Children's Day 2013

In Brazil, October 12 (Children's Day) is a huge holiday. Stores market for months, capitalizing on this extra day to sell toys. And the children in poverty? They watch everyone else celebrate one more holiday without them.

Living Stones recognizes the importance of celebration, and making sure that each child feels special, wanted, and a part of something bigger than themselves. We also know the value of education, and have worked hard to focus on literacy, giving books instead of just toys.

This year, each one of the Living Stones programs were able to have celebrations for the children in their community.
In Lagoa, over 50 children had a great time, teaming up with Athletes in Action: http://livingstoneslagoa.blogspot.com.br/2013/10/childrens-day-sports-fun.html
In Guadalajara, over 80 kids had special competitions and Disney fun: http://livingstonesguadalajara.blogspot.com.br/2013/10/childrens-day-fun.html
In Cajueiro Claro, over 50 children received books after a special trip to the bookstore: http://livingstonescajueiroclaro.blogspot.com.br/2013/10/book-lovers-childrens-day.html
In Mussurepe, around 100 children received books at our literacy celebration with the International School: http://livingstonesmussurepe.blogspot.com.br/2013/10/literacy-celebration-with-international_21.html
At the Trash Dump, over 150 kids had an amazing day and received special presents of books and toys: http://livingstonestrashdump.blogspot.com.br/2013/10/childrens-day.html

All together, Children's Day 2013 has seen well over 400 children celebrating, that wouldn't normally be included. Over 300 of those children received at least one book and tutoring time--a big thanks to Lifepoint kids from the USA for their literacy giving! Thank you to all our partners, in Brazil and in the USA for making a difference!

Literacy, Phase 1

Living Stones is excited to focus on literacy this fall. We have begun by having every child/family fill out a yearly registration form and getting their picture taken.

Many home visits, lost papers, blinking eyes and muddy shoes later, we are about half-way there. 

Next, we are working with writing and letter recognition,

as well as common literature, basic reading, and of course, tongue depressors as book marks

Our next step is individual reading assessments, as well as letter writing and a collaborative writing project. We are excited to be able to do this in each of the 5 Living Stones programs! Join us for Phase 2 of our Literacy program next month, as we provide Literacy celebrations/Children's day parties for the children, giving each child books of their own. Help us at http://www.wribrazil.com/literacy 

Literacy Celebration

Our goal is for every child to be able to read. We want to make sure that each one of the kids owns their own book(s). This fall, Living Stones is focusing on literacy. We will be evaluating each of the children individually and visiting homes to make sure to accurately assess the educational needs.
October 12 is Children's day in Brazil, where toys and candy abound, but only for those who can afford it. Help us to provide Literacy Celebrations for each of the Living Stones programs: Cajueiro Claro, Mussurepe, the Trash Dump, Lagoa de Itaenga, and Guadalajara. These include each child receiving a book (s) and having a fun time as a kid. We are so grateful for the children from Lifepoint church, who at VBS, raised money to provide for 100 children: we have 100 more waiting! Give at http://www.wribrazil.com/literacy

We have 10 faithful sponsors to run 6 Living Stones programs

To provide for a program that regularly provides the nutritional and educational needs for 30-50 children, it costs $1000 monthly, or around $1 a day. Our child sponsorship program, giving $1 a day, provides the costs for one child. We currently have 10 faithful sponsors, and are surviving month to month off of personal one-time gifts and the creativity of the Brazilian churches.

Our current needs are great: we have two full-time programs running, and four programs that are doing the best they can without any funding. Giving to special programs such as birthday parties, trek for transportation, and literacy has been fantastic: but if we do not have faithful sponsors, we cannot continue. Living Stones in Guadalajara is currently on hold because the man running the program does not have enough money to ride the bus to get to the church.

We currently have no churches regularly supporting Living Stones. Our dream is to have churches from America partner with a church in Brazil to get them started in making a difference in their communities. Imagine, 30 people from your church signing up and being able to support your own program in Brazil. Each program has a blog, videos on Youtube, and a monthly e-newsletter to see and be informed. Missions trips can be planned. People can be connected with children and families in their sister church, and God’s glory can be multiplied.

Sponsor a child at www.wribrazil.com/foundationbuilder  

Living Stones Finances

Coming Together: How it Works

Celebrating 15 Years of Service