poverty Archives - Cross International

A Life-Changing After-School Program in Rural Malawi

June 16, 2025 by Cross International

Six days a week, hundreds of children pour into a large fellowship hall in the remote village of Thanganyika in southern Malawi. This hall is so much more than merely a building. It represents hope. It’s a place of refuge, a sacred space. The joyous sound of kids singing and laughing often echoes through the room. Children are taught the Word of God here, and for many, this is where they receive their only substantial meal of the day.

Nine-year-old Tamala and her siblings used to venture to neighbors’ houses in a desperate attempt to obtain food. Despite working hard, Tamala’s single mother struggled immensely to provide. The family also lacked access to clean water, leading to constant sickness from consuming contaminated water. Tamala was heartbroken when she had to be pulled from school because fees were too expensive. She ultimately missed over a year in the classroom. But God had a different plan for her future.

Because of her difficult situation, Tamala was welcomed into the after-school program that’s run in the fellowship hall by Cross International ministry partner Ambuya Development Center. She’s given a nutritious, daily meal and clean water to drink, and her health has vastly improved. As part of the program, Tamala’s educational expenses are paid for, allowing her to resume school! While schoolwork is sometimes challenging because of the lost classroom time, Tamala is steadily progressing and receives extra help with her studies from the center’s staff. She loves to learn and dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up.

Tamala used to wonder whether God really cared about her, but her faith has grown as she’s experienced tangible expressions of His love through the program in the fellowship hall. She enjoys the regular Bible lessons and fun activities and has made many new friends. Tamala’s favorite Bible story is the account of Esther. She admires Esther’s courage and the way the young queen trusted in God, praying and fasting on behalf of her people.

When ten-year-old Pemphero walked into the fellowship hall for the first time, his attention was immediately drawn to the chairs. They’re not fancy chairs, but Pemphero was not used to having a chair to sit in. He and his siblings live with their single mother in a flimsy, temporary shelter. The fragile structure is all his mother can afford. Like Tamala, Pemphero’s family has very little food and no access to clean water, and he was also out of school before being accepted into the after-school program and having his academic fees covered.

Pemphero was thrilled to return to the classroom! He likes a variety of academic subjects, and though he’s young, he already understands that education is key to eventually being able to start a career through which he can support his family.

Learning scripture has left an impression on Pemphero, who now sees God as his provider. He’s grateful for all of the blessings he’s received. “I did not know that I could be in school…that I would be getting free, good food six days a week…to be using a hall like this one and chairs we do not have at home. All this is a miracle to me. May God be praised.”

The opportunity to go to school and the daily after-school gatherings in the fellowship hall are a lifeline for kids like Tamala and Pemphero. From healthy meals to academic support to Bible lessons and interactions with caring staff members, what’s happening in this space is truly special. When you partner with Cross International, you provide critically needed physical and spiritual nourishment to kids in rural Malawi and beyond in the name of Jesus.

Empowering Women in Rural Uganda: Lydia’s Story

June 2, 2025 by Cross International

As a mother and a grandmother, Lydia is the heart of her household. Over the years, she’s prepared hundreds of meals for her family. And in her home, that’s no small feat. Lydia and her husband Christopher have nine children, some of whom are now adults while the rest are in their teens, and one grandchild. Together the family lives in a small, metal sheet-roofed house in their remote village in southern Uganda.

Lydia cooks for her large family in a tiny space with very basic supplies, and for many years utilized traditional cooking stones that are commonly used by rural Ugandan women. While skilled in this method, Lydia was keenly aware of the hazards of open fire cooking. “The smoke was simply intolerable,” she remembers. “My eyes would burn, and my chest felt heavy. I often worried about the health of my children, who were always around the cooking area.” Lydia and her kids frequently suffered from respiratory infections due to smoke inhalation.

The process was arduous. It took hours each day to collect adequate firewood, leaving minimal time or energy for other activities. The physically-demanding work left Lydia in a constant state of exhaustion, but she pressed on for the sake of her family, trusting God to sustain her. Lydia found comfort in the words of her favorite scripture, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Feeling like she was stuck in an endless cycle, Lydia began attending a series of community meetings organized by Cross International’s local ministry partner, HEED Uganda, which informed residents about various resources and opportunities. Lydia listened intently as meeting leaders discussed the construction of energy-efficient stoves for individual households at extremely low costs. When she realized this was an option for her home, Lydia was elated!

