You have probably been alerted on social media and have friends or family participating in Giving Tuesday.
We have always been blessed by support from folks like yourselves and for the past couple of years, the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries has been doing a dollar for dollar match of donations given on #GivingTuesday.
Unfortunately, there were not able to continue with this trend in 2016, but that doesn't mean the need goes away. It means we need you more than ever.
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| VBS Activities in Sector 8, Los Guido |
Last year we we raised over $13,000 on Giving Tuesday and IF we can raise the same amount this year, it will allow us to continue our programming through January of next year.
Many pledges have been made, but due to many factors beyond our control, such as the Zika virus, Strong Missions still has a sizable deficit to make up to finish 2016.
Please consider going to
www.strongmissions.com/support and donating. No matter how you choose to support Strong Missions, via The Advance or the 501c3, your gift is 100% tax deductible and will go to support our programing!
Instead of focusing on what we are lacking, for Giving Tuesday we wanted to focus on all the blessings we have.
The empowered communities programming is undoubtedly a successful venture where we have seen results beyond anything we could have imagined. We see children receiving love and support that they are lacking in their lives, instilling confidence, discipline, and associating hard work with the pride that comes from practice, dedication, and a job well done.
More than that, we are seeing parental involvement grow, parents are also invested into these programs which creates a social support network within these communities that families didn't have access to before. To say the least, these programs are changing the hearts and minds of those involved. These groups are also doing presentations during parades and at their schools as well as participating in tournaments and competitions, further instilling pride in their performance and their community.
Every donation to Strong Missions Empowered Communities provides support to these programs, to building these communities, and to helping us continue to be a positive influence in the lives of these children and families.
There are many more pictures available
here on Facebook but here is a quick glimpse of what your donations support:
Feeding Programs: Strong Missions continues to be dedicated to feeding children throughout Costa Rica who do not have access to a well-balanced nutritious meal at home.
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| Theater Group in the Grecia Parade |
Theater:
Strong Missions supports a theater program offering children the ability to express themselves artistically through acting.
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| Karate Presentation at a school in Poas |
Karate:
Strong Missions has multiple Karate programs in communities around Costa Rica. Focusing on teamwork, discipline, and community, our students are competing in tournaments, winning medals, and there are even kids who have earned spots on the National Team as well as medals in the National Games.
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| Soccer Program, La Lucha, Costa Rica |
Soccer:
Soccer is far and away the most popular sport in Costa Rica, and kids of all ages love to play. We have created a program outside of Alajuela offering a great program for at risk youth.
Dance
Dance continues to be a huge part of the Strong Missions Empowered Communities, with 2 dance teams in surrounding communities. Dancers participate in civic presentations as well as the National Student Art Festival each year.
Each and every one of these communities and these children are impacted by your support, your gifts, and your prayers. If you feel led to help out on Giving Tuesday, or any other day, we are always grateful for your support. Even the smallest of donations, combined with the support of others, adds up to big impacts,
Thank you all and God bless!
