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Thailand has been identified as country that is highly vulnerable to food shortages during the global food crisis. Sponsorship can help Wana Htoo and his family get the nourishment they need.
I live with my mother and father in the Mae Song Sub-district, Tha Song Yang Dis area. The primary language where I live is Karen. My father is sometimes employed as a day labourer. I like dolls. My favourite activity at the centre is snack and mealtime. I am not attending school because I am too young.
Wana Htoo's Country Details
Thailand is a rich agricultural country also known as Asia's rice bowl. It is also a popular centre of tourism and commerce in South Asia. The tropical climate is hot and humid. Monsoons water the forests and fertile valleys of the north and feed the dense rainforests of the south.
Compassion works mainly among the Karen, Lisu and Lahu tribes of northern and western Thailand. The Karen of western Thailand live by wet rice farming, although some are mahouts, keepers and drivers of elephants, who work hauling logs in the teak forests. Many Karen are Christian, in contrast to the Buddhist majority. The Lisu live in remote villages at high altitudes, mostly in northern Thailand. The Lahu, another mountain people of northern Thailand, farm rice and maize and hunt with poisoned arrows.
Founded in the 13th century, Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European power. The empire, once known as Siam, officially renamed itself Thailand in 1939, and it is organized today as a constitutional monarchy. Thailand has grown to become a regional economic powerhouse, but inequality, an HIV epidemic and other social problems persist. Divisions and differences between the majority Thai population and the “hill tribes” continue to be a matter of concern to both the Thai government and international organizations.
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!
Wana Htoo 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.
