Group of Ugandan girls from the Project Princess Ministry in Uganda, standing together

What a Princess Looks Like

Emily dreams of becoming a doctor when she’s older. Jackie wants to be a teacher. Patricia hopes to lead a church.

For these and other teenage girls in Uganda, such admirable aspirations are fragile. Poverty severely restricts access to education, especially for girls. School represents a pathway to opportunity while also functioning as a safe haven. Cut off from the classroom, girls not only miss out on valuable learning that could have propelled them forward, but often end up in difficult and even dangerous situations. It’s common for Ugandan girls to be forced into marriages as teenagers, part of a desperate attempt by their families to survive. This sadly results in high rates of gender-based violence, abuse, and teen pregnancy.   

Thirteen-year-old Emily

Emily

Thirteen-year-old Emily’s parents are hard-working farmers, but crop production has been in sharp decline due to challenging conditions, leaving the family without a reliable source of income. The third oldest of seven children and a dedicated student, Emily dreaded the day she might be required to drop out of school and the implications that would have for her future.

Jackie

Inspired by one of her own teachers, Jackie sees herself leading a classroom someday. The 12-year-old treasures time in school, even with the long daily walk to and from. But similar to Emily, Jackie’s parents are farmers with scarce finances and several other kids to take care of. It seemed inevitable that Jackie would need to be pulled from school, with her dreams disappearing in the process.

12-year-old Jackie
fourteen-year-old Patricia

Patricia

At the age of 14 and the firstborn of five, Patricia is described as a “brilliant girl” who is “determined to do well in school.” Her passion for Jesus is evident in her expressed desire to “change the world by preaching the love of God.” Hindering Patricia’s pursuit of her goals was her family’s financial situation. It was a major struggle for her mother and father to afford their daughter’s educational fees. Patricia wondered if her days in the classroom were rapidly winding to a close.

Crucial junctures like these become tragic turning points for many Ugandan girls, but for this trio marked a new beginning infused with hope thanks to the intervention of Cross International and Kampala-based ministry partner Project Princess Initiative (PPI). Through the faithful giving of Cross International friends, more than two thousand vulnerable girls have been able to stay in school. PPI covers school expenses and empowers girls by providing spiritual and educational support, counseling, vocational and life skills training, and other resources. Each girl is taught that she is a “princess,” an image bearer of God with immeasurable value and worth.

The vision is for girls to flourish as they grow into young women, putting them in a position of stability when they begin their own families, which will ultimately help create thriving communities. Your generosity to Cross International is beautifully redirecting the paths of precious girls like Emily, Jackie, and Patricia. Thank you!

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Any gift you give before the end of the year will be MATCHED dollar for dollar, up to $75,000, to transform lives not only now, but into the future!

Help Children With Disabilities

The UN estimates that between 93 and 150 million children worldwide live with a disability. In developing countries, these children are often unable to attend school, play outside or access specialized resources. Negative stigma or superstition among their parents, neighbors and community leaders often reinforce these barriers.

This year, we’re providing $60,000 worth of medical equipment to Kupenda for the Children in Kenya. This is a very remote location, and your gift will help cover the shipping costs to this very worthy medical outreach.

This gift will benefit: Kenya

Heal the Sick

In developed countries, basic medical supplies such as gauze, wraps, bandages, and syringes are commonplace. Unfortunately, that is often not the case in the developing world. Christian doctors and volunteers in developing countries frequently run low on these supplies, and they also lack the funds to keep large inventories on hand.

This year, we’re providing $84 million worth of medicines and medical supplies. Your gift will help cover the shipping costs to medical outreaches in some of the most remote areas of the globe

This gift will benefit: Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya

Build a Family a Home

A gift of a safe, secure home is tangible affirmation of God’s love for a desperate family — it brings hope, health, stability and opportunity. Most poor families must settle for much less. Mired in poverty, they are forced to live in unsafe shacks fashioned from mud and thatch.

You can provide the life-changing gift of a safe, storm-resistant new home with Cross partners Ambuya Development Center in Malawi and Hope of Life in Guatemala. A new home will ease the family’s burdens, protect them from the wind and rain, and help them achieve their dreams.

This gift will benefit: Guatemala, Malawi

Education

The gift of an education is an investment that reaps long-term dividends for a child’s future. By opening doors for the children of the poor to enroll in Christian schools and get the same educational opportunities as their more economically well-off peers, you are giving not just a hand-out but a “hand-up.”

Your gift will fund Christian education to nurture vulnerable children mentally and spiritually — for thriving futures that will transform hopeless places.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Ecuador, Uganda

Rescue Women and Children in Crisis

Through emergency child rescue services, vocational training, anti-trafficking programs and Bible literacy classes, Cross International is helping vulnerable women and children reclaim their lives. Inspired by Jesus’ love, we work shoulder to shoulder with our in-country partners, empowering them to create change that lasts so that those who need help will eventually be able to stand confidently on their own. Be a part of this good news and make a life-saving gift part of your holidays.

Your gift will help protect victims of gender-based violence and also help save marginalized women and children from harm.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua

Provide Clean, Safe Water

Our ministry partner, the Kachere Development Center, has an ambitious plan to install 20 wells, providing 5,160 adults and 8,414 children with clean water. Our goal is to finance the drilling and installation of one well – part of an entire community water system, which includes training to maintain the well, and sanitation and hygiene training for improved health.

One borehole can provide 2,800 gallons of safe, life-sustaining water every day. Help us bring clean, safe water to one of these villages today — in a way that will last for generations.

This gift will benefit: Zambia

Give Tools for Sustainable Farming

One of nine people worldwide survive on less than $1.90 a day. Without training and supplies to grow moneymaking crops and breed profitable livestock, poor farmers stay locked in the cycle of poverty.

By supporting this fund, you’ll help families break free of poverty — transforming lives for generations. When families get the training and tools they need, it means bountiful harvests and small animals that produce income for a sustainable business model.

This gift will benefit: Guatemala, Nicaragua

Feed Hungry Children

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 811 million in the world suffer from under-nourishment. By providing the gift of food, you will save the lives of thousands of hungry children and their families in developing countries.

Your gift will provide meals for ministry partners such as Divine Shelter Schools in Haiti and Hope of Life in Guatemala. A generous donation during this season of giving will change lives forever.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Malawi

Most Urgent Needs

Inspired by the love of Jesus, we work shoulder to shoulder with local leaders overseas, equipping families with the resources they need to thrive – basics like food, clean water and healthcare, as well as longer-term community transformation projects that will ensure lasting change.

By giving to our Thriving Kids Initiative, you’re not only meeting children’s Most Urgent Needs, you’re also helping lift their families – even entire communities – out of poverty.

This gift will benefit: Africa, The Caribbean, Central America, South America

Feed Hungry Children

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 811 million in the world suffer from under-nourishment. By providing the gift of food, you will save the lives of thousands of hungry children and their families in developing countries like Haiti, Malawi, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Your gift will support the provision of meals and other basic services that are essential for survival. A generous donation during this season of giving will change lives forever.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Malawi

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$1,000 will feed 30 children for a month | $5,000 will feed 80 children for a month | $10,000 will feed 92 children for a month | $20,000 will feed 184 children for a month

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