David M Vanderpool's Blog

As we look forward to Black Maternal Health Week, it is essential to spotlight the significant strides made in maternal and child health, particularly in underserved communities. A shining example of such progress is LiveBeyond’s Maternal & Child Health Program in Haiti. This is an initiative that has been instrumental in transforming the healthcare landscape for Black mothers and children in one of Haiti’s most impoverished regions.

LiveBeyond’s Trailblazing Impact

In a landscape where healthcare facilities are few and far between, LiveBeyond emerges as a crucial source of medical care and support. This unique program is tailored to the specific needs of the community it serves. Our program focuses on comprehensive healthcare, nutritional assistance, and educational outreach.

Comprehensive Healthcare: A Cornerstone of Maternal and Child Well-being

LiveBeyond’s commitment to healthcare excellence is unwavering. The program provides an array of services. We include doctor consultations, nurse check-ups, and community healthcare worker visits. These dedicated individuals ensure that even the most remote families receive the care they need. We are breaking down the barriers to healthcare access that many in rural areas face.

Nutritional Support: Nourishing Mothers and Children

Recognizing the essential role of nutrition in maternal and child health, LiveBeyond goes beyond traditional medical care. It provides pregnant women with necessary food supplies and prenatal vitamins. We are also addressing nutritional deficiencies that are often overlooked but critical for the health of both mother and child.

Prioritizing the First 1,000 Days

LiveBeyond’s focus on a child’s first 1,000 days is a game-changer. This period is crucial for long-term health. By prioritizing the earliest days of life, the program has achieved remarkable results! We have seen a 73% decrease in maternal mortality and a 55% reduction in child mortality in the areas we serve.

Beyond Numbers: Real Lives Transformed

The success of LiveBeyond’s Maternal & Child Health Program is measured not just in statistics. Real transformation is seen for families and communities who have been uplifted. These outcomes represent a brighter future for mothers and children, a testament to the power of holistic health initiatives.

Embracing the Future: Sustaining and Expanding Impact

As we honor Black Maternal Health Week, it’s vital to support and learn from successful programs like LiveBeyond’s. Their comprehensive care model, community engagement, and emphasis on nutrition are key to improving health outcomes for Black mothers and children worldwide.

In conclusion, the LiveBeyond Maternal & Child Health Program stands as a beacon of hope and a model for effective healthcare interventions. As we look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, let’s draw inspiration from their achievements and continue our collective efforts to enhance maternal and child health globally.

The post Championing Black Maternal Health: LiveBeyond’s Approach appeared first on LiveBeyond.

In a few months, during the month of April, we find a week that is both somber and inspiring: Black Maternal Health Week. LiveBeyond understands the profound significance of this week as one of our key programs focuses on providing maternal health services to women in rural Haiti. 

Our mission, to provide healthcare, nutrition, and education to women and children globally, aligns closely with the objectives of this observance. Why is Black Maternal Health Week important, and why must we focus on Black maternal health? The answers are rooted in both compassion and urgency founded on evidence-based data.

Understanding Black Maternal Health Week

This incredibly important week, observed annually from April 11-17, was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. It’s a time dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black mothers and highlighting the issues they face in healthcare systems. This week is not just about awareness; it’s a call to action for improved healthcare policies and practices that support Black maternal health.

The Stark Reality

The reason behind this dedicated week is stark and unsettling. In the United States, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This disparity isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reflection of systemic inequalities and biases in healthcare. 

Globally, the situation mirrors these disparities, with women in developing countries facing even greater risks. This is exactly why we focus on maternal and child health at LiveBeyond. Our Maternal Healthcare Program serves thousands of women and children every week, providing them with quality medical care, prenatal vitamins, nutritious food, and maternal health education. 

Why Focus on Black Maternal Health?

Focusing on Black maternal health is crucial for several reasons:

Health Equity: Every woman, regardless of race or background, deserves access to quality maternal healthcare. Addressing the disparities in Black maternal health is a step towards health equity for all.

Community Impact: Mothers are often the backbone of families and communities. By ensuring the health of Black mothers, we are supporting the well-being of entire communities.

