Welcome to Asha Mission!

By Ericka Jackson | November 17

Today we spent about 8 hours visiting Asha Mission - one of the Children's Homes we are partnered with in India. I can't express how incredible these children are - and how good it is to see them so happy and well cared for. They sang and danced and laughed and played - and we loved being a part of it all!

We got quite the welcome when we arrived (as you will see in the video). What we weren't able to shoot was all 32 children hugging us and introducing themselves to us. It was the sweetest thing!

Hello Asha Mission from The Sound of Hope on Vimeo.

But these children are more than just sweet - they are SMART! We heard about how hard they work in school, and that they have received outstanding marks and honors in their classes. The house mom and dad, Sharma and Sasi, are incredibly proud of them, and they told us about some of the children's dreams. These little boys and girls want to be doctors and nurses and teachers and policemen when they grow up.... but it's up to you and me to be sure that happens.

Over the next few days, we'll be sharing more about the kids at Asha Mission, and what some of their needs are. I can tell you right now that need #1 is a bigger house, considering there are 32 children and only 2 small bedrooms - with nowhere near enough room to sleep or play or study. So keep checking back to hear the details of their current living conditions, and to find out how you can help. Together we can provide for these children and empower them to reach their dreams!

A quick update from India!

By Ericka Jackson | November 16

After flying from Atlanta to Korea to Thailand, and spending 3 days in Chiang Mai recovering from jet lag - we hopped yet another plane and landed in India late last night! Here's a quick video update from right outside where we're staying. Tomorrow we'll be visiting one of the 3 Children's Homes we're partnered with here, so stay tuned for more videos, pictures, and stories!

Welcome to India from The Sound of Hope on Vimeo.

Promised Land Project Update :: We bought a Children’s Home!

By Ericka Jackson

Nov 01

We've been buzzing with excitement the past few weeks about everything that's been happening at The Sound of Hope. We recently posted an update about how your donations provided the medical care our girls in India needed, and then we shared about the new project we helped start in Swaziland. But we definitely saved the BEST update for last! Read more...

NEW PROJECT :: Swaziland Community Garden

By Ericka Jackson | October 29

If you're familiar with our work at all, then you know that we're about more than just providing the basic needs for orphans and vulnerable children overseas. All our partnerships - in Thailand, India, and Africa - provide more than just "the basics". We are passionate about EMPOWERMENT, so finding partnerships that provide holistic care and are working towards sustainability is extremely important to us. We want to encourage self-sustainability, not create a dependence on foreign funds.

That's why we we're so excited about the latest project we helped start in Swaziland!

Update from India :: Aksha & Jyoti

By Ericka Jackson | October 26

We're so excited to share an update about our two sweet girls in India, Aksha and Jyoti. A few months ago, we blogged about some upcoming medical needs for these girls. Jyoti had been suffering from seizures and blackouts due to parasites in her brain, and the last treatment the doctor prescribed hadn't healed her. Even though she's 7 years old, she has been unable to go to school because of her health issues. She needed to see a new specialist, which would cost $480.

We also told you about Aksha, a 3 month old baby girl who had already been hospitalized with high fevers and other serious symptoms. The doctors thought she might have a hole in her heart, and she needed to see a pediatric cardiologist. This appointment would cost yet another $480.

We asked you to help, and you responded! The money needed for these two appointments came in quickly, and because of your generosity, the girls were able to get the medical care they needed!

After quite a few tests and an echocardiogram, we found out that Aksha does not have a hole in her heart! (Praise God!) She does, however, have serious issues with her lungs.