In some ways giving during the Christmas season can be every bit as daunting as going to a black Friday sale at a technology superstore! The solicitations and information from each non-profit and mission can overwhelm the best of us. How do we choose? How can we truly be a cheerful giver?

Idea #1 – Pick a cause that excites you, not one about which you feel guilty. If you want to be a cheerful giver, give to something that gets you passionate enough to share it with your friends. We’ve all seen images that make us want to help from a sense of guilt. Rather, give to an organization whose vision and goals get you excited.

Idea #2 – Be generous, but not foolish. No matter how much we give, the needs are there and often we feel we should give more. But if we give beyond our means, it ceases to be fun and becomes poor stewardship on our part.

Idea #3 – Do your research. In addition to the material before you, check out other sources to be sure the organization is legitimate. Sites like www.guidestar.org can serve as a great resource to help you relate what the organization says with what it truly accomplishes.

Idea # 4 – Give locally as well as globally. We live in a big world, but hurting people can be found everywhere, even in your own neighborhood. Find non-profit organizations and ministries to give to in your city as well as some that work nationally and internationally.

Idea # 5 – Give more than your money; give your time. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. To be a cheerful giver, give of yourself this year and serve somewhere. It is more likely you will find greater joy in this than any other activity.

Idea # 6 – Talk to your friends and family about giving. They might have some great non-profit organizations they know about and can offer insight through their experience.

Idea # 7 – Check out organizations that have local offices. They offer the advantage of being able to visit and talk with someone you might know.

Remember, when you begin to think, “What can I possibly do to help end hunger around the world? I can’t even help the hungry people on this street!” -- Mother Teresa responded to this question with, ”you just need to do the thing that’s in front of you. No more.  No less.”

Barry Borror
President & CEO
Star of Hope
www.starofhope.us

Yesterday it was the official World Toilet Day. It may sound funny or weird, but it is a huge problem with toilets around the world.

2,5 billion people still don't have access to a safe clean toilet.

1,800 children under 5 die each day from diarrhoeal diseases caused by lack of hygiene, sanitation and safe water.

Just think about it!

Some more pics from the schools in the poor area of Bolgatanga in Ghana. Thanks you to all the sponsors that make the support possible.

Some more about the fine preschool Maloney which I visited a few years ago. Preschools in Trinidad is over three years and in preparing the children for primary school.
The children come to school at 9:00 and goes home 14.30. Every day, some 90 kids get a good start in life. They learn the alphabet, word formation, and also to form simple sentences. They learn to count. They are taught to draw and paint, and then talk about what they have created. Obviously, there is room for play and other fun stuff. Yep, it's very loud just as it should be when the children run around and play.
I had a lot of fun in Maloney and it would be fun to go back there sometime to see how it looks now.

Even in Ghana Star of Hope is working particularly with the education of children in poor villages. Star of Hope is also active in the northern part of the country, in the poor region of Bolgatanga.

My trip to the area a few years ago was really an eye opener. It was really amazing to see what the Star of Hope does for the rural poor. Children get a good start in life that they might not otherwise get. It was an fantastic trip and it would be a dream to go back there. Here are some pictures from the trip:

The goal of Star of Hope's preschool activities in Trinidad is to give poor children the skills necessary to be able to get into the primary school, so that in future they will be able to control their own lives. The Star of Hope's nursery, the children also a receives nutritious food. We simply want to give them a good start in life, as all children deserve.

This year Star of Hope in Trinidad celebrates 25 years, as well as preschool Maloney who has been there from the beginning. The preschool in St. Joseph is celebrating 10 years. We want to give more children a chance to get a good start in life, so if you want to help us with this please contact us.