Dear young reader,
In a nutshell, the Children’s Bridge Foundation (CBF) is an Ottawa-based charity
that provides educational and health sponsorship for orphaned or abandoned children in
developing nations. A very important thing to know is that 93% of all donations made to
the CBF go directly to helping children (this is more than many charities can claim).
Most of the children who benefit from CBF programs live in orphanages or group
homes. Many of these kids have health problems that make it difficult for them to be
adopted. Why is this? you ask. The harsh reality is that prospective adoptive parents
are often deterred if a child has a disability (even if it is minor) or a chronic illness (even
if it is manageable). As a result, while their able-bodied counterparts find families,
children with ongoing health conditions tend to remain in institutions, with limited access
to education and health care.
The good news is that generous contributions from people like you enable the
CBF to improve the quality of life of kids who are “left behind.” Educational and health
sponsorship initiatives are currently in place in China, Kenya, and Zambia. For example,
recent donations to the CBF have provided funding for tuition, school uniforms, and
teacher education. Therefore, ordinary people like yourself have given dozens of
disadvantaged children the opportunity to learn. Donations to the CBF have also made
it possible for children with certain birth deformities (such as cleft lips or palates) to
undergo corrective surgery, therefore drastically improving their chances of being
adopted.
Telling you what the CBF does was the easy part. Addressing the second half of
the question - why you should care - is trickier because there’s no one perfect reason
that will resonate with everyone. All I can do is share a few of my thoughts with you and
hope that you’ll uncover your own answer to this question.
Having recently graduated from university, for the first time in my life I do not
have a pre-defined next step. As someone who has always taken comfort in concrete
plans, I’ve been having somewhat of an identity crisis. Where do I attend graduate
school? How do I afford to leave home? Do I even like what I’m studying? How do I find
out who I am? It’s been a confusing few months, but (much to my relief) I think I’m
slowly gaining a new perspective. I have realized that no matter how much a quarter-life
crisis may trouble the average twenty-something, it is a hallmark of a privileged life that
most children relying on CBF programs can only dream of. That being said, I’m
beginning to understand that we discover who we are by how willing we are to help
others.
I’m sure you’re a little tired of being asked for money; as a fellow student I
completely understand that you don’t have a lot of it. However, I think that if we can help
out (and, in my books, anyone who has ever bought a latte from Starbucks certainly can
help out), then we have a responsibility to do so - even if it’s just a few dollars.
Furthermore, while donations are much needed and appreciated, supporting the CBF
does not have to be purely monetary - you can get involved in other ways. For example,
if you have a communication platform, such as a Greek society event or a school
newspaper, you can use it to bring attention to the work of the CBF. In the past,
compassionate and creative youth have supported the CBF by hosting bake sales,
organizing fashion shows, and even by selling homemade products. Other fundraising
ideas include bottle-drives, craft sales, 50/50 draws, and silent auctions. The
possibilities and opportunities to help out are endless, and endeavors can be as large or
as small as you wish. You don’t have to be a superhero to make a difference – it all
counts.
I understand that it is often difficult to feel connected to people on the other side
of the world. However, certain world events of the past year have made me realize just
how important it is to care about each other. In light of recent political events, it is crucial
– now more than ever – to reach out and help people, even if they are far away, even
(and perhaps especially) if they may be easily labelled as “Other.” When I catch myself
retreating into my own privileged bubble (as it is so easy to do), I remember that the
only meaningful point of difference between me and somebody growing up in a Chinese
orphanage is that I was lucky enough to be born without disability or chronic illness. So
this holiday season, please understand that when you donate to the CBF, you’re not just
“giving money.” You’re giving a child the opportunity to go to school, or to have a life-
altering surgery. You’re empowering somebody just like you, who just needs a little
help.
Maryfrances Carton
In a nutshell, the Children’s Bridge Foundation (CBF) is an Ottawa-based charity
that provides educational and health sponsorship for orphaned or abandoned children in
developing nations. A very important thing to know is that 93% of all donations made to
the CBF go directly to helping children (this is more than many charities can claim).
Most of the children who benefit from CBF programs live in orphanages or group
homes. Many of these kids have health problems that make it difficult for them to be
adopted. Why is this? you ask. The harsh reality is that prospective adoptive parents
are often deterred if a child has a disability (even if it is minor) or a chronic illness (even
if it is manageable). As a result, while their able-bodied counterparts find families,
children with ongoing health conditions tend to remain in institutions, with limited access
to education and health care.
The good news is that generous contributions from people like you enable the
CBF to improve the quality of life of kids who are “left behind.” Educational and health
sponsorship initiatives are currently in place in China, Kenya, and Zambia. For example,
recent donations to the CBF have provided funding for tuition, school uniforms, and
teacher education. Therefore, ordinary people like yourself have given dozens of
disadvantaged children the opportunity to learn. Donations to the CBF have also made
it possible for children with certain birth deformities (such as cleft lips or palates) to
undergo corrective surgery, therefore drastically improving their chances of being
adopted.
Telling you what the CBF does was the easy part. Addressing the second half of
the question - why you should care - is trickier because there’s no one perfect reason
that will resonate with everyone. All I can do is share a few of my thoughts with you and
hope that you’ll uncover your own answer to this question.
Having recently graduated from university, for the first time in my life I do not
have a pre-defined next step. As someone who has always taken comfort in concrete
plans, I’ve been having somewhat of an identity crisis. Where do I attend graduate
school? How do I afford to leave home? Do I even like what I’m studying? How do I find
out who I am? It’s been a confusing few months, but (much to my relief) I think I’m
slowly gaining a new perspective. I have realized that no matter how much a quarter-life
crisis may trouble the average twenty-something, it is a hallmark of a privileged life that
most children relying on CBF programs can only dream of. That being said, I’m
beginning to understand that we discover who we are by how willing we are to help
others.
I’m sure you’re a little tired of being asked for money; as a fellow student I
completely understand that you don’t have a lot of it. However, I think that if we can help
out (and, in my books, anyone who has ever bought a latte from Starbucks certainly can
help out), then we have a responsibility to do so - even if it’s just a few dollars.
Furthermore, while donations are much needed and appreciated, supporting the CBF
does not have to be purely monetary - you can get involved in other ways. For example,
if you have a communication platform, such as a Greek society event or a school
newspaper, you can use it to bring attention to the work of the CBF. In the past,
compassionate and creative youth have supported the CBF by hosting bake sales,
organizing fashion shows, and even by selling homemade products. Other fundraising
ideas include bottle-drives, craft sales, 50/50 draws, and silent auctions. The
possibilities and opportunities to help out are endless, and endeavors can be as large or
as small as you wish. You don’t have to be a superhero to make a difference – it all
counts.
I understand that it is often difficult to feel connected to people on the other side
of the world. However, certain world events of the past year have made me realize just
how important it is to care about each other. In light of recent political events, it is crucial
– now more than ever – to reach out and help people, even if they are far away, even
(and perhaps especially) if they may be easily labelled as “Other.” When I catch myself
retreating into my own privileged bubble (as it is so easy to do), I remember that the
only meaningful point of difference between me and somebody growing up in a Chinese
orphanage is that I was lucky enough to be born without disability or chronic illness. So
this holiday season, please understand that when you donate to the CBF, you’re not just
“giving money.” You’re giving a child the opportunity to go to school, or to have a life-
altering surgery. You’re empowering somebody just like you, who just needs a little
help.
Maryfrances Carton