It took just a few hours for Lydia’s new stove to be built. Cooking with the energy-efficient stove produces far less smoke and requires only a fraction of the firewood that was previously needed. Since the switch, Lydia and her family have been healthier from breathing cleaner air. Meanwhile, fewer trips to collect firewood has freed up time for Lydia to spend on other activities. “I now have more time to tend to my garden and grow vegetables for my family. I even have time to make crafts that I sell at the local market in Kafunda.”

From energy-efficient stoves to safe water to agricultural training and much more, Cross International collaborates with local ministries to equip individuals and transform communities. Lydia has experienced the difference firsthand: “Your generosity has brought hope and empowerment into our lives, and I am deeply grateful.”

It’s the selfless giving of people like you that enables Cross International’s work to continue. Partner with us today to bring vital resources and the hope of Christ to the poorest of the poor!

Hope for At-Risk Kids in Ecuador

April 11, 2025 by Cross International

Ecuador is the fourth poorest country in South America. Over 25% of the country’s population lives below the poverty line. Long-standing challenges, such as high rates of child malnutrition, poor healthcare and inadequate education systems need to be addressed to improve the quality of life.

Recently, there was a compounded urgency as Ecuador has found itself in a “state of war” as drug cartels waged a brutal campaign of kidnappings and attacks in response to a government crackdown. Hundreds of soldiers patrolled the capital of Quito – where our educational partners currently serve – and students and their parents were gripped by fear over the surge in violence.

Cross International stood firm by our partners, and thankfully the situation has once again stabilized. But we put contingency plans in place to ensure that the schools we support will continue to be served should the situation once again heat up.

We also realize that life in Ecuador is especially hard for the children, even when the social and political atmosphere is calm. Thousands of boys and girls from the Quito area live in homes plagued by domestic violence, malnutrition and extreme poverty. School-aged children are often sent by their parents to peddle in the streets instead of to school. Those who do attend school are always in danger of dropping out. This creates an oppressive cycle of generational poverty.

The situation is doubly hard for teens and young adults – those who hold down jobs during the day and attend our night classes in an attempt to finish school. They are the prime targets for these drug cartels. In fact, many of these teens and young adults have spent years warding off intense recruitment to turn to a life of crime. Most have been forced to drop out of school to support their families and have spent their childhood missing out on the education that could have provided economic stability. Without an education, these teens have little chance of breaking the bonds of generational poverty.

Cross International’s Solution

In Ecuador, Cross International’s approach to education is unique. In most of the countries we serve, we prioritize our efforts on Christian primary school education, as literacy and primary learning is one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace and stability. But Ecuador is different. It has a long history of subjecting children to child labor. “Shoeshine boys” are a common sight on the city streets. And even though the government in recent years has discouraged the practice, child labor is still deeply ingrained in Ecuadorian culture, which is why we at Cross work feel it is necessary to serve both primary school age children and teenage students as well.

Primary school-age children

For this age group, Cross has local partners that provide nutritious morning snacks and tutoring help in the mornings before these children attend public school in the afternoon. The meals help parents who, amid harsh economic situations, cannot afford to feed their children two or more meals daily. The academic support helps the children stay current with their schoolwork. This assistance benefits those who miss class for work and whose parents lack the education to help them keep up with their studies. Our educational interventions also incorporate Biblical training, academic support, and instruction about preventing sexual abuse and teen pregnancy.

Teenage students

For this age group, Cross provides a night school alternative for teens who must work during the day to support themselves and their families. This schedule allows student-workers to keep their day jobs while pursuing a solid education. In some instances, students are able to recover the time lost when they abandon their studies for work opportunities.

MEET DIEGO & JAQUELINE

Eight-year-old Diego and his younger sister Jaqueline live with their parents in a tiny room in Quito, Ecuador. Although their dad works as a bricklayer whenever he can, the family of four is very poor. Further complicating an already difficult situation, Diego has a strong stutter and struggles to get his words out. A misinformed doctor told Diego’s parents that the stutter resulted from their spoiling their son, so his parents responded with physical abuse.

One day, a neighborhood friend invited Diego and Jaqueline to come with her to an afterschool program called The Moses Project – one of Cross International’s Ecuadorian education partners. It was a turning point for this family. When Diego and Jaqueline first arrived, they were both incredibly shy. But today, the two children have come out of their shells! Diego’s language has improved, and Jaqueline is happy and playful. Both children are incredibly grateful for the new lease on life they have received.

