What Joyce's Kids Is All About...
For thirty-six years missionary Dr. Joyce Vick had a burden for and ministr
y to the deaf and disabled children of Africa and the world. As a result of Dr. Joyce's vision, B.I.O. Missionaries are involved in deaf ministries in Ethiopia, Botswana, Brazil, Central America, China, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, The United States and Zambia.
The Joyce's Kids program was founded in September, 2000 for the purpose of continuing the ministry of Dr. Joyce Vick to the disabled children of the world.
For most disabled children in Third World countries, their families believe that they cannot learn. In many African countries, schools for poor disabled and handicapped children simply do not exist.
They receive no education, learn no skills and many are exposed to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse on a daily basis. Worst of all, many of these children have come to believe that God does not love them and that their lives have absolutely no value or hope.
The Joyce's Kids program provides a way for your B.I.O. missionaries to minister to the needs of disabled children and bring them the Hope of Christ within their families, through their local national churches. In addition to publishing both training and teaching materials for the deaf, Joyce's Kids has impacted a number of countries.
Click Here for a current list of Joyce’s Kids students who need sponsors.
What is a Joyce's Kids sponsor?
A sponsor is someone who has made the decision in prayer to invest personally in the life of a deaf or blind child who is enrolled in one of the schools founded by BIO missionaries and approved by the executive council.
What needs do sponsorships cover?
Because of the special circumstances under
which disabled children in Third World countries live, we are not able to give financial assistance directly to the families. The sponsorships will cover the expenses of all educational needs and materials, personal hygiene supplies, uniforms, two new pairs of shoes each year, one hot meal a day and any miscellaneous medical needs while at the school.
Why do we need a sponsorship program?
BIO missionaries as of 2005 are involved in four established schools for deaf children. The Campinas Christian Deaf School in Campinas. SP, Brazil; the VICKtory School for the Deaf in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Faith Baptist Community School for the Deaf in Lusaka, Zambia and Cornerstone School for the Deaf in the Philippines. BIO is also involved with the Joyce's Kids Home for the Blind in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In September 2001 the VICKtory School for the Deaf was started with thirteen students. At that point we were able to raise monthly support to take care of the expenses of the school and the needs of the students. However, with the addition of a new grade and the additional students each year we are unable to keep up with the extra expenses in this way. The other schools face the same problems.
How does “Joyce’s Kids Sponsorship” program ensure my sponsored child actually benefits from my gift?
All gifts given to the sponsorship program will be placed into a separate account to be applied to the educational needs of each child. Records will be kept on each sponsored child and receipts will be sent to each sponsor. The funds will be administered by the local missionary with the approval of the Director of Deaf Ministries and the Missions Director of BIO. There will be absolute accountability. At the beginning of each year, pictures of the child in his/her new uniform and shoes will be sent to each sponsor, and once a year a progress report will be sent.
A detailed budget for the school will be made yearly. Monthly reports will be submitted by each school and kept on record in the BIO office by the Director of Deaf Ministries.
We work through our local missionaries and at least every two years will make a personal visit to check on the progress of the schools.
What is Joyce’s Kids commitment to me?
It has always been BlO's policy and that of the Joyce's, Kids Program to work through the pastor of local churches and the BIO missionaries. We will not solicit from church members without the pastor's approval!
We are committed to honor Christ in all that we do and our ultimate goal is to see deaf and blind children saved, taught and trained in the Word of God. We are committed to use funds for the purpose they are given, with the highest standard of financial accountability
How Can I communicate with my child?
We encourage you to send your child a personal or family photo with a short letter of introduction. This will be sent through our BIO Director of Deaf Ministries to the school administrator. Once your child has learned how, he or she will be encouraged to write to you. Your letter will reaffirm to your child that someone really cares and is praying for him/her.
You may want to send additional gifts on special occasions. Due to the difficulty of sending packages into some foreign countries, we suggest that you send monetary gifts through the BIO office. Our local staff on the field will then purchase the gift and when possible, a picture of the child with the gift will be taken and sent to you.
How long does my sponsorship last?
We want to encourage you to continue your sponsorship until the child completes his or her education. We realize that circumstances change and you may be forced to discontinue your sponsorship. You may do so at any time and in that case your child will be given a new sponsor. If your sponsored child leaves our program for some reason you will be notified and given the opportunity to sponsor a different child in need.
Your sponsorship begins when we receive your first payment
Click Here for a current list of Joyce’s Kids students who need sponsors.
