{Kids} Scrapbook Journals for Young Writers

I recently started sponsoring 2 little girls through World Vision Charity.  We are encouraged to write letters and send along pictures to these children (sent my first letter the day after I received the info packets) and are allowed to send small items that fit into an envelope just a little bigger than a regular envelope, but there are restrictions – such as no jewelry or items that could be construed as expensive. 

While I haven’t received any letters from either of these children yet (mail is a little slow in other countries, plus the whole volcano fiasco slowed my letters down I’m sure), I find myself looking at their pictures every day on my wall and wanting to let them know that there is someone a half a world away who is thinking about them.  I feel that while my money is going to their community to help them all thrive (a very important goal indeed), it is the personal touch that sustains people. 

I do not keep it to myself that I had a rough childhood, but it was those people in my life who always made me aware that they loved me and that they were there for me whom I think helped me be the strong and happy person I am today.  It is for this reason that I want to let these girls know as often as I can that there is someone out there who cares about them, who knows that they can succeed in life and who believes in them.

This week, I thought I would make some little scrapbook journals personalized just for them.  In doing so, another lady whom I work with asked me to make one for her little girl who she is sponsoring.  This got me to thinking…perhaps all sorts of children would like a little journal to call their own, or even a wedding couple would like to use a hand-made book like this as their wedding guestbook.  So, I’ve decided to make some more and post them on our etsy store.  In the meantime, check out the ones I made for these 3 little girls.  One of the girls, sadly, is not in school so I put the country flag and map as well as the world map in her journal – something to ponder (I loved maps as a child) and I had a friend translate the William Wordsworth quote, “Fill the paper with the breathings of your heart” in to Swahili for her.

Hope you enjoy.