Breaking Cycles of Poverty: Poor maternal health can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty. By improving maternal health, we can break cycles of poverty and open doors to a better future for children.

Reflecting Faith in Action: At LiveBeyond, our faith calls us to love and serve the most vulnerable. Addressing Black maternal health is a profound way to live out this calling.

LiveBeyond’s Role and Vision

As an organization, LiveBeyond is deeply committed to improving maternal health among the most vulnerable populations. Our approach includes:

Education and Awareness: Spreading knowledge about the importance of maternal health and the specific challenges faced by Black women.

Healthcare Support: Providing access to quality healthcare, including prenatal and postnatal care, to women in underserved communities.

Nutrition Programs: Ensuring mothers and their babies receive the nutrition needed for a healthy start.

Advocacy: Working alongside policymakers and healthcare providers to bring about systemic changes that support Black maternal health.

This is a crucial time for reflection, awareness, and action. It reminds us of the ongoing struggle for health equity and the vital role we all play in this journey for women and their unborn children. 

At LiveBeyond, we are dedicated to this cause, driven by our faith and commitment to serve. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Black mothers and their families, creating a healthier, more equitable world for all.

 

Join us in making a difference. Your support transforms lives.

The post Black Maternal Health Week: A Critical Focus for Global Well-Being appeared first on LiveBeyond.

Empowering Women: Transforming Lives, Building Communities

In communities across the globe, women play an extraordinary role that often goes unnoticed. They are the unsung heroes who hold families together, nurture dreams, and shape the future. At LiveBeyond, we recognize the transformative power of empowering women and believe that this is not just an investment in individuals but in entire communities. In this blog, we’ll delve into the various initiatives and success stories that exemplify the profound impact of empowering women through programs ranging from disability ministry to maternal healthcare.

Maternal Health Programs: Ensuring Healthy Futures

At LiveBeyond, we understand the critical role women play in ensuring the health and well-being of future generations. Our maternal health programs focus on providing education, access to healthcare services, and support to pregnant women and new mothers. By prioritizing maternal health, we contribute to the overall vitality of communities, creating a foundation for sustainable growth.

Success Story: Maria’s Journey

Maria, a mother of five, faced challenges accessing adequate healthcare during her pregnancies. Through LiveBeyond’s maternal health program, she received essential prenatal care, education on maternal nutrition, and postnatal support. Today, Maria’s children are thriving, and she has become an advocate for maternal health within her community, emphasizing the long-term impact of investing in women’s well-being.

Community Empowerment: The Ripple Effect

The initiatives at LiveBeyond go beyond individual empowerment; they create a ripple effect that positively impacts entire communities. Empowering women in underserved communities is a catalyst for change, inspiring others to pursue education, embrace entrepreneurship, and prioritize health. As women thrive, so do their families, and ultimately, the entire community experiences sustainable transformation.

Looking Ahead: A Future Shaped by Empowering Women

At LiveBeyond, we remain committed to unlocking the potential of women worldwide. By investing in initiatives that empower women, we believe in building resilient communities where individuals thrive and collective progress is achieved. The journey towards a brighter future begins with recognizing the invaluable contributions of women, celebrating their successes, and continuing to invest in their empowerment.

Empowering women is not just a noble cause; it is a strategic investment in the future of communities around the world. LiveBeyond’s commitment to providing healthcare, nutrition, and education showcases the profound impact that women are making in their communities with these essential resources. As we celebrate the success stories of women like Maria, we are reminded that by empowering women, we create a ripple effect of positive change that reverberates through families, communities, and generations to come. Together, let’s continue to support and uplift the unsung heroes who hold the key to building a better world.

The post Empowering Women, Transforming Communities in 2024 appeared first on LiveBeyond.

