Leadership Development Frequently Asked Questiins

The LDP exists to develop Christian leaders, enabling young men and women to bring change to their families, communities and nations. Young people selected for the LDP have distinguished themselves in the Child Sponsorship Program through service, academic excellence and leadership. They have committed their lives to Christ and to serving Him. The LDP offers these students the opportunity to refine their gifts through a university education and targeted Christian leadership training.

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Candidates for the LDP are recommended by a pastor, teacher, or community leader. They are young people who have been involved in church and community service, displaying exceptional Christian character. They must be committed Christians, graduates of Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program and have maintained an exceptional academic record in secondary school.

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LDP sponsors are individuals who support a student for the duration of the LDP experience. Sponsors are long-distance mentors offering advice and sharing experiences to encourage their students. Sponsors have a unique influence on students’ lives.

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LDP sponsorship helps provide tuition, books, room, board and transportation when necessary. Students also receive Christian leadership training and additional school-related expenses.

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Compassion will award a scholarship to those students who have demonstrated academic and extracurricular excellence and who have successfully met the selection criteria established by the LDP Advisory Committee in their country of origin. The number of new students is often governed by the number of eligible students and, too often, by the lack of adequate funding. The vision is that one day the Leadership Development Program will be able to select and provide opportunity to all eligible Child Sponsorship Program graduates.

In order to have a program relevant to the realities of each country, it is strategic to involve local Christian leaders to advise, support and encourage Compassion International to achieve the program outcomes in the country. This committee brings local accountability, understanding and contextualization to key decisions and strategies within the program, and they mobilize others to support the development of young leaders. One of their key roles is to interview and select eligible candidates for the program. Most important, this committee influences the development of the next generation of leaders to transform their countries.

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Currently, the LDP is operating in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Thailand and Uganda.

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LDP sponsorship costs $300 a month or $3,600 a year (cost subject to change). LDP sponsorship helps provide tuition, books, room, board and transportation when necessary. LDP students also receive Christian leadership training and additional school related expenses.

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Yes. You can send monetary gifts to your LDP student through Compassion, by calling 877-231-2941, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., MT. We ask that sponsors limit personal gifts to $500 per year and $2,000 as a graduation gift. One hundred percent of your gifts will be received by your student. Unfortunately we cannot accept non-monetary gifts at this time.

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Typically, three to seven years, with an average of 5 years. that's how long it takes most students to earn a degree. In some cases, Compassion extends the program to accommodate the degree requirements, such as for a medical or law degree. Our hope is that you can see your student through the complete program but we understand that individual circumstances may change.

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Absolutely! You can take a group trip organized by Compassion or schedule your own visit. Spend time with your student, visit the camps and experience what university life is like for him or her. Your student will be especially honored if you can attend his or her LDP Completion Celebration.

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Yes, you can send gifts to the LDP Fund. The LDP depends on support from individual donors and foundations. The LDP Fund provides full benefits for students awaiting sponsors. These gifts also enable Compassion to expand the LDP into additional countries.

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