*Yumi Tanaka & Tomomi Ueda speaking about fostering children from Cambodia*

One Sunday after church service, Mrs. Tomomi Ueda, a WFWP member in New Jersey, decided to make a bold move to share about a WFWP International project that she has been supporting for many years. Mrs. Ueda has been a foster parent for students in Cambodia and fosters three children by providing for their school education, school meals, and books for only $150 a year. Mrs. Ueda had long been asking herself if there was a way for WFWP USA to join her in supporting this project that so desperately needs more foster parents. She brought this project to New Jersey Chairwoman, Rev. Denneze Nelson for consideration. After discussion with WFWP National President, Mrs. Angelika Selle, the NJ Chapter launched the project on September 6, 2015.

The Cambodia Foster Parent project is a project that WFWP Japan initiated and has managed for many years. This amazing initiative gives people the unique opportunity of making a child in Cambodia part of their extended family, as they sponsor their educational and, to a large extent, their moral wellbeing. Each foster parent is updated on a regular basis on the grades, growth, and overall performance of the children they are sponsoring. Cooperation between WFWP Japan and local Cambodian schools and teachers is one of heart and familial engagement which truly embodies the meaning of “it takes a village to raise a child.” Tours are also arranged for foster parents to visit the children at certain times in the year.

Eighty percent of the Cambodian population is under 40 years old; so it is a very young country. Photos of 4-year-old children with babies in their arms, standing on the street and begging, are commonplace and a heart-wrenching sight in Cambodia.

Mrs. Ueda’s sister, Mrs. Yumi Tanaka, is one of the wonderful WFWP Japan volunteers who is responsible for the Cambodia Project and frequently goes to Cambodia. When Mrs. Ueda and Clifton Chairwoman, Mrs. Hiroko Nitro, told her they were planning to introduce the project to New Jersey, she flew from Japan to New Jersey to speak at the launching of the Cambodia Project. Mrs. Tanaka gave a riveting presentation which inspired many. As a result, 25 out of 70 attendees signed up to become foster parents with others promising to sign up before the end of the year. High School students who attended this event became foster parents and volunteered to sell T-shirts in support of WFWP on that day.

Mrs. Ueda and Mrs. Nitro planned and executed an outstanding launch of the Cambodia project. Overall, the event was spiritually stimulating and moved participants’ hearts and minds. WFWP asserts that women stand in the position to restore the problems of the world and comfort the heart of God. When our spiritual selves can acknowledge that we are truly one family under God, we live by the logic of love through serving those less fortunate. Moreover, we heal the pain and suffering of the children who are the future leaders of their countries. At the same time we are teaching them how to have hope, and to also live for the sake of God and others through the example of service and love. WFWP New Jersey feels very grateful for this opportunity to foster the children of Cambodia and hope that a blessing can come to the children of New Jersey because of this venture.

Are you interested in The Cambodia Foster Parent Project? WFWP New Jersey Chapter will continue to collaborate with WFWP Japan to support the Foster Parent Project in Cambodia.

Promoting the Cambodian Foster Parent Project

BE A FOSTER PARENT FOR CHILDREN IN CAMBODIA

WOMEN LEADING THE WAY TO SUSTAINABLE PEACE

BUILDING TRUST IN THE FAMILY