Throughout 2023, our donors wore hero’s capes in the eyes of our Haitian and Israeli communities. The people we serve in both locations, thousands of miles apart, are all facing horrific living conditions in war-torn, violent areas. Food and water are scarce, education has fallen by the wayside, and healthcare is minimal. These are trying times in Haiti and Israel, and LiveBeyond is grateful to be operating in both locations to serve vulnerable populations during their greatest times of need. Your support to LiveBeyond is a beacon of light that becomes food, water, and healthcare. It pays for doctors, teachers, and nutrition. And most of all, it delivers hope to those who need it most. As Christians, we know God doesn’t need our money to accomplish his plans. He is able to do anything. But there are times when God will ask you to participate in his plans – to do difficult things – because it strengthens your faith. LiveBeyond knows full well that:

– Parting with money can be difficult. 

– Donations should be prayerfully considered.

– With God’s blessing, your money can save lives.

– Your donations become life-saving medicine, nutrition, and healthcare.

We hope you will embrace the role of being an agent of change: someone who actively participates in fixing our broken world. Both of the communities we serve are under siege, with children, infants, and pregnant mothers desperately trying to survive. Read on to see what LiveBeyond’s donors have done to help, and what you can do to continue making a difference in the lives of our communities.

 

How LiveBeyond Donors Save Lives in Israel & Haiti

LiveBeyond’s communities in Thomazeau, Haiti and Israel’s West Bank are not places any human wants to live right now. We can’t end the fighting, fix the politics, or save every person. But with your help, we can continue to make an impact by helping those most vulnerable: babies, children with disabilities, and pregnant women. Donor funds make this happen through LiveBeyond’s Maternal Health Program, LiveBeyond School, and Johnny’s Kids Program. We invite you to read our 2023 Impact Report for statistics, photos, and stories from those we serve to see how our programs are improving the quality of life in these communities. Here are just a few highlights:

For Infants and Pregnant Women 

– Clinics where locally hired doctors and nurses provide pre-and post-natal care to mothers.

– Medical check-ups for infants through their first 1,000 days of life.  

– Weekly check-ups, medical attention, maternal health education, and nutritious food supplies.

– An increase in infant birth weight resulting from prenatal care.

– Education and assistance with breastfeeding that led to 100% of new mothers breastfeeding their children. 

For Students and Children with Disabilities

– LiveBeyond’s school added a 12th grade (Thomazeau). 

– Students, teachers, and staff receive two meals a day on school days (Thomazeau & West Bank).

– The LiveBeyond school is protected by a barbed wire fence and security guards (Thomazeau). 

– The Johnny’s Kids programs provide education, meals, physical therapy, love, and nurturing to children with disabilities (Thomazeau & West Bank). 

– Children are taught by excellent, experienced teachers. 

– Students attended a fun summer camp (West Bank). For most, it was their first camp experience.

– 100% of LiveBeyond’s 9th graders passed their national exams. 

 

What Difference Can You Make? 

At LiveBeyond, we believe in transparency. We track data to see how well our programs are working and make adjustments as necessary. We are in constant communication with those we serve, though lately, war and uprisings in both communities have made that more difficult. And we are painfully aware of the atrocious acts of violence underway in both areas. In keeping with that transparency, we won’t pretend your donations will eradicate the monumental problems at hand. But your support has, and will continue to make a huge impact in the lives of mothers and children. 

Just a few examples: your support funded the LiveBeyond Hospital we built in 2015 in Haiti. Prior to the hospital’s construction, only 23% of the community had access to healthcare. Now that number is 100%. Your gifts also maintain LiveBeyond’s 97 water purification pumps, which has significantly decreased waterborne illnesses in Thomazeau. Not only do children have clean water, they also have fresh, nutritional produce grown on the LiveBeyond Farm supported by donations. And on the West Bank, we were able to organize a day out for mothers of children with disabilities. They enjoyed time together, relaxed, formed new friendships, and shared their experiences and challenges.  

We can only do what we do with God’s blessings and your support. Please give today so we can continue working in these communities who desperately need us to be God’s hands and feet. The horrific situations in Haiti and Israel may seem insurmountable to us, but for God, nothing is impossible.

The post Grateful for Your Support in 2023 appeared first on LiveBeyond.

We’ve all heard the horrific news coming out of Israel. The violence and destruction have spared no one: men, women, and children. We’ve seen entire neighborhoods, schools, and even a hospital completely destroyed. Like you, all of us at LiveBeyond are devastated by the daily reports. Despite the obstacles, we stand firm in our resolve to continue serving LiveBeyond’s West Bank community to the best of our ability. 

