Compassion International Blog https://blog.compassion.com/ Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:34:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://blog.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-skippy-compassion-international-1-32x32.jpg Compassion International Blog https://blog.compassion.com/ 32 32 Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of Rescued Compassion-Sponsored Student Say “Thank You” https://blog.compassion.com/thailand-cave-rescue-parents-of-trapped-boy-say-thank-you/ https://blog.compassion.com/thailand-cave-rescue-parents-of-trapped-boy-say-thank-you/#comments Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:19:49 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=81522 The 12-boy soccer team and their coach that were rescued from the flooded cave in Thailand have headed home from the hospital! Learn more about Compassion-sponsored student Adun and hear from his parents as we continue to pray for their recovery.

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UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: The Epic Tale on Screen
Several years have now passed since the incident. Since then, a movie has been released that shows the full extent of this rescue mission. Highlighting the stunning display of resilience and unity of those involved, “The Cave” reenacts the Thailand cave rescue of 2018, one of the most recent famous cave rescues.

This heart-stopping film retraces the gripping journey of pulling the Wild Boars soccer team boys from the Tham Luang Nang Non cave to freedom. The film employs what feels like authentic Thailand cave rescue photos and accurate Thailand cave rescue map details to create a lifelike experience.

The film shows the incredible courage and strength it took to rescue these boys. “The Cave” movie trailer itself attracted a worldwide audience, bringing renewed attention to this extraordinary tale of human spirit and the power of unity.


UPDATE JULY 20, 2018: The Wild Boars soccer team and their coach have returned home! Amongst the grateful boys and coach, is 14-year-old Adun, who is part of our Compassion family.

smiling young man

Meet Adun: Sponsored through Compassion and a member of the now-famous Wild Boar soccer team.

Adun is the bright, resilient, and multi-lingual young man who has captured the world’s attention* alongside his coach and teammates. But Adun has had the attention of the staff at our local church partner for years. They have had the privilege of being part of his incredible journey before and after the Luang Nang Non cave.

Adun’s church, led by Pastor Go Shin and his wife, has around 100 members.

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

Pastor Go Shin faithfully ministers to many children like Adun in the Mai Sai district of Northern Thailand.

In addition to the programming as a Compassion Child Development Center, Pastor Go Shin’s church also has a learning center where 30-35 children ages 6-14 come to learn. Children who attend have the opportunity to learn English, Burmese, Chinese, music and the Bible amongst other subjects from volunteer teachers.

Several of the children who attend the learning center are non-Thai citizens who live at the church because of the transient nature of their parents’ work. Most of these children come from families who live in extreme poverty. Their parents desire their children to receive a consistent education at Thai schools, learn about God and be equipped as young leaders.

Adun’s parents are part of an ethnic group known as the “Lua” or “Wah” group. As the oldest of their five children, Adun’s parents encouraged him to live at the church where he could receive the best opportunities and decided to enroll him in the Compassion program to build towards a promising future.

In addition to being a gifted student, Adun regularly leads music at the church. He hopes one day “to be a doctor and a famous professional soccer player for Chiang Rai United Club.”

Adun was discharged from the hospital on July 18, 2018 along with the other 11 boys and their coach. He will continue to stay at the church under the care of Pastor Go Shin and his wife. They, along with Compassion Thailand, are working to help Adun receive his Thai citizenship.

“We will keep everything simple and help Adun have a life like what it used to be for him,” Pastor Go Shin says. “Adun is a child and student and his responsibility is to study and return to a normal life. We have other children here who are from similar backgrounds or poverty levels as Adun and receive regular support. We will continue to care for all the children, while also making sure Adun has the support he needs.”

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

Thank you for your continued prayers for the recovery of the Wild Boar soccer team! You can specifically pray for Adun and Compassion Thailand in the following ways:

  • Pray the citizenship process for Adun will be completed successfully and quickly.
  • Pray for Adun to continue to heal, learn and grow in this season of his life.
  • Pray for Adun’s parents and his four siblings who live with them.
  • Pray for Pastor Go Shin as he navigates this situation and the other challenges in his community.
  • Pray for Compassion Thailand and the local churches as they reach out to more vulnerable children.

Read below to hear from Adun’s parents and learn more about how our local church partners in Thailand supported the rescue operations.


UPDATE JULY 10, 2018: All 12 boys and their soccer coach have been rescued from the Luang Nang Non cave in the Chiang Rai, Thailand! We are giving thanks to God for the answered prayers!

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

The entrance to Luang Nang Non cave in the Chiang Rai, Thailand where the 12-boy soccer team and their coach were trapped for over 2 weeks.

Having been trapped in the cave due to flood waters since June 23rd, the remaining four boys and their coach were brought out by the brave rescue divers on Tuesday, July 10. After the 72-hour rescue operation, the entire Wild Boars soccer team and their coach have been taken to a hospital in Chang Rai to receive medical and psychological care.

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

The four remaining boys and their soccer coach arriving via caravan at the hospital in Chaing Rai the morning of July 10.

Thank you for praying with us and the parents of one of the boys who is sponsored through Compassion. Throughout the dangerous rescue operation, his Compassion community at his local church has been united in prayer and assisting the Air Force by providing food and shelter. (Read below to hear from his parents and learn more about how their community has supported them and the rescue).

Let’s continue to pray for the team and their coach as they begin their recovery process.


UPDATE JULY 9, 2018: Praise to God! Four more boys have been brought out of the cave, including the boy* who is a sponsored through Compassion!

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

The happy parents of the sponsored boy who has been rescued from the cave in Thailand standing outside of the church where their son attends the Compassion program.

“Thank you to God who helps us to see our son very soon. We are so happy to hear that our son is out of the cave and to welcome him home. It’s the love that God gives to our family. God is great love and there’s nothing He can’t do,” his parents say.

Thank you for praying with us and his parents for his safe return!

All eight boys who have been rescued are receiving medical treatment in Chiang Rai. Families are not allowed to see the boys until they have been cleared medically.

Let’s continue to pray for the boys’ physical and mental recovery and for the remaining rescue efforts and safety for the five people left in the cave.


UPDATE JULY 8, 2018: Four of the boys have been rescued! Praise God!

Eight boys, including the boy sponsored through Compassion, still remain trapped in the cave. (See an interview with his parents below.)

Racing against the weather and potential increased flooding in the cave, rescuers began bringing the four boys out on Sunday, July 8. On Saturday evening, the boys were assessed by a medical professional and deemed both physically and mentally ready for the journey.

The rescue teams have pumped enough water out of the cave for the boys to make it out but the journey is still dangerous. It is an 11-hour round trip for the rescuers to go into the cave and come out with the boys. Using guide ropes in complete darkness, the process includes a mixture of walking, wading, climbing and diving.

Because it takes 20 hours to prepare for each round of rescues, it is expected to take 2-4 days to get the remaining six boys and their coach out. And with the current rainy conditions threatening to flood the cave, time is imperative.

Please continue to pray with us for the safety of the rescuers, the remaining brave boys and their coach as they journey out of the cave!


JULY 5, 2018: The world watched and prayed for 10 days while 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped in the recesses of the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in the Chiang Rai District of Thailand. On Monday, July 2, we rejoiced as rescuers finally penetrated into the room of the cave where the boys are trapped and found them alive. Thank you to all who have answered the call to pray for these precious lives!

One of the boys* is a Compassion beneficiary, and our photojournalist in Thailand had a chance to interview his parents.

“Thank you so much for all prayers and all the encouragement. Thank you to God. I’m really thankful that they found my son and all 13 are alive,” says the boy’s mother. “I’m so happy and so thankful to see my son again. Thank you so much to everyone that has been praying for us and the boys and helping us; thank you.”

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

The Director at the child development center the boy attends, Nasou (pictured in the photo above), says, “As Center Director, I want to say thank you so much for all your prayers as we have heard that [the boy] is now safe inside the cave. I’m so thankful to God and know that they will come out very safely.”

The soccer coach and boys have received food, blankets and medical attention. With the possibility of more rain to come, rescuers are working around the clock to find solutions to get them all to safety.

Rescue crews have been removing water from the flooded cave, but they believe the boys’ best chance to escape is to learn to dive to journey through 2-3 kilometers of the mountain. But this will be a considerable process, potentially taking months.

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

Map source: BBC

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

Rescue teams have been working diligently since June 23rd to locate the boys and their coach.

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

US Marines arrive at the cave site to aid in the rescue efforts.

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

Surayut was one of the first to report the boys missing and enter the cave in the search.

Eighteen-year-old Surayut Puengpadung, another Compassion beneficiary and member of the Chiang Rai Rescue Academy Team, was one of the first to report the boys missing on Saturday and one of the first to enter the water to search for the boys.

“Pray for all the rescue operation teams who are making progress,” Surayut says. “They are working very hard through this weather, and it’s very dangerous. The water runs fast and there are strong currents.”

Compassion’s church partners in the Chiang Rai District have been constantly gathering to pray for the lives of these precious boys and their coach. Compassion Center at Baag Jong Church is also being used as a base for the search.

three military men walking towards helicopter

The soccer field where the boys practice at Baag Jong Church is being used as a base of operations for the Air Force. The church is providing accommodations and food for the hard-working Air Force team.

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

Center Director at Baag Jong Church, Mheega Chemuegoo prepares a traditional food for the Air Force team.

“Because the parents and I are seeing the rescue teams working hard, through the days and nights, that’s what is giving us hope. We have the strength to stay here at the cave site to see the boys. Many times the parents felt hopeless after they had been waiting and hearing that nothing had accomplished in searching for their boys. So, we didn’t know whether the boys were going to be alive or not. But we kept on praying constantly and really trusted God that they would be found alive. When we heard that they found the boys, that was the most exciting moment and giving us more hope,” says Nasou.

Thailand Cave Rescue: Parents of trapped boy on soccer team say "Thank You"

A mother of one of the trapped boy’s prays for their safe return.

Let’s stand in solidarity, and continue praying for the boys, their coach, the families and the rescue team in the months to come.

    • Pray that the boys and the coach will return to safety and their families soon.
    • Pray the rescue crews are able to find the quickest and safest solution.
    • Pray that the weather will remain stable so that there will be no more flooding in the cave.
  • Pray that the boys and their coach will remain healthy and grow strong enough to make the dive through the cave.

What is Compassion?

As one of the world’s leading child development organizations, Compassion partners with the local church in 25 countries to end poverty in the lives of children and their families. Today, nearly 2 million children and their families are discovering lives full of promise and purpose as they develop in all aspects of their lives — minds, bodies and relationships — while discovering God’s love for them.

Want to respond to some of the most pressing needs facing children living in poverty? Our “Where Most Needed” Fund addresses the needs our church partners have identified as the most urgent in their communities.

Give today to our Where Most Needed fund.**


Field reporting by Piyamary Shinoda, Compassion Thailand
*Compassion Thailand has verified that the spelling of the boy’s name is Adun, not Adul. The political opinions stated in the linked article do not reflect those of Compassion.
**Funds will go to Compassion’s Where Most Needed Fund, not toward the rescue of the boys.

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10 Unique Mother’s Day Gifts That Give Back https://blog.compassion.com/10-unique-mothers-day-gifts-that-give-back/ https://blog.compassion.com/10-unique-mothers-day-gifts-that-give-back/#comments Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:19:09 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=71336 Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to provide the women in our lives with tangible expressions of love. But what if there was a way you could do that while also tapping into the real heartbeat of a mom — helping other moms.

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How do you express to your mom how much you love her? Tell your wife what an incredible mother she is to your children?

Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to provide the women in our lives with tangible expressions of love. But what if there was a way you could do that while also tapping into the real heartbeat of a mom — helping other moms.

Here are 10 Mother’s Day Gifts that show the moms in your life how loved and valued they are — while also providing hope and opportunities for mothers and children in poverty.

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

1. For the NEW MOM

She’s the mom who is deeply in love with that new little baby … and deeply, deeply exhausted. And she understands just how hard being a mother can be. Honor the New Mom in your life by giving a Newborn Care Package — a gift that will ensure that a mother in poverty has the resources she needs to care for her child. Add-On Idea: You can also get her a gift card for a manicure so she can have a little pampering.

Give the Gift of NEWBORN CARE ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

2. For the GIRL SCOUT MOM

She’s that mom who’s always prepared — a purse full of water bottles, granola bars and Band-Aids to take care of any need. Honor the Girl Scout Mom in your life by giving a Water Well — a gift that will help mothers in poverty make sure their children are cared for and have access to clean, safe water. Add-On Idea: You can also get her a box of Girl Scout cookies to keep in that purse of hers!

Give the Gift of A WATER WELL ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

3. For the GREEN THUMB MOM

She can make anything grow. And every time you see her she has a bag of tomatoes that she just picked that morning. Honor the Green Thumb Mom in your life by giving Garden Seeds — a gift that will help a family in poverty grow food that they can eat, sell in the market and, yes, even share with their neighbors. Add-On Idea: You can also get her some garden seeds of her own and a trowel as she plants this spring’s garden.

Give the Gift of GARDEN SEEDS ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

4.For the TEACHER MOM

She doesn’t necessarily have to teach in the classroom, but this mom loves to shape young minds and expand the world of each child she encounters. Honor the Teacher Mom in your life by giving Textbooks — a gift that will help children around the world find the knowledge and skills to escape poverty. Add-On Idea: You can also get her a mug emblazoned with “World’s Best Teacher” because that’s exactly what she is.

Give the Gift of TEXTBOOKS ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

5. For the COUPON MOM

This mom never leaves home without coupons! She loves a good bargain, because saving money means she can provide even more for her family. Honor the Coupon-Clipping Mom in your life by giving an Income-Generation Bundle — a gift that will help a mother in poverty learn how to manage a small business and care for the needs of her family. Add-On Idea: You can also make a book of homemade coupons for her, because every mother is a softy for a “One Free Hug” coupon!

Give the Gift of INCOME GENERATION ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

6. For the CRAFTY MOM

She’s the mom who can make a praying mantis costume for the school play out of pipe cleaners and paper clips without even breaking a sweat. Honor the Crafty Mom in your life by giving Sewing Classes — a gift that will help a teen in poverty learn valuable life skills that will help her find a job and literally change her future. Add-On Idea: You can also get her a sewing kit, because school play costumes don’t just sew themselves you know!

Give the Gift of SEWING CLASSES ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

7. For the SUNDAY SCHOOL MOM

This is the mom who loves telling children the stories of the Bible. She’s not afraid of pretending to be an elephant on Noah’s ark if that means a child will better understand God’s promises. Honor the Sunday School Mom in your life by giving Bibles — a gift that will ensure that a child in poverty will have his or her very own copy of God’s promises to bring comfort and faith. Add-On Idea: You can also get her a devotional book that she can read without having to make animal noises.

Give the Gift of BIBLES ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

8. For the FREE RANGE MOM

She’s the epitome of the do-it-yourself mom. She loves finding innovative ways to care for her family. She makes their laundry soap, bakes their bread, and maybe even has a few chickens in the backyard. Honor the Free Range Mom in your life by giving Chickens — a gift that allows a mother in poverty to care for her own family and gives her a resource to provide both food and an income. Add-On Idea: You can also make her a pan of homemade granola bars to eat as a power snack between the baking and the egg gathering.

Give the Gift of CHICKENS ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

9. For the PTA MOM

This is the mom who gets things done. She always has a checklist, and she loves to volunteer and organize — all for the sake of providing a place for children to feel safe and cared for. Honor the PTA Mom in your life by giving a Safe Playground — a gift that means children in poverty will have a place to play that is free of danger. Add-On Idea: You can also get her a gift card to her favorite restaurant, because even the PTA Mom needs a night off.

Give the Gift of a SAFE PLAYGROUND ›

10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts That Give Back

10. For the BOOKWORM MOM

She can always be found curled up with a good book. Sometimes a novel but more often a dog-eared copy of Goodnight Moon. Honor the Bookwork Mom in your life by giving Literacy Classes — a gift that will help a mother in poverty learn to read and write, a skill that will give her confidence and teach her children how important education is. Add-On Idea: You can also get her a new book by her favorite author — just make sure it’s not a book with pictures.

Give the Gift of LITERACY CLASSES ›

The Beauty of Unique Mother’s Day Gifts That Truly Make a Difference

As you can see in this handy Mother’s Day gift guide, there are so many ways we can express love and appreciation for the incredible mothers in our lives. These unique Mother’s Day gifts are not just beautiful expressions of gratitude and affection but also ways to give back.

With these unique Mother’s Day gift ideas, you’re not only brightening your own mom’s day, but you’re also supporting struggling mothers in poverty. From a simple yet nourishing Newborn Care Package for a new mom to an empowering Small Business Startup where parents of Compassion-assisted children receive training in jobs they can perform in their communities, each gift will change a life and leave a lasting legacy. And who knows, these might even inspire some Mother’s Day gifts from daughter to mother, continuing the cycle of giving!

One last idea: Have you thought about giving your mom a special Mother’s Day gift basket? If you want to abundantly bless your mom, you could put together a basket with some concrete gifts and include several of the meaningful gifts above! By combining these unique gifts for Mother’s Day, you could craft an even more memorable and powerful gift. Not only will you be blessing your mom, but you’ll also be offering hope, opportunity and empowerment to so many other moms — gifts that are indeed priceless!

We hope this Mother’s Day gift guide is helpful and inspiring. Giving gifts that bless your mom and other moms in poverty is a beautiful way to celebrate Mother’s Day, and it honors the incredible power of a mother’s love, which truly can reach across continents and touch lives.

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This is What Life is Like in Urban and Rural El Salvador https://blog.compassion.com/el-salvador-facts-what-is-life-like-in-rural-el-salvador/ https://blog.compassion.com/el-salvador-facts-what-is-life-like-in-rural-el-salvador/#comments Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:18:21 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=15357 Learn more about what it's like to live in the smallest country in Central America!

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El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. Located between Guatemala and Honduras, it possesses 21,041 square kilometers (about the size of Massachusetts) and is tropical, with an average temperature of 30° to 35°C (80°to 95°F). The land is mostly mountains covered with tropical rainforest, with its highest peak being El Pital at 8,957 feet.

San Salvador, the capital city, is 2,162 feet above sea level. This small Central American country is divided into 14 departments: Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate and Usulutan.

Since achieving its independence on September 15, 1821, El Salvador has been a homogeneous mix of the descendants of European conquerors and the native people, with a mestizo population representing 86.3 percent, white 12.7 percent, and Amerindian 0.2 percent. The population estimate is 6,187,271 (July 2018).

Three Salvadoran children smile at the camera.

The official language spoken is Spanish, with a few Salvadorans still sharing the Mayan Nahuatl language to keep alive the tradition and the historic value of the language.

Due to the homogeneous composition of the Salvadoran society in terms of culture, language and ethnicity, it is usually divided into three regions — east, west and central — but all three regions consist of temperate and warm lands, and most vegetation is tropical jungle, except for the northern parts of all three areas, which are more mountain-like with pine forests.

All three areas have main urban cities, such as Sonsonate and Santa Ana in the west, San Salvador in the center, and San Miguel in the east. Surrounding these main metropolitan areas are smaller towns and villages, which also are surrounded by states or homesteads (small groups of houses in a rural environment).

Rural Facts and Issues

A mom and boy stand in front of a home made from corrugated metal sheets in rural El Salvador

A home made from corrugated metal sheets in rural El Salvador.

According to the World Fact Book, the rural population in the country represents 27%. The western region is made of the departments of Santa Ana, Ahuachapán and Sonsonate. The central region owns La Libertad, San Salvador, Chalatenango, Cabañas, La Paz, San Vicente and Cuscatlán, and the eastern region holds Usulután, San Miguel, Morazán y La Unión.

One of the country’s worst natural crises was Hurricane Ida in 2009, which left an estimated 125,000 in worsened states of poverty and caused thousands of dollars in material losses. Concerns raised by this last crisis were the excess of water for the crops that were ready for harvest in some areas, and the irregularity of the rains in other rural areas. Since a big percentage of the people in rural areas survive from what they plant, or work at plantations as day laborers, this produced uncertainty about getting food in the future.

The Ministry of Agriculture estimated a loss of $70 million dollars in crops after the hurricane, the most affected being beans with $20 million and corn with $5 million in losses.

Typical Rural Home Life

A family stands in front of a mud home in rural El Salvador

A mud and wood home in rural El Salvador.

A cement block home in rural El Salvador

A cement block home in rural El Salvador.

In rural areas, homes are “mixed” construction. Most houses are made of mud or adobe bricks. Many times the structure is reinforced with pieces of wood as columns on the corners, and the roof is usually straw or aluminum if the family manages to get used aluminum sheets.

The constructions are usually a square of about 20 feet by 20 feet, and sometimes they make a division in the middle to get two bedrooms or a bedroom and a living area. This is not always the case, since if needed, there is no living room area and people reunite on the outside of the home. Lack of a sewage system is usual, so pit latrines are common.

Urban Facts and Issues

Children run on the streets of urban El Salvador

According to the World Fact Book, the urban populace represents 72.7 percent of the people, the largest areas being the San Salvador Metropolitan area, and the cities of San Miguel, San Vicente (east), Santa Ana, and Sonsonate (west).

Extortion is a big problem for people living in metropolitan areas. This activity is particularly attributed to the gangs, but the practice is not exclusive to them. Some criminal bands based in Guatemala also practice extortion. Many people, especially those of middle to low income, suffer from extortion.

The modus operandi of the extortionist or gang member is to make a phone call or leave a note, and tell the victim that they have been watching, and know their usual moves during the day. People exposed to the threats express that the extortionists usually know about their work, their children and places they go.

The amount of money extorted may be a “small” amount of $50 to $100 per week, to hundreds or thousands of dollars, with the threat to murder or kidnap of a family member if the request is not fulfilled.

The extortion affects small stores located in commercial downtowns in the big cities, as well as the public transportation business. For them, the amount required to provide “protection” reaches to the thousands of dollars a week. In the past months, newspapers announced the murder of a bus driver or a transportation unit burned because the owner refused to pay the “rent” imposed by the street gangs.

In part, gang violence has led to emigration. Twenty percent of the population lives abroad, with 2.3 million Salvadorans in the United States, especially clustered in Los Angeles. The Salvadoran diaspora is also in many other countries in Latin America. However, homicides are dropping sharply. Since the government employed police and soldiers to fight extortion, the murder rate in 2019 was the lowest since the country’s civil war that ended in 1992.

Typical Urban Home Life

A family sits in front of a brick home painted green.

A family in front of a brick home in urban El Salvador.

In urban settings, the typical materials are bricks and cement. However, in the urban settings where our centers are located, there are two common methods of construction. The first is called “casa de pasaje” or alleyway houses. These are the houses for low-income families. They are small, about 480 square feet, and the rest considered a patio or open area.

Half the space is considered the living room/dining room/ kitchen. The other half accounts for the two bedrooms and a bathroom. These types of homes have only one floor, and are inexpensive to build, since two houses share just one, thin brick wall, which divides them.

The other type of house setting for our children living in urban areas is slums. In El Salvador, these are called “zonas marginales,” or excluded zones. In this type of setting, most houses are huts made of aluminum sheets, plastic, and cardboard.

Church and Religion

The main religion is Catholicism, particularly due to the influence of the Catholic Church during the conquest era. The Protestant evangelical church has reached 36 percent of the population.

  • Catholic: 50%
  • Evangelical: 36%
  • No religion: 12%
  • Other: 2%

Popular Local Dish:

Quesadilla Salvadoreña (Salvadoran sweet cheese poundcake)

Unlike the Mexican snack of the same name, Salvadoran quesadilla is a rich, sweet dessert cake often found in local panaderías, or bakeries. The queso in quesadilla is traditionally unsalted Salvadoran queso fresco, a fresh farmers-type cheese. But parmesan cheese is often substituted.

  • All-purpose flour — 2 cups
  • Baking powder — 2 teaspoons
  • Grated queso fresco or parmesan cheese — 1/2 pound
  • Sugar — 2 cups
  • Eggs, beaten lightly — 4
  • Whole milk — 1 cup
  • Butter, melted — 2 sticks (1/2 pound)
  • Sesame seeds (optional) — 2 tablespoons

Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift the flour and baking powder together into a bowl. Add the cheese, sugar, eggs and milk to a large bowl and beat until smooth. Stir in the melted butter. Slowly stir the flour mixture into the cheese mixture until fully incorporated and a smooth batter is formed.

Pour the batter into two well-greased loaf pans, filling them only halfway. If using sesame seeds, sprinkle them over the top of the batter. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Set on racks and allow to come to room temperature before slicing and serving.

Variations:

  • Try using different types of cheese for your quesadilla: grated cheddar, Monterey jack, or grated feta cheese
  • Many Salvadoran cooks substitute rice flour for the regular wheat flour.
  • Instead of milk, use crema agria, or sour cream thinned with a little half and half.
  • Bake in round cake pans or in muffin tins.

Commonly Used Phrases

  • “Que Chivo!” the Salvadoran equivalent to “how cool!” It usually expresses happiness or surprise for something.
  • “Que ondas!” is the most common Salvadoran greeting. It can be translated to “How you doin?”
  • “Chuchito” is translated as “puppy.” If you say “chucho,” it means dog. Children would usually call their dog pets chucho – or chuchito if it is little. You can ask if the children have a puppy by asking if they have a “chuchito.”

Poverty in El Salvador

Children in blue shirts sit on a porch together.

This small country has the fourth largest economy in Central America. But about one of every three Salvadorans lives below the poverty line. Learn about our work in El Salvador to help impoverished Salvadoran children gain access to the care they need to thrive. Sponsor a child living in poverty in El Salvador to bring them vital care!


Cost of Living in El Salvador

The cost of living in El Salvador is generally lower compared to most countries in North America and Western Europe, but it varies significantly depending on the location and lifestyle. Urban areas, especially the capital of El Salvador, San Salvador, tend to have higher living costs, while rural regions are comparatively cheaper.

For example, on average, monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment in San Salvador ranges from $350 to $500, while the same outside the city center is approximately $200 to $350. In rural areas, housing costs can be considerably cheaper.

Utilities, including electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, cost around $50 to $100 per month. Internet connection is reasonably priced, with unlimited data plans ranging between $20 and $30 per month. Mobile services are affordable too, with call rates of about $0.10 to $0.20 per minute.

When it comes to groceries, prices are quite moderate. A loaf of bread costs around $1.20, a liter of milk is about $0.85 and a dozen eggs might cost $1.70. Fresh fruits and vegetables are relatively inexpensive, especially if purchased at local markets rather than supermarkets. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant may cost around $5 to $7, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant might set you back $25 to $40.

Transportation in El Salvador is affordable as well. A one-way ticket on local transport is typically around $0.25, while a monthly pass costs about $30. Taxis start at $2.50, with a one-kilometer ride costing around $1.35. The cost of gasoline, at around $0.90 per liter, is reasonably affordable by international standards.

As for health care, both public and private health care facilities are available in El Salvador. The public health care system is free but often overstretched, leading many to opt for private health care. Private insurance can vary but generally costs around $30 to $100 per month, depending on the coverage.

Education in El Salvador is officially free and compulsory for children from ages 4 to 18. However, some public schools may ask for voluntary contributions. Private schools, which often provide higher quality education, charge fees that can range from $100 to $300 per month.

It’s important to note that while the cost of living in El Salvador may seem low compared to many other countries, the local average income is also lower. As of 2020, the monthly minimum wage ranged from $200 to $300, depending on the industry.

Living in El Salvador, like any country, comes with its unique challenges and benefits. While the cost of living in El Salvador is relatively low, issues such as crime, poverty and limited opportunities pose challenges for many families. Despite this, the country’s rich culture, warm climate and welcoming people contribute to its appeal.


This article was originally published December 3, 2010. Numbers were updated in January, 2020. Additional photos by Nora Diaz. Additional information added August 4, 2023.

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When it’s Between Life and Death https://blog.compassion.com/when-its-between-life-and-death/ https://blog.compassion.com/when-its-between-life-and-death/#comments Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:41:43 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=65707 Marlo looks up at us and he knows. He knows he’s becoming a man. And in so many ways as a sacrificial lamb.

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Today I met a young man who will become the sacrifice for his family’s well-being. It’s heavy, right? It was heavy to enter into. But stay with me on this.

His name is Marlo. He is in his third year of high school.

He has three siblings: an older brother who is deaf and mute, a sister, and a younger brother who is also deaf and mute.

Marlo is pictured on the left. Aniel, wearing red, is deaf and mute and in the Compassion program. Daniel, holding the chicken, is also deaf and mute and in the Compassion program.

Marlo is pictured on the left. Aniel, wearing red, is deaf and mute and in the Compassion program. Daniel, holding the chicken, is also deaf and mute and in the Compassion program.

Four years ago their parents were killed in a horrific traffic accident.

The children came under the care of their grandparents. The grandmother is sick. She accepts it. She almost welcomes it.

As she spoke of the accident between teary-eyed pauses, you could see her hurt. You could also feel it. It was her daughter that was killed.

I’m not trying to be poetic or dramatic when I say this, death broke this family. It especially broke the two boys who are deaf and mute. Depression was as much a guest at their house as we were.

You can tell the grandmother has lived in countless hours of immeasurable loss. Immeasurable questions. She looks up. Always pausing to look up. Like she’s just ready.

Then she says it,

“I’m ready to go be with my daughter.”

between life and death 2

Behind her stands Marlo. Listening to the story of all their sorrow. His sorrow. She calls Marlo into the conversation and with comfort explains,

“We are training him to care for the siblings because we will not be here much longer.”

“We have him administer the medicine. And he takes the boys to the Compassion center. He needs to graduate high school and get a good job and be here for his brothers and sister.”

Marlo looks up at us and he knows. He knows he’s becoming a man. And in so many ways as a sacrificial lamb.

The grandmother, she says,

“He has to do these things so that they can have life.”

I can see the responsibility weigh on him heavy and impossible. We ask him how he is and he simply responds,

“I am grateful my grandparents are still here to help.”

Marlo’s brothers who are deaf and mute are in our child sponsorship program. They have sponsors who write them. The tutor has walked with their family through this horrific event. She knows every detail of their story.

But Marlo, he’s not in the program. In the Dominican Republic, we generally only bring in one child per family unless the circumstances are dire. So, knowing that both deaf and mute brothers are sponsored shows how much need there is in this family.

I keep trying to catch Marlo’s eyes. Like maybe I can pour hope into him with just a glance.

He looks everywhere but not steady into our eyes. And all my prayers and thoughts and questions start but I can’t wrap them up. Open ended. It all feels so devastatingly open ended.

Then there is Jonathan who works for Compassion in the Dominican Republic. Jonathan who is Dominican.

between life and death 3

He pulls Marlo aside as we’re leaving. It’s like he could hear my questions. It’s like he was asking the same ones. He looks him long and hard in the eyes and he speaks to him.

We pile into the bus. Heavy. Swollen with questions.

Hope collided heavy with the current reality.

Compassion is there. Hope.

Marlo’s dreams are now wrapped around his family’s survival. Heavy.

The church knows the family and visits the family. Hope.

Jonathan looks at me.

“It was heavy, yeah?”

He says it like he’s trying to grasp it too.

“When I pulled Marlo aside I spoke into him as a man. I encouraged him. And I’m going to start mentoring him. I’m going to be here for him.”

And my swollen heart dives into that deep breath. Yeah, I think. Jonathan is here for him. The church is here for him.

This is why Compassion works only through the local church. Because I am going to leave. And all the other groups that come, they’ll leave too.

I look back as we drive away from Marlo’s home. Marlo stays. I leave. I look back again and see the church where the Compassion center is. The church stays.

Hope.

This world, it’s broke. So Marlo will carry his cross. A cross that Jesus knows well. One that God will not let him carry alone.

When it’s between life and death. When it’s between a man that will become the sacrifice for his family, can we just agree that $43* a month is so worth it?

Sponsorship through Compassion is an investment that is rippling through this broken world with the capacity to change everything in the life of a child.

To even change eternity.

Compassion Bloggers Dominican Republic 2015

And it only took $43/month*.


If you are a Compassion Blogger we hope you’ll blog alongside us and promote the Dominican Republic Blog Trip! Link-up with us here by sharing your post with the Linky code below. (Not a Compassion Blogger? You can sign up and join the network today!)

*This was published prior to our rate change to $43

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Charity Streaming: A New Way To Help Children in Poverty https://blog.compassion.com/charity-streaming-a-new-way-to-help-children-in-poverty/ https://blog.compassion.com/charity-streaming-a-new-way-to-help-children-in-poverty/#comments Tue, 10 May 2022 20:39:36 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=103240 Gamers, streamers and content creators across the world are participating in charity streaming, where they are using their time and talent to raise money for causes they are passionate about in partnership with their favorite nonprofit organizations — including Compassion.

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Gamers, streamers and content creators across the world are participating in charity streams, using their time and talent to raise money for causes they are passionate about in partnership with their favorite nonprofit organizations.

What Is Charity Streaming and How Does It Work?

Charity streaming allows gamers and content creators to use their talents and influence to raise funds for causes they care about. Streamers “donate” a livestream on Twitch or YouTube to run a fundraising campaign and rally their audiences around a cause. This past year, streamers raised over $111 million for nonprofit organizations on Twitch, the world’s leading livestreaming platform.

Streamers get their audience involved in the cause through curating fun donation incentives, milestones and giveaways. When viewers donate, streamers agree to take actions like shaving their head, doing 20 pushups, eating a worm, getting a pie to the face or any other fun challenges they come up with. Sometimes when they hit their fundraising goal, streamers will give out prizes or do something extra crazy.

Compassion’s Efforts in This Space

Building Homes in Haiti

Compassion first piloted charity streaming in October 2021 to raise relief funds for Haiti after a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the southwest side of the country. The earthquake impacted more than 15,600 Compassion-assisted children who lost homes, family members and their sense of safety. In partnership with 10 Christian gaming groups, Compassion hosted “Hope for Haiti” and raised more than $30,000 for these children in 40 hours. The money went toward rebuilding and repairing 20 homes for children and their families who had lost theirs in the earthquake. The initiative highlighted the depth of passion and generosity of the online gaming community to fight poverty and use their influence for good.

Courtney Dahl, innovation specialist at Compassion, says, “My exposure to the gaming and streaming world has opened my eyes to how God is moving in the digital space. Countless Christians are using Twitch and YouTube as their mission field to bring the light of Christ to the lost. It was only natural for Compassion to partner with these influencers to empower them to not only share the gospel — but to also rally their communities together to make an impact in the lives of children in poverty around the world.”

A boy in Bolivia uses a computer in a lab at his Compassion center. Compassion's latest charity streaming event will help build similar computer labs in Bolivia.

Computer Labs in Bolivia

On May 6 Compassion launched “2 Weeks of Light,” a two-week charity livestream event. More than 30 Christian content creators and streamers are coming together through May 20 to raise funds to build 25 computer labs for Compassion-assisted children in Bolivia.

Bolivia has the lowest per capita income of any country in South America. Its income inequality is the highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world. Many parents and caregivers are unemployed or underemployed. These computer labs will help secure a different future for more than 4,200 Bolivian children living in poverty. With internet access and laptop computers, children can further their education, gain valuable technology skills and earn certificates that will help accelerate their careers once they graduate from Compassion’s child development program.

You can tune in to the livestream and directly support the fundraising efforts for Bolivia.


Photo by Ben Adams

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What Does “A Man After My Own Heart” Mean?  https://blog.compassion.com/a-man-after-my-own-heart/ https://blog.compassion.com/a-man-after-my-own-heart/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2022 03:09:54 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=103143 While the phrase "a man after my own heart" has grown to be a common idiom, it originates in the Bible. Let’s take a look at what it means to be a person after God’s heart, like King David in the Bible, and what it can teach us about helping children living in poverty.

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Mikiyas is wearing a black shirt and blue jeans and is sitting with his arm around his mother in Ethiopia. She is wearing a blue head wrap and black and white dress. They are smiling.

Have you ever experienced that feeling of connection when you meet someone for the first time and discover you have a lot in common? This is a person after your own heart. 

The phrase a man after my own heart refers to someone who has similar values, interests or beliefs as you. It signifies a special connection.

While the phrase has grown to be a common idiom, it comes from the Bible. Let’s take a look at what it means to be a man after God’s heart, like King David in the Bible.

“A Man After My Own Heart” Verse & Biblical Meaning

In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel says to Saul, “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command” (1 Samuel 13:14, NIV). This phrase is also referenced in Acts 13:22, which we’ll cover later.

Why Was David a Man After God’s Own Heart?

David was the man who replaced Saul as king of Israel. David was a man after God’s own heart because his life reflected a close relationship with God. 

On the other hand, Saul’s life reflected that he was not close to God. He was a leader who didn’t honor God and whose first desire was not to obey him. Saul often chose to do things his own way.

God, in turn, decided to replace Saul with a king who would honor him and make his decisions from a foundation of loving God. In the New Testament, God says, “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22, ESV).

We first meet David in 1 Samuel 17, when he fought and defeated the Philistine champion Goliath. Born in Bethlehem, David was a Hebrew who grew up shepherding his father’s flocks and eventually became king at 30 years old (2 Samuel 5). 

He was the second king of Israel and reigned for 40 years. David also wrote at least half of the psalms in the Book of Psalms, including Psalm 23. He is known for his courage, leadership and devotion to the Lord.

All Fall Short

Being after God’s own heart means that David loved what God loved and hated what God hated. Despite his godly leadership and desire to honor God, David was a far cry from perfect. As the word of God reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). 

The only sinless person to live was God incarnate, Jesus Christ. This means that perfection is not attainable for a man  or woman. Instead, the goal is to have their heart set on honoring God.

Unfortunately, because we are fallen, we still make big mistakes. We see that in King David’s life, most famously in 2 Samuel 11, when he acts on his lust for Bathsheba. 

In Scripture, we read that David slept with Bathsheba even though he knew she was another man’s wife. Then, trying to cover up this sin, he had her husband killed.

That was a dark place for David to be in, especially after it had been apparent that God had his hand on David’s life. David deeply hurt multiple people and blatantly chose to do what he wanted to do instead of what honored God. 

Shortly after this happened, the Bible tells us that the prophet Nathan confronted David (2 Samuel 12). David responded in repentance. He brought his shame and remorse to God in Psalm 51, which begins:


Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion 

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

 and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV)

God heard David’s prayer and forgave him. David’s heart was broken over his sin and the distance it created between him and God. 

That’s why it can still be said that his heart reflected God’s heart. He didn’t rejoice in his sin or continue down that path. He repented — turned around — and returned to honoring God. His remorse for his mistakes reflected that he still hated sin. Because of that, he was able to reflect his closeness with God again!

What it Means for Us To Be After God’s Own Heart

David’s story can be both a warning and an encouragement to us. It’s a warning that we could slip up and give in to temptation. But it can also be an encouragement that, although none of us is perfect, we can still pray to align our will with God’s. 

One way we can align our hearts with God’s heart is to serve the suffering and vulnerable. Millions of children are living in poverty around the world, and it’s God’s will that they be released from it. We can help make it so!

When it comes to serving children in poverty, we can align ourselves with God’s will by reading what his Word says about it:

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:17 (NIV)

At Compassion International, we believe that God deeply loves children in poverty and calls his people to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8).

Compassion aims to be a ministry after God’s own heart by following Jesus’ teachings to shape our programs and guide how we love people, respect communities and cooperate with nations’ leaders. 

Our response to a world in need — filled with millions of children living in poverty — is simple: Love like Jesus did. Serve in Jesus’ name.

When we care for children in poverty, we reflect God’s heart. We become avenues of his love and grace in their lives. Our actions become more aligned with his desires.

Become a Person After God’s Own Heart: Sponsor a Child

Sponsoring a child is a practical way to be a person after God’s own heart. When you invest in the life of a child through sponsorship, you equip their local church to provide them with education, medical assistance, physical necessities, mentorship [NL1] and the chance to learn about God’s love. 

Your letters of encouragement to the child you sponsor remind them of their value in God’s eyes and give them hope for a better future. Be a person after God’s own heart: Sponsor a child today!

Lizeth holds a sign saying "Thank you sponsor" as she jumps into the air on a rural road in Ecuador. There are grassy hills in the background. Lizeth is wearing a green skirt and blue sweater.

About the author: Abby Ryckman is a Copywriting intern at Compassion. She graduated from Columbia International University with a bachelor’s in English with minors in writing and intercultural studies.  

Photography by Nico Benalcazar and Tigist Gizachew.

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Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust: A Hopeful Reminder https://blog.compassion.com/ashes-to-ashes-dust-to-dust/ https://blog.compassion.com/ashes-to-ashes-dust-to-dust/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2022 22:25:20 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=103108 We often associate the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" with death. That’s because the phrase comes from the burial rites in the Book of Common Prayer. This collection of prayer books is used mostly in the Anglican church for communion, marriages and other Christian rites — including burial services and cremations. But a closer look at what "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" means actually reveals a hopeful message about life.

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We often associate the phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” with death. That’s because it comes from the burial rites in the Book of Common Prayer. This collection of prayer books is used mostly in the Anglican church for communion, marriages and other Christian rites — including burial services and cremations. But a closer look at what “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” means actually reveals a hopeful message about life.

This phrase spotlights two important truths in Christianity.

At Compassion, as we serve in Jesus’ name, we talk a lot about hope. We believe that children who live in poverty — as well as their sponsors and the church workers who serve them — must put their hope in the eternal and remember that their suffering on earth is temporary. Recognizing this, we work to alleviate as much earthly suffering as we can and help children find hope. So let’s take a closer look at the meaning and origin of “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” and see what it can teach us about focusing on treasures in heaven as we toil here on earth.

Girl squatting by a fire holding a corn husk.

What Is the Meaning of “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust”?

“Ashes to ashes” is commonly used not only as liturgy in churches but also in popular culture. It is heard at countless funeral scenes in TV shows and movies. It’s the title of a famous David Bowie song about drug addiction.

Here’s the full passage from the Book of Common Prayer:

FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed: we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.

Or in simpler terms:

  • Everything on earth is temporary.
  • Our souls are not temporary.
  • We have hope of eternal life because of the resurrection of Jesus.
  • Everything is working together for God’s glory.

Even though the exact phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” isn’t taken directly from Scripture, ashes and dust are common biblical symbols for humility, impermanence and sorrow.

What Does the Bible Say About Ashes and Dust?

Woman reading to a young boy in a dark room.

After Adam and Eve disobey God in Genesis by eating the forbidden fruit, God tells Adam:

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19, NIV)

Or here’s how the King James Version puts it:

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Essentially, because of the Fall — when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin spread to all creation — we will spend our lives working hard to survive until we return to the dust from which God made us (Genesis 2:7).

The Bible also uses dust and ashes to symbolize humans’ humble position and weakness compared with God:

Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes.” (Genesis 18:27, NIV)

There are also several references in the Old Testament to dressing in sackcloth and ashes, which conveys humility, repentance or sorrow. For example:

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. (Esther 4:1, NIV)

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. (Daniel 9:3, NIV)

And the prophet Isaiah used ashes as a symbol of the Lord redeeming humans — “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning” (Isaiah 61:3, NIV).

The symbolism of ashes also appears in the observance of Ash Wednesday. Marking the beginning of Lent each year, Ash Wednesday falls 46 days before Easter Sunday. Church services on Ash Wednesday often focus on repentance and reflection. At some churches, a priest or pastor will draw a cross with ashes on congregants’ foreheads and say, “From dust you came, and to dust you will return.”

More Bible Verses About Dust and Ashes

From the New International Version:

Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:47)

“Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?” (Isaiah 58:5)

As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:13-14)

From the New King James Version:

He raises the poor from the dust and
lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.
“For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
And He has set the world upon them.”

— 1 Samuel 2:8

All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.

Ecclesiastes 3:20

Then Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly. — 2 Samuel 13:19

O daughter of my people,
Dress in sackcloth
And roll about in ashes!
Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation;
For the plunderer will suddenly come upon us. — Jeremiah 6:26

The Hope of the Resurrection

Hope in Heaven

Because of Jesus Christ, “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” does not have to be a sad phrase. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later. His sacrifice means that we can have everlasting life. In 2 Corinthians 5, we read about the suffering in our bodies here on earth as we await our eternal life:

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” — 2 Corinthians 5:1-4

Hope Here on Earth

But Christians aren’t meant to just sit around waiting for the death of our human body so we can go be in heaven. Jesus has promised us eternal life after death. But he also commanded us to care for one another here on Earth.

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

2 Corinthians 5:9

God’s Word has a lot to say about caring for those who suffer. The Bible says we are to care for the poor and oppressed.

  • Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. — Proverbs 31:8-9
  • If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. — 1 John 3:17

Hope Amid Poverty

The hope of Jesus’ resurrection combined with his commands to help people suffering here on earth are the reasons Compassion exists. Our mission is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. We do this by working with local churches around the world, where children go for tutoring, health checkups, food, Bible lessons, playtime and more. At these child development centers, the children learn that despite their difficult circumstances, they have reason to hope — not only in heaven but also here on Earth.

To provide a path out of poverty to children and youths in our Child Sponsorship Program, our church partners provide life skills, vocational training, tutoring and other educational support. Sponsors write letters to the children they support in the program, they can share about God’s plans for their futures, Bible verses about the hope of Christ, and reminders to never give up.

Boy wearing a blue shirt and is standing outside his home.

So although “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” reminds us that everything is temporary and that we are humble sinners who fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), it also brings great hope to Compassion staff, church partners, sponsors and children living in poverty around the world.

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About Easter https://blog.compassion.com/about-easter/ https://blog.compassion.com/about-easter/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2022 17:37:16 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102881 Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Christians believe that Jesus is both God and human. When we celebrate Easter, we give thanks that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, taking the punishment that we deserve and also defeating sin, Satan and death.

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Boy sitting on a rock at the beach and is holding a cross.

What is Easter About?

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Christians believe that Jesus is both God and human. When we celebrate Easter, we give thanks that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, taking the punishment that we deserve and also defeating sin, Satan and death.

Christians believe that after he died and the body of the Lord Jesus was buried in a tomb, on the third day Jesus rose from the dead and is still alive. The true meaning of Easter is found in Scriptures like John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV).

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is the most important story in the Christian faith. It tells us the price God paid for the forgiveness of our sins and how God makes a way for us to have eternal life.

Where is the Easter Story Found in the Bible?

What chapter? What book?

You can find the story of Easter in the New Testament section of the Bible. Each Gospel tells the full story: Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24 and John 12-20. These Bible verses focus on different details, but they agree about the important major events that happened:

  • Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.
  • Jesus was very popular with the Jewish people because of his signs, miracles and teaching about the kingdom of God. Many people were gathered in Jerusalem because of the Festival of Unleavened Bread and the Passover feast, and Jesus received a lot of attention.

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:10-11
  • Smaller groups of Jews, especially the leaders called the Pharisees, were jealous of Jesus and also angry that he was claiming to be God in human form.
  • The Roman authorities did not like Jesus because they were afraid he would lead the Jewish people to rebel against them.
  • One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas, betrayed him to the Jewish leaders and the Roman government officials.
  • After Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover meal together, Jesus was arrested and taken to see the chief priests. The priests were furious that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, which meant he was claiming to be one with God. They decided to give Jesus to the Romans to be killed by them.
  • The Romans beat Jesus and made fun of him while he was in custody. The Roman leader, Pontius Pilate, held a trial for Jesus and found him innocent, but in order to please the Jews who were angry at Jesus he sentenced Jesus to die by crucifixion. (Crucifixion is one of the cruelest forms of historical capital punishment. Victims of crucifixion were nailed in their hands and feet to a wooden cross. It was a way for the Romans to torture and humiliate rebels who challenged their authority in Israel and other colonies).
  • Jesus carried the cross to a place called Golgotha (“the Place of the Skull”) outside the city and was nailed to the cross. This happened in the morning hours on the Friday after Passover.
  • During the time of crucifixion, many miraculous signs took place. Eventually, Jesus cried out in a loud voice to God and died.
  • Jesus’ body was buried in a tomb on that same day before the Sabbath began.
  • On the third day after the death of Christ, and the first day of the week, some of his followers, including Mary Magdalene and Peter, came to the tomb and found the stone rolled away because the resurrection of Jesus Christ had taken place, just as he had foretold before his death.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the story is summed up this way:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (NIV)

When is Easter Celebrated?

Three girls stand together outside. Two of the girls are holding hand written chalk board signs, "Happy Easter and Jesus Resucitado, Jesus is Risen."

The date of Easter Sunday changes every year. It is related to the timing of the Jewish holiday Passover, the spring equinox and the cycles of the moon. Also, different Christian denominations and cultures calculate the timing differently. This type of holiday is known as a “moveable feast” because it is not celebrated the same day each year, unlike Christmas or Valentine’s Day.

Many countries also celebrate the days surrounding Easter as holidays, such as Good Friday and Easter Monday. Traditionally, the week leading up to Easter is known as Holy Week, with special church traditions to mark the events of the Easter story. Some traditions observe the period of Lent, a time of repentance and special fasting for the 47 days before Easter. Other Christian traditions just gather to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. In 2022, many Christians will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 17.

What Does the Word “Easter” Mean?

The word “Easter” is related to the season of spring and the change in weather that happens in the northern half of the world. In March and April, the plants that are resting for winter begin to come back to life.

Before Christianity came to Europe, pagan Anglo-Saxons in England celebrated spring with a feast for a false goddess named Eostre. When the English people converted to Christianity, they changed the celebration to a celebration of Christ and his resurrection but kept the old name. Some people prefer to call Easter “Resurrection Sunday” instead.

What Easter Traditions do Children Around the World Have?

In countries that are more secular, such as the United States, children have Easter egg hunts and hear stories about the Easter Bunny. These traditions are not really related to the story of Jesus and his resurrection. They are more about celebrating the coming of spring. The egg can be a symbol of newness of life for Christians.

In many parts of the world, there are parades during Holy Week that act out the suffering and death of Jesus that the Gospels depict in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19.

Children in Compassion’s program around the world enjoy Easter celebrations organized by their local churches. For churches, it is a chance to share the good news of Jesus with participants. Here are some fun traditions for Compassion participants:

  • In El Salvador, churches host Easter camps for youths and children during Holy Week. At camp, children learn about the love of Jesus, and many accept Jesus as their Savior. They end the week with a Sunday resurrection service and Bible school for children.
Three children are inside the Compassion center, all wearing shirts they made, and they are throwing confetti in the air.
  • In Indonesia, children participate in a “torch relay.” They get up before dawn on Easter morning and march with homemade torches, singing songs about Jesus and his resurrection. They color and paint eggs and read the Bible story of Easter together.
Four friends are sitting outside together,  each of them holding a burning bamboo torch.
  • In Rwanda, children act out the Easter drama at church with a play about the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection. They also eat a special meal with rice (and meat if their family can afford it). Families who have television sets enjoy watching Easter movies together.
Girl, wearing a blue shirt, is holding a plate of food her mother prepared for her. She is standing outside her home.
  • In Ecuador, many cities follow the tradition of having a funeral parade for Jesus, where everyone wears black. Some children find this tradition scary. Compassion partner churches like to share the story behind the parade and focus on hope and love. Children gather to hear the story of Jesus’ death and ask questions about it. They celebrate at the end of the story when Jesus conquers death. The resurrection service includes dancing and singing.
All seven children are wearing traditional clothing. They are kneeling down outside and one of the children is holding a signi that says, "Savior of the World."

Easter is a time when churches unite and remember the love of Jesus. We all give thanks for salvation and new life! Celebrating Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection brings us together. How do you plan to celebrate Easter this year?

See how Easter is celebrated in each of the 25 countries where Compassion-assisted children live!

What Bible Verses Help Me Understand the Meaning of Easter?

At Easter, we remember that Christ died for our sins:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (Romans 5:8-9, NKJV)

At Easter, we remember that Christ’s resurrection gives us new life:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25, NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1, NIV)

At Easter, we remember that God’s kingdom is here. God will have the victory:

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign. (Revelation 11:17, NIV)

More Easter Bible Verses

From the New International Version:

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” (Luke 24:6-7)

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

From the New King James Version:

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Easter’s Meaning to Children in Poverty

The message of Easter brings hope to all. And children living in poverty are in desperate need of hope. When children in our program learn the meaning of Easter at their Compassion centers, it brings them great joy.

Abigail, a 7-year-old in Compassion’s program in Ecuador, explains Easter in this way: “We celebrate that Jesus is more powerful than everything. Jesus is more powerful than death.”

Because our Child Sponsorship Program is holistic, we address the economic, socio-emotional, physical and spiritual needs of children living in poverty. We are a Christ-centered, church-driven and child-focused ministry. From Haiti to Indonesia, our frontline church partners around the world teach that God loves each child and that each child was created with a divine purpose.

Sponsor a child today and share the meaning of Easter.


Photos by Vera Aurima, Nico Benalcazar, Galia Oropeza, Doreen Umutesi and Alejandra Zuniga.

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Prayer for Children in Conflict https://blog.compassion.com/prayer-for-children-in-conflict/ https://blog.compassion.com/prayer-for-children-in-conflict/#comments Tue, 22 Mar 2022 18:49:13 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=103008 When crises such as war and natural disasters happen, it’s easy to feel helpless. We have no control over the situation. But there is something we can do: We can pray.

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Children are suffering in conflicts around the world. Your prayers can help.

Defend the weak and the fatherless;

uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

— Psalm 82:3-4, NIV

When crises such as war and natural disasters happen, it’s easy to feel helpless. We have no control over the situation. But there is something we can do: We can pray.

As a child-focused and Christ-centered organization, Compassion trusts in the power of prayer to work in the lives of children and those who care for them. Together with our family of sponsors and donors, we pray for vulnerable children struggling in poverty, conflict and other crises around the world. We pray for God to equip and guide his global Church to be a light and place of refuge amid violence and chaos.

If you would like to join us in praying for children in conflict and the global Church, here are some specific prayers, ideas for how to pray and reason for our urgency.

Conflict Threatens Children

Children living in poverty are already among the most vulnerable in the world. Add war, gang violence and other turmoil to their environment, and the danger grows more imminent. Warfare separates many families, making children even more vulnerable to exploitation. Children can be forced to become soldiers, laborers or sex slaves. Conflict can disrupt food and water supply channels, cut off access to medical care, interrupt education, eliminate jobs and tear apart families.

But Jesus was very clear about how we are to respect and protect children of God:

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.”

— Matthew 18:6, NKJV

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10, NIV)

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14, NIV)

And the Bible also tells us to look after the vulnerable — orphans, widows, the poor and the oppressed (James 1:27, Psalm 82:3, Psalm 41:1).

Conflict, which most deeply affects the well-being of young people and the poor, defies these mandates in Scripture. So what are we to do when situations like violence and natural disasters — things beyond our control — happen, but we want to obey Psalm 82:3-4? We can give to relief and rescue efforts, we can invest in the development of an at-risk child and we can pray for children everywhere to be safe, happy, healthy and protected.

Specific Ways To Pray

“A specific prayer is a serious prayer.”

Max Lucado

Being specific can deepen our connection with and empathy for the people we’re praying for. It can also enhance our prayer lives by increasing our focus and time spent with the Lord. Here are a few ideas for praying specifically for children in conflict:

Global Conflict Trackers

There are a couple of independent think tanks that track global conflicts online. Interacting with their maps shows the many areas where specific prayers are needed.

The International Crisis Group’s conflict tracker is called CrisisWatch. Interacting with its map pulls up summaries of the many conflicts. Council on Foreign Relations also has a tracker, called Global Conflict Tracker, although it tracks only those conflicts that have an impact on U.S. interests (which is a lot). Interacting with its map pulls up summaries of the conflicts, the latest news and statistics such as estimated civilian deaths and refugees fleeing the conflict.

Here are some prayers for current global conflicts affecting children:

Russia-Ukraine War: Father God, we pray for the children and families affected by this war. Please calm and comfort them. Give frightened parents discernment about what steps to take to protect their families. Change the hearts of those who cause suffering, and bring an end to all violence. Thank you for your faithfulness!

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Heavenly Father, we pray for you to bring an end to the land disputes, evictions and violence that continue to leave children hurt and displaced. Please equip providers of families in the Gaza Strip where so many people are unemployed.

Conflict in Ethiopia: Lord God, please provide stable homes for the more than 2 million people displaced by the conflict in the Tigray region. We ask you to restore and sustain the health of the children at risk of death from malnutrition because of this conflict. Please equip churches in Ethiopia and guide them in serving your children in need.

War in Afghanistan: O God, comfort those whose loved ones have been killed in the war. Soften the hearts of those who intend harm. Bring peace and protection to your children. Provide health care to the sick and injured.  

Civil War in Syria: Lord Jesus Christ, please provide stability and safety to the millions of refugees and displaced people in Syrian war zones. Send your Holy Spirit to comfort children who experience trauma and develop disabilities as a result of the violence.

Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar: Dear God, we ask you to establish stability in Myanmar. Please send provision to displaced children in Myanmar and Bangladesh. We pray for peace in the area and restoration of family members who are suffering.

War in Yemen: Dear Lord, please comfort those whose loved ones have been killed. Please make a way for humanitarian assistance to get through to the children in desperate need. End the fighting and shield every child from harm.

Check out the global conflict trackers to learn more about dozens of other situations in need of prayer.

Monthly Prayer Calendar

Compassion offers a monthly prayer calendar that outlines daily prayer requests from our neighbors in 25 countries around the world. These neighbors include children in our sponsorship program, the local churches who minister to them and their families, and Compassion staff members. When there are conflicts in the countries where we work, we receive many requests for prayers about peace and protection. You can sign up to receive the monthly prayer calendar to help with these requests.

Prayer Guide for Children in Conflict

This guide provides specific prayers and prayer points for children affected by conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war. The guide includes helpful Bible verses and covers topics like access to food and water, wisdom for leaders, children’s education and other considerations we might not normally think about.

Helpful Words

Prayer doesn’t have to be done with a guide — let your conversation with God flow freely. But if you ever need inspiration for what to ask him to send to children in conflict, here’s some language that might help in your prayers:

  • Provision
  • Protection
  • Sustenance
  • Safety
  • Health
  • Happiness
  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Comfort
  • Growth
  • Trust
  • Faith
  • Hope

A Prayer for Peace

Dear God,

Thank you for being love.

We repent of our sin, which causes endless suffering.

Please repair what is broken in us and in the world.

Bring these wars to an end.

Let no more harm come to your children

But wrap your arms around them

And restore them to fullness.

Remove our desire to harm one another;

Give us your heart of forgiveness.

Let your peace wash over us

And over your entire Earth.

We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus,

The Prince of Peace.

Amen.

Take Heart

In times of war, it is crucial to remember that God is good always. We don’t understand what is happening now, but one day we will.

Compassion works with local churches around the world who dedicate themselves to protecting children. We sincerely thank you for joining us in prayer for children in conflict and the churches that serve them!

Many children living in poverty face conflict nearly every day. Sign up to receive our monthly prayer calendar to keep them in your heart.


Photos by Edwin Estioko and Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina.

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A Call to Prayer for Ukraine — My Country, My Home https://blog.compassion.com/a-call-to-prayer-for-ukraine/ https://blog.compassion.com/a-call-to-prayer-for-ukraine/#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:43:06 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102825 My whole world came to a halt the moment I read the news of Russia’s invasion of my homeland. I scrambled for my phone to contact friends and family in Kyiv and southwest Ukraine, praying that they were safe. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of my niece — the child I held in my arms when she was just a baby. A temporary sense of relief washed over me when I received word, one-by-one, that each person I know was safe — for now.

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An urgent prayer request from Yaroslav Hetman, Senior Director of Neighbor Innovation at Compassion International  … #Ukraine #PrayForUkraine

The blue and yellow Ukrainian flag is flying against a backdrop of trees, blue sky and clouds. The sun is shining behind it.
Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash

My whole world came to a halt the moment I read the news of Russia’s invasion of my homeland. I scrambled for my phone to contact friends and family in Kyiv and southwest Ukraine, praying that they were safe. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of my niece — the child I held in my arms when she was just a baby. A temporary sense of relief washed over me when I received word, one-by-one, that each person I know was safe — for now.

Since that night, I’ve spent every waking moment staying in touch with my loved ones. While I was on a call with one of my relatives recently, I heard a massive explosion in the background. A missile had struck close to his home! After a moment, he just shrugged it off and said, “We have food and water. My son has it much harder on the frontlines as a soldier.” The new reality Ukrainians are facing every day is a nightmare.

My name is Yaroslav. I was born in Ukraine and moved to the United States when I was 9 years old. God’s plan for me included working at Compassion International, advocating for the most vulnerable children around the world. Over the past couple of weeks, the most vulnerable on my heart have been those in my very own country. Every time there is conflict in the world, no one suffers more than babies, children and the poor.

Just a few short weeks ago, Ukrainian children were going to school, playing in parks and attending birthday parties. Now, these same children are sheltered in cellars and bomb shelters, huddled next to strangers on piles of blankets, just trying to survive. In between air raid sirens, their mothers risk their lives to venture above ground to find the next meal for their children. Many of their fathers are doing everything they can to defend them, at times getting on their knees in front of tanks. It is impossible to express the amount of fear and trauma that these kids are experiencing every moment of the day.

My heart is broken, but I don’t have time to mourn. I am choosing instead to do everything I possibly can to save my people, especially the children in Ukraine.

Every night at 8 p.m., children settle in with their caretakers in cold metro stations, cellars and bomb shelters. The curfew begins and will last until the early morning hours. The nights are long and frightening. If you are reading this, would you consider setting a reminder to pray for these children at the start of their 8 p.m. curfew? A quick internet search can assist you with calculating the current time in Kyiv. Can you imagine the power of millions of people praying at the same time for the most vulnerable in the Ukraine?

Pray for children who are in hospitals receiving critical care. Pray that children would be spared from the strikes in civilian areas. Pray that children would have access to food and water. Pray that the peace of God that transcends all understanding would guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, NIV). If you struggle with knowing how to pray, we offer these prayers for children in the conflict to assist you as you go to God on our behalf.  

There is no question — Ukraine will stand up for itself. Ukrainians — my family members — are resolved and resilient. My prayer is that resolution would come quickly. Our children are the ones suffering without a choice. They are the ones who will carry the impact of this conflict for generations to come. I trust that this situation is ultimately in God’s hands. I know that trusting him is the right thing to do. I know that he has a better plan than I do.

Please share this call to prayer with friends and family on social media. If you would like to donate to support children and families in Ukraine, please consider giving to our ministry partner Hope International.

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How to Pray for Children https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-pray/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-pray/#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2022 15:38:48 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102765 How and why people pray vary by church, culture and life circumstances. Prayer doesn’t need to be a formal, ritualized practice. It’s simply a conversation with God that we can strike up in any number of ways. Still, it’s interesting to considerthe many reasons, places and times people pray, and the wide variety of methods used. 

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Raphael is wearing a yellow shirt with blue, white, and yellow plaid shorts. He is siting outside his home with his mother and siblings. They are praying before they eat. Each of them has a bowl of food in front of them.

How and Why We Pray

Prayer is an essential part of Christian life. How and why people pray varies by church, culture and life circumstances. Prayer doesn’t need to be a formal, ritualized practice. It’s simply a conversation with God that we can strike up in any number of ways. Still, it’s interesting to consider the many reasons, places and times people pray and the wide variety of methods used. 

The Barna Group published a study in 2017 on how Americans pray. It found that most Americans pray silently and alone rather than out loud or in groups. But beyond that, the study found very little in common among Americans’ prayer lives. “Perhaps the only consistent thing about people’s prayers is that they are different,” says a Barna Group article about the study. “Americans do not think about approaching prayer in any kind of homogenous way.”  

Although Americans don’t share a lot in common when it comes to how they pray, they do have a lot in common when it comes to why they pray. People in the study were asked, “What does the content of your prayers most often pertain to?” The Top 5 answers were: 

  1. Gratitude and thanksgiving. 
  1. Confession and forgiveness. 
  1. My health and wellness. 
  1. Personal guidance in crises. 
  1. The needs of my family and community. 

The needs people pray for vary widely, but healing is a common request; a Baylor University survey of 1,714 American adults found that nearly 9 in 10 have prayed for healing — either their own or someone else’s.  

People clearly see the importance of praying or it wouldn’t be the most popular faith practice, according to the Barna Group research. So what are some benefits of prayer?  

  • Mental health benefits: Research has shown that prayer can calm the nervous system and make us less reactive and angry, according to David H. Rosmarin, assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and director of the Spirituality and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital.
  • Spiritual benefits: Prayer deepens our personal relationship with God and helps us to walk in his ways more naturally. And as Oswald Chambers wrote: “To say that ‘prayer changes things’ is not as close to the truth as saying, ‘Prayer changes me, and then I change things.’” 

How To Pray According to the Bible

Authentically: Jesus Christ told his disciples how to pray: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6, ESV). 

