Sponsor with Compassion

Sponsorship means more now than ever before
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child portrait

Yako 

Ghana flag
Ghana

Birthday

October 10, 2012

Age

Age: 11

Gender

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Boy

child portrait

Marisol 

Honduras flag
Honduras

Birthday

August 6, 2017

Age

Age: 6

Gender

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Girl

child portrait

Adrian 

Bolivia flag
Bolivia

Birthday

August 16, 2020

Age

Age: 3

Gender

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Boy

child portrait

Ammu Kutty 

Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka

Birthday

August 1, 2019

Age

Age: 4

Gender

gender-icon

Girl

Portrait of Yako

Meet Yako

Yako is 11 years old and lives in Ghana.

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Country: Ghana

Birthday: October 10, 2012 (11 years old)

Gender: Boy

I live with my mother and father in the Obing area. The primary language where I live is English. My mother and father are sometimes employed as farmers. At home, the chores and duties I'm responsible for are carrying water, cleaning, helping in the kitchen and running errands. I like art and/or drawing, jumping, jump rope and running. My favourite activity at church is Sunday school. My favourite activities at the centre are learning about God, singing songs, listening to Bible stories and playing sports. I am in the equivalent of grade 5. My favourite subjects are Math and Poetry.

Yako's Country Details

The Republic of Ghana is a lush, tropical country in western Africa, once known as the Gold Coast for its rich deposits of gold and diamonds. Miles of beaches line the coasts, and lush inland forests contain a diverse array of native wildlife.

Most of Ghana's 30 million people live in cities, and the country is one of the freest, most stable and well-developed countries in Africa. About two-thirds of Ghanaians are Christian, while the rest are mostly Muslim or follow Indigenous beliefs. English is the official language, but some people speak native African languages such as Akan, Dangme, Ewe and Ga. Many people also speak French, as many of Ghana's neighbours speak French, and numerous people from those countries have sought refuge in Ghana during periods of war and unrest.

Ghana was the first colonial country in Africa to achieve independence, and despite its small size and small population, it has been a leading country for the continent. Trade has been a major source of its wealth and importance, first in gold, then in slaves and more recently in cacao, the source of cocoa. Although it has been a political leader since its independence in 1957, spurring thirty more countries to follow its lead and declaring their independence in the next decade, the transition was not without struggle. Up through the 1980s, the country had a series of bloody and bloodless coups. Finally, in 1992, a new constitution establishing a multi-party government was adopted and remains in place today.

African children playing

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?

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Learn More

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!