children Archives - Cross International

A Summer Without Hunger

August 18, 2022 by Cross International

School Feeding Program Makes Sure Hungry Kids Get the Food They Need

Summer can be an extremely difficult time for children in the developing world. During the school year, many boys and girls depend on daily school lunches to meet their nutritional needs. For some, school lunches are the only food they can rely on. Then when summer “vacation” comes the meals suddenly stop. Without consistent meals, these children can begin slipping into malnutrition. In the more extreme cases, malnutrition can lead to stunted growth, and even impaired cognitive development, which may impact the child for the rest of their life.

For hardworking parents who, try as they might, simply lack the resources they need to ensure that their kids get enough food, the summer months can be heartbreaking. In Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, lack of nutrition during summer remains a major problem. That’s why Cross International has partnered with Divine Shelter Schools (DSS) to implement a summer feeding program for at-risk children in Haiti.

Serving well over 200 children in multiple locations, the Cross International and DSS summer feeding program includes a morning devotion, Bible lesson, art class, math and grammar tutoring, sports, hygiene education and, of course, nutritious meals! To ensure that each child is getting the food they need, the DSS staff also make sure to track the weight of each child throughout the summer.

It’s only because of the generous support of kind Cross International partners like you that these precious girls and boys are enjoying daily, healthy meals this summer. Thank you for showing them God’s love through their fully bellies!

Meet the DSS Summer Feeding Program Students

Claudine

Claudine is a rising 4^th grader attending the summer feeding program at the Divine Shelter School of Bellanger. Claudine’s father works in a factory that produces ice and her mother sells cookies to help provide for Claudine and her three siblings. Claudine is thankful for the food and fun she enjoys at DSS.

Jessica

Sadly, Jessica’s parents are separated so she and her three siblings live with their father in a rented hut. Jessica will be in 4^th grade when school begins again at DSS Bellanger. The daily meals Jessica receives at the summer feeding program are helping her grow healthy and strong!

Finding Her Place: A girl in Haiti discovers belonging

July 14, 2022 by Cross International

Born with Down Syndrome in Haiti

The youngest of five children, 14-year-old Meh was born with Down syndrome in Haiti. Despite her condition, Meh began school at the age of five. Sadly, though, she struggled to find the special needs support to help her succeed. Her parents tried sending her to three different schools, but each time Meh’s special needs were not cared for. At one school, a particularly mean teacher would beat poor Meh, leaving her with bruises on her arms and legs.

Special Needs Support

Violent protests and civil unrest further complicated Meh’s education and her parents didn’t know where to turn next. Then they discovered the National Academy of Excellence (NAE), a Cross International partner in their area. Officially opening in 2016, NAE is a school that provides primary education for children living on campus as well as kids, like Meh, who live nearby. Thankfully for Meh, NAE even provides for children with special needs in Haiti, ensuring that they too get the opportunity to learn in a positive and healthy environment.

Education for Special Needs Children

For Meh and her family, the National Academy of Excellence has been an answer to prayer. Meh has finally found the place where she feels like she belongs. Since she began attending NAE, Meh has shown remarkable improvement in her fine motor skills, spelling, and vocabulary. At the NAE’s annual Christmas show, Meh even performed a song during the school play!

In the short time she’s been at NAE, Meh has made remarkable progress and she says how much she loves going to school and how proud she is to be an NAE student!

Programs like NAE are so important for special needs children in Haiti, like Meh, who have nowhere else to turn. Thank you for helping this precious young lady, and so many other children, get the priceless gifts of loving care and a quality education.

War in Ukraine: Natalia’s Story

April 22, 2022 by Cross International

A Young Wife and Mother Becomes a War Refugee

Like so many other Ukrainians, 34-year-old Natalia has been through a lot since the Russian invasion of her country in late February. “We were asleep when we received a call at 5am from friends telling us that the Russian army is invading,” she remembers. “For six days we followed the same route over and over. When we heard the air raid sirens outside, we went to the basement of our apartment building.”

When the bombs started hitting closer to home, Natalia knew it was time to take her 9-year-old son, Constantin, and go. “When the Russian army bombed the military base nearby, we decided to leave Ukraine,” she said.

So Natalia and Constantin, along with Natalia’s mother, Tatiana, set out to find safety, leaving their home and everything behind, including Natalia’s husband. “We traveled with two friends of mine and their children,” Natalia related. “Our husbands stayed behind to defend the country. It was very difficult to say goodbye.”

When the family arrived in neighboring Moldova, they received a warm welcome and essential help, thanks to support from Cross International’s local partner. Natalia has no idea if or when she’ll be able to return home, or when she’ll see her husband again. But in the meantime, she’s found comfort while living as a war refugee. “We had thought and hoped to be home after a week, but it looks like it will take much longer,” Natalia said. “The future is very uncertain, but we are grateful for the way we have been taken care of.”

Thank you for helping care for Ukrainian refugees like Natalia and her family. Please continue to pray for peace and to send help any way you can.

Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine

March 31, 2022 by Cross International

Russia Invades

After months of military buildup along the border, in late February of 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his forces into Ukraine. The invasion, which was no doubt intended to quickly subdue the overmatched Ukrainian military and bring the country under Russian control, stalled shortly after it began. The conflict has since devolved into a bloody war of attrition. In the weeks that have followed, Russian forces have resorted to widespread bombing and shelling of Ukrainian and Mariupol. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently stated that, “We’ve seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities. Russian forces have destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded.”

Humanitarian Crisis

While the Ukrainian military continues to make a valiant stand, the constant violence and bombardment have sent millions of Ukrainians fleeing from their homes. Oftentimes, it’s mothers and children seeking refuge while husbands and fathers stay to fight. The elderly and disabled are also undertaking this hard and dangerous migration. As these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees’ journey from their homes with only what they can carry on their backs, a major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Eastern Europe.

Cross International Responds to War in Ukraine

In the weeks after Russia launched its offensive, Cross connected with a local partner with over 30 years of experience working in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Together, and with the help of a network of local churches and ministries, we are focusing on providing emergency relief for Ukrainian IDPs and refugees. This relief includes family survival packs with food and essential hygiene items as well as mattresses and bedding. Cross is also working with those on the ground to convert homes and other buildings into temporary shelters for traveling refugees and IDPs.

As Russian forces continue to push into Ukraine from the east, our relief efforts are focused primarily on Western Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania where Ukrainians displaced from the eastern parts of the country are fleeing. Right now, we estimate that our support is reaching approximately 40,000 displaced Ukrainians. These include many pregnant and , children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Caring for Victims of Trauma

Sadly, with the levels of violence and destruction being inflicted on Ukraine, which the U.S. State Department has formally determined constitute war crimes, the Ukrainian people are being subjected to devastating physical and psychological trauma. It’s also important to remember that, though the present invasion is grabbing all the headlines, the current Russo-Ukrainian War dates back to 2014 with historic roots dating back at least to Stalin.

This heartbreaking reality means that many Ukrainians are in dire need of trauma counseling and therapy. Cross International is working with our local partners to ensure that as many children and adults as possible have access to the care they need.

The Future of the Conflict in Ukraine

While it’s impossible to know for sure what the future holds for the Russo-Ukrainian War, the unfortunate reality is that, right now, there’s no end in sight. It’s very likely that the virtual stalemate we’re currently seeing on the battlefield will drag on for many bloody months, or even years. Should Russian forces capture the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Cross International’s local partners expect to see an even greater influx of refugees into Moldova. But this is just one of many variables. In all likelihood, the stream of Ukrainians fleeing for their lives will only increase in the coming months, and the humanitarian crisis will continue to worsen.

Please continue to pray for peace and for all those in harm’s way. And please consider supporting Cross International as we work to meet the needs of those affected by this terrible war.

A Song for Safe Water

January 28, 2022 by Cross International

Young musicians take the stage to bring clean water in Africa

14-year-old Hugh and his younger brother, 13-year-old Liam, are committed to the cause of clean water—they’re also talented musicians. Hugh and Liam’s family has been partnering with Cross International for a number of years to reach those in need around the world. That’s how Hugh and Liam discovered the dire need for clean water in Africa, and the Chipata district of Zambia in particular. In this region, 76-percent of households lack access to clean, safe water. The consequences for this lack of water can be heartbreaking.

Unsafe water can cause chronic sickness, diarrhea, and even death. Not having easy access to the water they need for drinking, washing, cooking, and cleaning can also lead to back-breaking work for women and children especially. All too often children are forced to miss school in order to make the long and treacherous journey to a distant water source to retrieve heavy buckets of water for their families.

Hugh and Liam want to change this sad reality by bringing clean water in Zambia.

Raising Money for Clean Water

After learning about the clean water problems in Africa, Hugh and Liam’s hearts were moved to help. They decided to use their musical talents to raise money to build a well in Zambia. The brothers began taking their guitars to local restaurants and coffee shops and using their music to spread awareness for the plight of Zambians and encourage donations towards building a well. Check out their donation page

Building Wells in Zambia

Cross International is in the midst of a three-year initiative with the Kachere Development Program (KDP), our long-time partner in Zambia, to construct wells in the Chipata district. One well can provide water for 600 people. The goal of the initiative is to build hand-pump wells in 14 communities across the region. Some of these wells have already been constructed bringing the blessing of clean water to villages that were in desperate need. “I used to suffer a lot by covering a long distance with a bucket of water on my head,” said Naomi, a well beneficiary. “With the new well in my village, I have time to rest, I can attend church services and other social activities in the village. My children are able to go to school and attend classes regularly. May God bless Cross International!”

Hugh and Liam want to make Naomi’s story a reality for more people desperate for clean water. “That’s what we want to do,” they said, “to use our love of music to provide clean water to a village in Zambia.”