Hi,
Alida here. Growing up in foster care was far from easy. Not having parents (for various reasons) and making my own way without support was extremely difficult. For years I carried around an orphan spirit of rejection, abandonment and hurt. I suffered many hardships and lacked purpose. I'm blessed because even through all that, friends became family and someone always took me in! A persistent Aunt always called to check on me. As broken as the foster care system was, they made sure I had food clothing shelter, medical care, and an education. Youth services like shelters gave me the tools to help me survive to adulthood. I now have an incredible family. :-)
Sadly life is so incredibly bleak and hopeless for millions of orphans worldwide. In Ethiopia in particular, there is no "foster care system," no food, medical or educational programs available. Many have to resort to terribly degrading inhumane ways to support themselves to survive often begging, digging through trash or prostituting themselves in order to survive.
Picture your child, sibling, grandchild niece/nephew alone, cold malnourished, hungry, frightened and not receiving medical care or education. Picture this child completely and utterly alone. Can you imagine an orphaned 5 year old caring for siblings. I heard about a 12 year old girl that cried herself to sleep nightly as each day she had to decide which of her hungry crying siblings would eat that day. I can't imagine that. I can't imagine my little ones fending for themselves HERE let alone in the dusty streets of Africa. If it were your child or someone you love, wouldn't you want people and organizations to help?
Hi friends, I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I've been given. It's always been my dream to work with abandoned or orphaned children. This July I plan on going to Ethiopia with a WONDERFUL group called Visiting Orphans and Ordinary Heros. We'll visit widows, orphans, outcasts, those infected with HIV living on the streets and at the Korah dump in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. We'll establish goals for working with the people there and access how we can help them long term. To get there I need your help and FAST! The deadline is approaching and V. O. needs $1100 to purchase my ticket to travel by May 31st. I have I also need an additional $1300( that isn't due until July) ( Total trip is $3100, I've raised $1000) Anything over that amount will help an amazing young lady Brittany Buttram get to Ethiopia with me. She'll be the next generation of youth caring for orphans. She needs the same amount. ($3100)
IF YOU'VE ALREADY DONATED.. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Did I mention that this is TAX deductible? Would you happen to know of anyone or businesses that could sponsor me? PLEASE email me if you do. It would make a great write off and is for a great cause. Every little bit helps! Thank you being a part of my support team. I can be reached at CauseOfTheOrphan@gmail.com call or text me: (714) 335-0434. PLEASE HELP ME HELP ORPHANS visit https://www.visitingorphans.org/donations/donate.aspx It will ask "Would you like to designate this donation to a specific team member?" PLEASE REMEMBER to click "YES" and type in "ALIDA RODRIGUEZ". Then shoot me an email letting me know you’ve done so. To follow my journey visit http://thecauseoftheorphan.blogspot.com/
Here's a clip that speaks about some of the work we'll do there among the Ethiopians. I love how Samuel says in 3:48 "They think the children and people here are cursed and unimportant, But we ARE important!"
http://www.youtube.com/user/Session7Media#p/u/5/f4pgQvgdNqs
____ I will call Visiting Orphans and make a payment by phone at (866) 683-7554
____ I will donate to Visiting Orphans on your behalf online https://www.visitingorphans.org/donations/donate.aspx
(remember to specify this is for Alida Rodriguez thank you)
What does it take to help orphans? Any amount helps me get to $3100!
If 620 people/businesses/organizations donated $5.00 = $3100!
If 310 people/businesses/orgs donated $10.00= $3100!
If 155 people/businesses/orgs donated $20.00= $3100!
If 103 people/businesses/orgs donated $30.00= $3100!
If 62 people/businesses/orgs donated $50.00= $3100!
If 31 people/businesses/orgs donated $100.00=$3100!
If 15 people/businesses/orgs donated $200.00=$3100
If 10 people/businesses/orgs donated $300.00=$3100
If 6 people/businesses/orgs donated $500.00=$3100
If 3 people/businesses/orgs donated $1000.00=$3100
If 2 people/businesses/orgs donated $1550.00=$3100
You get the Picture!
Thank you for any donation of ANY amount! Bless you. Alida w5
May 26, 2011
May 19, 2011
Homeless Chicago Man Donates Thousands to Down-On-Her-Luck Banker
Chicago - A year ago, everything was going right for a woman we'll call Sandy.
She had a good job at a bank in the suburbs. She and her 10-year-old son had a safe home. But then the world came crashing down around the 39-year-old. She lost her job. She lost her house. And she and her son moved into her truck. Police found her and DCFS threatened to take away her son if she didn't find a safe place to stay.
