COUNTRY INFORMATION:
Rwanda is a country located in Africa. As of July 2007, the population was estimated to be around 9,907,509.
"Rwanda has always been plagued by ethnic-based strife. A peace accord in mid-1993 temporarily ended most of the fighting, but there was a massive resumption of civil warfare in April 1994. During the 3-month-long conflict, an attempted Tutsi genocide killed more than 500,000 people, and another 2 million fled as refugees to neighboring countries." (Compassion International)
Friends to the Fatherless supports Wellspring Church's sister church, the Nyamagana Parish, and Wellspring Church's Rwandan Team who are developing projects to aid the people in Rwanda.
South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is a country in eastern asia.
"The contemporary culture of South Korea is heavily dominated by technology..." yet, "South Korea retains centuries-old customs and traditions, such as its cuisine, ancestor worship, blood line, and some Confucianism ideals." (wikipedia)
Due to the high value placed on family blood line, most orphaned children have been historically adopted outside of South Korea. Currently, the government is working to raise awareness and change policies to increase acceptance of adoption, therefore, increase the number of children adopted within South Korea.
Friends to the Fatherless has teamed up with AAC Adoption Agency in Berthoud, Colorado, Eastern Social Welfare Society in Seoul, South Korea, and Jinhae Hope Home Orphanage in Pusan, South Korea to provide care and hope as well as practical goods to the orphaned children each agency serves.
U.S. Foster Care System - Arapahoe and Jefferson counties, Colorado
"Over 513,000 American children are in foster care because their own families are in crisis and unable to provide for their essential wellbeing."
"Research shows that young people in foster care are far more likely than their peers in the general population to endure homelessness, poverty, compromised health, unemployment, incarceration, and other adversities after they leave the foster care system."
"Children and youth in foster care are capable of overcoming the repercussions of previous abuse and neglect..." with help. (National Foster Care Month)
Friends to the Fatherless supports the children in foster care in Arapahoe and Jefferson counties (Colorado).
NEWS AND EVENTS:
For each country: Any money raised goes to the country for which a particular event was held.
Rwanda:
March 2008: Our Second Annual Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner was held at Wellspring Church on March 9th. This dinner preceeded the church's annual meeting.
The money raised was designated to assist the Nyamagana Parish in provding some basic necessities to the children in their orphanage.
April 2007: Our First Annual Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner was held at Wellspring church to raise money for our sister church, Nyamagana Parish, in Rwanda. The funds raised provided the Nyamagana Parish Orphanage with material to make school uniforms and with trade school supplies.
The money was presented to Pastor Emmanuel Gasana of the Nyamagana Parish during his visit to Wellspring Church May 2007.
South Korea:
June 2008: Care packages for Hope Home Orphanage and for Eastern Social Welfare Society's unwed mother's homes were delivered to AAC Adoption Agency. AAC Adoption Agency will hand deliver these care packages during their homeland tour to South Korea in July 2008. Hope Home Orphanage's care package contained candy for the children. E.S.W.S.'s care packages contained manicure and pedicure supplies for the unwed mothers.
April 2008: Friends to the Fatherless teamed up with AAC Adoption Agency to help organize and lead a group of 13 women on a "Women's Volunteer Service Trip" to South Korea.
For this trip, all 13 women individually, as well as a team, collected items and raised money through various fundraiser events. The donations received went toward the service projects in two orphanages, a children's rehab center, two unwed mothers homes, and a community recreaction/daycare center for low-income families. While in South Korea the team also hosted a fundraiser event with all proceeds going to Eastern Social Welfare Society.
June 2007: A baby shower held for Eastern Social Welfare Society provided E.S.W.S.'s orphanages with much needed items for the children including clothing and toys. AAC Adoption Agency hand delivered these items to E.S.W.S. during the agency's homeland tour to South Korea in July 2007.
Also delivered were 72 stuffed Gund Teddy Bears, donated by the Family Christian Bookstore, decorated with ribbon donated by Build-A-Bear.
U.S. Foster Care System - Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties, Colorado:
September 2008: Over 75 new backpacks, as well as a number of bags of general school supplies, were delivered to Arapahoe and Jefferson counties for the foster care children they serve.
August 2007: School supplies, including backpacks, were collected at Wellspring Church. These items were delivered to Arapahoe Country to be distributed to the foster care children who desperately needed these items.
