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May 2, 2008 – Imagine not
having access to clean water, nutritious food or an education.
This is what life is like for nine-year-old Jany J Velazquez
Espinoza of Nicaragua. That is before members of Duanesburg
Middle/High School’s student council learned of Jany’s plight
and stepped in to help.
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Did you know?
- Every day,
Americans spend one billion dollars dining out.
Every night, 799 million people go to sleep
hungry.
- Many African
women walk six miles every day for water. On
average, Americans walk six miles every month.
- Average life
expectancy:
America - 78, Zambia - 40
- American teens
spend an average of $101 per week. That would
send two African children to school for one
week.
Source: World Vision |
Since December, students have
been sponsoring Jany through World Vision, a Christian
humanitarian organization. Jany, her family and her community
benefit from one annual payment of $360, which provides fresh
water, healthy food, education, health care and economic
opportunities for an entire year.
Originally, the council had donated one goat and two chickens to
a needy village through World Vision, but decided they wanted to
be part of an ongoing commitment and sponsor a child in need.
“It makes you realize how poor they are,” said student council
co-chair Richie Kennedy, explaining that it breaks down to just
$30 per month.
Student council co-chair Stephen Karandy said the council
decided to put money that had accumulated in the council’s
treasury over the past few years from fundraisers,
extracurricular activities and other events to good use.
Currently, Jany lives with her niece, seven brothers and one
sister. Her eldest brother has been struggling to provide for
them since their parents were killed by hurricane Mitch in
October 1998—when Jany was only five weeks old.
Hurricane Mitch was one of the most powerful and deadliest
storms to hit the Atlantic. Historic amounts of rainfall caused
$5 billion in damage and catastrophic flooding, killing nearly
11,000 people and leaving thousands more missing.
To learn more about Jany and keep updated on her situation, the
council started writing to her. They also sent her a package
with jewelry, bookmarks, stickers and other small items.
“The group is really interested in communicating with Jany,”
said Jean Ceneviva, student council advisor. “We have a lot of
questions for her.”
To date, they’ve received one letter from her.
“The letter was outlined for her and someone must have
translated it,” added Karandy.
Kennedy and Karandy said that while the letter was brief, Jany
wrote that she is very happy. She said she lives in a beautiful
place with many trees, animals, hillsides and birds, as well as
a church.
“It’s nice because you can see as she gets older,” said Karandy.
“Maybe one day she’ll come here.”
Regular updates about the sponsorship are posted on the bulletin
board in the middle/high school cafeteria. |