 

A Quick Background

It is a nightmare as old as time, with the initial conflict beginning when the State of Israel was created in 1948, triggering the first Arab-Israeli War. According to Global Conflict Tracker, 

“The war ended in 1949 with Israel’s victory, but 750,000 Palestinians were displaced, and the territory was divided into 3 parts: the State of Israel, the West Bank (of the Jordan River), and the Gaza Strip.”

In 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement known as Hamas violently seized control of the Gaza Strip and has been ruling it since that time. The Associated Press states Hamas has vowed to “annihilate Israel.” On Oct. 7, they moved forward with that plan by brutally attacking Israel. With a declaration of war, Israel retaliated. 

 

LiveBeyond’s Community on Israel’s West Bank

Our LiveBeyond community sits on Israel’s West Bank, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The people we serve, with support from our donors, are just trying to survive. Life was a daily hardship even before the war. Now it is abominable. Most have nowhere to run, hide, or get food and water. Thousands on both sides of the conflict have died, been critically injured, and kidnapped, with no imminent end in sight. We want to say we can protect our precious LiveBeyond community. We cannot. But with God’s grace and funding from our kind-hearted donors, we will persevere in supporting LiveBeyond’s West Bank community. 

 

The Problems

First, it’s important to understand the culture in this impoverished area where people are struggling to survive. Pregnant women have little or no access to healthcare, resulting in a high infant and maternal mortality rate. Many babies are born with disabilities. Due to extreme poverty, children with disabilities are often viewed as a hindrance and therefore ostracized by society. There is no money for treatment or therapy; no time to attend to their special needs. Many go without education or even simple physical therapy that could improve their quality of life. 

Handicap International targeted this issue in an article titled “Disability-Inclusive Education in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” Citing data from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the article shows that boys and children without disabilities are far more likely to have access to education. “About 46% of children with disabilities aged 6-17 years are not enrolled in education (51% in West Bank and 43% in Gaza).” 

At LiveBeyond, we believe those statistics are unacceptable.

 

LiveBeyond’s Priority: Babies, Mothers, and Children with Disabilities

In 2022, LiveBeyond expanded its Johnny’s Kids program into the West Bank at the request of both Israeli and Palestinian authorities. Funded by donations, we provide:

– Physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with education, to children with disabilities.

– Free eyesight screening clinic for all of the Johnny’s Kids Israel students and anyone in the community.

– Summer camp for Johnny’s Kids children.

And for parents:

– A mothers day out for moms of children in the Johnny’s Kids program.

– Bible studies and support groups for parents.

 

The Transformation

As our Arab-Christian staff provides faith-based care to members of this community, LiveBeyond has witnessed remarkable results. With physical therapy and assistive devices, children who have been unable to walk have increased mobility. This is life-changing! They can move about their homes, go outside, and attend school. Their newfound abilities have the added benefit of positively impacting their mental and emotional health. 

LiveBeyond staff have also noted remarkable shifts among the parents of the children we serve. Mothers and fathers are coming to know the Lord through Bible studies and support groups. Even more remarkable, some of our parents and children have invited the Lord into their hearts, resulting in baptism! 

 

Fundraising Goals for Helping LiveBeyond’s West Bank Community

Our work in this fragile community has become far more challenging since the war began. We hope you will join us in prayer and by donating to support LiveBeyond’s end-of-year goals. These include:

– Expanding LiveBeyond Child Health Programs.

– Broadening child health and disability services in underserved communities.

– Medical care and physical therapy.

– Food and nutrition provisions for mothers, children, and their families.

 

Standing Strong with God, Israel, and You

Our commitment to the West Bank LiveBeyond community is stronger than ever. Many of you share our heartache as well as our resolve. As Christians, we believe there is no enemy God can’t defeat; no situation too big for Him to handle. We are called to help those in need, and we will do so with prayer and steadfast determination. 

Will you join us? Your donation will pay for food, supplements, and healthcare desperately needed by mothers and children in this war-torn nation. Your prayers will do what only prayers can do: speak to our all-powerful, loving God who is still in the business of performing miracles. 

