Spanish phrases I’d like my sponsor to know

Brianda and her siblings, Santiago and Andrea (pictured above), are all registered in the Compassion program at the local church in their hometown of Santa Clara de Juarez in Mexico. They love reading letters from their sponsors. We asked Brianda and a few of her friends: “What phrases in Spanish would you like your sponsors […]

The great ultimatum: Teen chooses between deadly gang life and Jesus

“I was not supposed to live,” says Samuel. “No one gets out of the gangs without paying a price.” _____ Samuel* grew up in a poor urban community in El Salvador with his mom and older sister. Everyone was friendly and seemed to know one another. But most parents had to leave early for work […]

Before and after: From sponsored child to National Director!

We say it a lot—God has so much planned for each unique person He has created, regardless of their background. An inspiring example of just that is Tony Beltran from the Dominican Republic. Anyone who meets Tony notices his intellect, his passion and his joy. Living in a poor community in the Dominican Republic, there […]

Poverty can’t stop Carmen from winning golds

“Mom! Look!” “What are you doing, Carmen? Doesn’t that hurt?” “No mom, it feels normal,” replied Carmen. The four-year-old was doing the splits. Eleven years later, Carmen has become the National Junior Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion of Peru. Behind this 15-year-old champion is a life of sacrifice and a shy girl who wants to improve her […]

You have the right to remain…a dreamer

It wasn’t long ago that Ouedraogo Abdoul Fataw spent his days at the local Compassion centre. Now, his days are spent keeping the streets of Burkina Faso safe. ___ Job opportunities in Burkina Faso are limited. The ever-increasing rate of youth unemployment doesn’t make it easy to find a well-paying job. For Ouedraogo Abdoul Fataw, a Compassion […]

63 years sponsoring children in poverty—our new hero!

For some of us, the decision to support Compassion came in the wake of a Hillsong concert, a Christian conference or word of mouth. For others, Compassion has just always been in their blood. 88-year-old Jean Toole hails from the breezy Maritimes of Halifax, Nova Scotia. For 63 years, she has been faithfully sponsoring children in […]

A moving message from President Bush’s former sponsored child

I am Timothy Villalba, a former beneficiary of Compassion’s child sponsorship program. My sponsor was the former president of America, President George Bush. I am now 25 years old and will forever be grateful that I have been part of Compassion’s program through the Lifestream Student Center at Capitol City Foursquare Church. I was a […]

Take that, sexism! The girl carpenters of Guatemala

Guatemala has a rich history of beautiful traditions, people, landscapes and cultures. But like many places in the world, there is a history of injustice. Here, in the village of Huehuetenango, lingers a dark cloud of violent discrimination and misogyny. But one church is fighting that—with carpentry. ____ Guatemala has the third highest rate of […]

These outstanding kids are defying poverty and winning awards

Being a kid isn’t easy. Between making friends, doing chores and homework—not to mention answering all those adults who keep asking you what you want to be when you grow up—there is a lot going on in the world of a child. Now add extreme poverty to that mix, and life becomes all the more […]