Working with lost children.

WORKING WITH LOST CHILDREN. TRYING TO PUT SOMETHING BACK.

As a solo dad, when my adopted Brazilian daughter graduated from high school and left home to go to university the house was empty.

I could either be lonely and mope around the empty nest or I could get out and do something.

I was presented with the option of making a difference in some young lives so I have chosen to go back to Brazil to work with street children and children at risk.

The street kids are often so little that it’s almost impossible not to get choked up as they run towards you to greet you. You feel this father’s heart towards them and you want so desperately to effect a rescue.

The first stage of the work though is just to build a relationship. We play games like hopscotch, skipping or colouring in a drawing. Then we begin gently probing to see if it is possible to either visit or re-unite them with their family.

If this is not possible due to a violent broken home that lives in such poverty there is no food on the table, we’ve got a big house where the children can live if they so choose to leave the streets and a life of horrific abuse, child prostitution, glue sniffing and crime.

There begins the process of restoration. The process is long as at first they are unable to trust or love. They will sometimes save half their dinner not believing there will be food on the table again at breakfast. The kids can go to school, be clothed and fed but most of all we just love them. They experience love and a family life.

Like you, I’m just a Kiwi, a New Zealander wanting to make a difference in this world. It’s what we do. I’m not wealthy and this work is on a volunteer basis only. I need to both buy a vehicle and live. Living costs me around NZ $550 a week. At present I have an income of around $300 a week. I mostly live in overdraft.

If you can help support me you will be directly affecting the lives of so many young people. You'll be a partner in this work. I realise these are not New Zealand children but children are still children anywhere in the world. They are the future and we see many lives changed and restored. I’ll try to keep you posted with a newsletter of my progress. There are times of great joy but also times of tragedy and heartbreak.

Please see any donation you make towards me as a special contribution towards compassionate service to others and making a difference.

Thanks for visiting my page.

Please write to me. I’m markovertonnz@gmail.com

Mark