Thank you for visiting our website. Soon our official website will be up and running, and then this blog with redirect to it. But for now, we wanted to get the word out about the exciting opportunities YOU have to help change the world!
Here are the facts!
What is Mercy's Dream Ministries?
Mercy's Dream Ministries is a federally recognized non-profit organization that is dedicated to seeing orphaned and needy children around the world receive the support that that they need to pursue their dreams. This support includes providing access to proper and nutritional meals, clean water, and education.
How was Mercy's Dream Ministries started?
In the fall of 2010, we were among 600 students sailing around the world on the program Semester at Sea. One of our port stays was scheduled for Takoradi, Ghana. Emma had arranged to go to Egyam Orphanage independently for the few days that the shipped would be ported in Ghana. Only three days out of port, the orphanage director contacted her asking for donations of shoes for the children so that they could participate in school fully for the next year. Since we were in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean at the time, it seemed impossible to find over fifty pairs of children's shoes. However, together we rallied the entire ship to the cause and came up with more than fifty pairs of shoes, $800USD, and more than 100 volunteers who wanted to help out with maintenance projects at the orphanage.
While we were there, we helped the children with homework, played with them, and helped the house mothers with their daily chores. The children enjoyed the one-on-one time that they had with the volunteers. One 10-year-old girl attached herself to me (Emma) for the entire time that we were there. Her name was Mercy. She told me that her dream was to be able to go to school everyday and learn as much as she could so that one day she could become an airplane pilot. I promised her that I would come back one day. I promised myself that I would help her pursue those dreams.
Even though seeing the children chase after our departing taxis in their new shoes was a joyous event, we were struck deeply by the poverty that we saw in contrast to all the opportunities we were pursuing. All of the volunteers had had similar experiences to Emma’s. And that is why we founded Mercy's Dream Ministries.
Get involved now!
By September 1, 2011, we aim to have every single child at Egyam Orphanage (our very first project site) sponsored. For just $20 a month, you can provide a child with nutritious food, clean water, and an education. That's less than $1 per day to help a child pursue his or her dreams.
Are there other ways to get involved other than sponsorship?
YES! We have developed a volunteer program between our ministry and Egyam Orphanage, where short and long-term volunteers can stay at the orphanage to help with the schooling and daily care of the children. Egyam Orphanage also supports many children in the surrounding communities that it cannot house on-site. These children also need care, and volunteers can be involved in community outreach and monitoring these children’s progress and living environment.
We also have several "special projects" that we are currently working on including getting the orphanage enough chickens so that all the children can have an egg at least twice a week.
Most importantly, you can support us through prayer.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
We are still in the process of obtaining 501(c)3 status, so at this time, gifts are not tax-deductible.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Mercy's Dream Ministries. We hope that you will join us in our endeavor!
In Peace and Love,
Emma Smith and Mackenzie Walsh
