Days 10 and 11

Day 10: Operation Smile

Operation Smile is a medical charity that performs surgery on children around the world to repair cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. Some cases of cleft lip or palate are so severe that the children have difficulty eating and drinking, and in many societies they face terrible rejection.

Their mission: From their website, "We work to transform the lives of children who suffer from cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. Our approach to solving the problem globally distinguishes us and is leaving a lasting legacy — and a world of smiles." The surgeries they offer these children are free of charge to their families. The procedures are often very simple, and take as little as 45 minutes, but without this medical charity, these children would face their whole lives with debilitating deformities and no solution.

What you can do: Donate financially, volunteer as a community advocate and fundraiser, or, if you happen to be a member of the medical community, volunteer your time as a medical professional. They work they do for these children is wonderful, and what a gift to give these children to have a chance at normalcy. One surgery costs about $240, to give you an idea of what they can do. You can donate $240, or smaller increments, and they have a monthly donation option. Because of the generous volunteer time of medical professionals, they are able to give these children safe, high-quality surgical care at no cost to them.

Day 11: Bridge of Hope

Did I mention how much I love Gospel for Asia? I really love Gospel for Asia. Bridge of Hope is a program within Gospel for Asia that is specifically focused on children living in India's slums. K.P. Yohannan recently released a book called No Longer a Slumdog explaining the plight of these (often homeless or orphaned) children. Read this book and cry your eyes out. I was completely heartbroken. 

Their mission: Bridge of Hope centers are located in major slum areas in Asia. Their website explains these places: "According to the Human Rights Watch, bonded labor is life for over 10 million children in India. Calcutta alone is home to more than 100,000 street children who know neither mother nor father, love nor care. They are not just numbers or statistics—they are real children. Though nameless and faceless on the streets where they live, each one was created with love and is known by God. It is doubtful they've ever held a toothbrush or a bar of soap; they've never eaten an ice-cream cone or cradled a doll. The child laborers of South Asia toil in fireworks, carpet and match factories; quarries and coal mines; rice fields, tea plantations and pastures, and even brothels. Because they are exposed to dust, toxic fumes, pesticides and disease, their health is compromised; their bodies are crippled from carrying heavy weights. Some are bonded laborers, enslaved to their tasks by family poverty."

A Bridge of Hope center offers education, medical care, a meal, and lessons about the Gospel of Christ to the children in these impoverished and oppresive situations.

What you can do:  Bridge of Hope students receive these blessings from monthly donations, which sponsor one child. $35 a month covers food, medical care, school supplies and lessons for one child. If you didn't eat out one time a month, an Asian child in abject poverty could have all of these things. It's definitely something to consider as the new year approaches.