Sylvias Children, a non-profit launched in 2003 by New Jersey businesswoman and philanthropist Sylvia Allen, has announced today that it has received grant funds totaling more than $800 from Minneapolis, MN.-based Thrivent Financial.
An eligible member of Thrivent Financials Choice Dollars program, Sylvias Children focuses on supporting and improving the living conditions for more than 1,000 children at the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary School in Uganda, Africa, by helping to implement and foster a self-sustainable economic and entrepreneurial system.
Through Thrivent Choice, members of the program can direct Thrivent Financials charitable outreach funds to a number of 501(c)3 nonprofits and congregations nationwide. In fact, since 2010 eligible members have used the program to direct more than $225 million to these participating organizations.
Over the past 12 years, Allen has succeeded in gaining annual sponsorship for many of the orphans attending the school, and she has raised over one million dollars, all of which has gone directly to the school since she covers all administrative expenses herself.
The organization has also constructed a 6,000-square-foot medical clinic, increasing access to health care for both the children and the village at large, in addition to a fresh well, a chicken coop, a kitchen, a corn milling building, a sewing facility, new classrooms, housing for teachers and orphans, a fully-stocked library, a playground, a pig farm and more.
As the organization continues to grow we attract more and more organizations, like Thrivent, who recognize what we are doing and want to be a part of our success, stated Allen. They know that 100% of our proceeds go to the school and they also realize we are achieving our goal of making the school self-reliant.
For more information on Sylvias Children, visit www.sylviaschildren.org. To find out more information on Thrivent Financials Choice Dollars program, visit www.thrivent.com.
