7B Women host Uryadi's Village officials

There is nothing that tugs at the heart more than stories of vulnerable children. And for Sandpoint residents, Jennifer and Mike Crooks, it was those stories that set them on a course to change the lives of many worldwide.

The couple has adopted three children from Ethiopia and five from China. Moved by what they witnessed when visiting different countries, specifically Ethiopia, they founded Uryadi’s Village to assist the children and families who are struggling to not only survive but to stay together in some of the poorest countries in the world.

“Having spent months on the ground in Ethiopia arranging for the adoption of my three Ethiopian children, learning about many of the deep-seeded problems orphaned children face, and being with the amazing people, it became very clear that Ethiopia was the place to start,” said Jennifer.

Uryadi’s Village is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support vulnerable children and their extended families around the globe by developing social, economic and environmentally renewable systems with orphans, vulnerable women and children where the need is greatest.

“Our current focus is Ethiopia, which has five million orphans, more than any other country in the world,” outreach coordinator Sarah Klintworth said. “In addition, hundreds of thousands of children are relinquished to Ethiopian orphanages that lack the resources to support themselves and the children in their care. We seek to change this dire situation by creating effective systems that are integrated into daily living, that support a healthy way of life, that empower local communities, and that eliminate dependence on foreign aid. Our efforts are directed toward clean water and sanitation, sustainable agriculture, affordable healthcare, education opportunities, and practical livelihood training.”

Since it was first founded, Uryadi’s Village has had many Sandpoint residents, both adults and children, become involved, traveling to distant places to do what they can to make a difference.

On Tuesday, July 10, please join 7B Women as they welcome a representative from Uryadi’s Village to share the work that is being done and the amazing impact locals in Sandpoint are making on the lives of those in Ethiopia.

Alice Sloane, a board member of 7B Women, encourages people to come and learn more about this local organization. “It is inspiring to hear the stories and how people have been motivated to help simply by knowing Jennifer and Mike and meeting their children,” said Alice.

The 7B Women’s June luncheon will take place on Tuesday, July 10, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tango Café and is open to everyone in the community, men and women. The cost is $21 or $16 if you are a member of 7B Women, Inc. Individual memberships cost $50 per year and can be paid online at the group’s website, 7BWomen.com.

Please note that due to the high participation in the past and so Tango Café can adequately prepare for the luncheon, pre-registration is highly encouraged.

If people would like an opportunity to promote their business at the luncheon, attendees are asked to bring an item to raffle and will be given a “minute with the mic” during the course of the luncheon. Because of the number of raffle items that have been donated in recent months and the time constraints of the luncheon, 7B Women is limiting the opportunity for a minute with the mic to current 7B Women members only.

Information and raffle tickets ($1 each or six for $5): 7BWomen.com