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NEVER TOO YOUNG TO HELP
 On April 2, 2003, the kindergarten students of Chicago’s Tabernacle Christian Church were all dressed up in colorful African garments for a special ceremony. The children sang a welcoming song to the audience. Then came the moment they were all waiting for. The whole class was awarded the Global Vision Award for raising enough money to purchase four goats to benefit HIV/AIDS-affected communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The Global Vision Award, which recognizes extraordinary efforts to help those in need around the world, was presented for the first time during this ceremony.
Mr. Wilson, executive director of World Vision Chicago and father of one of the children, presented the award to the children’s teacher. Wilson exclaimed, "You and your class set out to be a blessing and buy one goat for one African family who is living in a challenging situation, but our God has anointed and blessed your efforts and has provided the monies to purchase four goats for four African families. This just shows us that everyone—no matter how young or how small—can make a difference. It is my sincere hope that this undertaking will continue to inspire us to have compassion and to educate us about the suffering of people around the world and lastly, to make us realize just how blessed everyone here in the United States truly is."
The children got the idea for the fundraising project after a special visit from Mr. Wilson—at the invitation of his son George. Mr. Wilson explained to the class that many children in Africa don’t have enough food to eat because of a famine. He also explained that many African children have lost one or both of their parents to disease or starvation. The kindergarteners and their teacher were impressed when they learned about all the World Vision programs that provide food and care for hungry and orphaned children.
 After listening to George talk, the children decided that during the Christmas season they would save their pennies as part of World Vision’s Love Loaf program. Each child received a special bread loaf bank for saving money. They hoped to raise enough for the purchase of one goat for an African family. When the children broke open their banks and submitted their savings, they had a whopping $207—enough to purchase four goats for four African families! It just shows you that even the youngest can make a difference.
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