Our Compassion Children
We have been so blessed to be involved in several child sponsorship programs. Being involved in a child’s life helps the entire family to rise above their circumstances and the commitment of a small monthly fee and correspondence is no sacrifice. It’s a joy!
Yanira – Guatemala
Yanira lives in the mountainous community of El Tumbador, home to approximately 40,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, wood walls and corrugated iron roofs. The most commonly spoken language is Spanish.
In her home, Yanira helps by running errands and cleaning. She lives with her father and her mother. Her father is employed as a farmer and her mother maintains the home. There are 6 children in the family.
Luis – Guatemala
He lives in mountainous rainforest where men work as subsistence farmers and women work at home. Children tend to be malnourished due to a diet of tortillas, black beans and coffee. Improved sanitation in the community and availability of free medical assistance have helped to improve general health. Only about 10% of the 3,000 school-age children will attend primary school and about 10% of them will be able to continue with high school. Many children work in fields to help support families.
Compassion Sponsorship school supplies and uniforms, social activities, and basic health care. The children participate in Sunday School at a local church.
Luis lives with his mother and father and two younger brothers. His father travels for work and is only home when he returns. Luis helps at home with the animals and caring for his brothers. He enjoys playing ball and running so he became part of a soccer team. He studies hard and has won a Distinguished Student medal in school. His favorite subject is Science to learn about nature and animals. He likes to read and enjoys plants and birds very much. He has told us that he wants to be President of his country.
Osvaldo – Columbia
He lives in a coastal city of 1.2 million in ‘the projects.’ Most children attend school, but almost 65% of homes lack sanitation, medical care is priced out and many men work as hawkers and don’t live with their families due to polygamy.
Compassion Sponsorship provides educational assistance, medical care, and social activiites along with lunch three times a week. The program provides the Gospel through daily devotions and prayer, daily Christian education, and VBS.
Osvaldo lives with his mother and stepfather who are both sometimes employed. He has a younger brother and sister. He is described as a quiet, agreeable, comprehensive and friendly boy. He plays football and baseball, but soccer is his favorite sport and he does well in school. He recently told us he wants to be a systems engineer, own a Chevrolet and have a family with three sons.
Maria – Guatemala
Maria lives with her mother. At home, duties include carrying water, gathering firewood and teaching others. Her mother is sometimes employed. There are 6 children in the family.
As part of Compassion’s ministry, Maria particpates in Bible class and vacation Bible school. She is also in primary school where her performance is average. Playing jacks, swimming and singing are her favorite activities.
“Losing” a Compassion Child
Sometimes we “lose” a sponsored child because their family situation improves in some way that they no longer qualify for the program. It’s a sad time, but also a time to rejoice for them and their family.
This is what happened recently with Isabelle and Jessica (pictured here) and has happened with many of the children we’ve sponsored over the past 25 years. It will be a grand reunion to be able to meet them for the first time at the great banquet in Heaven.
Get more information on Compassion Sponsorship.