With certainty: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:6-8, NIV). 

With gratitude: The Apostle Paul taught that thanksgiving should always be included in our prayers: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NKJV). 

Throughout the day: How often should we pray? “I don’t think we can set forth a rule about how long we should be engaged in prayer at any given time. However, people with a rich prayer life tend not to make their prayers perfunctory,” wrote theologian and author R.C. Sproul in his book “Now, That’s a Good Question!”  

So someone new to praying might devote five minutes to prayer time, while someone with a more disciplined prayer practice might pray for an hour or more. But we can train our minds and hearts to pray regularly while we do everyday tasks. So even when we can’t sit in a quiet room for an hour, we can still talk to God — while driving or folding laundry, before work meetings or on a walk. 

“Short prayers are long enough. … Not length but strength is desirable” 

— Charles Spurgeon 

For God’s will to be done: “I don’t think there are many things more proper to pray than ‘if it be your will,’” writes Sproul in “Now, That’s a Good Question!” He points out that Jesus said this prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion:  

“It is absolutely incomprehensible to me to understand the full measure of torment Jesus would be facing the next day. So he cried out in the garden, ‘Let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done … all things being equal, the Son was saying, ‘I’d sure like this cup to go somewhere else. But if that’s not what you want, then you give me the cup, and I will drink it to the bitter dregs.’ I think that’s the way we should respect God when we come into prayer” (Sproul, 206).  

How Should a Beginner Pray?

What do you say when you pray? 

You can read Jesus’ prayer known as the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 for guidance on what to say when you pray. But it’s OK to just wing it — simply telling God what’s on your mind. We don’t need to worry about saying the wrong thing. Although God is worthy of our utmost reverence and respect, he knows our hearts, and we can speak to him authentically.  

What should a prayer start with? 

Many Christians start prayers by addressing God — calling on one of his many names. In this way, we fix our eyes on him before we start talking about ourselves. Jesus begins the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father in heaven.” There are many ways Christians open prayers on a similar note: “Father,” “Father God,” “Lord Jesus,” “Christ,” “Holy Father” or even “Dad.”  

After acknowledging God by calling his name, a great place to start the prayer is with praise. Glorify God and praise him for loving us so much that he sent his only Son to die for our sins. Then move on to confessing your sins, asking for repentance, thanking God for his blessings and finally presenting your specific prayer requests to him. 

How do I end a prayer? 

At U.S. churches, one of the most common ways to end a prayer is to say, “In Jesus’ name, amen.” When we pray in the name of Jesus, we are calling on the Son of God’s authority and asking God to hear our prayers. 

In John 14, Jesus tells his disciples:  

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” 

— John 14:12-14, NIV 

At Compassion, we do all our work in Jesus’ name. It’s even in our mission statement: “Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.” But not every prayer must include “in Jesus’ name.” We can wrap up intentional prayer time with a simple “Amen,” which is a way of telling God, “Please let it be so.” Or if we’ve set a goal of praying all day as we go about our everyday tasks, perhaps we don’t end the prayer at all.

When To Pray 

Anytime is a good time to pray. It doesn’t have to be formal, ritualized or highly disciplined. The most important thing to remember is that we can have a conversation with God anytime.  

But many people also set aside specific times to devote themselves to prayer: 

  • Morning and evening/bedtime. 
  • Before meals (saying grace). 
  • On specific days — holidays or the National Day of Prayer, which the U.S. recognizes on the first Thursday in May. 

Preacher Charles Spurgeon said: “If you do not pray except when you feel like praying, you will not pray much, nor pray when you most need it. My brethren, when you do not feel like praying, you ought to pray all the more, and go to the Lord to help you to pray.” 

Where To Pray

Rosmary, in a gray jacket, is holding a Bible in one hand and is raising the other one. She is praying, and her eyes are closed.

Anywhere is an acceptable place to pray — on the hiking trail, in the car or over the kitchen stove. But here are some common places Christians pray: 

  • At church — silently as a pastor says a prayer out loud or as call and response based on liturgical tradition. 
  • In a prayer closet or room — any space set aside for quiet time with God. 
  • On a prayer walk — walking around while praying for a specific place. 
  • In bed. 
  • In the car or on an airplane. 
  • At work or school. 

Objects and Acts 

Christians might use objects and activities to enhance their prayer life. These prayer traditions might remind someone to talk with God more frequently throughout the day or might help prepare their heart for devotion. 

Some Christians pray … 

In a specific position: 

  • Pressing the palms together/folding the hands to set a focus and reduce fidgeting.
  • Closing the eyes to minimize distractions.
  • Kneeling in an act of humility and repentance.

With objects: 

  • Prayer beads, such as a rosary.
  • Blessed water, oil or salt.
  • Crucifix.
  • Prayer shawl, or tallit.
  • Icons. 

With outward acts: 

  • Anointing with oil.
  • Lighting candles.
  • Burning incense.
  • Walking.
  • Singing.
  • Fasting.
  • Playing musical instruments.
  • Mantra — repeating.
  • Scripture out loud or silently.
  • Liturgy — public worship/praying, often done as call and response between congregation and minister. 

Prayer Methods 

People new to praying might wonder, “What are the steps in praying?” The internet is full of guides like “7 Steps to Prayer” or “5 Types of Prayer,” but there isn’t really a prescribed list of boxes we have to check off when we pray. 

Still, some people find value in following a prayer method that might outline steps to prayer. These methods offer a starting point to narrow our focus or remind us to say and ask everything we wanted to. Here are some prayer methods. The first few are acronyms/acrostics that help us remember to cover all we want to cover and in which order. 

ACTS 

To pray according to the ACTS method: 

  • Adoration – praise God for who he is. 
  • Confession – admit your sin to God and ask for forgiveness. 
  • Thanksgiving – express gratitude for answered prayers and God’s good gifts. 
  • Supplication – ask God to provide for your needs and the needs of others. 

PRAY 

To pray according to the PRAY method: 

  • Praise – praise God for who he is. 
  • Repent – confess your sin and ask for God’s forgiveness. 
  • Ask – ask God for what you want or need. 
  • Yield – submit to God’s plan, asking that his will, not yours, be done. 

Prayer Journaling 

In the prayer journal method, we write down our praises and requests to God. It can help us sort out our thoughts and serve as a record of prayers to reflect on in the future. Here are some steps to prayer journaling: 

Choose a time and place: When and where do you want to write in your prayer journal? Every morning? Throughout the day? Pick something and start to practice discipline around it. 

Write out prayers: This might be a good place to use the ACTS or PRAY methods. Write down your praises to God. Confess your sins, and thank God for his mercy and forgiveness. Ask for what you or your loved ones need.  

Record the gems: Write down quotes you come across, wisdom your pastor shares or something God revealed to you while you read the Bible. 

Revisit: Make sure to look back on old prayers from time to time. This will remind you of God’s faithfulness. Which prayers have been answered? Which prayers are still waiting on an answer? Journal about it.  

Prayer Walking 

Pray for a specific place while you walk around it. It could be your home, neighborhood, around buildings where local government makes decisions — any place on which you want to focus prayer. As you walk, ask God to provide health, clarity, etc., to the people who live or work in the area. You could ask for God to pour out his blessings on the land beneath your feet. 

Music 

Songs of praise and worship, including hymns, are forms of prayer. So another prayer method is to sing lyrics to songs about praising God, adoring him, asking for forgiveness for sin and asking God for the things we want or need.  

Liturgical Prayer 

Liturgy is a rite or rites used in public worship. Liturgical prayers are sometimes a call and response between the pastor and congregation. Anglican and Episcopal churches’ liturgical practices often come from the Book of Common Prayer, a collection of prayers, sacraments and psalms first published in the 1500s.  

Fasting 

When Christians fast, they go without food or another blessing for a specific period of time. The goal is to grow closer to God by focusing only on him. Prayer is essential during fasting.  

What Is the Difference Between Prayer and Meditation? 

It’s often said that prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening to God. But prayer should also include listening to God. And since there are so many definitions and methods of meditation, let’s look at what the Bible says about praying and how to listen to God.  

We find several references to meditation in the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms: 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, NIV)

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. (Psalm 48:9, NIV). 

And in Joshua 1:8, the Lord tells Joshua: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (NIV).  

So in the Bible, meditation seems to mean deeply pondering an attribute of God or a part of Scripture. Prayer, on the other hand, is a conversation with God. Although the two acts aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, the differences lie in the goals:  

  1. In meditation, our goal may be to write God’s Word in our heart. We may say a Bible verse over and over again to understand and recall it. In prayer, we may tell God how amazed we are by what we learned in his Word and tell him that we trust his promises. 
  1. In meditation we may think deeply about the depth of God’s steadfastness, love or faithfulness so that we may better comprehend and believe it. In prayer we may thank God for his love and faithfulness as we navigate the Christian life. 
  1. In meditation we may practice quieting or directing our thoughts so we can more clearly hear God. In prayer, we may take more of an active speaker role. 

How to Pray, According to … 

Jesus:  

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”
— Matthew 6:9-13, NIV

Martin Luther: 

“First of all, when I realize that because of other duties or thoughts I have grown cold and neglectful when it comes to praying (for our flesh and the devil resist and hinder prayer), I take my little hymnal and hurry to my room, or, if the occasion gives opportunity, to a church service with others. As time permits, I quietly recite the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and, if I have more time, some of the quotations of Christ, of Paul, or of the Psalms, just as children recite them.” 

“It is good practice to begin and end the day with prayer.” 

“When through such recitation your heart has been aroused to its need, kneel down or stand with folded hands and with your eyes heavenward. Speak or think as briefly as you can, ‘Dear God, heavenly Father, I am a poor, unworthy sinner, not entitled to raise my eyes or hands in prayer to you, but I come because you have commanded us all to pray. Because you also taught us when and how to pray through your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, you will hear us. Thus I come trusting your gracious promise and, in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I pray with all your faithful Christians on earth, as he has taught me’” (the Lord’s Prayer). 

— “A Simple Way To Pray,” which Luther wrote for his friend in 1535 

Charles Spurgeon: 

“My dear friends, wait upon God much in prayer, and you have the promise that he will do greater things for you than you know of.” 

“We cannot commune with God, who is a consuming fire, if there is no fire in our prayers. … Prayers which are filled with doubt, are requests for refusal.” 

“Do not let us go to God as though we were strangers, or as though he were unwilling to give — we are greatly beloved.” 

Soren Kierkegaard: 

“Calm the waves of this heart, O God; calm its tempests. 

Calm yourself, O my soul, so that God is able to rest in you, so that God’s peace may cover you. 

Yes, You give us peace, O God, peace that the whole world can never take away.” 

“O God, when at times our strength is taken from us, when sorrow overcomes us like a kind of fog in which our vision is plunged as into a dark night; when our hearts do tremble with our loss: then teach us and strengthen the conviction in our hearts that in death, no less than in life, we belong to You.”

Is it OK To Ask God for Things I Want?

Josué is wearing a blue and white striped shirt. He is sitting inside his home on a couch with his mother, wearing a blue shirt, and his father, wearing a maroon shirt. They are all praying together. The wall behind them is blue.

The Bible tells us in many places to ask God for what we want:  
 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6, NIV) 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5, NIV) 

But all our prayers must come from a place of authenticity. If our desires aren’t in step with God’s plan for our lives, then the answer may be no. God answers all prayers — but his answer may be yes, no or wait. 

How To Make Prayer a Habit 

“True prayer is a way of life, not just for use in cases of emergency. Make it a habit, and when the need arises you will be in practice.”  

— Billy Graham 

In recent years, a lot has been written in books and spoken on podcasts about the science of habits. Bestselling books like “The Power of Habit” and “Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives,” plus podcasts like “The Science of Happiness,” offer advice for creating new habits.  

Why would you want to create habits? Our brain is always looking for ways to save effort, says Charles Duhigg in “The Power of Habit.” The brain tries to make most routines into habits because then it doesn’t have to work so hard. Instead, the brain can focus on something else. So if we can form small or large routines in our prayer lives, the more we stick to them, the more likely we are to make it a habit. How long it takes to form a new habit varies widely from person to person.  

In “Better Than Before,” Gretchen Rubin explains that habits free up the brain from having to make a decision. “The real key to habits is decision making,” Rubin writes, “or, more accurately, the lack of decision making.”  

So if we can make HOW we pray a habit, then we can devote more of our hearts, minds and souls to the content of our prayers. We can begin prayer routines in hopes they become habits so that coming to God is second nature. 

Some examples of prayer routines: 

  • Prepare a room or space in a room to devote only to prayer. Then go to that place for morning and/or evening prayers every day. Make your prayer time a non-negotiable appointment with God.  
  • Choose a task you do every day and add prayer to it. For example, decide to pray every time you wash dishes, take the dog for a walk or drive to work. Practice bringing the wandering mind back to prayer each time you forget. 
  • Keep an object in your pocket or in clear sight all day that reminds you to pray, sort of like Samuel’s rock of Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12). 

The goal is consistency — the more you repeat an act, the more ingrained it is. 

More Bible Verses About How To Pray 

From the New International Version: 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18) 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) 

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “’Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” (Luke 11:1-4)  

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)  

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2) 

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26) 

How Do Sponsored Children Pray?

Young boy wearing a red shirt. He is praying with a group of children in the background. He has both hands in the air.

Children in our program learn to pray at Compassion centers at their local churches. Prayer gives them hope for their futures and helps them develop a relationship with God. Sponsors often pray for the children they support — and the children pray for their sponsors as well!  

“I like to pray. When I close my eyes, I feel how God sees me and pays attention to what I’m saying. In the moments of trouble, praying brings peace to my heart, and [in] the moments of gratitude he brings joy.” 

— Alisson, 8, in Guatemala 

Read more prayers from young people in Compassion’s program. 

We’d love for you to join us in praying for children who live in poverty! Sign up to receive our monthly prayer calendar.


Photography by Daniel Coimbra, Edwin Estioko, Caroline A Mwinemwesigwa and Alejandra Zuniga

Additional sources: The Spurgeon Center, Ligonier Ministries, Harvard Square Library, Harvard Business Review, Got Questions Ministries, The Gospel Coalition

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About Prayer https://blog.compassion.com/your-prayer-questions-answered/ https://blog.compassion.com/your-prayer-questions-answered/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:44:46 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102717 Prayer is an integral part of our programs and work. Here’s what the Bible says about prayer and why we believe prayer is so important.

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Girl wearing a pink shirt. She is inside her home and is praying. She has her hands folded in front of her chest.

What Is Prayer?

Prayer can be defined simply as a conversation with God. The word “prayer” evolved from the Latin precaria (the feminine form of precarius), meaning to entreat, beg or ask earnestly. This sacred dialogue between God and his children is an important part of most major religions.

In the Christian faith, there are many prayer traditions and types of prayers. Perspectives on where, when and how to pray vary by denomination and culture and liturgical tradition.

As a Christ-centered ministry, Jesus’ life and teachings shape our programs, reflect the spiritual commitments of our staff and guide how we love people, respect communities and cooperate with nations and this involves a lot of prayer.

Prayer is an integral part of our programs and work. Children attending Compassion-assisted child development centers at their local churches learn to pray as part of the activities. We encourage sponsors to pray for the children they support. And Compassion employees devote regular time to praying for children in poverty and the churches that care for them around the world.

Girls pray together. They are standing outside with their hands folded in front of their faces.

Here’s what the Bible says about prayer and why we believe prayer is so important.

Why Do People Pray?

People of many faith traditions pray. Even people who don’t practice a religion or who don’t consider themselves spiritual will lift up prayers to God in times of great need, fear, desire or difficulty. Most people sense that there’s a higher power — some significant force holding the universe together. So it makes sense that we seek comfort, intercession or answers from that higher power when faced with situations beyond human control.

For Christians, prayer is an essential act that draws us closer to the will of God.

Why Do Christians Pray?

First, we pray because God told us to.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Second, we pray because Jesus prayed. Christians are called to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the Gospels — especially the books of Mark and Luke — include many instances of Jesus praying.

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35 NKJV)

Jesus prayed in many places — in the wilderness, at his baptism, in the mountains, in the Garden of Gesthemane and on the cross. He prayed for many reasons — to thank his Father, to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11), to glorify God and to request forgiveness of others (Luke 23:34).

In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus gave instructions on how to pray and what to avoid. He told his disciples to find privacy and speak directly to the Father. He said not to be like “the hypocrites” who pray in public only to be seen by others. This passage is where he modeled how to pray in what came to be called the Lord’s Prayer.

Besides wanting to obey God and follow Jesus’ example, here are some other reasons why people pray:

To praise and adore God. We should pray to thank God for answering previous prayers, for always being present in our struggles and joys, for sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem humans from sin, for being who he is … and for the countless other reasons he deserves praise and gratitude.

Because we can. Jesus removed the barrier between us and God. It’s an incredible privilege to be able to pray and have dialogue with God. And even though God knows what we’re going to ask before we ask it, he still encourages us to come to him. Communing with him benefits us. Some effects of prayer are feeling inner peace, worrying less and walking in God’s ways, and it keeps us focused on the big picture — Jesus’ redemption of humanity.

To ask for what we want and need. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire” (John 15:7 NKJV). Whether we are asking for provision of basic needs, for something our heart desires, for strength in difficult times or for peace in our lives and our world, God wants to hear what we desire. Many people view the act of praying only as a way to ask God for the things they want. But while God does want us to ask him for what we want and need (James 1:5), prayer is a two-way relationship that also involves listening to him.

To listen. When we sit quietly in devotional time with God, we begin to hear him. We don’t hear his voice audibly but as clarity around decisions, inner peace, the desire to fulfill his will and the recognition that we are his beloved.

To develop the spiritual discipline of prayer. Spiritual disciplines are behaviors we practice and strengthen in order to grow closer to God. Author and theologian Donald Whitney says prayer is the second most important spiritual discipline after reading the Bible.

Because God answers.

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 NIV)

How Often Should I Pray?

Boy wearing a blue and white patterned shirt with pink sleeves and jeans. He is sitting outside his home praying with his hands pressed together in front of him. On his lap is his Bible.

Since prayer is simply a conversation with God, it doesn’t have to be formal. It might seem daunting to read in 1 Thessalonians that we should “pray continually.” But considering that it can be done while washing dishes, walking the dog or lying in bed, it becomes a lot more practical.

It’s true that prayer comes to us most naturally in times of trouble. But we can train our minds and hearts for daily prayer. If we can make a habit of prayer, soon it will be second nature to talk to God continually throughout the day.

Still, that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in setting aside a special time and place devoted to praying. Perhaps you close your bedroom door for morning prayers. Or you take a solitary walk after dinner for evening prayers. No matter how, when or where you choose to do it, God will hear you!

Does God Answer Prayers?

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NIV)

God hears all prayers (Psalm 55:16-17). The Bible says he answers every true petition. If our prayers are inconsistent with his will, purpose or plan, then he won’t answer the prayer in the way we had hoped.

It’s often said that God answers all prayers, either with “yes,” “no” or “wait.” If we find ourselves feeling frustrated with unanswered prayers, then the best prayer to God might be asking him to align our will with his.

Types of Prayer

Some Christians categorize prayer into four types: adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. The acrostic ACTS reminds us of these forms of prayer and the order in which to pray them:

  • A for “adoration” — prayers of praise. The psalms include many examples of adoration prayers.
  • C for “confession” — prayers of repentance. With this type of prayer, we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.
  • T for “thanksgiving” — prayers of gratitude. We take time to thank God for his faithfulness and love.
  • S for “supplication” — requests. We should always begin with a humble heart when we ask God to meet our requests. Common prayers of supplication include asking God for:
    • Healing.
    • Provision of basic needs.
    • The desires of our hearts (Psalm 20:4).
    • Clarity when making decisions.
    • Faith.
    • Strength.
    • Peace.

Another type of prayer is one of intercession. Intercessory prayer is when we pray for one another. Jesus often prayed on behalf of others. In John 17, he prayed for his disciples and all those who believed his message.

The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our intercessor. “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:27). It’s amazing to know that the Holy Spirit brings requests to the Father on our behalf.

Compassion sponsors and employees pray many prayers of intercession. We frequently and humbly plead with God to:

  • End poverty.
  • Provide children with food and safe water.
  • Protect children from abuse and exploitation.
  • Equip churches around the world to speak hope and truth into the lives of children living in desperate circumstances.
Man wearing a blue shirt and is praying with a girl wearing a red sweatshirt. His hand is on her back.

A litany is another type of prayer. It is used in services and processions at some churches. It calls on the mercy of Jesus Christ for a variety of petitions. 

Many other forms of prayers can be found in liturgical services. Liturgy is a rite or rites prescribed for public worship. Specifically, liturgy usually relates to Eucharistic practices — those meant for communion with God. In church services — especially in the Anglican church — liturgical prayers are often practiced as a call and response between a pastor and congregation. It’s a way to more actively include congregants in communal prayers. Liturgy can also help develop more discipline in prayer. Common liturgical practices include the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”), Lectio Divina and the Liturgy of the Hours and sacraments from the Book of Common Prayer.

Famous Prayers

So what are some good prayers? Here are a few famous prayers to use as inspiration.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer is one Jesus shared with his disciples:


“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”
(Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)

The Serenity Prayer

This famous prayer has evolved over the years. It was likely written in the early- to mid-20th century and is most commonly attributed to American theologian Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr.

This is the current version used by churches and 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

The Sinner’s Prayer

“The sinner’s prayer” refers to any prayer of repentance. Here are a couple of sinner’s prayers from famous ministers:

Dear heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins. I repent of my sins. I invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.
— The Rev. Billy Graham

Our Holy Father, we confess the weakness and sinfulness of our lives. We have often turned away from thee to seek our own desires. And often when we have done no evil, we have undertaken nothing of good, and so have been guilty of uselessness and neglect. From this sin of idleness and indifference set us free. Lead us into fruitful effort, and deliver us from profitless lives. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
— The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Liturgical Prayers

Lectio Divina: A structure for prayer consisting of four steps: lectio (reading), oratio (praying), meditatio (meditation) and contemplatio (contemplating).

Daily Examen: A prayer technique practiced by St. Ignatius that invites reflection on the day. It has five steps: become aware of God’s presence, review your day with gratitude, pray about one aspect of your day, pay attention to your emotions and look toward tomorrow.

The Liturgy of the Hours: Mostly made up of psalms, hymns and chants, this public prayer discipline follows a four-week cycle. It’s prayed at specific times, or “hours,” of the day and is a way for the Church to praise God and bless his people.

Grace (Before-Meal Prayers)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

People of many faiths say prayers of thanksgiving before eating. Here are some common ways Christians say grace. They vary by denomination, faith tradition and family:

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest
And bless what you have bestowed.

Girl wearing a red and blue dress. She is sitting at a table inside her home with her foster sister. They are praying before they eat.

For what we are about to receive
may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.

Bless us, oh Lord,
and these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Oh, God, when I have food
help me to remember the hungry;
when I have work, help me
to remember the jobless;
when I have a warm home,
help me to remember the homeless;
when I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer;
and remembering, help me
to destroy my complacency
and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough
to help, by word and deed,
those who cry out
for what we take for granted.
— The Rev. Samuel F. Pugh

Bedtime Prayers for Kids

There are many variations of easy-to-remember bedtime prayers for children. Here are a couple of rhymes to help kids develop a strong personal prayer life from an early age:

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May God guard me through the night,
And wake me with the morning’s light. Amen.

Thank you, God, for the world so sweet;
thank you, God, for the food we eat;
thank you, God, for the birds that sing;
thank you, God, for everything!

Lord in heaven, hear my prayer;
keep me in your loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me, too.

What Does ‘Amen’ Mean?

“Amen” is translated from a Hebrew word that literally means “truly” or “so be it.” It is often said at the end of prayers as a way of saying to God, “Please let it be so.” In the New Testament, the writers ended their epistles with “amen.” So we are following their example when we say it.

Bible Verses About Prayer

Boy wearing a bright green dress with a black stripe across the front. He is sitting in a church pew and is holding a Bible.

From the New International Version:

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! (Psalm 66:20)

The LORD said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me.” (1 Kings 9:3)

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.” (Genesis 25:21)

Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry to help. (Psalm 39:12)

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7)

Quotes About Prayer

“Prayer is the God-given communication link between heaven and earth, time and eternity, the finite and the infinite.”

— Tony Evans

“If prayer leads us into a deeper unity with the compassionate Christ, it will always give rise to concrete acts of service.” — Henri Nouwen

“Prayer is a gift. It is an opportunity to connect with God, to be told what we don’t know.” — Annie F. Downs

“When prayer is long in the answering it will be all the sweeter in the receiving, like fruit which is well ripened by hanging longer on the tree.” — Charles Spurgeon

“Prayer is spiritual communication between man and God, a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him.” — Billy Graham

“Real prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind, but about finding God’s heart, and letting his heart change our minds.” — Ann Voskamp

“It is not so true that ‘prayer changes things’ as that prayer changes me and I change things.”

— Oswald Chambers

“There is incredible power in the prayer of a child.” — Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado

“Prayer is how we align our hearts with God and when we receive his promptings.” — Barb Roose

“The power of prayer is not based on the one who says it but on the one who hears it. Don’t wait to be perfect to pray.” — Kirk Franklin

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” — Max Lucado

When Is the National Day of Prayer?

The United Stages Congress has set aside the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer. It’s a powerful day to call upon the Lord on behalf of the whole U.S.

At Compassion we mark the National Day of Prayer by praying for our country. We also pray for the countries where we work with local churches to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Join us in prayer for our nation, other nations, the leaders of the world and God’s churches. And sign up to receive our monthly prayer calendar to pray with us for the needs of children living in poverty.

A Prayer for Our Nation

Lord, thank you for giving me the privilege of living where I do. Please intervene in the areas of this country that so desperately need you. Where there is conflict, bring peace. Where there is division, bring unity. Where there is hate, bring love. Where there is poverty, bring relief. Please move in miraculous ways.

A Prayer for Other Nations

Dear God, I praise you for creating a world full of beauty, diversity and different places. Today I pray specifically for the countries where Compassion-sponsored children live. Pour out your love, protection and wisdom onto the nations. Protect those who are forgotten, oppressed, victims of natural disasters and living in poverty. Overwhelm each country with your presence.

A Prayer for Leaders in the U.S.

Dear God, please be with the people who hold positions of leadership in this country – in government, in communities, in local churches, in schools, in homes. Provide leaders wisdom, discernment and humility. Give them the opportunities to be protectors, advocates and beacons of positive change. Guide their path so that they may lead others well.

A Prayer for Leaders Around the World

Lord, today I pray for the leaders in the countries where Compassion works. Empower government leaders, local leaders, pastors, teachers and parents to guide with wisdom, love and passion. Equip them with the materials and knowledge they need to bring positive change to their circles. Give them hearts to remember, care for and protect children living in poverty within their community.

A Prayer for Churches in This Country

Lord, thank you for the local church. Thank you that we can worship you freely in this country. Today I pray that the thousands of churches scattered across this country would serve as beacons of light, hope and peace. May they bring hope to their communities by caring for the poor, inviting people in and serving as examples of the unconditional love of Jesus.

A Prayer for Churches in Other Countries

Dear God, thank you for local churches all around the world. I pray specifically for the churches Compassion partners with. May they be places of safety, refuge and hope. Help them to meet the specific needs of their communities. Continue to equip them to care for children well. May local churches across the globe change the world for your glory.

In the name of Jesus, amen!

Praying for Children

Boy wearing a black jacket with a gray hood. He is kneeling down in his yard and is praying with his mother, who is holding her youngest child on her back.

Prayer is a powerful and important conversation with God. For children in poverty who continually face hunger, disease and disaster, prayer is a lifeline. They recognize that even if there is no one else to turn to, they can turn to God, who will hear their prayers. The act of prayer gives children in poverty hope that things will change.

Join us in praying for children who live in poverty by signing up to receive our monthly prayer calendar. It includes requests sent to us by Compassion staff around the world on behalf of the children in our program. You will receive it in an email that also includes inspiring updates about how your prayers make a difference in the lives of children!


Photography by Vera Aurima, Tigist Gizachew, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Juana Ordonez Martinez, Fernando Sinacay and Doreen Umutesi.

SOURCES: The Holy Bible (New International Version), Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Ligonier Ministries, Got Questions, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, cslewis.com.

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3 Stories That Show the Importance of Pastors https://blog.compassion.com/3-stories-that-show-the-importance-of-pastors/ https://blog.compassion.com/3-stories-that-show-the-importance-of-pastors/#respond Fri, 18 Feb 2022 23:33:38 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102683 We are constantly in awe of everything our staff members do to help release children from poverty in Jesus' name. But we also know that some of the most important contributions to our mission come from people who will never be found on a Compassion staff list: the pastors of our frontline church partners.

Be inspired by these stories of pastors and their work on behalf of Compassion around the world.

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A pastor and children in Indonesia stand outside wearing the colorful traditional dress of their Torajan people group.
Simon, pastor of a church in Indonesia that partners with Compassion, stands with some of the children he ministers to.

At Compassion, we are constantly in awe of everything our staff members do to help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. But we also know that some of the most important contributions to our mission come from people who will never be found on a Compassion staff list: the pastors of our frontline church partners.    

From stepping in during crises to working faithfully and consistently in desperate circumstances, pastors have important work to do — empowering local churches to be places of true holistic development for children and youths.

Be inspired by these stories of pastors and their work on behalf of Compassion around the world.  

A Haven Amid Destruction 

In the earthquake that devastated Haiti in August, Soraya and Ana’s small home was destroyed. Out of options, they found a source of help for their immediate needs: their church pastor.  

Pastor Richard’s Redemption Story

When Pastor Richard took up the task of leading a church in his home region of Kenya, he saw the massive challenges in his way.

Poverty ran rampant in his community due to unrelenting violence between two rival groups. And harmful cultural practices such as early marriage and female genital mutilation were all too common.

So Richard got to work, founding a nursery school at his church’s compound and praying that it would also serve as a safe haven for children. But even with his help, parents didn’t pay fees and the school failed.

“Sending the children away after giving them a glimpse of hope was the most agonizing part,” recalls Richard (pictured below). “Although the shame of failure still lingered over me, I purposed to serve my congregation faithfully.”

Pastor Richard is standing in the neighborhood. He is wearing dark pants and a light blue button up shirt. He is smiling at the camera.

About a year later, Compassion was expanding its ministry into the area, and Richard was asked to host a meeting at his church. The meeting lit a fire in his heart — to partner his church with Compassion and rekindle his dream of creating a safe haven for children.

With help from Compassion startup funds and contributions from Richard’s congregation, his church reopened the nursery school that had failed. In 2016, the church officially launched a full child development center with 150 registered children and youths.

Richard watched with joy as stories of transformation unfolded around him. John (pictured below), one of the first children registered at the center, transformed from a malnourished toddler into a growing young boy with access to education and a dream of becoming a teacher.

John is looking at the camera, smiling. He is wearing a gray sweater. There are several children in the background.

Breaking the Cycle

In the red light district of Cebu City, Philippines, Pastor Ian (who speaks at 0:47 in this video) and his church replace desolation with hope on behalf of mothers and infants.  

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The Radical Runaways: Inside an FGM Rescue Center for Girls https://blog.compassion.com/fgm-rescue-center-for-girls/ https://blog.compassion.com/fgm-rescue-center-for-girls/#comments Thu, 03 Feb 2022 23:14:40 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102585 Florence’s rescue center has saved more than 413 girls from female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriage. The Kenyan schoolteacher’s lifelong crusade against FGM began with her own narrow escape as a child.

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Florence’s rescue center has saved 413 girls from female genital mutilation, or FGM, and early marriage. The Kenyan schoolteacher’s lifelong crusade to stop FGM began with her own narrow escape as a child.

Warning: This story contains sensitive content that may be confronting.

In a thicket off the dusty road, 10-year-old Faith* surveys her options. Which tree will be the safest to spend the night in? The shadows are lengthening, and she glances nervously over her shoulder. A spotted hyena, a lion, her older brothers — she’s not sure which would frighten her more.

She chooses a sese tree, sturdy and reassuring. Jamming her feet onto footholds, she hauls herself up into the branches. With the solid trunk against her back, she shuts her eyes in relief. She’s in northern Kenya’s wilderness, alone except for hidden, prowling predators. She spends the long night squinting into the darkness and jumping at sounds.

But she refuses to climb down and run home. The danger there, the dread of three strange letters — FGM — feels more terrifying.

“In our community, when a girl reaches about 9 years old, she is taken through FGM and then married off. So, when my parents told me that they would do that to me, I ran away and hid in the bush for a day,” Faith explains.

“On returning home, my brothers threatened to beat me with sticks. I ran away for good. I know girls my age who went through FGM and look like grandmothers now because of their difficult lives and the depression they suffer.”

A Violation of Human Rights

Performed by traditional circumcisers known as “cutters,” or even medical professionals, FGM is a brutal ritual. It involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. It is usually performed on girls before age 15 — sometimes on girls as young as babies.

Traditionally signaling a girl’s readiness for marriage, FGM is a violation of children’s rights.

Each year, around 4 million girls like Faith are at risk of being cut. The consequences are immediate and lifelong. Infections, chronic pain, difficulty urinating, infertility, psychological trauma — and even death. Despite being illegal in most of these countries, FGM continues in western, eastern and northeastern Africa, as well as among immigrants in places like Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

FGM and child marriage often go hand in hand. UNICEF reports that almost 1 in 4 Kenyan girls are married before age 18 and almost 1 in 20 by age 15.

“I tried to implore my parents not to marry me off, but they were adamant,” says Faith. “My biggest fear was not being able to attend school, and I was also afraid of being a third or fourth wife to a man older than 50. That is not the life I had envisioned for myself.”

She heard hope-filled whispers of a primary school 62 miles away that offered refuge to girls in her situation. With her future narrowing before her eyes, Faith fled. After one week of walking, pale with fatigue, she reached the school gate. Dozens of girls played in the yard. One by one, they stopped to stare.

In her traditional goatskin skirt, vest and beads, Faith stood out among their neat school uniforms.

The girls knew what to do, though. They led Faith into the school building.

To meet Florence.

No Ordinary School

Florence has a beaded bracelet in the pattern of the Kenyan flag. It’s appropriate: This head teacher of the local primary school could easily be described as a mother to her nation. Her dark eyes are quick and observant, her arms always ready to pull a child in for a hug.

Faith is wearing a blue dress with a white collar. She is standing outside the center and is hugging Florence.
Florence embraces Faith.

She remembers the first time she met Faith four years ago. “She could only speak Pokot dialect and was dressed in traditional regalia,” says Florence.

“She was tired, filthy and emaciated. We took her in, cared for her and gave her all the psychological support she needed.”

Florence knew exactly how to help Faith — she had once been in her position. Her father had nine wives and 77 children. He didn’t believe education was necessary for girls, so Florence snuck to school each day. Once, he caught Florence still wearing her school uniform. He beat her. When she was 12 years old, her family received an offer. “An old man from a neighboring village wanted me to be his fourth wife,” says Florence. Her eldest brother had already accepted the bride price of camels, cows and goats. After the ritual cutting of FGM, she would be considered the man’s property.

Florence did the only thing she could. She ran.

Over the next decade, Florence lived with friends so she could attend school, then college, sending word to her supportive mother that she was OK. Graduating with a teaching degree, she became the first of the 38 girls in her family to finish her education.

At 21, she married the man of her choice — a privilege few women her age knew. She was appointed head teacher at a primary school and was excited to mentor young girls.

What occurred next, she says, “happened as if by the plan of God.”

The Rescue Center for Girls

In 2003, two girls arrived at the school, desperate and disheveled. Florence looked in their eyes and saw herself as a child. They had run from FGM and early marriage.

Knowing the girls couldn’t return home, Florence converted a classroom into a dormitory. Mattresses replaced school desks. The rescue center was born. As word spread, other girls sought refuge. The average age of the arrivals is 12 years old. The youngest was just 9.

“They arrive traumatized and sometimes injured. Many girls must make the treacherous trip to the center at night. Some spend days walking with no food or water, depending only on well-wishers or foraging in the bush for whatever they can eat. They reach the center tired, dirty and emaciated,” says Florence.

Each girl is enrolled into school, often for the first time.

“Poverty and FGM are like brother and sister,” explains Florence. “Many families, because of poverty, only look at girls as a source of income.”

In Kenya, “bride price” is still widely practiced, where the groom’s family pay their future in-laws in money, gifts or animals. “Girls are not enrolled in school, and as soon as they are 9 years old, a suitor is sought. Not educating girls continues to promote poverty, as women cannot make decisions since they are wholly dependent on their husbands.”

She continues, “Girls and women are the pillar of a nation. An educated girl means the community can make better choices at a family level. When girls and women are economically empowered, the entire community experiences the benefits.”

Joan is standing outsdie with two of her friends, Lodio and Chelatan. They are wearing their uniforms, blue and white plaid dresses with white collars and belts.They have their arms around each other.

By day, it’s an ordinary school. “But as soon as the regular students leave at the end of the day, we become a center for girls who have run away from home, seeking a chance to make a better future for themselves and their families,” says Florence. “Here, they receive counseling, food, and their basic needs are provided.”

At the end of the school day, Florence also switches roles — from teacher to mother.

“She has a genuine love for all of us that can only be God-sent,” says Faith.

When the pandemic forced schools to close in Kenya, Florence took two dozen girls into her own home. Faith says simply, “If that is not love, then what is?”

However, it’s dangerous work. Florence and her team are defying centuries-old traditions passed down from generation to generation. “I am challenging the status quo as a woman, so I am constantly at risk,” she says. She has been confronted by a group of men armed with canes, men intent upon reclaiming an intended bride — and teaching Florence a lesson. Thankfully, the police arrived to intervene.

Florence remains undeterred.

A Life-Changing Partnership

Joan is wearing a yellow shirt and blue pants. She is sitting on a bench inside the Compassion center with her chin resting in her hands.

As she blazes a trail in her community, Florence is not alone. Her husband is supportive, and their 27-year-old daughter helps to mentor the girls. And in 2016, Compassion partnered with the local church to launch Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program in the community. Florence was unanimously selected to chair the committee overseeing the child development center.

“My role at the Compassion center entails championing the rights of the children. With the help of Compassion, we can empower the community to take up child protection seriously,” she says. “Compassion has provided immense knowledge to help me in the championing of children’s rights.”

With Florence and the local church’s efforts, change is happening. There is a new generation of girls who will never know the pain of FGM or the consequences of early marriage.

“The Child Sponsorship Program will give the children a ray of hope,” says the Rev. Yusuf, the church pastor.

“We give them the opportunity to relearn, and the tools to be able to shun cultural practices that do not honour God. The Word of God is the greatest tool for transformation, and we believe that as we disciple our kids to disciple other kids in the community, there will be a ripple effect of change.”

Parents, too, are trained in children’s rights and are offered an alternative Bible-based coming-of-age ceremony to replace the traditional rituals. “We need the parents to be on the forefront of protecting their kids from any practices that infringe on their rights,” says Yusuf.

The center’s dream is to empower girls to be role models at the forefront of change in the community — and even the world. “We envision girls who are governed by the Word of God, who value themselves and their bodies, and believe that God made them wonderful as they are,” he says.

Joan is wearing a red shirt. She is sitting on a log outside her home with her mother, father, and younger brother. There are mountains in the background.
Nine-year-old Joan, left, is in Compassion’s program. She and her family have the support of the Rev. Yusuf and his church.

A Pillar of Hope

Since 2003, more than 413 girls have sought refuge at Florence’s school. Many are now attending high schools, boarding schools and colleges around the country, some on scholarships Florence helped to secure. Today, 14-year-old Faith is wearing the neat school uniform she had always longed for. She says the school is her home now and dreams of being a doctor.

“It is my desire that the stories of resilience and courage by the many girls I have met here are shared,” says Faith. “The work that Florence does is of immense importance and must be prioritized if FGM and early marriages are to be resolved.”

Sadly, seven girls who left the center and returned home during COVID-induced lockdowns are now married. UNICEF reports that the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects — shuttering schools, increasing child marriage, disrupting advocacy programs — could lead to an extra 2 million cases of FGM over the next decade. As poverty increases, parents’ fears over their daughters’ futures leaves them facing heartbreaking choices.

Faith believes everyone can play a part in ending the practice. “People can help by supporting the efforts of people like Florence and by offering their platforms and influence to address the issue of FGM,” she says. “It is a violation of so many rights of children and must be treated as such — a crime.”

Asked how she’d like to see the rescue center in 10 years’ time, Florence dreams of it being “a pillar of hope.” But if you ask Faith and the hundreds of girls who came after her, who stumbled into the school under a stark sun or in the dead of night, when they were dazed, desperate and desolate — it already is.

*Name changed to protect identity.

Help protect at-risk children — sponsor a girl today!


Field reporting and photography by Isaac Ogila, Compassion Kenya photojournalist

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12 Heart-Melting Pictures of Kids With Their Animal Buddies https://blog.compassion.com/heart-melting-pictures-of-kids-with-their-animal-buddies/ https://blog.compassion.com/heart-melting-pictures-of-kids-with-their-animal-buddies/#comments Tue, 01 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102593 These pictures of kids with animals are cute, of course. But they also show how animals help people in poverty.

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These pictures of kids with animals are cute, of course. But they also show how animals help people in poverty. Some are pets providing companionship and joy, some are livestock helping families generate income, and some provide fertilizer for crops or nutritious milk to drink.

One thing these animals all have in common: Children and teenagers in Compassion’s program love spending time with them!

Daniel, Burkina Faso

Daniel is wearing a gray shirt. He is holding a lamb, which was a gift from his sponsor.

When 5-year-old Daniel’s sponsor gave a family gift, his family was able to buy a lamb and other animals, which are helping his family generate income.

Chonticha, Thailand

Chonticha is wearing a black shirt and shorts. She is sitting on a deck on her home and is holding her pet cat named Mama-Big.

“Mama-Big is my cat and she’s very cute,” says Chonticha, 8. “Every day, I always make her run and chase after me.” Chonticha was especially grateful for her sweet companion during lonely COVID-19 lockdown periods.

Emily, Ecuador

Emily is at the guinea pig farm, holding a guinea pig and smiling at the camera. She is wearing a sweater, a pink vest, and a blue hat.

Emily holds one of the guinea pigs she helps raise. Her Compassion center director, Oswaldo, started the guinea pig farm to give children and teenagers something educational and productive to do when they aren’t at school or the Compassion center. The children and youths are learning agricultural skills by caring for the animals and growing a vegetable garden.

“The fact that our children and teenagers are working the land and learning to take care of their own animals is very helpful,” says Oswaldo. “They are learning to be more responsible, so in the future they won’t be hungry.”

Raymark, the Philippines

Raymark is wearing a light green shirt. He is outside with the family pet, a dog named Marga. There are trees in the background.

Who’s smiling bigger — the dog or his human, a 14-year-old pastor?

Kauany, Brazil

Kauany poses with her new cat Nino. She is sitting in her wheelchair outside, and is looking down at her cat.

Twelve-year-old cancer survivor Kauany loves spending time with her feline buddy, Niño.

Masfika, Bangladesh

Masfika is wearing a black outfit and is kneeling down giving one of her goats water.

Animal lover Masfika’s dream of owning a goat came true when her sponsor sent her family a financial gift. “That weekend she literally took me and the goat around the entire village like she was taking a pet dog for a walk,” says Masfika’s grandmother Rehana. The goat gave birth to two kids, which the family can keep or sell for income!

Jose, El Salvador

Jose, in a gray shirt, is sitting on the ground holding a white baby pig, piglet. There are mountains and a fence in the background.

Jose’s family in rural El Salvador raises and sells pigs to earn an income — another example of how animals help people in poverty. “I think children should have pigs so they can have money to support their families,” explains Jose, 7.

Shinah, Uganda

Shinah is wearing a red, blue, and gold dress. She is standing outside her home and is holding a white bunny.

What 8-year-old couldn’t love a bunny?

Heidi, Ecuador

Heidi is wearing a pink jacket. She is standing outside and is holding a baby chick up beside her cheek.

Heidi’s parents lost their employment and only source of income when the pandemic hit. To help, the local church where Heidi is sponsored in Compassion’s program started an agriculture initiative, giving each sponsored child’s family six chickens.

“We are feeding the chickens so they can grow and have more chicks,” explains Heidi, 8. “We sell them and now my mother has money to do the grocery shopping.”

Rosa, Bolivia

Rosa is wearing a green skirt and a gold and blue sweater. She is standing next to a white llama, smiling and petting the llama.

Rosa, 8, absolutely lloves her llama.

Keasha, the Philippines

Keasha, in a white shirt, is with her female pet goat "Mee," whose name was derived from the sound it makes.

Keasha says she named her pet goat Mee because of the sound she makes. Keasha’s family bought Mee with money Keasha’s sponsor sent. The goat is another example of how animals help people in poverty: Keasha’s family plans to breed and sell goats to earn an income.

Camila, Bolivia

Camila is wearing a white veterinarian's costume and has a dog, puppy on her lap. She has a stethoscope in her ears and is holding it against the puppy.

“When I grow up I want to be a veterinarian because I love animals very much,” says Camila. “I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian since my father gave me my first puppy.”

Children in Compassion’s program like Camila receive guidance and training so they can pursue their dreams. “It makes me sad when I see animals that are abandoned, sick or mistreated,” says the 8-year-old. “My favorite animals are dogs, but I want to heal all kinds of animals; I’m not afraid of them.”


International photography and reporting by Ben Adams, Nico Benalcazar, George Gio Brondial, Edwin Estioko, Junieth Dinarte, Eric D. Lema, Sara Navarro, Galia Oropeza, Jonatan Ruiz, Jehojakim Sangare and Piyamary Shinoda.

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3 Young People Reaching Their God-Given Potential https://blog.compassion.com/young-people-reaching-their-potential/ https://blog.compassion.com/young-people-reaching-their-potential/#comments Thu, 27 Jan 2022 16:03:20 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102536 At Compassion, one of our highest goals is to help children grow to reach their full, God-given potential. Our frontline church partners across the world invest deeply in each individual, helping them discover their talents and use their skills to escape poverty, bless those around them and glorify God.

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Honore is wearing a gray shirt and has a measuring tape around his neck. He is sitting at a sewing machine in his workshop and there are shirts hanging on the wall behind him.

At Compassion, one of our highest goals is to help children grow to reach their full, God-given potential. Our Frontline Church Partners across the world invest deeply in each individual, helping them discover their talents and use their skills to escape poverty, bless those around them and glorify God.

Honore, Jandel and Karla are three extraordinarily talented young people from Compassion’s programs. Each one, with the help and support of their local church, has discovered a passion, dreamed of how it could be expressed and worked to hone their skills. Read on to learn about how these youths are breaking the cycle of poverty and reaching their God-given potential.

Honore, Burkina Faso

Life was already challenging for Honore when he lost his father. Pegdewende, his mother, worked various part-time jobs to care for little Honore and his three siblings. Honore lived in a deeply impoverished region of Burkina Faso, and he needed to find his way to a better future.

As a teenager, Honore expressed a lot of interest in sewing clothes. “During school breaks, I enjoyed going into my brother’s sewing workshop to help him. My sewing journey started in primary school,” says Honore.

Throughout the years, Honore quickly improved his sewing skills; his desire was to start a fashion design business. His small income as an apprentice allowed him to afford his first sewing machine.

Thankfully, his local church’s Compassion’s center offered tremendous support to Honore in achieving his entrepreneurial dream. Participating in holiday youth camps allowed Honore to sharpen his skills in fashion design.

“The youth camp trainer realized that Honore was the most talented student,” says Jude, the center director. “From there, we discovered his passion for sewing could allow him to become a great tailor. That is why the center provided two sewing machines for Honore to keep practicing and start a business.”

Honore is wearing a gray shirt and has a measuring tape around his neck. He is standing with his arms crossed in front of him next to Judes, the Project Director. Judes is wearing a red and blue patterned shirt. There is a pair of scissors painted on the wall behind them.
Honore, left, and Judes, his Compassion center director, stand outside Honore’s shop.

Honore reflects on the center’s support: “I am happy that the center always walked alongside me in achieving my plans. The center director’s thoughtful advice and encouragement allowed me to succeed in the national exams of sewing. I couldn’t become a successful tailor without the unfailing support of the center staff.

Though the pandemic has wreaked havoc on many, Honore never gave up making his dreams come alive. And the center didn’t give up either.

“I want the youth to have big dreams allowing them to reach their God-given potential,” says Jude. “Honore was excited about fashion design and the church is ready to push him to the top of his ability.”

Receiving the sewing machines has unlocked Honore’s inspiration to become more creative in men’s outfit design.

“It is my greatest joy and pleasure when I make new shirts for customers. I love to see people well dressed, so I spend my days taking customers’ measurements and sewing beautiful African-style outfits with excellence to the satisfaction of customers,” says Honore.

In November 2020, Honore was able to open his first workshop by the roadside. He says, “I thank God that my sewing business is growing well despite the current challenge of finding customers and the increasing prices of sewing materials due to the pandemic. But I have more than one reason to be happy and thankful. I have not only hired two people, but I can also contribute to the expenses of my family.

Honore’s vision is to become one of the famous fashion designers in his city. “I am inspired by the work of a great fashion designer who makes clothes for famous people. I pray that my brand, HK Fashion, grows beyond the borders of Burkina Faso through quality work and its uniqueness,” says Honore.

Because of the lack of job opportunities in his area, many young people are left hopeless and addicted to alcohol and drugs. But Honore is well prepared to exit the sponsorship program. He serves as a role model to other young people around him as he breaks the cycle of poverty within his family.

Jandel, the Philippines

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
— Psalm 19:1, ESV

To somehow capture God’s magnificent work of art with our own frail human hands, through wistful brushstrokes and the lively combination of colors — this is Jandel’s desire. He longs to use his brand of artwork as his voice, an expression of who he is and an agent to deliver the message of God and his faithfulness.

Jandel is 18 years old and a promising young artist and excellent STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) student studying at a local public school in the Philippines. He hopes to combine these passions by becoming an architect someday.

“My favorite art style for now is surrealism and realism,” he says. “What I love about these art forms is that there is no limit to what I can create. I can be playful with my ideas and just let my thoughts fly.”

Jandel is wearing a white shirt with blue letters on it. He is sitting inside his home and is painting on a canvas that is on an easel. Some of his other paintings are propped up behind him.
Surrounded by his other recent works, Jandel works on a new painting.

Jandel paints regularly, enters competitions and wins them, and even paints the plywood walls of his family’s house. In 2019, he was the winner of Compassion Philippines’ National Painting Competition. Yet, when he was little, he couldn’t even finish a simple stick-house drawing.

“To be honest, I was not into art before,” he says. “One day I asked my father, Jose, to teach me and show me how to draw. Little by little I fell in love with art. At 9 years old, I joined the Arts Club in my Compassion center. There I learned how important it was for me to use my God-given talent to glorify the Lord. And so I decided to practice and explore art to reflect God’s glory.

Jandel is the youngest child of a hardworking farmer. Many Filipino farmers toil the land from sunrise to sunset with their trusted water buffalos using old, traditional farming tools. They earn very little, so Jandel’s parents were delighted when their son was able to join Compassion’s sponsorship program at 7 years old. For Jandel, it was the program that opened his eyes to the beauty of the arts.

Jandel is wearing a white shirt with blue letters on it. He is sitting inside his home with his mother, father, and twin sister, Janine. Some of his paintings are hind them.
Jandel sits with his father, sister and mother.

“The weekly art class at the Compassion center was my stepping stone,” he says. “The staff supported me, and that enhanced my artistic skills and inclinations. They always encouraged me to enter art competitions, and that developed my self-confidence.”

Today, Jandel is enjoying the opportunity to reach his potential and to express his “feelings and faith in [his] God” through his art, paintings and sketches.

Karla, Honduras

“Baking goes beyond the idea of sweet flavors to me. It’s more about pouring love into each recipe,” says Karla, a humble, smiley 15-year-old entrepreneur in Honduras. Karla developed a passion for baking as she watched cooking TV shows.

“Opening an oven with freshly baked pastry was all that I had in my mind, yet I lacked the experience.”

Karla is wearing a red shirt, black apron, and a chef's hat. She is decorating a cake on a table in her front yard. There are cupcakes on the table next to her.

To fulfill her dream of making professional cakes and desserts, Karla wanted to study vocational training at a baking academy, but her family couldn’t afford the costs. Karla’s father is a construction worker, and he is the only provider for the family.

But Karla persisted in her pursuit of becoming a certified baker — with the help of her friends at the Compassion center. Youths in Compassion’s program fill out a workbook called “My Plan for Tomorrow” in which they outline goals for their futures. They gain an opportunity that not many young people in poverty have — to reach their potential with the support of their tutors, church staff and sponsors.

“When I filled out my Compassion plan for the future, I stated that I’d love nothing more than to become a baker,” says Karla. “From that moment forward, the center’s staff has supported my dream.”

Karla’s talent, creativity and craftsmanship did not go unnoticed by the Compassion center’s staff. Besides her baking, Karla is a talented painter, and art decorations came easily to her. But it was her work ethic and perseverance that convinced the staff that she would be a dedicated student.

“Karla is an inspiration to youths because she never gives up. Because of her perseverance and talent, she was granted a full scholarship to enroll in the bakery academy and she’s thriving,” says Johana, the center director.

Once a week, Karla takes a 30-minute bus ride from her community to the baking and pastry academy. Karla started her baking classes in February 2021, and her training has already paid off. Her cakes, danishes and more have become high-demand products for every local celebration.

As her bakery products became more popular, Karla was given access to an industrial stove at the Compassion center so she can now bake in bulk without delays.

Karla’s sales and profits have helped her grow a thriving business. With the help of her father, Karla learned how to make detailed budgets that list her earnings and production expenses. Though Karla is still a teen entrepreneur baking at home, she’s planning to launch a bakery shop in a couple of years.

Karla is wearing a red shirt, black apron, and a chef's hat. She is standing in front of her home and is holding a plate of cookies she made. She is holding one of the cookies close to her mouth.
Karla holds a plate of cookies she baked.

Besides cakes and pastries, Karla recently learned how to make pizza. Making pizza brings to mind good memories of her dear sponsor, Mary, who runs a restaurant of her own.

“I relate to my sponsor, Mary, because cooking is our thing. When I correspond with her through letters, I share my excitement when baking and making pizza and I know she gets me,” says Karla.

Karla’s childhood dream of putting on an apron and a baker’s hat has come true. After a long day at the oven, Karla appreciates the flour and yeast stains on her apron because they represent how much she loves baking.

That, she says, is the reason why her cakes taste so good.

“My secret ingredients are love and dedication.”


Reporting and photography by Edwin Estioko, Juana Ordonez Martinez and Jehojakim Sangare.

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Meet a Family Making the Most of What God Has Given https://blog.compassion.com/making-the-most-of-what-god-has-given/ https://blog.compassion.com/making-the-most-of-what-god-has-given/#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102503 Scott, Cyndi and their four young boys love good matches of all kinds. They enjoy sports matches, especially those broadcast by Scott’s employer, ESPN. They love matching the birthdays of their sponsored Compassion children to their own young sons' birthdays. And they love the benefit of matching gifts through Scott’s parent company, Disney, to the family’s Compassion donations.

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Scott, Cyndi and their four young boys love good matches of all kinds. They enjoy sports matches, especially those broadcast by Scott’s employer, ESPN. They love matching the birthdays of their sponsored Compassion children to their own young sons’ birthdays. And they love the benefit of matching gifts through Scott’s parent company, Disney, to the family’s Compassion donations.

A man and woman stand outside with their four sons. The man is holding a toddler, and three boys are sitting on a bench holding photos of children their family sponsors. There are trees and a bird feeder behind them.
Cyndi and Scott with their sons and photos of the children they sponsor through Compassion.

As Scott says, the family is passionate about Compassion’s mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

“We’re all in. Compassion is the perfect match of our strong faith and commitment to helping others.”

The First Connection

The match with Compassion started more than 20 years ago when Scott was a student at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. He attended a Compassion presentation on campus, and even though his college budget was tight, he decided to sponsor a girl from Tanzania.

When he and Cyndi married and started their family, they decided to sponsor additional children and create a special match for each child. The couple have four boys ages 18 months to 9 years old. When each son was old enough, Scott and Cyndi sponsored a child with that child’s exact birthday. “Our three older boys now have a Compassion sponsored child their same age, and we look forward to our youngest being matched with a sponsored child in the coming year,” says Cyndi.

The two older children share Bible verses with and write letters to their sponsored children while the younger boys send drawings and photos.

“It’s a wonderful, faith-filled connection for our boys and our sponsored children to share a common faith through very different life experiences,” she says.

Increasing Blessings

The family started matching their donations to Compassion through Scott’s company last year and learned it was a very simple process.

“I was very pleased to learn that Disney would match my donations to Compassion,” says Scott. “To be able to double the value of our donation by simply completing a form is amazing.”

For Cyndi, matching their gifts also is living out God’s promise that he can do so much if we place our faith and trust in him. A favorite verse of hers that feels particularly fitting comes from Malachi:

“Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”  

— Malachi 3:10, NIV

“There’s no telling how much God can do especially when we take advantage of every opportunity to make our gifts abundant,” says Cyndi. “With matching gifts, you’re multiplying what can be done, and it’s so very easy.”

The family donates to Compassion throughout the year, so they simplify the matching-gift process by waiting until year-end to submit a total of all of their gifts.

For example, the family enjoys shopping in the annual Compassion Gift Catalog to make additional donations. “We love that we can expand our giving by supporting programs such as skills training or purchasing livestock so a family can have sustainable income,” says Cyndi.

More Than a Hobby

Scott also turned a hobby of making cornhole boards into a small business and ministry by donating all profits to Compassion. “I was able to make a $2,000 donation to Compassion from my side business, and that donation was then doubled through a matching gift from my employer. It makes us wish we could do even more because the impact of the match becomes that much greater.”

Scott and Cyndi see their giving, along with the matched benefit from Scott’s employer, akin to the parable of the fishes and loaves.

“There is just so much that God is doing, and can do, with what we place in his hands,” Scott says.

If you are interested in learning more about matching gifts or finding out if your company offers a matching-gift benefit, visit Compassion’s matching gifts webpage.


Multiply Your Impact!

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11-Year-Old Neema Shapes Surprises From the Soil https://blog.compassion.com/surprises-from-the-soil/ https://blog.compassion.com/surprises-from-the-soil/#comments Thu, 06 Jan 2022 17:36:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102345 Eleven-year-old Neema walks across the playground carrying a bottle of water. Other children are playing wild and noisy games during break, but there is something else she prefers doing. Neema — image-bearer, hands in dirt — shapes surprises from the soil like her Father God.

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Eleven-year-old Neema walks across the playground in Kenya carrying a bottle of water. Other children are playing wild and noisy games during break, but there is something else she prefers doing.

Arriving at her favorite spot, she squats and proceeds to pick up a rock, which she uses to break the soil. Neema goes on to pour water, little by little, onto the hard ground. As she pours with one hand, Neema uses the other to knead the clay into a texture that she can use to form a sculpture.

Neema is wearing a brown sweater and brown skirt. She is sitting down outside her school and is using clay to make a figurine.

Neema — image bearer, hands in dirt — shapes surprises from the soil like her Father God.

The Image of God

In the beginning, it was the Lord God who “formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7, NIV). God, the original sculptor, made soul with skin from soil. Did he think of Neema in the garden that day?

Centuries later, it seems that God’s Son also shared an affinity for dirt. When a blind man was before him, “[Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes” (John 9:6, NIV). It was then that a muddy miracle was made — sight from saliva and soil. Did he smile down there in that dirt and think of Neema?

Down another dusty road, when a woman caught in sin sat condemned, “Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger” (John 8:6, NIV). No one really knows what Jesus wrote, but we can say with certainty that salvation was born in a few silent seconds over this soil. Did he brush off his hands, help the woman to her feet and think of Neema?

The Process

Neema gets lost deep in the process of creating simply from soil. She balances a ball of clay on top of another and says, smiling, “What I do looks dirty, but my joy comes from what I am able to create out of nothing.”  Little does she know that miracles are at work around her and within her, too.

Although poverty threatens her, it does not define her. Neema faithfully attends a Compassion center, where she learns about this God who shares her love for dirt. She is nourished, encouraged and empowered by other image bearers.

Neema is wearing a brown sweater and brown skirt. She is sitting down outside her school and is making something out of clay. She is sculpting on a small yellow barrel.

The Transformation

One day during her quiet play in the mud, someone thought of Neema and carefully watched her craft. The staff seized the opportunity to nurture Neema’s love of art and encourage her to keep making from the mud. Every week, they think of Neema and make sure she has the time and access to the materials that she needs to craft her sculptures. Neema is seen in the soil and slowly takes her own shape — transforming from desperately impoverished to deeply empowered.

When we recognize the potential that comes from the most mundane moments and the most dire spaces, we connect with the image of God within us. When we partner with him in his work, no matter how minute it may seem, we are part of the miracles he is working around us. We can think of Neema and say with her and God, “What I do looks dirty, but my joy comes from what I am able to create out of nothing.”


Field reporting and photography by Kevin Ouma, Compassion Kenya photojournalist.

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5 Reasons Why Children Are the Heart of Compassion https://blog.compassion.com/5-reasons-why-children-are-the-heart-of-compassion/ https://blog.compassion.com/5-reasons-why-children-are-the-heart-of-compassion/#comments Wed, 05 Jan 2022 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102370 There are a lot of ways to fight poverty and share the love of Jesus. At Compassion, we focus on children. They are the heart of everything we do. Here are five reasons why.

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Zahen is wearing a yellow shirt. She is sitting in a boat on the seashore giving herself a hug.

There are a lot of ways to fight poverty and share the love of Jesus. Some organizations improve access to safe water. Others provide literacy training and education. Many focus on nutrition and hunger, health care or disaster relief.  

At Compassion, we focus on children. They are the heart of everything we do. Our programs touch on many of the poverty-alleviating strategies listed above — but they all revolve around one clear goal: 

Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. 

Why children? In fighting the enormous, complex task of global poverty, why did we choose to tackle it from the most-vulnerable, least-influential, most-soft-spoken voices? Children don’t have a lot of money or political power or social standing. They aren’t (yet) world leaders, doctors or respected economists. 

So, what do children bring to the table? 

A lot.  

Here are five reasons why children are the heart of Compassion. 

1. They matter to Jesus. 

There are many stories in Scripture about how precious children are to Jesus. Mark 10:13-15 shares a time when people brought little children to Jesus for him to lay his hands on them. Thinking Jesus wouldn’t want to bother with children, the disciples rebuked them — but they were wrong. We read in verses 14-15 (NIV), “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'” 

2. They are the most receptive to the gospel. 

Two girls in the Philippines hold a children's Bible.

We read in Proverbs 22:6 (NIV), “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Research shows that almost two-thirds of Americans who give their lives to Christ do so before age 18. Still other global studies suggest that children are most receptive to spiritual and developmental input between ages 4 and 14.  

Want to learn more? Check out research on the “4/14 Window” about evangelism among children.

3. There are a lot of them. 

According to the CIA’s World Factbook, over 40% of the global population is under the age of 25. About 85% of the world’s youths live in low- to middle-income countries. The sheer number of children around the world — and the number of those living in poverty — is staggering. An estimated 385 million children currently live in extreme poverty (on less than US $1.90 a day). One in 2 — or 689 million — lives in a multidimensionally poor household, which means they experience at least one indicator of poverty in their daily life, such as poor health, lack of education or inadequate living standards. 

4. They are the hardest hit by poverty’s effects but the least able to do anything about their circumstances. 

When it comes to the effects of poverty, children are the most vulnerable. They are the most impacted by malnutrition. They are often the earliest to succumb to disease. In times of war or instability — when education and basic needs like love and security take a backseat to survival — it’s children who suffer the most. And it’s those in their youngest, most formative years who are the worst off. Over 20 percent of all children under age 5 in the developing world live in extremely poor households, compared with 15 percent of 15- to 17-year-olds. That’s why Compassion’s holistic child development program starts even before a child is born with prenatal care for the mother.   

5. They have a lifetime ahead of them. 

Three children in Tanzania sit together smiling. A mud hut with thatch roof is in the background.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of working with children is the incredible potential for lifelong change. In speaking about his book “Too Small to Ignore,” President Emeritus of Compassion International Dr. Wess Stafford shared, “When a child is small it takes very little effort to make an impact for good or [an impact] that can destroy them. A child’s life can be launched or derailed, and the effects will last a lifetime.”  


Compassion’s 2022 Prayer Calendar focuses on “Faith Like a Child.” Check out the prayer requests and praises for this month. We hope it encourages you with new ways to pray for the world, and especially for the Church, to see children as Jesus sees them. 

