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chrismschroeder
- Name: Chris
- Surname: Schroeder
- Location: Winnipeg, MB.
- About Me: It was at the age of 16 that I saw Tom Cochrane on the TV asking Canadians to take part in a national youth event, the World Vision 30 Hour Famine, that I first took the ‘plunge’ into making some type of difference in the lives of those in need. It was 1989 and we had just spent the decade viewing what was one of our first real ‘media’ focuses on the needs of those in Africa – I think many of us remember the release of FIRST ‘We are the World’ and, of course, ’Tears are Not Enough’ (for Canadians) - and the World Vision logo seemed to be all over the media as one of the key organizations that were supporting those in need in Africa (with my earliest recollections being learning about Ethiopia, specifically, through the video images that were being broadcast to our home). So, after seeing an opportunity to help those in need, I decided to order the kit and do the 30 Hour Famine at our home church (Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren) in Watrous, Saskatchewan. The event went well, but the most significant part of the experience was meeting the World Vision representative for the region, Mr. Haysen Valencia, who took the time to sit down for coffee and to chat about Africa, the famine, and about how I could make a difference. The impact of this visit – and the fact that I still can recall his name (when most of the names of people I meet today will be lost) – shows how the enthusiasm of one can truly impact a lifetime for others. I decided to sponsor my first child immediately following this experience, and have been doing so ever since. I recall most of the children I (and eventually my wife and I) have sponsored over the years – Ricardo from Nicaragua, Kitolo from the Congo, Freddy from the Domincan Republic and Chipo from Zambia (who I have opportunity to personally meet) – and know that they have each had a significant impact on my life. I now work with World Vision Canada, after years of partnering with the organization, and can say that I respect the organization more than ever as I work together with the hundreds around the world who have a “vision for every child (for) life in it’s fullness” and who pray regularly ”for every heart, the will to make it so”.
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