When Alison Nirula, age 6, and Charis Wildeboer, age 5, saw Embrace AIDS, a DVD about the impact of the disease, they were touched. But they did more than feel sorry for those whose lives are ravaged by the illness. They responded.
The pair, both members of Clearview Christian Reformed Church in Oakville, Ontario, created Christmas tree ornaments out of dough and sold them after a worship service. The effort raised $1,600 for Embrace AIDS, a Christian Reformed World Relief Committee campaign committed to easing the impact of AIDS on individuals, families, and communities.
“We wanted to help the people to get medicine and food,” said Alison, referring to children who have been orphaned by AIDS.
“When kids hear about other kids without parents, they’re affected,” said Alison’s mother, Marlene Nirula, explaining the girls’ eagerness to do something to help.
Marlene noted that, worldwide, every three seconds a child dies of a preventable disease. She believes that AIDS, as one such disease, requires a response from Christians. “If that were happening in our church nurseries and Christian schools, we wouldn’t be sitting back. We’d be motivated to do more,” she said.
The girls recently hand delivered their check to the CRWRC office in Burlington, Ontario.