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Hope and Healing After the Terror of Bride Kidnapping https://blog.compassion.com/bride-kidnapping-ending-the-terror/ https://blog.compassion.com/bride-kidnapping-ending-the-terror/#comments Sat, 01 Jan 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=87626 In the bride kidnapping tradition of the Hmong people, girls can be forcibly married to their abductors. But churches in Thailand have been fighting for change.

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Chompuu was walking along the dirt road toward home, her shiny black hair tucked neatly behind her ears. It was a late afternoon in April, the hottest month of the year in Thailand’s northern hill country. As soon as she turned onto a narrow path leading to her house, a car pulled up on the road behind her. Suddenly, five teen boys jumped out. They grabbed Chompuu and shoved her into the car. She screamed for help, but no one answered her cries.

The 13-year-old girl was driven to a small house where she was locked inside a bedroom. There was no way of escape. After three days of captivity, in keeping with the tradition of the Hmong people, she was declared the wife of her kidnapper.

“I didn’t want to marry him,” says Chompuu. “But I had to because it is a tradition.”

That was five years ago. She was another victim of the ages-old Hmong custom known as “bride kidnapping.”

Bride Kidnapping: A Harmful Tradition

A girl wearing a colorful traditional Hmong outfit looks out the window.
Bride kidnapping has been practiced in many cultures around the world for thousands of years. Young girls are often the target, and thus it’s a form of forced child marriage. The practice still occurs in various places around the world such as Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia and among the Hmong people group in Southeast Asia in Thailand and Laos.

According to UNICEF, Thailand and Laos have the highest rates of child marriage in Southeast Asia. The legal age of consent for marriage is 17 in Thailand and 18 in Laos. But in too many cases the law is ignored in favor of cultural traditions, such as the Hmong tradition of early marriage through bride kidnapping.

Bride kidnapping in Hmong culture allows girls as young as 13 years old to be abducted by their would-be grooms. These men may or may not have permission from the girl’s family to carry out the kidnapping. Some men use this practice of marriage by abduction simply to take sexual advantage of young girls, using culture as an excuse.

Underlying this outdated, harmful practice is the deeply held cultural belief that females are not as valuable as males. In fact, after kidnapping and marriage, girls are considered tainted, and even outsiders, by their own families.

Hand in hand with the Hmong belief in child marriage is the belief that educating a girl is a vain investment. If she is destined to leave home at an early age to marry, why educate her?

Noojee: A Different Story

A girl wearing traditional Hmong clothing looks to the side, smiling.
There are just two years’ difference in age between 17-year-old Noojee and her friend, Chompuu.

“Most of my friends are married,” says Noojee. “They were married when they were just 14 or 15 years old. Not many of us are still in school.”

But Noojee is unmarried and still attends school.

Her parents are subsistence farmers, living in the same house with six other families in their clan. Noojee’s parents, unable to adequately care for their children, were eager to register Noojee in the Compassion program where she would receive medical care, educational assistance and nutritional support. But their family practiced ancestral worship and Noojee’s grandmother was a witch doctor. So her enrollment in the church-based program and school met with fierce opposition by the extended family.

“It was quite a challenge when Noojee was first registered in the program,” recalls Center Director Lursak SaeJang. “Her family had the typical mindset that girls don’t need education and must remain at home to serve the family.”

A girl and mom sit outside with arms around each other.

Noojee at home with her mother.

But Noojee’s father witnessed a change in his daughter. She was becoming a strong and courageous person through the influence of the church and its Compassion program. He decided to take the family to church. Soon, each member of Noojee’s immediate family placed their faith in God. And with time, they adopted a new set of Bible-based family values, including gender equality, education for girls and protection from forced marriage.

“Before we became Christians, my family didn’t eat together because all the females in the house had to eat after the males had finished their food. Only then could the women eat. But now we all eat together at the table,” says Noojee. “My dad is happier, and he is very supportive of my sister and me attending school, not just my brother.”

Becoming Champions of Change

A man in a purple shirt sits in an office, looking to the side.

“I never thought bride kidnapping would occur in my family.”

Bride kidnapping is an issue that is deeply meaningful to Center Director Lursak. His own daughter was victimized by this practice. But with the encouragement of the pastor, he went to the police and with the help of International Justice Mission, they prosecuted and won the case.

Now Lursak passionately campaigns against bride kidnapping. At least once a year, the staff at the Compassion center conducts community-wide parent meetings to raise awareness about child protection. And the partner church, led by Pastor Wittaya Sae-Wha, often speaks out against bride kidnapping throughout the Hmong communities spread across Thailand’s northern hill country.

The center staff take special delight in the fact that that there are just as many girls as boys registered in school — tangible evidence to the community of the center’s and partner church’s belief in gender equality. The staff are confident that education of girls is the key to combatting early marriage and bride kidnapping in the Hmong villages they serve.

And the church’s dedication is paying off.

“As a result [of our efforts], we can now see that the bridal abduction practice has gradually decreased,” says Pastor Wittaya. “Actually, in city areas, it no longer exists.”

Today, many Hmong people are beginning to recognize the rights of children and the importance of protecting girls. They have begun to reconsider their own tradition of bride kidnapping – finally seeing it as a serious wrong that demeans the girl and her family. They also have begun to value the girl child’s future and understand that education is essential for all children, equally.

Three girls stand on the road in front of a church in a rural area.

Now Noojee and her friends know their rights. They know that they have a choice and a right to be treated equally.

“The women didn’t have an education and they didn’t know the law,” say Noojee and her friends. “We learn about the law and children’s rights in school. If bride kidnapping happens to our friend, we will fight for her. We won’t let go. We will fight to the end.”

Even in cultures steeped in traditions that dictate otherwise, Compassion, in partnership with the local church, is boldly upholding children’s human rights and ensuring they are known, loved and protected.


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By the Calendar: 12 Ideas for Writing to the Child You Sponsor in 2022 https://blog.compassion.com/12-ideas-for-writing-to-the-child-you-sponsor-2022/ https://blog.compassion.com/12-ideas-for-writing-to-the-child-you-sponsor-2022/#comments Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102180 As the new year begins, I’m always thinking about the calendar. It’s probably because of the yearly planning we all tend to do. (Got to get after those goals, am I right?) Or maybe it’s because every year for the past 16 years I’ve received a wall calendar for Christmas from a dear friend. Whatever the case, a good wall calendar or even a digital calendar that you keep up-to-date online can help you prepare for the year to come. Here's how keeping a calendar helps me figure out when it's best for me to write to the child I sponsor.

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Lizbeth is wearing a blue skirt, white shirt, and a red sash. She is sitting in a field with a calf behind her and she is holding up one of her sponsor's letters.

As the new year begins, I’m always thinking about the calendar. It’s probably because of the yearly planning we all tend to do. (Have to get after those goals, am I right?) Or maybe it’s because every year for the past 16 years I’ve received a wall calendar for Christmas from a dear friend. Whatever the case, a good wall calendar or even a digital calendar that you keep up to date online can help you prepare for the year to come.

Personally, I like to take time in January to go through all of the months of the year in my wall calendar to call out and make note of special dates. There are family members’ and friends’ birthdays; special days like anniversaries, get-togethers and parties; important school dates and activities for my children; and, of course, vacation and holiday planning.

Keeping a calendar is a good reminder that life can be extremely busy at times. At others, it can be mundane.

A Calendar for Consistency

How keeping a calendar helps me to figure out when it’s best for me to write the child I sponsor:

I don’t know about you, but I find it very hard to write to my sponsored child with any consistency unless I plan for it. That’s why keeping a calendar is so helpful.

Remember how I just mentioned that life can be crazy busy? Well, I don’t like to add to the stress and pressure of a busy time of year by adding that very important thing to do on top of everything else.

I use my wall calendar to help me determine the months when I am the least busy, and I make a note to write my letters to my sponsored child during those months.

This works for me because it helps me to prepare. I can add notes from my sponsored child’s last letter as prompts for items to respond to. Or I can look at other things going on in the calendar around the time I intend to write and pull topic ideas from those themes.

Side note: One thing to be aware of is the fact that your child’s response letters won’t be all that timely. For example, if you write a letter in April asking about your sponsored child’s Easter traditions, it can be somewhat entertaining and a little odd to be reading about their Easter plans in June or July, or whenever your sponsored child next replies.

Anyway, if you like the idea of using a calendar to make it a priority to write to your sponsored child in the months that are the least busy for you, here are some monthly letter-writing themes you might find to be helpful. You can pick the months that work best and copy the theme to your wall or digital calendar so you won’t have to bookmark this blog to come back to if you don’t intend to write for at least a few months from now.

12 Ideas for Writing in the Months That Work for You

A group of children are together outside the center. They are wearing red and black patterned shirts with black pants or a black skirt. Moussa, Christelle, Milka, and Alfred are holding the numbers 2022 made with silver balloons.

January: Since goals and new beginnings are already on most people’s minds this month, why not focus on asking about your sponsored child’s hopes and dreams? Share your own hopes for the year, and encourage your sponsored child to know that their dreams are never out of reach with God.

February: The month of February is synonymous with love. Of course, your sponsored child might not celebrate Valentine’s Day in their country, but you could talk about some things that you love. Family, friends, places, things to do, times of the year, puppies, kittens, etc. Then ask your sponsored child about what it is he or she loves.

March: I know, I know … typical guy topic, but everyone knows March is for March Madness! Talk about your favorite sports, athletes or ways to exercise. Ask your sponsored child about the sports he or she plays or what he or she likes to do to stay active.

April: I’ll be honest: The topic for this month should be Easter. It’s always the best one for April. Ask your sponsored child how they celebrate Easter in their country. That said, I also am a bit of a clown, so April Fool’s Day is one of my favorite days. You could also ask your sponsored child to share one of the funniest things that happened to them recently.

May: May is for moms. And, I know, this topic can be a bit sensitive for people who have either lost their moms or didn’t have good relationships with their moms. But let’s expand the topic a bit. Ask your sponsored child about the special women in their life, and encourage them to let the women know they are special. Share about some women in your life who are special to you.

June: Similar to May, June holds Father’s Day. Ask your sponsored child about the men in their life. Whom does he or she look up to? Share with them some stories of honorable men in your life.

July: This is a topic near and dear to me. July Fourth is the day that Americans celebrate our national heritage and honor a nation’s decision to declare itself free from tyranny. And by the providence of a great and holy God, all men and women are created with equal dignity. Talk to your sponsored child about their own dignity in Christ. Tell them that they were created for a purpose and that God gives them their rights.

August: This is the month when most kids in America go back to school. Naturally, it makes a great topic to talk about with your sponsored child. Ask your sponsored child about their school. Where is it? What is it like? What is their favorite subject?

September: The air becomes crisp, the light shines golden and the leaves begin to turn bright colors. It’s a beautiful time of the year. It’s also when fruit trees and bushes begin to yield their fruits. Ask your sponsored child about the seasons in their country. When do the crops become ready for harvest? What is their favorite fruit?

October: Even though farmer’s markets tend to run throughout the summer, October is when you have the biggest selection of fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from and typically the best prices as most markets close down for the year. Ask your sponsored child what the markets are like in their country. Where do they buy their meat, milk, fruits and veggies? What item is their favorite to buy from the market?

November: Of course, the topic for this month is thankfulness. Ask your sponsored child about a few things they are thankful to have in their life.

Ani is wearing a navy blue shirt. She is holding letters from her sponsors in her arms.

December: Could it be anything other than Christmas? It’s already on every child’s mind. And every Compassion child receives a gift for Christmas. Ask your sponsored child what he or she received as a gift for Christmas. Most centers will have parties and celebrations. Ask about those parties, and share some of your own Christmas memories and traditions.

Birthday letter: I like to send a quick note each year to wish my sponsored child a happy birthday! It’s usually very short and just says something to the effect of “I’m thinking of you on your special day.”

Share Your Ideas

Do you have any of your own topics for any of these months that you think could be helpful? Add them in the comments below. And if now is a good time to start the first letter of the year, follow the link below to get writing.

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Your Top 5 Compassion Stories of 2021 https://blog.compassion.com/your-top-5-compassion-stories-of-2021/ https://blog.compassion.com/your-top-5-compassion-stories-of-2021/#respond Tue, 28 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102150 As editor of the Compassion USA blog, I always love looking back over the previous year to see which articles resonated with you the most. It gives me a chance to reflect on the powerful stories and photos that come from our photojournalists around the world and writers in the U.S. I also get an idea of what type of content to gather and share with you in the year to come. In case you missed them, here were the top stories of 2021 on the Compassion USA blog.

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As editor of the Compassion USA blog, I always love looking back over the year to see which articles resonated with you the most. It gives me a chance to reflect on the powerful stories and photos that come from our photojournalists around the world and writers in the U.S. I also get an idea of what type of content to gather and share with you in the year to come.

It is my pleasure to share incredible stories of transformation — which are possible only because of amazing supporters like you! I hope that reading the blog reminds you of the difference we can make when we come together as one to release children from poverty.


In case you missed them, these were the top stories of 2021 on the Compassion USA blog:

5. 17 Gorgeous Photos of Gardens Around the World

A woman and child in Bolivia stand in a garden. The woman is holding vegetables and wearing a skirt, sweater and hat. The child is wearing a hat.

Look at these photos of gardens around the world — and then look again to see what else is there.

In these gardens are vegetables — but also opportunities. Fruits are flourishing — and so are small businesses started by families living in poverty. A fledgling sprout peeking up from the soil can signify a better future for a child. Because people in poverty who can grow successful gardens have not only a source of nutritious food but also a source of income.

4. 11 Warrior Women With Unshakeable Faith

Angelita is sitting at her home with a wall of roses behind her. She is wearing traditional clothing.

On International Women’s Day in March, we wanted to honor the strength of women who live in a variety of circumstances. So we invited 11 women, ages 18 to 91, to sit for a portrait and conversation. In the midst of challenge, their strength was undeniable. Their resilience was inspiring and their faith unshakeable.

Who are these women? Take a look.

3. Sponsors Share Their Best Letter Writing Tips

Girl wearing a purple and orange patterned dress. She is sitting in a blue plastic chair outside her home and is holding a letter from her sponsor.

We put out a call to our Facebook community asking for the best advice for writing to children in Compassion’s program. Several people answered with great tips on things like:

  • Fun ideas for what to send.
  • What to ask and say.
  • When to write.
  • How to write (app, online, stationery, etc.).
  • Remembering or making time to write.

This article also gave me the chance to share some insanely adorable photos of 6-year-old Fortune in Togo, who had recently received her first letters from her sponsor.

2. Facts About Togo: A West African Treasure

Four children are standing outside playing musical instruments and dancing. There are trees and tall grass behind them. The children are wearing traditional clothing of Togo.

You love learning all about the 25 countries where sponsors and local churches help children in Compassion’s program. The second-most-popular story we posted to the blog during 2021 was this article about the customs, traditions, people and geography of the fascinating West African country of Togo.

1. God Is Love: 5 Attributes That Show Us This Truth

A boy is in his community and is sitting on a small ship on the beach. He smiles while holding a poster that says he is “loved” at the Compassion center.

I guess we all needed the reminder, because this is No. 1 on our list of top stories of 2021. As Valentine’s Day approached, we reflected on the truth that God isn’t just loving but is the very definition of love.

Read more to consider God’s attributes demonstrating how he is love.

More Insights From 2021

Most popular topic on the blog: the importance of letter writing

Biggest conversation starter: 5 Tough Questions About Poverty, Answered

Most powerful success story, told in three parts: From Hunger to Hope: A Brave Girl Named Norah

Most-read article of 2021, although it was posted in 2019: Ghana Traditions: Culture, Customs and Society

Thanks for Reading the Compassion USA Blog!

If you’re subscribed to the blog emails, you will notice a difference in how you receive them in January. At Compassion we are making some changes to ensure you get only the most relevant content in your inbox. We’ll now let you know about inspiring new blog stories in a “Best of the Blog” section of a twice-monthly email tailored to your interests in Compassion’s ministry!

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A Very Maasai Christmas https://blog.compassion.com/a-very-maasai-christmas/ https://blog.compassion.com/a-very-maasai-christmas/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102152 Seven-year-old Pesi is part of the Child Sponsorship Program at a church in Kenya. She is also a member of the Maasai people. Every year since she can remember, her family has celebrated Christmas.

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As you celebrate Christmas with your family’s traditions this year, enjoy this intimate look at a Maasai Christmas — captured by Compassion Kenya photojournalist Kevin Ouma.

Pesi is wearing red and white tradtional clothing and is standing outside with trees in the background and is holding a Christmas gift.

Pesi dashes away from her friends Sompet, Haimesoi and Marania as they play catch. The sound of laughter fills the air as they play and run around the home. The compound is full of people. Everyone is happy to see one another as the older men and women sit separately underneath the trees catching up.

She lives in a Kenyan village that is home to Maasai people, who live mainly along Kenya’s Rift Valley and across the Tanzanian border to the south. Maasai have a strong culture that is still preserved today. Compassion has the privilege of working with children from many different cultures across the world. Church partners support the children while celebrating their unique traditions. Community and family ties form a big part of Maasai celebrations — and Christmas is no exception.

Different cultures stamp their own identity on the special holiday, fusing local traditions and ways with celebrating Christmas. Seven-year-old Pesi is part of the Child Sponsorship Program at a church in Kenya. Every year since she can remember, her family has celebrated Christmas.

“I love Christmas because I get to see many friends and family,” she says. “What I love most is when everyone comes together to sing.”

A Day of Traditions

Pesi’s father is the firstborn in his family. As such, he hosts family and friends in his homestead. Activities start from the early morning with the preparing of a goat or sheep that was slaughtered the day before. The meat is roasted away from the home by men. When it’s ready to eat, different parts of the animal are allocated to the men, women and children. Women prepare most of the food — chapati bread and stew make up a big part of the meal. Older children are sent to fetch water and firewood while the younger ones like Pesi play or do the chores delegated by their mothers.

Pesi, her mother, father, and her siblings Enock and Tasha are sitting outside their home. Behind them a wall decorated with beaded jewelry. Pesi and her mother are wearing traditional clothing.

As part of the preparations, the home is decorated using beaded artwork that most Maasai women make at home. The women and girls put on robes and gowns with intricate beadwork.

The Maasai clothes and beads have specific colors, all with special meanings:

  • Red, which is the most dominant color, signifies blood, bravery and unity.
  • White represents health, peace and purity.
  • Blue is the color of the sky and represents energy, and green is the color of grass, which signifies the land and production.
  • Black represents the people and the struggle they must endure.
  • Yellow symbolizes the sun, fertility and growth, and orange represents warmth, generosity and friendship.

Pesi is wearing a white gown with beadwork. Her mother did the beadwork after having the gown made in the market.

Gifts and Joy

The church ensures all of the Maasai children understand what Christmas is really about. “We always make it a special day and try to bring everyone together so that it is remarkable to our children,” says Becky, the social worker at Pesi’s Compassion center. “All people involved in the children’s lives gather at the church to celebrate and have a special meal together.”

In addition to throwing a party, the church ensures children receive a Christmas gift. “The gift makes me feel special. I started receiving Christmas gifts when I joined Compassion,” says Pesi. Most of the gifts the children receive include shoes, clothing and sometimes candy and pastries as extras, which the children love very much.

Becky lives in the same community, and she knows the difference the gifts make in the lives of the children. “It is difficult for the children to receive gifts in the village, so when such is done it is a true expression of God’s love,” she says.

Pesi is wearing red and white traditional clothing. She and her friends are receiving food from Pesi's mother.

Pesi and her friends have just been served some stew with chapati. They eat while sitting on the ground. The girls are eating fast so they don’t miss out on the singing and dancing. “I love that as Maasai we get to sing together during celebrations while wearing our traditional clothes and ornaments,” says Pesi.

Boys sing and chant in Maasai, praising God. They also blow horns and pipes as they go around in a circle. Pesi and her friends follow the women and join in the singing.

A group of Maasai people are outside singing and dancing together in celebration.

A Maasai Christmas Evening

As darkness sets in, guests trickle out of the homestead one by one, filled with joy and laughter as they bid each other goodbye. The moment is bittersweet, for it has been a good day. Babies yawn in their mothers’ arms and younger children hold on to their mother’s shukas (traditional fabric). The men start a fire to continue sitting under the starry sky. In the distance, bleating goats and mooing cows can be heard.

Pesi joins her family by the fire as they listen to her grandfather share stories in her language. There are many things to be thankful for and memories to recount. She will share the experience in her next letter to her sponsor.


As we reflect on all Christ has given to us, you may feel called to give as he gave. There’s still time to make an end-of-year donation to help children. Click here to give by Dec. 31 to be eligible for a 2021 tax benefit!

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The Tear-Jerking End to Norah’s Search for Her Sponsors https://blog.compassion.com/the-tear-jerking-end-to-norahs-search-for-her-sponsors/ https://blog.compassion.com/the-tear-jerking-end-to-norahs-search-for-her-sponsors/#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102082 A graduate of Compassion's program gets the surprise of her life when she meets the people who sponsored her as a child.

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Watch the emotional scene unfold when Norah meets the couple who sponsored her in Compassion’s program.

Norah sat on the striped couch generously sharing her story for another Compassion video interview. As a speaker for Compassion, she travels to events across the country and shares her experience of being released from poverty in Jesus’ name. On this particular day, she had traveled to Newport, Kentucky, to a quirky video studio in an old church sanctuary.

What she didn’t know was that her sponsors had just made the same trip.

Norah looks up at the ceiling of an old church sanctuary in Kentucky. She is wearing a striped blazer and earrings.

As we shared in Part 2 of Norah’s story, Norah had been searching unsuccessfully for the couple who sponsored her when she was a child in Uganda. When she and her husband moved to the United States, she immediately started looking for them on social media with only the meager clues she had from letters years ago. She mentioned looking for her sponsors when she had speaking engagements, which gave Compassion staff an idea. They began to plan for a surprise meeting just as Norah was beginning to despair of finding her sponsors.

So on this special August day, while Norah shared details of center staff who had inspired her and letters that had encouraged her, Jeff and Bonnie of Colorado prepared to walk up the stairs of the studio and meet the person they had prayed for, encouraged and treasured for so many years.

Meeting at Last

As the film crew carefully prepared, the interviewer began to ask Norah more specific questions about her sponsors. Finally, she asked, “If you could meet your sponsors today, what would you want to tell them?”

Norah’s eyes brightened, and she leaned forward, excited to share her message, even as Jeff and Bonnie started to walk into the studio, holding hands.

“I would like to say thank you — thank you so much — to my sponsors, Jeff and Bonnie Mowry. I hope I see you one day, I love you so much, wherever you are …”

Bonnie interrupted with a quiet “How about today?” that seemed to shake the room.

Norah turned, dumbfounded, and saw her sponsors for the first time. Totally overwhelmed, she stood and retreated to the corner of the room, covering her face with her hands to hide the tears of surprise, relief and joy. Jeff and Bonnie followed, enfolding Norah in their arms and thanking Jesus that they had finally been able to meet.

Hearing the Whole Story

After hugging, crying and getting on their knees to thank God for what he had done, Jeff, Bonnie and Norah returned to the interview couch where they had gifts and stories to exchange over the next several hours.

Though Jeff and Bonnie knew some of how their sponsorship had affected Norah and empowered her as she grew, the letters they had exchanged revealed very little about how Norah’s Compassion center had slowly transformed her whole family.

Before Norah was registered in the program at a local church, her mother struggled to support the family on her meager income as a hairdresser. But as Jeff and Bonnie listened in humbled amazement, Norah shared how the Compassion center taught both her and her mother how to make jewelry. Eventually, her mother became very skilled and started selling jewelry as her main business. The training she received from the center enabled her to care for her children and send them to school. Norah also shared that her whole family came to know the love of Christ through the center.

And Jeff and Bonnie leaned close to see pictures of Norah’s husband and three children, eager to hear about her family and career. They marveled at how much work Norah has now done to advocate for children.

Gifts of Gratitude

After opening Jeff and Bonnie’s eyes to the full impact of her sponsorship, Norah had a gift for them. Many years ago, when she was about to graduate from the program, she made Bonnie a beautiful necklace and hoped that she could one day give it to her as a thank you. And when Norah moved to the U.S., her mother also made a necklace that she wanted Bonnie to have if Norah ever found her.

Norah had been asked to show these necklaces for the video story she was recording, so she had them both with her. Pulling out these two beautiful pieces of jewelry, she explained what they meant to her and finally, after so many years, placed them around Bonnie’s neck.

Bonnie in turn had a gift to give: a silver bracelet beautifully engraved with the verse she and Norah had shared in their letters, Jeremiah 29:11.

And then the conversation dissolved into reminiscing about letters, videocalling relatives to introduce the sponsors and, as always, marveling at the beautiful story God had written.

Grateful to be Part of the Story

Two women and a man stand together, smiling. There is a bridge and water in the background.
Norah spends a special day with Bonnie and Jeff.

Throughout this beautiful reunion, Jeff and Bonnie kept returning in wonder to the fact that their small act of sponsorship had done so much more than they knew. There were so many people involved, so many local church staff, each doing their job to bring about this beautiful story in Norah’s life.

“It’s not just us — it’s a whole team,” Bonnie says. “It’s a whole army of people that God mobilizes in order to effect change in the life of a child. This picture of what we’re doing is very little, but there’s so much going on in the background.”

With this whole army of people in view, Jeff and Bonnie are immensely grateful that God gifted them with the opportunity to be part of Norah’s life.


If this remarkable story inspired you to give to Compassion’s ministry, consider making an end-of-year gift today!

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Bolivian Church Helps Father of 7 Get Back on the Road https://blog.compassion.com/bolivian-church-helps-father-of-7-get-back-on-the-road/ https://blog.compassion.com/bolivian-church-helps-father-of-7-get-back-on-the-road/#comments Thu, 09 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=102026 Richart has seven children. When he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus — a serious condition where fluid builds up on the brain — he worried how he could afford treatment, especially as he couldn’t work. With the support of a Compassion church partner in Bolivia, he received the care he needed.

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A father and his two children, teenagers, swing on a green swing set at a playground in Bolivia. A dog is with them.

It seemed like another regular, fun Sunday afternoon for Richart.

The father of seven in Bolivia was showing off his soccer moves. But as he was heading to the ball, he suddenly fell to the ground. He tried to get up, but his muscles didn’t respond. He found himself unable to move. The beautiful Sunday afternoon looked like it could be his last.

His worried friends rushed to help him, and, slowly, movement returned to his heavy limbs. The frightening incident was a glaring red light after years of smaller warning signs. Previous headaches and blurred vision had worried him. But with a wife and seven children at home to support, he had pushed through the symptoms to keep working as a taxi driver. The family could not survive solely on his wife’s income as a cleaner.

This time, Richart knew he had to find out what was wrong. 

Frightening Symptoms, Expensive Treatments

“These discomforts started some years ago. I had headaches, sometimes my sight blurred, but I could still drive well. That first time I fell, my body couldn’t react,” says Richart. “I was paralyzed and then fainted. So that year, 2020, I decided to go to the doctor, but the exams were costly.”

Thankfully, two of Richart’s children are registered in the Child Sponsorship Program, so Compassion’s local church partner helped the family pay for doctor’s fees and medical tests. Unfortunately, the doctor’s news was grim. Richart had hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of fluid deep within the brain. He had surgery in February 2021.

“I went through an urgent surgery where they inserted a valve in the right side of my brain. It went behind my ribs to drain the water from my head through my stomach,” he says.

“The water in my head affected my brain. Everything made me sick, even smells. I couldn’t stand perfume or the smell of food, so I couldn’t eat. Everything made me nauseous. I lost over 44 pounds because I didn’t tolerate anything.”

Pushing Too Hard

The doctors told him he should rest for at least three months. But this situation wasn’t easy for Richart. As the head of his family, he simply couldn’t do nothing.

“I had to work because I felt the obligation to do it and support my family, so I went out to drive my taxi,” he says. However, his plan wasn’t sustainable. “This didn’t last long,” he admits. “My sight started to complicate things. I saw double, and sometimes my vision went dark.”

A man looks into the rearview mirror of a taxi in Bolivia.

After driving the taxi, Richart arrived home feeling unwell and went to sleep. But before dawn, his situation worsened.

“He started to have convulsions,” recalls his wife, Ana. “I didn’t know what to do, so I went to ask my neighbor to help us take him to the hospital. My husband was unconscious. He entered a coma. He went through a second surgery where this time they inserted a valve through the left side of his head. He didn’t have control over his body. It was devastating to listen to the doctors say that he might have special needs.”

This took place in April 2021, when strict quarantine measures were in place in Bolivia. The restrictions further complicated the family’s situation, adding to their stress.

“I believe the second time my husband got sick because he was worried about our economy and didn’t rest much and began to work. Then the pandemic started. Thankfully I continued working, but due to the quarantine, I had to walk four hours every day to get to my job. So, I had to be strong. I couldn’t let my children see me break down,” says Ana.

Support of the Church

It was a challenging time for their children. Andrea, 19, will soon graduate from Compassion’s program. With tears in her eyes, she recalls:

“I saw my dad very sick. That day he got worse, my family was in the car when it almost crashed because my father was driving and started to have eye complications. When he was being taken to the hospital, he seemed dead. But thanks to the Lord, my dad is now here with us. My tutor from the center was always encouraging me not to worry, to go ahead. So now I am at peace because I see my dad getting better,” she says.

Through Richart’s illness, the family needed to have someone they could rely on — that was the Compassion center. Staff at their Bolivian church that partners with Compassion helped the family with expenses and emotionally supported them through the scary time.

“The most expensive part of his medical care was the CT scan that the doctor ordered. It cost even more than the surgeries, and the center helped us with that. Their help was great because we didn’t have that money. I knew they would help us. They helped many families in different ways,” says Ana.

“They also were always calling me to ask if we needed something, that I could pick up some meals beside the monthly food baskets they give us. That was a lot of help, too.”

Center Director Lady says it’s a joy to provide support to the whole family. “We are always happy and willing to help. We want to look after the wholeness of our families. They deserve the help; they work very hard. Along with the staff, we also have times to pray and fast for their needs. For us, it’s always a joy and a blessing to serve,” she says.

On the Road to Recovery

A father puts his arm around his teenage daughter. He is wearing a Fly Emirates soccer jersey, and she is wearing a polo shirt.
Richart with his daughter Andrea, who is about to graduate from Compassion’s program.

Richart can now spend more time at home with his family. The sun and hot weather affect him, so he works the night shift, from 5:30 in the afternoon until 4:30 in the morning.

“Thanks to the Lord, I’m better. I’m more lucid. I still can’t run much or walk on uneven paths, but I’m recovering. I’m rising again. That’s why I mainly, and in the first place, thank God because he never abandoned us and never allowed us to go without a plate of food. We may not have an abundance, but we always had something to eat. And of course, we are also grateful for all the center’s support,” says Richart.

Richart may not be able to do a bicycle kick in a soccer game for a while, but he is confident he’ll get better. He is thankful he feels well, he can drive again and he has God’s care and the center’s support.

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We Asked Alumni to Write 1 Final Letter to Their Former Sponsors https://blog.compassion.com/we-asked-alumni-to-write-1-final-letter-to-their-former-sponsors/ https://blog.compassion.com/we-asked-alumni-to-write-1-final-letter-to-their-former-sponsors/#comments Tue, 07 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101998 Vitoria was the first child I sponsored with Compassion. In her photo, she had pigtails and a shy smile. I wrote letters to her where we talked about the grades she made in school and her dreams to be a veterinarian. I watched her grow up through letters and photos for over a decade. She graduated from the Compassion program in 2015, and I never got to meet her.

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A young man wearing a blue shirt and jeans sits down outside. He is writing a letter.

Vitoria was the first child I sponsored with Compassion. In her photo, she had pigtails and a shy smile. I wrote letters to her where we talked about the grades she made in school and her dreams to be a veterinarian. I watched her grow up through letters and photos for over a decade. She graduated from the Compassion program in 2015, and I never got to meet her.

The most recent young woman whom sponsored was Vanessa. I met her on a trip to Honduras, and I was floored by her strength and resilience. When I found out she had recently lost her sponsor, I was thrilled to be able to build a relationship with her. She graduated in 2021.

I miss Vitoria and Vanessa. I miss their letters and getting updates from them. I sometimes wonder, like a lot of you, if I made much of a difference in their lives.

And that’s why I wanted you to see the video below. Earlier this year, we sat down with several Compassion alumni, and each of them composed one final letter to their sponsor. They spoke the words that they never got to express when sponsorship ended.

I think of these amazing men and women as “surrogate graduates.” They are not Vitoria or Vanessa, but their words echo the relationship I had with those amazing young women. Watch this video. Then watch it again with your eyes closed. And imagine what the amazing student you once sponsored would say to you in their one final letter.

Maybe you haven’t had a child graduate from the Compassion program. Bookmark this video. And when you do have a child graduate, come back and watch it again.

Will you send a note to the children you still sponsor today? With the knowledge that with each word of encouragement, each letter and prayer, you are helping a child become all God made them to be.

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What’s It Like To Go Shopping Around the World? https://blog.compassion.com/whats-it-like-to-go-shopping-around-the-world/ https://blog.compassion.com/whats-it-like-to-go-shopping-around-the-world/#respond Thu, 02 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101174 If you think mall traffic is crazy where you live, you should check out the crowded markets in Tanzania! And you’ve never seen more beautiful produce than at the fruit stands in Burkina Faso. Take a stroll through some of the world’s busiest, most colorful markets and experience the wonder of how people in other cultures go shopping.

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If you think mall traffic is crazy where you live, you should check out the crowded markets in Tanzania! And you’ve never seen more beautiful produce than at the fruit stands in Burkina Faso. Take a stroll through some of the world’s busiest, most colorful markets and experience the wonder of how people in other cultures go shopping.

Tanzania

I busy outdoor marketplace in Tanzania. A smiling woman is wearing a colorful purple and orange dress. Vegetable stands selling plantains and other produce are seen behind her. A woman walks by carrying a basket of fruit on her head.

Lucy’s laughter fills this busy market as she stands outside of her kiosk. She sells fruits and vegetables with joy even though at home, life is difficult as sole provider and single mom.

El Salvador

A woman wearing a maroon and blue cardigan is shopping for baby clothes at a store in El Salvador.

Carmen, a Compassion center director, goes shopping for items for a family recently impacted by flooding in her community. The crisp and colorful pieces are sadly not affordable for many families living in poverty in El Salvador. Carmen is grateful to help provide for the needs of children in Compassion’s program.

Thailand

A teenage girl stands with her hands folded in front of a produce stand. In the background, a clothing stand is seen at the outdoor marketplace.

Jinda stands proudly by her products at Kids’ Market — a Compassion center training initiative where youths and children can practice selling goods such as vegetables from their garden, snacks they’ve made, clothing and small toys.

Ghana

Two women in Ghana hold opposite sides of a colorful piece of fabric. One is holding a measuring tape to the fabric. She is wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans.

Hanna measures fabric with an apprentice at her clothing shop to create a custom piece. She received her fashion design training through a Compassion program and now makes items for families in her community. 

Burkina Faso

A smiling woman sits near blankets on the ground, which are covered with produce for sale. The open-air market in Burkina Faso is busy with people shopping and selling.

The aromas from the fresh fruits and vegetables are as inviting as Aminatou’s smile. It’s hard to resist such bright and beautiful produce, but these goods are often a rare treat for children in poverty. The fruits of this widow’s labor are the sole income for her family.

Indonesia

A teenage boy stands outside a shop window in Indonesia. The shop is painted teal green.

Petro, 16, used a financial gift from his sponsor to start a stall in his local market. He began the shop with just a few sweet potatoes but has grown the business over time. After school, Petro works to earn money that helps him support his family and save for his future.

Ethiopia

A boy wearing boots and a light colored outfit sits near a cotton wheel in Ethiopia. He is helping his father make fabric to sell at a market.

Temesgen sits near his father’s fabric shop tending to a cotton wheel after school. Decorative clothing is a common way of expressing culture in Ethiopia, and Temesgen’s dad creates beautiful fabrics to sell at the market.

The Philippines

A woman wearing a pink shirt is shopping for fish at a market in the Philippines.

Aracile and her children live hand-to-mouth, but she is grateful to purchase fish for dinner from this busy open shopping market.

Uganda

Shops line a dirt road in Uganda. Women and children walk past.

The dusty streets are a stark contrast to the shiny, slick floors in malls across America. Foot traffic in front of these storefronts has worn grooves in the dirt as shoppers peruse the latest styles and snacks.

The Dominican Republic

Yoliver goes window-shopping with his mom in excited anticipation for Christmas. This year, his local church provided his mother with a gift card through Compassion’s Christmas Gift Fund. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to pick out gifts for her boys.

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5 Children in South America Share What They’re Thankful For https://blog.compassion.com/5-children-in-south-america-share-what-theyre-thankful-for/ https://blog.compassion.com/5-children-in-south-america-share-what-theyre-thankful-for/#comments Thu, 25 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101889 It's always so touching to hear what children in poverty feel thankful for. They live with less than most people, but their gratitude overflows. It helps put things in perspective and reminds us to give praise in all circumstances!

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It’s always so touching to hear what children in poverty feel thankful for. They live with less than most people, but their gratitude overflows. It helps put things in perspective and reminds us to give praise in all circumstances!

These five children in Compassion’s program live in poverty in South America. Learn what they’re thankful for … and be blessed!

Brittany: Thankful for Clean Water

Brittany in Colombia is thankful for clean water. She is wearing a white shirt and an orange skirt. She is standing outside and is holding a glass of clean water in front of her face.

“I am grateful to God, to the church and to the sponsors for clean water that I can drink every day without getting sick.”

In 8-year-old Brittany’s community, she and all of her friends had no choice but to drink contaminated water, which caused severe stomach problems. “We realized that the children drank the water from the same pond that the animals drank from,” says Samuel, director of Brittany’s Compassion center in Colombia. Thanks to donors, the center was equipped to provide safe drinking water for the children and their families, and Brittany no longer gets sick.

Iarley: Thankful for God

Iarley is wearing a green shirt and blue shorts. He is standing outside and is holding a Bible close to his chest. There is a windmill in the background.

“Without God, I wouldn’t be so happy. I’m grateful to him because he’s my friend, but he also gave me my family.”

Nine-year-old Iarley’s dream is to become a shepherd when he grows up — whether of people or sheep! This aspiring pastor in Brazil loves spending time thinking about God and reading his Bible. “In fact, God created the entire universe,” says Iarley. “He made the sun, the moon, all the stars and this planet. With him, anything we see can exist. I’m grateful for that.”

Maira: Thankful for My Farm

Maira is wearing an orange shirt with jeans. She is laying down at her home and is surrounded by vegetables from her garden.

“My favorite vegetables are green beans. I thank God for having food at home.”

When the pandemic hit, 8-year-old Maira and her family received help from a Compassion center in Colombia to start a food farm at home. Now Maira’s favorite place is the farm — and her family is grateful that they can grow vegetables and fruits to eat and sell.

Anllelo: Thankful for Letters

Anllelo is thankful for letters from his sponsor. He wearing a gray shirt. He is laying down in the grass with his hands behind his head. On one side of him are some of his sponsor's letters. On the other side are colored pencils.

“I really like receiving letters from my sponsor. I’m thankful, and I’m happy when she writes me.”

Anllelo finds joy and encouragement in reading letters from his sponsor. “She wished me a happy birthday in January, and I also like drawing for her. If she comes to see us, we’ll make her a yummy meal,” says the 8-year-old in Peru. His mother, Orieta, is also thankful for the letters. “Reading my son’s sponsor letters encourages our family to draw closer to God and to trust him. It’s a joy for us, and we feel excited,” she says.

Sheyla: Thankful for Good Food

Sheyla is holding a food basket with bread, eggs, and other nutritious food she receives in the food basket the church gives her. She is wearing traditional clothing.

“I say thank you for this help.”

Sheyla, 7, and her family in Bolivia began growing their own food when the pandemic struck and they could not work. But they struggled to grow enough food and to meet their other needs. So when staff from Sheyla’s Compassion center knocked on her door with a food basket, the family was incredibly thankful. Each month, they began receiving new supplies, which always helps them when they don’t have anything to eat. “My mom makes food with what the center brings,” Sheyla says. “My favorite food is peanut soup or squash soup. I like the milk. It’s delicious. I like strawberry yogurt and cookies.”


You can give a family in poverty even more to be grateful for! Shop Compassion’s Gift Catalog to provide life-changing gifts like vegetable seeds, safe water and Bibles.


Photography and reporting by Nico Benalcazar, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Galia Oropeza, Sara Navarro and Fernando Sinacay.

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The Moment When 2 Sponsors Saw “Behind the Scenes” https://blog.compassion.com/the-moment-when-sponsors-saw-what-god-was-doing-behind-the-scenes/ https://blog.compassion.com/the-moment-when-sponsors-saw-what-god-was-doing-behind-the-scenes/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101767 It was 1995 when 20-year-old Bonnie picked up a child sponsorship packet from a table at church. She looked down at the photo of a girl in Uganda who was waiting for a sponsor. It would be 26 years before Bonnie realized the magnitude of her decision to become part of Norah's amazing story by sponsoring her that day.

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It was 1995 when 20-year-old Bonnie picked up a child sponsorship packet from a table at church. She looked down at the photo of a girl in Uganda who was waiting for a sponsor.

“For some reason I was drawn to her,” Bonnie remembers.

After reading that Norah’s birthday was almost exactly 10 years after her own and that the two of them shared a love of singing, Bonnie decided right then to sponsor Norah.

“The Spirit moved and said that I was able to actually do this even though at that time I didn’t have a steady job or anything,” Bonnie says. “But I think it was just something I felt called to do.”

It would be 26 years before she realized the magnitude of her decision to become part of Norah’s amazing story. But Bonnie began building their relationship right away through letter writing.

READ: Part 1 of Norah’s story

“The Front-Row Seat”

Jeff and Bonnie smile as they stand close to each other. He is wearing a white shirt and blue and gray tie. She is wearing a floral blouse.
Jeff and Bonnie

Four years later, Bonnie met and married her husband, Jeff. Vaguely familiar with Compassion, Jeff began to learn more about child sponsorship. While Bonnie’s motivation to sponsor Norah was largely emotional, Jeff joined the cause for pragmatic reasons.

“It was just a matter of going, ‘Holy cow, check out this need. If I can help do something about that, why wouldn’t I?’ It just made sense,” Jeff remembers.

Together he and Bonnie exchanged letters with Norah, even though — like many other sponsors — they felt they didn’t write often enough.

Still, letter by letter, the Colorado couple got a glimpse into Norah’s life — what she was learning at her Compassion center and how her family was doing.

“I felt like I got the front-row seat of watching her grow,” Bonnie says.

They learned that Norah’s father had died in the 1994 genocide across the border in Rwanda. But Norah didn’t share many details about it, and Bonnie didn’t know if or how she should bring it up in letters. So she and Jeff focused on what they had in common with Norah: their faith. In one letter, Norah shared that she had memorized her favorite Bible verse:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

“And I remember that letter so specifically,” Bonnie says, “because that was my first memorized verse as well. And of course she wouldn’t have known that.”

Over time Norah’s letters revealed how she was maturing in communication skills and faith. “As she was growing and starting to share things, the excitement came through in the letters,” Bonnie says. “And it was just fun because at that same time, I was in a big growth time in my life — to just have more and more understanding myself about God and what he was doing.”

The day they learned that Norah was completing the Child Sponsorship Program and preparing for university, Bonnie and Jeff believed that their chapter in her story was ending. Crying bittersweet tears, Bonnie trusted that God would continue to prosper Norah. But neither she nor Jeff could imagine just what that would look like.

26 Years Later …

This summer, Bonnie and Jeff received an update from Compassion while they were on a trip celebrating their anniversary. They learned that Norah now lives in the U.S. with her husband and their children.

Norah and her family. Norah wears a red shirt, while her husband and two sons wear white shirts and red ties. Their young daughter wears a red dress.
Norah and her family

Norah, now a social worker, recently began sharing her remarkable story more widely as a speaker at Compassion events. She has also spoken on several podcasts, including the “Real Mom Podcast.” In a recent episode, host Jamie Finn interviewed Norah about her childhood growing up in poverty, losing her father in the genocide and how she got to where she is today. During the interview, Norah effused about her sponsors:

“My sponsors were the most amazing people in my life — the most precious asset that God ever gave me in my life. Because every word they said to me felt like an asset to me. My sponsors wrote to me letters, and if anybody out there doesn’t know how important a letter is to a child, this is the time for you to understand this: I was so hopeless and my sponsors wrote to me letters and they said to me, ‘Norah. We love you.” … And they always said, ‘We believe in you.’”

Norah tells the podcast host that because Jeff and Bonnie believed in her, she never wanted to disappoint them.

“It’s very important to have someone who speaks positivity into your life. Someone who prays for you. My sponsors always told me they were praying for me. Those letters were the most precious things in my life.”

Connecting the Dots

On their anniversary trip, Bonnie and Jeff tuned in to hear Norah’s podcast interview. For the first time they heard the voice of the person they wrote to, prayed for and supported for so many years. And she was talking about THEM. She compared Jeff and Bonnie to her “other parents.” Jeff and Bonnie were in awe.

“I was sitting there hearing about the impact of the letters, and I thought, ‘I’m such a horrible letter writer. How did she get all of that out of it?’” says Bonnie, laughing. “So then again you see what God was doing behind the scenes that really had nothing to do with you. He takes it anyway and makes it his.”

Jeff marveled at how God took what seemed so minor — a relatively small monthly cost of sponsorship and a few letters with basic messages shared — and changed lives in a major way.

“God’s able to magnify the impact of some dollars. So he can do that with anything,” Jeff says. “He can do that with words that are translated across a page, going across international seas. And it means something. It connected. That’s, I think, supernatural intervention at some point.”

Bonnie points out that although they were playing the role of sponsors in Norah’s life, Norah blessed them just as much as, if not more than, they blessed her. “I think one of the most precious things to us is: We never had children, by God’s design. And it was like, ‘OK, well that wasn’t the plan,’” she says. “So you can imagine for us, hearing her in a podcast saying that she calls us her other parents? Talk about blowing us out of the water to just see another little gift God has given us, that we have been completely blessed.”

“And again it just reminds me how God is the hero of this. He’s the author of this. Really we just played this much part in it,” Bonnie says, using her fingers to show how little she sees the part she and Jeff played in Norah’s life as her sponsors. “And it’s incredible to see what that little part does.”

The Story Isn’t Over …

Norah said one more thing in the “Real Mom Podcast” that stood out to Jeff and Bonnie — and to Compassion staff in the U.S. The host asks Norah if there’s anything she wants to say to her sponsors, and she replies:

“Oh my goodness. Let me say this now, I hope they hear this: I’m looking for them! I’m looking for Jeff and Bonnie … who sponsored me. Those people changed my life. And I am what I am today because of their sacrifice.”

Here’s a sneak peek at the next exciting chapter in this story … read it now!

Two people embrace a woman wearing a yellow dress.

Inspired to write to the child you sponsor now? Your words can help change a life!

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She Never Knew She Had a Twin Sister — Until Now https://blog.compassion.com/she-never-knew-she-had-a-twin-sister-until-now/ https://blog.compassion.com/she-never-knew-she-had-a-twin-sister-until-now/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101757 Twin sisters who were separated as toddlers and raised without knowledge of each other were reunited at their Compassion center after both were registered in the Child Sponsorship Program.

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Cintya is wearing a white shirt and jeans. Joselen is wearing a pink shirt and jeans. They are both holding colorful balloons and are playing in their neighborhood.

Best friends and twins Cintya and Joselen share many things in common. They both love ice cream, the color pink, balloons, eating watermelon and playing hide-and-seek. They even share the same features. The best friends enjoy spending time together and tell each other everything.

Cintya and Joselen, though, were not always together. The lives of these two girls have not been easy — in fact, they were separated as toddlers and raised in different homes.

No Choice but to Part

The sisters were born in a very poor area on the Ecuadorian coast. Their parents did not have enough money to care for the babies. One morning, returning home after working all night, the twins’ father found the baby girls in their crib crying, alone. He looked for his wife so she could feed the girls. When he saw her belongings were gone, he felt cold all over. Feeling frantic and without resources, she had left, leaving the babies in the care of their father.

Young, inexperienced, without a stable job and in charge of two newborn girls, Luis felt desperate. The young father could think of no other option than to travel far from his town to search for a stable job. He could not take his two newborn daughters with him, so he decided to leave the girls in the care of his mother.

https://compassion.media/media/?mediaId=63E284B3-D6A3-4DA5-B4C69DEF85CC3372
Joselen (in pink) and Cintya stand with their grandmother, Fabiola.

The girls’ grandmother welcomed them into her home. Luis promised that he would return for them. As the days and then months passed by, however, that never happened. Their grandmother’s financial situation was also dire. With no sign of their father returning, she had no choice. She separated the 2-year-old girls, sending Cintya to live with their aunt in another town. Joselen stayed with her.

“It was a tough decision. I was alone and couldn’t take care of the two girls and work at the same time,” says Fabiola, the girls’ grandmother.

Losing Contact

For a long time, the family tried to maintain the bond of the two sisters. The girls’ aunt and grandmother managed to get them together to spend time together when they were very young. However, because of time, distance and work, it soon became too difficult to organize ways for the girls to see each other.

Each of the twins grew up in different homes as if they were only children. For Joselen, her grandmother is her mother, and for Cintya, her aunt is her mother. The girls grew up in different schools, in other towns and surrounded by different people. The girls grew up without knowing they had a sister.

When the twins were 9 years old, Cintya and her aunt returned to live in the town of Durán. However, communication between grandmother and aunt had been lost many years before, so Cintya continued to live with her aunt, and life went on as usual.

A Joyful Reunion

Both families were in desperate financial situations, so both enrolled the girls in Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program. But neither knew about the other one’s decision or even whereabouts.

One day, Joselen ran home to her grandmother with exciting — and perplexing — news.

“Mom, Mom, there’s a girl in church who looks a lot like me,” she exclaimed.

Fabiola immediately put two and two together and realized Cintya had returned to town. Days later, the two families met in the church. Between hugs, tears and anecdotes, the two girls reunited and discovered that they were sisters.

Cintya is wearing a white shirt and jeans. Joselen is wearing a pink shirt and jeans. They are holding hands and walking down a dirt road in their neighborhood. They are walking away from the camera but looking back.

“My sister is my best friend. She makes me laugh and makes me happy,” says Cintya.

Jenny, the girls’ tutor, knows that despite their joy at having been brought together again, Cintya and Joselen have challenges to overcome after so much time apart. At the center, she encourages their relationship and helps them understand that they are still family and friends despite being separated.

“My tutor Jenny is very good to us. She often tells us that we are both special and loved by Jesus,” says Joselen.

Cintya is wearing a white shirt and jeans. Joselen is wearing a pink shirt and jeans. They are standing outside the church and are hugging their tutor, Jenny, wearing a white shirt and a hat.
The reunited girls embrace their Compassion center tutor Jenny.

Today, the twins are 12 years old. They still live in different houses and with different families, but they meet at church every week and spend time together.

“Jesus allowed me to meet my sister again,” says Cintya. “And today she is my best friend.”

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Musician Mike Donehey Shares Why (and How) He Writes to the Kids He Sponsors https://blog.compassion.com/musician-mike-donehey-shares-why-and-how-he-writes-to-the-kids-he-sponsors/ https://blog.compassion.com/musician-mike-donehey-shares-why-and-how-he-writes-to-the-kids-he-sponsors/#respond Tue, 16 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101415 Most people know Mike Donehey for his singing and songwriting. But the children Mike sponsors know him for another reason: his letters of encouragement.

Mike has been sponsoring children through Compassion since 2000, when he chose his first child at a music festival.

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Mike Donehey, wearing a gray T-shirt and denim jacket, sits at a coffee roasting bar. There is a brick wall behind him.


Most people know Mike Donehey for his singing and songwriting. But the children Mike sponsors know him for another reason: his letters of encouragement.

Mike has been sponsoring children through Compassion since 2000, when he chose his first child at a music festival. Then he and his fellow band members in Tenth Avenue North partnered with Compassion to help even more children living in poverty. While visiting child development centers at local churches in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, Mike has heard firsthand how incredibly meaningful sponsors’ letters are to children.

So even though Mike’s a busy guy, he and his family find time to write to the children they sponsor. Tenth Avenue North played its final show earlier this year after 20 years performing together. But Mike is still working hard at music — pouring his talent and time into his career as a solo artist. He just released a new album called “Flourish” in August. He’s also writing his second book and has a podcast.

“I wrote more songs last year than I’d ever written,” Mike says. “I kind of write songs as therapy a bit. I have a friend who calls them lifeboats — songs are like lifeboats that we construct so that we and other people can cling to them when we need them.”

That analogy is similar to the way many children and alumni describe letters from their sponsors. They’re like lifeboats keeping them from drowning in hopelessness. So whether writing songs or writing letters, Mike realizes he’s throwing a lifeboat to someone who just might be sinking that day.

Young man wearing a blue and yellow patterned shirt with jeans. He is sitting outside his home and is holding a letter from his sponsor.

And Mike reminds himself that he doesn’t have to “write a book” to the children he sponsors. He dashes off short notes to them when he can.

The app has been the greatest saving grace for me in the world,” he says. “[For] two reasons: One, you can go in and you can read the correspondence — the entire history of your letters back and forth. And so that really helps me because I can remember, OK, these are the questions I’ve asked. These are the questions they’ve asked me. These are the things we’ve talked about, these are the things that I’ve asked for prayer about. So it just really helped. … And the second thing is, it’s super easy to include photos.”

And Mike points out that you don’t have to write super frequently to make a difference. In fact, Mike says he feels like a bad letter writer — a common sentiment among sponsors.

“To be honest, I feel like I do a terrible job.”

Mike Donehey holds a baby in Compassion’s Survival Program on a 2012 trip to Honduras
Mike Donehey holds a baby in Compassion’s Survival Program on a 2012 trip to Honduras.

But children in our program say it again and again: Even one letter from their sponsor can be life changing. So Mike hopes that he can be of some encouragement to his fellow sponsors when it comes to letter writing frequency:

“To a lot of people, it feels like pressure. … But the thing of it is, every kid tells me it doesn’t matter: I’d rather have one letter than no letters.

So that’s why (and how) this busy father, husband, musician and author makes time to write to Ariel in Bolivia, Davi in Togo, and Ashley and Jade in the Dominican Republic. He knows the power of words to uplift — even if it’s only a few words at a time.

Why not send a few words of encouragement to the child you sponsor right now?

Write Now ›

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Tough Questions: “What Don’t People Understand About Life in Poverty?” https://blog.compassion.com/what-dont-people-understand-about-life-in-poverty/ https://blog.compassion.com/what-dont-people-understand-about-life-in-poverty/#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101591 In Uganda, Olive smiles as a neighbor invites her to a family member’s wedding. But secretly, her heart sinks. She doesn’t own clothes nice enough for the occasion. These days, food is more important than fashion. She hates that her absence will make her look rude. It’s too embarrassing to explain, though.

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This is the final article in a five-part series answering tough questions people ask about poverty. (Read the previous post.) We put five difficult questions to parents of children in Compassion’s program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma and reveal the truth about life in poverty.

Tough Question 5: “What don’t people understand about life in poverty?”

Poverty Affects Relationships

In Uganda, Olive smiles as a neighbor invites her to a family member’s wedding. But secretly, her heart sinks. She doesn’t own clothes nice enough for the occasion. These days, food is more important than fashion. She hates that her absence will make her look rude. It’s too embarrassing to explain, though.

“When you feel you are stigmatized because of poverty, you tend to isolate yourself. You don’t want to interact with other people because you feel you are not a person like others,” she says.

Devaki, a mother in Sri Lanka, agrees. “When we are invited for ceremonies and parties we do not go because we do not have nice clothes to wear for those occasions,” she says. “Our family and relatives do not respect us and they do not even come to our house. All of this affects us emotionally.”

Pride Is Set Aside

Orlando will never forget his first week working as a scavenger in El Salvador. He searched trash piles for metal, plastics, electronics — anything he could sell to the recyclers. The smell he grew used to, but the judgment was harder to ignore.

Orlando, wearing a dark blue shirt, is looking for items he can recycle in the local landfills. He is holding up a bag full of items he has found to sell.

“At first it was embarrassing. People came out of their houses and stared at me, asking why I was poking around the trash,” he says. “Many acquaintances at first looked down on me for poking around the trash. They made bad faces like they were disgusted by me. I just bowed my head and tried not to see them because it made me feel bad.”

It’s Hard to Imagine a Different Future

When her family was at their most desperate, Olive couldn’t see a way out of poverty. Each day, she woke with one thing on her mind: finding food for her children.

“When someone is in absolute poverty, the reason they fail to plan is because they see nothing they can plan for. But if supported and helped, some people can get out of poverty,” she says.

“Since we joined the program, I feel I am better than I was because now I can think, and I also own something, and I can plan. Before this, I would only think about the daily food to feed my family.”

You Face Impossible Decisions

Olive regularly had to choose between providing food or water to her children. “We don’t have easy access to water so the days I fetch water, I cannot work. Many of us cannot afford [to pay for water] so we walk to the mountain and fetch water from a cave. We leave home at 6 a.m. and reach it at 12 p.m. Descending is easier, so the walk back only takes three hours. This water lasts us for two days.”

In Sri Lanka, a medical diagnosis placed Devaki’s family in a difficult situation. “When my husband had tuberculosis, he was told to sleep in another room so he didn’t pass it to the children,” she says. “We do not have a separate area, so he had to sleep outside under a tree for two weeks.”

Yosina, wearing a pink and white shirt with blue and black shorts, is sitting down while her mother combs her hair. They are sitting inside their home.

Learning to Trust in God

Every night, Orlando and Consuelo gather their children and give thanks to God because they have eaten. But there have been many occasions when their plates were empty, their stomachs growling, and Orlando said grace anyway. “It is hard to do,” he says. “But we know we depend absolutely on him and must give thanks to him always.”

Consuelo agrees. “You live holding God’s hand,” she says simply. “He always helps us to move forward.”


Life in poverty often makes families feel marginalized and misunderstood. Let’s share the truth about their reality and highlight their bravery, sacrifice and resilience. While these families have endured immense challenges, they no longer face poverty alone. Each family is supported by a loving team at their local child development center who understands their realities because the team members live in the community too.

A caring sponsor’s prayers and encouraging letters help counter feelings of self-doubt so children can dream big. Educational support means children are in school, while mentoring and tutoring helps them set goals and pursue them. Nutrition and medical care keep the children’s bodies healthy, while the chance to learn about God’s love is transformational.

As Devaki says, “We are full of hope about our children’s future because of Compassion. Even though poverty has caused us many hardships, we have hope that we will come out of poverty and poverty will not stay with us.”

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What Happens When an Unsponsored Child Needs Emergency Care? https://blog.compassion.com/what-happens-when-an-unsponsored-child-needs-emergency-care/ https://blog.compassion.com/what-happens-when-an-unsponsored-child-needs-emergency-care/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101647 Here's how ministry supporters helped Compassion to step in and offer support for 4-year-old Yoskiel and his family in Indonesia when he was diagnosed with eye cancer at age 3 — just a few months after he joined our program and didn’t yet have a sponsor.

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This blog post is about how ministry supporters helped Compassion to step in and offer support for 4-year-old Yoskiel and his family in Indonesia when he was diagnosed with eye cancer at age 3 — just a few months after he joined our program and didn’t yet have a sponsor.

Yoskiel is wearing a light blue shirt with cars, trucks, and trains on it. He has an eye patch. Yoskiel is leaning on the railing of his front porch.

But first, let me begin by giving you a little background on how Compassion works to register new children into our holistic development program. If you don’t already know, or if you’ve ever wondered how children are selected, this section will explain it.

How We Select and Register Children

You probably already know that what makes Compassion distinct from most other antipoverty ministries or nonprofit organizations is the fact that we are church-based. What that means is we partner with local churches in 25 countries to know, love and care for children and to help them develop into responsible, purpose-filled young adults.

The churches we partner with implement the holistic child development program we’ve designed in the way that best fits their children’s and their communities’ specific needs.

We grow by forming new partnerships with new churches that are biblically rooted and that have the greatest need. Once a partnership is formed, a church leader who is trained by Compassion — someone who is part of the community and knows its unique needs — will go out into the community and look to register the children living in the most desperate poverty into the program so they and their family can begin receiving aid.

On average, once a child is registered with Compassion, it takes about eight months for them to be sponsored.

What a Child Receives Before Sponsorship

Eight months (sometimes even longer) is a long time to continue living in desperate poverty. Children can be malnourished to the point of stunted growth or cognitive development problems. Or, as in the case you’ll read about with Yoskiel in a second, they could have urgent medical needs.

We can’t register a child and then tell him or her that he or she will have to wait to be sponsored to begin receiving help. That’s why even unsponsored children receive things like food, school tuition assistance, counseling and spiritual guidance, and hope-filled encouragement from the moment they are registered and even while they wait to be sponsored.

Saving Yoskiel’s Life and Sight

Yoskiel is wearing a light blue shirt with cars, trucks, and trains on it. He has an eye patch and is wearing glasses over it. He is sitting on the floor of his home and is playing with his brother.

Just imagine for a second what that must have been like for Yoskiel’s mom and dad. They are farmers in a tiny village in Indonesia who don’t make enough money to adequately provide for Yoskiel and his brother. As all parents do, they desire more for their children, even if they feel little hope of it ever happening. Then they get the news that Yoskiel, their then-3-year-old, would be registered in a program that would provide him a chance to live better.

What joy they must have felt turned back to the sadness and despair they had been accustomed to when they learned that Yoskiel’s eye infection that wouldn’t go away was actually life-threatening eye cancer.

Yoskiel’s right eye began to swell, and he started losing a lot of weight. One night, his eye swelled so big that it popped out of his eyelid.

His parents, Yakobus and Yuliana, didn’t have the money to take him to the hospital, and they didn’t know what else to do, so they went to their pastor.

Their pastor immediately drove Yoskiel, his parents and a staff member from the Compassion center to a hospital about an hour and a half away. While he helped Yoskiel and his parents with the doctor, the staff member helped them get signed up for the governmental health insurance that Indonesia provides to low-income families that covered the majority of the costs for Yoskiel’s chemotherapy and treatment.

The doctor referred Yoskiel to a hospital that was eight hours away and even connected his parents with a cancer foundation that helped cover some initial costs while they were getting set up for insurance.

Compassion stepped in and covered travel to the hospital, living arrangements for his parents, food, comfort items and constant prayer while Yoskiel received treatment.

“I probably wouldn’t have had any hope that my son would recover if Compassion hadn’t helped us,” Yakobus said.

Yoskiel is wearing a light blue shirt with cars, trucks, and trains on it. He has an eye patch. Yoskiel is standing on the front porch of his home and is looking up at balloons he is playing with. His father is in the background.

Now, even though his right-eye vision is impaired, Yoskiel is cancer free and at home with his family. He is attending his church and Compassion center regularly — and he has a loving sponsor!

If you’d like to ensure that Compassion can step in for more children who need life-saving medical aid even before they have a caring sponsor, please consider giving to the Unsponsored Children’s Fund today!

Share What You Think

Do you think it’s a good thing that children receive support from the moment they are registered with Compassion? Let us know in the comments below.

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How Salt Saved the Day in This Indonesian Village https://blog.compassion.com/how-salt-saved-the-day-in-this-indonesian-village/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-salt-saved-the-day-in-this-indonesian-village/#comments Sat, 06 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101629 Salt is a highly sought-after commodity in the Indonesian village where Filia lives. Her father, Bagus, leads and mentors an income generation program for new farmers, initiated and funded by the local Compassion center.

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A girl wearing shorts and a yellow shirt walks along the banks of a salt pond in Indonesia. The sun is setting in the distance and reflecting on the water.

Filia runs with her tiny feet along the small ridges of a salt pond as if it‘s an open road for her.

It’s only a couple of hours before the sun will set, and the pond is already silent. On a typical day, the 2-mile stretch of salt ponds would be busy with salt farmers working till nightfall. But it has been raining for several days, so there isn’t much salt to harvest today. The only noises heard across the expanse of glassy land come from Filia and her peers playing alongside the pond that the Compassion center manages. 

So why is a Compassion center managing a salt pond? 

Empowering Caregivers and Communities 

Around the world, the local churches Compassion partners with work to release children, families and communities from poverty. So beyond just holistically caring for children, they look for ways to empower caregivers as well, knowing that every tool they give parents to escape from poverty paves the way for their children’s brighter futures. Some centers offer training on income-generating activities so caregivers can better support their children and even begin to help others around them escape from poverty’s grip as well. 

When a local church wants to launch a project like this to help local caregivers, they apply to Compassion for the funding, submitting a proposal explaining the need, cost and purpose. These requests can then be funded through the Gift Catalog or other types of donations to Compassion. 

