Our ability to support vulnerable children and their families around the world is one of the biggest blessings God has given us. In this season of thanksgiving, we reflect in gratitude for all the people that make this mission possible. We thank our donors, whose generosity never fails to amaze us. Your contributions allow us to provide food, water, medicine, and education to desperately underserved communities. Your consistent support allows us to be ambassadors of hope.
We have also been immensely blessed with our indigenous partners. Each of our 15 missions across India, Africa, and Pakistan is led by a partner who coordinates in-country resources, drives new initiatives, and constantly communicates with us. Most importantly, they care for the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of each child they aid. Their dedication to our mission and to fighting poverty is unfailing; these compassionate men and women have given up their lives to serve others. In their stewardship of our gifts, they exemplify God’s call to follow Him:
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me
drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed
me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I
tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of
mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:35-40)
Our partners are our eyes and caring hands within the communities we serve.
One of our pastors, Ralph Gelego, has been a part of the International Children’s Fund for over 25 years. Familiar with the experience of being orphaned in his youth, Ralph always had a deep conviction to help the children in his village, many of whom struggle to survive because of lack of resources and support. In 1997, he embarked on a journey that would save thousands of lives and have an insurmountable impact on villages across Liberia: he restored a playground.
This playground had been destroyed by the Liberian Civil War, a conflict that had left the country in ruins. Starting with this playground, he cultivated a space where children could play, socialize, and most importantly, be children again. As more children began to find a safe haven in the playground, Ralph was touched by the problems they faced in their daily lives. These children lacked an education, healthcare, food, and basic support. Driven by compassion and empathy, he started My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), an orphanage and vocational program built with the help of our founder Dr. David Bruenning. This project has flourished, helping more children than Ralph ever thought possible. The mission now includes a church, a primary and secondary school, two dormitories, and a library on 13 acres of land. To generate food sources in addition to the ones ICF provides, MBK also has adopted animal husbandry and agricultural programs. At this mission, children can find a nurturing environment with education and developmental opportunities, guided by Ralph and his wife Etta’s parental support and their 39 person staff.
Because of one man’s dream, desperately poor children have been given the chance not only to survive, but to thrive.
Ralph followed God’s call to be his brother’s keeper (Genesis 4) and has changed lives ever since. The impact of Ralph and Etta’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to poor children is indescribable and reflects the faithful servitude to the poor which all of our partners embrace. To all of our partners: the work you do is astoundingly transformative, and we are thankful for your commitment to making the world a better place each day.
Thank you all for supporting the International Children’s Fund!
ICF recently launched a new website which contains much more information on the good work being performed at each of our missions. Please visit our new website www.icfaid.org.