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Mexico has been identified as country that is highly vulnerable to food shortages during the global food crisis. Sponsorship can help Manuel and his family get the nourishment they need.
I live with my mother and father in the Chilón area. The primary language where I live is Spanish. My father is sometimes employed as a farmer. I like art and/or drawing and ball games. My favourite activities at the centre are snack and mealtime and spending time with friends. I am not attending school because I am too young.
Manuel's Country Details
This large, populous country occupies all the land between the US and Central America and ranges from high mountain plateaus in the central states to dense, low-lying jungles along the Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico has been home to advanced civilizations such as the Olmec, Maya, Toltec and Aztec for thousands of years and is now home to the world's largest Spanish-speaking population.
Traditional values of family and faith are highly prized in this mostly-Catholic country. Graciousness in conversation and communication is highly regarded, and relationships take precedence over other matters. Mexican culture and cuisine have had a large influence on its neighbours, especially in the US. About 80 per cent of Mexicans are mestizo, descended from both Spanish and Indigenous ancestors.
Before the arrival of the Spanish, Mexico was dominated by several major city-states that both traded and fought with one another. Following the defeat of the dominant Aztec empire by Hernan Cortez, Mexico became a territory of Spain, with its capital of Mexico City founded on the site of the former Aztec capital. Mexican revolutionaries negotiated its independence in 1821, and in 1823 it became a republic. Mexico lost much of its territory in what is now the southern US during the Mexican American War after the US annexed Texas. Social discontent rocked the country during the 1960s and 1970s, especially with rising urbanization and unemployment. In 1994, indigenous peoples in Chiapas revolted, demanding economic and political reform, and currency devaluation produced near economic collapse. A boom-and-bust cycle of economic and political turmoil has continued to plague Mexico, and the government has often been charged with corruption involving drug dealers.
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!
Manuel 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.
