Words or statistics cannot adequately capture the human tragedy of
children ...lost, abandoned, sick, ignored, alone and grieving
for deceased loved ones.
TB,
pneumonia, or even common childhood diseases can be too
much for an extended family to bear...so... the child
becomes homeless and alone on the streets...stigmatized by
society.
Whatever the reason - the results are the same. These
children are always left alone...to die.
Children have to care for children and they struggle without
services or a support system of any kind. They live,
unprotected, in impoverished communities surrounded by
violence and despair.
-
In Africa - children are dying of HIV/AIDS
-
In Brazil - there are
over 2 million children living and dying under the
streets of happy families.
-
In India - a mother
with 8-10 children will fear an outbreak of an unknown
disease and send abandon a child for the sake of the
other children...the disease may be as simple as
measles.
-
All over the world poverty, disease and lack of
education cause abandoned uncared for children that are
left to die alone.
Are we part of a civilized world
...
...if we can stand by
and let these children die alone?
There are people making a difference...
After ten years of work, experimentation, volunteerism,
civic pride and care, the Sparrow Village concept became a
reality and is now a role model for Entrepreneurs
everywhere!
Sparrow
Village
The concept of Sparrow Village
is:
-
to provide a Hospice for the dying,
-
a training center for the living
-
and a base from which to educate the public about HIV/AIDS.
-
All
while caring for children with AIDS
Job
training and skills taught to the homeless result in the creation and
maintenance of these villages. Of great importance is the pride and
self-esteem developed as these individuals create a place of dignity and
care for the homeless and dying. After perfecting their skills they
leave the village to become entrepreneurs, adding responsible businesses
and families to the economy of the local communities.
Our model
for these villages is Sparrow Village, which was founded on February 14, 1992 by
Rev. Corine McClintock (after retiring from a successful nursing career).
"Since it's opening, the reality of AIDS
challenges us daily. From hopeless, helpless individuals who stand
outside the doors to the children with brave smiles looking for
someone to love - our lives are surrounded by the biggest tragedy in
human history."
Rev. Corine McClintock
We cannot stand by and watch.
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