Mission Ahava: Helping Our Kids Grow
In order to overcome the challenges facing at-risk children in Brazil and Cambodia, we must offer real solutions. That’s why Mission Ahava is focused on helping them grow and thrive in ways beyond their physical needs.
The children’s home in Vila Guilherme, SP, Brazil houses up to 20 children between the ages of infant to 18. Most come from situations of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Some come straight from living on the street. The home offers shelter, nutrition, and educational reinforcement. Most importantly, they are given love and support so each child can grow and flourish. We love that they have the opportunity to learn English and many participate in music lessons and play sports.
The home in Cambodia that Mission Ahava sponsors houses 8 girls. These girls have been identified as potential targets for sex trafficking. At the home they receive not only the essentials for living, but they are learning important life skills, like gardening. They have their own garden with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables! The girls love to sing, dance and play outside. Most of all they are loved unconditionally and they’re learning about the love of Jesus.
We believe that our kids should be equipped with the tools necessary to build a successful life. While we are happy to provide them with food, shelter and clothing, we are also focused on building their education, faith and social skills and encouraging them to begin working towards a potential career.
The Community Centers we support in São Paulo, Brazil are safe havens where children ages 6 to 14 can participate in sports and games and as well as music and art activities. They also receive a hot meal and snacks throughout the day. For some, it’s the only meal they‘ll receive. These environments are meant to not only serve as a place of refuge, but also as a free space where they can develop their talents and pursue their dreams. Currently there are two centers, one in Vila Maria which sees 100 children in attendance daily, and the other in Parque Novo Mundo with 240 each day. Each center has a list with many children in the community waiting for a spot to open for them to attend. At the center of it all is the good news of Jesus and the hope He brings.
Beyond primary education and extracurriculars, we offer our kids the opportunity to try their hand at different trades and career paths as they become teenagers. Our partnering vocational school in São Paulo teaches them a wide variety of industry trades and helps them to discover possible careers they may not have had access to before. The school currently has 160 students in attendance, made up of teens and young adults. The kids are able to make connections with local businesses and showcase their talents to put them ahead in an extremely difficult job market.
We are thankful to see so many of our children begin to build a new life, full of faith and hope for their future. We love that we are able to help them bring that new hope to their communities and support them while they work to achieve their dreams.
To learn more about the work of Mission Ahava or becoming a financial partner, please contact us today.