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Background:
When SOFTLY International, the Unity based children’s service
organization, started the first “A Bed For Every Child”
program in Costa Rica in 1997 we launched it with a “Magic Pillow
Night.” Nicaraguan refugee children were constantly sick because
they slept on the damp, dirt floor. They did not have a bed of their
own. SOFTLY set out to bring lumber and mattresses in order to help
the families build their own beds.
The night before the “bed build” the children and their
parents were invited to the school yard to see a prototype of the
two and three level bunk beds and to each receive a “magic pillow.”
Rev. Juan Enrique Toro, the minister of Unity in Costa Rica gave a
little talk about the importance of dreams and the principle of
“mind/action” – what you hold in your mind or dreams can be the
affirmation of what you co-create for yourself.
Teaching points:
We are all one. We are all one global family and we can love and
help our little brothers and sisters even though we may never meet
them. They are just like us but some of them are very, very poor.
(SOFTLY can provide you with posters and more information about the
poor children of Central and South America.)
We can make a difference. The simple acts of love and generosity can
improve health and bring hope to these poor children, one child at a
time.
Dreams can come true. We are co-creators with God of our futures.
Our dreams and desires are like magic. What we hold in mind, we
co-create in kind.
Project activities: Materials
- Each participant will need to bring two standard size pillow
cases.
- Fabric markers, fabric paint, iron-on decals, etc. will be
provided.
Participants can be asked to bring a small fee to cover the cost of
these supplies. A craft store like Michael’s is a very good source
of the supplies.
Project activities:
1. A magic pillow case to share.
Start with a meditation. Think about what you want these little
brothers and sisters in Central America to hold in their dreams.
Assure them that they are loved, that God is watching over them, and
that their dreams can come true. Some ideas of phrases (in both
English and Spanish) you can write on the pillow case are:
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Sweet Dreams |
sueños melodiosos, Sueños dulces |
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Dreams come true |
Sueños hechos realidad |
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God is good |
Dios es bueno |
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I love you |
Lo quiero |
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God bless |
Dios bendecir |
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A new day |
Un nuevo día |
Also draw pictures of flowers, rainbows, butterflies.
Have fun!
2. A magic pillow case to keep.
Go back into meditation. What are your dreams? Where do
you want
God’s help? Now make your own magic pillow.
Project completion:
Besides sending your “to share” pillow cases to the address below,
here are some other suggestions to complete the project.
- Raise funds so that you can donate at least $3.00 to pay for each
of the actual pillows that your pillow case will go on.
- Raise enough money or donations so sheets can go along with the
pillows. This is about $12.00 per bed.
- As a group raise enough to actually build some of the beds that
the kids will receive. This will cost about $75.00 per child.
Send To:
SOFTLY International
2702 Stadium Drive
Durham NC 27704
USA
919-620-1616
email:
SOFTLYint@aol.com
* Our treasurer will send you a thank you letter and tax
receipt. SOFTLY International is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt
organization.
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