History
History of TEN TOGETHER:
a campaign for Forgotten Voices International
There are many reasons why we felt moved to start this campaign, but the most obvious are two:
We now KNOW more kids, like Shelton (center), than we can handle. We needed a way to expand and create space for all to help local churches meet the growing needs we are seeing.
First, we know about 10,000 kids orphaned by AIDS in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Amidst the 2 million in these 2 countries, we KNOW where 10,000 are within our network of pastors. These pastors know their names, stories, and unique needs. We are looking for ways to support we keep meeting pastors in Zimbabwe and Zambia ready to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children orphaned by AIDS. We needed a reliable way to meet those needs and engage people in learning how the work these pastors are doing is made possible because of your gifts. Churches there do not have much in terms of money, but their love, dedication, and joy is contagious. Inspired by their hope, despite sitting day after day under trees holding the hands of dying parents, we join them in giving what we can through TEN TOGETHER.
Every group of 10 people giving $10/month per person helps 10 children in southern Africa.
Second, we keep meeting people in the USA who want to help, but are overwhelmed by AIDS and the orphan crises in southern Africa. Amidst all the noise, we decided with our partners in Africa that we needed a simple way for people to see what our partners have taught us: offer yourselves and your resources up, no matter how small, and watch God use them to show you love.
Through my church in Central Pennsylvania, in 2004 I went with 11 other Americans to Zimbabwe to see what we could do to address the AIDS crises. Today, we see clearly that God is using our partners in Africa to show us how to love our own neighbors here in the USA. TEN TOGETHER is a way for us to encourage them to keep going and model in the USA what we are learning from Africa.
Join us by gathering TEN Friends, donating TEN Dollars a month, and serving TEN Hours with your team over the course of a year. Then, watch God work as we offer our little to accomplish more than we can imagine.
Ryan Keith
President
Forgotten Voices International
——————-
History of Forgotten Voices International
In 2004, a group of 12 young adults from central Pennsylvania set out on a life changing journey to witness the impact of the AIDS pandemic on the nation of Zimbabwe. Their mission was simple: Evaluate the needs of the people in the cities as well as the rural communities and report back to their local congregation with recommendations on how they could offer assistance.
The group, comprised of young social workers, nurses, project managers, economic developers, pastors, students, engineers, and IT managers, was hungry to learn how they could use their resources to empower the voices of orphans in Africa. Over a two week period, the group explored 13 projects and met dozens of leaders around the country.
The stories of these people combined with their gracious attitude, boundless hope, and never-ending smiles overwhelmed the team and captured their hearts. For 6 months after returning from that initial trip, the group met and researched many different approaches to assisting AIDS orphans and vulnerable children and their communities.
This small endeavor began as Icon Development Group in late 2004 to begin raising funds on behalf of the suffering. In January 2005, 3 people from this new group returned to Zimbabwe and identified projects that fit these priorities. In April 2005, funding began for IDG’s first project with a church run AIDS program: Mtshabezi AIDS Clinic.
Through this original partnership, Forgotten Voices International was born, as churches in the USA discovered this new ministry and wanted to help. In late 2005, Forgotten Voices was incorporated and later gained its 501(c)(3), non-profit and tax exempt status in October 2006. Forgotten Voices International now has projects in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
To date, Forgotten Voices International has helped equip over 160 churches to meet the physical and spiritual needs of over 5,000 children.
As a direct result of the passion and service of a few committed volunteers, thousands of people now have essential medical care, educational opportunities, food in their bellies and hope in their heart. Their experience is concrete proof that there is no limit to what can be accomplished by a group of individuals who come together to intervene on the behalf of the well being of another. And so now, we invite you to join us.
Click here to learn how even a small gesture can change the life of someone less fortunate.