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Ester is 10 years old and lives in Dominican Republic.
DR052501676
Days waiting: 289
Country: Dominican Republic
Birthday: March 8, 2014 (10 years old)
Gender: Girl
Dominican Republic has been identified as country that is highly vulnerable to food shortages during the global food crisis. Sponsorship can help Ester and his family get the nourishment they need.
I live with my mother and father in the Villa Hermosa area. The primary language where I live is Spanish. My mother is regularly employed and my father is regularly employed as a day labourer. At home, the chores and duties I'm responsible for are cleaning, making beds and running errands. I like art and/or drawing, dancing and dolls. My favourite activity at church is Sunday school. My favourite activities at the centre are listening to Bible stories and spending time with friends. I am in the equivalent of grade 4. My favourite subject is Language.
Ester's Country Details
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. It has a tropical climate, but moist, year-round trade winds keep temperatures between 72° and 83°Fahrenheit.
Almost 90 percent Dominicans live in rural areas where unemployment is high and malnutrition widespread. A family's diet consists mainly of rice, beans, and fish. Spanish is the official language, and Catholicism is the state religion.
In 1492, Columbus discovered Hispaniola, and the island became the center of Spanish rule in the West Indies. Soon, the indigenous people were wiped out, and slaves were brought from Africa to populate the island. The descendants of those slaves form most of the population today. For three centuries Hispaniola was governed by Spain, then by France. In 1804, the island won independence as the republic of Haiti. Forty years later, the eastern two-thirds of the island revolted and formed the Dominican Republic. Except for a brief period of annexation to Spain, the Dominican Republic has been independent ever since.
Compassion’s ministry is focused on what we call holistic child development. This means developing children in all the different aspects of their lives—their minds, bodies and relationships—while giving them the opportunity to hear about and experience the love of Jesus from caring local church staff and volunteers.
How does sponsorship help kids?
Formal and non-formal educational opportunities Compassion assists children with their primary school education and gives opportunities to attend secondary school, as well as providing vocational training opportunities and extra-curricular activities such as sports, field trips, music and computer training.
Health care, hygiene training and supplementary food Kids get a healthy snack or meal when they attend program activities, receive regular health check-ups, and learn how to take care of their bodies and form healthy relationships.
The love and support of a local church and the opportunity to hear about Jesus
Because Compassion partners with local churches, children are connected to a local Christian community where they have the opportunity to hear the gospel from caring church staff and volunteers.
Personal attention, guidance and love Children are cared for and invested in by members of their own communities, who encourage them to discover their unique gifts, passions and abilities. Their sponsors also play an important role in this through their prayers and letters.
Is sponsorship still relevant during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis?
During the pandemic, we saw firsthand the impact of crises on children in poverty. We also saw how powerful sponsorship can be in equipping local churches to respond in specific, effective and life-changing ways. As we continue to see multifaceted crises impacting children around the world, we know that the need for sponsorship remains urgent. We are more confident than ever that your commitment to sponsorship truly allows children, families and communities to be deeply known, loved and protected through it all.
Why do you work with local churches?
Compassion works exclusively with local churches because they know the names and faces of the children in their community and can best understand and respond to their challenges. They are known and trusted by their neighbours and are able to reach those in the greatest need with compassion and through the love of God.
We equip our local church partners with the resources, training and expertise to help children escape poverty. Each church is empowered to implement the program in a way that meets the specific needs of the children they serve. In this way the physical, spiritual, emotional and relational needs for children are met as they are empowered to overcome poverty in all its forms.
Do kids need to be Christian to be in Compassion’s program?
Absolutely not! We encourage children and families of all faiths and backgrounds to register in our programs and would never require or coerce anyone to convert to Christianity.
At Compassion, we take financial stewardship seriously.
As certified members of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities, Compassion Canada is committed to handling the finances entrusted to us with the utmost integrity. This year, 84.7 per cent of funds were used for program activities benefiting the children we serve, and 15.3 per cent for support services.
Today, children around the world are discovering that poverty doesn’t have to be their future. Help one more do the same by sponsoring with Compassion!
Ester is in the process of getting sponsored by someone else.
While we're sorry you could not sponsor this specific child, we would love to help you find a different child to sponsor.
