When then 12-year-old Emily Blake was at a church summer camp in 2007 she heard a speaker talk about doing more than good. He encouraged her and her camp mates to do something that God would be proud of a for her saving poor children’s lives would be that thing. Emily said.
I just couldn’t get it out of my mind.
Now 14 Emily who was recently recognized by cnn.com for “Impacting Her World” has helped Fifty to 100 Kenyan kids live healthier this year, thanks to her stubborn idealism. She and her family raised more than $40,000 to sponsor an early childhood and new-mother wellness and education program through Compassion International a faith-based relief organization.
When Emily and her family called to inquire about a sponsorship, they hoped their church would take it up. But the church had already committed to other projects. That’s when Stephanie Von Rosenberg, Emily’s mother, said they decided to take it on as a family, despite trepidation about the $25,000 price tag for a year’s operating costs. They organized a concert with local bands at their church, a bowl-a-thon, car washes and made individual pleas to family and friends.
After six months, they had about $12,000. That’s when Emily said…
What do we do now? Because you can only ask your friends for money so many times.
Then the phone rang.
An anonymous donor heard about Emily’s efforts last year and offered $30,000 to finish the fund-raising. Mark Hanlon, Compassion Int. senior vice president said…
Young people are wonderful, because they don’t know that they can’t do it. They haven’t become jaded by life.
Compassion International helped the family set up a trip in March to the sponsored village, Ciamugo. The family had to pay for their own transportation costs. Emily talked about landing…
When we got there, 75 mothers came running out singing and dancing. It was crazy.
And it has changed her life. What are Emily’s life goals now…
Now, I am thinking of being a missionary doctor or missionary nurse.