Peace may seem inconceivable amidst the chaos and horror taking place today, but we resolutely believe Jesus who said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The post Israel Update appeared first on LiveBeyond.

In a world often overshadowed by strife and challenges, LiveBeyond stands as a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to bring positive change to communities facing adversity. As we approach the end of the year, your support can be the catalyst for transformation in the midst of war in Israel and gang violence in Haiti. Let’s explore the resilience of hope and the impactful work LiveBeyond is undertaking to uplift these communities despite the prevailing destitution.

 

War-Torn Israel: Nurturing Hope Amidst Conflict

Amidst the echoes of conflict, hope flickers in the hearts of those affected by war in Israel. Your end-of-year donations have been and continue to make a profound difference.

As families navigate the challenges of displacement and uncertainty, LiveBeyond is committed to providing not just relief but long-term solutions. From educational programs to support groups for those affected by disability, hope continues to thrive, even in the face of adversity.

Support our work in Israel

 

Gang Violence in Haiti: Seeds of Hope in a Troubled Landscape

In the valleys of Haiti where gang violence echoes, LiveBeyond plants seeds of hope. Your end-of-year donations can be the water that helps them grow.

Haiti, grappling with the complex issue of gang violence and political instability, needs collective efforts to break the cycle of despair. LiveBeyond is actively engaged in community outreach, providing not just immediate aid but also empowering locals with skills and resources for sustainable change. Your end-of-year donations can play a pivotal role in nurturing hope in the hearts of those affected.

Support our work in Haiti

 

LiveBeyond’s Impact: A Testament to the Power of Compassion

Despite the destitution, LiveBeyond’s impact is tangible, with countless stories of lives transformed. From building schools and healthcare facilities to empowering women and providing vocational training, every initiative is a step towards a brighter future.

How You Can Be the Change Donate Today: Your end-of-year donations can be the lifeline for communities facing hardships. Every dollar contributes to providing sustainable solutions and instills hope for a better tomorrow. Spread the Word: Share this blog and LiveBeyond’s mission with your network. Awareness is a powerful tool for change, and your voice can inspire others to contribute to the cause. Get Involved: Consider volunteering your time or skills to support LiveBeyond’s initiatives directly. Your hands-on involvement can make a lasting impact on the ground.

 

As we approach the end of the year, let’s come together to be the agents of change these communities desperately need. Through LiveBeyond, we can sow the seeds of hope that will blossom into a brighter, more resilient future.

Donate here this Christmas season!

 

P.S. If you would like to stay updated on our work in Haiti and Israel, sign up for our newsletter here.

You can also support LiveBeyond through prayer, church partnerships, purchasing our book, and following us on social media.

The post End-of-Year Donations – Creating Hope in Times of Darkness appeared first on LiveBeyond.

It’s not rocket science. Kids have a tough time focusing on school when they’re hungry. They can’t fight off illnesses when they’re malnourished. And their energy level is way down when their young bodies don’t receive the necessary nutrition vital to their health. In many countries, this is the reality – a reality LiveBeyond is working hard to resolve with free meals for students in Thomazeau, Haiti and Israel’s West Bank. 

 

The Problem

Even before the pandemic, “there was already a global learning crisis,” says the 

World Food Programme’s (WFP) Carmen Burbano. “Children were in school, but they weren’t learning much. They weren’t able to read or identify a simple text by the time they were 8 or 10 years old. So, we knew already back then that in low-income countries, particularly, we had a problem of children being in school but actually not being able to learn much.”

According to the WFP, hunger and illness in low and middle-income countries contributed heavily to that problem, leading to:

– 300 million school children with anemia, causing them to lose six IQ points per child.

– 73 million children going to school hungry, resulting in the loss of 200-500 million school days lost to ill health each year.

– Children attending class, but unable to learn.

The WFP says these problems have worsened since the pandemic, when 370 million children missed out on meals and essential health services due to school closures. Today, 150 million students still don’t have access to meals. “We are looking at potentially generations of children that will be lost, that will never come back to school, especially girls,” Burbano said.