Thank you for considering
Hope for At-Risk Kids in Ecuador

As you can see, the needs are great, and the relationship between education and breaking the cycle of generational poverty is closely linked.

No matter what level of support you are able to provide, please know that our education projects in Ecuador – which is part of our Thriving Kids Initiative – will go a long way towards helping children finish school and reach the potential God has in store for them!

With your help, we can help kids finish school and lift them out of generational poverty.

Inclusion & Justice for Children with Disabilities

April 4, 2025 by Cross International

Sheila’s son, nine-year-old Emmanuel, suffers from cerebral palsy. “Ever since he was a baby, the community shunned us,” she said, which also made her other children feel isolated and excluded.

Sheila and her family live in Kilifi County, Kenya — a remote area with widespread misunderstandings about physical disabilities. Many believe that curses, incest, witchcraft or even God is to blame. Frequently, children are painfully abused by “healers” who perform excruciating exorcisms, cuttings, burnings, and live burials to “heal” children of their disabilities. Mothers are often believed to have caused the child’s infliction and consequently are subjected to much of the same inhumane treatment.

Until recently, young Emmanuel and his mother Sheila was in dire need of an advocate who would counsel them on their rights and refer them for care. Cross International intervened on their behalf. Thanks to Cross and our in-country partner, Kupenda for the Children, Emmanuel has received regular physical therapy. The results have been outstanding.

Before he began his physical therapy, Emmanuel was totally dependent on others. Now he can get in and out of his wheelchair by himself. He can crawl and stand up unaided, which would have once been inconceivable. It’s an amazing change for Emmanuel and for his brothers and sisters, as well. They can play and interact with him in a more normal manner. It’s truly a blessing!

With your help, we can transform even more lives and spread the love of Jesus

Cross International has programs serving children with disabilities in six countries — Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya and Malawi — and serves more than 35,000 children and family members. Our work ranges from food distribution and community schools to therapeutic rehabilitation, to surgery, to residential programs, and biblically based leadership and community training to change beliefs and practices for a more just and participatory society.

In the first three years of this plan, we anticipate growing to reach a minimum of 60,000 children with disabilities and family members each year. This is significant, as these vulnerable children and their families are likely to be among the poorest members of the community. Children with disabilities are:

Children with disabilities are at a higher risk of physical abuse and are often excluded from receiving proper nutrition or humanitarian assistance in emergencies. These are children devoid of awareness of life’s possibilities, of life’s hope, or a life of involvement even at the most basic levels of society. Families with disabilities are often shunned, isolated and lack economic opportunity, resulting in lives of poverty and living on the periphery of society.

On average, families who have a child with a disability have lower annual incomes.

In our work, Cross International regularly sees all the challenges described above. As a community of followers of Jesus and as an organization, we believe God is calling Cross to “go deeper and do more.” We are poised to significantly grow our position as an agent of action and influence to improve the lives of these children and their families.

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.

-Luke 14:13-14

Your gift to Cross International can help change the lives of children with disabilities and their families so that their lives can flourish and thrive!

Restoring Peace to Gulu

March 28, 2025 by Cross International

Cecilia, 12, is one of six children born to a former child soldier, a tragic victim of the atrocities inflicted on the people of northern Uganda a generation ago. During that violent era, the perverse Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was notorious for abducting young children, conscripting boys as soldiers and coercing girls into becoming soldiers’ wives.

During those brutal years, the LRA didn’t just brutalize children, they terrorized children’s families as well. Cecilia’s uncles were abducted, and her grandparents lost 12 acres of land plus many animals to the LRA. It was a dark time for all Ugandans. But today, things are bright again for children like Cecilia, thanks to Gulu Community Park, a community-based playground and evangelical discipleship center supported by Cross International and a Ugandan-based ministry, World Embrace.

It’s hard to imagine that with over 250,000 children in the Gulu district, there are no safe public parks for children, but it’s true! When fully completed, Gulu Community Park will provide 15 acres of enrichment to children like Cecilia.

Already, the park is paying dividends! Cecilia’s father got a new job with Gulu Park security. With his improved income, the family can finally afford the children’s school fees, nutritious meals and even medical treatment. Eventually, Gulu Community Park will be a social hub for the entire community – and Cross International will be there each step of the way.

Your support to our Thriving Kids Initiative will bring joy and a safe space for these children to play, learn, and grow.

