Last summer we took Clubhouse Jr‘s Summer Challenge and collected shoes for people in Haiti. It was a BIG DEAL at our house and my then 4 year old Lydia collected over 700 pairs of shoes, doing a lot of the work herself! I have been eagerly awaiting the June edition of Clubhouse Jr. so we could join in the 2011 Summer Challenge and spread the word to you! And now, it’s here!
Kids living in a garbage dump in Kenya.
Clubhouse Jr has partnered with 2 orphanages/schools in Kenya. These ministries are home to children without parents or parents who are unable to provide for their children. Usually because they are suffering with HIV/AIDS. The challenge is to collect new toys and school supplies for these children. (You can read all the details here!)
Honestly, I was not as excited about this challenge because outside of me approaching big companies to donate supplies to me, all Lydia and I were going to be able to do is go to the store and buy stuff. And I wanted Lydia to do something hard.
So, I tried to think of a way to make it a “hard thing” for her to do. I said, “Lydia, maybe you could raise some money. You know, work for some money. Or sell something. Then use all that money to buy stuff for the kids in Kenya.” She LOVED this idea. We talked about a Yard Sale, a Bake Sale and then for some reason I mentioned bread.
We have been hand making our own bread for a few months now (in a bread maker) and she loves it! She wants to help and it’s always a fun time in the house. So, we decided to start Lydia’s Purple Bread Store. (In honor of the first Lydia in the Bible…not the amazing purple yam bread picture I found on flickr. Although, I may want to try that one day…)
This month, Lydia is going to make bread. And sell it. I made a photo-cookbook for her so she can “read” the recipe all by herself. We still have a little work to do on forming the loaves but she’s already pretty good at it! Then we’ll walk around the neighborhood and hit up our church friends and family to buy her bread!
Our goal is to sell 34 loaves of bread which will give her $100 to spend on supplies and toys. She is SO excited about this. Yesterday, we were doing sidewalk chalk and after drawing a funny face, the first thing she wrote on the sidewalk was, “Lydia’s Purple Bread Store.” This “store” will only be open for 1 month. I don’t think I can run a bread store out of my house for too long!
YOUR TURN
On July 6, I’m going to report back about our bread making business, how much money we raised and the gifts we bought for the orphans in Kenya. And I want YOU to report back then, too! That’s right, I want you to join this challenge! Start off by reading the info from Clubhouse Jr. Then show your kids the pictures, tell them the stories and decide how you can collect for Kenya! You don’t have to start a business or even raise money. Just a trip to Wal-Mart armed with coupons & a good list is fine! Any way you choose to participate is fine!
When I report back on July 6, I’m going to ask you and your kids to report, too! We’ll have a big facebook party (or somethin’) and post pictures, tell stories and show what our kids did for God!
Will you help spread the word? Grab the Collect For Kenya button in my sidebar, share this on facebook, tweet it out (#collect4kenya), smoke signals or whatever you do! I’m excited to help our kids do experience “pure and faultless religion” by loving on orphans! (James 1:27)
So, who’s in?!
I am not affiliated with Clubhouse Jr. Just a mom who loves the idea and wants to share it with you.
Our Family for His Glory says
Oh, how exciting!! Last week, we read about this challenge in Clubhouse Jr., & our children are SO excited!! 😉 I wrote a post about what we will be doing… & am so glad to hear of others who will be in on the challenge as well! (I know my girls will be thrilled as well!)
Jessica
Tricia says
We really enjoyed doing Shoes 2 Share last year and getting our church on board with it. Looking forward to sharing this new challenging with my kids!
Britni Bradford says
Inspired by this my almost 4 yr old baked bread the last month to raise money for compassion intl. We’re about to donate $70 from her hard work. Thought i would also share that for anyone doing 5-ingredient bread, the tiny clover honey bottle is exactly 2/3c…you know in case you don’t really want a 4 yr old measuring honey in your kitchen 😉