No sweets, just smiles – a child’s generosity
For the second year in a row, a little girl’s sweet money will be helping the children of Hope Home in Thailand
For the last two years eight-year-old Jessica Wright, a member of Laird St Baptist Church in Birkenhead, has saved £1 a week and donated to BMS World Mission’s Hope Home through the Birthday Scheme.
Why? Because one day in church, she watched the Hope Home Birthday Scheme video and what she saw there touched her heart.
Each week, Jessica’s nan, Rose, gives her £3 so she can treat herself with something nice. 'I don’t really like sweets,' says Jessica. 'So I decided to give the money to Hope Home because they need it and I don’t.'
Jessica is helping to make a difference in the lives of special needs orphans in Thailand. There the disabled are stigmatised and abandoned. If these children were placed in a big state run orphanage, the over stretched staff there would not be able to provide the necessary therapy and care. “They needed help,” says Jessica. “So I give them money to buy the medicine and everything that they need.”
Jessica’s generosity is inspiring to all and shows no signs of stopping. When asked if she plans to continue saving and donating through the birthday scheme, her answer was a resounding “Yes.”
So if you want to give but cannot think of a way to save up and do so, Jessica has a message for you. 'If you don’t want sweets and you don’t like them, then give the money to people who are in need.'
From BMS, Judy Cook and her staff and the children of Hope Home, thank you Jessica for helping to keep the smiles on their faces.
More information about the BMS Birthday Scheme and ways to join can be found on the BMS website.
This article first appeared on the website of BMS World Mission and is used with permission
BMS World Mission, 19/09/2014