Season 3 – Episode 8
| BIG IDEA | We get it. Season 3 has been a bit on the heavy side, learning about the challenges of orphans and vulnerable children around the world. So in this final episode we’re bringing nothing but positivity and joy. We hear from Zoe and Alex, two formerly vulnerable children who are now fully supporting themselves as adults and sharing their gifts and love with their families and others. |
| OUR GUEST(S) | Faith Ntinyari – Malawi At age 16, Faith lost both of her and was left with four siblings to care for. Three years later, she graduated from ZOE and now supports her family and others through clothing sales and design as well as farming. Alex Yanez - Ciudad España, Honduras Alex is an entrepreneur who designs graphics and is studying to become an English teacher. Most of his interview about the design program – is there more we can add here about his personal life, etc.? |
| CALL TO ACTION | Send us an email at bridgingcultures@cor.org and we’ll send you a thank you card designed by Alex. We’d love to hear your questions, suggestions for future episodes or just a hello to let us know you’re listening. We appreciate you so much! Can they place orders for thank you notes directly from Alex? |
As always, thanks for listening.
Love, the Bridging Cultures Podsquad
Season 3 – Episode 7
| BIG IDEA | What would you do if you were a struggling single mom in Costa Rica who can’t work without childcare and can’t afford childcare without work? In this episode Wil and Yolanda Bailey share their solution to this defeating circle. What started as a day care center (Escucha Con Amor or Listen with Love) has evolved into a strong support system for single mothers. Through counseling, these young moms find the love, value and respect they may not experience otherwise, and in turn take those feelings home with them to their families. The program grew quickly and now has a waiting list. As Wil says, “Of course you’re not happy that there’s that much need, but we’re happy that we’re in a place where we can provide that kind of support.” We are too Wil. We are too. |
| OUR GUEST(S) | Will and Yolanda Bailey – Missions and Ministry Center, Costa Rica Wil Bailey is a North Carolina Conference Missionary. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University Divinity School in May of 2003. Wil went to Costa Rica for the first time when he was 15 years old with a United Methodist Volunteers in Missions youth work team. He went back every chance he got, and by the time he moved to Costa Rica in 2003, he had been 14 times as a part of work teams. Wil says, "I have known since that first trip that doing mission work in Central America would always be a part of my life." His wife, Yolanda, is an active, life-long member of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica. Wil and Yolanda have a daughter, Isabella. |
| LEARN MORE | I couldn’t find a web site for the day care or Missions and Ministry Center. |
| CALL TO ACTION | Recording included the ZOE information (see note in Teams). |
As always, thanks for listening.
Love, the Bridging Cultures Podsquad
Season 3 – Episode 6
| BIG IDEA | This season you’ve heard several stories from across the globe illustrating the benefits of family-based vs. institutionalized care for vulnerable children. In this episode, you’ll learn about the psychology behind this…the importance of a secure attachment with parents or caregivers, and the reasons a child needs to feel safe and loved before they can successfully learn and reach their full potential. Fascinating information about a child’s development! |
| OUR GUEST(S) | Lisa Holiday has worked with children and families for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in human services, a Masters of Divinity and a certification in Play Therapy. She works as an Early Head Start Home Visitor with Project Eagle in Wyandotte County, Kansas, focusing on early childhood education, parent education, attachment and bonding, and mental and physical health. Lisa and her husband have three grown children (adopted nearly 20 years ago from Russia) and two beautiful grandchildren. |
| LEARN MORE | Book: The Body Keeps the Score Call to Action: To explore fostering or adopting, visit www.cor.org/local impact and click on Foster/Adopt |
As always, thanks for listening.
Love, the Bridging Cultures Podsquad
Season 3 – Episode 5 – Zoe Empowers
| BIG IDEA | In this episode you’ll hear about Rahab, a young girl in Africa who lost her parents when she was just 15 years old and was left alone to raise her two younger siblings. Unfortunately, Rahab is one of millions of minor children who are orphaned, in severe poverty, and struggling to care for and feed their families. But as you’ll hear, the story ends happily. Through the ZOE Empowers program, she now owns her own hair salon and is thriving! Zoe Empowers is an organization that works with minor children who are heads of their households. Participants complete a three-year program along with other orphans who support and assist one another. They are trained in skills, encouraged to follow their dreams, and find hope and dignity. |
| OUR GUEST(S) | Reegan Kaberia – CEO of Zoe Global and Kenya Country Manager Before joining Zoe Empowers, Reegan served both local and international child-centered community development organizations. In March 2007, he joined the staff of Zoe Empowers, opening and growing the empowerment program initiative. He holds an MBA in strategic management from Kenya Methodist University. |
| LEARN MORE | Visit zoeempowers.org to learn more about ZOE Empowers and hear amazing stories of success. |
| CALL TO ACTION | Support a ZOE work group or leave a legacy gift at www.zoeempowers.org. Your financial gift can have a huge impact and make a difference for ZOE families. |
As always, thanks for listening.
Love, the Bridging Cultures Podsquad
Season 3 – Episode 3 – TITLE
| BIG IDEA | Last week in Episode 3, we learned how the Child Rescue Centre began as a feeding program and orphanage for children displaced during the Sierra Leone war. Many of the children in the orphanage had parents who were living but were just not able to care for them. This forced the children to choose between receiving food and care in the orphanage vs. being with their families where they found love and a connection. In this episode, Nabs and Olivia are back to tell their amazing story of how they found a way to do both. |
| OUR GUEST(S) | Olivia Fonnie – Director of Child Integration Centre Olivia has lived her whole life in Sierra Leone. She holds degrees in Theology and Community Development, and certificates in teaching and social development. Olivia was married to her late husband, Samuel, for 26 years. She has an adult son, Aiyu, who is studying to become a doctor. What does she like best about being the CRC Director? "Meeting the children! And now I see them all the time! I only have one son, but I have so many kids," Olivia laughs. Emmanuel M. Nabieu (“Nabs") - Director of Mission Advancement and Partnership, Helping Children Worldwide Nabs was one of the first children rescued by the CRC after the Sierra Leone civil war. The CRC sponsored him through University, and upon graduation he served the CRC for five years, first as the Sponsor A Child Coordinator, and later as the Program Director. Under his leadership, the CRC successfully transitioned from orphanage care to family-based care through meaningful collaboration with all stakeholders including Helping Children Worldwide. Nabs is passionate about keeping families together due to his experience of being separated from his loved ones. He is focused on creating a holistic future where vulnerable children and their families can thrive with dignity. |
| LEARN MORE | Google ‘Sierra Leone Civil War’ Visit Helping Children Worldwide - https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.orgSubscribe to the Optimistic Voices podcast, produced by Helping Children Worldwide to learn more about caring for vulnerable and orphaned children globally. |
As always, thanks for listening.
Love, the Bridging Cultures Podsquad