 

What LiveBeyond Donors Have Done

At LiveBeyond, we want kids in our Thomazeau, Haiti and West Bank, Israel communities to be strong, healthy, and educated. Our donors want this, too, and thanks to their generous gifts, we provide children in local schools, including the LiveBeyond School and Johnny’s Kids programs, with two meals a day, five days a week. This amounts to 15,000 meals weekly for 15 schools. Many of these students were born to mothers in our Maternal Health Program, who received vitamins and food during and after pregnancy, so they had a healthy start in life. 

 Armed with nutrition and excellent teachers, LiveBeyond students:

– Are doing exceptionally well on their exams.

– Are able to pay attention in class and complete their homework.

– Had a 100% pass rate on their 9th grade national exams this year!

– Are healthier and miss fewer school days.

Hope Amidst the Chaos

In addition to feeding students and mothers, LiveBeyond provides more food to the community through the LiveBeyond Farm, also funded by our donors. Local farmers cleared rocks, tilled, fertilized, planted, watered, and learned sustainable farming techniques. The result? Once barren land now flourishes with banana and papaya trees, carrots, corn, beetroot, eggplant, spinach, chilies, shallot, and beans. This nutritious, fresh produce contributes to more than 7,000 weekly meals to the Thomazeau community. Even better, it helps improve overall health for children and adults alike. 

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check.” 

LiveBeyond is grateful to donors who choose to be part of something bigger than themselves. Most of us cannot fathom the violence, chaos, and fear prevailing in Haiti and Israel. It is horrific enough for adults; just imagine the impact on children! When you choose to share what you have with those who have little to nothing, you are sharing your faith as well as your resources. Jesus said, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”— Proverbs 22:9. To help fund meals for hungry students in Haiti and Israel, donate here. 

Huge thanks go out to all the LiveBeyond donors who shine their light in a murky world. With that light, they change lives, give children a future, and spread HOPE. If you are interested in getting your church, workplace, or community involved with LiveBeyond, please email info@livebeyond.org.

The post Benefits of Free Meals for Students appeared first on LiveBeyond.

Welcome to GivingTuesday! Today marks the tenth anniversary of a global movement designed to make a monumental impact in the lives of people who need it most: the sick, neglected, and oppressed. Victims of abuse, human trafficking, and slavery. Those living in extreme poverty and war-torn areas. People desperate for food, shelter, clean water, education, or work opportunities. Researchers trying to cure a multitude of debilitating diseases. And protectors of our environment and endangered animals. 

GivingTuesday may only take place one day a year, but its waves of impact ripple for years to come. According to GivingTuesday.com, “It’s not just one day – this is a global social movement that’s working every day to fuel more generosity in service to building a more just and equitable world.”

Good, decent nonprofits of every type will ask you to choose them on this GivingTuesday. LiveBeyond is among them. We invite you to join us in helping people rise from the ashes of poverty and despair. 

Why LiveBeyond?

When you give to LiveBeyond, you are giving to a faith-based organization that:

 

– Is trustworthy.

– Uses your funds to provide food, clean water, healthcare, and education.

– Provides an annual impact report showing how your funds were used and the life-changing impact they made.

– Prayerfully seeks the Lord’s guidance when stewarding funds and considering projects and programs.

– Has made significant, verifiable advancements in improving the quality of life in the communities we serve.

 

The GivingTuesday website says, “All around the world, we are joining forces and leaning on each other – and this generosity tells us that we will achieve the better, more just world that we all seek.”

LiveBeyond agrees, and humbly asks you to join us in supporting our communities in the impoverished, harsh environments of Haiti and Israel, where violence, and political and civil unrest run rampant. 

What Our Donors Make Possible

In Thomazeau, Haiti, LiveBeyond’s school recently added a 12th grade and provides students, teachers, and staff with two meals a day on school days. Children can attend class knowing their school is protected by a barbed wire fence and security guards. Thomazeau also has a Johnny’s Kids program that provides education, meals, and physical therapy to children with disabilities. Imagine the joy of a child who received therapy and is now able to walk because of your GivingTuesday donation! To those on the receiving end, your donation is a life-changing blessing beyond anything you can imagine.

