Compassion desires to work with the neediest and most vulnerable children that it can reach with its program. We realize that reaching the neediest children is rooted in a commitment to integrity both in the program and with sponsors and donors. All registered children are selected based on objective criteria that establish their need and their ability to benefit from the program. Every field office has a documented process and criteria for selecting the neediest and most vulnerable children who can benefit from the program. This process is governed by the following criteria:

• Both non-Christian and Christian families
• Both boys and girls
• Low family income and low family assets
• Chronic illness and/or malnutrition
• Inability to attend school or progress in school
• Physically or mentally impaired (if appropriate program is available for them)
• Orphaned, abandoned or exploited (if an appropriate program is available for them)
• Between the ages of 3 and 9
• Good access of the child to a local church location
• Evidence that the child is likely to be non-transient and stable within the community