April and Molly

There are a few kids in the world that cause my heart to melt just thinking about them. There is Frangelis in the Dominican; the first kid I ever built a connection with, the one I have known for 4 years and who "started it all". There is Sonia's family; Andi, Andrielis, and Yoandi. Each so different and special... each hilarious and loving with bright futures. And then there is April....

April changed my life. There is no other way to put it. A blind, autistic 5-year old Indian orphan taught me more about life than any other person in this world.

Here is the problem. There are 82 children with special needs at Sarah's Covenant Homes. Even when in loving families with two parents taking care of them, children with special needs like cerebral palsy, autism, and blindness can struggle. So much money is needed to feed the kids and give them surgeries that the rate of ayah (nanny) to child is not as high as Sarah would like, and sometimes the kids don't get as much attention as they should.

Sarah Mens and I fell in love with April and Molly. Both girls are quiet, and tend to get forgotten. April, because she pushes people away, Molly, because her cerebral palsy leaves her so stiff than holding her can feel awkward. The girls are about the same age. April just turned 6, and Molly is just slightly younger. Because of their demeanors, and because neither are verbal, they tend to be the ones in the room that get forgotten. That don't get snuggled or kissed or hugged as much as the kids that can ask for it, or who can run over to the ayah and lift their arms to be picked up.

Sarah M. and I talked to Sarah and she loves the idea of us fundraising the cost to hire an ayah to work solely with April and Molly. She said that ideally, she wants a 2:1 child:ayah ratio, so this will be the first step in making that happen.

The ayahs who work for SCH get accomodations (with the kids) and meals on top of their salary. This comes to $180/month. Sarah and I want to raise $2160 to cover one year of an ayah working especially with April and Molly. With such a high caregiver:child ratio, these girls will bloom and will be given the attention they need and deserve.

I recognize that my funds are somewhat limited, and that I already have a huge project (the Education Fund for Andi, Andrielis, and Yoandi) on the go, but this is too important to me to turn down. Both of these girls impacted Sarah and I so much during our trip. They changed our lives, and we want to play a role in changing theirs'.

Below is the Chip-In that Sarah R. created. 100% of funds will go directly to the cost of the ayah. Not only will it be helping our girls, but it will be providing work for a woman in India. Most of the staff are uneducated, rural women with few options outside of heavy labour. This Chip-In will send the funds directly to Sarah. When we are halfway there ($1080) she will begin the process of hiring an ayah.

I know that I have been so full of asks. I know that the chances of people donating after asking for so much so recently is low, and I know I need to get creative to make this happen. That will come. Sarah and I will brainstorm. For now, this is the plan. This is the need.

If you love someone with special needs, please give.


UPDATES!!!
Click HERE to see a picture of April learning how to walk!
Click HERE to meet Nagendram, the girls' ayah!
Click HERE to read an update on Nagendram.