On Israel’s West Bank, just outside Jerusalem, the violence recently intensified as the area was officially declared a war zone last month. Our LiveBeyond community needs help more than ever. With donor funds, we have established a Johnny’s Kids program in which children with disabilities can attend school and receive the physical and speech therapy they need. Like their peers in Haiti, children in the Johnny’s Kids program and LiveBeyond School are provided with daily meals in addition to an excellent education. Expectant mothers in our Israel community receive the maternal care necessary to boost their chances of delivering healthy babies, and moms in the Johnny’s Kids program were treated to a special day out this year so they could take a much-needed break.  

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We invite you to visit the LiveBeyond website and download our Impact Report to see how our donor-funded programs resulted in reduced infant, child, and maternal mortality rates, clean water available to 200,000 people, more than 15,000 meals dispersed per week, and healthcare available to everyone in our communities.

Thank You For Your Support

We are grateful to all those who have supported these communities in Haiti and Israel with prayer and funding. On this GivingTuesday and every day, we hope you’ll join us in continuing the fight against poverty and oppression. 

Donate here for GivingTuesday. 

“E ach of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ”  

– Corinthians 9:7

 

The post Today is GivingTuesday! appeared first on LiveBeyond.

When you think of children, what image comes to mind? Laughing? Running? Playing? For many kids, that is the reality. For some, it is not. Daniel, a boy in Israel’s West Bank, where LiveBeyond opened a Johnny’s Kids program in 2022, could only watch as other children played outdoors and attended school. 

He is one of a million children living in poverty in Israel. 22.1% of households in this region lack essentials. Housing, education, healthcare, and food are sparse, according to The Times of Israel. 

But for Daniel, the situation was even worse. We thought you’d like to know his story and ask you to remember him and others in his community as you consider donating this GivingTuesday.  

Daniel’s Story

A disability affecting his legs left him unable to join the fun. The inability to walk left Daniel homebound and broke his parent’s hearts. No mother and father, regardless of economic status or where they live in this world, can bear to see their child sad and suffering. 

And so … with funding from our generous donors, LiveBeyond stepped in to help. Provided with physical therapy and a walker, Daniel is now able to attend school, as part of the Johnny’s Kids’ program, and play with other kids. He may not be able to run, but there’s a smile on his face, new friends, fresh air, and an education that will change the course of his life. 

His parents are thrilled to see their son experience the freedom of movement and the joy of friendships and school. Not only has this transformation impacted Daniel and his family, but also others in the Johnny’s Kids Israel program who feel encouraged and inspired by Daniel’s progress.

Medical Care, Education, and SO Much More

Daniel is just one of nearly 30 students in LiveBeyond’s Johnny’s Kids program, located just outside Jerusalem. Since it opened in 2022, Johnny’s Kids has grown significantly, with staff working tirelessly to nurture and educate children with disabilities. For many of these kids, it is the first time they have received medical attention and the much-needed physical and speech therapy they need to improve their quality of life. People with disabilities are often ostracized and neglected in their society, so receiving free medical care provides the obvious physical benefits and so much more. When you donate on GivingTuesday you are helping children gain

– Confidence

– Opportunities

– Self-worth

– Friendships

– Improved mental and emotional health

Combined with food, education, and plenty of love, the children in Israel’s Johnny’s Kids program can thrive instead of merely survive. They can have a real childhood, one that is not riddled with pain, fear, and sadness. And they can face the future with hope. By donating this GivingTuesday you can help ensure children in Israel and Haiti continue receiving this exceptional care and support. 

Where Do You Look for Miracles?

Look in the mirror. God is using you and all our donors to change lives, hearts, perspectives, and futures. When you give, He blesses your donation and transforms money into a pathway toward healing, nutrition, education, and opportunities. He uses it to grow faith, expand minds, inspire, and replace tears with smiles. When you answer the call to give, you become part of the miracle. You have chosen to part with something society worships: money. And with that choice, you positively and wonderfully alter the lives of total strangers.  

Know this: LiveBeyond, along with all the children and parents in the Israel and Haiti Johnny’s Kids programs and ALL the people who have been fed, educated, and healed by your donations, holds more gratitude than words can express. “Thank you” pales in response to what you have done, but for lack of more powerful words … THANK YOU.  

LiveBeyond is unwavering in its commitment to continue its good work in these communities, and we can do it with your help. Despite many obstacles in Haiti and Israel, including violence, destructive weather, volatile politics, extreme poverty,  and disease, we can impact lives with your funds and God’s unrelenting love and abundant blessings. Please lend your prayers and support on GivingTuesday so children like Daniel can step into the future with faith, confidence, and hope. 

 

“Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.” 

– Hebrews 13:16

The post As We Prepare for GivingTuesday: A Success Story appeared first on LiveBeyond.

What is it about infants that bring us so much joy? So fresh from Heaven, their innocence and fragility compel us to protect them from harm, sickness and even hurt feelings. We want their futures to be solar bright, full of love, laughter, and every good opportunity the world has to offer.

At LiveBeyond, we want all that and more for the babies in our Haiti and Israel communities. They are born into worlds of civil and political unrest, where hunger, fear, and extreme poverty run rampant, and the threat of violence lurks around every corner. They are conceived in places where there is minimal healthcare, food, or access to clean water, so their chance of survival is slim from the start. 

A Fighting Chance

To some, these mountains are insurmountable, but at LiveBeyond, we know full well that God can powerfully move mountains. He can also move hearts. Our LiveBeyond donors know this, too. Their generous gifts, faith, and prayers are the bedrock of our Maternal Health Program, which:

– Serves expecting mothers throughout pregnancy.

– Has DECREASED the maternal mortality rate by 73% in Thomazeau, Haiti.

– Provides healthcare services throughout the child’s first 1,000 days of life.

– Has DECREASED the infant mortality rate in Thomazeau by 55% and the neonatal mortality rate by 54%.

– Provides supplements, medical care, nutrition, and education to pregnant women.

– Has INCREASED the number of mothers breastfeeding to 100%.

Mothers in Thomazeau, Haiti, and Israel’s West Bank still face many challenges. But now they have a fighting chance of staying well during pregnancy, delivering healthy babies, and giving these children a good start in life. By taking vitamin supplements and eating nutritious food provided by LiveBeyond, they have the necessary energy to ward off illness, produce nutritious breast milk, and take on all the tasks that motherhood demands.

The Ripple Effect

The result of maternal healthcare extends far beyond mothers and babies; it ripples out to the entire community and throughout future generations. It impacts the overall quality of life, including long-term social, economic, and health-related outcomes. Mothers who are physically well and have attended educational classes are less likely to suffer from depression and more likely to nurture their babies. Healthy babies have a far greater chance of growing into healthy, well-adjusted children and adults. LiveBeyond believes preventive and postpartum care lay a strong foundation for the development of a robust, self-sustaining community. Without that foundation, an impoverished community can crumble.

According to a 2022 article in Borgen Magazine, “Motherhood can be arduous for even the most privileged, but for the estimated 388 million women and girls living in extreme poverty, the risk of depression, poor maternal and infant health, and rates of mortality are discriminatingly high. Recent studies demonstrate that poverty not only compounds and contributes to the deterioration of the mental and physical health of childbearing women, but that poverty and maternal health have a profound impact on children.”

Your Support Makes a Difference

LiveBeyond extends a huge THANK YOU to every person who has contributed. You are giving our moms and babies their best chance for a good life. This year, our Maternal Health Program was further expanded during a critical time of need in Haiti. Donations are used to:

– Purchase adult and childhood vaccinations.

– Purchase specialized equipment for proper storage of the vaccinations.

– Hire new medical staff.

– Provide ongoing healthcare services to women and children in our region of Thomazeau.

– Ensure all women in our program have access to nutritious food for themselves and their families.

We invite you to join us in aiding women and children in communities where poverty and chaos generate harsh living conditions. Please embody the love of Jesus Christ by providing what they need. 

“We must know that we have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and to be loved.” – Mother Teresa

The post Maternal Health: Supporting Women and Children in Underserved Communities appeared first on LiveBeyond.