Rescue and Recovery in Rural Guatemala

March 21, 2025 by Cross International

It was a stormy morning in eastern Guatemala, and a team from Cross International’s ministry partner, Hope of Life, was urgently loading up their truck. They had received a report that a baby girl’s life was in danger. If the team didn’t act quickly to get the baby to a hospital, they were told she might not survive. Her family lived in a tiny shack deep in the mountains.

According to the report, the young child named Romelia was starving and in terrible condition.

After a long drive through the mountains, and an even longer trek through the jungle, the team finally reached the place where Romelia lived with her parents. Typically, vulnerable families are reluctant to hand their children to someone offering help, even if their children are desperately ill, because they are afraid the missionaries will expect some payment before the child is returned — a payment they do not have.

After a gentle explanation of the team’s intentions, the father and mother released their baby daughter, and the rescuers saw her emaciated body for the first time. Her small ribs were visible, and her tiny belly was distended — all telltale signs of severe malnutrition.

Empowered by Cross International, Hope of Life rescued little Romelia and gave her the medical care, emergency food and nutrition she desperately needed. With your help, we can rescue even more of these children from malnutrition and allow them to grow and reach their God-given potential.

With your help, we can save even more lives and spread the love of Jesus

Cross International has partnered with the Guatemalan ministry, Hope of Life, for more than a decade, rescuing babies throughout rural Guatemala from the ravages of malnutrition and starvation. Together, we embark on long treks through the remote villages of southeastern Guatemala searching for infants and young children struggling to survive. Once found, the team brings the children and their mothers to Hope of Life’s 24-hour medical facility in Zacapa, where they are both admitted for 4 to 6 weeks.

While at the medical facility, they are cared for by a dedicated team of Christian doctors, nurses and trained technicians. The babies receive a regimen of fortified milk, vitamins and carefully prescribed medication. Mothers are fed three nutritious meals a day and given dietary supplements to ensure they can breastfeed their babies. The families are also referred to a psychologist and a nutritionist to guarantee that malnutrition will never recur. When the child is released from the program, the family is provided with an ample supply of food and medicine. As part of the program, the parents agree to bring the little ones back for regular checkups for the next six months.

The Heroic Educators of Divine Shelter School-Sarthe

March 12, 2025 by Cross International

Standing strong

In the heart of Port-au-Prince, where uncertainty looms and danger threatens daily life, a remarkable group of educators is standing strong against the tide of chaos. The teachers of Divine Shelter School in Sarthe have displayed unwavering courage and resilience, keeping their doors open to students despite relentless threats and attempts by gangs to tear their school down. Their story is one of heroism, sacrifice and an unshakable belief in the power of education.

WATCH VIDEO >

School Resuming at Sarthe Despite Attempted Shutdown

Located in a gang-controlled area right next to the Port-au-Prince airport, DSS Sarthe is the most urban campus in the DSS system. Perhaps because of its central location, the school has become a target—and the children have become victims. As you can see, much of the school has been demolished. But in what remains, the learning continues!

The original Divine Shelter School

The Sarthe campus of Cross International’s Divine Shelter School network is the first and original Divine Shelter School. It was established in 1971 by Pastor Jean Edmond, head of Calvary Baptist Church in Haiti. Pastor Edmond’s vision was evangelical. In his mind, the key to spreading the word of Christ was to start with the children. He believed that if you fed and educated each child, the word of God would spread throughout the entire country of Haiti.

As the original DSS campus, Sarthe has played a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape in Haiti. Over the years, it grew to serve a vast number of students, offering them an education deeply rooted in Christian values. The school’s commitment to both academic excellence and spiritual formation remains steadfast despite the increasing dangers in the region.

At its height, Sarthe boasted the largest school population, serving children from pre-K through high school. At its height, it also boasted the most stable electrical grid with good Wi-Fi reception. DSS Sarthe is regularly among the highest-performing schools in the network in terms of academic achievement and graduation rates.

In recent months, gangs have sought to dismantle that hope, attempting to destroy the school and intimidate those who dare to keep it running. Yet, through sheer determination, despite the fact that their campus has been literally bulldozed underneath their feet, the educators have refused to be silenced or driven away!

