"Creators of Good and Beautiful"
Earlier this year, Pope Francis addressed the International Labor Organization:
"Sadly, too many small hands are busy plowing fields, working in mines, traveling great distances to draw water and doing work that prevents them from attending school, to say nothing of the crime of child prostitution, which is robbing millions of children of the joy of their youth and their God given dignity.”
He expressed his hopes that relevant leaders and international and national organizations would work to "find appropriate and effective ways of protecting the dignity and rights of children, especially through the promotion of social protection systems and access to education on the part of all."
In November, our CEO Haejin Shim Fujimura, together with her husband and Embers' Artist Advocate Makoto Fujimura, used a private invitation from the Pope to share our common mission to advocate for the vulnerable children facing the injustices of modern slavery.
During the thirty minutes they spent together in his private residence, Haejin had the opportunity to share about our ongoing efforts to provide education, counseling and holistic care to the children born into brothels and the red-light districts of India. She and Mako also gifted the Pope with a 15th century bowl mended by Kintsugi (click here for more information on the art of Kintsugi and how it ties to the work we do). Our work to create beauty from brokenness aligns with the Pope's commitment to fight child exploitation so that (in his words)"children will be able to enjoy the beauty of this stage of life, while also cultivating dreams for a bright future.”
As their time together came to a close, Pope Francis offered encouragement to Haejin and Mako, calling them “creators of good and beautiful.”
This is the same encouragement we want to pass along to you, together with an opportunity to join us in the cause to provide these vulnerable children with a path to a brighter future through education.
Suri's 2022: A Year of Trials, Healing, Renewed Life and Hope
Earlier this year, our G.R.A.C.E Initiative enrolled its 100th child-in-need to receive schooling and care (thank you for walking alongside us to this milestone!).
The numbers, however, don’t always tell the whole story. So today, wanted to briefly introduce you to Suri*, an 8-year old girl born into the brothels, to offer a behind-the-scenes look at how your support brings life and hope to the children we serve.
Suri is the daughter of a woman who has been trafficked. Because so much of her mother’s time is confined to the brothels, she is looked after by her frail grandmother who often does not have the strength to cook for her.
During the last school year, our staff noticed there would be stretches of days when Suri would not show up for the morning school bus. After a home visit, we found her in deteriorating health. A medical exam revealed her complete blood count was at an alarming level below 4 g/dL (the normal range for a child her age is 11-14 g/dL).
We responded by admitting Suri immediately to receive the hospital care that she needed. During her one-week stay, our staff monitored her and provided comfort, bringing her a teddy bear and apples (her favorite fruit). Because her guardians had often not been able to prepare her meals, Suri’s daily diet had consisted primarily of chips and biscuits. As a result, she was suffering from severe anemia. In response, we began providing Suri with iron and calcium supplements and a daily diet of eggs and fruit. We also counseled her mother on healthy dietary practices and assured them of our ongoing support of Suri’s health going forward.
Today, Suri’s hemoglobin level is at a much healthier 11 g/L. She is back in school and her attendance this past month was 94%. Suri recently stated during share time in class to her fellow 2nd graders, “I am so thankful to God for looking after me.”
It’s in large part thanks to our financial partners that we had the means to respond quickly and effectively to Suri’s needs, leading to both the renewal of Suri’s health, as well as the hopes and dreams she brings with her each day to the classroom.
Such obstacles can often confront our children along their renewed path of hope. Will you consider stepping in on their behalf this school year?
Your donation today will be matched 2x.
Please help Suri and her classmates overcome the challenges that stand between them and a brighter future.
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