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Living Water International

Living Water International (LWI) is an evangelistic Christian non profit organization committed to  Changing the World ….One Child at a Time. The largest part of its work is the Adopt-A-Child Sponsorship Program, currently operating in Guatemala and Albania. LWI also plants churches and runs Medical and Dental clinics and outreaches in both countries and has a payroll staff of about 200 nationals. It has supporters across every continent, but keeps its HQ in donated offices in Pace, near Pensacola, Florida where it is registered as a 501(c)(3).

Adopt-A-Child [‘AAC’] is a Christian, Evangelistic, One to One Child Sponsorship Programme, currently operating in Guatemala and Albania.

Introduction AAC LOGO

Changing the World ….One Child at a Time

Although part of a worldwide network operating under the umbrella of a 501(c)(3) Living Water International, Adopt-A-Child in the UK is a Scottish Charity and Company limited by guarantee, and the offices in Germany, Canada and New Zealand carry similar national charitable status. The Charities follow the Statement of Faith established by the Evangelical Alliance, and work relationally to further the work of Living Water International

Contact

www.adopt-a-child.com Blog:news.adopt-a-child.com Facebook:facebook.com/adopt.a.child

National office details:

Adopt-A-Child UK & Ireland PO Box 5589, Inverness, IV2 7WG Phone: (+44) or (0)1463 792600 Email: aacuk@lwintl.org

Adopt-A-Child New Zealand 6A Old Loop Road, RD6, Whangarei 0176 Phone: + 64 (0)210 492538 Email: colin@lwintl.org

Adopt-A-Child Germany Kanalstr. 74, 42657 Solingen, Phone: +49 (0) 212 594 4053 Email: ali@living-water-germany.de

Adopt-A-Child USA Living Water International, 4901A Forest Creek Drive, PACE, FL 32571 Phone: 1-(850) 995 4281 Email: info@lwintl.org

Adopt-A-Child Canada PO # 10, 106-4480 West Saanich Road, Victoria BC. V8Z 3E9 Phone: + 1 250 479 0545 Email: canadainfo@lwintl.org

History

Following the Guatemalan Revolution and the bloodbath of the early 1980’s, Mack and Peggy McKeown of Living Waters Ministries, now Living Water International founded the Adopt-A-Child Sponsorship Programme in 1982 to bring Christian help and hope to the destitute mountain children. From small beginnings, thousands are now being reached with hope and help. Many of today’s staff workers were themselves children on the Programme.

It has been noted that during the period 1967-1990 Albania was the only officially atheist State in the world. In 1995 the first AAC programme was established high in the mountains to the south east of the country. Having been denied the privilege of hearing the Gospel in the past, communities were quick to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ

Outline of the Work

Most regular attendees at the Programmes tend to be between the ages of about 3 and late teens, though no child is ever turned aay form the programme. Children are given a nutritious meal prior to the [optional] Bible Classes and Discipleship classes for the older, committed children. Through its 13 Outreach Centres (9 in Guatemala and 4 in Albania) Adopt-A-Child is serving around 11,000 children. In line with the aim of caring for the whole person, the children also receive basic medical and dental care as well as Pastoral and practical help where needed. As relationships with the children develop and confidence is established, opportunities arise for outreach to their families and the wider community.

Sponsorship Funding

A child can only have one sponsor, which can be a group or Sunday School for example, but a sponsor can have several children. Each month, sponsors from all over the world send the equivalent of around £18 /US$ 30/€35 towards the necessary costs of providing ‘goods and services’ for their child and unsponsored children on the programme. Payments can also be made via the website and other on-line giving, ensuring any currency is covered. AAC commits to taking no more than 10% of this sponsorship money for Admin in the supporting country – 90% goes straight to Guatemala or Albania for the hands-on work of mission. In addition to this many also regularly correspond with their child and send them extra gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Currently there are sponsors in 22 nations.

Additional Support

This normally comes in the form of one off gifts or funds usually dedicated for specific projects such as Medical or Dental Clinics or necessary transport requirements eg. Vehicles. Many volunteer supporters work hard at fundraising through a variety of innovative projects ranging from a Charity Shop, through to sponsored marathons, street collection, local events of all types and sizes.

Literature

In addition to receiving sponsorship details of the child, sponsors are also provided with regular Newsletters and annual updates. If they write to the child they always get personal replies to any letters or gifts sent, except at Christmas time.

Visits Regular trips to both countries are run for sponsors and supporters who want to meet the children and see what God is doing on the mission field. Details can be obtained from aacuk@lwintl.org