As a graphic designer working for a poverty relief organization, the topic of poverty is near and dear to my heart.  I have been searching for just the right subject to post on being as today is Blog Action Day.  I could write to you about various organizations that help alleviate global poverty through charitable funding.  I could tell you about the United Nations Millennium Project, which seeks to end poverty by 2015.  I could even point you to a place that allows you to lend money to entrepreneurs in impoverished countries. However, I’m not going to blog on any of these today.  What I am going to blog about, is a little boy named Job Mwanga Chelangat who lives in Piswa, Uganada.

I was first introduced to Job a little over a year ago when I took a tour of Food for the Hungry here in Phoenix, Arizona (I did not realize at the time that I would soon become employed here as well).  I did not meet Job in person, rather, I met Job through a small 8.5” x 5.5” packet with his photo on the front.  These packets (called Child Sponsorship Packets) each contain a unique child who lives in an impoverished country.  The packet gives a brief bio of the child’s situation and status and contains paperwork for you to setup a monthly giving program to provide for his/her needs.  I felt led to make this a regular part of my life, and started sponsoring Job that day.  Unfortunately it wasn’t long before I had forgotten about my sponsorship commitment.  While it was being deducted monthly from my credit card, I really didn’t pay it much attention.  What I did not realize is that I had just embarked on more than a charitable giving campaign, I had embarked on a life-changing relationship.

Fast-forward to a few months later: I receive my first piece of mail from Job.  It was written in his hand writing specifically to me and it was accompanied by some pencil drawings of animals.  I hadn’t originally realized how I would be affected by direct correspondence with my sponsor child…  Suddenly I realized (in a panic I might add) that this child was indeed real, and my contributions were actually affecting his life!  I instantly began to feel selfish and self-absorbed.  For all my worries in life, they are nothing compared to what Job faces each and every day.  While my worst worry is: will I have enough food to enjoy those extra things in life (you know the essentials… like… coffee, fast food, movies…), there are plenty of others around the world that don’t have enough money for shoes, supplies, and yes, even food.  Talk about a reality check!

From that point on I renewed my outlook on this relationship with Job.  I vowed to pray for him consistently and to let him know that I cared for him the way Christ has cared for me.  I wrote a letter back to Job asking him questions about his life and telling him about my own.  I included a photo of myself at my workplace.  What followed was a series of corresponding letters back and forth.  Every time I’d send a letter, I’d get a letter back from Job a few months later.  It has been such a wonderful way to see poverty relief in action and to know that you really CAN make a difference in someone else’s life.

Two months ago I had another really great opportunity arise that allowed me to reach out to Job.  A friend of mine here at work was traveling to Piswa, Uganda (where Job lives) and she volunteered to go visit Job for me.  I was able to enclose some small gifts which consisted of a writing book, colored pencils, a photo, and letter from my wife and I.  I received an amazing email back from her detailing her trip.  Not only was she able to meet Job, but she was also able to have tea with his entire family- turns out Job has 6 brothers and sisters!  Job’s dad, Alfred just recently became a Christian and is seeking to train his children up in the ways of the Lord.  I also learned knew things about Job, like the fact that he wants to become a doctor and really likes Science and Math.  The family was so moved by my friend’s visit that they even gifted her with a chicken.  This is a custom of generosity and was a huge gesture of thanks from this family.  To say that I was blown away is an understatement.

I am now making it my goal to one day visit Job in Uganda.  I want to be able to speak to him face to face and to be able to hug him and let him know that he is loved.  You see, in sponsoring a child I thought that I would be the one changing someone’s life… in the end it turned out that that child actually changed me.

So what’s the point of me telling you all this?  Well, for one thing- you need to get involved.  No matter how difficult or uncomfortable it may seem, you NEED to get involved!  Many of us have been privileged with so much and we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to poverty.  There are simple ways you can get involved.  Stop making excuses and start making a difference.  Not sure where to start?  I’ll help you, simply click here.