Leadership in crisis

Director Jean Mendez and the entire teaching staff have been a pillar of strength for the students and have remained steadfast in the face of adversity. They have ensured that children still have access to learning—at least for a few hours each day. They have also shown extraordinary bravery. Many travel through dangerous streets on their way to school, risking their safety just to be present in the classroom. Knowing the risks, they choose to stand firm, offering not only lessons in reading and arithmetic but also invaluable lessons in resilience, faith, and perseverance. Their dedication sends a powerful message to their students: no matter how dire the circumstances, knowledge and hope are worth fighting for.

The students themselves are a testament to this courage. Despite the dangers outside, they come to school eager to learn, their determination reflecting the spirit of their teachers and principal. Their presence is a victory over fear, proving that education remains one of the most powerful tools against oppression and violence.

The DSS Network: A lifeline for Haitian communities

Founded and staffed by Haitians, the Divine Shelter Schools (DSS) are a home-grown ministry that educates impoverished children and spreads the gospel in both urban and remote rural areas of the country. Each of the primary schools is affiliated with a Haitian Christian church body. The outreach is simple but effective. For as little as a few dollars a month, children receive a full-fledged nationally accredited education alongside weekly Bible lessons that familiarize their young minds with God’s Word. In addition to mental and spiritual nourishment, each DSS campus also meets the children’s physical need for nourishing food. Free daily lunches give the students the energy they need to learn and grow, so they don’t have to choose between eating or going to school.

DSS relies on support from Cross International and its generous donors. Through this partnership, essential resources like food, educational materials, and infrastructure improvements have been provided, ensuring students learn in safe, well-equipped environments. Despite ongoing challenges, Cross International remains steadfast in its mission to empower communities through faith-based education and outreach.

How you can help

As we share the story of these students and their educators, let us also stand with them in prayer, support, and advocacy. Their courage reminds us that even in the darkest moments, light can shine through the dedication of those who refuse to give up. For the children of Sarthe, that light makes all the difference.

By contributing to Cross International, you can play a role in sustaining this vital ministry. Your support helps provide meals, educational resources, and the assurance that these students will continue to have a safe place to learn and grow. Together, we can uphold the legacy of Sarthe and ensure that its mission continues for generations to come.

Community Transformation in Guatemala

March 7, 2025 by Cross International

Extreme poverty remains especially high in Latin American countries like Guatemala, where more than half of the population lives below the poverty line. In fact, with a chronic malnutrition rate of nearly 50%, Guatemala is the most undernourished country in Latin America and the fourth highest in the world.

To address these issues, Cross International is in a long-term partnership with the Guatemalan ministry Hope of Life to improve the lives of vulnerable communities.

One of these communities is El Milagro — a village in eastern Guatemala composed of the Mayan Ch’orti’ ethnic group, who have a longstanding history of coffee farming. Unfortunately, decades of soil overuse and erosion have led to declining coffee production. The poor soil, adverse weather, and a countrywide economic downturn have resulted in severe food insecurity and malnutrition. Tragically, approximately 54,000 people in this region go hungry daily.

We’re now in the fourth year of a 5-year partnership with El Milagro to improve the lives of the villagers there. One of these villagers is Blanca Morales, a struggling coffee farmer.

Practical hope for Blanca’s pesky problem

As a coffee farmer, Blanca has a lot to fear — declining prices, coffee leaf rust, droughts and low yields, to name just a few. But her newest foe is the coffee borer beetle, known in Spanish as “la broca.” This resilient little pest bores into coffee cherries to lay its eggs and can decimate an entire coffee field in a matter of weeks!

Cross International recently worked with Hope of Life on a unique agricultural invention to trap these pesky beetles. Made of a large plastic bottle painted bright red like a ripe coffee cherry, these traps catch thousands of broca beetles each year.

The trap itself is made by taking a large red plastic bottle and cutting a rectangular hole in the side. Suspended inside the bottle is a little dropper full of alcohol along with used coffee grounds. The bottom of the trap is then filled with water. Tricked by the trap’s scent and bright-red color, the beetles believe it to be a big, delicious coffee cherry. They crawl inside and drown.

Innovations like these broca traps (shown in the photo below) have already made a world of difference for Blanca and her children.

Cross International currently has community transformation projects in 11 rural villages throughout Latin America, serving more than 6,000 children and family members. Although we currently cluster our community transformation efforts in Guatemala and Nicaragua, we expect our efforts to grow exponentially over the next five years to serve more than 60,0000 people. And we anticipate this growth to occur not only in Nicaragua and Guatemala, but also in other countries where Cross International works, such as Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia.