The Power of $1.50!
By Lynette Lim, World Vision Singapore

If you have only S$1.50 to last you through today, how would you use the money? What could you buy with that money?”

“A bottle of Coke”

“A packet of Nasi Lemak and some water”

“A loaf of bread”

“As many mineral water bottles I can buy to keep me full and bloated”

“NOTHING LA!”

Those were the spontaneous answers that came after some hard thinking and giggles from the amused crowd when we first asked this opening question at the start of our World Vision Child Sponsors’ Gathering in Brunei on April 17, 2009.

It was our second trip to Brunei after four years.

Despite the geographical distance, World Vision Singapore is receiving support from more than 70 child sponsors who are residing in Brunei. We are so grateful that these child sponsors have been faithfully transforming the lives of the needy children and families that World Vision Singapore serves.

The Child Sponsors Gathering at Brunei Hotel was relatively well-attended by some 50 child sponsors and enthusiastic new friends that evening. With great expectations, everyone looked forward to learning and understanding how their help is reaching out to their sponsored children and families in developing countries faraway.

It was a night of reckoning and soulful reflection. Heartrending accounts of children who were brutally exploited, as well as powerful stories of transformed lives, were shared. Among those told, the story of 12-year-old Bopha from Cambodia was one that would be remembered for a long time.

Bopha was sexually abused when she was only eight. She was tricked by her neighbour who took advantage of her vulnerable situation – being very poor and having gone without food for more than three days, Bopha was promised food by her neighbour if she helped him clean his house.

He raped her and attempted to kill her by beating her with a log so that he can silence the only witness to his barbaric act. He also blinded her eyes with dirt and gravel and left her to die in the forest. Thankfully, Bopha’s story did not end there.

On that fateful day in the forest, Bopha was rescued by a passer by who sent her to World Vision Cambodia for help. She later spent months healing in the hospital and underwent psychosocial counselling for her emotional trauma.

Four years later, Bopha has recovered from that traumatic incident although she is now partially blind. Today, Bopha is back in school again. Through World Vision’s help, her mother is now able to support the family and Bopha never needs to go hungry again. Most importantly, she has regained the confidence to speak and is able to face life again.

$1.50 a day…Honestly, in our world today, what could we possibly do with this little amount of money? But in the eyes of a needy child stricken with hopelessness and despair, with no access to the basic needs of life, $1.50 a day means she can now go to school, visit a doctor when she is sick, enjoy three meals a day, have clean water to drink and economic opportunities for her parents to gain a sustainable income. Child Sponsorship enables all that for an impoverished child.

There are millions of “Bophas” out there who suffer from extreme poverty and exploitation around the world. While we may not be able to help everyone, we are so thankful to all our child sponsors and supporters for allowing us to give hope and change the lives of as many needy children and families as possible.

Many left the Child Sponsors Gathering that Friday evening with brimming smiles for some, joyful tears for others as they listened to the many real-life stories of changed lives. All left with a stronger commitment in their hearts to share their blessings, including some who decided it was time that they, too, sponsor a needy child, just like the rest.

It was such a joy for us to be amongst our new found friends in Brunei; they are truly an awesome bunch of jolly, kind and deeply passionate individuals who just want to do their bit for the less privileged.

So the next time you pick up a can of Coke from the grocery store, think about the power of $1.50. Truly, it does not take very much to save a child’s life, $1.50 a day is all it takes to give hope, dignity and a future to a child in need.