buy rice for the children's home, at an estimated cost of 25 cents per cup of rice.

I got to thinking of how I could encourage my children to give to this project. So I got a container that is about 1-cup size, cut a slot in the lid, and wondered how many cups of rice a cup of spare change would buy? I am going to put it on the dining table and leave it there until it is full. Then I will let the children count it, and the older ones can do the math to figure the CAN to US exchange rate and the amount of rice it will buy. Then we'll roll it up and make out a money order to send to the children's home.

We have done similar projects in Sunday school--Bibles for Mexico and Russia being the main themes. My thought was, that maybe some of you know of other projects, needs, etc., that you could get your children involved in. I have seen children bring to Sunday school their entire allowance to put in the can!

-- Cathy N. (homekeeper86@sympatico.ca), February 23, 2002

Answers

Wonderful idea, Cathy. Could you post the address that you are sending the money to, and any other info needed?

I think it's as important that children learn the concept of giving to and doing for others as it is to learn the 3 R's. And a whole lot more important than a good deal else children are being taught nowadays. I always believed if my children grew up to be self supporting, responsible, moral, and caring about others, then I would consider my parenting a success. Success to me has much more to do with morals, character and values than the ability to earn more money.

My daughter and son-in-law work at teaching their 3 yr. old daughter to think about and share with others. They have given much thought to what kind of child they want to raise, and are concentrating their efforts on not giving her too much and how to teach her to give of herself. I am really proud of them! Yesterday as I took my granddaughter home, she was jabbering on about giving some of her toys to another little girl because she had so many and this other child had almost nothing. Even at this young age, mom and dad's lessons are sinking in!

Cathy, I think this would be a good topic for the homeschooling threads you've posted. It would be great to share ideas on projects to teach youngsters to give to others. I'm sure you have many other ideas.

-- Lenette in OR (kigervixen@webtv.net), February 23, 2002.

This reminded me of a children's bank that Larry Burkett's org. sells (some of you may be familiar with him).

I figured when our daughter gets old enough to do this, I won't buy the bank, probably, but we'll make our own.

The concept is simple:

The "bank" has 3 buildings in it. (1) a store (2) a church and (3) a bank.

The kids put their spending money in the STORE & their giving money in the CHURCH and their saving money in the BANK.

I think it's a good simple idea to show kids that you don't just spend all your money. You save some too, but most importantly, you GIVE!

THANKS for sharing your story - it was a good reminder! ;)

-- Heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), February 23, 2002.

Lynette, I don't have the address on me at the moment; I'll get it at church tomorrow. Meanwhile, you can go to www.baptistchildrenshome.org to find out more about the organization itself. I noticed that they have not updated the site for some months, so the new home in Liberia is not mentioned. If you click on "international ministries", you'll find a toll free number you can call for more info.

-- Cathy N. (homekeeper86@sympatico.ca), February 23, 2002.

I think it is also important to teach them how to check out potential charities to make sure the money is truly going where the charity (religious or secular) says it is going. For us, any admin costs over 10% are not acceptable, unless there are certain extenuating circumstances.

I know the above sounds harsh, but in light of the Red Cross-9/11 issue it is something to think about. Also, for very young children, it might be easier for them to donate to causes closer to home, say the elderly, disabled, etc. where they can really see where the money goes, or give their time instead of money.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 23, 2002.

Our kids often bring home requests from school, things like deaths in families, fires, sicknesses, collections for toy drives, canned foods, donations to charities. Our policy is that we will match any donation they make. I have been very proud of a child who donates everything they have when a classmates home burns down. They are all very giving young people!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 23, 2002.