Why Sylvia's Children?

… because children are so vulnerable and many do not deserve the conditions under which they live. The motto of Sylvia’s Children is “Saving children, one child at a time”.

In May of 2003 I had the unique experience of being invited to Africa and visit two countries … Tanzania and Uganda. And, because I was invited as part of a humanitarian aid program, I got to see a part of Africa that is not visible to tourists. We went into villages that had no running water, no electricity, homes with dirt floors and thatched roofs, homes where a single parent, grandparents or NO parents were the heads of household, many numbering up to 16 people. And, in Uganda, we saw the ravages of HIV AIDS.

We went into homes where both parents were dying of AIDS; homes where 70-year-old grandparents were left with the care of young children because both parents had died of AIDS; or homes where the head of household was a 17-year-old boy who had assumed that role since he was 11. Or, children living on the streets … orphans with no families and no homes.

The most devastating aspect of these conditions was that children were not being provided for … parents unable to afford education, children having to support themselves, children going hungry, children having nowhere to live.

I genuinely believe that education is the key to providing someone with the ability to pull themselves out of poverty. During this trip, the Mbiriizi Primary School near Masaka, Uganda, Africa appointed me their “grandmother”.

Out of this was born Sylvia’s Children (with the IRS designation of 501(c)3). Our goal is to educate as many children as possible. Currently the school has 805 students, of which 205 are orphans.

A group of us returned to Africa in June 2007 and went to the school to determine, first, the growth of the school based on our help and, second, to see what more could be done. We dedicated a new dorm that could house 80 boys which was made possible through our efforts; the school was able to buy two more acres to allow for expansion; the school was able to purchase a computer; and they now have Internet access so we have instant communication.

Of course, there is so much more to be done. The classrooms have 84 to 100 students per room and they sit on crowded benches; the teachers are dedicated but grossly underpaid; of the 205 orphans we have succeeded in getting 80 of them sponsored annually … but there are still 125 that need sponsors. (And, sponsorship is so easy … only $1.00 a day will feed, clothe, house and educate a child in Uganda!).

Other plans include: a well, a library and books, a medical clinic, improved food for the children, updated school books for the teachers, school books for each child, self-sufficiency through farming (small garden, chickens and eggs, etc.), computers for the children and improved sanitary facilities.

Education is the key to teaching people how to get out of poverty and how to be a part of the world. Knowledge = understanding. And, whether we educate 30, 300 or 3,000 we have contributed to a better understanding of the world and improved each individual’s quality of life. They don’t have to be poor; they don’t have to be hungry; they can have personal pride and dignity.

Sylvia’s Children can do this with your help. Can we count on you to make a contribution? (It is 100% tax deductible and ALL revenues go directly to the school … administrative and management fees are paid by Sylvia Allen.)