Hope Spot 1 – Your first day of school!

I was going to say welcome to the new year …

… but I’ve had a break, and the year is not so new anymore.

This week, though, it is the start of a new year for children going back to school, or going for the first time … and parents organising lunches and uniforms and drop-offs … and teachers fired-up to inspire and equip and develop their students.

For the children you help through ALWS,
a new school year is even more exciting.

At Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, children have fled war and poverty and drought.

They’ve watched their homes burn, seen friends and family killed, walked weeks to find safety. Suffered in ways words can’t say.

And that’s when they meet you.

You are there in the teacher who welcomes them with a smile. You hand out the paper and pens and textbooks. You shuffle the children along in the new school desk they share.

School is a powerful way to help children recover from trauma.

Having a routine. Learning new things. Making friends.

Playing. Singing. Laughing.

These things give children confidence life can be ‘normal’ again. They can start to trust that they are safe. High protein porridge helps them grow strong and healthy.

That’s the impact your kindness can have on a child …

… and that’s why as ALWS gives thanks for 75 years of service this year, we decided a life-lasting way to do it was to aim to help 75,000 children!

Just $25, on average, can help provide school, food and safety for a child. Donate now

You can go a step further and step out so a child can step up! by being part of an ALWS Walk My Way – as a Walker, solo or with friends or family, or Volunteer, set up your own Walk, or simply sponsoring someone who’s walking.

You are welcome at our 75^th Thanksgiving Weekend at Albury on 21 – 23 March.

There’s a Wine & Cheese launch of Brian Neldner memoirs Table of Eight on the Friday evening … a Walk My Way on the Saturday at Bonegilla Migrant Centre (where ALWS had its start), along with tours and historical talks and book signings with Brian Neldner … plus a Thanksgiving Service on the Sunday at St Luke’s Lutheran Church.

You may simply choose to give a 75^th Thanksgiving donation ($25 per child) as we strive for our step-of-faith 75,000 children for 75 years goal.

Whatever you do, can I encourage you that the help you give a child now lasts far longer than the first day of school, or even the whole new year.

The last time I visited Kakuma Refugee Camp, I asked children to draw for me what they wanted to do with their education.

There were doctors and nurses and teachers and engineers and pastors, as you’d expect, but one surprise was helicopter pilots …

… until I realised the children had seen helicopter pilots delivering aid to their war-torn communities.

What I noticed then was that everything the children wanted to do and be were jobs that served their community. They wanted to help make things better.

That’s why I keep on reminding you that your kindness now is a blessing ALWayS!

Thank you for giving children the school that is the first day of their new life!

PS: Please visit alws75.org.au to explore how you can be part of our ALWS 75^th Thanksgiving – join Walk My Way, come to Bonegilla or simply give a 75^th donation ($25 per child). Thank you!