FAQ

What is Compassion International?

Compassion International is a Christian child development organization dedicated to releasing children from poverty. Our ministry is twofold: We work through local churches to provide child development programs to deliver children from economic, physical, social and spiritual poverty, enabling them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. And we speak out for children in poverty – informing, motivating and equipping others to become advocates for children.

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What is your mission statement?

In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.

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How does Compassion work?

The hallmark of Compassion's work is one-to-one child sponsorship. A sponsor is someone who has made the decision to personally invest in the life of a child in need. Through sponsorship, children are able to participate in a church-based program that offers life-changing benefits that range from educational opportunities to health care.

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How and when did Compassion start?

Compassion began in the heart of one man moved by Korean War orphans in 1952. The Rev. Everett Swanson was on a successful preaching tour in South Korea when he encountered the bitter poverty of Korea's unwanted children. He knew he had to do something.

Upon his return to the United States, Everett established a program that allowed caring people to provide food, shelter, education, medical care and Christian training for Korean orphans. That program was, and remains, the foundation and core of Compassion International.

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Where does Compassion work?

Today Compassion works in 26 countries. In Africa, we work in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda. In Central America, we work in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico. In South America, we work in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In Asia, we work in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

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How does Compassion choose which countries to work in?

Compassion follows an in-depth process of investigation, analysis and research for God's direction to expand into new countries and communities. Compassion's criteria for opening a new country include:

• God's leading. Each decision about a new country is wrapped in prayer. No country is selected unless the responsible staff are convinced of God's leading and blessing.
• Need. Compassion works in some of the world's poorest communities. Local church partners then select the children in their communities who have the deepest need to participate in our program.
• Strong local church partners. Christian leaders and churches must be willing to invite our ministry into their country and competent Christians to staff country offices and lead projects.
• Risk management and legal issues. A country must not have legal barriers to our ministry. There must be a provision for international banking. Our work with the local church to encourage long-term Christian child development also must be understood and accepted.

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What makes Compassion stand out among other child development and/or sponsorship organizations?

We believe Compassion has four very distinctive values:

• Christ-Centered. Without coercion, we teach the life-changing gospel to every child in a culturally relevant way.
• Child-Focused. Our ministry directly engages each child as a complete person.
• Church-Based. We choose to partner with the church as a local group of believers who can teach, train and mentor children. This is done in partnership with parents and the community.
• Committed to Integrity. We commit to excellence and integrity to best benefit the children we serve. We commit to help children, families and churches create relevant child development activities. We commit to the highest professional and biblical principles.

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Why does Compassion focus on individual child development rather than broader community development work?

During Compassion's 50-plus years of development work, we've seen various approaches to breaking the cycle of poverty in children's lives. We've discovered that changed circumstances rarely change people's lives, while changed people inevitably change their circumstances.

Community development is important work that addresses the external circumstances of poverty and is an important complement to our work. However, our primary focus is individual child development—an inside-out, bottom-up approach that recognizes the God-given value and potential of each individual child. Many of these children grow up to become positive influences in their own communities.

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Do children have to become Christians to continue receiving help from Compassion?

No. Children are welcome to participate in a Compassion-assisted child development center regardless of their faith. Compassion's program, however, is unapologetically Christian and every Compassion center is connected to a Christian church or ministry. We want children to have the opportunity to see living faith in action, hear the gospel and be discipled in the ways of Christ. But neither they nor their families are under any compulsion to become Christians.

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How much does it cost to sponsor a child through Compassion?

Sponsoring a child costs $38 a month. It's a significant commitment, but the incredible difference it makes in the life of a child is invaluable.

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What specific benefits does a child receive through sponsorship?

The children Compassion serves receive, among other things: the opportunity to hear the gospel and learn about Jesus; regular Christian training; educational opportunities and help; health care, hygiene training and supplementary food if necessary; a caring and safe Christian environment to grow in self-confidence and social skills; personal attention, guidance and love.

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Does each child have only one sponsor?

Yes. Each child has only one sponsor, which is why the sponsor's prayers, letters and support mean so much to a child. We believe that the relationship that develops between sponsors and children is instrumental in a child's growth and development. In addition, this one-to-one relationship provides children with the message that they matter, that they are valuable and that someone outside of their family cares about them and their future.

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Where can I log in to My Account? Now you can log in to My Account from any page. And when you log in, you’ll find new features, like the new My Sponsorship page. Here, you can write to your sponsored child online! You can also edit your payment plans and find information on your child’s country.

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Can I write my sponsored child a letter online? Yes! Just log in to My Account and go to the My Sponsorship page. Here, you can find information about your sponsored child and write your child a letter! Compassion will print your letter, translate it, and mail it to your child.

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Where can I learn more about Compassion’s four main programs?

Now you’ll quickly be able to learn about Compassion’s entire ministry. The new home page includes sections on:

• Sponsoring a child

• Rescuing babies and mothers, which happens through Compassion’s Child Survival Program

• Compassion’s Leadership Development Program, which educates and develops future leaders

• Meeting critical needs, where you can learn about Compassion’s Complementary Interventions

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Where can I find out information on my child’s country? Be sure to check out the new Where We Work section where you can find stories and important information about your child’s country. We are committed to keeping you up-to-date on your child’s world.

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Can I share Compassion with my friends on Facebook? Please do! An easy way to begin inspiring your friends is through Facebook! So we’ve added Facebook options to the new site. So when you see a Facebook option, remember to click on the “thumbs up” icon. This is a great way to share your heart for children in need!

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Where can I find out how to visit my sponsored child? Check out the Trips & Visits section under Get Involved. We’ve made it easier to find out about upcoming trips and sign up for the adventure of a lifetime.

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What number can I call if I need more information? Please call (800) 336-7676. We’ll be glad to help.

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