Compassion's work has grown from modest beginnings in South Korea in 1952 when American evangelist Rev. Everett Swanson felt compelled to help 35 children orphaned by the Korean conflict.
Today we have a worldwide ministry where more than 1.2 million children are now reaping the benefits of one man's clear, God-given vision.
Our founder was inspired by Matthew 15:32 where Jesus says, "I have compassion for these people...I do not want to send them away hungry" [NIV].
At Compassion we serve the spiritual, physical, social and educational needs of a child. We achieve this through four programs: the Child Sponsorship Program, the Child Survival Program, the Leadership Development Program and Complementary Interventions.
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s