Salt to the Rescue 

A girl walks along a salt pond. Her father is a salt farmer in Indonesia.

When the pandemic hit Filia’s community in 2020, many people lost their jobs and incomes. Caregivers of children in Compassion’s program were no longer able to work jobs in construction, truck driving or other common, local industries.  

But salt is a highly sought-after commodity from the coastal hamlet where Filia lives. So when the local church saw caregivers in need of income, they saw an opportunity to teach caregivers salt-farming techniques. After applying for and receiving funding, the center was able to purchase the equipment and material needed to prepare salt-farming land. 

Bagus, Filia’s father, is a seasoned fish and salt farmer. When the Compassion center initiated the salt pond farmers group, he volunteered to teach the 10 caregivers who would work on the land and benefit from the produce of the pond. Bagus currently oversees the 7,500-meter expanse of salt ponds. Though the group began with very little knowledge of salt farming, with mentoring and profit-sharing, led by Bagus, they have honed their new skills. Their households can now meet their basic needs thanks to the extra income generated by this program.  

Giving as He Received 

As for Bagus himself, he has not financially benefited, as the profit was shared equally. Because salt is a valuable commodity, Bagus has remained financially stable throughout the pandemic, and he has continued to earn what he usually generated before starting the program. But out of a generous heart, he has taken on the additional work of mentoring and managing the group of new farmers. He went the extra mile to help them, sharing what he could — his skills and expertise.  

Besides sharing technical insights about land cultivation, Bagus also leads regular prayer meetings with the caregivers he serves. “I just hope I can be a blessing to the others around this village,” says Bagus.  

Filia loves to spend time with her father. That’s why she quickly found her way to her father’s workplace. When she’s not doing house chores or schoolwork, she spends her free time at the shack near the pond, playing with other kids while her father works. At 8 years old, Filia dreams of working in the fashion industry, a dream that perfectly fits her confident attitude. Since her registration at 3 years old, the Compassion center has supported Filia and her education needs. 

A father and daughter in Indonesia smile. The father is wearing sunglasses on his hat and a white shirt. The girl is wearing shorts and a yellow shirt.

Bagus sees the local Compassion center as a blessing to the community. It has existed for more than 20 years in this village. “I can see the difference between the children who were registered in the project and who weren’t. They have better attitudes and academic success,” says Bagus.

With the Compassion center looking out for them, Bagus can rest assured about his daughter’s growth and development, allowing him to join Compassion’s work and give to others as he has received.  

Being Salt and Light 

Compassion Indonesia doesn’t just provide for families financially. They have also laid out a family discipleship program to equip caregivers to care for their families spiritually and emotionally. Through facilitators, all children’s caregivers are equipped with faith-building activities and meetings, empowering them to practice Bible teaching to their kids independently. Bagus has embodied this spirit of discipleship through his mentorship with the salt pond program.  

Even now, the salt pond farmers are producing a great harvest every dry season, supplying them all with extra income to navigate the lasting effects of the pandemic. “I see that many households are helped by the salt farm program; it’s wonderful,” says Bagus. 

Filia is proud of her father. She always prays for him in her daily prayers. “I pray my father has success in his work; may God give him a long and healthy life,” says Filia earnestly.  

More than two decades since the establishment of the Compassion center in this village, the staff and parents are now the baton holders of God’s work in the community. Staff members are empowering caregivers, and generous caregivers like Bagus are in turn blessing others around them, faithfully fulfilling their callings as salt and light to their community. 


Words and photos by Hutama Limarta, Compassion Indonesia photojournalist.

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Tough Questions: “Why Do Families in Poverty Have Phones or TVs?” https://blog.compassion.com/why-do-families-in-poverty-have-phones-or-tvs/ https://blog.compassion.com/why-do-families-in-poverty-have-phones-or-tvs/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101582 According to the World Bank, the world’s poorest families are more likely to have access to a mobile phone than a toilet or electricity. As technology advancements reach the most remote corners of the globe, devices like cellphones and televisions are becoming important tools for daily life. They’re also becoming a lot more affordable.

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This is part four in a five-part series answering tough questions people ask about poverty. (Read the previous post.) We put five difficult questions to parents of children in Compassion’s program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma and reveal the truth about living in poverty.

Woman wearing a white shirt and a floral print head covering. She is sitting outside and is talking on the phone.

Tough Question 4: “Why do families in poverty have luxuries like a cellphone or television?”

According to the World Bank, the world’s poorest families are more likely to have access to a mobile phone than a toilet or electricity. As technology advancements reach the most remote corners of the globe, devices like cellphones and televisions are becoming important tools for daily life. They’re also becoming a lot more affordable.

Not Luxuries but Necessities

Unable to afford a cellphone, Consuelo and Orlando worried how their employers would contact them. A gift solved their problem. “My employer gave me a phone so she can call me, because it was hard for her to let me know when she needed me,” she says.

The couple’s secondhand television was carefully budgeted for and bought on a payment plan. “Well, I do not consider what we have as luxuries. The TV is not even new, it is a secondhand item. We bought it in two payment installments: one was [US] $15, the other was $10. We spent two weeks afterwards on a very tight budget and I made the payments when I was able to, with time between payments,” says Orlando.

Gifts From Family or Friends

“My eldest son loves to watch TV, so he always [went] to the neighbor’s house to watch TV. One of my relatives saw this and they gave us an old TV that they do not use. Now we have a source to get all the news of what is happening,” says Devaki in Sri Lanka.

For News, Learning and Entertainment

“Even though we are poor, we also need entertainment and information that we can get from TV. Since the pandemic, our children need to use a cellphone for online learning because they can’t attend school. I bought a television on credit, which I paid off for several months, like the cellphone,” says Frangky in Indonesia.

Daniel is wearing a light gray shirt and is sitting in his home with his brother, Teye, wearing a yellow shirt. There is a TV behind them.

In Sri Lanka, Devaki was initially oblivious to the global pandemic because she didn’t have access to the news. “We did not have a TV or phone for a long time and when COVID-19 started we didn’t know what was happening in the world around us and even in our own country. We had no source to get news,” she says.

As mentioned above, a family member gifted Devaki’s son with a TV. Since her family doesn’t have access to a smartphone or an internet connection, the television enables her children to keep learning while school classes are held remotely. “Because of the TV, they watch the educational programs that are broadcasted in the local channels and they can still learn,” says Devaki.

In our final article on tough questions about poverty, parents will answer the question: “What Don’t People Understand About Life in Poverty?”


Field photography and reporting by Vera Aurima, Odessa B, Nico Benalcazar, Caroline Mwinemwesigwa and Alejandra Zuniga. 

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One Sure Way to Create Meaningful Christmas Memories https://blog.compassion.com/make-meaningful-christmas-memories/ https://blog.compassion.com/make-meaningful-christmas-memories/#comments Tue, 26 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101528 I’m going to be honest with you: I love Christmas, but I’m not good at it. My wrapping skills are mediocre, my baking leaves something to be desired, and regardless of my best intentions, I’m usually scrambling through the Target aisles on Christmas Eve. However, what I lack in homemade magic, I make up for in memories.

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I’m going to be honest with you: I love Christmas, but I’m not good at it. My wrapping skills are mediocre, my baking leaves something to be desired, and regardless of my best intentions, I’m usually scrambling through the Target aisles on Christmas Eve. However, what I lack in homemade magic, I make up for in memories.

My daughter and I still laugh about the time our Christmas cookies turned out to be a total fail (there was no way we were going to share those with our neighbors). Then Dad thought we should sync the Christmas lights in our yard with music, causing traffic jams for an entire month. We could literally spend hours on Christmas laughing about memories from last Christmas. That’s the kind of homemade magic I love.

Because these memories are what we enjoy most, we always try to do our part to make sure children in need can have a similar Christmas — not perfect, but wonderfully memorable. We sit down together (usually over poorly decorated cookies) and decide on how much money we can give to Compassion’s Christmas Gift Fund. It’s the one thing we know we can get right during the holidays. (If you want to nail generosity this Christmas, trust me, you can go ahead and just check out the gift fund).

I help my daughter understand that we aren’t just giving money to a child in poverty, but we are helping them create Christmas memories in special ways — like we do. That way, she realizes that these amazing kids aren’t much different than she is. Because every kid loves these three things:

Hand-Picked Gifts

Coty is wearing a red shirt. He is sitting at home  opening his Christmas gift from the Compassion center.

All platitudes aside, gifts are awesome. Every kid loves getting a gift. For many children in poverty, the first gift they ever receive comes from the Compassion Christmas Gift Fund. We love that our money is pooled with thousands of other donations to make sure every child in Compassion’s program gets a gift. No one is left out — ever. Each child receives something they really want or need, hand-picked by a local staff member who knows them personally. This gift is a tangible reminder that they are seen and loved. That’s a Christmas memory that will outlive the gift — and that’s priceless.

Life-Giving Words

Compassion children in Brazil are joyful to receive Christmas cards from their sponsors from different parts of the world. Three smiling girls wearing blue and white clothing are holding their Christmas cards from the United States. A wooden fence is in the background.

After we take a second to give to the Christmas Gift Fund online, my daughter gets to work on her Christmas letter for our sponsored child, Maribela. (We always give online and send our letter in October so there is plenty of time for her to get it.) We know that the words that accompany her hand-picked gift are what infuse the package with life and hope. We are thinking of HER. God was thinking of HER when he sent Jesus. He is the greatest gift she’ll ever receive. These are words Maribela will carry with her forever. 

Party Time

A group of sponsored children are showing their wrapped Christmas presents. Everyone wears face masks and uses social distancing to avoid COVID-19 spread.

The Compassion Center Christmas Party is the highlight of the year for sponsored children. Even during a pandemic, Compassion staff and partners work hard to provide socially distanced parties that meet tangible needs and foster lasting memories. Parents and children safely attend, hear the good news of Jesus, and go home with their special gift. Last year, many centers gave food packages to parents so they would have a chance to make Christmas dinner at home. That kind of memory — a family dinner on Christmas Day — is only possible for many children in poverty because of The Christmas Gift fund.

Make It Count By Gifting Memories

Grazielly is holding a Christmas ball that says “Merry Christmas” in Portuguese. SHe is wearing a red Santa hat and green garland around her neck. She is standing outside.

So, maybe you’ve been making Christmas crafts since July. Or maybe you are like me and feel like you are barely making it during the holidays. Whoever you are, you win when you do something that truly counts — like gifting a child in poverty amazing Christmas memories like these.

Give a Gift ›

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Tough Questions: “How Did You End Up Living in Poverty?” https://blog.compassion.com/tough-questions-how-did-you-end-up-living-in-poverty/ https://blog.compassion.com/tough-questions-how-did-you-end-up-living-in-poverty/#respond Thu, 21 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101421 The causes of poverty vary widely. Poverty can be purely geographical: Simply where you are born can dictate so much about your life.

But although poverty is often passed down for generations, the plunge to life below the poverty line can also be blind-siding. These families share their experiences of being born into poverty or ending up there because of changing circumstances.

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This is part three in a five-part series answering tough questions people ask about poverty. (Read the previous post.) We posed five difficult questions to parents of children in Compassion’s program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma and reveal the truth about living in poverty.

Tough Question 3: “How did you end up living in poverty?”

The causes of poverty vary widely. Poverty can be purely geographical: Simply where you are born can dictate so much about your life. It’s mind-boggling to realize how latitude and longitude can determine your opportunity for wealth, employment, education, access to food and water, and other factors that perpetuate generational poverty.

But although poverty is often passed down for generations, the plunge to life below the poverty line can also be blind-siding. These families share their experiences of being born into poverty or ending up there because of changing circumstances.

Unexpected Illness

In 2018, Pradeepkumar’s lungs ached, and he couldn’t stop coughing. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a serious and infectious lung disease. The doctor said the illness was the result of his work environment: His lungs were damaged by years of inhaling fine chili particles at the spice grinding mill.

“Because of this, he had to leave that place of work. Since then, it has been very difficult to earn a steady income,” says his wife, Devaki.

Girl standing in a doorway wearing a dress with a flower print.
Pradeepkumar and Devaki’s 7-year-old daughter, Rebeaka

After the birth of their first child, Olive’s previously healthy husband began struggling with mental illness. Sometimes he leaves their home in Uganda and doesn’t return for weeks at a time. With only Olive’s income as a laborer to provide for their 10 children, their situation soon became desperate.

“Before my husband became mentally ill, we used to work together and provide for our family. We had never lacked food. When Jackson became sick, he couldn’t work anymore,” she says. “Sometimes we would spend two or three days without food. My mother-in-law would give any food she had to the children, but the rest of us would just drink water.”

Unable to Finish School

Born into poverty, Orlando was encouraged to start working at a young age to help his family. In El Salvador, 70% of the working population toils in the informal sector, just as Orlando does. Competition for work is extremely high.

Orlando, wearing a dark blue shirt, is looking for items he can recycle in the local landfills.
Orlando looks through a landfill for recyclables, which he can sell for a small amount.

“Never having been able to finish school affected me. My family discouraged me from school and were okay with me just working. That is why I only made it to seventh grade,” he says.

In Indonesia, Frangky was an excellent student and was selected for university. However, he was forced to drop out after six months because his parents couldn’t afford the tuition fees. He pursued a career in the police force and then the army. But despite multiple attempts, he didn’t pass the admission tests.

“Since then, I always work wherever, and whatever the pay,” he says. “I realized that I have the skill to work in the sea as my father did, so I ended up working to find fish and sell then for money.”

Family Size

For Orlando and his wife, Consuelo, a lack of family planning education made finding steady work difficult.

“We had too many children and with a short time between them. When you have young children, it is very hard to go out to work or find a job,” Consuelo says.

Orlando, wearing a gray shirt, and Abner, wearing a blue shirt and green shorts, are outside their home playing with their mother and father.
Consuelo and Orlando laugh with their sons outside their home.

In our next blog post on tough questions, parents living in poverty answer: “Why do families in poverty have phones or TVs?”


Field photography and reporting by Vera Aurima, Odessa B, Nico Benalcazar, Caroline Mwinemwesigwa and Alejandra Zuniga. 

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How to Donate Bitcoin to Help Kids and Lower Your Tax Bill https://blog.compassion.com/donate-bitcoin/ https://blog.compassion.com/donate-bitcoin/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101406 You’ve probably been seeing more and more news about cryptocurrency lately, with people buying cars using bitcoin and some wealthy philanthropists donating as much as $1 billion in crypto to global COVID-19 relief.

Today we’ve got some more news: Compassion now accepts cryptocurrency donations. Here’s everything you need to know about why and how to donate bitcoin to fight poverty and reduce your tax bill.

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You’ve probably been seeing more and more news about cryptocurrency lately, with people buying cars using bitcoin and some wealthy philanthropists donating as much as $1 billion in crypto to global COVID-19 relief.

Here’s everything you need to know about why and how to donate bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to fight poverty and reduce your tax bill.

A photo depicting cryptocurrency coins
Photo by Executium on Unsplash

Why Donate Cryptocurrency?

With over 30 million users in the U.S., crypto is quickly gaining mainstream acceptance. It can now be used to pay for everyday purchases like clothing, coffee and airline tickets.

More recently, it is also being used for fundraising and as a tax-efficient way to directly support charitable causes, including Compassion’s fight against global poverty. Over $300 million in crypto was donated to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. last year, and this amount is expected to have grown severalfold in 2021.

“Donating with crypto is really easy, and it’s gratifying to know that I’m helping the ministries I care about while also enjoying the tax benefits,” says Robert Briggs, a Christian crypto donor. “I believe that long term, cryptocurrency will be an incredible growth catalyst for both donors and ministries.”

Because the IRS classifies cryptocurrency as an asset (similar to stock investments), choosing to donate it will avoid capital gains taxes and may lower a donor’s overall tax bill. When you donate bitcoins or other cryptocurrency to charities, your gift is tax deductible if you provide your email address. (Read our cryptocurrency FAQ.)

Moreover, because bitcoin donations aren’t taxed, charities like Compassion receive the entire value of the asset — helping to end the injustice of children living in poverty and ultimately providing for maximum impact of your asset.

5 Things to Keep in Mind Regarding Crypto Donations and Taxes

  • First, to claim a tax benefit for 2021, all donations must be processed no later than Dec. 31.
  • Second, to claim a tax benefit, it is important to have a tax receipt from the receiving charity — including the name of the donor, the date of the contribution, the crypto amount donated, as well as the nonprofit’s address and employer identification number (EIN).
  • Third, if donating more than $500 worth of bitcoin or other tokens, you will need to file IRS form 8283 (necessary for all noncash charitable contributions above this threshold).
  • Fourth, if donating more than $5,000 worth of bitcoin or other tokens, a third-party appraisal is required in addition to form 8283. This is a different process compared with donating publicly traded stocks. But it has recently become much easier to do, with many companies offering the service for as little as $120.
  • Finally, similar to stock donations, there is an important distinction for tax purposes between crypto holdings that are short-term versus long-term investments (held for longer than 12 months). Only donations of long-term crypto holdings will be able to take advantage of the full market value of the holding. Short-term holdings are only eligible for a deduction of the cost basis.

Choosing Where to Give

The most important consideration here is, of course, giving to the cause and organization that you are passionate about. A few other considerations are:

  1. Ensure that your organization of choice accepts crypto donations. The easiest way to do so is to reach out to them directly, but other third-party sites like Engiven, the crypto-donation management tool Compassion uses, or The Giving Block can assist with identifying nonprofits that accept crypto.
  2. Make sure the organization can accept your cryptocurrency of choice — many accept Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Ethereum (ETH). But some do not yet accept coins like Cardano (ADA) or Gemini Dollar(GUSD).
  3. Finally, check to see if your selected nonprofit allows flexibility with how to apply your donations (e.g., allowing you to specify to more than one fund or use).

By partnering with the crypto-donation management tool Engiven, Compassion can accept the 39 most prevalent cryptocurrencies — from Bitcoin and Ethereum to Dogecoin (DOGE), Litecoin (LTC), Binance Coin, Zcash (ZEC), Basic Attention Token (BAT), Ox (ZRX), UMA (UMA), The Graph (GRT), Dai (DAI), AMP (AMP) and Storj (STORJ).

Giving cryptocurrency to Compassion was “a win-win” for donor Wally Tsuha.

“Compassion International has an incredible mission that impacts the lives of so many children around the world,” Wally says. “My cryptocurrency donation reflects my heart for supporting Compassion’s efforts while receiving the tax benefits that donating appreciated crypto can provide. It’s a win-win, and I’m so thankful that Engiven now enables me to support Compassion International.”

Girl standing in front of a brick wall.

Compassion has made it easy for you to decide how to best allocate your cryptocurrency donations. Whether you’re hoping to get involved in water projects, earthquake relief or other specific causes, you can designate your bitcoin donation to go to one of four funds: Unsponsored Children’s Fund, Clean and Sanitary Water, Where Most Needed or Disaster Relief.

Note: Your tax situation may differ based on your personal circumstances. We recommend to still consult a tax professional who is familiar with crypto donations before making key decisions.

Learn how to donate bitcoin to Compassion!

Donate Crypto ›

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Tough Questions: “Are People Who Live in Poverty Lazy?” https://blog.compassion.com/are-people-who-live-in-poverty-lazy/ https://blog.compassion.com/are-people-who-live-in-poverty-lazy/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101307 Hear how parents of five children in Compassion's program responded to this tough question people ask about poverty. For them, the hurtful myth that they are poor because they are lazy couldn’t be further from the truth.

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This is Part 2 in a five-part series answering tough questions people ask about poverty. (Read Part 1 to learn why families in poverty have large families.) We put five difficult questions to parents of children in Compassion’s program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma of and reveal the truth about living in poverty.

A man carries a bucket and a boat motor as he walks with a boy in from the water.

Tough Question 2: “Are people who live in poverty lazy?”

For these families, this hurtful myth couldn’t be further from the truth.

Long Hours for Low Wages

The pandemic meant he lost his job, so Frangky in Indonesia now works two. “I work multiple jobs, finding fish in the sea from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and starting at 8 a.m. to work in my garden until 4 p.m. But I only earn around US $3.48 per day,” he says.

Like Frangky, Consuelo and her husband, Orlando, work hard in El Salvador but have little to show for it.

“I have always worked, my whole life,” she says simply. “When I was 13 years old, I was already working cleaning houses, and when I turned 18, I started working in factories.”

Focused on Survival

Olive knows the heartache of seeing her children startle each other awake with their cries of hunger. In Uganda, she says, people living in poverty are not lazy but focused on survival. There is no room in their minds for anything beyond the next meal.

“People who live in poverty are not lazy. They don’t think beyond what they are going to eat. It is hard for someone in poverty to plan or save. The mind remains preoccupied on what their children will eat,” she says.

Promise is wearing a blue and white polka dotted dress with a white jacket. She is pouring water into a yellow jerry can from a large blue rainwater harvesting tank.
Olive’s daughter Promise collects water from the family’s rain barrel in Uganda.

For Olive, her ability to work is also interrupted by the necessity of fetching drinking water. Purchasing water at the closest tap is too expensive for the family, so every two days she walks for six hours to bring water back for her family. “We don’t have easy access to water so the day I fetch water, I cannot work,” she says.

In Ecuador’s Amazon jungle, adults in Jaela’s village regularly work 12-hour days harvesting their crops. Sometimes it’s too dark to return home, so they sleep outside. Older siblings like Jaela (pictured below with her sister) are responsible for caring for their younger siblings.

“Honestly, you don’t rest in the jungle,” says the 18-year-old.

Jaela is wearing a pink shirt. She is in the kitchen of her home with her younger sister, Mayte. They are cooking plantains over an open fire.

Unable to Secure Work

When Pradeepkumar returns home, his wife’s hopeful smile falls as he simply shakes his head: There is still no work for him in Sri Lanka. Since he left his job in a mill due to health issues, he has struggled to find reliable work.

“He does day labor and usually finds work only three days a week,” says Devaki, his wife. “Now, because of COVID-19, even those three days of work are gone.”

In our next blog post tackling tough questions about poverty, parents answer: “How did you end up living in poverty?”


Field photography and reporting by Vera Aurima, Odessa B, Nico Benalcazar, Chuck Bigger, Caroline Mwinemwesigwa and Alejandra Zuniga. 

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Why Periods Are No Longer a Red Light https://blog.compassion.com/why-periods-are-no-longer-a-red-light/ https://blog.compassion.com/why-periods-are-no-longer-a-red-light/#comments Mon, 11 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101373 For millions of girls around the world, menstruation brings shame, confusion and stigma. Discover how girls in Brazil, Honduras, Sri Lanka and Togo are finding education and empowerment with Compassion’s support.

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For millions of girls around the world, their period brings shame, confusion and stigma. Discover how girls in Brazil, Honduras, Sri Lanka and Togo are finding education and empowerment with Compassion’s support.

Maria Rita is wearing a red shirt and jeans. She is holding a red ribbon in each hand is jumping in the air. Her town is in the background.

Each Oct. 11, the United Nations observes International Day of the Girl Child. It’s a day for us to dream of and work toward a world where girls are free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, HIV and AIDS, and limited opportunities based on their gender.

Our local church partners across the globe are working hard to make this world a reality. One significant way they’re empowering girls to lead bright, impactful futures is by educating them about how to care for their bodies.

Many girls in poverty struggle against a menstruation taboo. Because of this taboo, girls are often not prepared for puberty and are scared and confused when their periods start. When they experience menstruation, others in their communities treat them as dirty, and they have trouble attending school. As a result, sadly, some girls feel ashamed to be girls, afraid their gender will limit their futures.

So what does it feel like to be a girl in a community like this and face the challenge of being female?

What’s Happening to Me?

Somewhere in the world, a girl is starting to feel pain in her abdomen. It’s unusual; she’s never felt it before. Later, she searches for the nearest bathroom. When she looks down, she sees the blood. This is the day of her menarche, her first period.

So many questions and thoughts follow. “What is it? How am I going to clean up? Who am I going to tell? What will I use?” Many girls ask, “What am I going to do now?”

For some girls, those are easy questions with clear answers. They were prepared for this day. So, they take a shower, call their mothers and ask them for period products. They may be congratulated or told they have become a woman. They feel clean, safe and protected.

However, for many other girls, their first period can bring despair. That’s how Adrienne in Togo felt.

“When I had my first period, I felt so uncomfortable and shocked. I didn’t know anything about it, and I was also ashamed of talking about it to anyone,” she says. “I wasn’t bold enough to talk to my mum when I had my first period. She discovered it on her own because I was stressed, not moving from my seat and taking constant baths.”

In Brazil, despair was also Maria Rita’s reaction. She was just 12 years old when she had to figure out what was happening to her body.

“When I had my first period, I thought I had cut myself, but I didn’t know how,” says Maria Rita, now 17. “I used to hear people talking about periods at that time, but I didn’t know what it really meant. We didn’t have pads at home that day, so I used some rags I had at home. I was disgusted with all the blood. I hated myself. I cried in the bathroom because I didn’t want to be a girl anymore if I had to go through that.”

How Will I Get What I Need?

According to ActionAid and GlobalCitizen, women menstruate for about 2,535 days in their lifetimes and spend about US $1,773 on menstrual products. In Sri Lanka, sanitary pads are considered a semiluxury item, and in Malawi, a pack of pads is more than a full day’s pay.

Many families would rather spend their money on food or other essential items than on “women’s problems.” That’s a reality that Adrienne experiences in her community in Togo.

“On average, one packet of 10 period pads costs US $1. These are the lowest quality, but good enough to make us clean. For better quality period supplies, we pay about US $3. But every girl cannot afford it, not even the lowest quality ones, due to lack of money. So they use folded pieces of cloth instead of pads,” she says.

In many communities, houses are small — sometimes just one room — and packed close together. They also do not have their own toilet. As a result, many girls find it difficult to change and have privacy in their own homes, which is especially distressing when they are on their period.

Adrienne is wearing a white skirt with a brown, red, and white shirt. She is wearing a red cloth tied around her wrist and is carrying a bucket into the entrance to her home.
Adrienne wakes up at 3 a.m. so she can have privacy to take her bath before the others in her house line up to take theirs.

Why Don’t Others Talk About It?

In addition to physical limitations, girls cope with stigmas about their periods. In Brazil, when a girl is menstruating, people say she is in chico. This expression is a reference to “pigsty” in Portuguese. Culturally, girls are considered dirty as pigs when they menstruate.

When Compassion center director Wendy walks through her community in Honduras and visits families, she witnesses how periods are still a taboo topic for most people.

“Parents do not feel comfortable telling their girls that they’ll experience not only physical changes but will deal with menstrual cycles as well. Some parents even refuse to buy period supplies for their girls, not because they cannot afford them, but because they think their daughters do not need them. This lack of information and education about puberty results in bigger problems, like a high level of teen pregnancy,” says Wendy.

In Brazil, girls like Maria Rita are reprimanded for participating in taboo behavior when they are on the periods. Even though many myths are no longer taken so seriously, they still permeate many girls’ daily lives. Something as simple as eating a slice of watermelon can earn them a scolding.

“Elders say that we cannot eat watermelon, pineapple [or] eggs or drink milk when menstruating. Nor can we walk under the sun, pass under a lemon tree or walk barefoot,” says Maria Rita. “They also say that we cannot ride any animal, like a horse, otherwise it will die, because our blood is rotten.”

Maria Rita is wearing a red shirt and jeans. She is sitting in front of a green building with two of her friends. They are all eating watermelon.
Maria Rita (left) and her friends are working to break down the menstruation stigma.

A continent away from Maria Rita, Adrienne is dealing with a similar reality in Togo. In her culture, girls are prevented from doing a lot of activities when they have their periods.

“In our Kabye tribe culture, a menstruating woman is considered unclean and is not allowed to set her feet in some places considered sacred. Also, women on their periods should not cook for their husband or father. I love cooking, so when I cook while I have my period, I don’t serve my father.”

How Will I Go to School?

The period stigma doesn’t only impact girls’ social activities — it impacts their educations as well.

According to ActionAid, about 50 percent of school-age girls in Kenya do not have access to menstrual products. In Rwanda, many girls miss up to 50 days of school or work every year because of period poverty and stigma.

“It’s hard for some girls to buy their period supplies due to the lack of money. Because of that, they miss school exams if they can’t keep themselves clean and safe. Over time, some of them feel so discouraged that they abandon school,” says Jacqueline, a Compassion center director in Togo.

Answering Her Questions

People are used to seeing blood all the time in violent video games, films and sports. Yet when it comes from a woman, in a natural process, it’s considered disgusting. That’s why the way to fight despair and stigma is with knowledge and empowerment.

Monserrath’s first period wasn’t a big surprise to her because her mother and the center volunteers had already discussed it. She knew exactly what to do when she saw blood on her underwear at school.

When Adrienne thought the changes of becoming a young woman would limit her, she found education, protection and empowerment at her Compassion center in Togo.

“Two days after I got my first period, I went to the center, and the center volunteers talked to us about menstruation,” she says. “At first, I was ashamed of talking about my period in public, but they counseled me on how to take care of myself, instructed me on hygiene practices and bought period supplies for me. Then I understood I wasn’t the only girl dealing with that. I never missed school for lack of period supplies because the center always provided them.”

In Maria Rita’s center in Brazil, there is a group for girls called Jasmine Flower, where volunteers’ support and educate girls about puberty. Because of the volunteer’s support, Maria Rita started to see periods not as something to be ashamed of but as a normal process in a girls’ life.

Maria Rita is wearing a red shirt and jeans. She is sitting outside the center with two of her friends and a tutor. They are talking about pads and menstruation.
Maria Rita (wearing a red skirt) discusses pads and menstruation with two of her friends and a tutor.

“I don’t even know what I would be like if it weren’t for the center. In our girl’s group, we learn everything about being a woman: our bodies, illnesses and personal care. They explain everything to us and answer all we ask without ever judging us by our questions,” she says. “Whenever we need pads or other hygiene products, we know we can always come here and ask the center’s volunteers. They never deny us anything. It’s great to know that we can always count on them.”

According to Wendy, who also leads a girl’s group in Honduras, their goal is to prepare girls mentally and psychologically for their physical changes.

“We talk about the importance of personal hygiene and how girls must shower and clean themselves, change their pads regularly, and live a normal life. Girls are very grateful for the workshop, and in the last years, we have raised awareness with parents about supporting their girls when they have their periods,” she says.

Giving Girls a Green Light for Powerful Futures

Periods shouldn’t be a red light for girls, stopping them from achieving their full potential. When a girl believes such lies, her dreams are stunted. Supporting girls through period challenges is supporting their self-confidence, dreams and futures.

If Maria Rita once hated herself for being a girl, now she loves being an example for the young girls in the center.

“I don’t feel embarrassed for who I am anymore. I love being a woman, and because of that, I want people to respect women. … I want to become a lawyer or a judge and become an example for other girls,” she says.

When Monserrath thinks about her future, nothing can hold her back. “When I think about my future, I picture myself as a doctor and speaking five languages,” she says. “I know it sounds crazy, but I will fight for it. I also want to be an advocate for children and women’s rights. I’m against discrimination of any kind, and I’m always raising my voice to break taboos and misconceptions.”

Somewhere in the world, a girl wakes in the morning knowing the day will be hard. She takes a shower, chooses her outfit, opens a package of sanitary pads and puts some in her bag. The day will be hard not just because of her period, but also because she has an important exam at school and a soccer game in the afternoon. She knows life is lived with sweat, tears and blood, but no blood can hold her back.


Want to pave the way for a girl in poverty to have a powerful, influential future? If you’d like to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child in this way, consider giving any amount toward a Help a Girl at Risk Bundle in our Gift Catalog.


Field reporting and photography by and Odessa B, Sara Navarro, Juana Ordonez and Akpene Samaty.

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5 Tough Questions About Poverty, Answered https://blog.compassion.com/5-tough-questions-about-poverty-answered/ https://blog.compassion.com/5-tough-questions-about-poverty-answered/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101295 Why do parents keep having children if they can’t afford to support them? Why don’t they get a different job, or work harder, if they need more money?

We put difficult but common questions like these to five brave parents of children are in Compassion's program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma of and reveal the truth about living in poverty.

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We put five difficult questions to brave parents of children in Compassion’s program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma of and reveal the truth about living in poverty.

A smiling family, mother, father and children stand outside posing for a picture with their arms around each other. They wear purple, blue, white, green and yellow shirts and one girl wears a white dress. They are in front of a home made of wood boards and a thatched roof.

Why do parents keep having children if they can’t afford to support them? Why don’t they get a different job, or work harder, if they need more money? And if they need help, why do they still have “luxuries” like a television or a cellphone?

These questions are tough, uncomfortable and very common. They are written on Compassion’s social media feeds, debated on the radio and asked by curious minds who simply want to understand.

We put the questions to five brave parents in low-income countries whose children are in Compassion’s program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma of and reveal the truth about living in poverty. As mother Consuelo from El Salvador says, poverty “is a situation you can only understand with no judgment if you have lived it in your own flesh.”

Over the next five weeks of this series answering tough questions about poverty, meet these parents and read their eye-opening responses.

Tough Question 1: “Why do parents have so many children when they can’t afford to support them?”

Contraception Isn’t Common Knowledge

Promise is wearing a blue and white polka dotted dress with a white jacket. She is sitting outside next to her mother, Olive, wearing a yellow shirt and blue skirt. Promise is holding her mother's hand. There are trees behind them.

In western Uganda, Olive was working in her employer’s garden when she first heard, over the radio, about family planning. The news was a revelation for the mother of six, who immediately visited a health clinic. “If I had not done this, I think we would likely have more than 10 children today,” she says.

Many families living below the poverty line have not had access to quality education or technology like a radio, television or the internet, which could influence their decision about their family size.

“Sometimes they don’t know what to do. Personally, I heard about family planning for the first time while listening to a radio in someone’s garden. We don’t have a radio at home,” says Olive.

In urban El Salvador, Consuelo agrees. “We never received any sexual education for preventing pregnancies,” she says. “We had to figure it out and learn on our own, and the surprise pregnancies showed up.”

Children Help Families

According to the World Bank, 4 in 5 people in poverty live in rural areas, where families often depend upon agriculture to survive. These families often can’t afford to pay extra laborers. They depend upon themselves and their children.

Jaela, 18, and her family live deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. She and her six siblings are part of the Quechua people, who live traditional lives hunting and gathering. Here, large families are valued: The more children, the more hands to help with the harvest and catch the fish they need for survival.

“The families in the jungle are large because the work is hard,” says Anderson, a Compassion center supervisor. “They do not have drinking water, technology, or electricity. The more children they have, the more support and help they have at home.”

Children are Blessings

Pradeepkumar and Devaki are standing inside their home with their four children: Shalintha, Pivishan, Rekonshan, and Rebeaka. Devaki is carrying her youngest son Rekonshan.

In eastern Sri Lanka, Devaki and her husband have few possessions. They say their children are their riches.

“Our family is living in poverty but because we have four children, we are very happy. They bring so much joy to our lives,” she says. “They are our pride and wealth. We never look at our children and feel sad that we had four children.”

Circumstances Change

In North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Frangky says he’s heard that “many children mean many blessings.” He has a simple explanation for why struggling parents may have large families: Life is unpredictable.

“I have three kids and when I still had my job, I was sure I could afford to support them,” he says. “But I couldn’t predict what was going to happen in the future. When I lost my job, everything changed.”

Of course, circumstances can change instantly for any family. But change is more frequent for low-income families, who tend to have unsteady jobs. And the effects of changing circumstances can be dire for these families, leaving them unable to meet basic needs — no matter how many children they have.


In the next blog post in this series, parents answer another tough question people ask about poverty: “Are people who live in poverty lazy?”


Field photography and reporting by Vera Aurima, Odessa B, Nico Benalcazar, Ryan Johnson, Caroline Mwinemwesigwa and Alejandra Zuniga. 

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From Hunger to Hope: A Brave Girl Named Norah https://blog.compassion.com/from-hunger-to-hope-a-brave-girl-named-norah/ https://blog.compassion.com/from-hunger-to-hope-a-brave-girl-named-norah/#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101141 Norah's mother, a hairdresser, and her father, a soldier in the Rwandan army, worked hard to provide for their daughter. But when war and genocide tore through Rwanda in 1994, it also ripped a hole straight through Norah’s heart.

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Hunger

Norah’s slight body trembled as she looked to her right and then to her left. Her mother insisted that she never cross the street, but Norah’s desperation drove her past the honking cars to the door of her mother’s salon.

Norah stopped short of the door. Through the window she studied the women cutting hair and allowed herself to dream of a day when she could work to earn enough money for an education. She shoved the thought aside as she pushed the door open, and her daydream was interrupted by the sound of a ringing bell and the thought of how unbelievably hungry she was. The women’s chatter came to a hush as Norah whispered, “Mama, I’m sorry, but I came to see if I could get something to eat.”

Norah shifted awkwardly and took a few steps toward her mother’s chair. Did she not hear her the first time? Was she ignoring her — too angry that she had crossed the street? She moved closer and quietly tried again, “Mama, I’m hungry.” As her mother glanced down, Norah could see her own reflection in the tears brimming in her mother’s eyes.

“When’s the last time that baby ate?” Her mother’s client shot a concerned glance at Norah. The silence that stretched between the three of them said it all. And then this thoughtful woman spoke these words: “Do you know about the church nearby — the one that is helping children?”

It was in this desperate moment that Norah’s story began to change.

Heartbreak

Although Norah grew up in one of the poorest communities in Uganda, the love that her family shared was rich. Her mother, a hairdresser, and her father, a soldier across the border in the Rwandan army, worked hard to provide for Norah and her growing dreams.

But when war and genocide tore through Rwanda in 1994, it also ripped a hole straight through Norah’s heart. Her father was killed in the conflict, along with much of her extended family.

Norah recalls, “Life took a terrible turn after the death of my father. We had no one to run to. We had no support.” 

The dreams that the mother and daughter shared for a better future were eclipsed by a struggle for basic needs. Her mother’s job could no longer provide for school fees, rent and — most often — the next meal. “For us at home it was hand-to-mouth on our lucky days,” Norah remembers. 

Norah had missed a few meals the day she stood with eyes wide and stomach empty in her mother’s salon. Not many things worried Norah more than going hungry, but being unable to attend school robbed her of feelings of purpose and hope. The idea that she might grow up illiterate, homeless and hungry filled Norah with fear.

Hope

Norah and her mother gasped to catch their breath in front of the church building. When they heard that an organization called Compassion International had partnered with the local church to care for children like Norah, they ran as fast as their feet could carry them to the front steps.

As Norah took deep breaths, a sweet, warm smell filled her nose. She was invited inside and offered a bowl of porridge. Norah couldn’t believe she was enjoying a warm meal, and one so decadent as to have milk! She hadn’t tasted milk in so long.

Norah remembers, “That was the best meal I ever had!” 

She knew that she had found hope at this center, and she was registered immediately.

During Norah’s time at the Compassion center, she was finally able to return to school — fees paid in full. She also began to live with an assurance that she had never experienced. Norah would be fed, would have shelter and would feel provided for every day by the church partners and Compassion staff.

Four children in uniforms sitting on the ground. They are all holding red cups.
Children drink porridge at a Compassion center in Uganda.

“At the Compassion center, I always looked forward to going there because there was always good food,” Norah shares. “Chicken, eggs, milk, rice — those were my favorites.”

And when she learned about Jesus — about his love and forgiveness — she found healing through forgiving the ones who had killed her father and family that terrible day in Rwanda. Little by little, as Norah began to grow, so did her hope for her own future.

“Also, the praise and worship there was just the best time for me,” Norah continues. “We used to dance! Those were my favorite times at the center.”

And as she learned more about Jesus, Norah discovered her favorite Bible verse:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

How God Works

For months, Norah would attend the center and notice the other children opening letters from across the world. They would read the letters wide-eyed, soaking in words of hope from their sponsors.

Finally, Norah heard the words she longed for, “You are being sponsored!” Norah now looks back at that moment and can say, “That’s when my hope was restored!” 

“In Africa [it] is not easy, especially from where I come from … to find somebody to tell you that you are special,” Norah remembers. “To be honest with you, it was my sponsors who first told me that she loved me and that felt so special to me and I actually felt loved.” 

This love would become part of Norah’s bigger story — one in which God revealed his plans to give her hope and a future in amazing ways. He would use her determined mother, a compassionate client, a local church, and her friends from across the globe to transform Norah’s future.  

Read the next chapter in this incredible story!

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What I Want To Be: 10 Kids With Big Dreams https://blog.compassion.com/what-i-want-to-be-kids-with-big-dreams/ https://blog.compassion.com/what-i-want-to-be-kids-with-big-dreams/#comments Thu, 30 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101065 In partnership with local churches, Compassion sponsors allow kids to dream about the future by helping to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Hear from 10 special kids as they share their dreams.

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In partnership with local churches, Compassion sponsors allow kids to dream about the future by helping to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Children and youths can look beyond just surviving another day to find what they are passionate about — and know they have the resources to follow that passion. This brings hope that they can achieve a better life for themselves and their families!

Listen as these 10 special kids share their dreams.

Rungnapa, 17, Thailand

Rungnapa is showing an egg tray after she collected eggs at the agriculture project site. She is wearing a green tee shirt and is standing in front of a green tarp. Rungnapa is smiling at the camera.

“I could have a chicken egg farm business here in my village when I grow up. I don’t have to find work in the city away from home, because I’m learning a lot now. It is a lot of work, but I am growing.”

Justice, 11, Ghana

Justice is wearing dark blue shorts and a dark blue shirt. He is standing outside his home and there are clothes hanging on a clothesline behind him.

“I want to be a soldier when I grow up. I’ll learn and become a strong protector.”

Grazielle, 13, Brazil

Grazielle is wearing a purple patterned dress. She is is standing outside with a plastic bowl full of strawberries that she is tossing up into the air.
Grazielle’s Compassion center staff recently surprised her with strawberries, which are expensive and hard to find in their community.

“My biggest dream of all is to be a judge. One day I saw this profession on TV and was curious to know more about what they do. So I decided that I want to be a judge when I grow up. I know it’s a pretty tough road, but it’s my dream.”

Jostin, 8, Ecuador

Jostin is wearing traditional clothing, a black hat and a red cape. He is standing in front of a brick wall.

“When I grow up, I want to be a pastor, so then I can help more children around the world.”

Sansan, 12, Burkina Faso

Sansan is wearing a brown and white shirt with tan pants. He is standing outside his home and is holding his back pack. Behind him there is an orange and white curtain on his door.

“I want to be a great man with plenty of resources to improve the living conditions of my parents. I will do well in my studies, find a well-paid job, and build a big house for my parents.”

Ana, 13, Bolivia

Ana is wearing a blue shirt, black shorts, and a whtie face mask. She is sitting outside her home and is reading a book. There is a chicken in the background.

“I like math, but I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up because I love animals. I have dogs, bunnies and chickens.”

Buyung, 16, Indonesia

Buyung is wearing a white shirt, orange vest, and yellow hard hat. He is standing with his arms crossed in front of him. He is standing in front of a large yellow grader that is parked on the side of the road. He dreams of operating machines as a career.
Through Compassion, Buyung has received funding to enroll in a heavy equipment training course to fulfill his dream of operating machines.

“I always try to do my best because I want to get a good job as soon as possible to help my parents. My father taught me that I should pray every day to ask God’s will for my life.”

Kenderson, 8, Haiti

Kenderson is wearing a blue shirt and shorts. He is sitting on the front porch of his home. There is a cinder block wall behind him. He dreams of being a soccer player.
Kenderson holds a piece of fruit he picked off a tree outside his home.

“I love soccer! I want to be a great soccer player like Cristiano Ronaldo someday.”

Steisy, 16, Colombia

Steicy is wearing a floral shirt and a yellow bow in her hair. She is is her yard gathering some of her duck eggs. She dreams of being a graphic designer.

“I want to continue raising ducks so I can save money to go to university. I want to become a graphic designer.”

Lilian, 16, Tanzania

Lilian is wearing a blue polo shirt. She is sitting at a table outside her school and is reading a book.

“I want to be the first one to go to university and have a career in my family. I know if I focus on my studies and pray, I will get to where I want.”

Equipped to Dream

Each of these young people would have fewer chances to dream without sponsorship and their local churches. As soon as they were registered into Compassion’s program, these kids had access to resources they would never achieve otherwise.

And even beyond sponsorship, children and youths can also receive benefits like academic scholarships and vocational training to help them reach their goals. That’s why every donor truly helps Compassion release children from poverty!


International photography and reporting by Vera Aurima, Nico Benalcazar, Rachael Cudjoe-Yevu, Erick Jura, Eric D. Lema, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Sara Navarro, Galia Oropeza, Jehojakim Sangare and Piyamary Shinoda.

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COVID-19 Has Created a Crisis of Hunger https://blog.compassion.com/covid-19-has-created-a-crisis-of-hunger/ https://blog.compassion.com/covid-19-has-created-a-crisis-of-hunger/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:44:48 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=96981 The worldwide problems caused by COVID-19 seem nearly impossible to count, but millions in poverty share one obstacle that may eclipse all others: hunger.

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The worldwide problems caused by COVID-19 seem nearly impossible to count, but millions in poverty share one obstacle that may eclipse all others: hunger. 

As the pandemic transformed into a widespread economic emergency, the issues of malnutrition and starvation became a new and potentially life-threatening reality for millions of children — including those Compassion serves.

A mother in Ethiopia feeds her 4-year-old son

As hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity rise in areas across the globe, we recognize the heavy impact that the COVID-19 crisis has made on children and families in poverty. Our hearts ache knowing that in 2020, by United Nations estimates, 161 million more people faced hunger than in 2019, and 2.3 billion people lacked access to enough year-round food. At one time, hunger related to the virus was leading to the deaths of an estimated 10,000 children per month.  

Compassion stands on the front lines of this issue, working with thousands of local church partners to provide 17 million food packs (and counting) to young people and families in poverty since April 2020. It’s just one way we’re caring for children’s holistic needs  in the midst of a life-threatening season

A Time of Great Anguish

For children like 9-year-old Jonas in the Dominican Republic, the pandemic created life-and-death scenarios. Jonas’ parents, who both held decent jobs before the pandemic, could no longer work after COVID-19 hit. “We spent 30 days eating the little that we found,” says Jonas’ mother, Miguelina. “It was a time of great anguish when we could not feed our children. I knew they were hungry, and it hurt me to see my children suffering and in so much need.” 

Jonas was hungry, but he didn’t tell his mother — he didn’t want to make her sad. One day, when he had no food left to eat in his home, Compassion center staff provided a lifeline, delivering a basket of food to the family. 

“If the center hadn’t sent this food,” Jonas says, “I don’t know what would have happened to my family and me.” 

The pandemic has turned an already dire situation into an emergency for families like Jonas’, and millions are nearly out of options. In 2019, before the world had ever heard the name of COVID-19, almost 690 million people worldwide struggled with chronic hunger, according to the UN.  

Then COVID-19 struck, and children have been some of its hardest-hit victims. As of early 2021, children worldwide had already missed more than 39 billion in-school meals due to school closures since the pandemic began, according to UNICEF and the World Food Programme. Many parents, day laborers who relied on each day’s earnings to feed their families, lost their jobs and no longer had the income to buy groceries. As the global supply chain has broken down, many communities haven’t had a large enough supply of food to support their residents. 

A child in Burkina Faso wearing a somber expression and traditional clothing

Children and youth in many areas Compassion serves are among those at greatest risk. Per Compassion estimates, in nations across the world such as Rwanda, Togo and Haiti, an overwhelming majority of beneficiaries registered in recent years — and their entire households — are already living on $3.20 per day or less. 

For many of those children, hunger may become so severe it could cause permanent physical and mental damage. Their bodies are in danger of being stunted physically, they are highly susceptible to illness, and their brains may not develop properly. The hope of reaching their full, God-given potential is severely threatened. 

For many of the countries where Compassion-supported children and youth live, the need will be overwhelming long after the pandemic subsides. To add to the difficulty of hunger, over the past year alone, nations such as Peru, Haiti, Kenya, Honduras and the Philippines and have experienced natural disasters such as flooding, locust swarms, hurricanes and earthquakes — creating a complex web of colossal obstacles for those in poverty.  

Boundless Gratitude

A girl wearing a blue shirt and colorful face mask hugs a bag of dried beans.

Beyond the 17 million-plus food packs provided so far since April 2020, Compassion has also provided 12 million hygiene kits, hundreds of thousands of cash transfers, and much-needed medical support to beneficiary families. 

Compassion’s church partners have also provided entrepreneurial training and other critical support for parents to support their families, after the pandemic took away their livelihoods. One Compassion center in Africa even taught fathers who had lost their jobs in the pandemic to make and sell hand sanitizer — adding to the overall health of their community in multiple ways.  

The support provided by Compassion helps not only a child, but often an entire family. “There were days when I thought we would have to go to bed without eating, but then the center staff blessed us with food baskets,” says Ana, the mother of a child sponsored by Compassion in Colombia. “If we had not received food from the center, this pandemic would have been even more difficult for us. I have no words to express my gratitude.” 

Join the Fight

For those in poverty, a little support goes a long way. Under Compassion’s stewardship, a $40 gift provides a household with a multi-week food kit, with staple foods such as rice, eggs, meat and milk that families need to survive.

A boy smiles as he looks through a plastic bag filled with food staples

“Our hearts break knowing how many children within the Compassion family are being deeply affected by hunger due to COVID-19,” says Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado, President and CEO of Compassion International. 

“We have a responsibility to do all we can to point our resources, prayer and energy toward helping the immediate needs of these children. We can’t afford to wait.” 

Please join us as we seek to point the children we reach toward a new path — one free of hunger, where they are able to step into the incredible future God has planned for them. 

Article originally posted Oct. 15, 2020, and updated Sept. 2, 2021. International reporting and photos by Tigist Gizachew, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Yrahisa Mateo and Jehojakim Sangare.


Fill a child’s hungry belly today!

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How to Go From Guilt to Gratitude With Your Letter Writing https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-go-from-guilt-to-gratitude-with-your-letter-writing/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-go-from-guilt-to-gratitude-with-your-letter-writing/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101225 If you haven’t written to your sponsored child for a while — or ever — you’re not alone. So don’t feel guilty. Read their letter and be reminded of the difference you’re making in their life; then write a few lines in return before life gets in the way. You’ll go from guilt to gratitude in minutes.

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If you haven’t written to your sponsored child for a while — or ever — you’re not alone. So don’t feel guilty. Read their letter and be reminded of the difference you’re making in their life; then write a few lines in return before life gets in the way. You’ll go from guilt to gratitude in minutes.

Promise is wearing a maroon shirt with a red and blue patterned skirt. She is laying on her bed and is reading a letter from her sponsor.

The envelope is staring me in the face.

Dog-eared, coffee-stained and smeared with … is that banana? I really hope that’s banana.

Forgotten beneath a pile of mail that has sprouted on the kitchen bench like a mysterious postal shrub.

The blue logo. The bright picture on the outside.

Definitely a letter from my Compassion sponsored child, Febby.

And all I can feel is guilt.

The Relentless Swirl

You know the feeling, right? You start with good intentions.

Your 6-year-old opens the mailbox and yells, “LETTER!” with genuine delight (because the only thing you usually receive is junk mail from pizza joints).

“Oh, wow! A letter from Febby! You can help me write one back to her,” you say.

Then you struggle inside with the shopping, drop everything on the kitchen bench … and life happens.

The relentless swirl of school, work, church, family and social occasions — at a respectable, COVID-19-safe distance, of course.

Modern life feels like it happens in a washing machine, except that you have not a single pair of clean socks in your house. (Where do they all go? Seriously!)

And then, one day, three months later, you get a chance to clean up the kitchen bench and there it is — the letter. Covered in … yep, definitely. Banana.

But the guilt. Oof.

You’re Not Alone

If you can relate to any part of this — probably not the banana-coated kitchen, because honestly, that’s pretty gross — then I want to encourage you.

You are not a bad sponsor because you haven’t written a letter recently.

Clearly, I don’t write as often as I think I should, and I was a Compassion staff member! I visited Febby, many years ago, and I know how much she treasures and loves the (admittedly rare) letters my family sends her.

And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spoken with a sponsor who’s expressed some sense of guilt about not writing more often.

So, if that’s you, at least you know you’re not alone.

The most important thing is that you are changing a child’s life with your support. That’s undeniable.

So don’t feel guilty — feel encouraged that you are playing such a vital role in a child’s development.

Weslin is wearing a brown shirt with jeans. He is standing in front of his home and is holding some of his sponsor's letters close to his chest. His home is made of corrugated metal sheets.

And if you want my advice to write more often?

It’s simply to read the letter your sponsored child has written you. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face and remind you of the difference you are making.

Then … and this is the crucial part … write a note in return right away.

Do it on your phone (it’s quick!), or sit at the kitchen table and dash off a few lines before life can intrude.

It won’t take long.

It will turn your guilt to gratitude.

And your sponsored child will be thrilled to hear from you.

Washing Machine of Life

My wife came home with the kids as I was wiping the envelope.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Banana,” I said.

She rolled her eyes.

“That!” she said, jabbing at the letter.

“Oh! A letter from Febby.”

“Read it, Daddy! Read it!” said my 6-year-old.

So I did.

“Peace be with you,” I read aloud. “Greetings in the name of Jesus. My family are healthy and strong, and we are praying for you in this COVID-19 pandemic. Praise the Lord that I turned 18 years old! I was grateful to get one more year of life, even though I had to celebrate my birthday in the middle of this hard situation.

“I got the birthday gift from you. I will use it wisely. What is your wish for 2021? I hope God will make all your wishes come true.”

And I couldn’t help thinking of when I met Febby when she was a skinny, shy 10-year-old who hardly met my eye but couldn’t stop smiling.

Now look at her! Eighteen years old, almost finished with school, with a selfless faith, praying for me and my family even as hers is on the frontline of the battle against poverty.

Somehow, in the washing machine of life, we had played a small role in helping her to grow up full of faith and hope.

I didn’t feel guilty. I felt … honored.

I finished reading and my 6-year-old looked at me thoughtfully.

“Daddy? Are you going to write back?”

“Sure,” I said. “Right after dinner.”

“Can I write a letter to Febby?” she asked. “I’ll do it now! Please?”

“Well … actually, that would be a really big help for your forgetful old dad.”

She ran to get her colored pencils.

My wife heaved the shopping bags up onto the bench. Then she laughed.

“You’ve got banana on your shirt.”

The child you sponsor will be overjoyed to hear from you. Send them a note today!


Photography by Junieth Dinarte and Caroline A Mwinemwesigwa.

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Who Goes Christmas Shopping for Kids in Compassion’s Program (and why NOW)? https://blog.compassion.com/who-goes-christmas-shopping-for-kids-in-compassions-program/ https://blog.compassion.com/who-goes-christmas-shopping-for-kids-in-compassions-program/#comments Tue, 21 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101088 If you're a Compassion supporter, you may have already received a letter or email reminding you to send a Christmas gift to Compassion kids this year. Why so early?

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I have a very important question for you. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I firmly believe there are two kinds of people in the world: those who start Christmas shopping in January and those who start their shopping on Christmas Eve.

In my family, my Aunt Betty was an early shopper. Her gifts were always carefully chosen, and her nieces and nephews were always excited to open her carefully wrapped presents on Christmas Eve. I still have some of her precious gifts more than 30 years later.

On the other side of the spectrum was my stepdad. I adored him, but his gifts were often purchased from the gas station down the road. His gifts were quite … well … unique? We shared lots of laughs over leaky snow globes and T-shirts that were always the wrong size. Great memories, but I can’t say that I still own one of those gifts.

I tell you that story because I want you to know why you may have already received a letter or email reminding you to send a Christmas gift to Compassion kids this year. When you opened that first note, you may have found yourself asking, “Why so early?”

I can tell you exactly why. Because our Compassion staff across the globe definitely shop like my Aunt Betty!

Injilia Mundung (right) is checking a shopping list to make sure 15 Survival beneficiaries get appropriate Christmas gifts. Injilia and Donna Mangindaan (middle) are shopping at one of the clothes shops in Manado city.
Staff and volunteers Christmas shopping for children in Indonesia.

A few years ago, I was able to go along with several groups of volunteers from Compassion centers to do their Christmas shopping. I hope that by taking you along on that journey, I can help you feel even more excited about Christmas with Compassion!

Making a List, Checking It Twice

The tutors were positively giddy as they piled out of the van at a local shopping center in El Salvador. Each one clutched a list of children whom they worked with at the center. By each child’s name was a scrawled list of notes gathered after spending time with each child every week. This child loves toy trucks. That one needs a new pair of shoes, size 2. A teen needs school supplies as she studies for entrance exams.

As the tutors fanned out, I followed along, smiling, knowing that each and every child on their lists was deeply loved. And this Christmas gift was just one more example of that love. I knew that each gift would tell a child in poverty: “I see you, I know you and I care about you.”

Their joy was contagious. The shopkeepers smiled and joked together with the tutors. And it struck me that this Christmas shopping excursion was also supporting their local community. We were helping keep shops open — and, likely, some of those very shopkeepers were aunts and uncles, even parents, of the children we were shopping for.

That day, I watched tireless volunteers spend their afternoon finding thoughtful, impactful gifts for these children whom they had already poured so much of their time into caring for. And I watched a market come alive with hope, with everyone coming together to make sure children felt loved on a day when the love of Jesus overflows.

Finding Treasures

At another Compassion center, this one in a Tanzanian village far from the hustle of towns and marketplaces, a group of squirming kids lined up in front of their tutors. Each woman held a long piece of measuring tape. They held it up to arms and legs, measured heads, and soon sent the giggling children off to play.

These volunteers were far from the market, so their approach to Christmas shopping was far more involved — and needed to start months before Christmas. They wrote down those careful measurements and then met with local tailors to help make durable clothes for the children. A small group would also take a long trip into town to buy small toys and treats for the children.

Months later, they would lay out the carefully labeled clothes and treasures and hand wrap each bundle. Every step was deliberate, from the pants that were made a little long for extra room to grow to the sturdy ribbons and wrapping paper that moms could reuse.

Martha is wearing a red dress and is kneeling down with bags full of Christmas gifts for the children. A large group of children is running toward her.
Marta delivers presents to ecstatic children in Uganda.

I hope these two glimpses into Christmas with Compassion do a few things for you. I hope they make you excited to be a part of the Christmas joy that is spread throughout each Compassion center. With each meticulously stitched piece of clothing, every colorfully wrapped present, you are telling a child in poverty that they matter. That someone sees them. And, most importantly, that the gift of Jesus is one that covers each of us.

And, finally, I hope that you know why we are doing that “Christmas shopping” so early! We want to give our volunteers and staff around the world plenty of time to make their lists, take their measurements and do their shopping. It’s a holy task, sharing with children that they are known and loved, and we want to make sure they have plenty of time to tell that message to each child in their care.


If you’d like to join in the Christmas celebrating, click here to send your Christmas gift today!

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Watch: A Compassion Storyteller’s 4 Favorite Videos https://blog.compassion.com/watch-a-compassion-storytellers-4-favorite-videos/ https://blog.compassion.com/watch-a-compassion-storytellers-4-favorite-videos/#comments Tue, 14 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101054 Ryan Johnson, Creative Manager for Global Marketing at Compassion, is an award-winning documentary director and humanitarian photographer who has worked in six continents and 40-plus countries, telling stories in some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth.

Recently, we asked Ryan to choose a few favorites from films he's worked on since joining Compassion in 2012. Watch his top picks and read why he chose each.

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Man carrying a young boy on his shoulders
Ryan Johnson laughs with a child in Togo on a story-gathering trip.

What do you get when a storyteller goes back in time?

In this case, four of the best films Compassion has to offer from the past 10 years.

Ryan Johnson, Creative Manager for Global Marketing at Compassion, is an award-winning documentary director and humanitarian photographer who has worked in six continents and 40-plus countries, telling stories in some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth.

Since joining Compassion in 2012, Ryan has shot close to half a million photos and worked on hundreds of films through directing, producing, editing or supporting a larger team. Recently, we asked Ryan to choose a few favorites from those films — to celebrate the hard work that he, his team and fellow Compassion staff members around the world have done over the past decade.

Watch the videos below and read the accompanying blurbs to learn why he chose each.

Carmen’s Story

“Carmen’s story is one that will stay with me forever. While five months pregnant, Carmen was in a horrific motorcycle crash. … Carmen’s incredible story of hope and resilience reminds me that no matter how tragic the situation is, we can be a light for Christ.”

Let Me Show You

“This video started with a crazy idea: What if we gave video cameras to a group of children in Compassion’s program and asked them to self-document a day at their project? Off the coast of northern Colombia, on a small island called Bocachica, we did exactly that. To make the final film, my team had to go through over 100 hours of footage from 24 cameras. But it was so worth it!”

Meeting Violet

“In 2018, I directed and produced a film about two supporters, Paul and Linda Coleman, who traveled from the United Kingdom to Uganda to meet Violet, one of their Compassion sponsored children. The film captures this incredible reflection of the Body of Christ at work: a group of people who were each playing their own role in releasing a child from poverty. I was also grateful to spend so much time with Paul and Linda to learn about their hearts and passion to serve children. I still keep in touch with the two of them — after spending so much time together, they are like family now!”

Methode’s Story

Warning: Methode discusses traumatic events from his past that may be distressing to some viewers.

“I’ll never forget the three-hour interview that I did with Methode Ruzimbana in 2016. Methode is a Compassion alumnus from Rwanda. His story of survival, loss, heartbreak, anger and ultimately, forgiveness, is a testament to the incredible healing power of God’s love.” 

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Friend Carries On Legacy of Sponsor Killed in 9/11 Attacks https://blog.compassion.com/friend-carries-on-legacy-of-sponsor-killed-in-sept-11-attacks/ https://blog.compassion.com/friend-carries-on-legacy-of-sponsor-killed-in-sept-11-attacks/#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=101004 Stacey opens a box and places a stack of papers, photos and cards on the dining room table of her home in a Washington, D.C., suburb.

“This,” she says with a laugh, “this is Angie!” It's a silly birthday card with a handwritten note. Next, Stacey holds up a newspaper with the headline, “Pentagon Attack Claims Local Woman.” Angie’s obituary is clipped to the side.

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Stacey opens a box and places a stack of papers, photos and cards on the dining room table of her home in a Washington, D.C., suburb.

“I haven’t seen these things in years,” she says quietly as she rummages through the pile. She pauses and flips open a card.

“This,” she says with a laugh, “this is Angie!”

It’s a silly birthday card with a handwritten note. Next, Stacey holds up a newspaper with the headline, “Pentagon Attack Claims Local Woman.” Angie’s obituary is clipped to the side.

Like most, Stacey says she still remembers the moments she found out about the terrorist attacks. That morning her partner, Stefan, called the Baltimore school where Stacey was working as a psychologist.

“He told me that a plane had hit the Pentagon,” says Stacey. “I remember saying, ‘Do they think it was terrorists?’ And he interrupted me and said, ‘What about Angie? Where’s Angie?’”

A Lasting Friendship

Angie and Stacey had been best friends since college. Stacey describes her as one of the most loyal, caring people she had ever met. Angie volunteered with the homeless through her church, traveling to dangerous communities to serve.

After graduating, Stacey had gone on to graduate school while Angie began working for the Chief of Naval Operations. Eventually, she would be promoted to a senior analyst at the Pentagon.

In the hours after the attacks, Stacey says she tried to force herself to believe that Angie was okay.

“It was the most beautiful day,” remembers Stacey. “Perfectly blue sky. No clouds anywhere. And I just remember thinking, ‘You can’t take her away from me on a beautiful day like this.’”

By the next day, though, word came that Angie was one of 184 people who died at the Pentagon.

“I think I knew,” says Stacey. “From the moment [I got the call], I think I knew.”

Stacey grappled with the emotions that accompanied her grief. The most overwhelming one was anger.

“I was just so mad,” she remembers. “She was just 27. I was angry that she had never had the chance to be a wife, a mother. Anger was just easier to access than anything else.”

Comfort in Honor

Stacey visits a bench dedicated to her friend at the Pentagon’s Sept. 11 memorial.

But on the edges of her grief, Stacey found a memory. A month before her death, Angie had traveled with Stacey to Stacey’s home country of Jamaica to visit her family. On the plane ride, Angie had talked with Stacey about Johana, the Salvadoran girl she sponsored through Compassion.

“Angie had talked to me about Compassion before,” says Stacey. “But this time in particular, I found myself noticing that Angie talked about Johana like she was her own child.

“And for some reason, after Angie died, I kept thinking about that little girl. What would happen to her? Who would tell her what happened to her sponsor?”

And so Stacey did the one thing that could bring her some comfort. She honored her best friend’s legacy by sponsoring Johana.

“It may sound silly,” says Stacey. “But I felt like there was a little bit of Angie in Johana. And I needed that little girl to know just how much Angie loved her. I couldn’t bear her not knowing that.”

That first letter was difficult for Stacey to write. Johana was just 9. But as an inner-city school psychologist, Stacey had experience talking with children about death and trauma.

“I talked to her about Angie,” says Stacey simply. “I told her how much Angie loved her. How sad we all were that Angie was gone.”

Building a Legacy

Twenty years have passed since Stacey made that decision. In that time, she has had two children of her own — a girl and a boy who have an Aunt Angie they’ll never meet.

Stacey with her children in 2016. Her daughter holds a photo of Johana, while her son holds a photo of Angie.

Stacey sponsored Johana until she graduated from the program in 2009, and then began sponsoring Katherine, also from El Salvador

Stacey and some of Angie’s family also helped form a scholarship fund in Angie’s name. For years they gathered to read through applications and donated to charities Angie cared about, including Compassion. They searched for students who showed a desire to serve others, finding young men and women who would carry Angie’s legacy into a future she would never be a part of.

“That’s the thing,” says Stacey quietly, gathering the scattered photos, cards and newspaper clippings into a neat pile. “Time keeps marching on. It’s terrifying but comforting.”


Photos by Andrew Huth. This story originally appeared in the fall 2016 issue of Compassion Magazine.

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Meet Lisa, Named After Her Father’s Sponsor https://blog.compassion.com/meet-lisa-named-after-her-fathers-sponsor/ https://blog.compassion.com/meet-lisa-named-after-her-fathers-sponsor/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100962 Though a popular name in the Western world, Lisa is an unusual name for an Ethiopian girl. But even before his wife became pregnant, 29-year-old Sintayehu had this name picked out!

"When my wife and I decided to have a child, I told her if it is a girl, we would name her Lisa, after my sponsor," Sintayehu says.

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Though a popular name in the Western world, Lisa is an unusual name for an Ethiopian girl. Personal names in Ethiopia have great significance and are considered a tribute to circumstances and people the family wants to commemorate. Most Ethiopian children are named after national and religious heroes, saints, Bible characters, and celebrations or other major occurrences taking place when a baby is born.  

But even before his wife became pregnant, 29-year-old Sintayehu had this name picked out!

“When my wife and I decided to have a child, I told her if it is a girl, we would name her Lisa, after my sponsor,” Sintayehu says. “I wanted to honor the role she [Lisa] played in my life by remembering her every time I call my daughter. She is my hero. My wife agreed, and the Lord’s gift turned out to be a beautiful baby girl.”

Sintayehu is holding his daughter Lisa, who is holding a photo of her father's former sponsor

Little Lisa already knows the significance of her name, proudly announcing it whenever she is asked. The surprised looks and responses never bother the little girl. Instead, she smiles the moment she says her name.

Her father, Sintayehu, feels warm pride as he says his daughter’s name dozens of times a day. Whenever he calls for his daughter, he is also sending his gratitude thousands of miles away to her namesake and the person who has made the biggest mark on his life: his sponsor.

And it all started 23 years ago!

A Church and a Sponsor

Sintayehu still remembers the first day his mother walked him to a local church for Child Sponsorship Program activities. Neither mother nor son could have anticipated how the relationships he would form would change the course of his life forever. As he delighted in the program that gave him access to education, life-skills training and spiritual development, Sintayehu began to spend most of his weekends and spare time after school at the local church.

In addition to the program activities he attended regularly, Sintayehu enjoyed his new friends, the love and care of the staff, and the freedom to run around and play. The nurturing environment helped him thrive and filled his childhood with many fond memories. However, the special bond he created with his sponsor through the consistent letters and photos is what he still treasures the most.

“Considering my neighborhood and the situations that surrounded me, the center was a sheath that set up my journey to a great future. I grew up nurtured and protected,” says Sintayehu. “My sponsor is a special person. Not a day goes by without me thanking her. In all her letters, she told me how she is proud of me. She told me to be courageous and to work hard. Every time she writes, she said to try different things and to never give up. Her letters have trained me to be daring.”

Even when he failed to pass the admissions test to attend university, Sintayehu didn’t give up. Instead, with his sponsor’s words ringing in his ears, he registered at a vocational school to train in woodwork. During the three-year course, his sponsor continued to encourage him, helping him to stay the course and dream big.

“I never wanted to let her down,” he says. “I graduated top of my class and instead of me hunting for a job, hiring firms were offering me jobs. At that time, I just wished my sponsor Lisa could see how her encouraging words and dedication to supporting a young man she never met paid off.”

Past Graduation

When he graduated from the Child Sponsorship Program 10 years ago at age 19, Sintayehu wrote his final letter to his sponsor.

“The day I wrote my final letter, it was one of the hardest days of my life. … I will forever remember her kindness, her consistent encouragement and the way she believed in me,” says Sintayehu.

“It was then that I decided the best way to always thank her is to name my first daughter after her. And it is not just that. I also decided to work very hard and succeed as a way of thanking her. I decided to try and never give up.”

Long-Term Impact

Sintayehu uses a saw in his carpentry shop. He is wearing a long blue coat and a hat.

After nine years of working in different major furniture houses, Sintayehu has now opened his own workshop where he makes and sells household furniture. Within one year of opening his own business, he has earned enough income to purchase his own house and is planning to expand his business into a house-finishing company. Sintayehu has six employees and even offers training to youths during their school breaks.

“Compassion is like a hidden medicine that is saving and healing a generation. The sponsors sacrificially commit to seeing us through. I believe there are many like my sponsor Lisa who put a mark on a child’s life,he says. “When all I saw was despair and lack, when there was no one who believed in me, when all that was modeled for me was something that dampened my hope for the future, when I didn’t know how to dream, my sponsor believed in me.”

Sintayehu with his wife and their two children at home in Ethiopia

“The center staff loved and cared for me as one of their own. The church became my light. I’m now a hardworking citizen, a husband, a father to two children and one on the way, a God-fearing man, and a firm believer in helping those who need my help.”


Compassion intern Hayli Kieser contributed to this blog.

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How to Help Orphans Without Adopting https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-help-orphans/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-help-orphans/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2021 09:00:23 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=86789 The Bible instructs us to take up the cause of the fatherless, but how do we do that? Here are four practical ways to help orphans.

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An orphan boy in a red checked blanket stands in a golden field, looking into the distance.

The Bible instructs us to help orphans and take up the cause of the fatherless, but how do we do that? What if we don’t know any orphans or aren’t in a position to adopt? Through Compassion, I learned how to help orphans in a practical way. Will you join me in fulfilling this God-given mission?

How To Help Orphans – A Personal Story

As a 16-year-old, my life was pretty easy. Sure, I fretted about my next algebra test, increasing my basketball shooting percentage, and I thought about boys. But I didn’t worry about where dinner would come from. I had loving parents who worked hard to supply me with clothes and food. Like most teenagers, I took those things for granted.

Several years later, I took a trip to Brazil with Compassion and met Anderson, a 16-year-old boy who didn’t take any of those things for granted. He invited me into his home with hospitality I’d never experienced from a teen boy before. His one-room home, where he lives alone, contained a bed, a couch and a few kitchen items. I chuckled when I saw his basketball shoes nicely cleaned, placed next to a bottle of hair gel. He may live alone, but he’s still a teenager!

I could tell Anderson was nervous and he really wanted to tell me his story. He had a gleam in his eye that comes from God’s work and he was bursting to share it. I listened as he shared about his difficult life.

When Anderson was a small child, his mother left the family. Then when he turned 10, his father died, leaving Anderson and his two brothers alone. To deal with the loss, his older brothers turned to drugs and within four weeks, they were also dead — one from a drug overdose and one from gang violence.

At 10 years old, Anderson became an orphan, with no family left.

He had no one to support him, care for him or love him. Anderson had a life-changing decision to make. He could turn to the streets or he could turn to his local Compassion center that was only a couple of blocks from his house.

Anderson turned to the streets, but quickly learned that he had made the wrong choice. The dangers were unavoidable and the gangs didn’t provide the support he craved. One day, he opened the door to the Compassion center and was greeted by the people who have been his family ever since. Each day, they provide him with a hot shower and a meal. They encouraged him to attend school and told him about a God who cares for the orphan and the widow. He even calls the center director “Mom.” Despite his difficult circumstances, he is choosing to walk with God as his Father.

A young man in a teal shirt and jean shorts stands inside a blue room with a bed and stereo system next to him.

Anderson standing inside his home today.

Anderson, now 20, continues to be supported by his local Compassion center. He receives health checkups, nutritious food, and support from the staff who serve as his new family. When he was 18, he worked at a local pizza shop for one year, saving his paychecks because he had a dream to own his own business. With the help and training from of the Compassion center staff, he now runs a car wash service in front of his house. When he became very ill with a parasite in his brain, the Compassion center supported his recovery through antibiotic treatment. He is healthy once again and his small business is thriving. He dreams of improving his business and renovating his little house.

“We thank God for all the opportunities Anderson has been able to receive and that we can help meet his needs. We pray to the Lord that his life will get better and better and that we can have the strength to help several other boys like Anderson who need love, care and protection,” says Vânia, the Compassion center director.

How to Help Orphans — A Father to the Fatherless

A boy wearing a grey sweater holding a wooden stick stands in the sunset in a field, looking into the distance.

Collins, an orphan boy living in Kenya.

Orphaned children around the world face the same choice as Anderson. Many find themselves alone, with no one to care for them. Nearly 43 million children in the least-developed countries are orphans due to AIDS, armed conflicts, natural disasters, famine, abuse and other issues related to poverty. Compassion’s programs are instrumental in keeping these orphaned children off the streets and giving them the necessary resources for life. They can access nutritious food, clean water, medical care, education and training in life skills.

Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

That’s a great message, but how do we do that? Some people are able to adopt and foster, and to them we say, “Thank you.” If you’re not able to, consider these four practical ways to help an orphan.

How to Help Orphans — Four Practical Ways

Sponsor an orphan: Many orphan kids around the world are living in poverty. You can tell them they are loved by sponsoring them through Compassion. The program will provide them with clean water, nutritious food, educational opportunities and more.

Give aid to children who are highly vulnerable: Often these are children living in child-headed households or whose caregivers are unable to care for them. Compassion depends on a network of local church partners to identify, intervene, protect and support children living in highly vulnerable circumstances. Your donation helps to support and protect children vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, homelessness and trafficking.

Motivate your church: There may be families in your church or community who are fostering or adopting. Meet with your pastor or a church leader to discuss how your church can support these families.

Pray: Pray for God to protect children who are in vulnerable situations. Ask God to bring trusted adults in their lives to advocate for them and intervene when necessary. Pray for orphans around the world to know the hope and healing of Jesus.

When I left Anderson’s home that day, I left feeling completely different than I anticipated. I knew we would be visiting the home of an orphan, so I assumed I would leave feeling sad. On the contrary, I saw firsthand how God used Compassion to be a father to the fatherless! On the wall of his home, Anderson has painted, “Eu te amo e Jesus também” — I love you and Jesus does too!

Will you join me in sponsoring an orphan child?

Sponsor an Orphan Today! ›
Or give a one-time gift to a highly vulnerable child.

This article was originally published Aug. 13, 2019.

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Displaced Haitians Grateful for the Gift of Life https://blog.compassion.com/displaced-haitians-grateful-for-the-gift-of-life/ https://blog.compassion.com/displaced-haitians-grateful-for-the-gift-of-life/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2021 15:34:18 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100900 Since much of their home collapsed in the Aug. 14 earthquake, Sony and his family have been spending nights in the courtyard of a Compassion partner church. The church has provided tents and sleeping mats for displaced families like Sony’s.

“It’s unsafe to stay inside the house now as we are getting aftershocks on a regular basis,” says Sony, whose daughters Sandra and Samantha are in Compassion’s program at the church where they are now camping.

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Erick Jura, our photojournalist in Haiti, shares how two displaced families are coping after the August earthquake and hurricane in their country.

Two girls sit on a concrete porch. They are holding a fish to prepare for a meal. There is rubble from a partially collapsed home.

Sandra and Samantha

Since much of their home collapsed in the Aug. 14 earthquake in Haiti, Sony and his family have been spending nights in the courtyard of a Compassion partner church. The church has provided tents and sleeping mats for displaced families like Sony’s.

“It’s unsafe to stay inside the house now as we are getting aftershocks on a regular basis,” says Sony, whose daughters Sandra and Samantha are in Compassion’s program at the church where they are now camping.

The sisters were on their way out of the house when the disaster happened.

“Fortunately, the children were already on their way to the Compassion center. If they had stayed at home they would have been injured or even killed by the walls of the house [collapsing],” Sony says.

We thank God that Sandra and Samantha survived the earthquake and subsequent hurricane. Tragically, not every child in Compassion’s program did. Sixteen of them have died.

They are among 2,100 Haitians confirmed to have lost their lives in the disaster. In addition, 12,193 program beneficiaries and their families have been affected, and 46 child development centers have been damaged or destroyed. Compassion centers in the affected area have received food and hygiene kits or cash transfers that they continue to distribute to families.

How to Help ›
Samantha, wearing a gray shirt and gray shorts, is sitting outside her home with Sandra, wearing a white shirt and dark shorts. Their father, Sony, is next to them. Their house was damaged in the earthquake.

During the day, Sony and his family do their best to continue living. Sandra and Samantha (pictured above with Sony) cook meals next to the rubble of their home while their father goes out to find resources that might help his family.

“Life must go on despite everything,” Sony says. “It is true that we hope for help from Compassion, but we have to take the first step and do all we can to stay alive and protect ourselves.”

The first estimates state that more than 80 percent of the houses in the area affected by the earthquake were either destroyed or severely damaged during the disaster. There’s now a serious housing problem for much of the population and access to drinking water and food are much more difficult than before.

Keensara

The earthquake also displaced Keensara and her uncle. Keensara, 14, was not at home when the earthquake struck. Her uncle, Félin, was worried because he did not know if his niece, who lives with his family, was injured at the time of the event.

“I was afraid the house had collapsed on Keensara,” he says.

When Keensara, who is part of Compassion’s program, talks about her experience during the earthquake, she chooses to see the bright side and appreciate the grace of God in her life.

“I was with a cousin in the center’s yard during the earthquake. We threw ourselves on the ground so as not to be hit by the debris. I bless the Lord because my cousin and I walked out without even a scratch from the disaster,” she says.

After losing almost everything, Keensara and her uncle try together to collect some utensils and other personal belongings to restart their lives. While some furniture was spared, others were destroyed during the disaster.

The gratitude that these displaced Haitians feel for having survived gives them the strength to endure the challenges they’re facing.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We ask for the Lord’s strength, healing and provision for those affected by the devastating earthquake.


You can give a child medical care, shelter, food, clean water and counseling to help them recover physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Give Relief ›

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Incredible Facts About Compassion I Didn’t Know Before Interning Here https://blog.compassion.com/incredible-facts-about-compassion-i-didnt-know/ https://blog.compassion.com/incredible-facts-about-compassion-i-didnt-know/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100771 As a sponsor for three years and counting, I thought I had a pretty good grasp on Compassion’s mission and how it works to achieve that mission. But when I started working at Compassion as an intern this summer, I began to realize that there was still a lot I didn’t know! I have since learned several facts about Compassion's ministry that I just wasn’t aware of before.

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As a sponsor for three years and counting, I thought I had a pretty good grasp on Compassion’s mission and how it works to achieve that mission. But when I started working at Compassion as an intern this summer, I began to realize that there was still a lot I didn’t know! I have since learned several facts about Compassion’s ministry that I just wasn’t aware of before.

You probably know about Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program and how the organization connects children in poverty with local churches and individual sponsors. Each church partners with Compassion to provide classes for the sponsored children as well as extra meals, tutoring, a safe space to play and much more.

But did you know that a child’s journey with Compassion can start even before birth and extend past high school graduation? I didn’t!

Here is a timeline of what a child might experience during their time in Compassion’s program — with some details that were new to me!

Prenatal Care

Starting before a child is born, his or her mother can be enrolled in a Compassion program called the Survival Program to receive resources and education. A trained specialist visits each mom at home at least once a month to check on her health, address her immediate problems (such as malnutrition) and provide information on prenatal and newborn care.

Mothers also attend group classes for support and job training at a Compassion center that is also registered as a Survival center. When the time comes to give birth, moms are provided with a birth attendant and any needed medical care to ensure a safe delivery.

Warda, in a yellow scarf and green hat, is standing in front of laundry hanging on clotheslines outside her home.
Soon after Warda found out she was pregnant, she enrolled in the Survival Program at a church in Tanzania.

1 Month Old

At 1 month, a baby in Compassion’s Survival Program has received a care package with extra resources for that critical first year. All babies will also be regularly weighed and checked on throughout the next 11 months to make sure they stay healthy.

Moms in the program have the chance to learn job skills at their local church so they can take care of themselves and their children in the future.

Saida is wearing a red sweatshirt and black leggings. She is holding her baby, Salome, wearing a red outfit and is wrapped in a pink blanket. They are standing in front of a brick wall.

1 Year Old

By the time Compassion-assisted children turn 1 year old, they have received their recommended vaccinations. This is also the age they can be registered into the Child Sponsorship Program. As soon as a child is sponsored, they begin to exchange letters with their sponsor. Their parents will most likely be the ones actually writing the letters at first, depending on the child’s age. This is a great opportunity to get to know the sponsored child’s family!

As sponsored children get older, they will write their own letters with the help of a tutor, giving you the chance to develop a sweet relationship with the boy or girl you sponsor.

Fandy is sitting on his mother's lap. They are sitting in a wicker chair near a window.

5 Years Old

At age 5, a sponsored child attends the center four to eight hours a week. He or she receives love and care from tutors and the other volunteers at their church that implements Compassion’s program. Children are also getting nutritious meals, age-appropriate spiritual teaching, educational classes, basic medical care and much more!

Additionally, each sponsored child has access to resources for any ongoing or urgent need. This access is made possible by Compassion’s Critical Needs Fund and is given through the child’s local church. A child can receive anything from a new home after a natural disaster to clean water to surgery. For example, in the last fiscal year, Compassion provided over 200,000 sponsored children and their family members with antiretroviral therapy for HIV.

Aylin, wearing a pink shirt and tan jacket, Elian, wearing a blue jacket and black pants, and Leslie, wearing a pink jacket and gray pants, are standing in the field taking care of one of their calves.

12 Years Old

Beginning at age 12, a child can receive additional educational resources beyond the normal classes at the center. These extra resources are given through the Youth Development initiative, and they help young adults to prepare for a career after graduation or even to begin one before. Sponsored children and young adults can access vocational training, attend enrichment camps, obtain supplies to start businesses, get scholarships to college or seminary and more!

22 Years Old

This is the oldest age for a sponsored young adult to graduate. Centers host celebrations for their graduates, who may be anywhere from 18 to 22 years old depending on the country. Each graduate has been empowered through the love of their local church and a sponsor for decades at this point. They have heard the gospel and seen the church in action. Their urgent needs have been met, and they have spent up to 4,000 hours in the loving and safe environment of a local church. And with the benefit of job skills training and supplemental education, each graduate has a bright future to look forward to!

Esmeralda is wearing light blue scrubs, her nursing uniform and she is holding a stethoscope. She is standing in the doorway to her room.

Fulfilled Adult

Compassion graduates finish well. Afterward, they often move on to do amazing things that would not have been possible without their local church and the Child Sponsorship Program. Many have even become believers through the church in their time as a sponsored child! With their lives forever changed, these young adults have a great start to ending the cycle of poverty and hopelessness for themselves and their kids. They are often the ones who innovate and bring change to their own communities as a way to give back. (For some great examples, read these blog posts describing Compassion’s awesome alumni and how they have defeated poverty!)

Known, Loved and Connected

I hope this post has expanded your knowledge of Compassion International. But even beyond that, I hope you can see just how holistic Compassion’s care for children and young adults really is.

Throughout my internship, I have been so excited to fully understand these facts about Compassion that show the depth of Compassion’s investment in each child through the church, including the girl I sponsor in Guatemala. Genesis’ physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are being met at each step in her sponsorship journey. She is being cared for at a level that helps her the most and that contributes to her long-term well-being.

From birth to graduation, every sponsored child — including Genesis — is known, loved and connected to this powerful network of local churches and sponsors!


International photography and reporting by Nico Benalcazar, Hutama Limarta, Yrahisa Mateo, Galia Oropeza and Daniel Robson.

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Haiti Earthquake: To Weep and To Hope https://blog.compassion.com/haiti-earthquake-to-weep-and-to-hope/ https://blog.compassion.com/haiti-earthquake-to-weep-and-to-hope/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100830 How do we weep WITH our Haitian neighbors and show them true compassion?

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Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15, ESV

Right now we weep with our Haitian neighbors.

The Aug. 14 Haiti earthquake devastated the southern part of the country where over 17,000 children in Compassion’s program live. The latest reports from our Compassion Haiti National Office indicate that 6,000 Compassion-assisted children have been displaced, and at least 46 child development centers have been damaged or destroyed. If you sponsor a child in Haiti, I know you’re probably agonizing as you wait to hear about their well-being.

See the latest Haiti earthquake updates.

At least 46 child development centers were damaged in Saturday’s earthquake.

My first reaction to the news of the most recent Haiti earthquake was to lament and ask, “Will Haiti’s suffering ever ease? Will the Haitian people ever have enough time to rebuild before another disaster or conflict sets them back?” It reminds me of a Haitian proverb I heard while I was there in 2014: “Beyond mountains there are mountains.” It means that just when you think you’ve solved a problem, another one appears.

But it occurred to me while working through my emotions that I might be weeping FOR my Haitian neighbors rather than WITH them. I think there is a difference, albeit subtle. For so long the rest of the world has seen Haiti as a nation to be pitied — little more than a sad charity case. Of course, as an organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name, we cannot ignore the fact that Haiti is the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere. That’s why Compassion partners with sponsors and Indigenous Haitian churches to help children and their families there.

But Haiti is more than that. It’s also rich in culture, natural resources including oil and gold, and tropical beauty. So when I started thinking about what it truly means to weep WITH my Haitian neighbors, I immediately thought of the meaning of compassion. The Latin prefix -com means with, and passion (pati in Latin) means suffering or enduring. The word compassion literally means to suffer with.

So how do we weep with our Haitian brothers and sisters and show true compassion? I think it starts with being brave enough to see things from their perspective without offering judgment or answers. Imagine what it’s like to see a loved one die or not know whether they’re alive. Imagine what it’s like for your home and belongings to be destroyed. Imagine what it’s like to lose your means of income as your community is thrown into chaos. It’s hard to let our hearts break open like this. But we must.

Looking Ahead by Looking Back

Haitian workers rebuild a school that was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake
Haitian crews rebuild a school and child development center in 2014 with funds donated through Compassion after the 2010 quake.

Even as we allow ourselves to be brokenhearted with Haiti, I’d like to share a few photos and stories from a brighter time in the country — as a reminder that Haitians will once again have reason to rejoice. I traveled there in 2014 with Compassion Magazine to report on the progress since the devastating 2010 earthquake, which affected a different part of Haiti than the Aug. 14 quake. Our team visited dozens of schools that Compassion donors had helped local Haitians rebuild since the disaster.

Sylvio feeds his baby daughter a vitamin drink

Here Sylvio feeds a vitamin drink to his daughter Neisha at a church in Haiti. They joined Compassion’s Survival Program a few years after losing their home in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Neisha’s mother was injured during childbirth, so Sylvio had to stay home to care for her and Neisha rather than work at a job. After he was connected with a church in his community, he started taking Neisha — who had been malnourished — to the church building for vitamin drinks, medicine, health checkups and playtime.

Eriner in his bakery in Haiti holding freshly baked rolls

Eriner started a popular bakery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after participating in a small-business program offered by Compassion’s church partners after the 2010 earthquake. Haitians lined up to buy his freshly baked rolls, bread loaves and other goodies. The business provided a steady income for his family, including his daughters in Compassion’s program.

A rebuilt school in Haiti

Our Haitian partners built this gorgeous school and child development center using funds donated to Compassion after the 2010 quake. Over two dozen schools were built in Haiti using the gifts. Many of Compassion’s centers in Haiti double as schools for children, which is a unique and necessary approach because public schools don’t often provide quality teaching and private schools are too expensive for most families.

Erickson's home was rebuilt after the 2010 Haiti earthquake

This is Erickson, a youth in Compassion’s program, and his parents, who lost their home in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Erickson’s mom was trapped under rubble for days before help arrived, and Erickson helped keep her alive. With the help of their local church using gifts from generous donors, Erickson’s family received a new home and started a shop selling purified water in their community.

Weep and Rejoice

I hope this gives you hope that Haitians will once again rejoice, and when they do, we will rejoice with them. Until then, we continue to weep with them — to imagine without judgment what life is like for them right now; to listen to their stories; to share words of encouragement in letters to our sponsored children; and to equip our Haitian church partners in their disaster relief efforts. Join us to stand in hope with Haiti.

You can provide medical care, shelter, food, clean water and counseling to children affected by the devastating Aug. 14 Haiti earthquake. Learn how.

Photography by Chuck Bigger and Erick Jura.

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Why Help People in Poverty in Other Countries When People Need Help Here? https://blog.compassion.com/why-help-people-in-poverty-in-other-countries-when-there-are-people-in-poverty-in-your-own/ https://blog.compassion.com/why-help-people-in-poverty-in-other-countries-when-there-are-people-in-poverty-in-your-own/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2021 09:00:52 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=76361 Our time and resources are finite, yet there seems to be infinite need. We want to be kind to people in poverty and we want to do it wisely. Here are a few things to consider as you struggle through this question for yourself.

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Working for a nonprofit that helps children living in extreme poverty in the developing world, I have often heard the question, “Why help people in poverty in other countries when there are plenty of people in poverty right here?”

It’s a good question, and an important one. Our time and resources are finite, yet there seems to be infinite need. We know that the Lord has called us to be kind to people in poverty, and we want to do it wisely.

Here are a few things to consider as you struggle through this question for yourself.

Hands holding a globe

Both/And — Not Either/Or

Sometimes we set up a false dichotomy that we must choose between helping people in poverty in our proverbial backyard and those in need abroad. At Compassion, employees are passionate about helping children struggling through extreme poverty in other countries, but they’re also passionate about and active in their own communities.

They’re involved in foster care, food banks, homeless shelters and in ministries to the elderly, shut-ins and people with disabilities. The same compassion that drives us to help children in other countries drives us to be active participants in our own communities.

Our energy and resources aren’t infinite, so earnestly ask God where the balance lies in your life. We can be present in ministry in our own communities in ways that we can’t be in ministries that are afar.

On the other hand, our money can have significant, lifesaving effects afar that wouldn’t be possible in the same way locally because of the different contexts. For example, $10, which doesn’t go that far in the developed world, can treat parasites or prevent malaria in the developing world and can literally save a life.

Biblical Precedent

One reason to give to other countries as Christians is that Paul directed early believers to do just that.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul writes about how he took a collection from the Macedonians to give to churches in other regions who were in need. He urged the Corinthians to follow suit:

“At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need” (v 14).

From the first century, we see Christians giving to help churches in poverty in other regions — even when they themselves were surrounded by poverty. Paul describes the Macedonians as being in “extreme poverty,” or literally “down-to-the-depth poverty.” Yet they were still eager to help Christians in need elsewhere. As the Body of Christ, we are to help the other parts of the body when they are in need.

As Galatians 6:10 says,

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

That’s one thing I love about Compassion: We partner exclusively with local churches. That means when you give to help a child in another country, you’re giving to help a church in extreme poverty meet their needs.

Who Is My Neighbor?

Speaking of biblical precedent, we can’t forget the wonderful, if ubiquitous, story of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10, Jesus offered up this Samaritan as the ultimate example of fulfilling the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

When he was asked about the meaning of “neighbor,” Jesus told this story of a Jew who was attacked, robbed and left for dead. The only man who stopped to help him was a Samaritan — a foreigner from a hated religious sect. Jesus made it clear that our “neighbor” isn’t necessarily someone from our hometown or even someone from our own religion.

Different Callings

The needs in the world are great, and none of us can respond to all of them. But God has given each one of us the ability to make a difference.

Ephesians 2:10 says,

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

“Handiwork” implies that we are each created uniquely and differently — we serve different purposes. At the same time, God has prepared good works for us to do. He has prepared ways for me to help others and ways for you to help others.

It won’t look the same for every single person. Some may have a passion to help people struggling with addiction. Others will have the heart to help children affected by poverty. Others will want to help single moms. That’s OK. God loves each of these groups infinitely and needs his people to reach out to them. We each play a different part as we fulfill God’s command of loving our neighbors as ourselves.

The Difference Between Poverty and Extreme Poverty

It’s often a bad idea to compare suffering. There are few things more obnoxious than someone who, when you tell them of a particular ailment of your own, tries to one-up you with their own. Suffering is suffering.

But at the same time, it’s worth asking — is there a difference between poverty in the developing world and the developed world?

“Extreme poverty” is defined by the World Bank as living on less than US$1.90 a day. Many families Compassion serves live on far less than even this.

In some rural areas of Uganda, for example, some families live on the equivalent of $8 a month as subsistence farmers. If their crop is good, they eat. If it is not, they don’t. They don’t have access to safe water so the children might get typhoid, dysentery or cholera. When their children are ill, they cannot afford to pay for treatment. They also have no means of transportation to take them to a clinic when they are sick. There sometimes aren’t government safety nets in place to help when the worst happens.

And, thus, millions of children die in the developing world due to easily treatable causes that do not kill children in the developed world.

A mother and child working hard with hoes in a field

When it comes to school, many governments provide education, but parents have to provide uniforms, books and fees — as they do in many developed countries as well. What is difficult to provide for many low-income families in the developed world is completely impossible to provide for parents who earn only 50 cents to a dollar or two a day. And thus, children are left uneducated and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

The scale of the problem is also a factor to consider. In the U.S.,  about 15% of people live below the poverty line, defined as $12,880 a year for one person. Compare that to Haiti, where 58.5% of the population lives on less than $1.90 a day.

The U.S. government is able to provide some services as a safety net that many developing countries can’t (or won’t). That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t help people in poverty here — we definitely should! But it makes a compelling case for also caring for people who are in desperate situations elsewhere.

We know that we serve a God who has deep compassion for people living in poverty. We pray that God would guide you, as you love your neighbor as yourself — both near and far.


This article was originally published on July 17, 2017. It has been updated with the latest statistics available.

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Our Amazing Neighbors: 15 Photos of Churches Around the World https://blog.compassion.com/photos-of-churches-around-the-world/ https://blog.compassion.com/photos-of-churches-around-the-world/#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100633 When a child enters the Compassion Sponsorship Program, he or she is registered at a local Compassion center. But before any center can open, a partnership is needed between Compassion and a local church.

Here are 15 photos of churches that partner with Compassion around the world!

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When a child enters the Compassion Sponsorship Program, he or she is registered at a local Compassion center. The center serves as the hub for all the services the program provides, such as meals, lessons, distribution of gifts and letters, and more!

But before any center can open, a partnership is needed between Compassion and a local church. These churches are already deeply invested in their communities and in releasing children from poverty. So a partnership with Compassion is only another step on the path they are already taking. The church knows the community inside and out, so they can pinpoint which families need the most resources.

Each church that Compassion gets to partner with must be located where the need is greatest. They also must be willing to make a long-term commitment to serving children at a Compassion center. (Learn more about how Compassion partners with churches.)

Here are 15 photos of churches that partner with Compassion around the world!

ASIA

The Philippines

Stephen, in a gray shirt and jeans, is at the center sitting on the arm of one of the pews as he poses for a picture.

Stephen, a sponsored young adult, sits on a pew in his church.

Indonesia

Kenzhia, Renata and Chelsea. Karunia and her friends put on a great show with singing and dancing.

Three girls in Compassion’s program sing at the entrance to their church.

Thailand

Oosamai is walking behind his children Gungmae-ou (purple shirt) and his twin sons to drop them off at the project center, a large wood structure, building.

Oosamai and his three sons, who are all sponsored, walk to their church.

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Dominican Republic

Some of the children and staff pause for a photo in front of the church that hosts your child's Compassion center.

Staff and children stand in front of their church, which has several stories above this one.

Haiti

Built in 1933, this church hosts a livestock program that provides Compassion kids with sustainable income opportunities.

Built in 1933, this church hosts a livestock program that provides Compassion kids with sustainable income opportunities.

El Salvador

Pastor Pedro Segovia is standing by a dirt alley. He has a Bible in his hand. He is wearing a white button-down shirt and black pants. The background is the Church’s temple with the word ‘ELIM’ which is the name of the evangelical denomination. Pastor Pedro is smiling and making eye contact with the camera.

Pastor Pedro stands in front of his church, which has helped bring clean water to the community.

Honduras

Sayra and her classmates are standing in front of the church. It is a green building with yellow accents. The children are all raising their hands.

Sponsored kids wave enthusiastically in front of their church.

SOUTH AMERICA

Colombia

Julian, in a gray and white shirt and sun glasses, is holding the blue Bible he received at the project during a special event. He is standing in front of the church, which is pale yellow and has a black door and blue trim.

Julian, a boy sponsored in Compassion’s program, stands in front of his church holding a Bible he received there.

Brazil

A group of children are running through the grass into the child development center, which is in a white building.

Children run to their church for a fun day of activities in the Compassion program.

Ecuador

Fabricio is wearing a blue and white plaid shirt and jeans. He is standing at the church with his arms crossed. The pulpit is in the background.

Fabricio stands in the church where he became a Christian after his daughter joined Compassion’s program and inspired him to learn more about God.

Peru

A group of children are playing outside on playground equipment with their tutor Iris Violeta, who is in a lavender shirt. The church building in the background is blue.

Sponsored children play with their tutor Iris in front of their church.

AFRICA

Tanzania

Two fishermen casting their nets into the church’s pond try to catch some fish.

Two men throw their nets into a fish pond outside their church building. The church dug and stocked the pond to provide food for the community and to teach sponsored children how to fish.

Uganda

Pastor Monday Justus wearing a black shirt and is standing with his hands laced together in front of the church.

Pastor Monday stands in front of his church.

Ghana

Pastor Joseph is standing in front of a new building in this photo of churches around the world. He is wearing dark pants and a pink patterned shirt.

Pastor Joseph stands in front of his church, which started partnering with Compassion in 2018 to offer the Child Sponsorship Program.

Kenya

Kelvin is wearing a white shirt and jeans. He is standing outside the Compassion center and church with his hands touching in front of him. The building is yellow and green.

Kelvin, 22, found stability and support in his church as he grew up attending Compassion program activities.

More Than a Building

No matter what the building looks like, or where it is located, the Church is filled with believers who are passionate about serving others in the name of Jesus. Compassion has the privilege of partnering with local churches all over the world. They are the change-makers in their communities, hosting the Compassion centers, livestock programs, fish ponds, programs for moms and babies, or whatever else their community needs! They act as support systems, giving children and their families hope, just as Christ intended.

Photos of churches by Nico Benalcazar, Nora Diaz, Edwin Estioko, Eric D. Lema, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Vera Mensah-Bediako, Jonathan Morency, Sara Navarro, Juana Ordonez Martinez, Norbert Owuor, Daniel Robson, Jonatan Ruiz and Jeremy Tan.

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Inspiring People Who Live in Poverty AND Help Others https://blog.compassion.com/inspiring-people-who-live-in-poverty-and-help-others/ https://blog.compassion.com/inspiring-people-who-live-in-poverty-and-help-others/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100618 These inspiring people have a strong motivation to help others. Despite growing up in poverty and not always having everything they need, they share what they DO have!

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These inspiring people have a strong motivation to help others. Despite growing up in poverty and not always having everything they need, they share what they DO have!

The Preaching Kid

Cristina is wearing a white shirt with pink sleeves and a black skirt. She is being recorded with a cell phone in front of her Compassion center, sharing a word of encouragement.
Cristina shares the gospel on Preaching Kids’ YouTube channel.

Cristina was enrolled in the Child Sponsorship Program in El Salvador at age 3, so she received many physical gifts like medical access, good nutrition and new clothes. But at the same time, she was strengthened emotionally and spiritually and eventually became a believer in Christ. Tutors recognized her ability to relate to other people and connect with them from an early age.

By age 11, she had enrolled in an evangelism program run by six Compassion centers called Predi Kids — or “Preaching Kids” in English — to use her gift for others. Cristina’s favorite memory from the program (so far) is sharing the gospel at an evangelism event in a local park. Twelve people believed in Christ because of her testimony! And now her younger brother wants to share the gospel as a part of Preaching Kids too! At 14, Cristina remains secure in her calling to lead people to Christ: “God called me to talk about him to others that don’t know about him.”

A Change in Goals

Amani, one of our inspiring people, is seen here kneeling down, wearing a white and blue shirt. The children are standing all around him while he talks to them.

Growing up in Tanzania, Amani and his siblings often had to fend for themselves because their parents lived elsewhere while working to support the family. As a sponsored child, Amani came to think of the people at his Compassion center as a second family. He also discovered a deep love for soccer, or football as it’s known in Tanzania, at the center. He dreamed of being a professional footballer. Eventually, though, he had to give up this dream as he attended college and got a degree in informational technology and international languages.

But God still had a plan for Amani’s passion for soccer! Amani was given the opportunity to take over a soccer program, Lengo Academy, from a friend. Under Amani, Lengo went from 20 kids to 200 in just four years! Both boys and girls are welcomed, breaking stereotypes about what girls can do, and the academy pays some school expenses. Amani explains why he took over: “From a young age, Compassion planted a seed of service inside me. … I could not make it as a footballer, but God put Lengo in my path. I can say the mission is still the same: to make sure children in my community have the opportunity I never had.”

Five Handfuls of Rice

Keysha helps others. She is wearing an orange shirt and light jeans. She is standing outside with her friend and is holding a bouquet of pink and yellow flowers.
Inspiring people: Keysha, in the orange shirt, and her friend delivered rice to hungry people in their community.

In the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown in Indonesia, 9-year-old Keysha and her family were surviving on food packs from her Compassion center. Though she had so little herself, Keysha knew that others in her community were close to starvation and she was not. She decided she had to help them — by giving them five handfuls of rice and a small amount of money. That may sound random, but not to Keysha! In her words: “I knew that Jesus only had five loaves of bread and two fish. The number is not huge, but he was able to feed so many people. The five handfuls of rice are like the five loaves of bread that Jesus used to feed 5,000, and the money is like the two fish.”

Keysha multiplied her gifts by asking friends and tutors from her Compassion center to help others too. Many of them were also living from center food packs, but they all contributed generously. In the end, Keysha was able to raise 165 pounds of rice and about $40 in just a month! The children delivered the food to elderly people and an orphan in their community. Because of the inspiring people in the community and Keysha’s generous heart, her Compassion center has started a monthly group for parents of Compassion kids where they bring donations to share with the community. And it all started with five handfuls of rice!

Gang Leader to Teen Pastor

Oscar is inspiring people by speaking about identity to a group of 15-18 years old with his Bible in hand, wearing a gray sweatshirt.

Abused and then abandoned by his parents, Oscar was raised by his grandparents from age 1 in the Dominican Republic. Classmates made fun of him for practically being an orphan, and neighbors told him he would end up a drug addict and a thief. He was registered in a Compassion program, but he quickly went down a violent and bitter path and often acted out at the center. He joined a gang, but his life was turned around at age 16 after he was nearly shot during a theft. This shock caused Oscar to invite his fellow gang members to a youth service at the partner church for his Compassion center, where they all gave their lives to Christ!

Oscar now tutors three classes at the Compassion center he graduated from. He is also involved in his church as the vice president of the theater ministry, youth ministry president and coordinator of the regional youth ministry of the church council. He preaches in churches all over the area. About the change in his life, Oscar says, “Now, instead of going out to steal with them, I influence other youth to go to church with me. In the bad things I was their leader, and now that I am a changed man, I am still their leader, but for good, for guiding them to Jesus.”

Teaching Many “Moseses”

Daniel, wearing a purple sweater, is with a group of children at the Compassion project. The children are sitting at wooden desks and Daniel is standing in the front of the classroom. There is a chalkboard behind him.

Daniel grew up in an Ethiopian neighborhood plagued by extreme poverty and addiction. Thankfully, he was able to enroll in the Child Sponsorship Program, where he was given the foundation to dream about his future. More importantly, he believed in Christ through his sponsorship because of the biblical principles he learned. Though he has graduated, Daniel has not forgotten the hope he was given through Compassion.

Now, he helps other Compassion children find hope and motivation too. Every Saturday morning, Daniel teaches a Bible class to give children foundational truths that they can build their lives on. He is energized as he thinks about the impact of his class: “Not once did I feel that I am teaching just children. It is one Moses that led the Israelites out of Egypt. I passionately believe that I am given the privilege to teach many Moseses who will influence and unify the nation. If I can impact children and cause them to base their outlook on the Bible, then that is my success.”

Photography and reporting by Vera Aurima, Tigist Gizachew, Eric Lema, Yrahisa Mateo and Alejandra Zuniga.

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“God Can Change Things”: 3 Families Transformed https://blog.compassion.com/god-can-change-things-3-families-transformed/ https://blog.compassion.com/god-can-change-things-3-families-transformed/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100605 When a child enters the Compassion program, they are not the only ones changed forever. One child being part of the Child Sponsorship Program or Survival Program can impact an entire family. Each family of a Compassion-assisted child has access to deep community, vital resources, and the Gospel message through local churches that partner with Compassion.

This holistic combination was truly life-changing for three families in Africa. Here are their stories.

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When a child enters the Compassion program, they are not the only one changed forever. One child participating in the Child Sponsorship Program or Survival Program can impact an entire family. Each sponsored child’s family has access to deep community, vital resources and the Gospel message through the local churches that partner with Compassion.

This holistic combination was truly life-changing for three families in Africa. Here are their stories.

A Miracle of Restoration

Gerald is wearing a black and white checked shirt. He is standing next to Julia, who is wearing a black shirt. They are standing in front of a brown wall.
“I learned how to treat my wife and protect my children,” says Gerald.

Before the age most girls graduate high school, Juliet was already the mother of two children. Her family disapproved, forcing her to move in with her husband, the father of her children, Gerald. Since he had other children he struggled to support already, Gerald began to physically mistreat Juliet in hopes that she would leave with their children and he would not have to take care of them anymore.

But thanks to the church, this toxic situation was about to change. During her second pregnancy, Juliet was able to register for Compassion’s Survival Program for babies and their caregivers at her local church in Uganda. After she gave birth a second time, Gerald’s treatment became so bad that Juliet finally reported him to the Compassion center. The center director, Jacky, called Juliet and Gerald into the center for an intense counseling session. She emphasized the seriousness of what Gerald was doing and that he could end up in jail if he continued.

Though Gerald was resistant at first, God miraculously began to transform him after this hard conversation. Gerald committed to stop his abusive behavior. And both Juliet and Gerald gave their lives to Christ after this difficult time!

Thanks to the faithfulness of the center staff — and months of hard work — the couple is now an example of how God can move. According to Gerald, “I learned how to treat my wife and protect my children.”

Juliet adds, “People who knew us before ask me what has happened. They think maybe I cast a spell over Gerald, but I tell them that God can change things.”

New Life in Christ

Daughter, father and mother in front of their house reading a Bible.

In December of 2017, 12-year-old sponsored child Gisele was baptized at church, with her proud parents watching. For them, just setting foot in a church was miraculous. Gisele’s parents, Samuel and Martha, had refused to attend church with their daughter for all seven years of her sponsorship up to that point, though they had never stopped her from going.

Originally, Samuel and Martha wanted Gisele to be sponsored only because she was given things, like bedding and a school uniform, and was able to start school. But Gisele started attending the church where she went for Compassion program activities, and she eventually became a Christian. She began to look beyond the physical blessings she was receiving at her center, longing for God to reach her parents.

He did just that! In 2017, Martha was rushed to the hospital after she became dizzy and fainted at home. She was confined to her bed with what turned out to be a serious illness for the next month. During this painful time, other parents of children in Compassion’s program provided support and prayers for Martha and Samuel as they visited them many times.

This tangible love completely changed Gisele’s parents. As Martha says, “The support we were given at the time touched us spiritually and we got to know the true meaning of God’s love.” On November 12, 2017, Samuel and Martha trusted in Christ for their salvation, and Gisele was baptized the next month.

Samuel shares more about the gradual process that opened their hearts: “It took us a long time to accept Jesus as our Savior, but we had been seeing his miraculous ways through our daughter Gisele. She has lacked so little compared to her siblings, thanks to her sponsor and the project staff.”

God used a local church to provide community and resources to this family, transforming their future with the Gospel.

No Longer Forced to Beg

Alima is wearing a pink shirt and a colorfully patterned skirt. She is holding up a black umbrella. Her two grandsons, Fatafou and Kassoum, are sitting with her. In front of their home are plastic chairs and jerry cans.

Alima was left to care for her four grandchildren alone after her son and husband died of disease. Without a reliable job at age 50, this would be daunting for anyone. But Alima’s situation grew even worse when she was accused of witchcraft by her brother-in-law and other villagers. Sadly, hundreds of older women face banishment or death from this accusation in their West African communities every year, becoming scapegoats for villages’ problems.

In danger, Alima was forced to flee to another town with her grandchildren, often having to beg for food just to survive. That’s when she heard about the Child Sponsorship Program! She registered one of her grandsons, 5-year-old Fatafou, as soon as she could. She scraped by on a side income for a short time, but then COVID-19 ended her employment and even her chance to beg in the street.

Thanks to Fatafou’s sponsorship, however, Alima received a gift of oil, rice, soap and other necessities at just the right time. “I have found love, hospitality, and selfless sacrifice from caring people. I was rejected, condemned to loneliness and misery. Now I have godly people who turned my life around during this health crisis,” she shares.

Alima gave her life to Christ through the support of her local church that partners with Compassion. Now, Compassion is helping her start a small business selling soap, which will give her the stability of self-employment. She is a new woman with a future for herself and her grandchildren, physically, economically and spiritually!

Lasting Change

Thanks to Compassion’s church partners, these three families have all experienced radical change. Their situations looked completely hopeless, but God wasn’t done yet. Each person has new hope for their present quality of life — and the future of their families. As Juliet, the young mom of one transformed family shared, “God can change things.” He certainly did for Juliet, Gerald, Martha, Samuel and Alima!

Photography and reporting by Caroline A Mwinemwesigwa, Jehojakim Sangare and Doreen Umutesi

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5 Christian Innovators Helping Solve an Education Crisis https://blog.compassion.com/christian-innovators-helping-solve-education-crisis/ https://blog.compassion.com/christian-innovators-helping-solve-education-crisis/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100545 It takes more than a global pandemic to stop these innovators from taking action. Since the start of lockdowns, children in Latin America have lost an average of 158 school days, according to UNICEF. The crisis is serious, but so are the innovators. These heroes from Central and South America are using creative solutions to serve their neighbors in the midst of COVID-19.

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Young girl wearing a green dress and sitting at one of the desks inside one of the newly constructed classrooms. She is holding a pencil in her hand, and there is a notebook on her desk. In the background there are more desks and posters that the children made and hung from the walls.

It takes more than a global pandemic to stop these innovators from taking action.

Since the start of lockdowns, children in Latin America have lost an average of 158 school days, according to UNICEF. The crisis is serious, but so are the innovators. These heroes from Central and South America are using creative solutions to serve their neighbors in the midst of COVID-19.

Jean, Ecuador

In Jean’s neighborhood, climbing trees is more than just child’s play — it is part of their search for an internet signal. Few families in this region of Ecuador have had internet to access learning materials when the pandemic moved school online. Where service is scarce, students began taking to the trees, risking their physical safety out of desperation to connect to virtual classes.

As an alumnus of Compassion’s program, Jean has grown up understanding the power of education to transform a life and, with it, entire communities. Now an adult, he is determined to share this gift with children who are facing increasing obstacles amidst a pandemic. 

Jean is launching “mini-centers” that will be distributed throughout various communities, giving children access to internet coverage and technology to complete their coursework.

Through his digital platform Connection with Education, Jean can provide children with virtual challenges to complete as they learn new skills in musical instruments, sports and vocational clubs. He designed the curriculum using these interactive challenges to teach adolescents marketable skills that will make them competitive job applicants in the future.

María, Ecuador

María and the children engage in an experiment

According to María, access to technology in many communities in Ecuador is nonexistent. She is actively changing this with the launch of ConCiencia, an organization that invites young women to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

After completing her education in engineering, María became passionate about empowering women from Indigenous communities, specifically in the area of STEM. Believing that women are capable of incredible contributions to this field, she has made it her goal to encourage youths to discover the world of science.

ConCiencia was “born from a very strong need for a quality education for all, including the less favored sectors of our country,” she says.

Her current focus is building relationships with communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. There, ConCiencia has begun hosting workshops that allow underprivileged youths to participate in science experiments and learn about creation.

By providing educational materials to these communities, ConCiencia empowers young women to develop leadership skills and curiosity in a field where they are often underrepresented.

Dennis, Peru

For most families in rural Peru where Dennis lives, working from home is not an option. Many are single mothers, who must risk exposure to COVID-19 to provide for their families by selling goods in the streets. Children are left to teach themselves their lessons at home, struggling to find internet access in a region where service is spotty at best.

With the creation of his digital education center, Dennis provides internet access and tutoring to over 100 families. At the center, students can complete their coursework by using the computers and printers provided for them.

Dennis has also organized an educational support program that distributes library books and supplemental learning materials to the community each week.  

Parents are included in this program too. Dennis equips families with parenting resources, inviting them and their children to join devotionals through Zoom.

“We have learned from them that it is important to link parents in the education of their children, since they are ultimately the ones who are responsible,” Dennis says.

Katherine, El Salvador

Social innovator Katherine wears a polka-dot shirt. She is with a group of five other people.

As it turns out, a pickup truck and a printer might be all it takes to help solve a community’s crisis.

When COVID-19 caused schools across the world to shut down, Katherine (pictured above, front center) noticed children in her community in El Salvador growing depressed. In neighborhoods where internet access is scarce, and printers even more rare, virtual learning is difficult, to say the least.

“Without the necessary resources to print their materials from home, many did not have the courage to finish the school year,” says Katherine.

Providing printing services from a truck bed.

Determined to change this, she began loading up a printer onto her church’s pickup truck, driving to various regions around her home so that children could print their online materials. With her church community supporting her efforts, she has helped over 1,000 students complete their coursework since the start of the pandemic.

From 5-year-olds to university students, young people throughout her community have been able to succeed in the virtual classroom.

Juan, Ecuador

A group of young adults, all wearing white t-shirts, standing together showing their robotics projects.

Juan believes that education does not have to be boring. In fact, by creating a club for his students where they can spark their own interest in robotics, he has demonstrated that playing is the new learning.

As a teacher in Ecuador, Juan saw firsthand the dramatic impact of the pandemic on his students’ excitement for school. Many kids began facing boredom and isolation, in addition to other educational obstacles. Juan has created a solution to meet these needs with his robotics club.

By offering digital learning programs and in-person gatherings that allow students to create their own bots and play with electronics, the club stirs a passion for learning. Children who participate have the chance to dream up their own innovations and apply their knowledge in practical ways. In a recent project, students designed alarm systems for their families’ homes.

At the end of the day, the club is about much more than robotics.

“In our club, we invite them into community, help them in their homework in all subjects, and monitor their academic record and family environment,” Juan says.

“I have seen the energy, enthusiasm, dedication, creativity in the students to create their own robots. That joy is indescribable and motivating.”

Celebrating Social Innovators

These innovators have shared their inspiring solutions with the Christian Collective for Social Innovation (CCSI).

Christian Collective for Social Innovation logo

The Christian Collective for Social Innovation has invited innovators to apply to the 2021 CCSI Challenge, addressing the educational crisis in Central and South America caused by COVID-19. Compassion International is thrilled to be partnering with Baylor University in the launch of CCSI.

Join the CCSI Community on July 29 for a special virtual event that celebrates all our innovators, casting a vision for the future of Christian innovation and its impact on children living in poverty.

Learn more and register for the July 29 event!

About the Author: Madeleine Fossler is a senior at Baylor University studying marketing and entrepreneurship. She is currently working as a Strategic Partnerships Intern with Compassion. As a follower of Jesus, she is passionate about the power of words and education to change lives.

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Where I Do My Homework: 8 Pictures of Tenacious Students in Asia https://blog.compassion.com/where-i-do-my-homework-8-pictures/ https://blog.compassion.com/where-i-do-my-homework-8-pictures/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100503 Going to school and doing homework are normal activities for many kids. Sadly, many children in poverty never get to experience the joys and trials of school and homework — or the rewards.

In the following pictures you can see how children and youths in Compassion’s program fight to get an education despite less-than-ideal circumstances.

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Going to school and doing homework are normal activities for many kids. Sadly, many children in poverty never get to experience the joys and trials of school and homework — or the rewards. Education in a classroom and at home is not normal for them or even an option.

School and homework give children huge advantages for future careers and a good quality of life, even though the kids themselves may not always like the work involved! That’s why Compassion is so key in changing the future for kids in poverty. With the support of sponsors, children in Compassion’s program have the resources to attend school and receive help from tutors at their Compassion centers. And education gives children the chance to escape the cycle of poverty that their families are caught in.

In the following pictures you can see how children and youths in Compassion’s program fight to get an education despite less-than-ideal circumstances.

Sirasak and Chaiweera

Sirasak and Chaiweera are sitting in front of a white Church building where they both always hang out during a break between Thai school and Chinese school.

Sirasak (right), 15, and Chaiweera, 14, attend the same Chinese and Thai schools near their homes in Thailand. They meet during breaks at the church behind them. They get together in the evening to do homework together so they can help each other. Out of all their subjects, both enjoy reviewing Chinese vocabulary words the most.

Karmaly

Karmaly's father is on the floor of their home helping with her homework.

Karmaly (left), 8, and her sister do homework with help from their dad, who always makes time for them in the evening. He was not able to finish high school, and he wants his kids to have a better future. “I love to read stories from my textbook and share with my friends when we’re all together at the [Compassion center],” says Karmaly, whose family lives in Bangladesh.

Angelica, Angelou and Angela

Two of the sisters are sitting on the floor working, and one sister is sitting in a green chair at a desk. There is a pink and yellow sheet hanging on the wall.

Sisters Angelica, from right, Angelou and Angela study in the basement of their house in the Philippines. “I squat on our floor to do my homework,” says Angelica, who does her schoolwork in the morning. Her sisters, Angelou and Angela, do their homework at night after dinner and before bed. “It is always dark and humid inside our home,” Angelica says, “but that doesn’t stop us from studying well and doing our homework.” She wants to earn a bachelor’s degree and become a teacher.

Yaowapa

Fourteen-year-old Yaowapa completes her homework before bed. She shares her school experiences in Thailand: “My Thai class teacher gives us a lot of homework. But I like English class, and I want to be a teacher and teach English.”

Leonardo

Friends sitting on a log in front of a house

Ten-year-old Leonardo and his friends live in a beachside Indonesian community where they do their homework every day. The village loses power daily because of the limited supply in the area. But students still have fun doing homework together! Leonardo, third from right wearing a red and white shirt, says he enjoys reading and answering questions.

Kyle and Karylle

Kyle and her sister, Karylle doing their homework. They are working on a table with a blue covering. The room where they are working is dark.

Kyle, 16, at left, and her sister Karylle, 14, do homework at their dining room table in the Philippines — the only table that can fit in their small home. Their mom, who graduated from college, inspires them to dream big. Kyle wants to be a chef, and Karylle is planning to be a flight attendant.

Chanikan

Chanikan is sitting in her bedroom and reading her Chinese homework. She is wearing a black tee shirt and is reading a book.

Chanikan, 13, does homework in her bedroom in Thailand. “My Thai school gives a lot of homework, mostly from my Thai and math class. But I like my science homework, because I love the experiments, they’re very amazing,” Chanikan shares.

Madusha

The children are sitting at  a table working on their homework. There are brick walls behind them.

Twelve-year-old Madusha, middle, helps two of her younger siblings take turns finishing homework inside their home in Sri Lanka. There are five kids in the family, and only a few of them can study in the house at a time since it is so small. Their parents make bricks for a living, so they want their children to study and make a better life for themselves.

With education and the support of their sponsors and Compassion centers, students can achieve big dreams!


If you want to be a bigger part of empowering children and youths in this way, consider giving an academic scholarship to students who need extra financial assistance to receive a quality education.

International photography by Vera Aurima, Edwin Estioko, J. Sangma and Piyamary Shinoda

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9 Photos of the World’s Most Popular Sport https://blog.compassion.com/9-photos-of-the-worlds-most-popular-sport/ https://blog.compassion.com/9-photos-of-the-worlds-most-popular-sport/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100386 This summer, millions of people across the world will crowd around television sets to watch the Olympic Games. They will watch swimming, track, cycling and gymnastics. They will cheer on their respective countries in baseball, boxing, surfing, volleyball and table tennis. But no doubt, some of the most viewed and highly anticipated competitions will be in the world’s most popular sport: soccer.

Soccer has an estimated global following of 4 billion people, a number that is nearly double the second most popular sport of cricket (with a 2.5 billion estimated following). So why is soccer so popular?

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“Soccer is so much more than a ball and two goals; it connects people from all of the corners of the world.”

Unknown
 A group of boys standing together behind a ripped soccer goal, net. One is wearing mint t-shirt. Another is wearing black t-shirt on the right side.

This summer, millions of people across the world will crowd around television sets to watch the 2020 Summer Olympics. (They were postponed to 2021 because of the pandemic, but the name remains the same.) Fans will watch swimming, track, cycling and gymnastics. They will cheer on their respective countries in baseball, boxing, surfing, volleyball and table tennis. But no doubt some of the most viewed and highly anticipated competitions will be in the world’s most popular sport: soccer.

Soccer has an estimated global following of 4 billion people, a number that is nearly double the second-most-popular sport of cricket (with a 2.5 billion estimated following). So why is soccer so popular?

Boys race around the school playground kicking a soccer ball.

1. It can be played anywhere. You’ll find kids playing soccer on grass, dirt and concrete and in spaces of nearly every size. You don’t need a designated space or fancy equipment to organize a pickup game of soccer.

Four girls playing soccer

2. It’s accessible to most people — boys or girls, young or old. Unlike sports with rules that can take years to wrap your head around, soccer is easy to explain and easy to understand. Most people can start playing after just a few minutes of watching it.

Young boy wearing a black shirt with a geometric pattern on the front and black pants. He is outside his home playing soccer with his older brother who is wearing jeans and a light green shirt.

3. It’s inexpensive. Forget special padding or specially designed sticks or bats. All you need to play soccer is a ball — and it doesn’t even have to be an “official” soccer ball. Kids in developing countries often play the sport with a ball made of discarded rags or plastic grocery bags.

A group of boys are playing soccer on the dirt field outside the center. A boy in a blue shirt and green pants has his foot near the ball. There are trees and a white soccer goal in the background.

Sports and games are an important part of Compassion’s holistic child development program. Not only do they promote physical health through exercise, but they also encourage life skills like leadership, teamwork and perseverance. Naturally, soccer is one of the most popular activities at many of our local church partners around the world.

An action shot of a twenty-one-year-old adult male wearing a black and yellow soccer uniform, jersey, juggling, throwing a soccer ball in the air. He is standing on a dirt soccer field.

Soccer, which many people in the world call football, is played by people of all ages — from toddlers to teenagers and even staff members. Compassion’s program in Ghana has found that soccer is one of the best ways to keep teenagers interested in attending Compassion activities.  It’s one of the things that 21-year-old Philemon most looks forward to about the days he attends his center.

A 15-year-old, adolescent female, teenager, is practicing soccer on a soccer field. She is wearing a blue soccer uniform. Buildings and soccer goals are in the background.

Mishelly in Peru is a Compassion-assisted teenager who has positioned herself as one of the best professional soccer players in her category. The 15-year-old is a role model amongst her peers not only for her soccer skills but also for her heart full of God’s love.

A group of boys and girls are playing soccer on a dirt field at the project. A boy in a red shirt is kicking the ball.

Here a group of children play soccer in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, which is located on the Venezuelan border. Thirteen Compassion church partners here are assisting 1,400 children and their families who have migrated from Venezuela to escape the current social and economic crisis there.

Fighting Poverty From Within

Three boys stand together on a dry grass field with their arms around each other holding a white soccer ball.

Childhood poverty is complex and multidimensional. While its implications can include poor health, malnutrition, lack of education and poor housing, poverty can also take a serious toll on a child’s mental health and feelings of self-worth. Activities like soccer help build children back up so they can start to dream again. Soccer is proof that all it takes is a ball and a teammate to bring joy to a child’s life. It’s no surprise that it’s the world’s most popular sport.

International photography by Ben Adams, Vera Aurima, Helen Manson, Vera Mensah-Bediako, Kevin Ouma, Daniel Robson and Jonatan Ruiz.

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El Salvador Traditions Reveal a Unique, Vibrant Culture https://blog.compassion.com/el-salvador-traditions-reveal-a-unique-vibrant-culture/ https://blog.compassion.com/el-salvador-traditions-reveal-a-unique-vibrant-culture/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100441 El Salvador’s traditions easily set it apart from any other country. Who else has a national holiday in honor of "pupusas"? And what other country celebrates Christmas with huge fireworks displays and specializes in green coffee beans?

Let's explore the culture of El Salvador, the Central American country where 66,113 Compassion-assisted children live, by learning more about Salvadoran traditions.

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A girl in a purple shirt is sitting in a chair, smiling and waving. She is holding a white paper flag on a stick.

El Salvador’s traditions easily set it apart from any other country. Who else has a national holiday in honor of “pupusas”? And what other country celebrates Christmas with huge fireworks displays and specializes in green coffee beans?

Let’s explore the culture of El Salvador, the Central American country where 66,113 Compassion-assisted children live, by learning more about Salvadoran traditions.

Traditional Holidays and Celebrations

In El Salvador, a Central American country about the size of New Jersey, traditions around holidays include both common and more unknown celebrations. But all Salvadoran holidays are celebrated in style!

One such holiday is Día de la Cruz, or Day of the Cross. This holiday is also celebrated in Spain, Peru and Venezuela, and it is a combination of Indigenous celebration in Central America and Roman Catholic tradition. On May 3 every year, many Salvadorans decorate crosses with paper chains and display them prominently in their homes. Offerings of fruit, candy, drinks, candles and other items surround these colorful crosses. Guests are invited to say a prayer of thanks in front of the cross and then take an offering.

Hand made wooden cross.
Photo: @m2menjivar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

El Salvador celebrates its Independence Day on Sept. 15 along with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. All five countries jointly declared independence from Spain on this day in 1821. Several days before Sept. 15, a torch begins its journey by hand through all five countries to commemorate the event. On Sept. 15, El Salvador celebrates with parades and street celebrations, including a parade of children.

From October to November, the city of San Miguel in El Salvador hosts a series of celebrations. They culminate in one big street festival that takes place Nov. 21 called the Carnival de San Miguel. The festival was created in honor of the patron of the city — the Virgen de la Paz, or the Virgin Mary. It is now one of the most famous celebrations in Central America. Thousands travel to the city to experience the festive parades, popular musical performances and traditional dances.

Carnival dancers in bright costumes.
Photo: jc_castaneda, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Everyone in El Salvador excitedly awaits Christmas, but the holiday begins the summer season, not the winter! Christmas in El Salvador is heavily influenced by U.S. Christmas traditions, including fake trees and artificial snow. But the country has its own traditions too! Fireworks explode throughout Christmas night, which is Dec. 24 in El Salvador. Turkey, chicken and other traditional foods are enjoyed with family members. Of course, gifts are given for Christmas in El Salvador.

El Salvador adds its own flavor to the quinceañera, the well-known Latin American coming-of-age tradition just for girls. Girls in El Salvador host a pink-themed “fiesta rosa” (rose party) on their 15th birthday. They often wear a beautiful pink dress because pink is traditionally a color of gratitude in El Salvador. The color scheme shows the girl’s thankfulness to her parents and guests. Friends serve as attendants to the birthday girl, somewhat like bridesmaids, and guests give many presents. The celebration may also include a religious service and the gift of a ring by the girl’s parents to signify her new status as an adult.

Easter is another tradition-filled time in El Salvador. The week of Easter is Holy Week, and the festivities revolve around Roman Catholic tradition. Lent is one of the most important Easter traditions in El Salvador. And on Good Friday, there are two major processions. Early in the morning there is the “passion,” the representation of the walk Jesus took with the cross toward Golgotha.

