I have been waiting to write this for awhile, but I am so glad I am finally able to do so! A month or so ago, the girls and I were fortunate enough to attend a concert at a local Christian school where we saw the Watoto Children's Choir! (Click on the link to see a video sample of their music) The children in the choir are from Uganda and many of them shared their personal story of how they came to the Watoto Village and how they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It was a powerful testimony! Each of the children in the choir has lost one or both parents to either war or disease, but they are not defeated...they are here in our country sharing a message of hope and love!
Anyway, we live about thirty minutes from where the concert was held. As we were driving home, Mikayla and I were talking about the mission of Watoto and some of the stories we heard that night. As we were talking, Mikayla looks at me and says, "Mom. I think we should give some of our stuffed animals to boys and girls who don't have any."
This was a great heart sentiment, but the problem is where to donate "like new" stuffed animals. For reasons relating to germs and dust, they cannot be donated to hospitals (only brand new stuffed animals). The local homeless shelter had just closed for the winter, so I couldn't take them there. Goodwill and the Salvation Army just didn't seem to fit the spirit of my child's request. I decided to email Watoto, since they inspired my daughter to donate her friends to others.
PS. In case you think I made my children give away their stuffed animals... I promise that they picked through and chose each of the animals they decided would go in the box.