She moved into a hotel with the help of a social worker who paid for a few nights stay with her own money. That's when Sandy's knight in shining armor showed up. And he's kept showing up, every day, paying her hotel bill, so she and her son can stay off the streets. But Sandy's Good Samaritan isn't a Chicago big shot. He isn't living in a Loop highrise. He doesn't even have a job.
Sandy's Good Samaritan is Curtis Jackson, who's been homeless since 2004. He pays for Sandy's hotel room because she used to treat him with dignity and kindness when she did have a house -- and he pays for it by panhandling and giving the money to her.
"All I can do is get out there and put a sign in my hand, or put a cup in my hand and ask people to help me out, and everything I get, except maybe bus fare and something to eat, I give it to her," Jackson said as he stood at the corner of 55th and Harlem.
Jackson pays the nightly bill by pouring his bucket of change on the hotel counter. Since December, he's raised $9,000, and he's given it all to Sandy. He said sometimes 40, 70, a hundred cars go by before someone gives him a few pennies or a few bucks. Sandy can't believe it. "I've donated to charities, I've helped other homeless families -- never realizing that one day we'd be in this situation," she said. "So thank God that we did have an angel waiting for us."
Jackson said he's a man of faith; homeless, but not hopeless, and he's got some words of wisdom for the people he sees bustling by every day. "I have God. I'm one of the richest men on this earth, 'cause I have God," he said. "Money is not my master. That's what's wrong with this world: money is its master." Sandy said she doesn't think she'll ever be able to repay Jackson, who's become like a brother. "I'm out here for a purpose: to help someone, and that's all I'm trying to do is help someone that needs help right at this moment," he said. "And once she doesn't need help anymore, I'll move on to something else."
She had a good job at a bank in the suburbs. She and her 10-year-old son had a safe home. But then the world came crashing down around the 39-year-old. She lost her job. She lost her house. And she and her son moved into her truck. Police found her and DCFS threatened to take away her son if she didn't find a safe place to stay.
She moved into a hotel with the help of a social worker who paid for a few nights stay with her own money. That's when Sandy's knight in shining armor showed up. And he's kept showing up, every day, paying her hotel bill, so she and her son can stay off the streets. But Sandy's Good Samaritan isn't a Chicago big shot. He isn't living in a Loop highrise. He doesn't even have a job.
Sandy's Good Samaritan is Curtis Jackson, who's been homeless since 2004. He pays for Sandy's hotel room because she used to treat him with dignity and kindness when she did have a house -- and he pays for it by panhandling and giving the money to her.
"All I can do is get out there and put a sign in my hand, or put a cup in my hand and ask people to help me out, and everything I get, except maybe bus fare and something to eat, I give it to her," Jackson said as he stood at the corner of 55th and Harlem.
Jackson pays the nightly bill by pouring his bucket of change on the hotel counter. Since December, he's raised $9,000, and he's given it all to Sandy. He said sometimes 40, 70, a hundred cars go by before someone gives him a few pennies or a few bucks. Sandy can't believe it. "I've donated to charities, I've helped other homeless families -- never realizing that one day we'd be in this situation," she said. "So thank God that we did have an angel waiting for us."
Jackson said he's a man of faith; homeless, but not hopeless, and he's got some words of wisdom for the people he sees bustling by every day. "I have God. I'm one of the richest men on this earth, 'cause I have God," he said. "Money is not my master. That's what's wrong with this world: money is its master." Sandy said she doesn't think she'll ever be able to repay Jackson, who's become like a brother. "I'm out here for a purpose: to help someone, and that's all I'm trying to do is help someone that needs help right at this moment," he said. "And once she doesn't need help anymore, I'll move on to something else."
May 13, 2011
Village of Korah
Here is a clip that speaks about some of the work we will do there among the Ethiopians. It's about the Village of Korah, the leper colony & Korah dump. It's dwelling place of widows, orphans, lepers and other societal outcasts. Many lives were changed just from some that came on a mission trip similar to the one I hope to go on . Many lives have been transformed with sponsors, schooling and uniforms, medical care etc. Let's bring the Hope of Jesus to those that feel unimportant and forgotten. I love how Samuel says in 3:48 "They think the children and people here are cursed and unimportant, But we ARE important!" http://www.youtube.com/user/Session7Media#p/u/5/f4pgQvgdNqs Thank you for watching. Please pray I'll raise all the needed funds by May 31st! Be Blessed! Alida w5
May 10, 2011
Date has been changed!
Hello Precious friends,
First I wanted to THANK Those of you that have donated to Visiting Orphans on my behalf! I and my team certainly appreciate your gift! Thank you for helping us help orphans!