Foods in El Salvador Traditions

Many interesting traditional foods are unique to El Salvador. Here are a few:

Pupusas: As the national dish of El Salvador, pupusas are so popular that the second Sunday in November is a nationwide holiday celebrating them: National Pupusa Day! Pupusas are made by filling corn or rice tortillas with meat, beans, cheese or other ingredients like vegetables. Some families in El Salvador do not have access to meat, so pupusas are often made with just beans and cheese, like in this recipe.

A 9 year old girl holds in her hand one ‘pupusa’ stuffed with cheese and shredded carrot. She smiles joyfully. She is wearing a purple polo shirt and has her hair in a ponytail. The background is a blue wall.

Quesadilla Salvadoreña: A traditional dish, this sweet, yellow cake is made from rice flour and includes many unique ingredients like “ajonjoli” (sesame seeds), “queso duro blando” (hard-soft cheese), “cuayada” (milk curds), and “crema salvadoreña” (like sour cream). It is often sold by street vendors as a quick breakfast to be enjoyed with coffee.

Coffee: While this is not a unique food item in general, the Salvadoran specialty is green, or unroasted, coffee. Coffee in El Salvador is a tradition that extends back to the early 1800s, when it was first cultivated. It still makes up over 50% of exports from El Salvador.

Tamales: Popular in several Latin American countries, tamales vary in their fillings and what they’re wrapped in. Salvadoran tamales are made wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks. They tend to be milder in spice than Mexican tamales.

Arts and Crafts

El Salvador traditions include many stunning trades and products unique to the country.

Textiles: For over two centuries, weavers in El Salvador have created intricate scarves, blankets, purses and more on hand-powered wooden looms called “telares.” These textile artists add each individual thread using a wooden instrument called a shuttle, which they push over the loom by hand. The vibrant colors they use make the final product a joy to see!

Hammocks: El Salvador is also known for its creation — and use — of hammocks. In fact, the capital of El Salvador, San Salvador, sits in what is known as El Valle de las Hamacas, or the Valley of the Hammocks. The name references the earthquakes that rock the city like the sway of a hammock, and it also shows how closely hammocks are tied to the country. Hammocks are used constantly all over El Salvador, and the hammocks created in the country are known globally for their quality and beauty. They are traditionally hand-woven vertically between two poles and not made in a factory.

Boy sitting in a hammock. The background is the divisions inside the house, and behind them are the bedrooms where the family sleeps.

Pottery: El Salvador is renowned for its beautifully painted ceramics. Brought to El Salvador by Spanish settlers in the 18th century, the difficult technique is now passed down from generation to generation of artists. The colorful and intricate designs in the vases, wall decorations, animal representations and religious statues make them truly beautiful.

El Salvador: A Vibrant and Unique People

Amanda, in a blue and white shirt, Yessica, in pink, Argelio, in a bright orange-pink shirt, a boy in green, and a boy in blue are sitting on the steps in front of a building looking at each other and holding chickens. There are more chickens on the ground in front of them. The building is made of wood, corrugated metal an concrete.

Thriving traditions specific to El Salvador wouldn’t exist without people who are just as unique. Compassion is honored to serve some of them! With almost 300 local church partners, Compassion currently minister to over 66,000 children in El Salvador while helping to release them from poverty. And each child served is encouraged to celebrate their unique and beautiful traditions!

Compassion photos from El Salvador by Nora Diaz and Emily Turner.

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These Aren’t Your Mother’s Child’s Milestones https://blog.compassion.com/child-milestones/ https://blog.compassion.com/child-milestones/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100377 Whether they are from the United States, Brazil, the Philippines or Ghana, every child in the world has at least this one thing in common — they grow up! And as they do, according to their culture’s customs and traditions, they celebrate and memorialize certain rights of passage or milestones. These celebrations honor the transition from one stage of development to the next.

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Check out these celebrated child-specific rites of passage from cultures in countries where Compassion serves

Whether they are from the United States, Brazil, the Philippines or Ghana, every child in the world has at least one thing in common — they grow up!

And as they do, according to their culture’s customs and traditions, they celebrate and memorialize certain rites of passage or milestones. These celebrations honor the transition from one stage of development to the next.

In our North American culture, we tend to mark and remember a child’s first day of kindergarten; their baptisms and professions of faith; when they become a teenager; when they get a license and start driving a car when they turn 16; when they graduate from high school and go off to college; when they become a legal adult at age 18 and then a full-fledged adult with all of its privileges at 21; and, finally, when they graduate from college and enter the professional world. (There was some debate as to whether or not we should include the significant discount in car insurance when a person turns 25, but for now we’ll just call it an honorable mention. :))

But what about people in Africa, Asia or Latin America? How do they commemorate their children’s growth? What’s important to them?

Side note: This is one of the best parts about being part of this ministry. Not only do you get to witness the life-changing power of the gospel being lived out in a child’s life first-hand, but you also get to expand your understanding and knowledge of the world beyond your personal frame of cultural experience. And as you do, you gain a greater appreciation for God’s great creativity in how he made us all so much the same, yet so different!

Without further ado, let’s look at some different significant child milestones celebrated in countries where Compassion serves …

“Outdooring” in Ghana

A sleeping baby girl is wrapped in a red and yellow blanket.

While it’s common here in the United States for expectant parents to have a name for their baby picked out well before the child is even born, in many other parts of the world, children aren’t named until many days, weeks or even months after birth. The reason why is the higher likelihood that the mother or baby could die during birth or in the days afterward.

That’s why when a baby receives their name, it’s a big deal. It sets the expectation that the baby will survive.

In Ghana, this naming ceremony is called “Outdooring.”

Eight days after a baby is born and is deemed likely to survive, the parents will bring their newborn “outdoors” – outside their home – for the first time, where they will raise them to the sky and back down again three times, symbolizing an introduction to heaven and earth. While this occurs, the parents will give their child a name in the presence of their family and community.

Friends and family will give the baby gifts, and then there is a big feast!

Turning 7 in the Philippines

Girl standing outside her home, wearing her light pink dress she got for Christmas last year. She is holding onto the collar of the dress.

There’s not much information around how this tradition got started, but in the Philippines, it’s a big deal to celebrate a child’s seventh birthday. This is when it’s said that a child enters an age of accountability and has a good sense of what is right and wrong. This is seen as a child’s first step into maturity.

On his or her seventh birthday, a boy will dress in a nice shirt and pair of pants, a girl in a beautiful dress, and friends and family will come over for lots of games, food and fun.

The parents will give seven gifts to their child ranging from toys to jewelry to handmade items and a Bible.

Festa de Debutantes in Brazil

The Festa de Debutantes in Brazil is a coming-of-age milestone that is celebrated specifically for young girls on their 15th birthday. It’s similar to a girl’s “Sweet 16” birthday in the U.S. or the traditional quinceañera that is celebrated throughout Latin America. This is when a girl is celebrated as she becomes a young woman.

Girl wearing a blue dress and is holding a cake with a large 15 on it. She is standing with her father and grandmother in front of a gold curtain.

Festa de Debutante parties tend to follow a specific tradition where the young woman wears a fancy dress, has her hair made up nicely and is ceremonially presented to the community. She will enter into the room with her father where she will blow out candles and then dance the “valsa” (a ballroom-style dance) accompanied by 15 other young male and female dance couples.

Afterward, there is a cake-cutting ceremony that is followed by a more informal celebration.

What About Your Sponsored Child’s Culture?

These are just a few of the different ways children are celebrated as they grow up into adulthood around the world. If you sponsor a Compassion child, why not ask them in a letter, “What special birthdays or ages do you celebrate in your culture?” It’s a great way to learn more about the details of your sponsored child’s life, and it shows him or her that you’re curious to know more about them. And that could lead to more specific and relational letters that you’ll receive from them in return.

Click here to write your sponsored child while the question is fresh on your mind.

Leave a comment below. What milestone celebrations were particularly memorable for you when you were a kid?

International photography by Edwin Estioko, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina and Gregory Woodman

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“Giving Thanks Lightened the Burden in My Heart” https://blog.compassion.com/giving-thanks-lightened-the-burden-in-my-heart/ https://blog.compassion.com/giving-thanks-lightened-the-burden-in-my-heart/#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100333 When I reached out to our staff across the globe to share messages of gratitude for Compassion’s Prayer Calendar, I didn’t expect to be as touched by their stories as I was.

The letter below is from Susan, who works in our Compassion Kenya office. She shares the impact of shifting from a heart of frustration to a heart of gratitude – and what that does for her spirit.

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A Lesson in God’s Best
Susan is posing outside with a group of children.

When I reached out to our staff across the globe to share messages of gratitude for Compassion’s Prayer Calendar, I didn’t expect to be as touched by their stories as I was.

The letter below is from Susan, who works in our Compassion Kenya office. She shares the impact of shifting from a heart of frustration to a heart of gratitude — and what that does for her spirit.

Read Susan’s words …

As a child of God, when I open my Bible, I come across verses that command giving thanks to God. Psalm 100:4a (ESV) — “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise” and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) — “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

When things are good or bad, it is good to give thanks to God. God does not change but circumstances do. Things may not go as expected, but I discovered in God’s Word to give thanks.

One day I had an important meeting to attend but I overslept and was upset. I asked God to help me not to miss it. On the road, the traffic was heavier than usual. I learnt that a tree had fallen on several vehicles ahead of me. I stopped complaining for oversleeping and thanked God for sparing those in the damaged vehicles and for preventing the tree from falling on me. Giving thanks lightened the burden in my heart.

Many times, I pray for specific things but because God knows best, he says yes, wait or no. On each occasion, his answer has given me something much better than I could ever have imagined.

Let us join hands to pray for the children and youth in our program to know that no matter what, God is in control of their lives. May they trust and always give him thanks even when they do not understand or feel like it.

Susan
Compassion International, Kenya

Susan, wearing a white shirt, is holding a toddler wearing a bright orange shirt.

I hope Susan’s simple, yet profound, story helps you to trust in God and feel gratitude for the ways he loves and cares for you. Let’s virtually join hands and pray using our virtual Gratitude Wall today!

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That Unforgettable Time I Met My Sponsored Child in Guatemala https://blog.compassion.com/i-met-my-sponsored-child-in-guatemala/ https://blog.compassion.com/i-met-my-sponsored-child-in-guatemala/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100262 Finally, it was the moment I had traveled thousands of miles for. There she was, a cute little girl with curly hair, standing outside a crowded church. Someone said, “This is Genesis, your sponsored child!”

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Finally, it was the moment I had traveled thousands of miles for. There she was, a cute little girl with curly hair, standing outside a crowded church. Someone said, “This is Genesis, your sponsored child!”

I had brought a gift for our first meeting, a puzzle I had picked out weeks ago. When I saw the character on the puzzle, I knew God had been planning even the smallest details of my trip. The puzzle had Minnie Mouse on it — and so did Genesis’ shirt! It turned out to be her favorite character. I lost count of how many times we put the puzzle together that afternoon. By the end of the day, I couldn’t believe we had just met. Genesis was not just a picture to me anymore. 

How did I end up putting together puzzles with a 5-year-old in Guatemala?

Genesis, a young girl with curly hair, sits by a completed Minnie Mouse puzzle.

An Exciting Chance

When I first heard about a Compassion sponsor visit to Guatemala, I didn’t know much about Compassion. I knew they partnered with churches to facilitate sponsorships around the world, but I didn’t know what that looked like. I decided to join a sponsor tour to Guatemala to find out — and to start sponsoring a girl in Guatemala so I could take this opportunity to meet her. Several months later, in June 2018, my group finally flew into Guatemala City.

I could hardly wait to meet Genesis. We arrived at her church and Compassion center in time for a church service, which our awesome Compassion guides translated for us. When I finally got to meet her after the service, I also met her tutor and her mom, Imelda. Throughout the afternoon of puzzle building, I learned more about Genesis and her experiences at the center. Eventually, I would meet her younger sister Raquel too.

Two women, Hayli and Imelda, stand with a young girl, Genesis. There is a swing set in the background. The women are wearing red shirts, and the girl is wearing overalls.
Hayli visits Genesis, the child she sponsors in Guatemala, and Genesis’ mother.

Gripping Reality

Though I didn’t get to see Genesis’ home during the sponsor tour, I did visit the homes of several other sponsored children. This experience would stick with me for a long time. I had never seen this type of poverty in person. One home I toured was two small rooms connected with a canopy. One room was a small living area and bedroom for the four children and their parents. The other was a “kitchen,” which was a raised fire pit with a pan on top and a small table in the corner — no sink, no stovetop, no oven and no cupboards.

A mother wearing a black shirt and long skirt cooks in a Guatemalan kitchen.

The canopied area contained the family’s only sink, where they washed their clothes and their dishes by hand. So, the area was their laundry room, yard and now dining room, since my group had brought a meal to share. When I sat down at a table under the canopy, my chair was a foot away from the sink. Flies were everywhere, but the kids seemed to be used to them and often didn’t wave them away when they landed on their faces and arms. Through it all, the kids and their parents worked, played and grew, just like my family. Yet they were in completely different circumstances.

Two young boys are wearing vests and white collared shirts. One is holding a toy soccer ball. One is putting his hand into an outdoor sink of water.

A Growing Relationship

Throughout the trip, I could see what this relationship meant to Genesis and her family. I got to spend time with them over the course of four days.* I saw how excited Genesis was to see me again each day. I visited her center, where we put on a small vacation Bible school for the Compassion kids. I even got to take her on her first trip to the zoo on the last day. Her enthusiasm for each new experience was often intense but always fun!

During lunch at the zoo, I gave Genesis a backpack full of small gifts, which she absolutely loved. Growing up, I had more toys and clothes in one drawer than I could ever fit in that small backpack. Yet she acted like I had given her the biggest gift in the world. The backpack didn’t come off for the rest of the day!

A woman and two children in Guatemala smile at the camera.
Hayli with sisters Genesis, left, and Raquel.

Right before I left, I also gave her mom a suitcase full of items I had been told someone in her situation might need. I had included tablecloths, plastic containers, rope, clothespins, clothes for Genesis and other small, practical gifts. The gifts were not expensive, yet her mom was deeply moved by them. She asked to pray over me before I left, so my translator came to stand next to me.

A mother and her daughter in Guatemala open a suitcase of gifts given to them by the girl's sponsor.

I was totally unprepared for what happened next. She put her hands on my head and began to sob as she prayed, her words coming too quickly to translate. Though I couldn’t understand what she said, I found myself crying with her. I could see that my gifts meant the world to her, and I felt completely humbled by her gratitude.

Life-Changing Lessons

Though I hadn’t been part of their lives for very long, I felt deeply connected to Genesis and her family, and I could see they felt that way too. They treated me like a special guest for my entire visit when all I did was show up. I also witnessed the care Genesis received at the center from her tutor and how her life was different because of Compassion. Her home life was unstable, according to her tutors. The center provided support and safety, with more people to check after Genesis and her family.

God taught me that he is doing amazing things all over the world. Through Compassion, Genesis and the rest of the kids I met on the trip are so blessed. I was humbled to recognize my physical blessings and status in life compared to so much of the world. I was thankful that Compassion enables me to share with Genesis some of the resources I have been given.

The Continuing Story

When I had to say goodbye to Genesis, I knew that I would always have a relationship with her. Though I may not see her again, our few days together were a highlight in my life. I hope they were in hers as well.

A woman and the child she sponsors through Compassion smile.

In the years since I met my sponsored child, I know Genesis has remained in good hands. Her tutors and her mom have continued to love and support her. For my part, I have kept praying and writing letters, now with a real little girl in mind. I can picture her receiving my letters and writing her responses to me. When she sends me a hug at the end of each letter, I know what it feels like. I spent time with Genesis for just a few days, but the relationship we formed remains strong. It blesses us to this day with each new letter and prayer.


While all trips are currently paused due to COVID-19, we hope you’ll still continue to dream about and plan for a time when you can travel the world with Compassion.

*The number of days that children and sponsors spend together on sponsor trips varies.

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Why Abel Never Lost Hope During His Cancer Battle https://blog.compassion.com/cancer-battle-abel-never-lost-hope/ https://blog.compassion.com/cancer-battle-abel-never-lost-hope/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100268 Jonah and the whale. Daniel and the lion’s den. Esther saving her people. David facing Goliath. These are all beloved Bible stories for children and are guaranteed to come up when you ask a Sunday school class what their favorite stories are. One story you would not expect to be a 13-year-old’s favorite is the story of Job and his suffering. But for Abel, there was deep meaning in Job’s story.

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Abel, in a red jacket, is outside the church smiling and holding onto the poles of a piece of playground equipment. The building in the background is orange.

Jonah and the whale. Daniel and the lion’s den. Esther saving her people. David facing Goliath. These are all beloved Bible stories for children and are guaranteed to come up when you ask a Sunday school class what their favorite stories are. One story you would not expect to be a 13-year-old’s favorite is the story of Job and his suffering. But for Abel, there was deep meaning in Job’s story.

“God is the reason I never gave up hope,” says 13-year-old Abel in Ethiopia. “I know, in the Bible, Job didn’t say anything bad to God when all the painful things happened in his life. Rather, he believed in Him. I love this Bible story. I thought about it often during the times that I was sick.”

Abel’s illness started as a small swelling on his belly, barely noticeable. However, it soon had turned into agonizing, constant cramps that left him screaming and writhing in pain. His desperate, worried mother pulled him onto her back and rushed him to the nearest clinic. Doctors loaded him into an ambulance and sent him to the biggest referral hospital in Addis Ababa, over 100 miles away.

Abel, in a red jacket, is at home sitting and posing for a picture with his mom, Astede, who is wearing a pink sweater. She is looking at him and smiling, and he has his arm around her shoulders. The wall behind them is green. Abel faced a cancer battle and won.

Astede, Abel’s mother, held his hand for the entire journey, crying and pleading with God to spare the life of her son. Up until this point, her son had been a happy, healthy and strong boy. Now he couldn’t function without strong sedative painkillers. She knew his condition was serious but still couldn’t have imagined the magnitude of Abel’s condition.

The Dreadful Diagnosis

A team of doctors approached Abel’s hospital bed. Sedated with morphine, Abel was barely conscious and had no idea what they were about to tell his mother. With no relatives or friends to lean on, Astede faced the news alone.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Astede, I wish I could give you positive news,” said the senior doctor. “We found a tumor on Abel’s stomach and it is cancerous. We will start his treatment immediately and do all that we can.”

Confused and frightened, Atsede called Mr. Abaya, the director of Abel’s Compassion center. Since Abel was first registered into the Child Sponsorship Program at 3 years old, Mr. Abaya had become the first person she called when she was worried about her son. Since she had informed him of Abel’s ill health, he had been closely following the situation. As always, Astede’s heart was uplifted after the prayer Mr. Abaya offered through the phone and the encouraging words telling her to depend on God through the difficult journey.

“I felt hopeful when he reassured me that they will be by my side. You see, for a mother whose life had just come to a standstill, there is nothing more reassuring than knowing there are people who will stand by you and who will pray for you.”

Astede
Abel, in a red jacket, is smiling and standing outside in front of a pale green church.

Besides the emotional support, what eased Astede’s despair during her son’s cancer battle was the medical support provided through the program. For a mother whose meagre income depended on sel

ling drinks from home, the mounting medical bills could have easily snatched away her son’s chance of fighting for survival.

“One form of support the children receive from the program is access to medical treatment,” explains Mr. Abaya. “We conduct health screening twice a year and cover medical expenses when children encounter health issues.” He added, “Even though complex health issues like Abel’s case are rare in our project, we all rallied behind Abel in prayer and by providing whatever was necessary to help him combat the life-threatening disease.”

The Darkness Before Dawn

Every new day of Abel’s cancer battle brought its own misery. Unless sedated, Abel’s pain was unbearable. The side effects of chemotherapy started to show. He slowly lost his hair and his beautiful smile faded every day. Watching on, his mother’s strength wavered. What was most excruciatingly painful for both of them was the unknown. They shared a room with other children enduring similar health problems. Witnessing them pass away sapped both mother and son of hope and stamina. Could he be the next one?

Abel, in a red jacket, is at home sitting at a small green wood desk. The walls behind him are green and there is an orange and red curtain hanging next to him.

“The first year out of the three years he was sick was the most difficult time of the journey. My neighbors used to call me and assess his situation. The whole neighborhood was on alert, expecting to hear of his passing any day. Seeing children taken too soon by the disease overwhelmed me every day,” says Astede.

Astede had a lot of questions with no answers. Would the treatment work? Would the cancer go away? Would her prayers, and the prayers of many who heard about Abel, be answered? Would her son’s life return to normal? How long would it be until they were cleared to go back home?

Visits from the Compassion center staff always replenished Astede’s energy. During the times she wanted to give up and take her son back home, their prayer and encouragement was the only thing that kept her going. Whenever she felt defeated, their prayers strengthened her.

During the times Abel was feeling a little better, he would tell his mother they would soon go home and return to normal life. He was his mother’s advocate when the doctors sent her to buy medications in far parts of the city. His brilliance and resilience always surprised his doctors. In the far end of the hospital wing of the children’s cancer ward, he was the life of the room.

Time to Go Home

Between rounds of chemotherapy, tests revealed good news: Abel’s tumor was shrinking. Doctors allowed him to return home in between the bouts of treatment so he could rest. It provided some much-needed normalcy for the family. But the best news was to come. When Abel took the last of his nine-course chemotherapy treatment, he was told the time had come for him to return home for good: He had won his cancer battle.

Abel, in a red jacket, is outside in the yard at the church kicking around a soccer ball with friends after winning his cancer battle. There is a tan and teal building in the background.

“I was happy that I could go back home for good. I wanted to see my friends and start my classes again. I wanted my life back. There were a lot of things I planned to do,” says Abel.

The doctor’s report brought indescribable joy to the mother who had slept on the floor next to her son’s hospital bed for more than a year. She says, “God started answering our prayers. It was time to go home and start life again. Seeing the smile on my son’s face wiped away all the doubt and fear that was still inside me. I guess I needed time to really believe that it was all behind us. I didn’t take my son’s body back home as most expected. I took home my happy and healthy boy with a beautiful smile and a new beginning.”

Of the five children who shared a room with him in the children’s cancer ward, Abel was the only survivor. In the two years since his treatment, he returned to school and even received an award from his Compassion center for his school performance. Seeing how active and vibrant he is now, no one could tell that he is a cancer survivor. The scheduled hospital appointments and the health checkups continue to confirm that he has overcome the disease that threatened to take his life.

“The Sunday school lessons about God strengthened my faith. I know the prayers and concerns of many people played a huge role in my recovery. Just like Job, I tried not to complain but to simply trust in God. God healed me, just like he healed Job.”

Abel

For the whole church community and for all the children and caregivers at the Compassion center, Abel’s story is one that strengthens their faith in God.

Abel stands with Mr. Abaya (project director), Shahitu (health worker), Astede (Abel’s mom) and Meseret (social worker).]
Abel stands with Mr. Abaya (project director), Shahitu (health worker), Astede (Abel’s mom) and Meseret (social worker).]

Astede says, “I always thought God brought Compassion and the church into our lives to help Abel get an education, go further than most children in the community, and achieve his dream of becoming an electrical engineer. I now realize that God had even a greater plan than that.

“He brought Compassion to our lives because He knew we could never survive the storm without the provision and support of Compassion. He used Compassion to give my son a second chance in life.”

You can support children like Abel who are facing cancer battles and other medical challenges!

Words by Tigist Gizachew and Rebekah Malbrecht. Photography by Tigist Gizachew. This article originally appeared on the Compassion Canada blog.

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What Is Daily Life Like for Kenya’s Girls? https://blog.compassion.com/what-is-daily-life-like-for-kenyas-girls/ https://blog.compassion.com/what-is-daily-life-like-for-kenyas-girls/#comments Sat, 26 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100225 These girls are like any girls, anywhere. They love to learn and play and have big dreams. However, like more than one-third of Kenyans, they live below the poverty line, and they face confronting challenges. With the support of Compassion’s local church partners, these girls have the care they need to rise above their circumstances with determination and hope.

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These girls are like any girls, anywhere. They love to learn and play and have big dreams. However, like more than one-third of Kenyans, they live below the poverty line, and they face confronting challenges.

With the support of Compassion’s local church partners, these girls have the care they need to rise above their circumstances with determination and hope.

Welcome to a day in the life of Kenya’s girls!

Morning

Silhouette of a woman's profile.

Habari za asubuhi; good morning! One by one, around the country, the girls rise to greet the day. Yawning and rubbing their eyes, they spring out of bed. (Or perhaps they need to be coaxed out from under the blankets, grumbling.)

Some push aside the mosquito nets that protect them from malaria; others nudge aside younger siblings who share their mattress.

Abigail is sleeping on a bed under her mosquito net. There is a red blanket covering her.

Breakfast in Kenya tends to be simple. A cup of hot, milky chai, bread, porridge or fruit. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, plus recent droughts and locust plagues, mean many girls will start their day hungry. Over 11 percent of Kenya’s children are underweight, and UNICEF reports that more than a quarter of children under 5 have stunted growth.

Since the pandemic began, Compassion’s local church partners have organized mobile cash transfers to vulnerable families so they can feed their families.

Morning Chores

Faith is wearing a blue dress and a gray sweatshirt. They are bothShe is kneeling down and getting water from a dug out in the river.

Before heading off to school, Kenya’s girls usually help their families with the morning chores.

In Kitui County, eastern Kenya, 8-year-old Faith collects water from the riverbed. One-third of Kenyans rely on “unimproved water sources” like ponds, shallow wells and rivers. Unless they have a simple way to treat the water, it can put children at risk of dangerous waterborne diseases.

Girl tending goats.

Maindi, 8, milks her family’s goat. She is part of the Rendille people of eastern Kenya, an Indigenous tribe that traditionally lives a nomadic lifestyle while caring for their animals.

After Maindi finishes the milking, she walks to school. Because she is registered in Compassion’s program, she is the first child in her family to receive a formal education.

Time for School

Gaudencia is wearing a white dress with a blue pattern. She is walking through the streets which are full of people.

Many girls in Kenya face a long walk to school, particularly in rural areas. It’s not unusual for them to walk several miles each way. Gaudencia walks through the streets of her neighborhood in Mathare, one of Nairobi’s largest slums.

Children in a classroom sitting behind shared desks.

In Kenya, every child has the right to free and compulsory basic education. The country has made significant literacy gains in recent years, but crowded classrooms and poor-quality teaching can still affect the quality of children’s learning. In some areas, the pupil-to-teacher ratio is as high as 77-to-1.

As part of Compassion’s program, children receive education support. It could be additional tutoring, lessons at their child development center or covering the costs of school fees, uniforms and supplies.

Afternoon Chores

Harvesting food from a garden.

Back at home, many of Kenya’s girls have a few jobs to do before they are free for the afternoon. In their seaside community, Flora, 13, helps her mother dig in their vegetable garden. The main veggies families grow are potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, snow peas, kale, beans and carrots.

Praise, a 10 year old child, girl, sponsored child, wearing a red dress, bends over to help her mother, parent, adult woman, wash and clean dishes, daily household chores, outside using a large blue tub and soap.

Ten-year-old Praise helps her grandmother to scrub clothes with soap before rinsing them clean and hanging them to dry on a line under the bright sun.

Homework

Tracy is pictured here sitting behind a display of fruits at her grandmother's shop.

Tracy sits in her grandmother’s grocery kiosk after school. In between helping her serve customers, Tracy does her homework. “I love to help my grandmother at the shop, plus it also helps me to know how to talk to people and to practice mathematics because of working out the change to give,” she says.

An adolescent girl in a navy blue and red striped shirt sits on a blue sofa at a coffee table looking at and using a black laptop computer with her hands on the keyboard. There are a blue cup and a cell phone on the table. There is another couch with a black backpack on it. The walls are white with black splatters on them.

Synthia types up her schoolwork on a laptop. In 2017, she and her friends invented a mobile app to abolish female genital mutilation. It won second prize in the Google-sponsored Technovation challenge! She learned to use a computer at her Compassion center, and this helped her develop an interest in technology.

Maindi sits on the floor in her home and works on her homework.

Maindi does her homework in the afternoon so she can concentrate before her older siblings and father return home from tending their animals. Her home doesn’t have electricity, so when it gets dark, she uses a kerosene lamp.

Time for Fun

Group portraits and shots of teen girls playing outside project in Solai, Kenya

With chores complete and homework out of the way, it’s time for fun! Mary plays “keep away” with staff outside her local Compassion child development center.

Leach is seen here wearing a bright yellow shirt, standing in front of a corrugated metal fence. She is holding a puppy, and is smiling at the camera.

Leach shows off an adorable puppy in her community in Nairobi. The 12-year-old wants to be a teacher when she grows up. “I want to make a positive impact in the lives of little kids … and give them hope for the future,” she says.

Praise, a 10 year old girl, wearing a red athletic sport shirt, kicks at a soccer ball on the dirt ground playing with another child.

Praise lines up a goal at the local soccer field in western Kenya. Soccer is the most popular sport in the country.

Leach is one of Kenya's girls. She is smiling and looking at the camera as she is wearing her pink dress and shoes.

Leach twirls in her favorite dress — a Christmas gift from her sponsor.

Dinnertime

Evening cooking and dinner outside with Salama and her family, all sitting on woven mat.

Salama and her family eat dinner outside together while sitting on a woven mat. With lots of siblings and cousins, their typical meal of bean stew and ugali (maize or cassava-flour porridge) is chaotic and full of laughter.

Leach and her grandmother are seen here laughing and smiling and making Chapati, or Indian flatbread.

Leach helps her grandmother make her favorite meal — chapati. In Kenya, the flatbread is a special treat that is eaten on special occasions. Leach’s family served it on Christmas Day.

Bedtime

Abigail is wearing a light pink dress and is holding a mosquito net up above her head.

Abigail gets ready for bed in the Rift Valley. The area has beautiful, expansive lakes plus swampy marshes, so mosquitos call the area home too. She sleeps under a mosquito net at night to protect herself from malaria and yellow fever. “I can now sleep throughout the night without waking up to fight with mosquitoes,” she says.

Shaniz is one of Kenya's girls. She is wearing a red dress with a blue floral print jacket. She is sitting on a bed in her home and is holding a teddy bear. There are red curtains in the window.

Usiku mwema! Goodnight from Kenya’s girls. Tomorrow is another day, and it is full of hope.


Photography and reporting from Kenya by Isaac Ogila and Kevin Ouma.

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Suffering in Silence: The Menstruation Taboo https://blog.compassion.com/suffering-silence-menstruation-taboo/ https://blog.compassion.com/suffering-silence-menstruation-taboo/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=79920 In many impoverished communities, menstruation is a stigmatized issue shrouded in silence, secrecy and shame. Here are just three personal and societal aspects of life that are restricted when menstruation becomes unmentionable.

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Every day more than 800 million people between ages 15 and 49 are menstruating. And yet, in some cultures, monthly menstruation is a stigmatized issue shrouded in silence, secrecy and shame. It’s a topic that can be embarrassing to talk about, and some communities around the globe have developed harmful ideas and beliefs regarding it.

A teenage girl in a pink dress

The average adolescent girl will be affected by menstruation for 3,000 days in her lifetime. That works out to more than eight years! Having access to a restroom, people to talk to who understand, and clean materials to use are the basics of managing a period. Sadly, these basics aren’t available for many girls and women living in extreme poverty — a phenomenon often called period poverty.

By not talking about periods, girls are missing out on school, which is impacting their futures. Here are just three personal and societal aspects of life that are restricted when menstruation becomes an unmentionable part of being female.

1. Education

Two girls in school

Girls are missing school due to completely preventable reasons. The availability of good hygiene facilities in schools makes a big difference to whether or not girls attend during their periods. If girls don’t have access to sanitary pads they will often choose to leave school early, or stay home altogether.

UNICEF estimates that a shocking 1 in 10 school-age girls in African countries “do not attend school during menstruation.” This puts girls at an immediate disadvantage and can lead to lower grades. Some may eventually drop out of school altogether.

In Uganda, a staggering 28 percent of girls don’t go to school when they have their period. This means they miss an average of four days of school each month, or 20 percent of the school year. Imagine the impact on your education if you had to miss 20 percent every year.

2. Health

A teenage girl holds a medical kit

When a girl reaches puberty, access to a safe, private toilet can make a huge difference to her health. It’s hard for us to get our heads around when we have safe drinking water on tap, hot showers in the morning, and toilets which flush.

But 1 in 3 of the world’s population doesn’t have access to adequate sanitation. This means 1.25 billion women around the world do not have access to a toilet during their periods. Girls need clean water to wash themselves or their menstrual cloths and a place to dispose of their sanitary pads if they are using them.

Because of period poverty, many women and girls do not have access to menstrual hygiene products to use, and only 12 percent of girls and women have access to commercial sanitary products.

3. Dignity

Stigmas and taboos around menstruation directly affect a girl’s dignity, confidence and self-esteem. Many cultures do not talk about periods openly. This means that girls often never hear of menstruation before their first period, making it a confusing and scary experience. That is the reality for an incredible 68 percent of girls in Ghana who knew nothing about menstruation when they started their periods.

Taboos around menstruation can also mean that girls are often told they can’t do certain things while on their period. The women in the semi-nomadic Maasai region of Kenya are not allowed to enter goat pens or milk cows while they menstruate. And in many southeast Asian communities, menstruating girls are not permitted to use the same water facilities as the rest of the community. These restrictions add to the isolation, shame and loneliness of menstruation.

Girls in Rwanda gather around a sink to wash their hands

We’re passionate about investing in girls through providing vital health education and support. Thanks to education provided by our Child Sponsorship Program and extra facilities at Compassion centers, we’re empowering girls to overcome the obstacles of period poverty.

Jesca, who attends a Compassion center in Tanzania, explains the difference a block of 12 private toilets has made to her center:

“As a growing girl I have lots of needs and must take care with my hygienic practices. I was not comfortable with the available toilet since it exposed us to various diseases and there was no privacy. These changes mean a lot to me and to other children in the center as it will ensure a safe and comfortable place for our needs.”

In Magangué, Colombia, their new washrooms offer better sanitary conditions and safe water for the center. Pastor José says,

“We want to teach good hygiene, and the washrooms are a means to do so. We are offering children the opportunity to learn proper hygiene habits, and they become motivators for improving practices in their homes.”

Provide Clean Bathrooms for Young Women ›››


Sources: We Can’t Wait: A Report on Sanitation and Hygiene for Women and Girls, UNESCO, Puberty Education & Menstrual Hygiene Management, WHO, Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council. This article first appeared on the Compassion USA blog in May 2018 after appearing on the Compassion UK Blog.

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Tender Conversations With Children and Their Fathers https://blog.compassion.com/tender-conversations-with-children-and-their-fathers/ https://blog.compassion.com/tender-conversations-with-children-and-their-fathers/#comments Sat, 19 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100173 Compassion photojournalists Javier Elis in Guatemala and J. Sangma in Bangladesh sat down to ask children and fathers about their mutual love, dreams and memories. Here are some sweet quotes from their interviews.

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Compassion photojournalists Javier Elis in Guatemala and J. Sangma in Bangladesh sat down to ask children and fathers about their mutual love, dreams and memories. Here are some sweet quotes from their interviews.

Uheimong and His Father, Aungchinghla

This father-son duo lives in Bangladesh, where Uheimong is sponsored in Compassion’s program.

Uheimong and his father take a walk to his favorite spot and spend some time together in the late afternoon. Uheimong is wearing a gray shirt and a red and white shirt. His dad is wearing a blue shirt and blue plaid bottoms.

Q&A With Uheimong, 12

Q: What does your father always tell you?
A: My father always tells me to study hard and be a good person to everyone around me.

Q: What makes your father sad?
A: When he sees that I am in pain, he feels sad. But in that time, he is always with me.

Q: What do you and your father like to do together?
A: We like to spend time under the big tree near our home together. Sometimes we spend hours talking under the shade of the tree.

Q: What’s your favorite memory with your father?
A: My favorite memory of my father is when I had gone with him to the market for the first time. He gave me my first cricket bat.

Q&A With Aungchinghla

Q: What’s your dream for your child?
A: I’ve always dreamed of educating my child more than what I have done myself.

Q: How will Compassion’s support help them to pursue that dream?
A: We always get Compassion’s support for getting the monthly hygiene and stationary supplies in addition to their tuition fees, which has helped me save two-fourths of what I earn. … With Compassion’s support, I’m confident that my son will go further than I can imagine.

Q: What are you experiencing now that wouldn’t have been possible before without the project’s support?
A: One of the most important supports that we get from Compassion is the medical support, due to which my child is alive today. Because of the support, my child is with us and our dreams live on. My child has a future and you never know, he may become the first doctor in our village. With Compassion’s support, I can use the savings for my younger daughter’s education; it’s a win-win for me.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of your child? Your proudest moment?
A: When I was able to send my son to school, it was my proudest moment. I feel proud to know that my son has the capability to learn from school unlike many children whose parents aren’t able to send them to school. My son is a very quick learner and it makes me proud to be his father.

Thatiana and Her Daddy, Remberto

Thatiana lives with her sisters and their parents in eastern Guatemala. She loves to play güiro, a Latin American percussion instrument, with her father, Remberto, who is a local Christian musician. Thatiana joined Compassion’s program when she was 3.

Thatiana is wearing jeans and a dark blue shirt. Her father, Remberto, is wearing a plaid shirt and gray pants. Remberto is holding Thatiana. They are standing outside and there are trees in the background.

Q&A With Thatiana, 7

Q: What do you and your father like to do together?
A: My family and I have a church band, so I love to play music with my daddy leading the group.

Q: How do you know your father loves you?
A: I know that my father loves me when he plays with me and hugs me.

Q: What’s your favorite memory with your father?
A: On my last birthday, we went to the park and played with my sisters. I love the park.

Q: How would you answer this question: Thank you, Dad, for …
A: Thank you, Daddy, for playing with me, making me happy, and taking me to the park, pool and soccer field.

Q&A With Remberto

Q: What’s your dream for your child?
A: My dream for Thatiana is to stay involved in the Christian life, to be a professional and to keep playing music.

Q: How will Compassion’s support help them to pursue that dream?
A: Supporting my child spiritually, making her responsible and leading her to a better life.

Q: What do you think your most important role is as a father?
A: Being a good example to the children, teaching the Word of God and the joy to follow him.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of your child? Your proudest moment?
A: Her last birthday was so special, with a cake and piñata. It was an extraordinary moment for me. The proudest moment is when Thatiana began her studies.

José and His Father, René

José was enrolled at the center when he was 6 years old. Now 15, he loves the center’s technical projects and even received a scholarship to study computing. René, his father, lost his arms and legs in an electrical accident when he was a child. Despite that, René works as any person does.

Jose is wearing a bright green shirt and black shorts. His father, Rene, is wearing a light blue shirt and jeans. They are sitting together at a table and Rene is helping Jose with his homework.

Q&A With José, 15

Q: What makes your father happy?
A: What makes my father happiest is when I obey his advice and when I have good grades.

Q: What is your father good at?
A: My father is really good at fixing electronics and giving me useful advice.

Q: What do you and your father like to do together?
A: We love to work together, and we feed the chickens.

Q: How would you finish this sentence? Thank you, Dad, for …
A: Being patient with me, thanks for loving me and supporting me to be a good student. I know sometimes I’m stubborn or strong headed, but you still love me. Thank you, Dad.

Q&A With René

Q: What’s your dream for your child?
A: My dream for my José is seeing him graduate from high school and university.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of your child? Your proudest moment?
A: The favorite moment was when he began school, he quickly learned how to read.

Q: What’s something you wish your father had said to you?
A: I wish my father congratulated me on achievements in life, even though I don’t have arms or legs.

Q: What advice do you give them?
A: My advice is to learn the most he can at school and surpass myself to make better achievements than me to be a good professional when he grows up.

Baby and Her Father, Thowamu

This father-daughter pair lives in Bangladesh, where Baby is sponsored in Compassion’s program.

Baby is wearing a yellow shirt and is standing behind her father, who is wearing a tan shirt and blue pants. They are outside and there are bamboo trees in the background.

Q&A With Baby, 13

Q: What makes your father happy?
A: When I’m able to do all my work at school and home on time, my father is happy with me.

Q: What is your father really good at?
A: My father is good at making various things with bamboo. Even our home is made by his own hands.

Q: How do you know your father loves you?
A: He always brings back the small fish for me when I ask him to.

Q: What’s your favorite memory with your father
A: I used to fall sleep when all my family members will be talking to each other in the evening. At that time, my father used to pick me up and put me in bed. Sometimes, knowingly, I pretended to be asleep.

Q&A With Thowamu

Q: What is your dream for your child?
A: I always wish that my child will be a wise person when she grows up and always support our family.

Q: What are you experiencing now that wouldn’t have been possible before without the Compassion center’s support?
A: Because of Compassion, my worries for one child is taken off my shoulders. Today, I can feed all three of my children and my wife. I think that it is a big support that I wouldn’t have any other way.

Q: What do you think your most important role is as father?
A: Being a small-scale farmer, until now it has always been my priority to provide for my family. But after sending my children to school, I’ve come to know I have to do more than provide — give them love and protection.

Q: What’s something you wish your father had said to you?
A: I wish my father had encouraged me to go to school more often.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of your child? Your proudest moment?
A: The realization of my children already going beyond what I had learned at primary school makes me feel proud.

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Sponsors Share Their Best Letter Writing Tips https://blog.compassion.com/sponsors-share-their-best-letter-writing-tips/ https://blog.compassion.com/sponsors-share-their-best-letter-writing-tips/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100139 For the best letter writing tips, go straight to the experts: sponsors! Recently we put out a call on our Facebook page asking for the best advice about writing to children in Compassion’s program. From practical to unique, their letter writing tips will inspire you to send a note the child you sponsor — and remind you that your words of encouragement make a world of difference!

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Fortune, a sponsored child in Togo, holds up letters from her sponsor. She is smiling and wearing a colorful dress.
“I want to thank my sponsor for having not forgotten me. I love her and her letters.” — Fortune, 6, Togo

For the best letter writing tips, go straight to the experts: sponsors!

Recently we put out a call on our Facebook page asking for the best advice about writing to children in Compassion’s program. People answered with great tips on things like:

  • Fun ideas for what to send.
  • What to ask and say.
  • When to write.
  • How to write (app, online, stationery, etc.).
  • Remembering or making time to write.

I’ve sponsored children through Compassion for almost nine years now, and I seriously would never have thought of some of these ideas. Some of the letter writing tips come from people who sponsor one or two children. Others come from correspondents who write to many children in Compassion’s program.

From practical to unique, these letter writing tips will inspire you to send a note the child you sponsor — and remind you that your words of encouragement make a world of difference!

Artistic Exchanges

“I traced my hand and sent it along with a letter [where] I asked them to trace their hand and send it to me. I got a big hand from my teenage boy in Tanzania and small hands from my little girls.”

Shirley

I love sending the kids collages of their ‘old’ profile photos, artwork and/or extra photos that they’ve sent with their letters. These have been a big hit!!” — Hannah

“Draw a picture with elegant and beautiful flowers, use the background to address the child you sponsor. Everything to be well received should always be associated with beauty to show love.” — Fredrick

“I have some younger children who just answer the few questions on a template. I usually add my answers next to theirs and send a copy back with my letter. I usually ask the kids what God is teaching them and share what I have been learning too. My kids enjoy sending artwork and sometimes I will include a coloring page or stickers.” — Kathy

A Picture Is Worth …

Débora is wearing a yellow shirt with a black pattern on it and a blue jacket. She is standing outside her home and is holding up a picture of her sponsors.

“I try to share pictures of something about Wisconsin, animals or scenery she may not experience otherwise. I bring it around to how amazing God is and how He created things and end with reminding her that God created her with an even bigger and more important purpose!” — Stef

“I usually send pictures of me, my family, my pets, or things they might not see in their home countries like certain flowers, animals, or buildings such as lighthouses.” — Lydia

“I write every three weeks. I always send a picture. A lot of times it is of the nature around me as to not showcase possessions.”

Teri

My letters almost always have a theme that I can use for two pages full of photos — such as corn mazes, hot air balloons, strange insects, easy animals that they can draw by starting with a circle. … If their letters to me include a drawing, I either take a selfie of me holding the drawing, or copy the image into the letter (on the first page, not the photo pages).” — Mary

“I write my letters through the app. It makes it super easy to upload photos. For our kiddo, Janina, I think photos probably mean more than the letters themselves because she is younger. I also don’t wait for a reply letter before I send another one, I send about 5 to her 1.” — Kalen

App-reciation

“I use the app, but I often hand-write my letters and upload them. I always include words of love and encouragement, truths from scripture/scripture quotes (depending on the country), assurance of my daily prayers, news on my family, weather, celebrations, etc.” — Debbie

“Love the app. I have a monthly event on my Google calendar to remind me.” — Barb

“I also use the app. Super easy. I start with a little about the time of year I’m writing since there’s a lag of when they receive it. I send pictures of my family activities and descriptions. I also remind her that God loves her and so do I.”

Peggy

“I write to our sponsored child, Bruce, every month through the app. I just make sure that, at some point during each month, I write to him. Bruce is 5 and was born the exact same day as our 5-year-old son! Our son actually chose him to be his special friend. So I can relate a little to what is happening in his life because my son is the same age.” — Bek

“I try to write to my kids every 2 to 3 weeks. I use the app to write the letters because it makes it easy to keep up with how long it has been since the last letter. Even though I don’t get replies as often as I send letters, I think it’s important to give them a steady flow of letters so they don’t feel forgotten.” — Lydia

GET THE APP: You can download the free Compassion app from the App Store or Google Play.

Essential Encouragement

Jairo is wearing a yellow shirt and jeans. He is standing outside his home and is holding his sponsor letters close to his chest.

“They need to know that you love them and that you care, no matter what! Make sure you are fully committed and make sure you always let your child know how important they are to you.” — Benjamin

“With letters being extremely slow at this time I have been dropping a card every month or two offering up encouragement, letting them know I am praying for them and sharing pictures of what I am doing.” — Anna

“Letting them know they aren’t alone and that Jesus loves them. Let them know you care about their well being.”

Kevin

“Don’t try to make the letter too long, complicated, or ‘creative.’ It is more important that your child is hearing from you — just a few sentences to express your care, prayers, support.” — Jane

I try to remember to share my challenges and struggles with my kids, not just the triumphs! I had a sponsored child who shared with me that he was having a hard time academically in school. I shared with him that I too had had some struggles when I was in law school, but that it was all part of the journey.” — Emily

We talk a lot about their interests and tell them that we pray for them every day to be in good health and good spirits. I end each letter with a question back to them to learn more about their dreams, questions, and hobbies.” — Teri

Traveling “Together”

“I grab a postcard almost everywhere I travel … I think it’s fun to send these and use them to launch a conversation.”

Mallory

“I usually write about our trips — we just got back from Texas yesterday so I took many photos of the zoo, etc.” — Mike

Keep the Faith

“If I am stuck about something to write, since I write about once a week, I will pull out a scripture verse, quote it, talk about what it means, and then how to apply it to their lives.” — Jenny

“I enjoy using the paper letters, and will occasionally use the app. I send Bible verses and encourage them to send me a Bible verse. We have 5 grandchildren, the kids we sponsor are similar to their ages. I share stories about them.” — Janiece

“I have started to pick a topic and write about it including a few verses, kind of a mini devotional. The first was how to love like Jesus.”

Mike

“I include scripture of God’s promises. We all need to be reminded of the truth!! Example: Psalms 139.” — Laurie

“I have received the greatest enthusiasm from my children when I’ve written about Bible stories, where they pretended to be in the story and then I asked questions so they could consider how they might apply such to their lives.” — Jan

“I enjoy writing out my prayers for my kids, or sending them prayers written by famous Christians like Thomas Merton, St. Patrick, or C.S. Lewis and letting the kids know that I prayed that prayer over them.” — Katie

Group Effort

“Everyone in the family writes a letter at the same time. We address and stamp them and send one out each month.” — Jessica

“We like to write paper letters, and when I say ‘we’ I mean a small group of ladies from our Soul Care Resource Centre support two children. And we all sign our names to the letters.” — Judy

“Our 9 year old daughter loves to write to the kids we sponsor. She normally writes to the younger ones because they can relate to each other, while I write to the older ones. She writes in person [handwritten letters] because I think it’s fun and personal for them to see her writing and I usually write online, otherwise I’m horrible at remembering!” — Tammy

Everybody Eats

“Food is a universal language. I once sent my child a picture of my dinner plate, a traditional southern meal of fried chicken, fried okra, corn, and beans. I explained that corn was the main export of my region, and that I eat it almost every day and I love it. I then took the opportunity to ask what her favorite food is. Let your child know if you try their food, too! … Compassion also has a list of recipes to try by country.” — Mallory

Making the Time

Ani is wearing a navy blue shirt. She is holding letters from her sponsors in her arms.

“I try to write back as soon as it comes in the mail, within that day. If I put it aside to think on the ‘perfect’ thing to say, it gets forgotten. And I’m sure my ‘kids’ enjoy a prompt reply!” — Kristin

“I do a template letter that sends to every child and also individual letters in between the template letters. … Lately I’ve also added in the new Sort by Birthday function [on the app] and used that to tell which kids have birthdays coming up in the next month so I make sure they get at least a birthday card.” — Sarah

“The 1st of every month, drop a few lines along with a gift.” — Adele

“I use a ‘template’ letter to ensure I write the kids I haven’t heard from at least one or twice a month.” — Mike

“I often go through letter writing spurts whether I will write several letters at once and then keep some in drafts to send in later. I have also based letters on the online stationery that Compassion offers on the app/website. If I see new stationery I like, I’ll start writing a letter and leave it saved as a draft until I can think of more to say. Since I have multiple children, I write one letter and when I send it, I click on the button to use it for another child. Then I can change the name and edit things as needed before sending it out to the next child.” — Cara

Feeling inspired by these letter writing tips? Write to the child you sponsor today!

International photography by Hutama Limarta, Juana Ordonez Martinez, Sara Navarro and Gabriella Akpene Samaty.

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Odette in Burkina Faso: “Would You Please Pray?” https://blog.compassion.com/odette-in-burkina-faso-would-you-please-pray/ https://blog.compassion.com/odette-in-burkina-faso-would-you-please-pray/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100105 This month, I want you to meet Odette, a supervisor in our Compassion Burkina Faso office. Odette shared about her own childhood, growing up in rural Burkina Faso in a large family that struggled in desperate poverty ... I was touched by her story, and as a sponsor, I was incredibly moved by the way she compares the staff in Compassion Burkina Faso with the love of her amazing mother.

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As we last shared with you in May, Compassion’s Prayer Network is focusing on gratitude this year. We sent out a call to our field staff across the globe, and I am genuinely thankful for the stories of thanksgiving they have shared. And that I get to share them with you!

This month, I want you to meet Odette, a supervisor in our Compassion Burkina Faso office. Odette shared about her own childhood growing up in rural Burkina Faso in a large family that struggled in desperate poverty … I was touched by her story, and as a sponsor, I was incredibly moved by the way she compares the staff in Compassion Burkina Faso to the love of her amazing mother.

Enough from me, though …

A Letter From Odette

Odette and another woman in Burkina Faso are standing together wearing colorful clothing. One is holding bowls covered with woven lids.

Dear Friends,

I am from a large polygamous family with many households and many kids. My late father was a primary school teacher who struggled to send me and my 12 siblings to school. Unfortunately, in March 1984, he lost his job due to a strike. The future looked dark and compromised for me and my brothers as some of us were to drop from school.

Determined to see her children succeed, my mother started a small business and my siblings and I supported her during school breaks, selling all kinds of vegetables and fruit.

Later, she started working on mining sites pounding stones, winnowing to look for gold. Whenever she got some thin gold particles, she would come back home, sell them and buy some cereals and pay our remaining school fees before returning to the sites.

The Lord rewarded her sacrifices as we all got a good education, and now the neighbors call her “the mom of officials” because they view my siblings and me as important people!

When I see the amazing ministry of Compassion International in Burkina Faso, I am reminded of a mother tirelessly working to provide her children with a better future. I am grateful our dedicated supporters and donors, like this brave mother, give their best to save the lives of many vulnerable children.

Would you please pray that the Lord bless sponsors and staff, so they can see these special children succeed in many ways?

Thanks and shalom,

Odette

Share Your Gratitude

I hope Odette’s story reminds you that each child Compassion serves is surrounded by tutors, pastors, directors, sponsors and family who are invested in their future! We also want to invite you to share your own story of gratitude and praise with us on our virtual Gratitude Wall today!

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How a Compassion Blog Story Helped Reunite This Rwandan Family https://blog.compassion.com/how-a-compassion-blog-story-helped-reunite-this-rwandan-family/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-a-compassion-blog-story-helped-reunite-this-rwandan-family/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100076 “I was in church when I realized I had 15 missed calls,” Christian shares. “My phone had been on silent mode. When I stepped out of the service to call and find out why someone had made 15 calls in the space of seven minutes, the person on the other side of the call told me they were my uncle from my father’s side of the family.”

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Christian was at a church service when he received a phone call that would change his life. Fifteen missed phone calls, to be exact.

“I was in church when I realized I had 15 missed calls,” Christian shares. “My phone had been on silent mode. When I stepped out of the service to call and find out why someone had made 15 calls in the space of seven minutes, the person on the other side of the call told me they were my uncle from my father’s side of the family.”

Family Lost Through Genocide

Christian is a survivor of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda against the Tutsi. In 2019, Compassion Canada shared his story on their blog to mark the 25th anniversary of the genocide.

Back then, Christian shared that his father had been killed during those horrific 100 days and that his mother still couldn’t talk about it. “It’s still tough for my mother to share with me what happened. It was so traumatic for her. She lost my father at a time when they had just married and were starting a family,” Christian said.

Christian is outside the studio where he works with a view Gatenga cell in the background. He is wearing a button up shirt, tie, and vest, and he is looking off into the distance.

The estimated death toll of the genocide hovers around 1 million lives taken in just 100 days. Christian always believed that it was just him and his mother who survived the genocide in his entire family.

Understandably, he initially reacted to the phone calls he received at church that day with skepticism: “I thought they were con men, so I switched off my phone because I couldn’t believe it,” he says.

However, the man on the other end of the phone was indeed Christian’s uncle. And the catalyst for his call: Compassion Canada’s blog post featuring Christian’s story. He and his wife, Pascasie, came across the blog and realized that the young man featured in the article was the son of Pascasie’s late brother!

Christian is wearing a navy blue shirt with gray stripes down the center. He is sitting down with his Aunt Pascasie inside her home. They are holding hands.
Christian and his aunt Pascasie reunited after she saw his story on the Compassion Canada blog.

“It’s a miracle,” Pascasie says. “We had been told that they had been killed when their home was destroyed in the genocide.”

Christian eventually turned his phone back on after the church service, and his uncle called again. “I asked them several questions and put them in contact with my mother to verify if they were truly my relatives,” Christian says. “After talking to my mother, she confirmed to me that they were my uncle and aunt.”

A Lifelong Wish Fulfilled

When Christian shared his story with us in 2019, he shared a lifelong wish: to have a photo of his father. Because his family’s home had been destroyed in the genocide, he didn’t have one.

Being reunited with his father’s side of the family changed that.

Christian is wearing a yellow, black, and white shirt. He is standing outside and is holding out an old family photo.

“I was so excited to hold a picture of my father in my hands as it was always my wish,” Christian says. “When I saw the photo, I was reminded of a dream I had as a child of my father. I was surprised that there was a striking resemblance.”

Not only was there a photo of Christian’s father — but also one of him holding Christian as a baby. “I’m so grateful to God and Compassion for once again bringing joy to my life.”

For Pascasie, the experience was also like regaining an image of Christian’s father.

“When I met Christian for the first time, it was like seeing my brother again. They look so alike,” she says. “I hugged him and I didn’t want to let him go. I’m so grateful to Compassion because you didn’t only take care of our nephew by sending him to school and providing for all his needs, but now you have also reunited us as a family.”

Christian is wearing a navy blue shirt with gray stripes down the center. He is standing in his aunt's home and they have their arms around each other.

Christian was registered at the Compassion center at a local church in July 1999. He excelled throughout his time in school while also gaining leadership and life skills through the Compassion program.

“I wish to also thank our nephew’s sponsor for standing in the gap for us and loving Christian unconditionally so that today he is the great man he is thanks to all of you,” Pascasie says.

Life Transformed

Today, Christian is a university graduate and a prominent presenter and news anchor on Authentic Radio and Television. He hosts “The Authentic Breakfast,” a Gospel-centered show in which Christian encourages his listeners with the hope of Christ. Out of experiencing deep trauma and some of the world’s worst evils, Christian has lived a story of healing and reconciliation — something he now works to share with others.

“On the shows I host, we encourage people,” Christian shared in 2019. “Our message is that despite all the troubles in this world, God’s love is greater than the challenges we face.”

Christian in the studio presenting a Gospel show while smiling for the camera. He is wearing a blue button up shirt and a vest. The background is a red wall.

Coincidentally, Pascasie was a regular listener, even though she had no idea the young man she was listening to was her nephew. “I had never met Christian physically, but I enjoyed listening to his radio shows. When I was told that he was my nephew, I couldn’t believe that we would be reunited with him after 26 years,” she says.

Reflecting on the entire journey of being reunited with his family, Christian describes it as a miracle. “God works in ways that we cannot understand. I didn’t know that telling my story would be a platform for reuniting with my family and getting my longtime wish of seeing my father’s photograph. Miracles truly exist.”

The reunited family: Christian is wearing a navy blue shirt with gray stripes down the center. He is outside his aunt's home with his Aunt Pascasie, and his cousins, Cynthia and Mugisha. They have their arms around each other.
Christian with his aunt and cousins.

This year, as Rwanda marks the 27th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, this family’s story is giving hope to other survivors of the genocide that being reunited with family, even after decades, is possible.

Photos and field reporting by Doreen Umutesi. This article originally appeared on the Compassion Canada blog.

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Kids Around the World: My Favorite Foods https://blog.compassion.com/kids-around-the-world-my-favorite-foods/ https://blog.compassion.com/kids-around-the-world-my-favorite-foods/#comments Sat, 29 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100049 Food! It’s part of our daily life and directly impacts our quality of life. What we eat says a lot about our culture too. So we thought we’d ask some children who attend Compassion child development centers: “What are your favorite foods to eat?” Here’s what they had to share.

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Food! It’s part of our daily life and directly impacts our quality of life. The essential vitamins and minerals found in healthful fruits and vegetables allow our bodies to grow strong physically and mentally. They give us energy to learn, work, play and fight disease.

What we eat says a lot about our culture too. The diverse foods that adorn the tables of children around the world range from injera in Ethiopia to arepas in Colombia, from pupusas in El Salvador to adobo in the Philippines. What are one child’s favorite foods may be unheard of to another child!

So we thought we’d ask some children who attend Compassion child development centers …

What are your favorite foods to eat?

Here’s what they had to share.

Jane in Kenya: Mchicha

Girl wearing a red, gold, and white patterned dress. She is kneeling down in her garden and is holding a blue bucket of water.

Jane in Kenya helps her family grow mchicha (also called amaranth) in their garden. The relatively new spinachlike leafy green is considered a superfood and is now harvested abundantly in Kenya and Tanzania. “It is good food for my body and very easy to plant,” Jane explains.

Josué in El Salvador: Pupusas

Boy wearing a blue shirt with white collar and the background is a blue wall of the kitchen’s front.

Compassion child development centers encourage children to eat healthful vegetables by incorporating them into their favorite traditional meals. In El Salvador, children like 6-year-old Josué enjoy pupusas stuffed with shredded carrots, squash and other green leaves that contain iron.

RECIPE: Bean and Cheese Pupusas

Angel in the Philippines: Buchi

Angel, in a gray shirt holds and looks at a white and blue plate of “buchi-buchi” in front of her. There is a fork on the plate.

Angel in the Philippines holds a plate of buchi, which is a rice snack. Her mother cooks and sells it to help provide for her children, but it’s also one of Angel’s favorite foods.

Yomel in Peru: Salad and Potatoes

Yomel is wearing a blue sweater. He is sitting at a table inside his home and is eating a salad and potatoes.

In Peru, Yomel eats a plate of salad and potatoes. His family grew the vegetables at their home with seeds they received from Yomel’s child development center.

Theresa in Sri Lanka: Dosai

Theresa is wearing a colorfully patterned dress. She is sitting down at a table with a plate of food in front of her. The meal for the day included dosai, lentils curry and coconut chutney, most of the children’s favorite dish.

Children registered in our program typically get a healthful meal or snack each time they attend activities at their child development centers. Theresa in Sri Lanka sits down at her local center to one of her favorite meals: “dosai” (a thin pancake made from a fermented batter of lentils and rice), lentil curry and coconut chutney.

Leach and Moses in Kenya: Chapati

Leach and Moses are seen here helping to make Chapati, one of their favorite foods. They are looking up at the camera and smiling.

In Kenya, Leach and Moses help make “chapati,” which is a flatbread typically served for special occasions like Christmas. Leach shares, “My favorite meal is chapati, and the best part about it is that we all help in its preparation.”

Marcos in Colombia: Spaghetti

Marcos, wearing a white shirt, is eating spaghetti. He is sitting at a table and is holding a blue cup.

Sometimes a child’s favorite meal isn’t necessarily traditional to their country. Marcos in Colombia eats spaghetti at his child development center. The center director, Martha, says that it’s one of the children’s favorite foods. “They always want another portion,” she explains. “Some of them come to my office to ask for another serving of food, and I always say yes.”

Axel in Honduras: Red Beans With Sour Cream

Axel is wearing a light blue and white soccer jersey and black shorts. He is sitting in his house’s doorway eating red beans with sour cream, which is one of his favorite foods. There is a fence beside the home.

Axel eats a bowl of red beans with sour cream in front of his home in Honduras. It’s one of his favorite foods. “I also like my mother’s spaghetti and the center’s stewed chicken and rice,” he says.

Nutrition: Why It’s Important

Despite how important it is to eat a balanced diet, at least 1 in 3 children under 5 worldwide is undernourished or overweight. In 2018, almost 200 million children under age 5 suffered from stunting or wasting. Malnutrition underlies 45% of deaths in children of the same age.

The greatest burden of all forms of malnutrition is shouldered by children and young people from the poorest and most marginalized communities. That’s why Compassion’s local church partners strive to supplement children’s nutrition so they can not only survive, but thrive.

International reporting and photography by Odessa B, Nora Diaz, Edwin Estioko, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Isaac Ogila, Kevin Ouma, Juana Ordonez Martinez and Fernando Sinacay.

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Jakarta, Indonesia: 9 Photos From One of the World’s Most Populous Cities https://blog.compassion.com/jakarta-indonesia-photos-from-one-of-the-worlds-most-populous-cities/ https://blog.compassion.com/jakarta-indonesia-photos-from-one-of-the-worlds-most-populous-cities/#comments Tue, 25 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=100000 Indonesia is the fourth-most populous country in the world, with over 275 million people. The Indonesian archipelago consists of over 17,000 islands — but of primary political, social and economic importance to the country is the island of Java. It is home to more than half of Indonesia's population and is one of the most densely populated places on earth.

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Four boys sitting in a green field. One is playing a small stringed instrument while the others smile and laugh.
Photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash.

Indonesia is the fourth-most populous country in the world, with over 275 million people. The Indonesian archipelago consists of over 17,000 islands — but of primary political, social and economic importance to the country is the island of Java. It is home to more than half of Indonesia’s population and is one of the most densely populated places on Earth.

Nighttime in Jakarta. The buildings are lit up and the streets have streaks of lights from vehicles.
Jakarta photo by Gede Suhendra on Unsplash.

Situated in Java’s northwest corner is Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta. Jakarta’s large metro area is collectively referred to as Jabodetabek (a combination of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi). Altogether, its population exceeds 30 million, making it the world’s second-most populous urban area, after Tokyo. The city proper has nearly 11 million people, with a very high population density of 37,460 people per square mile.

Close Quarters

Aerial image of Jakarta, Indonesia.
Jakarta photo by Voicu Horatiu on Unsplash.

With Jakarta’s significant population comes a range of challenges typical of overpopulation — including poor sanitation and hygiene, pollution, contaminated water and increased risk of infectious diseases.

7-year-old boy in Jakarta holds empty plastic cups and a plastic bottle and makes eye contact. An adult female behind him sorts recyclables.

The World Bank estimates that 27.55 million Indonesians live in poverty. Many do whatever jobs they can find to survive. For example, 7-year-old Malen helps his mom collect recyclables from around the city to sell for money to help support their family.

Climate Challenges

A river near the children's homes overflowed and caused flooding.

Compounding the challenges associated with its large population is the fact that Jakarta is one of the fastest-sinking capitals in the world, sinking up to 6.7 inches per year. Almost half of the city now sits below sea level. This, combined with rising sea levels, has made Jakarta especially prone to flooding.

Residents in Muara Baru, one of the fastest sinking areas in Jakarta, live below sea level, protected only by a concrete wall.
Jakarta photo by Tim Shepherd on Unsplash.

Muara Baru is one of Jakarta’s fastest-sinking areas. Residents live below sea level and are protected only by a concrete wall.

Two bicycles are leaning against a building in a narrow alley in ​​Pulomas, East Jakarta. Four people are in the alley, talking.

Jakarta is also especially prone to natural disasters — as is all of Indonesia. Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, drought, landslides and floods are common thanks to the country’s proximity to tectonic fault lines. Indonesia has recently experienced at least one natural disaster every year. Such extreme weather can destroy infrastructure, disrupt children’s education, create health crises and cause food insecurity in rural areas.

Children: Jakarta’s Future

Woman in a black shirt, is sitting at home on the floor with a project staff member who is conducting a home visit after the flood had receded. The staff member is holding baby Gabrian, who is sleeping.

An estimated 37 percent of children under age 5 in Indonesia experience childhood stunting from malnutrition, which can be an underlying cause for child mortality and impact development for a lifetime. Additionally, over 100,000 children in the country die every year from waterborne illness.

Boy in Jakarta smiles at the camera while wearing a tan shirt and backpack.

The challenges to healthy child development in Indonesia are great — but Compassion has been fighting childhood poverty in the country for 52 years. We currently serve over 160,000 children in partnership with 733 local churches across Indonesia.

Can you sponsor a child in Indonesia? Search for a child in need of a sponsor like you.

Sponsor a Child Today! ›

Compassion photography by Vera Aurima and Tonny Tunya.

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Meshack: Living His Best Life After 6 Surgeries and Many Prayers https://blog.compassion.com/nasal-encephalocele-meshack-living-his-best-life/ https://blog.compassion.com/nasal-encephalocele-meshack-living-his-best-life/#comments Thu, 20 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99936 Fourteen years ago, Elizabeth had never heard the words "nasal encephalocele." The Kenyan mother sat in a hospital ward, looking down at her baby. She noticed a small lump under his nose but didn't worry. Her husband, Tunaiyo, was completing the hospital discharge process to take home their baby boy, Meshack. As the delighted family settled in at home with their new baby, they noticed that the lump under Meshack's nose kept growing.

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A Kenyan teenager gives two thumbs up. A group of children stands smiling behind him. They are wearing red sweaters over white collared shirts.

Fourteen years ago, Elizabeth had never heard the words “nasal encephalocele.” The Kenyan mother sat in a hospital ward looking down at her baby. She noticed a small lump under his nose but didn’t worry. Her husband, Tunaiyo, was completing the hospital discharge process to take home their baby boy, Meshack.

As the delighted family settled in at home with their new baby, they noticed that the lump under Meshack’s nose kept growing. Elizabeth began to worry, even hiding Meshack from visitors — pretending he was sleeping or coming up with other excuses.

As the lump grew, Elizabeth couldn’t bear the stares and questions she couldn’t answer. One day she took Meshack for a checkup and vaccination. A woman sitting at the doctor’s office asked why Elizabeth had the baby covered up despite the hot weather. Elizabeth uncovered Meshack’s face and confided in the other mother about her worries. The woman turned out to have a child in Compassion’s program and suggested that Elizabeth and Meshack go to Compassion’s local partner church for help.

Two photos of a Kenyan woman in brightly colored clothing holding a baby with nasal encephalocele.
Photos of Elizabeth with Meshack when he was a baby.

The next day Elizabeth and Meshack went to the church and were registered in Compassion’s Survival Program for babies and their caregivers. The Survival staff were determined to help Meshack live his best life. Pledging to cover medical costs and support the family through the emotional process, the staff arranged appointments and tests for Meshack to receive a diagnosis.

When Elizabeth found out the name of her son’s condition, she prayed.

“You are the one who knows the life of this child, not me. If you have a purpose for my son to go through this condition and receive healing, I will give you glory.”

Nasal encephalocele is a rare birth defect that happens when the developing baby’s skull doesn’t close completely. Part of the brain can extend through the hole in the skull. It presents as an external swelling on the face. The condition makes breathing difficult and, like in the case of Meshack, can cause excessive watering of the eyes. Elizabeth was starting to understand more about the condition as they took Meshack to specialists and had CT scans and MRIs.

After the tests, doctors gave Meshack the green light to start surgery once he was older than 6 months. “I surrendered myself to God and handed the whole process to him,” Elizabeth says. In 2009, Meshack was admitted to the hospital for his first surgery. Over seven years, he had five additional surgeries. Since the family lives in poverty, many costs associated with Meshack’s diagnosis and treatment would have been out of reach without the help of Compassion’s program.

A Kenyan boy in orange and red clothing holds his hands out and smiles. His eyes are closed and he is gazing upward

Now nearly 14 years old, Meshack is sponsored in Compassion’s program by Lyndsie in Minnesota. He loves playing football at school, and he helps his family by caring for their cattle and doing chores at home. The Compassion center staff fondly refer to him as “Doctor Meshack” because of his dream for his future:

“I desire to become a doctor and help other children as I have been helped,” says Meshack.

A teenage boy and his two parents sit on a log outside. They are all smiling.

No one is more at peace than Elizabeth. From hiding her baby to celebrating how far he has come, she gives glory to God. “It is God who gave me Meshack, and it is God who has brought Meshack this far. I only pray that the desires of his heart will come to pass.”

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Writing Letters Is Inconvenient — And That’s a GOOD Thing! https://blog.compassion.com/writing-letters-is-inconvenient-and-thats-a-good-thing/ https://blog.compassion.com/writing-letters-is-inconvenient-and-thats-a-good-thing/#comments Tue, 18 May 2021 17:10:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99917 Writing a letter is inconvenient. But that’s what makes it so beautiful. Inconveniencing yourself can be a gift to the child you sponsor. And it can also be a gift to you.

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Woman wearing a pink dress and head covering. She is sitting in front of a window in her home and is writing a letter to her sponsor.

If I told you to handwrite and mail a letter right now, what would you have to do? First, find a piece of paper. And not just ripped out of a notebook — I’m talking about the good stuff. Stationery or a greeting card preferably. Also, you need a pen. The first one you grab is a cheap one from the bank that doesn’t work anymore. But at the bottom of your purse you finally find one of the good ones.

And then you have to find an envelope. Then hunt around for a stamp. And then Google how much it even costs to mail a letter anymore because all you can find are stamps with reindeer on them from six Christmases ago.

All of that and you haven’t even started writing yet!

In summary, writing a letter is inconvenient. But that’s what makes it so beautiful. Inconveniencing yourself can be a gift to the child you sponsor. And it can also be a gift to you.

Every time I write a letter, I am sending the message “I care about you.” I care enough to find the paper and pen (or start up my computer and choose the perfect stationery if I’m writing online) and write and send you a letter. I care about you enough to sacrifice my time and my thoughts. I care enough to pause and think of you — only you — for a few moments. And what a beautiful gift that is!

Girl wearing a purple and orange patterned dress. She is sitting in a blue plastic chair outside her home and is holding a letter from her sponsor.

And writing a letter is also a gift to me. It forces me to slow down. Breathe deeply. Think about this child that I’m writing to. Pray for her. Ask her questions that she may never answer just so she knows I want to know more about her.

When I sit and write a letter, I am fighting all the distractions around me. My favorite TV show or that load of laundry may be tempting, but I must remind myself that in just a few minutes I can stop, pick up my pen and tell a child in poverty they matter.

That’s why, once a month, I address a stack of envelopes and put them where I will see them every day on the corner of my desk. Some are to family who are feeling lonely and isolated. Others are to friends who live too far away. And at least one is to one of the children I sponsor. I paperclip a piece of stationery to those envelopes, I hunt for stamps and put my favorite pen on top of the stack.

And throughout the month, once a week or so, I inconvenience myself. I slow down. I pray for that person and I try to share words of truth and encouragement. And when I mail it, I feel a weight lifted.

Inconvenience, my friends, is such a gift.

Will you join me in writing the child you sponsor this month? Let them know you’re thinking of them and you care about them, especially in this year of difficulty and isolation!

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11 Quotes From Children Who Are Part-Time Comedians https://blog.compassion.com/11-quotes-from-children-who-are-part-time-comedians/ https://blog.compassion.com/11-quotes-from-children-who-are-part-time-comedians/#comments Thu, 13 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99842 Children are pint-sized comedians. If you’re not convinced already, take a read through this list of funny quotes from kids in Compassion’s program! The product of their creative minds — or perhaps the translation process — these funny one-liners perfectly capture the quirkiness and fun of children. Has the child you sponsor shared any gems in their letters?

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Children are pint-sized comedians. If you’re not convinced already, take a read through this list of funny quotes from children in Compassion’s program! As the products of their creative minds, or perhaps the translation process, these funny one-liners perfectly capture the quirkiness and fun of children. Has the child you sponsor shared any gems in their letters?

1. Classic parents

Weeview is wearing a blue shirt with black, green, and red stripes. He is standing in front of a white wall.

“I want to be a car racer when I grow up. But my mother wants me to be a good person and a good listener.” — Weeview, 5, Thailand

2. Kevin the ornithologist

Kevin, in a blue jacket, sits on a wood stool in front of a door holding brown chicken eggs in his hands.

“Chickens lay a ball. A ball that is called an egg.” — Kevin, 4, Bolivia

3. Adults need a hobby

Boy wearing a blue and orange pattern shirt smiles standing outside with a metal rusted fence in the background.

“What will I do for fun when I grow up? Nothing. Grown-ups don’t have fun!” — Segnon, Togo

4. An unusual hero

Paula is wearing a bright pink shirt. She is standing in the field and is working in her garden.

“When I grow up, I want to be like the tooth fairy and help teeth grow.” — Paula, 5, Brazil

5. Post-pandemic plans

Tensae is wearing a blue sweater. She is holding a broom and is standing inside her home.

“Rolling on the ground is the first I will do when this coronavirus is over. If people say I’m crazy, I will tell them they should do the same.” — Tensae, 6, Ethiopia

6. Jesus’ home

Maisa is at the back door to her house posing with her aunt's green parrot, Tico.

“If I could fly, I would fly as high as possible until I reach Jesus. He lives in the sky and I’d love to meet him.” — Maisa, 4, Brazil

7. Creative problem-solving

Justin is smiling and wearing his silver astronaut costume. The street under him is dry and cracked.

“I want to bring a spaceship from another planet to clean the streets and remove the garbage so the children will not get sick.” — Justin, 7, Ecuador

8. The unusual chore

Chuchip is standing outside on a dirt road. There are trees behind him. He is wearing a red shirt.

“I have a chicken that is my best friend. Every evening, I have to get my chicken up on the tree for the night because it has no wings, and it can’t go up by itself.” — Chuchip, 12, Thailand

9. An unfortunate reality

Kaio is standing outside the Compassion center and is wearing a traditional Guajajara costume. He is also holding a rattle. His face and body are painted with designs.

“My favorite animals are the dinosaurs, but they died a long time ago so I can’t meet them.” — Kaio, 8, Brazil

10. The creative process

Boy wearing a blue and orange pattern shirt smiles standing beside his mother.

“I like writing stories. How do I write my stories? With a pen!” — Segnon, Togo

11. Dinosaur fan

Kaio is looking around the corner outside his home. He is wearing a green and gray shirt as well as a traditional head covering. His face is also painted.

“I love to hear birds sing. They are my second-favorite animals because they make nests like pterodactyls.” — Kaio, 8, Brazil

Why not start a conversation with a child today by writing to the one you sponsor? Ask them what their favorite joke is. Even if it doesn’t quite translate, it will likely still make you laugh!

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Why These Sports Stars are Supporting Compassion Children https://blog.compassion.com/why-these-sports-stars-are-supporting-compassion-children/ https://blog.compassion.com/why-these-sports-stars-are-supporting-compassion-children/#comments Tue, 11 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99845 In spring 2020, when 1,200 concerts and other live events were canceled, a huge challenge arose for Compassion — with no warning. Compassion’s field offices had already begun registering new children into programs, like they do every year. But when the pandemic arrived and planned gatherings around the world were canceled, Compassion no longer had the platform to share the message of sponsorship with the massive groups of people who would attend these events. As a result, 70,000 newly registered and vulnerable children no longer had an opportunity to connect with a sponsor.

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How did a bunch of canceled events lead to a 70,000-child movement?
Nate (in khaki green) and Lexi (in white) are standing on a set of steps posing for a photo with a family. The family consists of a dad, mom and two children, a baby girl in red and white, and a boy in blue. There are white buildings on either side of them.
Nate Solder of the New York Giants (in green) and his wife, Lexi (left), formed a special bond with this Guatemalan family on a 2019 trip with Compassion.

In spring 2020, when 1,200 concerts and other live events were canceled, a huge challenge arose for Compassion — with no warning.

Before COVID-19 began, Compassion’s field offices had already begun registering new children into programs, like they do every year. But when the pandemic arrived and planned gatherings around the world were canceled, Compassion no longer had the platform to share the message of sponsorship with the massive groups of people who would attend these events.

As a result, 70,000 newly registered and vulnerable children no longer had an opportunity to connect with a sponsor. Compassion realized more than $30 million would need to be raised to help these children receive urgently needed food, medical care and other support.

What does “Fill the Stadium” mean? 

The Fill the Stadium campaign is a beautiful example of the church’s response to those 70,000 vulnerable children left unsponsored.

Through conversations with partners at Pro Athletes Outreach, Compassion began to visualize a pro football stadium, which on average holds about 70,000 people, filled with support for unsponsored children. Dozens of pro athletes stepped up to inspire fans and donors across the world to stand in that gap and “fill” the stadium by donating funds in support of those children.

What are some recent highlights of the movement? 

  1. Currently, more than 50,000 seats have been filled in support of 50,000 children and their families. 
  2. Fill the Stadium developed a Lead Team of pro athletes, church and business leaders, and Compassion staff. The list of athletes includes Nate Solder and Nick Foles (American football), Alyssa Naeher and Elizabeth Eddy (soccer), Chris Davis and Adam Engel (baseball), Webb Simpson and Zach Johnson (golf), and dozens of other sports stars.
  3. In February, Compassion President and CEO Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado joined over 50 athletes, leaders and their family members to celebrate filling over 45,000 seats: 
  1. Andy Stanley, founder and senior pastor of North Point Community Church, and Reggie Joiner, founder and CEO of Orange Leaders, joined Jimmy Mellado to highlight Fill the Stadium and encourage their communities to join the movement.
  2. Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) President Shane Williamsonjoined Jimmy Mellado to celebrate FCA’s partnership with Fill the Stadium. News of the partnership was sent to over 50,000 FCA staff, coaches and athlete leadership volunteers. Pro football player Case Keenum also lent his voice to the partnership.

Would you help us cross the finish line by donating to help children and their families? To learn more and donate, visit FillTheStadium.com and follow the movement on social media:

Facebook: @fillthestadium | Twitter: @fillthe_stadium | Instagram: @fillthestadium

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7 Strong Mothers Whose Love Is Fiercer Than Poverty https://blog.compassion.com/7-strong-mothers-whose-love-is-fiercer-than-poverty/ https://blog.compassion.com/7-strong-mothers-whose-love-is-fiercer-than-poverty/#comments Sat, 08 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99801 These strong mothers would do anything for their children. Living in poverty with limited access to health care, food and education, many of them have experienced devastating loss and pain. But they persevere for their families.

So this Mother’s Day, let's celebrate all the strong mothers around the world! Meet six women who work hard for their children and nurture them fiercely. And when that wasn’t quite enough, they sought the help they needed.

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These strong mothers would do anything for their children. Living in poverty with limited access to health care, food and education, some of them have experienced devastating loss and pain. But they persevere for their families.

So in honor of Mother’s Day on May 9, let’s celebrate all the strong mothers around the world! Meet seven women who work hard for their children and nurture them fiercely. And when that isn’t quite enough, they know when to accept help.

Smriti, Bangladesh

Smriti is a strong mother in Bangladesh who gave birth to her son at home.

Smriti, who works in the tea gardens of northern Bangladesh, became a strong mother very suddenly. Before Smriti could even get out the door to head to the hospital with her mother-in-law, baby Chalcio decided he was ready to come into the world. Smriti gave birth at home with only her mother-in-law by her side. “On the brighter side, recollecting the pain that I had to go through during childbirth,” Smriti says, “now it feels very rewarding to have my child in my hands.”

Fabiola, Haiti

Fabiola is a strong mother in Haiti who is seen smiling and holding her twin toddlers.

When Fabiola became pregnant with twins, the babies’ father abandoned her. Not long into the pregnancy, Fabiola’s mother died. As she arranged the funeral, she felt completely alone.

Between tears of grief and tears of joy, Fabiola welcomed Marvah and Marvens into the world. But six months later, they were on the verge of homelessness. The strong mother knew she needed to ask for help. She approached a local church that partners with Compassion, and the staff provided crucial food supplies to the hungry family — as well as a year’s worth of apartment rent!

Hadija, Uganda

Hadija and her husband sit with their young son and daughter outside their mud home in Uganda

Before she knew joy, Hadija knew little except pain and loss. Her first six children died in the womb or shortly after birth. A traditional healer in her rural community told her she was too lazy to push out the babies. It wasn’t until a church registered Hadija in Compassion’s Survival Program and took her to a hospital that she learned the truth: Her pelvis was too small for traditional delivery.

Today, Hadija and her husband are happily raising Moses and Loukiya thanks to two cesarean section deliveries. Hadija named Moses after the Survival staff who helped her.

Augusta, Bolivia

A teen mom in Bolivia wearing a green hair net and black shirt holds her young child.
Augusta, sporting the hairnet she wears while making and selling empanadas, holds her son Cesar.

Only months ago, 18-year-old Augusta was pregnant with her second son. She was also enduring domestic violence from the children’s father. Knowing that she, her unborn baby and her son were no longer safe, Augusta sought help from a church. “I didn’t know anything about God,” Augusta says. “I started to attend the church. Since then, there have been many changes in my life.”

Among the changes this strong mother has made was separating from her abusive husband. But that left her as the sole parent to the boys, ages 3 years and 8 months. “Before, my husband provided; now I have to provide.”

The staff at the church “taught me to make empanadas, which now I sell to earn enough money to support my children.” Augusta quietly gets up in the dark, letting her two children asleep. She silently grates chicken and prepares dough, glancing out at the sky as the sun begins to rise. “Because of my [empanada] stall, I can be at home with my children while I cook. Thanks to the Lord, people already know me and my empanadas.”

Adi, Togo

A woman walks with a toddler strapped to her back in a colorful cloth. She is balancing a large pan stacked high with dishes on her head.

Adi did not give birth to Thomas, but she is most definitely his mother now. When Thomas, her nephew, was 4 weeks old, Adi found him abandoned on a blanket in her yard. His biological mother never returned. Unable to breastfeed him and unfamiliar with raising an infant, Adi fed Thomas porridge. By 7 months old, Thomas was severely malnourished and still looked like a newborn.

Desperate, Adi approached Compassion’s church partner for help. Thomas was rushed to intensive care, which saved his life. Adi eagerly began learning all she could about child health, nutrition and development from the church staff. With this strong mother’s help, Thomas has grown into a healthy and thriving boy.  

Melissa, Honduras

A strong mother in Honduras holds her baby, who is smiling and showing his dimples and bottom teeth.

“We grieved the loss of our first baby, who died of a skin infection when he was only 16 months old,” says Melissa. “When I found out that I was pregnant again, I rejoiced and praised the Lord.”

Through all their pain and happiness, Melissa and her children’s father have found spiritual healing and support through their church family. Their second baby, Enoc, was born in January 2020. When he was 4 months old, he contracted an infection that ended up requiring urgent surgery. The church helped the family pay for and arrange the successful operation. Today Enoc and Melissa are all smiles!

Florence, Burkina Faso

A strong mother wearing a green, blue and white dress smiles proudly as she and her son hold up a certificate of recognition of academic excellence from Burkina Faso's president.

Florence couldn’t be more proud of her son Kader, who recently received a certificate from the president for academic excellence. Kader has been blind since age 5 after contracting a disease that robbed his eyesight. “I was powerless and felt desperate as I watched my son Kader have difficulties seeing from an early age.”

But this strong mother didn’t give in to her desperation. She continued to fight for the best for her son, seeking help from a church that partners with a school for blind children. Today Kader is a top student at the school. As his teacher Nana says: “Kader is a genius.”


Happy Mother’s Day to all the strong mothers who fight and persevere on behalf of their children. Learn how you can celebrate a special mom in your life by giving a life-changing gift to a family in poverty!

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A Wedding Surprise Highlights Her Incredible Sponsorship Story https://blog.compassion.com/a-wedding-surprise-highlights-her-incredible-sponsorship-story/ https://blog.compassion.com/a-wedding-surprise-highlights-her-incredible-sponsorship-story/#comments Thu, 06 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99776 For an unsuspecting family in Colombia celebrating a wedding rehearsal dinner, a single word was powerful enough to bring every member to tears: "Sorpresa!"

Wondering what the surprise could be, the family turned to see the last person they could have expected: the Compassion sponsor of the groom, Mateo. For eight months, sponsor Kristen had been regretfully telling Mateo and his family that she wouldn’t be able to make a trip to Colombia for his wedding. But what they didn’t know was that she was determined to be there — and Compassion staff were helping to make it a surprise.

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For an unsuspecting family in Colombia celebrating a wedding rehearsal dinner, a single word was powerful enough to bring every member to tears: “Sorpresa!

Wondering what the surprise could be, the family turned to see the last person they could have expected: the Compassion sponsor of the groom, Mateo. For eight months, sponsor Kristen had been regretfully telling Mateo and his family that she wouldn’t be able to make a trip to Colombia for his wedding. But what they didn’t know was that she was determined to be there — and Compassion staff were helping to make it a surprise.

As she sobbed with happiness, Kristen embraced Mateo, who told her, “I want you to walk me down the aisle.” Deeply humbled and incredibly honored, Kristen did just that on his wedding day.

Two men and two women stands next to each other outdoors at a wedding in Colombia. They are holding a sign that says "El amor nunca deja de ser," which translates to "Love never ceases to be" in English. There are bridesmaids wearing red dresses lined up near them.
Wedding surprise in Colombia: Kristen with Mateo and his other loved ones. The sign means “Love never ceases to be.”

The Day Her Life Changed Forever

Kristen was 16 when she first stumbled across Compassion. She was attending a women’s conference, and the organization had a display table set up — something she says she was just drawn to. That day, she decided to dive into sponsorship with a little girl in Ethiopia. It began a relationship that would expose her to what she calls her “life’s calling” and lead to sponsoring 51 children around the world at a single time.

“I have no doubt that this is just such a huge part of my identity,” Kristen says. “If you ask any one of my friends to describe me or what I’m passionate about, they’ll say, ‘She’s a mom and she’s a sponsor.’”

Kristen says she had no idea what awaited her when she sponsored her first child at age 16. When she registered as a sponsor, she thought it was she who would be making the difference in a child’s life. But she says her sponsored children blessed her own life as well.

“I’ve become part of families who have no pictures on the walls except for mine,” Kristen says. “It’s just, to know that these families are accepting me — choosing to have me as a member of their family — is truly the most humbling experience. I will never be the same because of the love that they’ve shown me.”

The Powerful Influence of Letter Writing

Kristen credits letter writing for the special bonds she shares with her sponsored children. For Mateo specifically, Kristen says it was the letters that mattered. It was the fact that she wanted to know him, encourage him and invite him into her own life. As unimaginable as it may be for some, Mateo has kept every single letter he ever received, even keeping stickers Kristen sent to him when he was 7.

“I do pour my heart out into my letters,” Kristen says. “I open myself up to my kids — they know what’s going on, good and bad, in my life. In age-appropriate expression, when my dad died, they walked me through that. I know that they were praying for me when my dad was really ill. The letter writing is what’s helped me to build these strong relationships.”

A woman and four children are smiling for the camera.
Kristen spending quality time with Brayan, Sebastian, Darci and Jhon in 2019.

Consistency, as the saying goes, is key. Kristen says it’s difficult to establish and grow a relationship without consistent communication. Not every letter she writes is a novel, though. Especially throughout the pandemic, Kristen says many of her letters were more like small notes — a few sentences reminding her sponsored children that she was thinking of them and that she was specifically praying for them.

“You show the love through the letters,” Kristen says. “The letters are really, really powerful. Even simple words can have the power to change the lives of these kids.”

Seeing a Difference With Her Own Eyes

While not everyone is able to visit the child they sponsor — which is OK! (not to mention impossible right now, as the pandemic has suspended sponsor trips) — Kristen has had the opportunity to visit several of her sponsored children. It’s another reason why letter writing is so important.

Specifically, because Kristen already had established a relationship through letter writing with Omar, one of her sponsored children, her arrival to his home country of Colombia was much anticipated.

Kristen remembers when the vehicle she was riding in drove up to Omar’s home. “He was so far away — he could see me and he knew it was me. He ran with his arms open to me and had the biggest smile on his face.”

A youth, boy, sits in a wooden chair giving a thumbs up. The floor beneath him is sand, and you can see the thatch roof of the home where he lives in Colombia.
Omar at his home in Colombia.

On her visits, Kristen has met the families of her sponsored children as well as the caring workers at frontline churches where the children participate in Compassion’s program.

She says she has seen firsthand the change that Compassion is helping to make in the lives of children, something she says leaves her in awe.

In Omar’s community there is no running water, so people must go to a lake.

“When I went there for the first time, it was the first time I really fully understood why Compassion exists,” Kristen says. “Without Compassion in that community, there would be no hope. It was a really difficult place for me to leave, but it was OK because I knew that Compassion was there, and that they were going to make sure Omar had everything he needed.”

Crucial Guidance

Kristen says that in other places, Compassion is a large part of keeping her sponsored children safe. Some families are shocked when she visits them because of how dangerous their communities can be.

“I feel really thankful that they are in a loving environment after school,” Kristen says. “It’s hopefully helping them to make the good decisions rather than being on the streets with their peers who maybe aren’t getting the same kind of guidance.”

Kristen describes the children she sponsors in Colombia as respectful, loving and kind. She says she feels strongly that if it had not been for the guidance they receive through Compassion’s program, they likely would have succumbed to a very different lifestyle.

By building relationships with children living in poverty — and by equipping local churches to do their lifesaving work — Kristen is truly making an eternal difference. Every Compassion sponsor can say the same, even if they’ve never walked anyone down the aisle!


About the author: Jordan Cone is a Copywriting intern at Compassion with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Multimedia Journalism & Mass Communications and Creative Writing from Augustana College.

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When God Answered a Guatemalan Family’s Prayers https://blog.compassion.com/when-god-answered-a-guatemalan-familys-prayers/ https://blog.compassion.com/when-god-answered-a-guatemalan-familys-prayers/#comments Tue, 04 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99619 It has been such a pleasure sharing stories of thanksgiving from our field staff this year as part of the Compassion Prayer Network’s focus on gratitude. This month, I want you to meet Lidia, who works in public relations in our Compassion Guatemala office. Lidia shared with us the story of a Compassion-assisted child and his mother, Amelia. Lidia’s letter beautifully weaves together the disaster and the hope that Elfego and his family faced. I hope you find encouragement in this story and that it reminds you to look for the hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

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Elfego is happy because a neighbor saved his dogs, he was worried about them after he saw how the water covered his home.

It has been such a pleasure sharing stories of thanksgiving from our field staff this year as part of the Compassion Prayer Network’s focus on gratitude. The stories have ranged from personal stories of how God is at work to ways our staff is seeing amazing things happen in spite of tremendously difficult times.

This month, I want you to meet Lidia, who works in public relations in our Compassion Guatemala office. Lidia shared with us the story of a Guatemalan family — Elfego, a Compassion-assisted child, and his mother, Amelia. Lidia’s letter beautifully weaves together the disaster and the hope that Elfego and his family faced. I hope you find encouragement in this story and that it reminds you to look for the hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Hear from Lidia …

Lidia Beteta de Corado in a red shirt standing in front of a waterfall
Lidia works in the Compassion Guatemala office. She was touched by the story of a grateful Guatemalan family.

Dear Prayer Partners,

I want to share with you a story that motivated my deep gratitude to God for orchestrating the effort of sponsors, Compassion International and the church to be the answer that children and families need in times of crisis.

I learned the story of Elfego, who is 9 years old. He is the son of Amelia, a single mother. They lived together in a community in Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Her community was one of those that suffered the greatest impact of the tropical depressions Eta and Iota in November 2020. Amelia works cleaning houses in another area of Cobán, and on the day Eta struck her community, she had decided to take Elfego with her.

Although they were able to take shelter from the heavy rains, when they tried to return to their house, Amelia and Elfego saw that it had been covered by water. The few belongings they had were missing or floating in the dark, smelly water.

The team of the partner church to which Elfego belongs were monitoring the situation of beneficiaries in affected areas. After learning about the situation of Elfego and his mother, the volunteers organized to rent a room, provide them with food, clothing, a stove and other basic utensils.

Although the situation they face is difficult, Elfego’s mother does not hesitate to admit: “Without the support of the church, this experience would be worse. I can’t imagine how we would be if Elfego wasn’t a sponsored child.”

I thank God for bringing together the players who illuminate with hope the darkest moments in the lives of the beneficiaries.

Lidia Beteta de Corado
PR Specialist, Compassion Guatemala

Elfego and his mother Amelia stands outside the room they are renting while they wait for the water level to lower at their house.
Elfego and Amelia with some relief supplies they received.

I hope Elfego’s story and Lidia’s words remind you that this past year has been filled with God’s people stepping forward and helping. I pray that you have seen this in your own life — and have been able to be that agent of change in the lives of others. We also want to invite you to share your own story of gratitude and praise with us on our virtual Gratitude Wall today!

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The Day 6-Year-Old Sophia Learned to Dream Without Limits https://blog.compassion.com/sophia-learned-to-dream-without-limits/ https://blog.compassion.com/sophia-learned-to-dream-without-limits/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99725 The world that 6-year-old Sophia sees around her is one of poverty and limitations. But Compassion's photojournalist in Brazil, Sara Navarro, is among the caring adults who inspire her to dream without limits. Here's Sara's story of the day she visited Sophia.

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The world that 6-year-old Sophia sees around her is one of poverty and limitations. But Compassion’s photojournalist in Brazil, Sara Navarro, is among the caring adults who inspire her to dream without limits. Here’s Sara’s story of the day she visited Sophia.

Sophia is wearing a cream colored shirt and shorts. She is laying on her bed and there is a pink mosquito net above her.

Poverty is limiting. When a child is born in poverty, their entire world is what they see and experience. Sometimes, television is their only door to a different world. How can children dream of a different future if they cannot see it?

As Compassion’s photojournalist in Brazil, I see this reality all too often. Recently, though, I witnessed the beautiful moment when a child’s dream changed. I was visiting 6-year-old Sophia and her family, and I asked her what her biggest dream was. “Having unicorns and flying with them under different rainbows,” she replied, referring to the cartoons she watches on TV. Everybody laughed. Then, her mother asked her what she wants to be when she grows up. “I want to be a doctor,” she said.

Sophia is wearing a yellow shirt. She is standing in front of a tan wall and is hugging her favorite stuffed animal.

The World Through a Different Lens

Later, she saw my camera. She watched me taking photos of her and found out I’m a photographer. She said out loud, “I don’t want to be a doctor anymore. I want to take pictures of people, just like you.”

The significance of this moment hit me hard, and I’ll explain why. Every time I ask children from the communities, I visit what they want to be when they grow up, I almost always hear the same answers:

  1. I don’t know
  2. Football (soccer) player
  3. Doctor

A thousand thoughts come to my mind when I hear these answers, which sometimes seem to me too prepared, too limited or too out of reach.

It’s not that children in poverty cannot be doctors; they can, and I love seeing a child excited about it. However, I feel that this quick answer comes out because it’s the only possibility they know that seems to provide money. It is not their passion; it is the only option they know of that could provide them with a different future.

Sara Navarro, Compassion photojournalist leans over to hug a child while holding her camera and wearing a backpack. Other children walk in the grass on the background.
Sara Navarro in 2019 interacting with some of the children whose stories she shares through photojournalism.

When Sophia discovered that I’m a professional photographer, it was as if her eyes had been opened to a different future, a new possibility. So many children living in the poorest and most excluded corners of the world are deprived of this simple word: possibilities. They are deprived of the possibilities — the privilege — of being painters, photographers, pilots, chefs and so many other professions that are not even presented as options because of a lack of opportunity.

Sophia’s Story

Sophia is wearing a cream colored shirt and shorts. She is laying on her bed and there is a pink mosquito net above her. Next to her is her sister, Daphyne. Both of them are resting their hands on their chins.

Sophia lives with her mother, younger sister and grandmother. Their rural community has no job opportunities, and their income comes from government support and Sophia’s grandma’s retirement funds, which are very little.

Spohia is standing outside her home in the grass with her mother, Milena. Milena is wearing a pink lace shirt. Sophia is standing behind Milena with her arms around her.

“My biggest dream is to see my daughters achieving everything I never was able to,” said Sophia’s mother, Milena. “When I was young, I chose to walk with bad influences, and then I walked away from my dreams. I got pregnant when I was 17 and didn’t finish school. Because of that, I’m struggling so much to raise my daughters. I’m still trying to find a way to overcome my mistakes and build a better life for my children and me.”

Loving Community

Good influences and inspiration. That’s what Sophia, who is part of the Child Sponsorship Program, finds when she goes to the Compassion center in her community. There, she is encouraged to develop her gifts and dream higher than the rainbows she loves.

“Every time my daughter comes from the project, she’s always excited to tell me the stories she learned there and everything she did,” said Milena.

It’s easy to see why, when you hear Sophia describe it: “I love to talk to my ‘aunts’ [center volunteers], play ball with my friends in the center and draw. I already know how to write my first name! I love the food they make there; it’s delicious. My favorite foods are pasta, rice and soup. I’m very, very, very sad because we can’t go to the center in the pandemic. I really miss going there.”

Longing for a Letter

Beyond the center volunteers, children are also encouraged by their sponsor’s words in the letters they receive. But for more than two years, Sophia didn’t have a sponsor.

Sophia is wearing a cream colored shirt and shorts. She is laying on her bed and there is a pink mosquito net above her. She is writing in a notebook.

So in the meantime, Compassion’s Unsponsored Children’s Fund supported Sophia’s needs. The fund allows centers to support children while they wait for a sponsor. However, these children miss out on building a special relationship. Receiving a personal letter makes children feel special and connected with someone who cares about them. Sponsoring a child and writing them letters is also an opportunity to open children’s minds and encourage them to know that the possibility of being anything is not just a privilege — it is an opportunity that is open to them, too.

But Sophia is no longer unsponsored! In March, she was sponsored by Johan in Arizona — someone Sophia can draw pictures for and tell about the yummy soup at her Compassion center. More importantly, she has another caring adult in her life who can encourage her to dream without limits.


Ava Bruns, a Marketing Specialist intern at Compassion, contributed to this blog article.

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17 Gorgeous Photos of Gardens Around the World https://blog.compassion.com/17-gorgeous-photos-of-gardens-around-the-world/ https://blog.compassion.com/17-gorgeous-photos-of-gardens-around-the-world/#respond Thu, 22 Apr 2021 19:57:03 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99669 In these photos of gardens around the world, you'll see more than just plants. In these gardens are vegetables — but also opportunities. Fruits are flourishing — and so are small businesses started by families living in poverty. A fledgling sprout peeking up from the soil can signify a whole new future for a child. Because people in poverty who can grow successful gardens have not only a source of nutritious food, but also a source of income.

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A farmer stands in fields in the early morning in Indonesia

In these photos of gardens around the world, you’ll see more than just plants.

In these gardens are vegetables — but also opportunities. Fruits are flourishing — and so are small businesses started by families living in poverty. A fledgling sprout peeking up from the soil can signify a better future for a child. Because people in poverty who can grow successful gardens have not only a source of nutritious food, but also a source of income.

When I’m tending my garden, I sometimes think of the family I met in a drought-ridden region of Uganda whose entire livelihood changed after they received goats. The goats provided fertilizer that helped the family’s parched gardens come back to life. When the coffee and banana plants began to grow, so did the family’s income. That’s why many of Compassion’s frontline partners around the world teach families how to start and maintain flourishing gardens.

Take a look at these photos of gardens around the world — and then look again to see what else is there.

Bolivia

A woman wearing a long skirt, sweater and hat holds vegetables in a garden in Brazil. A toddler wearing a hat stands near her.

Benita and 2-year-old Gabriela’s garden grows lettuce, cauliflower, celery, broccoli, cucumber and tomatoes.

Tanzania

A girl wearing a shawl, dress and flip-flops uses a plastic carton with holes in the bottom to water a garden in Tanzania

Esther, 11, uses a jerry can with to water her grandmother’s vegetable garden.

A baby sits on a blanket spread out in a garden in Tanzania as her parent works with a hoe nearby

Baby Bhoke watches her hardworking mother hand-plough their garden with a hoe.

Thailand

A girl walks through a strawberry garden in Thailand

Chonnipa, 13, helps her family harvest strawberries in northern Thailand.

Guatemala

A youth stands in a greenhouse garden in Guatemala. Tomatoes are growing on vines around him.

Enoc, 14, checks on the income-generating tomato garden at his Compassion center.

Rwanda

A person wearing a colorful dress sprinkles water on colorful plants in a garden in Rwanda

Ruth, 21, does her daily chore of watering the plants behind her family’s home.

Mexico

A youth wearing a pink shirt and purple pants holds a watering can made of a 2-liter soda bottle. She is squatting in a garden and ready to pour water on the plants

Mayra, 13, uses a recycled container to water the vegetable gardens behind her home.

Indonesia

A girl holds a bundle of large green onions in her garden in Indonesia

By giving special care to her spring onions, 8-year-old Velove won a gardening contest.

Meisy is wearing a black shirt. She is in the garden with her mother, Lusiana. They are peeking around the plants at each other. Their home is in the background.

Nine-year-old Meisy and her mother, Lusiana, peek around the bean trellis they built outside their home.

El Salvador

A photo of a garden in El Salvador shows children holding a basket of vegetables. They are standing in a vegetable garden

These girls’ flourishing garden grows tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and other vegetables with the help of fertilizer from livestock they received.

Colombia

A group of gardeners stand in a garden in Colombia holding their straw hats and smiling

These teenagers say hi from a pineapple farm they help care for at their Compassion center.

Sri Lanka

A child holds up a piece of fruit picked from a garden in Sri Lanka

Nine-year-old Yeneth shows off some tomatoes harvested from the garden that has helped feed his family during the pandemic.

Two sisters wearing matching blue and black polka dot dresses are in a garden in Sri Lanka. The younger one is carrying a watermelon she picked.

Sisters Dinethma and Dinuki collect a watermelon from their family’s income-generating garden.

Kenya

A man is watering small plants in a garden with water from the large jugs filled at the river in Kenya

Can you imagine having to fill up jerry cans at a river to water your entire garden like this man does? He does it for the children who will get to eat the fruits and vegetables that grow there.

Bangladesh

A woman wearing traditional Bangladeshi clothing stands in a vast tea garden

To earn a meager income for her family, Dipty picks leaves every weekday from morning to evening in this tea garden.

Brazil

A child holds a bunch of lettuce grown in a garden in Brazil

Ivamberto has found joy caring for his family’s lettuce garden while staying home more during the pandemic.

Photos of Gardens = Photos of Hope

These photos of gardens around the world remind me of children who live in poverty. They need nourishment and light to thrive. I’m so happy that as a sponsor I can provide some of that through letters and by equipping our local partners to help them grow into their full potential.


International photography by Ben Adams, Vera Aurima, Odessa B., Chuck Bigger, Javier Elis, Eric D. Lema, Sara Navarro, Daniel Robson, J. Sangma, Piyamary Shinoda, Emily Turner, Doreen Umutesi and Daniela Velasco.

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The Story of a Devoted Father and His Boys https://blog.compassion.com/the-story-of-a-devoted-father-and-his-boys/ https://blog.compassion.com/the-story-of-a-devoted-father-and-his-boys/#comments Tue, 20 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99600 "My dad does everything for me! … I love him so much. One day I asked him to buy me ice cream and even without much money, he managed to buy it for me," exclaims Davi about his father, Damião.

Upon hearing his son's words, a tear falls from Damião's eyes. In their culture, men rarely cry in front of others. But in the last few months, crying has been a normal part of Damião's life.

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Damião, wearing a green shirt, is with his sons, Davi, wearing a white shirt, and Luan, wearing a blue shirt. They are hugging each other in their back yard. They are standing in the grass.

“My dad does everything for me! … I love him so much. One day I asked him to buy me ice cream and even without much money, he managed to buy it for me,” exclaims Davi about his father, Damião.

Upon hearing his son’s words, a tear falls from Damião’s eyes. In their culture, men rarely cry in front of others. But in the last few months, crying has been a normal part of Damião’s life.

His Trying Upbringing

Damião’s childhood was tough; he and his 11 siblings lived in a rural community and all started working from an early age.

“My childhood was difficult. I never learned to read or write my name. When I was a child, we didn’t have time to dream, and nobody asked us about our future. Our concern was to work to survive,” Damião explained. Agriculture was the only skill he learned in life.

Later, Damião got married and had three children, Camila, 15, Davi, 10, and Luan, 6. He continued to farm to care for the family.

In their culture in Brazil, it’s typical for men to work hard outside while wives take care of the house. “Every day, I leave my home before the sun comes up and go to the fields. There I plant beans, rice and corn. Then I try to sell at the market, and if something is left, I take it home. It’s a hard job,” says Damião.

Damião, wearing a green shirt and blue patterned shorts, is sitting on a stool outside in his back yard. He is holding a large stick

Broken Family Bonds

About a year ago, Damião says he was working in the field when he received a message from his wife saying that she would be leaving. Her reasons were many and complex; she wasn’t coping. He ran home, but her bags were already packed. She was ready to leave.

Damião’s wife asked the children where they would like to live. They preferred to stay with their father. So she said her goodbyes, took her things and left.

Damião was stunned. He says, “Now, when I get home and I see only my children, I feel like crying. I thought we’d built a family to last forever.”

“When my wife left me, I thought so many bad things. I thought about taking my life several times. What made me give up on this idea was the knowledge that my children need me and that I cannot abandon them.”

Damião, wearing a green shirt, is with his sons, Davi, wearing a white shirt, and Luan, wearing a blue shirt. They are sitting together on a couch in their home and Davi and Luan are resting their heads in their dad's lap.

Since Damião needs to leave the house every day to work, many of the home responsibilities fell on his teenage daughter. One day, she also said goodbye to her father and moved in with her mother, hoping for a more comfortable life.

Damião’s heart was weighed down by sadness again. Luan, Damião’s youngest son, was traumatized by the changes in the family. When his father used to leave him at his Compassion center, he used to cry and beg his father to stay with him. “I am afraid that you will leave me and never come back to pick me up. I am afraid that you will abandon me, as my mother did,” Luan would cry.

Damião, wearing a green shirt, is with his sons, Davi, wearing a white shirt, and Luan, wearing a blue shirt. They are sitting inside their home with two Compassion volunteers who are praying for them. The volunteers are wearing face masks.

Grief and Restoration

No one should have to grieve alone. With the support of the staff at the center, Damião and his sons learned to press forward, even through their heartache. “The volunteers are always around, visiting us, asking how we are, worrying about us,” says Damião. “It was great to receive their advice and help when I wanted to give up. Little by little, the idea of wanting to die was leaving my head.”

His oldest son, Davi, is responsible for housework and caring for his younger brother. “Every day, I wake up, wash the dishes, sweep the house and make beans for us to eat. When there are noodles, I also make noodles. Then I help my brother with school duties and try to study,” Davi says.

Damião, wearing a green shirt, is with his sons, Davi, wearing a white shirt, and Luan, wearing a blue shirt. They are washing dishes together in their back yard.

Despite his enthusiasm, Davi struggles with these duties. For this reason, the Compassion center staff, whenever they can, step in to help and teach Damião and his children how to take care of the house.

“Center staff sometimes come to help us clean our home. During the pandemic, when everything became more expensive and hard, they also helped us with food. I really appreciate this care for my family,” says Damião gratefully.

Although challenges remain, the love that Damião’s children have for him shows what a good father he is.

An Unwavering Dedication

Damião, wearing a green shirt, is with his sons, Davi, wearing a white shirt, and Luan, wearing a blue shirt. They are kneeling down in the grass in their backyard and are hugging each other.

“My biggest dream is to see my father happy. I know he is happy when I am obedient. That’s why I always try to help him. I love my father very much. When I was a baby, and I was born with a club foot, he even asked for money on the street to buy me an orthopedic boot,” says Davi.

“I love my dad a lot. I want to live with him forever,” says Luan.

Damião admits he isn’t the best cook and housekeeper, and he cannot afford everything his sons want or even need. But he loves them and promises to never leave. Even on his darkest days, he refuses to give up.

He reminds his children that “Being a family is being united. I’ll never abandon [you]. It doesn’t matter what happens. Being with [you] makes me happy.”


Ava Bruns, a Marketing Specialist intern at Compassion, contributed to this blog article.

Father and his sons

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How to Get to Know Your Sponsored Child’s Family https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-get-to-know-your-sponsored-childs-family/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-to-get-to-know-your-sponsored-childs-family/#comments Sat, 17 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99581 Have you ever had one of those awesome, world-colliding moments when people from two different parts of your life meet? Like bringing a significant other home to meet your family for the first time. Or introducing your friends from church to your friends from work at your birthday party. These experiences only come around every now and then. And I love them.

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Helen is wearing a yellow and brown dress and a purple head covering. She is sitting next to her daughter, Rediet, wearing a pink shirt. The background is a green wall.

Have you ever had one of those awesome, world-colliding moments when people from two different parts of your life meet? Like bringing a significant other home to meet your family for the first time. Or introducing your friends from church to your friends from work at your birthday party. These experiences only come around every now and then. And I love them.

One of these moments happened for me when I was in college. I went to a university across the country from where I grew up, so my two worlds never overlapped. But, one year over Christmas break, my college roommate came to visit me at home. After years of hearing me talk about how much I loved my family, she finally got to meet them. It was so sweet to watch the most important people in my life connect. They all still talk about how awesome it was to this day!

Aren’t moments like these the best?!

Now, imagine how awesome it would be if you could create a meaningful, world-colliding moment with the most important people in your sponsored child’s life.

No, I’m not talking about taking a trip to visit them (although, that would be WONDERFUL in a post-COVID-19 world). I’m talking about building a relationship with your sponsored child’s family through letter writing!

There are two different types of situations in writing your sponsored child’s family.

  1. You are sponsoring a child who’s too young to be writing their own letters, so you’re already regularly corresponding with his or her caregiver.
  2. You are sponsoring a child who is old enough to write, but you still want to connect with his or her family.

Well, today I’d like to give a few connection-building, letter-writing tips for both of those scenarios!

Tips for Writing a Younger Child’s Caregiver

4 years old girl, wearing a blue dress, smiles with her father wearing a purple shirt, as they press their faces together happily.

For those of you who sponsor a young child who cannot write letters on their own yet, you might already be familiar with exchanging correspondence with his or her caregiver. This is a unique, built-in opportunity to make a connection with the people who most love the child you sponsor. Here are a few tips for writing your child’s caregiver:

  • Affirm the growth and development of their child. What parent doesn’t love to hear affirmations of their children? Look back at old letters to remind you of how the child has grown and developed. Share specifically about the developments you are excited about. Remind the caregiver that they are doing an amazing job in raising their child.
  • Ask the caregiver specific questions about herself or himself. Show your child’s caregiver that you take a special interest in them as well. Ask questions like “What is it like to have a child in the Compassion program? What are some challenges as a parent that you are facing right now? How can I be praying for you specifically?”
  • Bring up information about the caregiver that you’ve learned in the past. If your sponsored child’s caregiver has shared about herself or himself in the past, follow up about what’s been shared. Did she get a new job? Ask about it. Did he share a parental struggle? Let him know you’re still praying.
  • Swap drawings. If you have a child at home with you, ask him or her to draw a picture for your sponsored child’s caregiver. Include the caregiver’s name on the drawing. Then, request that the child you sponsor draw a picture of his or her caregiver to share with you. This is a great way to build a connection between your family and your sponsored child’s family.
  • Include a special prayer for the child’s caregiver. One of the most encouraging messages that a caregiver living in poverty can receive is that they are covered in prayer. So, consider writing out a prayer for your sponsored child’s caregiver, covering specific challenges they face. For example, “Lord, thank you for Noelle. Thank you that you have specifically chosen her to be Alison’s mother. I pray that she knows that she is loved and cherished. Give her wisdom as she raises her young daughter. Fill her with courage as she continues to work hard and share the love of Jesus with Alison. Continue to bless her with work, loving community and the supplies she needs. Amen.”

Tips for Writing an Older Child’s Family

A family portrait of Surayut wearing his school uniform with his parent with smile, standing in front of his house.

If you sponsor a child who is old enough to write his or her own letter:

  • Always begin your letter with a note to your sponsored child. Even if you know that you want to include a message to the child’s family, always make sure to address the child at the beginning of the letter! Ask questions about the child’s life. Remind them how loved they are. Then, transition into asking questions about their family.
  • Ask your sponsored child specifically about his or her family. You’ve probably already done this before. But if you’re wanting to learn more about their family, come up with a list of more specific questions. For example, “How would you describe your mother’s personality? What do you love most about your family? What do your brothers and sisters like to do for fun in their spare time?”
  • Include a special message and a few questions for a member of your sponsored child’s family. After writing directly to your child, transition into a note to their family. Make it clear to the child that you are transitioning and ask them to share what you’ve written with their family. Tell the family that you are so proud of their child. Let them know that you believe in them. And even feel free to ask them specific questions like “How does the church help your family?” or “What are you most proud of in your life?”
  • Send a photo for your sponsored child’s caregiver. Make it as personal as possible! For example, you could take a selfie of yourself while holding a sign that says “Hi, Alison,” or whatever your sponsored child’s caregiver’s name is. Or you could send a photo of your children holding up signs and drawings they’ve created specifically for them.
  • Ask your sponsored child to include his or her family member’s response in their next letter. This may or may not happen. But it’s worth asking your sponsored child to include their caregiver’s, sibling’s or grandparent’s response to your questions and encouragement in their next letter. Make sure to emphasize how special it is to get to know their family more deeply.

Feeling inspired to get to know the child you sponsor’s family in a new way? Write a letter today!

WRITE A LETTER TODAY! ›
Mother and Daughter

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It Takes a Village: Meet Staff Who Live Out the Call for Community https://blog.compassion.com/staff-spotlight-partnership-facilitator/ https://blog.compassion.com/staff-spotlight-partnership-facilitator/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99551 I’ve always loved the sentiment “It takes a village.” To me, those four words encapsulate the most powerful aspect of human growth and development: community. We all have a village surrounding us. And so does each and every child in the Compassion program.

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Jesus, wearing a dark blue shirt and jeans, is standing with his grandmother, Rosa, wearing a pink and white shirt and black and white striped shorts. Next to them is the project director and the tutors. They are standing outside Jesus' home. The Compassion staff are wearing face masks.

I’ve always loved the sentiment “It takes a village.” To me, those four words encapsulate the most powerful aspect of human growth and development: community.

As I reflect on my life — all the highs and lows, all the successes and failures, the acceptances and rejections — I think immediately of the surrounding people. The people who raised me. The people who poured into me. The people who walked alongside me on mountaintops and through valleys. It takes a village to propel humans into the future — to develop them to their fullest potential.

We all have a village surrounding us. And so does each and every child in the Compassion program.

For children to escape the cycle of poverty, they need a team of people who support, protect and empower them. If you’re a sponsor, you’re a member of that team for a child. So are caregivers, Compassion tutors and volunteers, pastors and center directors.

Today, we’d like to introduce you to some of the key members on the team of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name — partnership facilitators.

Sandy, wearing a white shirt, stands smiling in an office with arms on an open file cabinet drawer filled with files and paperwork.

Partnership facilitators are Compassion field employees who play a crucial role in ensuring that children receive the care they need through the local church. Each partnership facilitator oversees 10 to 15 Compassion partner churches in their own country. They know the needs of each community and ensure that the key holistic development programs are carried out with excellence at every church. They may not work directly with children, but the leadership of partnership facilitators has a profound impact on development and growth — whether children know it or not.

To gain a deeper understanding of what a partnership facilitator does and how they help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name, watch the video of Virginia, an inspiring partnership facilitator from Guatemala, below. She is dedicated to caring for children by meeting the needs of the different churches she works with. Then, keep scrolling for more interesting information about the important role that a partnership facilitator plays.

Watch “The Heart of a Partnership Facilitator.”

Serving children and communities

How a partnership facilitator serves his or her community:

  • Delivers sponsor letters.
  • Invests in and empowers frontline church leadership.
  • Partners with the church to meet critical needs.
  • Advocates for child protection.
  • Acts as a Compassion leader in the community.

A day in the life of a partnership facilitator:

  • Wake up early to travel for community visits.
  • Support program success and accountability.
  • Connect churches with specialized care.
  • Advocate on behalf of emergency needs.
  • Champion the well-being and protection of Compassion-assisted children.

True Story of Impact

Here’s an example of how a partnership facilitator can bring light to a whole community …

  • A frontline church partner in Burkina Faso expressed that access to running water and electricity would transform the lives of the children and community they serve.
  • They collaborated with their partnership facilitator to explore local solutions and make a plan.
  • The church took the lead and their partnership facilitator successfully advocated for the funding to make this dream a reality.
  • Local engineers installed solar paneling that now powers seven Compassion centers and brought access to clean water to those who need it.
A group of girls children students one is wearing a red and yellow shirt another a green dress with her hair in colorful braids looks at the running flowing water smiling as they are splashing washing hands at a station with clean running water from a faucet at a sink facility at the center practicing good personal hygiene washing and cleaning over a new outdoor outside sink tiled area.

It truly takes a village to help release a child from poverty in Jesus’ name — including partnership facilitators across the globe. Thank you to all our supporters for being part of this team.

One happy family

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Children’s Birthdays Are a Big Deal — and Not Just for Kids https://blog.compassion.com/childrens-birthdays-are-a-big-deal/ https://blog.compassion.com/childrens-birthdays-are-a-big-deal/#respond Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:31:45 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99527 Kids sure do love their birthdays. As I write this, my wife and I are in the midst of planning a birthday party for our two sons. They are turning 9 and 7. Their birthdays are within two weeks of each other, and since they are so close in age, they share many of the same friends. So, we’re able to do a bit of a two-for-one deal.

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A laughing girl child wearing a brown shirt with white lace and collar stands outside in the middle of a street holding a present wrapped in shiny red wrapping paper. Behind her is blue sky and trees.

Kids sure do love their birthdays.

As I write this, my wife and I are in the midst of planning a birthday party for our two sons. They are turning 9 and 7. Their birthdays are within two weeks of each other, and since they are so close in age, they share many of the same friends. So, we’re able to do a bit of a two-for-one deal.

That said, I’m a bit embarrassed about how much we spend to rent out a space; provide enough food, drinks, party favors, a cake and games; and last but not least a gift for each of our boys. But here’s the thing I’ve learned about birthdays that no one really talks about — there’s serious pressure to put on a great party to make sure our kids feel celebrated.

And there is a lot of pressure to make sure my sons’ friends and their parents are comfortable and have fun! Internally, other parents may ask themselves:

“Will my kid be safe here?” “Will he have a good time?” “Are these kids and families a good influence on my child?” “Will I have to invite these kids to my kid’s birthday party?” “What kind of party will I have to throw?”

Despite all that pressure, whether a party is extravagant or simple, as a dad I know the effort is worth it. I take pride in the fact that my wife and I intentionally celebrate our children because celebrating our children builds their self-esteem and points them toward the truth that their lives have value and purpose.

A laughing girl child wearing a brown shirt with white lace and collar stands outside in the middle of a street holding a present wrapped in shiny red wrapping paper. Behind her is blue sky and trees.

Children living in extreme poverty rarely get to be celebrated. Many of their stories that I hear are the same. On their birthday, their families might say, “Happy birthday!” and sing a song, but there’s no party … there are no friends … there’s no food, fun and gifts … there’s no celebration.

And it’s not because parents living in poverty don’t want that for their children — they do! But, as Compassion alumnus Edgar in the Dominican Republic remembers about his birthdays before he was sponsored, “When you’re so hyperfocused on doing what’s necessary just to have enough for your next meal, there isn’t much room for anything else.”

Parents living in poverty still want the best for their children. If they could, they would do everything you and I do to celebrate our own kids, too. That’s why it’s such a big deal when sponsors remember to celebrate their sponsored child’s birthday!

When sponsors give their sponsored children birthday gifts, it creates the margin for a family in poverty to shift that focus and be able to celebrate. And when that happens, parents and caregivers feel a whole mix of emotions.

Just read these five quotes from moms on how wonderful it was to be able to celebrate their child’s birthday:

1. Delmi, mother of 10-year-old Lorielky in the Dominican Republic

Lorielky is wearig a white dress with pink and orange flowers. She is standing behind a table with a birthday cake and gifts on it. Abover her are colorful balloons and behind her is a sign that says, "Cumpleanos." She is hugging her mother, Delmi.

“If Lorielky’s sponsors had not sent us these gifts, we would not have been able to celebrate the life of our beloved daughter and make her happy. Lorielky loves them (her sponsors) so much, and so do we.”

Lorielky is sponsored by Jimmy and Tracey, who live in Alabama.

2. Margarita, mother of 8-year-old Josue in El Salvador

“It was an important detail because I can celebrate my son’s birthday. I know that it’s an important moment, and as a mother, it is something that I cannot give him. It feels nice that others help us.”

Josue is sponsored by Taraleigh, who lives in Arizona.

3. Carmen, mother of 2-year-old Dara, 9-year-old Ashley and 12-year-old Emily in Ecuador

Ashley and Emily are wearing yellow shirts and jeans. They are surrounded by their younger sister and parents. They are all sitting at a table in their kitchen. Ashley is holding up a piece of her birthday cake.

“We were happy and excited to have a birthday cake and celebrate with our daughters. God is good. He never abandons us.”

Ashley is sponsored by Rylee, who lives in California.

4. Martha, mother of 8-year-old Frank in Rwanda

Frank is wearing a red shirt and dark shorts. He is standing in front of his home with his arms crossed.

“We have received so many gifts from Frank’s sponsor. Before, my husband and I didn’t know the importance of celebrating our children’s birthdays, and we didn’t have the resources to buy them gifts. … Our wish is for Frank’s sponsor to come and visit us so she can see for herself the change in our household.”

Frank is sponsored by Cathy, who lives in Missouri.

Frank is wearing a red shirt and dark shorts. He is sitting on a bench with his family in front of their home, which has been renovated using money from a gift from Frank's sponsor.

5. Araceli, mother of 7-year-old Iris in Mexico

Iris is wearing a brightly colored shirt and pink shorts. She is sitting in the yard of the Compassion center and is showing off her new shoes.

“Iris used to tell me how other children received presents from their sponsors and always asked if she would ever receive one. I felt joyful seeing my daughter’s face when she opened her present.”

Iris is sponsored by Phil and Jill, who live in Texas.

When sponsors send a gift donation for their sponsored children’s birthdays, staff at each of their Compassion centers consult with a parent or caregiver to get the child a gift he or she wants or needs most. And they help with the process of celebrating so that the sponsored child gets to feel the overwhelming joy of what it’s like to be celebrated.

Every child should know the joy of being celebrated. And every parent should know the pride of being able to provide the experience. Sponsors who give a birthday gift make it possible.

This year especially, a gift will be such a welcome blessing. The pandemic has caused many parents and caregivers to lose their regular sources of income. Sending a birthday gift also sends a message that even during hard times, they are loved and supported.

If you’re a sponsor and you’d like to send your sponsored child a birthday gift, please click here.

Children’s Birthdays Are a Big Deal and Not Just for Kids

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Read a Grandmother’s Hopeful Letter to Her Baby Grandson https://blog.compassion.com/a-grandmothers-hopeful-letter-to-her-baby-grandson/ https://blog.compassion.com/a-grandmothers-hopeful-letter-to-her-baby-grandson/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99490 Baby Deinner was delivered prematurely via emergency surgery as his mother, Cindy, battled COVID-19. Tragically, Cindy died the day after — leaving Deinner’s grandmother, Bridis, to raise her baby grandson and his two siblings.

Bridis shares her daughter's story and expresses her hopes for Deinner’s future in this letter she wrote for him to read one day.

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Grandmother holding her newborn grandson

Baby Deinner was delivered prematurely via emergency surgery as his mother, Cindy, battled COVID-19. Tragically, Cindy died the day after — leaving Deinner’s grandmother, Bridis, to raise her baby grandson and his two siblings.

As Bridis cares for her grandchildren and copes with the loss of her daughter, she is not alone. Compassion’s church partners in their Colombian community provide ongoing support to the entire family. Bridis and baby Deinner joined Compassion’s Survival Program for babies and their caregivers, and Deinner’s brother Ian is in the Child Sponsorship Program. Caring workers from Compassion’s church partners provide the family with home visits, groceries, spiritual and emotional support, supplies and prayer.

The church workers encouraged Bridis to honor her daughter’s memory and express her hopes for Deinner’s future by writing a letter to him that he can read one day.

A Hopeful Letter to My Baby Grandson

A grandmother is holding her newborn grandson and reading from a sheet of paper.

My sweet child Deinner,

You are my blessing. I remember how happy I felt when I saw you for the first time. Despite the pain, there you were: so innocent, so beautiful, reminding me of God’s love. Let me tell your story, my lovely little grandchild.

Your mother, Cindy, was smart, kind and beautiful. She had a family with your father and your siblings, Ian and Saidith. After hearing about Jesus, your mother accepted him as her Savior. Last year, Cindy realized she was expecting you and was so happy.

We were in quarantine, trying to avoid getting the COVID-19 virus. However, it still reached me, and I was hospitalized. Then your mother got sick while she was pregnant with you. She spent days at the hospital, fighting for both of your lives. However, she died after your birth, and I had no opportunity to see her again. It broke my heart.

I went home after spending three months in the hospital, and days later, I finally met you. When I saw you, I felt as if your mother was at home again. The Compassion center your brother attends supported us with food, a twin bed for your siblings and an oven so I can bake and sell bread.

Baby Deinner and his older brother and sister are outside their home in Colombia
Ian and Saidith hold their baby brother, Deinner, outside their home in Colombia.

Then, another Compassion center heard about your story and thought you would need special love and care since your mother cannot be here for you. They registered you because they support vulnerable babies as they grow up. God’s blessing and love are upon you, my little one. I spend my days caring for you, your siblings and my younger children. My health is not entirely OK, but I strive to do my best for you all. Your grandfather works driving a motorcycle to provide for us. Although your father does not live with you, he loves you and your siblings so much.

I want to thank God for his blessings. The churches and Compassion centers have become our most significant support. The center’s support will allow you to become an example, as your mother was. An example in your studies — a brave child full of dreams.

Baby Deinner is wearing a yellow Colombia football shirt and white pants with a sailboat on them. He is smiling and outdoors

Please, love God and trust him. That is your mother’s legacy. I hope you read this letter being a good man, a Christian that serves the Lord, a professional. I want all the good in the world for you.

With love,

Your grandmother Bridis

Photos and story gathering by Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina

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Enjoy This Hot Cross Buns Recipe and Inspirational Easter Devotional https://blog.compassion.com/hot-cross-buns-recipe-and-inspirational-easter-devotional/ https://blog.compassion.com/hot-cross-buns-recipe-and-inspirational-easter-devotional/#respond Fri, 02 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99508 This Good Friday, our friends at Compassion UK put together a beautiful recipe for easy-to-make hot cross buns paired with an Easter devotional. Once you’ve made your buns, settle down to reflect on the Easter message — and learn about the history of hot cross buns!

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Two young boys in Bolivia are dressed in chef outfits and tossing flour into the air.

This Good Friday, our friends at Compassion UK put together a beautiful recipe for easy-to-make hot cross buns paired with an Easter devotional.

Once you’ve made your hot cross buns, settle down to reflect on the Easter message.

A hot cross buns recipe for you

This recipe makes 12 hot cross buns.

Ingredients

For the buns:

  • 3/4 c. milk
  • 1/4 c. butter, diced, plus extra for serving
  • 4 c. white bread flour
  • 1/4 c. fine sugar
  • 1 (1/4 oz.) package active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. allspice
  • pinch salt
  • 2 medium eggs, lightly beaten
  • oil, for greasing
  • 1/3 c. seedless raisins*
  • 1 tsp. orange or lemon zest*

(*But you don’t have to stick with fruit buns! Instead you can swap out the raisins for any other dried fruit, or try delicious chocolate chips.)

