Local Girl Works to Bring Aid to Orphans in Swaziland

Rachel Scoon, 19, of Pasadena, CA was moved to help the AIDS orphans of Swaziland when she heard the director of New Life International School, Pastor Solomon Fasanmade from Swaziland, speak to her church youth group. Her church, Sierra Madre Congregational Church and two others, Cerritos Baptist Church and Irvine Presbyterian Church, had sent joint short term missions teams to visit and assist Pastor Solomon in Swaziland. According to one source, there are an estimated 63,000 children in Swaziland who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. As a Senior Girl Scout, Rachel chose to make her Gold Award project a Swaziland AIDS orphans clothing drive.

With the help of Pasadena Christian School, her church, and several major department stores, including Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond, she was able to collect 12 large boxes of children’s clothing and bed linens. In addition, the three collaborating churches and Pasadena Christian School, who have continued in partnership with New Life International School, have all joined together with Giving Children Hope to contribute toward filling a 40-foot container.

The container will contain the clothing and linen collection items Rachel has help collect for the children and dorms, fabric for sewing classes, knitting and crocheting supplies, kitchen set up supplies, school administrative supplies, school supplies for the children, sports equipment, and a large collection of children’s books and library supplies.

YOU can make a difference just like Rachel did!

Ways to Get Involved

• Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 714-523-4454 x. 130

• Find out what’s going on in your local and global community and take action!

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