Friends, I need your help! Many of you are aware I was previously scheduled to go to Ethiopia in April with Project Hopeful. PH has received much needed publicity as an organization with many magazine artilces, TV & radio interviews that they wanted to use those opportunities to raise awareness on how we can help HIV orphans. The trip has been postponed. I am going with another beloved group "Ordinary Hero" hosted by Visiting Orphans in JULY!!! (God willing) It is my hope that the Lord will use this trip to bless orphans and widows and to advocate for those who without a voice. I pray that my heart will become broken with that which breaks His heart. I hope to share in the fellowship of his suffering and bring hope and joy and the power of His resurrection to those in need.
After much prayer I am stepping out in faith for provision for this trip. I have less than 1 week to raise $1600 needed for the flight ( May 31st) and after that I'll need to raise $1500 more. We hope to also bless the orphanage with an item such as a stove, water purification system or playground.
Please pray for me and my team. Pray that we would be fruitful and productive during our time there. Please also consider donating to help me get there! May 31st is the deadline! The GREAT news is that IT'S TAX DEDUCTIBLE!! Would you happen to know of any organization or businesses that could sponsor me? PLEASE email me if you do. It would make a great write off and is for a great cause. Every little bit helps! Any money raised over this amount goes blesses ORPHANS with items like either a new stove, water purification, or playground.
To donate visit https://www.visitingorphans.org/donations/donate.aspx It will ask "Would you like to designate this donation to a specific team member?" PLEASE REMEMBER to click "YES" and type in "ALIDA RODRIGUEZ". PLEASE, HELP ME HELP ORPHANS, and get a tax break to boot. :-) If you have any items you wish to get rid of, I'd gladly pick them up to help raise the funds needed to travel. Thank you so much for your help and your prayers! Alida w5
Feel free to share this post!
What does it take to help orphans? Any amount helps me get to $3100!
If 620 people donated $5.00 = $3100!
If 310 people donated $10.00 = $3100!
If 155 people donated $20.00 = $3100!
If 103 people donated $30.00 = $3100!
If 62 people donated $50.00 = $3100!
If 31 people donated $100 = $3100! You get the Picture! Thank you for any donation of ANY amount! Bless you. Alida w5
First I wanted to THANK Those of you that have donated to Visiting Orphans on my behalf! I and my team certainly appreciate your gift! Thank you for helping us help orphans!
Friends, I need your help! Many of you are aware I was previously scheduled to go to Ethiopia in April with Project Hopeful. PH has received much needed publicity as an organization with many magazine artilces, TV & radio interviews that they wanted to use those opportunities to raise awareness on how we can help HIV orphans. The trip has been postponed. I am going with another beloved group "Ordinary Hero" hosted by Visiting Orphans in JULY!!! (God willing) It is my hope that the Lord will use this trip to bless orphans and widows and to advocate for those who without a voice. I pray that my heart will become broken with that which breaks His heart. I hope to share in the fellowship of his suffering and bring hope and joy and the power of His resurrection to those in need.
After much prayer I am stepping out in faith for provision for this trip. I have less than 1 week to raise $1600 needed for the flight ( May 31st) and after that I'll need to raise $1500 more. We hope to also bless the orphanage with an item such as a stove, water purification system or playground.
Please pray for me and my team. Pray that we would be fruitful and productive during our time there. Please also consider donating to help me get there! May 31st is the deadline! The GREAT news is that IT'S TAX DEDUCTIBLE!! Would you happen to know of any organization or businesses that could sponsor me? PLEASE email me if you do. It would make a great write off and is for a great cause. Every little bit helps! Any money raised over this amount goes blesses ORPHANS with items like either a new stove, water purification, or playground.
To donate visit https://www.visitingorphans.org/donations/donate.aspx It will ask "Would you like to designate this donation to a specific team member?" PLEASE REMEMBER to click "YES" and type in "ALIDA RODRIGUEZ". PLEASE, HELP ME HELP ORPHANS, and get a tax break to boot. :-) If you have any items you wish to get rid of, I'd gladly pick them up to help raise the funds needed to travel. Thank you so much for your help and your prayers! Alida w5
Feel free to share this post!
What does it take to help orphans? Any amount helps me get to $3100!
If 620 people donated $5.00 = $3100!
If 310 people donated $10.00 = $3100!
If 155 people donated $20.00 = $3100!
If 103 people donated $30.00 = $3100!
If 62 people donated $50.00 = $3100!
If 31 people donated $100 = $3100! You get the Picture! Thank you for any donation of ANY amount! Bless you. Alida w5
Atheism-Pull the Plug
Unless someone care's
Our Mighty Arrows
