A few years back, we started looking for charities to support and ways to teach Secret Agent Man to give back.
We did a lot of research on sponsoring children because we thought it might be a relatable way for him to learn about how others live and gain compassion for the hardships that people face in life.
I was basically unimpressed with all of the organizations I read about who provided sponsorships for children. Many of them had advertising or administrative costs that left little money to actually provide for the children. Most of them took the money without you ever knowing where the impact would be.
I felt a little jaded about it after my research and stopped looking for a while. Then, I heard about spirit rising.
I did some research and found out that this is literally one of the only charities where you know how your money is affecting the children. You sponsor the child and through that sponsorship you make all of the purchases yourself.
This non-profit was developed by Sharon Sun Eagle and her late husband. They are Native American and were so upset by the way people were living on reservations in the United States that they developed spirit rising to help.
One of the areas they provide for is Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. This reservation is so destitute that unemployment hovers at around 80-85%, almost 50% live below the federal poverty level and it is not uncommon to be living without basic plumbing for sewage and water, electricity, and telephone service.
This is in the United States!
Life Expectancy for men on this reservation is 48 years old.
It has been said that this may be second to only Haiti in the western hemisphere in terms of living conditions.
I knew life on Indian reservations was poor. I did not know it was this terrible.
We immediately contacted Sharon Sun Eagle to sponsor a child.
Sponsorship requirements are:
We have sponsored the same child for 2 years and have helped the family in other ways as well, such as purchasing propane to heat their home.
I am also on the contact list that Sharon sends out for emergency. They are often heartbreaking and you always wish you could do more to help.
Her requests are generally to make payments directly to utility companies to help a family with medical issues, layoffs or other horrible situations.
The most amazing part of spirit rising is Sharon herself. She has not had an easy life and lives in these same conditions herself! She is often without enough money to feed herself but will give it to others through the food pantry. She run this entire charity herself with the help of volunteers. A truly amazing woman.
If you would like to sponsor a child or make a difference in the life of people who just truly need the basic necessities - this is it. You don't need a lot. Sharon is doing it with nothing.
Read More:
About Spirit Rising
http://www.spirit-rising2.org/id3.html
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/2009/dec/13/s-eagl13_20091209-184413-ar-15589/
We did a lot of research on sponsoring children because we thought it might be a relatable way for him to learn about how others live and gain compassion for the hardships that people face in life.
I was basically unimpressed with all of the organizations I read about who provided sponsorships for children. Many of them had advertising or administrative costs that left little money to actually provide for the children. Most of them took the money without you ever knowing where the impact would be.
I felt a little jaded about it after my research and stopped looking for a while. Then, I heard about spirit rising.
I did some research and found out that this is literally one of the only charities where you know how your money is affecting the children. You sponsor the child and through that sponsorship you make all of the purchases yourself.
This non-profit was developed by Sharon Sun Eagle and her late husband. They are Native American and were so upset by the way people were living on reservations in the United States that they developed spirit rising to help.
One of the areas they provide for is Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. This reservation is so destitute that unemployment hovers at around 80-85%, almost 50% live below the federal poverty level and it is not uncommon to be living without basic plumbing for sewage and water, electricity, and telephone service.
This is in the United States!
Life Expectancy for men on this reservation is 48 years old.
It has been said that this may be second to only Haiti in the western hemisphere in terms of living conditions.
I knew life on Indian reservations was poor. I did not know it was this terrible.
We immediately contacted Sharon Sun Eagle to sponsor a child.
Sponsorship requirements are:
We ask a minimum commitment of at least 1 year and hope that you will continue this special relationship until the child is out of school. Your donations of the items and at the times below will be sent by you directly to the child.
1. Back to School: School supplies, new shoes, new clothing, and a winter hat, coat, and gloves.
2. Thanksgiving: A postal money order to help the family have a turkey dinner.
3. Christmas: New shoes and new clothing along with other Christmas gifts.
4. Birthday: Gifts
5. Easter: New spring and summer clothes and shoes. An Easter basket.
We have sponsored the same child for 2 years and have helped the family in other ways as well, such as purchasing propane to heat their home.
I am also on the contact list that Sharon sends out for emergency. They are often heartbreaking and you always wish you could do more to help.
YESTERDAY THE POWER CO. SHUT OFF THEIR ELECTRIC. SO THE CHILDREN, MOTHER AND DAD WHO NEEDS ANOTHER OPERATION SOON ARE IN A HOUSE WITH NO ELECTRIC.
IF WE WORK TOGETHER WE CAN GET THIS ELECTRIC BACK ON.
IN THE LETTER BELOW YOU HAVE THE PHONE #, ACCOUNT #, AND CONTACT PHONE # TO CALL IT IN
Her requests are generally to make payments directly to utility companies to help a family with medical issues, layoffs or other horrible situations.
WE HAVE A MATTAPONI WOMEN WHO COMES FROM RICHMOND WHO HELPS WITH OUR FOOD BANK.
SHE HAS A HARD TIME TOO BUT WANTS TO GIVE BACK TO HER PEOPLE. SHE WAS WALKING AROUND THE FOOD BANK AND I ASKED HER WHAT THAT NOISE WAS. SHE SAID IT WAS HER SHOES BECAUSE SHE HAS HOLES IN THEM.
The most amazing part of spirit rising is Sharon herself. She has not had an easy life and lives in these same conditions herself! She is often without enough money to feed herself but will give it to others through the food pantry. She run this entire charity herself with the help of volunteers. A truly amazing woman.
If you would like to sponsor a child or make a difference in the life of people who just truly need the basic necessities - this is it. You don't need a lot. Sharon is doing it with nothing.
Read More:
About Spirit Rising
http://www.spirit-rising2.org/id3.html
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/2009/dec/13/s-eagl13_20091209-184413-ar-15589/
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