For the crosses and glaze:

  • 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp. orange marmalade (shredless), for glazing

Directions

  1. Pour the milk into a small pan and heat to just below boiling.
  2. Add the butter to the hot milk.
  3. Remove from heat and leave to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, blend together the white bread flour, fine sugar, active dry yeast, cinnamon and allspice into a mixing bowl with a pinch of salt and stir.
  5. Add the beaten eggs to the cooled milk.
  6. Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and gradually pour in the milk and egg mixture. Bring together to form a slightly sticky dough.
  7. Tip the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). 
  8. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean cloth. Proof in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  9. Punch down the dough to remove any air bubbles. Add your raisins and zest (or other additions of choice) and knead, on a floured surface, for 5 minutes more.
  10. Roll into a ball and portion into 12 equal pieces.
  11. Shape the pieces into rounds and place onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Leave a 1.5-inch gap between each bun, cover with a tea towel and set aside to proof for 20-30 minutes.
  12. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  13. Make the crosses: Mix the all-purpose flour with 6 tbsp. water to make a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag with a round nozzle (or a plastic baggie with a corner cut off). Pipe a cross onto each bun.
  14. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown (the bases should sound hollow when tapped).
  15. To finish, glaze the buns by heating the shredless marmalade and using a pastry brush to coat the tops.

OK, you’ve made your hot cross buns, so spread some butter, put the kettle on and take a moment to remind yourself what it’s all about.

The history of hot cross buns

Hot cross buns … one a penny, two a penny …

Buns with crosses on have been around for a very long time. In pagan times they were made in celebration of spring and the goddess of dawn, Eostre, with the cross symbolizing the four phases of the moon.

Then, according to English folklore, a monk in St. Albans, England, named Thomas Rocliffe developed a recipe for Alban buns, which he distributed to the poor on Good Friday. The buns were said to have “become holy,” and in 1592 Queen Elizabeth 1 decreed they must be baked at no other time than on Good Friday or Christmas or for funerals!

The first recorded reference to them, however, was in the early 1700s with the words to this hot cross buns song: “Good Friday comes this month, the old woman runs, with one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns!”

Tradition has it that if you hung a bun from the rafters in your kitchen it would not go moldy all year. Supposedly it would enhance friendships, prevent fires and if taken on a voyage it would stop that ship from being wrecked!

The Easter cross

But you know what? Brother Thomas Rocliffe had the right idea. He looked at the cross bun and saw another kind of cross — the cross of Jesus.

Into his dough he mixed spices that symbolized the embalming of Jesus’ body. We here at Compassion also love the fact that he gave them away to the poor.

We’re reminded once again this Easter of the power of the cross, where Jesus took the punishment for the things we’ve done wrong, and his resurrection and victory over death. This good news is for the poor, the sinner, the disenfranchised, the lonely, the broken, in fact … everyone!

I’m reminded of the words of an Easter hymn by Isaac Watts, for it was “At the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight.”

So, as you enjoy your hot cross bun — toasted or otherwise — contemplate the incredible love of a God who was willing to sacrifice himself for the world and thank him that because he lives, we can also live.


This article, which was written by Tim Robertson and Liz Boalch, originally appeared on the Compassion UK blog. Recipe converted for U.S. audience.

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4 Ways Letter Writing Benefits You and the Child You Sponsor https://blog.compassion.com/4-ways-letter-writing-benefits-you-and-the-child-you-sponsor/ https://blog.compassion.com/4-ways-letter-writing-benefits-you-and-the-child-you-sponsor/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99336 OK, so I need to make a confession … I’m not as good as I should be at writing letters to my sponsored child. And I make all sorts of reasonable excuses for it, too:

“My life is already so busy with my work and kids that it’s hard to find the time.” “I feel like I just wrote a letter a couple months ago.” (It was 10 months ago.) “I need to wait until I have more to say.” “My letters don’t really matter anyway.”

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Young woman wearing a white shirt and a blue and white checkered apron. She is sitting at a table outside and is reading letters from her sponsor.

OK, so I need to make a confession … I’m not as good as I should be at writing letters to my sponsored child. And I make all sorts of reasonable excuses for it, too:

“My life is already so busy with my work and kids that it’s hard to find the time.” “I feel like I just wrote a letter a couple months ago.” (It was 10 months ago.) “I need to wait until I have more to say.” “My letters don’t really matter anyway.”

I don’t know if you can relate to any of these. If you can, you’re definitely not alone. And you’re not a bad sponsor. Even if you never wrote a single letter to your sponsored child but you remained committed to their support while they worked with their church leaders and staff at their Compassion center to grasp the vision that God has planned for their future, you’d be making a profound difference in your sponsored child’s life.

That said, writing letters does some have amazing benefits, not only to your sponsored child but to you! And, yes, I am writing this blog to remind myself of that as I hope to encourage anyone else who struggles with writing.

So let’s take a look at four benefits of writing letters to your sponsored child:

1. It deepens empathy …

Without writing letters to correspond with your sponsored child, it’s hard to know what is actually going on in his or her life beyond the basics. You’ll receive regular updates on how they are progressing, but you may not feel involved. Through exchanging letters, you can ask questions and share about yourself. That may make your sponsored child more comfortable sharing the details of their life and their struggle with poverty with you. When you learn more about your sponsored child’s story, your opportunity to deepen your empathy for your sponsored child expands.

How that benefits the child:

There are so many ways deepened empathy can benefit your sponsored child.

  • It will make you more of an active participant in his or her life. Empathy naturally lends itself to engagement, so you’ll feel compelled to reach out more to your sponsored child.
  • As you reach out, you’ll be more engaged in coaching, listening, supporting and guiding. All of those things are profound to a child whose life experience and circumstances tell him or her that he or she has zero chance of amounting to anything.
  • Your sponsored child will begin to see things from a broader perspective. Their empathy for you will open them up to new horizons and challenge them to think more critically about the world, their place in it and how they can work to make it different by starting with their own families, communities and countries.

How that benefits you:

Empathizing with someone else’s experience and perspective is a great regular practice.

  • It challenges your own notions of how the world really works, and it forces you out of your comfort zone. Growth only happens when there’s discomfort, so empathy forces us to grow.
  • You’ll also learn much more about yourself. You’ll analyze your own life and perspectives and gain a greater appreciation for the things you have, the place where you live and the life you live where you’re able to bless someone else.
  • You won’t have to wonder if you’re really making a difference. Having greater empathy means you know what’s at stake and you’ll see more clearly what living in poverty is like for a child. And after knowing that better, you can be proud of the choice you made to change a child’s future.

2. It helps develop curiosity …

By engaging with your sponsored child through letters, it’s only natural that questions will come up. You’ll want to know more about how your sponsored child lives and his or her specific situation, and he or she will want to know more about your life.

How that benefits the child:

  • Curiosity leads to discovery. It lets your sponsored child know that asking questions is OK – that by asking questions we learn and grow.
  • Your sponsored child will begin to see that the world is full of possibility if you simply ask the questions. And it’ll open his or her own mind to the possibility that the world could be different for him or her, too.

How that benefits you:

  • In much the same way, you’ll also learn and discover things you never knew. You’ll want to know more about where your sponsored child lives, what their life is like, what it’s like in their country and what they believe is possible.
  • Curiosity may open you up to even one day visiting your sponsored child’s country. And that can lead you to have deeply fulfilling and exciting experiences with memories you’ll cherish, all because you asked questions.
Young man wearing a blue shirt. He is standing outside and is writing a letter to his sponsor.

3. It grows a greater understanding …

Through exchanging letters, you’ll learn more about how Compassion works, what your sponsored child’s time at Compassion is like, how the lessons and support are helping, and what else could be done (i.e., where else you can lend your support) to make things better.

Your child will also have a better understanding of why they should listen to his or her pastor, teachers and tutors and fully engage with all the Compassion program offers them.

How that benefits the child:

  • Your child will begin to see that the Compassion program is about way more than just providing them supplemental food while sharing some Bible verses with them. They will know you are investing in their future. They will know that you believe in them, and they will want to work to live up to their full potential.

How that benefits you:

  • When you practice empathy and curiosity in your letter exchanges, you’ll gain a fuller understanding of the entire system, from how Compassion works in your child’s country to what your sponsored child’s day-to-day life is like to why anti-poverty work is so much more complex than simply giving people more money and stuff.
  • Ultimately, you’ll clearly see why deciding to sponsor was such an impactful decision.

4. It inspires people everywhere …

It might be hard to imagine, but in many places where Compassion serves, people aren’t really used to getting letters at all, let alone from people living in foreign countries. So when a child receives a letter from their sponsor, it’s not uncommon for the whole village or community to know about it and want to know what it says.

How that benefits the child:

  • It boosts your sponsored child’s self-esteem to share his or her letters with his or her family, friends and community because he or she gets to feel special. It’s not about showing off, because communities often celebrate letters together, but it reinforces what your sponsored child hears from his or her pastor and staff at the Compassion center – that he or she has value and a purpose.

How that benefits you:

  • You can feel great in knowing that not only are you making a life-changing difference through your influence on one child’s life, but you’re also touching his or her family, you’re reaching his or her community and you’re sharing hope with more people than you could ever know. That will make you feel both humbled and honored!
Boy wearing a yellow shirt and jeans. He is standing outside his home and is holding his sponsor letters close to his chest.

Writing letters to your sponsored child can be a hard thing to prioritize. But hopefully you see at least four reasons for why it might be something you’d want to do. (Yes, I’m talking to myself again here, too).

The simple fact is that through developing a real relationship with your sponsored child through exchanging letters, you should experience the joy of actively changing someone else’s life for the better in a more full and more fulfilling way.

So, make writing to your sponsored child a priority for this week. Here’s the link to write now if you’d like to write immediately. Otherwise, even just a short letter to say, “Hello! How are you?” is a great way to begin reaping the benefits of letter writing – for you and your sponsored child – this week!

Leave a comment below: What other benefits can you think of when it comes to letter writing?

International photography by Tigist Gizachew, Galia Oropeza and Juana Ordonez Martinez.

Writing a letter

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Before and After Safe Water: 20 Powerful Photos https://blog.compassion.com/before-and-after-safe-water-20-powerful-photos/ https://blog.compassion.com/before-and-after-safe-water-20-powerful-photos/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99404 In northern Uganda, young Betty once faced a frustrating choice: walk nearly 4 miles to fetch water that cows and pigs also drank from, or drink from the nearby well, which was wriggling with worms.

For Betty, a safe water point changed everything. See for yourself! Meet Betty and other children whose lives changed after they gained access to safe drinking water.

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In northern Uganda, young Betty once faced a frustrating choice: walk nearly 4 miles to fetch water that cows and pigs also drank from, or drink from the nearby well, which was wriggling with worms. She was one of the 2.2 billion — or 1 in 3 — people around the world who do not have access to safe drinking water, according to UNICEF. The impact means hundreds of thousands of children under 5 die each year from preventable waterborne diseases.

For Betty, a safe water point changed everything. No longer is she one of the shocking statistics — she has clean drinking water at the turn of a tap. Access to safe water changes more than just a child’s health. It can improve their education outcomes and even their family’s financial situation.

See for yourself! Meet Betty and other children whose lives changed after they gained access to safe drinking water.

1. Nicolas, Colombia

Before

Boy seated next to one of the hoses connections people in his community use to distribute water.

Seven-year-old Nicolas stares at the pipes in a ditch that represent his community’s water. His neighborhood isn’t connected to the public water system, so residents set up a pipeline to a neighboring community’s supply. Unfortunately, the water is contaminated. “Many of the children have illnesses caused by poor water quality, such as diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting,” says Compassion center director Sindy.

After

Boy taking water to drink from the water filter he received from the project. He is wearing a green tee shirt.

After 200 vulnerable families received their own water filter systems through Compassion’s church partner, including Nicolas’, their health has been transformed. “The water from the filter tastes very good,” says Nicolas. “My stomach does not hurt anymore!”

2. Betty, Uganda

Before

Woman wearing a yellow scarf on her head, a red shirt and long pattern skirt at a large puddle where rain water collected on the ground.

Evelyn and her young daughter Betty had to make nearly 4-mile journey to fetch standing water each day. The only alternative was drinking from a flooded well, which was wriggling with worms. “We had to drink from the same water the cows and pigs drank from,” says Evelyn. “My auntie died because of this dirty water. My daughter got sick three times.”

After

Woman wearing a yellow head scarf and a red shirt with a long pattern skirt smiles as she fetches clean water from an outdoor outside community faucet into her yellow plastic container Other women standing single file in line behind her to also fetch the clean running water. Girl wearing an orange and white dress helps her mother collect the life saving water.

“Ever since they brought in the new water, my child has not suffered from any water-related diseases like typhoid,” says Evelyn. The new water point has four faucets and a 10,000-gallon tank providing fresh, safe water for the entire community.

3. Ae-plaetoo and Blaetoo, Thailand

Before

Two adolescent female teen girls, one in a green shirt and black skirt, the other in gray shirt and black pants, sit, squat on the rocky dirt ground holding green and blue pans, pouring water into black buckets. Behind them are a body of brown water, trees and shrubs.

Diarrhea, kidney stones and parasites are common health problems in Ae-plaetoo and Blaetoo’s community in northern Thailand. Residents collect water from the small pools next to the dangerous, fast-flowing river. “The water here, it’s not clean and there’s a lot of dust,” says Blaetoo. “Because we get water straight from the river, we need a filter.”

After

A smiling girl in gray shirt black and green pants squats, sits on a bamboo floor next to a white bucket, pouring water into it from a light blue pan.

These best friends pour the water straight into their Sawyer filtration system, which makes it safe to drink — no matter what the river conditions might be. Ae-plaetoo’s smile says it all!

4. Children in Peru

Before

A child is kneeling down beside a river that runs in the Tamarindo community.

“The children were weak, thin, didn’t eat and were lethargic. It wasn’t normal,” says Pastor Sernaqué of Compassion’s local church partner. In Tamarindo, families had no choice but to use the contaminated Chira River for their drinking water. As a result, more than half the children at the Compassion center suffered from intestinal worms.

After

A boy wearing a light blue shirt is standing in front of a body of water. He is holding a glass of water in each hand. One glass contains clean water and one contains dirty water. There are trees behind the water.

Through a water purification system installed at Compassion’s church partner, the whole community now has access to safe water.

“The children are now good!” says Pastor Sernaqué. “Their color has improved, and they are brighter and happier.”

5. Princess, the Philippines

Before

Plastic water pipes snake their way into their community, through the dirt and open sewers. Most of the public faucets are not sanitary, which is why families boil the water to make it safe for drinking or buy bottled water for drinking.

In Princess’ impoverished community in Cebu City, plastic water pipes run past open sewers. They lead to the few homes that have faucets, but even then they only provide water early in the morning or at night. The town has struggled with the water shortage for over a decade.

After

Several girls are seen here in the bathroom at the Student Center. They are smiling and looking at the camera as they wash their hands.

The aptly named Child’s Haven Student Center, where sponsored children go for Compassion program activities, has a tiled bathroom facility so children can wash and access clean water on tap.

“It is a great testimony in this community that God’s church is equipped with a reliable water supply and hygienic facilities.”

Pastor Caraca

6. Kantida, Thailand

Before

Girl wearing a white shirt and black shorts. She is walking into a stream near her village.

For generations, 9-year-old Kantida’s village in northern Thailand has not had access to safe water. The same river families bathed in and washed their clothes in was also the source of their drinking water. As a result, children suffered endless health issues from waterborne diseases.

After

Girl wearing a pink jacket. She is inside her home and is holding a water bottle full of clean water.

“For the first time, I don’t feel sick in my stomach after drinking water,” she says. “I am so grateful for Compassion for helping my family to get a water filter.”

7. Mary, Togo

Before

Girl wearing her Compassion uniform, a blue shirt and skirt. She is standing at the edge of the river where they gather water.

In 5-year-old Mary’s district, a survey by Compassion Togo revealed just 3 percent of families had access to potable water — including hers. “We shared the river with oxen and other livestock,” says her father. “Because of that, my children often developed stomachaches. And when the river dried up, I had to travel about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) away to fetch water.”

After

Girl standing at a faucet and is washing her hands. She is wearing a blue shirt and skirt.

Little Mary no longer has to depend upon the river when she wants a drink. “I am happy for the water at the center, because it is closer to us and easier to collect. The water from the tap is very clean and much sweeter than the river water.”

8. Avishka, Sri Lanka

Girl smiling at the camera as she pumps water into a wooden bucket that is on the ground. She is wearing pink pants and a purple dress. There are trees in the background.

The well pump in Avishka’s backyard was convenient, but the water it produced frequently left her with stomach pains. The untreated groundwater also left her with brown stains on her teeth. 

Girl standing and pointing at the Sawyer filter. She is wearing a purple top and is smiling at the camera.

The filter from her Compassion center has given her whole family a new reason to smile!

9. Dipika, Bangladesh

Before

Girl wearing a white dress with a floral pattern. She is holding a silver jug and is walking down the shallow riverbed.

Eleven-year-old Dipika’s bright smile hides the challenge she used to face: waking early to rush to the community tube well before the crowds. When the queue was too long, they gathered jugs of water from the nearby river. “I don’t like making her work to collect water before and after school,” says her father. “But I believe that a family that works together, stays together.”

After

Girl wearing a gold dress with a red paisley pattern. She is pumping water from the tube well at her home. There are trees behind her.

A financial gift from her sponsor helped the family to purchase something they had dreamed of — a well in their own yard. Now they have access to fresh, safe water just yards from their home. “These days, I don’t even drink water from that jug,” says Dipika. “I directly take water from the tube well and enjoy the freshness of the water.”

10. Akoua Grace, Togo

Before

Woman wearing a colorfully patterned dress and is carrying her baby in a sling on her back. She is walking outside to collect water from the dam. There is a small stream in front of her and trees behind her.

In Akoua Grace’s village, children had no other choice but to drink unclean water from a dam used by cows. To make life more difficult, her mother, Akouvi, had to walk miles to reach it. “The water we had been drinking was very dirty,” she says. “I often had stomachache, fever, headaches and red eyes.”

After

Girl wearing a blue and white checked dress. She is playing in water coming from the pipe to the borehole at the Compassion center. The water is running down over her head. Other children are in the background.

In July 2020, a critical intervention from Compassion funded a borehole at the local Compassion center and transformed life in the village. “Since this water has come, sicknesses have reduced. We are free. We are in paradise!” says Akouvi. “I am so happy and don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

International reporting and photography by Ben Adams, Edwin Estioko, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Jonatan Ruiz, Gabriella Akpene Samaty, Jehojakim Sangare, J. Sangma, Piyamary Shinoda and Alexander Whittle.


You can transform life for a child, family or community in need this World Water Day, March 22!

Give Water ›
Boy holding two glasses of water.

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How a Year of COVID-19 Has Changed Us Forever https://blog.compassion.com/how-covid-has-changed-us-forever/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-covid-has-changed-us-forever/#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99345 In early March 2020, I was on a storytelling trip to El Salvador for Compassion. One minute we were loading the van to head to a child development center, the next we were packing our bags to rush to the airport — urgently called home as COVID-19, a seemingly distant threat, suddenly became very real.

Here are beautiful moments from the past year that represent prayers answered, lives changed and lessons learned. They show what is possible when together, we rise as one.

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In early March 2020, I was on a storytelling trip to El Salvador for Compassion. One minute we were loading the van to head to a child development center, and the next we were packing our bags to rush to the airport — urgently called home as COVID-19, a seemingly distant threat, suddenly became very real.

In a matter of weeks, the world felt like it had shut down.

In the year since, my days have been spent at home, sharing stories about how the pandemic is affecting children living in poverty. These stories (told by our incredible local photojournalists) will stay with me forever.

Yhovana’s is one of them. When COVID-19 hit Bolivia, her husband lost his job. She works at a farm. One day, desperate to feed her children, she looked down at the bucket of chicken guts she fed to her employer’s pigs. She had no choice. “I collected the nicer intestines to bring home,” she says, “to cook and eat.” When Compassion’s partner heard, they delivered groceries. Because Yhovana’s family needed food, but they also deserved dignity.

Another is a grandmother in Brazil. She had just been handed a basket heaving with food by Compassion’s local church partner. She was all alone. Concerned, the pastor asked if she needed help to carry it. Her response brought tears to his eyes. “It would be heavier if it were empty,” she replied.

Mother and children  all sitting together on a blanket outside their home. Two of the chilren are wearing dark pink dresses with flowers on them.

Or Tribin, a mother in Bangladesh (pictured above with her children). Even before the pandemic, she and her husband struggled to earn enough to feed their little girls. In what was the most challenging season of their lives, she says the pandemic has taught her to believe in miracles. Compassion’s partner keeps providing for them at just the right time.

If these stories broke my heart, others made me laugh. In the Philippines, a teenage boy rode a water buffalo with a karaoke machine blaring to spread joy and raise funds for COVID-19 patients. In El Salvador, a family coped with being cooped up at home by creating their own stationary bicycle — using their bodies. Their youngest boy, little Josue, was the wheels.

A boy and his carabao (water buffalo) karaoke challenge. They are walking down a road and people are holding signs as they sit in a cart pulled by the water buffalo.

Mostly, though, I am left in awe of people’s courage, dedication and capacity to continually pour out love upon vulnerable families. In 2020, the world shut its doors and closed its borders. Yet people like Compassion’s church partners opened their hands and their hearts. In dozens of different languages, they said, “What do you need? We are here for you.”

You were part of it. In a year that many of us would like to erase, truly beautiful things happened. Compassion sponsors and donors empowered our incredible local partners to be the hands of feet of Jesus. In the Japanese art of kintsugi, broken pottery pieces are repaired with gold. By embracing the flaws and imperfections of the pottery, this art form creates a stronger, more beautiful piece. Although 2020 was a year that often felt broken, I saw how God filled the cracks with bright, shining gold.

Here is some of the gold from the year the world changed. These moments represent prayers answered, lives changed and lessons learned. They show what is possible when together, we rise as one.

1. We showed up for one another

Girl wearing a white dress with a blue pattern. She is standing on a wooden stairway between two houses in the slums, where she lives with her family.

We were separated by distance but fought to remain united. Friends celebrated graduations and birthdays by driving past homes, balloons streaming from car windows. Teenagers taught grandparents to use Zoom. Neighbors dropped encouraging notes in mailboxes. Loved ones waved from pavement beneath hospital windows.

When vulnerable families needed health care during the pandemic, Compassion’s partners were there. From April 2020 to January 2021, they supported 970,660 cases of medical care.

Being separated was hard. It caused excruciating pain to many. But distance couldn’t stop us from showing up for one another, and time together now is all the more precious.

2. We realized the church is more than a building

A child is seen here smiling at the camera and carrying a large bag of food. There is a brick wall and trees in the background.

From the beginning, the church has always been more than a building. But in 2020, when many couldn’t access attend services in person, this truth really shone. Churches all over the world adapted by shifting online, moving services outdoors and providing support in new ways to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus. 

When their church doors closed, Compassion’s partners taught children virtually, prayed for families over the phone and even delivered birthday cakes at a safe distance. They distributed a staggering 10,614,674 food packs to vulnerable families — each pack representing a full belly and a weight off an anxious parent’s shoulders.

3. We learned to smile with our eyes

Girl standing in front of her home. She is wearing a black and gray striped shirt, yellow raincoat, and a face mask.

It was a skill most of us didn’t realize we needed. When face masks were introduced, suddenly we had to express ourselves using only the top half of our face. 

In some developing countries, the prices of face masks and hand sanitizer skyrocketed, making these simple tools of self-protection out of reach. Compassion’s church partners distributed more than 7,128,706 hygiene kits, helping to protect precious lives.

4. We saw God’s faithfulness

In all of the challenges, we saw God at work. He inspired the Filipino teenager in his quest to create smiles, he showed up on Tribin’s doorstep through faithful center volunteers and he walked alongside the Brazilian grandmother as she carried her food basket home.

He made pathways through the wilderness and rivers in the dry wasteland, just as he had promised. If you haven’t seen this in your own life yet, take heart. He is still working.

The past year has been one of widespread change, quarantines and challenges. But let’s remember the ways God filled the cracks with gold.

Mother and children

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10 Talented Young Entrepreneurs Who Dreamed Beyond Poverty https://blog.compassion.com/talented-young-entrepreneurs-who-dreamed-beyond-poverty/ https://blog.compassion.com/talented-young-entrepreneurs-who-dreamed-beyond-poverty/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99318 The impact of sponsors’ generosity on children multiplies far beyond their childhood years. Compassion centers at local churches offer them safe spaces to discover and lessons on how to steward their God-given talents. Access to resources and exposure to various activities, coupled with vocational and financial training, allow children to dream big — beyond their circumstances.

Check out these incredible stories of talented young entrepreneurs!

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The impact of sponsors’ generosity on children multiplies far beyond their childhood years. Compassion centers at local churches offer them safe spaces to discover and lessons on how to steward their God-given talents.

Access to resources and exposure to various activities, coupled with vocational and financial training, allow children to dream big — beyond their circumstances. Compassion is devoted to cultivating and developing this next generation of leaders.

Check out these incredible stories of talented young entrepreneurs!

Faida, Guitar Teacher

Faida is weairng a white shirt and navy blue pants. He is playing his guitar. Behind him are green bushes.

Compassion alumnus Faida, 28, discovered his musical talent at a Compassion center in Rwanda at only 10 years old. He never missed a lesson. After graduating from university with a degree in civil engineering and purchasing his own guitar, he deeply desired to give back to children. Today, he runs his own online music school, where he has taught over 200 kids to play guitar.

“Whenever I remember that Compassion helped to boost my talent in playing guitar, I get full of emotion, and I believe that it was God’s plan for me.”

Faida

Miriam and Maureen, Business Owners

Miriam is wearing a light orange shirt and Maureen is wearing a dark orange shirt. They are inside their salon and behind them, clothes are hanging on the wall.

Twins Miriam and Maureen witnessed their factory-working mother laboring long hours but still struggling to put them through school, feed them and pay rent. This inspired them to seek a different future. Today, they are realizing their childhood dream of owning their own business in Tanzania. Maureen explains, “The [Compassion] center gave us capital for our salon business, and they also put us through entrepreneurial skill training.” They now manage their own successful beauty salon and plan to open a men’s clothing boutique.

Theophile, Shoemaker

Theophile is wearing a yellow shirt. He is using a machine to polish a pair of shoes he is making.

Bright and driven Theophile discovered his talent of shoemaking at his Compassion center in Togo. The teenager is both top of his academic class and enjoys managing his small shoemaking business in his free time. In his language, he is known as a “toto,” or “fast learner.” He jumps to partake in every opportunity offered at the center, but he chose to run with this one.

Sebastian, Weaver

Sebastian is wearing dark blue pants and a blue shirt. He is teaching youth at the Compassion center how to weave bags in one of the classrooms. Behind him is a brick wall with a large black board on it.

In Rwanda, university education is often too expensive for youth to attend. Knowing this, Sebastian’s Compassion center teaches vocational skills classes. Wanting to prove that boys could weave too, although it’s commonly done by girls, Sebastian chose bag weaving. He now uses the skills he learned to train his peers, earning him a monthly income. He also taught his mother to weave and sell her creations, further improving their family’s living conditions.

Sandy, Cosmetologist

Sandy is standing in the salon with her hands in her pockets, smiling. The wall in the background is purple.

One of Compassion’s local church partners in Colombia opened up a nationally accredited beauty school. Sandy graduated from the salon program, which launched her into a long-term career of painting nails and styling hair.

Rayane and Rhaldney, Photographers

Rayane shows one of her favorite pictures. She is smiling at the camera as she holds up her picture.

A Compassion center in Brazil launched a program called Criativa (“Creative”) to give new dreams to youth threatened by lack of opportunities.

Rayane photographs her community. She shares:

“Here there is much history of struggle, determination and resistance. I like to record these people, to show what is beautiful among our alleys. Despite the bad things we see here, it was the fact that I was born here that made me who I am today. It was what made me strong to fight for my dreams.”

Rhaldney shows one of his favorite pictures. He is wearing a black tee shirt with colored letters, and jeans. He is holding a photo and looking at it.

Rhaldney, another student, explains that photography changed his life. He says, “It’s through the lens of the cameras that I express my perceptions in the world. I have friends from the community who chose the wrong paths, but I’m grateful to the project [Compassion center] for helping me to take a different path. Today I study advertising and marketing, and even though there are difficult days, I know that God has helped me in my struggles.

Piyeston, Chef

Piyeston is wearing a gray shirt with blue and yellow plaid apron. He is holding out a bowl of soup that he made.

When Piyeston expressed his interest in cooking, the staff at his Compassion center in Sri Lanka organized a cooking program with Dilmah, a famous brand of Sri Lankan tea. All the youth were shown what a chef’s career looked like and given the next steps to take if this was a job that interested them. “I didn’t know that ‘chef’ was a job title,” says Piyeston, smiling. “I had never even heard of the word. But cooking was something that I love to do, and this program taught me so much.”

Sandra, Painter

Sandra is wearing a black dress with pink and blue flowers on it. She is painting at the craft fair and she is sitting in front of a tree. There are many other people in the background.

One of Compassion’s church partners in Honduras organized a public fair where students could sell their creations to their communities. Sandra, 17, says, “Painting is my passion, and I discovered it through the vocational training I got at the Compassion center.”

International reporting and photography of young entrepreneurs by Christian Abayisenga, Odessa B, Eric D. Lema, Helen Manson, Juana Ordonez Martinez, Sara Navarro, Gabriella Akpene Samaty, Doreen Umutesi


About the Author: Ava Bruns recently graduated from Clemson University with a communication major and brand communication minor. She is currently a Marketing Specialist intern at Compassion. A love for the Lord, a heart for people, a passion for creating and an adventurous spirit collide to make her the person she is today.

Young man with a guitar

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Remembering Our Friend Luis Palau https://blog.compassion.com/remembering-our-friend-luis-palau/ https://blog.compassion.com/remembering-our-friend-luis-palau/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2021 23:12:32 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99365 Luis Palau went to be with the Lord on March 11, 2021. He was 86 years old.

For more than 65 years, Palau preached, taught and wrote about the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Originally from Argentina, Palau always had a big heart for the Spanish-speaking world. As the Lord blessed his ministry, he shared the clear Christian faith in 80 nations and to an estimated 1 billion people through his citywide festivals, television programs, radio programs and writings.

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Luis Palau preaching to a huge audience in Buenos Aires. He is standing on a stage holding a hand in the air and wearing a blue shirt and white pants.
Luis Palau preaching in Buenos Aires.

Luis Palau went to be with the Lord on March 11, 2021. He was 86 years old.

For more than 65 years, Palau preached, taught and wrote about the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Originally from Argentina, Palau always had a big heart for the Spanish-speaking world. As the Lord blessed his ministry, he shared the clear Christian faith in 80 nations and to an estimated 1 billion people through his citywide festivals, television programs, radio programs and writings.

Palau was known for his genuine love for people, kindness and big smile. Toward the end of his life, Palau said,

“I have no regret in pouring out my years, from the time I was a boy, for the sake of the Good News. If I was given a thousand lifetimes, I would dedicate them all to the same calling.”

Luis Palau in a suit and tie puts his arm around his sponsored child, Fernando
Luis got to meet Fernando, a child he sponsored through Compassion in Mexico.

A dear friend of Compassion, Palau, his organization and Compassion have supported and cheered each on for years. Palau took opportunities to visit Compassion children around the world throughout his life and once visited Fernando, a child the Palau family sponsored. At the time, Palau said he appreciated, “finally seeing someone face to face I’ve been praying for …”

Luis Palau bends down to speak to a child. He is wearing a blue and white striped shirt.
Luis Palau visiting children in Compassion’s program in 1992.

Upon hearing the news of Palau’s death, Compassion President Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado tweeted:

Palau’s beautiful life and ministry was shared in the 2019 feature film “Palau.” Gaston Pauls, the actor who played Palau in the film, was deeply impacted by his life and ministry. He shared this tribute on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the millions of lives — including his own — that Palau touched.

The Palau Association recently sent out what would be Palau’s final challenge to believers around the world, “Never let the fire of evangelism fade. Stand strong for the Gospel!” Many remember how he always loved to quote the famous Corrie Ten Boom poem:

When I enter that beautiful city, And the saints all around me appear, I hope that someone will tell me: it was you who invited me here.

Surely, he is hearing just that and many times over! When such a hero for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ goes to his reward, we are all reminded of these words from the prophet Isaiah,

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation …” (52:7)

Luis Palau holds a Bible and closes his eyes to pray.

We all have people in our lives with such beautiful feet, those who have pointed us to Jesus and showed us the love of God. As we thank God for a life well lived, let’s pause and also thank God for the many people who, like Luis Palau, have faithfully shared the good news with us.


Luis Palau photos courtesy of the Palau Association.

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How Do You Make Your Sponsored Child Part of Your Daily Life? https://blog.compassion.com/how-do-you-make-your-sponsored-child-part-of-your-daily-life/ https://blog.compassion.com/how-do-you-make-your-sponsored-child-part-of-your-daily-life/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99265 Many of the children in our program think about their sponsor as an extension of their family. Maybe you feel the same way about the child you sponsor. You know you want to pray for him or her daily and write letters often. And through those actions and your financial gifts, you’ll no doubt make a powerful impact on your sponsored child’s life. But … you feel the need to do more. You want to incorporate your sponsored child into your daily life as much as possible. The question is: How?

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Many of the children in our program think about their sponsor as an extension of their family. Maybe you feel the same way about the child you sponsor. You know you want to pray for him or her daily and write letters often. And through those actions and your financial gifts, you’ll no doubt make a powerful impact on your sponsored child’s life.

But … you feel the need to do more. You want to incorporate your sponsored child into your daily life as much as possible. The question is: How?

Crisma is wearing a green jacket and green pants. She is laying on the red floor and smiling.

To answer that question, let’s turn to the Compassion family. Some of the stories that inspire us most are about the incredible dedication and commitment of our sponsors. If you’re looking for ways to further incorporate your sponsored child into your family — or even just ways to remind yourself to think about and pray for him or her on a daily basis — look no further.

We’ve reached out to sponsors to see how they make their sponsored children part of their daily lives. Here’s what some of them had to say …

“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t pray for these children. Their letters and drawings and photos are everywhere, with so many of them. And their birthdays are on the calendar. They have truly blessed me, and I have realized over the years that God has used my letters to them in ways I could never have imagined.” — Jan

“I tell my sponsored children that they are always in my heart, and I take them with me everywhere I go. I try to take photos of my either holding their picture or a special sign for them in different places. For example, I am an MD/Ph.D. student and took a photo for one child from the research lab.” — Emily

“Besides taping their most recent photos and letters to my fridge, every day I make one of my sponsored kids the background photo on my phone. That way, anytime I see a notification or check my phone, I’m reminded to pray for them. I also frequently check global news sites and Compassion’s Crisis Updates page to learn more about what might be impacting them and how to pray for their countries.” — Katie

“For me, it’s crucial to involve my son in the process of sponsorship, so he often draws them pictures or picks out stickers to send them in the mail. We have thrown a little birthday celebration to show our sponsored child how much a part of our family he is.” — Kristen

Kristen and her son Owen hold up a birthday cake made for one of their family's sponsored children, Omar.
Kristen and her son Owen celebrate the birthday of Omar, a child their family sponsors.

“I home-school my kids, and when we’re studying an area of the world where we have a Compassion child, we write to that child. Also, when my kids find folktales they love, they narrate them into letters and we send the stories with artwork from my kids to our sponsored children.” — Hannah

“I have a collage of all my sponsored children (past and present) displayed on my desk and in my Bible. I incorporate traditional holiday foods from their countries into my family’s holiday celebrations, such as tamales for Christmas, and send them photos of it. I also send them photos of big life events so they can feel included.” — Megan

“I put their names on a map and seek out books and YouTube videos that help me better understand the countries and areas where they live.” — Sarah

“My daughter and I pray for our sponsored children’s food when we pray for ours. Their photos are on our refrigerator and all of their letters are saved in a binder. I use a bookmark from Compassion to pray for them daily.” — Christy

A Fuller Daily Life

Abigail is wearing a blue dress with a bright floral pattern. She is sitting on her bed with her mother, Claudia. They are reading one of Abigail's sponsor letters.

We pray these ideas from some of the most dedicated sponsors will encourage you to also include your sponsored child in your daily life in new and powerful ways. And in doing so, we pray your relationship with your child will continue to deepen and bless you both in ways you never imagined.

International photography by Eric D. Lema and Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina.

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11 Warrior Women With Unshakeable Faith https://blog.compassion.com/11-warrior-women-with-unshakeable-faith/ https://blog.compassion.com/11-warrior-women-with-unshakeable-faith/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99036 This International Women’s Day, we honor the strength of women around the world. They are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and daughters. And with their unshakeable faith in God, they are all warrior women.

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This International Women’s Day, we honor the strength of women around the world. They are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and daughters. And with their unshakeable faith in God, they are all warrior women.

The shock of the global pandemic is still reverberating around the world. While everyone is affected, women have been dealt a devastating blow, reports UN Women. According to the International Labour Organization, two-thirds of jobs lost permanently to COVID-19 are performed by women.

As quarantine measures shutter schools and day care facilities, women often shoulder the burden of balancing work with child care and home schooling. Social distancing deprives them of the support they could normally lean upon.

But women are far from defeated.

This International Women’s Day, we wanted to honor this strength. We invited 11 women, ages 18 to 91, to sit for a portrait and conversation. In the midst of challenge, their strength is undeniable. Their resilience is inspiring, and their faith unshakeable.

Who are these women? Take a look.

They are all around us.

Angelita, 91, Ecuador

Angelita is sitting in the middle of her two granddaughters. They are all wearing traditional clothing and are holding roses. Behind them is a wall of roses.

Everything happened very fast. My children told me that I could not leave the house. One day, I couldn’t take it anymore. I walked up the mountain. Empty streets. It was as if all the people had disappeared. I’m afraid of not knowing what will happen to my children and grandchildren. I don’t have many years left to live, but my grandchildren’s lives are just beginning.

I want a world of peace, without discrimination, without evil. A world where men and women are treated the same and where there is no more violence against women. Women, we are like roses: beautiful, unique and special. Our thorns are life lessons and the challenges that we overcome every day. Our destiny is to fight and grow with the sunlight, no matter how intense the wind or rain is.

Anne, 44, Kenya

Anne is wearing a black shirt and is standing inside her home. The background of the photo is blurry.

I’m a teacher but because the schools closed, we had to stay home without work. Because I was the breadwinner, the stress of the situation gave me stomach ulcers. It really broke my heart knowing that I was not going to be able to provide for my family.

The church and Compassion team have made us feel like we are part of a big family. One thing a family does is pray together. They have been praying for us, for our families, and for our kids. I would like my children to be God-fearing kids because with God, everything is possible. And when they have his Word in their hearts, they can do everything.

Shokhina, 70, Bangladesh

Woman wearing a red and tan dress. She is sitting inside her home in front of a green wall and she is looking upward.

I have always lived a life with less, having been born into a poor family. However, the pandemic has taught us that if we think that we have faced our worst, then we are wrong; the worst can get even uglier. But one thought remains unchanged: our hope and trust in the Almighty.

The registration of my grandchildren into Compassion’s program is a blessing from God. It gives me goosebumps to even think about how our time would have gone in the first three months of the pandemic if it weren’t for my grandchildren’s registration.

Becky, 29, Canada

Becky is sitting on a stool in her back yard. Behind her is a wooden privacy fence with a brown rug hanging over it.

Throughout my pregnancy and the newborn months of our daughter’s life, I’ve often found myself grieving and readjusting the expectations I had for this season of life. I’ve had to attend each midwife, ultrasound and doctor’s appointment alone due to COVID-19 restrictions.

This year was made more challenging when my husband’s dad passed away and we couldn’t say goodbye to him due to lockdown rules — a tragedy I know that many other families have also experienced this year.

The uncertainty has forced me to become more grateful for the things I can be sure of, such as God’s love and the love I have for my family and friends.

Danielly, 38, Brazil

Danielly is wearing a blue shirt and maroon pants. She is sitting on a stool outside her home in front of a green background. Her daughter, Rayane, is standing next to her.

The history of Black people in Brazil has always been one of struggle, but we have always added music and joy to our journey. Even with all the challenges that the pandemic has brought us or increased, I can still dream of better days. Capoeira [Afro-Brazilian martial art] teaches me that.

I know things will take a while to get back to normal, but I trust God and I know that he is guarding us all. I don’t want an easy world for my daughters. After all, challenges also help us grow. I want them to be strong and proud of who they are.

Maharti, 40, Indonesia

Marhati is sitting in her home in front of a red backdrop. She is wearing traditionally woven clothing.

I would typically get orders to make around three pieces of “ulos” fabric each month. During the early months of COVID-19, fabric orders hit the bottom ground. In my neighborhood, most of the women are housewives. When the pandemic came and their husbands are losing their jobs, it hits the family hard.

In these challenging times, knowing I can help my husband generate income for our family is special to me. The younger generation nowadays has a little interest in what I do, so this ulos weaving technique is facing the threat of extinction. I hope that I can pass on what I know to my daughter.

Diana, 18, Nicaragua

Diana is wearing a black dress. She is sitting in a chair in front of a red backdrop in her home and is holding a book.

Because of my lupus, I’m no longer allowed to spend too much time with my friends or my extended family. I have to stay home. I have started to value the time I get with my siblings and my mother, as well as the phone calls from relatives.

While there are talks of a vaccine, we don’t know when that vaccine will come to Nicaragua due to the country’s situation. The effects of the socio-political unrest of 2018 can still be felt today.

I want to be able to stand on my own two feet. Despite not being able to run, I know my imagination can take me farther than I could ever imagine, and I trust that the Lord will be with me throughout it all.

Ashlea, 34, United States

Ashlea is wearing a green shirt and is standing inside her home.

If I had to choose one word to describe women, I’d choose “stubborn.” “Stubborn” gets a bad rap, but [I mean] the stubborn resilience where you’re just going to get things done. Women just get stuff done.

I believe we can challenge our society to change in a way that positively benefits women through our particular spheres of influence. I’m a mom and a teacher. That’s my sphere of influence. I will be able to influence my daughter to be a strong woman. I will influence my son and teach him how to respect women and to not have a negative bias toward women.

Yhovana, 33, Bolivia

Yhovana is wearing a blue shirt with black and white pants. She is sitting on a stool in her backyard and is holding flowers. Behind her is a green backdrop.

When the pandemic hit, I had practically nothing: no supplies or milk for my children. They hadn’t paid my husband at work, and then they fired him. In the first days of the pandemic, we didn’t have food. Our breakfast was water with cinnamon.

I decided to help out on a pig farm. We received chicken guts to feed the pigs. So, I collected the nicer intestines to bring them home to my children, to cook and eat. Thanks to the Lord, the church supported me at the right moment. When we didn’t have anything to eat, they came with a big chicken, and we ate meat for the first time in a long time.

I have seen that God always provides and helps us. We move ahead with God’s help.

Beatrice, 33, Burkina Faso

Beatrice is wearing a white shirt with a red and black collar. She is standing in the doorway of her home.

Women face a lot of issues in my community. There are no formal jobs for women — they must stay at home or run small businesses to support their families. I am very lucky to have the opportunity [through Compassion] to know how to weave and make local fabric. I praise God that my life has a purpose since I am more productive.

Before COVID-19, my husband used to come back late from work in the evening and the kids used to go to bed without seeing their father. But during quarantine, we had more time together as a family. That is something positive that has come from the crisis.

Lara, 41, Australia

Portrait of Lara in her home.

It was easy to become fearful when we heard about COVID-19. I had to spend time with God and trust his promises and his Word. Joy is more than emotion. Joy is a choice. I think joy is a result of choosing to trust in the goodness of God’s character. Joy isn’t dependent on the circumstances or situation. I think joy is a gift, and we can also choose to give it away.


Who are the warrior women of faith in your life? Share in the comments!

International reporting and photos by Nico Benalcazar, Junieth Dinarte, Kyle Jaster, Ryan Johnson, Hutama Limarta, Sara Navarro, Isaac Ogila, Galia Oropeza, Jehojakim Sangare, J. Sangma and Jeremy Tan.

11 Warrior Women With Unshakeable Faith

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7 Ways to Be a Better Neighbor to Your Sponsored Child (and Their Community!) https://blog.compassion.com/7-ways-to-be-a-better-neighbor-to-your-sponsored-child-and-their-community/ https://blog.compassion.com/7-ways-to-be-a-better-neighbor-to-your-sponsored-child-and-their-community/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99221 As a sponsor during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been hard to lose the connection to my child in Colombia through our letters. I miss learning about his life and hearing him describe his day-to-day activities. Yet, as I reflect on our past letters, I realize they reveal a whole world of support that my child has hopefully been able to stay connected with during the pandemic!

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Sarah is wearing a pink patterned dress and Sophia is wearing a white patterned dress. They are standing in front of a brick and cement building and they are holding hands.

As a sponsor during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been hard to lose the connection to my child in Colombia through our letters. I miss learning about his life and hearing him describe his day-to-day activities. Yet, as I reflect on our past letters, I realize they reveal a whole world of support that my child has hopefully been able to stay connected with during the pandemic! 

He writes to me about his local center, based in a church, his grandma, his friends, his love of playing soccer and Scriptures that encourage both of us. While I’m sure all of these relationships and supports have been affected by the pandemic, he’s going to be able to connect back to them much more easily and much sooner than to me, his sponsor, who has always been loving him from pretty far away!

There are so many ways to become a better “helper” when we are called to love and serve the materially poor. In biblical terms, it’s about being the best neighbor that we can be. Being a good neighbor is about intervening thoughtfully when you do intervene, just as the Samaritan tailored his help to the wounded traveler, providing just what he needed when he needed it. We all want to help our sponsored children to grow into their God-given potential and to love and serve God where he is calling them. We also dream that entire neighborhoods and communities will be impacted when we give. Sustainable poverty alleviation is crucial in this process.

Here are 7 ways you can be a better neighbor to your sponsored child and their community

1. Learn as much you can about their country, its history and its social context. Compassion provides country guides and other resources. Another great source is to check international news sites like the BBC World News or The New Humanitarian. Pay attention to both what is good and what seems broken as you learn.

2. Map out the relationships that are important to your child. Who do they talk about in letters? Pray for those significant family members, mentors, teachers and church leaders. They are the ones who have the privilege to love and care for your sponsored child daily!

Jesus, wearing a dark blue shirt and jeans, is standing with his grandmother, Rosa, wearing a pink and white shirt and black and white striped shorts. Next to them is the project director and the tutors. They are standing outside Jesus' home. The Compassion staff are wearing face masks.

3. If you send a birthday gift to your child, don’t specify what you want them to buy with it, even if you love the idea of them having something fun like a ball or new toy. Often the best person to determine what a child needs is a family member or close contact from their center versus their sponsor.

4. Consider giving family gifts when you can. Family gifts are a wonderful way to intentionally include parents and caregivers in the decision-making and in the celebration! Emerging research shows that unconditional cash gifts have a very positive impact on general welfare for poor families.

5. Imagine yourself as a partner to your sponsored child as they grow, and also a partner to their family, to their center and to their community. You are part of a larger purpose God has for your child! They are also part of God’s larger purpose for you!

6. Check out the Compassion Gift Catalog and learn about supporting community development for the neediest children and families we serve. When you purchase a specific item, like a goat, an emergency food pack or a Bible, it goes to a family who has that specific need and is ready to use your gift well! Many of our gift options help to improve the lives of children plus their families and communities.

7. Learn about sustainable poverty alleviation by reading a book like “When Helping Hurts,” by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, or browsing the resources provided by The Chalmers Center and other experts on how to effectively help the materially poor. 

Jose, wearing a green shirt and red shorts, is sitting outside his home with his brother, Victor, wearing a white shirt and jeans. They have their arms around each other.

When we encounter neighbors, the best place to start is to listen to what they need and what they dream for themselves, and then empower them with the resources or assistance that they need to achieve their God-given dreams.

When we bring our own plans, ideas and assumptions to others without listening or empowering them, we can disrespect or harm them without even knowing. It’s hard to break those patterns (called the “charity mindset” or “dependency mindset”), but Compassion is committed to helping us be the best neighbors we can be! This is how we release children from poverty together, in the name of Jesus, and in the way of Jesus.

Photos by Nico Benalcazar, Sara Navarro and Daniela Velasco.

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Why Do I Choose to Sponsor a Child? It’s Personal. https://blog.compassion.com/why-do-i-choose-to-sponsor-a-child-its-personal/ https://blog.compassion.com/why-do-i-choose-to-sponsor-a-child-its-personal/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99153 Like most families with young children, my husband and I don’t have a ton of disposable income. There are always diapers to buy, groceries to replace or the unexpected medical bill or home repair to cover. So with the little money we do have at our discretion, we make sure to use it wisely. Intentionally.

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Like most families with young children, my husband and I don’t have a ton of disposable income. There are always diapers to buy, groceries to replace or the unexpected medical bill or home repair to cover. So with the little money we do have at our discretion, we make sure to use it wisely. Intentionally.

But there are so many choices. Even if you decide to donate some of that money to a charity or nonprofit — like we did — the opportunities to give can seem endless. There are environmental causes, animal shelters, homeless shelters, local sports teams, medical research societies, political groups …

How do you possibly choose?

At the end of the day, where you choose to give is a deeply personal decision. It’s a matter of looking at your life, priorities and passions to decide where you want to make an impact. What was right for us may not be right for you.

Two young children are smiling and holding a photo of the youth their family sponsors through Compassion.
Catherine Ryan’s children hold a photo of the girl their family sponsors.

Still, sometimes it can be helpful to hear how others make decisions about charitable giving. Personally, my husband and I choose to sponsor a child with Compassion for two big reasons:

  1. We see how vulnerable our own kids can be, and we know that vulnerability is exacerbated by poverty — making children more likely to be exposed to violence, exploitation and neglect. Through sponsorship, we can help lessen some of that vulnerability in partnership with staff at a local church partner who take a personal interest in the life and well-being of our sponsored child. 
  2. We enjoy having enough. Even though money can be tight, we don’t have to worry about putting food on the table each night, or being able to send our kids to school, or affording medical care when our kids are sick. We have enough to cover our basic needs — and we know that’s not always the case for families who live in poverty. If we can share some of our plenty, we want to.

Sponsors Share Their “Why”

Boy sitting on the front porch and is wearing a green shirt and blue pants.

Every other Compassion sponsor also has their own, individual reason why they chose child sponsorship over the many other deserving ways to help out there. Here are just a few of those reasons …

“I lost my father to lung cancer in 2011. After that enormous loss, I had this incredible desire to do something tangible to help someone in need. I saw child sponsorship as a way to honor his memory. It was exactly what I needed in my life. Little did I know what an incredible passion it would become and how much it would impact my life and my heart. I am so, so glad I took this journey.” — Emily

“I gave birth to my daughter in 1977. In 1978, I heard about Compassion. I was so grateful for my daughter and the fact that, although we did not have a lot of money, I could feed her and give her a home. I thought about all the mothers around the world who loved their child as much as I loved mine but could not give them these basic things. I knew I could come alongside one mother, somewhere, and help her provide for her precious child, so I sponsored a little girl. My daughter is now 43 and is a sponsor herself.” — Nina

“As a child, it meant the world to me to hear words of affirmation from an older spiritual mentor. Every child deserves to feel cherished and to hear that Jesus loves them. Thanks to sponsorship, my Compassion kids are getting that love and affirmation at their center and from my letters.” — Katie

“I sponsor because virtues like courage, steadfastness and inclusion is all worth bequeathing to the kind of world I wish for my grandchildren and their children yet unborn.” — Prince

“What I like most about sponsorship is that it’s personal and you get to actually know the person you’re helping, so you can see the impact you’re having on their life. I don’t have biological children, so I consider my sponsored children a part of my family. Many of them call me Sister or Auntie.” — Hannah

“I sponsor and correspond because it gives more purpose and meaning to my life. I am an introvert and naturally quiet person, but corresponding with these precious kiddos is a way I can share God’s love and his gift of salvation with children all over the world.” — Laura

A group of children are standing against a wall in their neighborhood.

As you can see, the reasons to sponsor a child are as individual as the sponsors themselves. With that in mind, I want to encourage you on your own journey of deciding how to give back to others in need. It doesn’t matter which cause or organization you choose — just as long as you feel like your contribution is making a real, lasting difference in the lives of others.

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A Glimpse Into the Life of a Compassion Trip Leader https://blog.compassion.com/a-glimpse-into-the-life-of-a-compassion-trip-leader/ https://blog.compassion.com/a-glimpse-into-the-life-of-a-compassion-trip-leader/#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99162 I still remember walking through the doors of the Global Ministry Center, Compassion’s headquarters, for the first time. An indescribable feeling came over me — I had arrived home. I knew that I wanted to work for children, see God’s kingdom come by upholding the cause of the oppressed, and build a bridge between different cultures that need each other. But, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that his plans for me included being a part of the Trips and Visits team at Compassion.

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“Speak, LORD for your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3:9 (NIV)

I still remember walking through the doors of the Global Ministry Center, Compassion’s headquarters, for the first time. An indescribable feeling came over me — I had arrived home.

I knew that I wanted to work for children, see God’s kingdom come by upholding the cause of the oppressed, and build a bridge between different cultures that need each other. But, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that his plans for me included being a part of Compassion’s Trips and Visits Team.

Each Trip an Adventure

As a Trip Planner and Leader at Compassion, I had the opportunity to lock arms with my Compassion family from all over the world, minister to children, shepherd his people from different cultures and walks of life, and to speak up for the most vulnerable of this world. To this day, it is hard to believe that God allowed me to visit 20 of the 25 countries where Compassion works.

Each trip I led was an adventure, providing sponsors a unique cross-cultural experience. Together with Compassion sponsors, I tasted a diverse range of unique cuisines, such as West African fufu, cassava and gari. I heard the beautiful sound of Swahili, one of many tribal languages spoken in East Africa. I saw monuments like Cristo de la Concordia, the colossal statue of Jesus in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I was even chased by monkeys!

But the most precious memories are the ones of children singing and dancing, and of watching them in amazement as they met their sponsors for the first time. Each trip holds a precious memory, a divine appointment. I have learned that those “God moments” from each visit are what ultimately stays in your heart forever. What an amazing calling! What a privilege and responsibility!

“Created to Hear Our Creator”

Then, everything changed when COVID-19 began spreading across the world. My once perfect world came crashing down — not just in my personal life, but also in my work life. The impact the pandemic had on my work was devastating. After my return from Kenya, in January 2020, trips started to be canceled, airlines began shutting down, and my job that I loved so much drastically changed. Instead of planning and leading trips, I found myself praying with sponsors as I was calling them individually to inform them that their long-planned trip had been canceled. In those moments of despair, I knew hearing from God was essential. All I could do was sit at his feet and tune into the voice of my heavenly Father.

A girl in Kenya sits in a church pew praying.

Early on in my walk with God I learned to hide myself in him, listening to the gentle whisper from the One who holds the world in his hands. We were created to hear our Creator!

His voice echoes through all the turmoil and chaos. It invites us to be still, resting in the assurance that he is sovereign. His whisper drowns out anxiety, it calms the storm that is within. His voice causes our hearts to be quiet with a calmness and inner peace. It provides strength for the day. God sees so much more than we do. When we listen to God and decide to trust him, amazing things happen.

Seeking God’s presence to obtain direction for our life is vital in our walk with God. I’ve known this to be especially true throughout this past year, as I walked through the valley of losses and change. When we do, he will turn tough times into a gift of grace, weakness into a gift of strength, transforming the worrier into a mighty warrior. Walking in fear is a master weapon that defies God’s promises and is not part of God’s will for us. Worry steals our faith.

Instead, I choose faith and trust in the name of Jesus Christ on a daily basis. As I begin my day with prayer and intercession, I am reminded that God is a God who keeps his promises. Seeking God’s counsel through the Word of God transforms, equips and empowers me for the task ahead. His power of divine strength is a promise and the assurance that I never am alone. He will be right by my side, showing me the way, just as written in Isaiah 30:21 (NIV), “Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”

Reflection

  • Are you open to hearing God’s voice? What is God saying to you today?
  • What is the most important relationship in your life? Where does your relationship with God rank?
  • As you sit with Jesus, ask him to show you areas in your life that are filled with fear that cause you to worry. Write them down and search for Scripture that will help you defeat worry in your life. 
  • How have the disappointments of the past year affected your relationship with God? Have they pushed you away? Or have you been drawn nearer to him?
  • Walking closely with God will give you direction for your life and remind you that you are not alone. What patterns of discipline can you build into your life to get closer to God? 
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6 Teens Tell Us What They Like to Hear in Their Sponsors’ Letters https://blog.compassion.com/6-teens-tell-us-what-they-like-to-hear-in-their-sponsors-letters/ https://blog.compassion.com/6-teens-tell-us-what-they-like-to-hear-in-their-sponsors-letters/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=99111 To answer some of sponsors’ common questions about exchanging letters, we asked sponsored teenagers in Ethiopia and Colombia what they like most about their sponsors’ letters — and what they’d love more of.

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Mekdelawit, Meliket, and Kalkidan are standing outside and are sharing the letters they wrote to their sponsors.

Sponsors have a lot of questions about writing to the teenagers they sponsor. Do my words make a difference? Does the young person I sponsor enjoy writing back to me? Do they actually write the letters I receive from them? And youths in Compassion’s program have the same questions about their sponsors: Do they enjoy writing to me? Are they real?

To answer some of those common questions about exchanging letters, we asked sponsored teenagers to tell you themselves. Here’s what six young people in Ethiopia and Colombia said they like most about their sponsors’ letters — and what they’d love more of.

Liya, 14

Liya is wearing a jean jacket and a pink head covering. She is standing outside and is holding a letter from her sponsor.

“I would like it if my sponsors tell me more about their family and their country. That is why I ask them questions in my letters. It would make me extremely happy if they could tell me that they love me. I also want to know about their well-being.”

Adonay, 17

Adonay is wearing a gray shirt and is standing outside reading a letter from his sponsor.

“I know my sponsors want the best for me and that they pray for me. That is why I confidently ask them to pray for me in my letters. I tell them about my family and ask them different questions. I would be incredibly happy if they could answer my questions.”

Carlos, 13

Carlos is wearing a blue shirt and black pants. He is outside, sitting against a tree, and reading a letter from his sponsor.

“I like to know about my sponsor and her three children. I also like to receive pictures of the family. I keep the letters in a basket, to keep them safe.”

Mekdelawit, 15

Mekdelawit is wearing a pink shirt and a jean jacket. She is outside and is holding a letter she is writing to her sponsor.

“I find joy in asking my sponsors about their family. I want to learn more about them and their country. I also want to know about their health and their daily life. I’m always excited to hear back from my sponsor.”

Carlos, 14

Carlos is wearing jeans and a blue shirt. He is sitting down outside reading one of his sponsor's letters. There are trees in the background.

“My sponsor’s name is Lynn. I really like to receive his pictures and letters. In his letters, he tells me what happens in Texas, the place where he lives. What he likes to do is go to the beach. … In the letters I write to Lynn, I like to tell him about my family and how I am doing at school. I thank him for his prayers, because he prays for my family and for me, for my health and for me to do well in school.

Sara, 13

Sara, in a white uniform shirt, is sitting at a table at the project. She smiles while reading a letter she received from her sponsor Pamela.

“When I receive a letter, it makes me feel that I am important to my sponsor. I like to write letters to Pamela and tell her about my life and family. The most important thing about being sponsored is to have a person who writes to me from the other side of the world to teach me about her culture and tell me nice things like she loves me. I feel happy when I receive a letter from my sponsor.”


Brighten your sponsored teenager’s day — write a letter now!

International reporting and photos by Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina and Tigist Gizachew.

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11 Remarkable Photos of “Tiny Homes” in the Developing World https://blog.compassion.com/11-remarkable-photos-of-tiny-homes-in-the-developing-world/ https://blog.compassion.com/11-remarkable-photos-of-tiny-homes-in-the-developing-world/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://blog.compassion.com/?p=79396 The tiny house movement that's sweeping North America is actually nothing new. People have always found peace in the simplicity of tiny homes. Here are some remarkable photos of tiny homes from communities where we work in the developing world.

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The “tiny home” movement has swept North America as many people begin embracing a simpler way of life. They’re moving to homes that count their square footage in the hundreds rather than the thousands. They realize that happiness can be achieved with far less than they might have originally thought.

But tiny homes are nothing new. People have lived in tiny homes for much of human history — and millions around the world still live in homes that we would consider “tiny” by North American standards.

Here are a few remarkable photos of “tiny homes” around the world.

Burkina Faso

A mother holds her child outside their tiny home in Burkina Faso

Helene, 20, stands outside her small home made from mud bricks in the countryside of Burkina Faso. This country in West Africa often has high temperatures in the upper 90s, so the family stays out of the hot home during the day, spending time in the shade of the thatched entrance.

A family, a father and mother with two children, sit outside their home in Burkina Faso, which is made of woven reeds. It is light tan in color.

Other homes in Burkina Faso are made of woven reeds like this family’s.

Indonesia

A boy in Indonesia running in the grass outside his tiny home, made of wooden slats and thatched roof.

In Papua, Indonesia, some families live in the traditional homes called “honai” made from wooden slats and thatched roofs. Traditionally, fires are built in the center of the round homes.

Uganda

Ivan, a 7-year-old in Compassion’s program, lives in this small mud home with the aunt who adopted him.

The Philippines

A group of people stands in front of a tiny home made of woven straw in the Philippines. A young woman holds a small girl in her arms, and church workers smile near them.

A mother and daughter live in this straw home in the Philippines. Church workers recently visited them to register little Kylane in Compassion’s program.

Nicaragua

In this tiny kitchen, pots and pans hang from the roof and tin walls of a tiny home. A small wooden table is seen next to a pile of ashes where the family cooks.

This kitchen in a tiny home is typical for many families living in poverty in Nicaragua.

Kenya

A Maasai boy in Kenya gets ready to enter a tiny home made of mud.

Members of the Maasai tribe in Kenya live in manyatta, a grouping of small homes made from mud, cow dung and sticks. The homes are grouped together in a compound to help protect them from wild animals.

Peru

A mother holds a young girl. They are standing outside a small wooden home in Peru. Mountains are seen in the background.

In the highlands of Peru, where temperatures can dip below freezing, families’ tiny homes can’t always keep out the cold winds.

Tanzania

Lukas built this brick home using skills gained in vocational training at the church where he was sponsored in Compassion’s program.

The Dominican Republic

A father cooks for his family outside their tiny home in the Dominican Republic

A father cooks a meal for his family in their front yard. Many homes in impoverished communities lack an indoor kitchen, so families cook outside over fires.

A smiling mother wearing a Royals T-shirt holds a small girl child. They are standing outside a pastel green structure where they live

Homes in the Dominican Republic are commonly painted in cheery colors. Many Dominicans still live in “bateys,” abandoned sugarcane factories where companies built small homes for the factory workers, which lacked most services.

But There Are Big Drawbacks to These Tiny Homes …

These photos of tiny homes show that people don’t need big spaces to live happy and fulfilled lives. But while the tiny homes of North America often have all the amenities, there are a few things lacking within the tiny homes where many children in poverty live around the world.

Roofs:

Some rural communities around the world use thatching for roofs. Although they look quaint, thatched roofs can house insects such as fleas, which can negatively impact the health of the people living in the house. Thatched roofs also can leak in heavy rains and need to be repaired or replaced often. Other families in poverty rely on metal sheeting for roofs. These are an improvement to thatched roofs, but as these age, they can also leak and are drafty in cold weather.

Flooring:

Many homes around the world have dirt floors rather than improved flooring such as concrete or wood. When it rains, the floors can become muddy and attract insects. Diarrhea and respiratory and parasitic diseases spread more easily in homes with dirt floors.

Electricity:

Many homes of those living in extreme poverty lack electricity. Beyond the practical inconveniences, this seriously affects health as well. Often families will have indoor fires and kerosene lanterns, which contribute to indoor air pollution and can cause acute respiratory infections — one of the leading killers of children in poverty.

Water and sanitation:

Often the homes of those in extreme poverty lack sanitary toilets, garbage collection and access to safe water. This deadly combination causes the deaths of 1,000 children under age 5 each day.

Security:

Some families in poverty may use a bedsheet or other material in place of a door. Those who have a door may not have one that locks securely. These families lack a sense of security that they can keep their loved ones safe at night. Moreover, these homes are also easily destroyed. Countless homes of people in extreme poverty are destroyed or damaged every year by storms, mudslides or flooding.


Do you want to help a family in poverty rebuild a home that is safe, healthy and secure after a disaster?

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This newly updated article originally published in March 2018 and first appeared on the Compassion Canada Blog.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

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