A desire to be different

Glad is known for its tight harmonies and wide-ranging repertoire. And the harmony between Glad and Compassion has blessed hundreds of children and sponsors for more than 15 years.

During the past decade and a half, Glad members have made it a point to visit Compassion's work in person whenever possible. Their journeys have taken them to several continents. "We are always moved when we visit Compassion projects," says Don Nalle, one of the band's original members. Such a visit to Bolivia in 1994 inspired Glad's Don Pardoe to sponsor Roberto Arcane.

"Roberto was only 8 years old then and was very shy compared to the other children we met on the trip," Don remembers. "I was so overwhelmed by the poverty I saw in Bolivia that I didn't want to leave Roberto there. But I knew that through Compassion sponsorship he would be given many opportunities. So in reality I wasn't leaving Roberto; I was leaving him with hope.

"Over the years, I've seen Roberto grow in many ways. I can tell from his confident smile in the photos of him I receive that he isn't a shy little boy anymore. And I can tell from his letters that he isn't willing to give in to the hopelessness around him — he has a desire to be different."

Compassion looks forward to many more years of partnership with Glad and more stories like Roberto's.