IMPACT
OCTOBER 2014
BELONG ING
ELDERS FIND THEIR VOICES TOGETHER
P
erhaps the greatest benefit for those in the choir of elders in
from Asia and Oceania. After centuries of colonialism and, more
Unbound’s Antsirabe program in Madagascar is their experi-
recently, a succession of unstable governments, the Malagasy
ence of belonging. As members of a generation of Malagasies all
economy is weak. All of these elements conspire to make the
too familiar with isolation, it is a benefit they
already dire situation of the poor and marginal-
don't take for granted.
ized that much worse.
“The elderly, when they enter the pro-
But despite their long history of disempow-
gram, are quite solitary,” explained Barclay
erment, the 150 sponsored elders in the choir,
Martin, member of Unbound's U.S. Outreach
which has been together for two years, have
team. “There isn’t a sense of sharing or
no problem expressing themselves in song.
inherent kinship.”
They sing with a joy that defies the difficulty
Barclay recently returned from a month-
of their lives.
long trip to gather songs for a special musical project, Voices of Unbound: Madagascar. Madagascar is separated from the rest
Marthe, 62, is a member of the choir and also Marthe composes songs for the choir.
composes many of their songs. She wants her music to express gratitude to God and those
of the world by both geography and culture. Although it lies off
who have helped her. In describing one of her songs, "Dadaô!
the coast of Africa, the island was settled primarily by travelers
(continued)
INTRODUCING LIVING UNBOUND SUNDAY
A REMINDER FROM SPONSOR SERVICES
This year, Sunday, Nov. 30 is Living Unbound Sunday. On this
As Christmas draws near, many sponsors want to send gifts
day, sponsors across the country will host sponsorship tables
like dolls or toy cars to their sponsored friends. But packages
to help make it possible for others to reach out and change a life
are costly to send and to receive. Customs fees associated with
through sponsorship. Talk to your pastor and ask if you can host
packages can become a financial burden for local Unbound
Living Unbound Sunday at your church. To request materials
offices. Instead, try sending a homemade Christmas card. It will
or more information, contact us at outreach@unbound.org or
be just as special and treasured as any store-bought toy.
(800) 875-6564.
ILLUMINATING PART OF OUR HISTORY O ver the years we have received thousands of inspiring pho-
This Christmas — our first as Un-
bound — we're honoring that special
tographs from the countries where
piece of our heritage with a new series
Unbound works. Many of these we have
of photographs again featuring spon-
shared with you in our publications. A
sored children holding candles. These
handful have captured the imaginations
pictures — from Guatemala, India and
of readers in ways we never anticipated.
the Philippines — will be included in a
One such picture from several years
special series of Christmas cards we'll
ago featured a group of Guatemalan
make available for sponsors and other
children in traditional Mayan dress
members of the Unbound community.
holding candles in the darkness. It was
Joy.
The pictures remind us that the
a Christmas photo sent to us by our
good will of the Christmas season,
staff in Santiago Atitlan. There was
like the hope and gratitude created
something especially poignant about
through Unbound sponsorship, is
the way the soft glow of the candles
universal. It transcends the limitations
illuminated the beautiful, innocent
of culture, language and economics,
faces of the kids. People still ask us
and teaches us anew that we are one
about that photo from time to time.
human family.
Hope.
Unbound Christmas cards will be available for purchase beginning Oct. 1. See the insert for more information.
Sponsored Malagasy elders find empowerment through song (continued from front) Nenyô" (Mom and Dad), she said, “This song preaches that God is good. I feel blessed to be with him, and I wish to share it with the Unbound community.” That sentiment is evident in nearly every piece the choir performs. Barclay found it compelling in its simplicity. “It is a moment of pure beauty when you hear these voices singing mostly Malagasy Gospel songs,” he shared. “They were so happy to contribute to this.”
For more stories about the musicians or to order your CD, visit UNBOUND.ORG/MUSIC
Elders sponsored in Madagascar: 722
The elders were also happy to find community with one
Half of all the people of Madagascar live in poverty and MORE THAN 90 PERCENT LIVE ON LESS THAN $2 PER DAY. More than 73 percent of the population lives in the countryside where there is rapid deforestation resulting from slashand-burn agriculture and the use of wood for cooking.
1 ELMWOOD AVE., KANSAS CITY, KS 66103
another. After a lifetime of voicelessness, they have discovered their voices together. The choir has empowered them to be free, some for the first time, to express their feelings. It is an expression they are eager to share with us. “They enjoy singing and they enjoy being together,” Barclay said. In that experience of community and song these elders have come to know some of the healing for which they have long prayed.
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