Many of us wish for an end to “Child Poverty” but for most of us the wishing is where the action ends. We wonder how we could possibly make a difference and then, overwhelmed by the vastness of these complicated issues, we turn our attention back to more daily personal matters .

For my girlfriend Stephanie and I, the Sharing Way is unique. These volunteers are not easily deterred by those moments of blanket emotions and believe that they can make a difference in the lives of children and are passionate about trying to do so. Both as Christians, and having a direct link to this organization, we have decided to apply our donation towards this charity.

The Sharing Way is the relief and development department of Canadian Baptist Ministries. Through this organization, people respond to disasters around the world and partner with local Christian groups in long-term development programs. Jireh Shoeshine Kids Project is one of these programs in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It helps children who are raised in poverty and have to shine shoes in the local markets to help feed their families. Many do not attend school. The children are hungry and dirty because of the lack of facilities for good hygiene. Some are even beaten when they return home with less income than expected. The Shoeshine Ministry endeavors to help and show God’s love to these children by providing meals, showers, clean clothes, trade skills, and much needed medical care.

This charity is known to us because Stephanie, as a nursing student, has been directly involved with the humanitarian efforts of this organization in Bolivia. In 2003 she volunteered her summer to work amongst the children in Cochabamba providing medical treatment, building churches, schools and hospitals. She has this to say about that experience:

“I have learned through my experience here is that it’s hard for people to have dreams when they have to think everyday about where their next meal is coming from – they don’t have time to wonder what they might like to do in the future. So to help the kids we first need to take care of their pressing need – survival. It is not enough to send a child to school; we need to make sure they can still support themselves and their family. Everyone loves children, as long as they belong to someone. When they belong to the street, few love them. And the children know it. Those cupped hands never ask for love, they ask for money. To live another day is the baseline of their need”.