Korfant brings message of hope to impoverished youth in India
By STEPHEN FLANAGAN JACKSON
Having lived as a foster child in the heart of the big city of Cleveland, Ohio, Rosie Korfant, who lives in Parrish, knows what it’s like to feel uncertain about a few things in life. As a three year old, she was moved abruptly from a loving foster home into a home with a loving (but frustrated) biological mother and a soon-to-be “in charge” stepfather. Korfant’s life changed drastically as she had to learn how to live in a somewhat dysfunctional and uncomfortable situation, which continues to affect her to this day.
Part of her three-pronged reaction to dealing with “the hand that was dealt to her,” has been Korfant’s lifelong yearning, physically and spiritually, for her father, the impetus for writing a heartfelt book and initiating a fundraising project for impoverished and unfortunate children half a world away.
Growing up in the long, cold winters of Ohio and feeling the chill of Lake Erie, a dormant flame flickered within Korfant’s spirit, which she finally unleashed. Korfant grew up in the heart of Cleveland, surrounded by secrets about her birth and her lineage, yet she considers herself extremely blessed. She said, “I took on life to its fullest with diverse and adventurous careers, extensive education and exciting exploits.” However, with all her accomplishments she felt no “roots.”
“The purpose of this ‘Quest’ book,” explained Korfant, “is to bring to light all those who have felt a longing in their heart and couldn’t quite put a name to the longing.” According to Korfant, if you heed the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and listen well to His promptings, you, too, will experience the fullness that is felt when life feels more “complete.” For Korfant, one major element was missing — “a biological father.” Her life’s journey finally brings it all to rest at the heavenly Father’s feet.”
The author
Surrounded by secrets and without “roots,” Korfant now understands the importance of “belonging.” Imagine this sense of abandonment of a young child in America. However, comparing her experiences to that of a foster child, with almost no hope of adoption in a third-world country like India, Korfant decided to take on the “Kids of Kadali” project and solicit “adoption parents” for children over 4,000 miles away. Kadali is located about 60 miles south of Calcutta, with a similar dire economic strata.
Two years ago Korfant, accompanied by her Pastor, Phil Derstine, of the The Family Church at Christian Retreat in Bradenton — a long-serving mission church founded over 50 years ago, traveled to Kadali and visited Miracle Children’s Home. The visit was to dedicate the second floor of the children’s home, built by the congregation’s contributions. Reading vicariously about the living conditions of children, especially the girls in India, is entirely different from actually experiencing the environment in person as Korfant discovered during her two-week mission stay.
This eye-opening India trip is partially what compelled Korfant to begin the “Kids of Kadali” project. Another reason is her recently having completed the Institute of Ministry and becoming an ordained minister. Though she works full time for DaVita Medical Group in Sun City Center as its Community Relations Coordinator, Korfant has traversed much of the world in various capacities: missions outreach minister, tourist, and family-friend relationship builder. Her interest in each of these aspects of her life has brought her twice to India, twice to South Africa, twice to Brazil, twice to Italy, and once each to New Zealand, Israel, Hong Kong, Bali, Jamaica, Sicily, England, France and Germany.
This latest outreach, “The Kids of Kadali,” offers the non-traveling but caring person an opportunity to help in a financial capacity that most would hardly realize is possible. Imagine $30 per month making it possible for a child to be able to eat two or, sometimes, three meals a day and sleep in a bed with a mattress, albeit skimpy by American standards. The Miracle Children’s Home provides the safety of a “home” for children as young as four years old and up through their teenage years, and with a monthly donation of $30, it can provide great benefits for a child who might otherwise be kidnapped and sold into human trafficking situations. So, a little bit of money goes a long way to provide not only food but also protection and security.
Korfant said her hope is that many people in the reading area of The Observer News will sit up and take notice of those far-reaching opportunities and financially help in these “rescue” efforts.
For further information, call Rosie Korfant, Community Relations Coordinator, at DaVita Medical Group in Sun City Center, 813-419-5020 or 813-399-3151 or email Roseanne.Korfant@davitamedicalgroup.com.
