Without Mentors, Our Ministry to the Poor Is Just a Concept

young lady wearing yellow shirt

Not everyone is qualified to be a mentor. Mentors must be committed Christians, committed to the local church, have passion to minister to the children, have basic teaching skills, and have good relational skills.

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Missionary on the Couch

open laptop sitting on couch

Pastor Jack Haynes is a huge advocate for missions, and he taught the church that as a Christian, you go or you send the gospel to the world. Through the ministry of Compassion I have discovered I can be a Missionary on the Couch.

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girl sitting at table reading Bible

How Is Jesus Transforming Lives in Nicaragua?

For eight years the local pastor, child development center staff, and church committee have worked to help children in Los Brasiles grow. The results of that daily effort is rewarded when a child, parent or other relative comes to know God.

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An old cellphone

What Is Geotagging, and What Does It Have to Do With My Sponsored Child?

As a child advocacy organization, we believe that children should be kept safe and protected in all situations, including online.

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Compassion Sunday Poster of a girl in a blue dress

Tales From a Compassion Sunday Newbie

My church’s first Compassion Sunday was fast approaching. It had been a long time in the making. My hope was that it would be a life-changing experience for someone, not just a soon-forgotten, non-event in the life of my church family.

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Helping Mothers and Babies Thrive

Losing a child and seeing your child suffer are two of the most painful things a mom can face in life. This is why we provide care for mothers and babies through our Child Survival Program.

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Representing the Cheetah Generation

I’m grateful that the man overseeing Compassion’s work in Africa believes in my sponsored children. And, I’m thankful that the church staff will continue to breathe life into them and help them run with the speed of cheetahs.

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water filtration system with dirty water in a bucket and clean water in a glass

World Water Day 2011 — How Can Clean Water Make a Difference?

A person can live four weeks without food, but only three days, depending on the circumstances without water. Lack of water can cause short-term memory loss, fatigue, and trouble learning. Your body will not function without water.

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a child washing hands in water

How Can the Presence of Clean Water Improve a Community?

Children’s hygiene is often neglected because they can’t bathe or wash their hands as often as they need to. Health issues like skin diseases are common among people due to the lack of clean water.

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people busy at worksite

A Pocket Full of Pay

Even though I was excited that I found money in my pocket, wouldn’t it have been nice if it was more? Then I’m reminded that over 1 billion people on this planet will work all day today and not get paid what I just found in my pocket.

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Celebrating Republic Day in India

A Republic Day celebration is organized by every Compassion child development center across eastern India to teach children in our sponsorship program about national pride. The celebrations include a series of programs like a parade and patriotic dances by the children, flag hoisting, a standing salute to the Indian tricolor by children and staff, and a short speech by the guest of honor.

Republic Day in India Saluting

Through these celebrations, children at the development centers are taught about brotherhood and harmony irrespective of their caste and faith. Children learn to become responsible and loyal toward their future duty as citizens of their nation.

“We are building future patriots for our nation by instilling patriotic fervor in our children through celebrations like Republic Day and Independence Day. If children understand their responsibility towards their motherland from their childhood days, I am confident they have the potential to do great things for our nation,” says Puspita, a staff member at IN-729.

Republic Day (26th January) is celebrated every year across India with great pomp and pageant. It is one of the three national holidays of the country.

The occasion is marked by a grand parade in the nation’s capital of New Delhi. It includes a march-past by India’s three armed forces, distribution of bravery awards, and folk dances by tribal people in their traditional costumes, marking the cultural unity of India.

Republic Day in India Dancing

The Indian military also showcases its latest acquisitions of artillery, missiles and radars. Streaks of jet planes from the Indian Air Force leave a trail of tricolored smoke to culminate the celebration at the nation’s capital.

Republic Day fills up every Indian heart with patriotic fervor because it was on this day in 1950 that the Indian Republic and its constitution came into force. On January 26, 1950, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar framed the written constitution of India with seven other members of the drafting committee that finally saw India become a republic nation.

Republic Day has set a milestone in India’s history by giving all Indian citizens the right to exercise freedom in every sphere of their life and also teaching them to live in unity, equality and harmony amidst their vast cultural diversity.

The celebrations at IN-729 begin early in the morning as children line up with their center’s banner and the Indian tricolor flag to parade through the campus to the rhythm of beating drums.

Republic Day in India Marching

That is followed by a short prayer from a child and the unfurling of the national flag by the head teacher of the local government school.

The teacher also shares a short speech on Republic Day to encourage and inspire children:

“I have seen great change in this community through the initiative the child development center has taken in educating poor children of this community. I am hopeful that today’s children will become tomorrow’s leaders in this community; I am glad to see how they are also instilling patriotic feelings in these children through these kind of celebrations.”

After flag hoisting, the children put together a beautiful patriotic dance dressed up in the tricolored attire, followed by another short message on the theme of Republic Day. Finally the celebration culminates with a vote of thanks and closing prayer from another Compassion-assisted child.

After the program ends, children line up in rows of two to collect sweets and the national flag is distributed at the gate by volunteers.

Republic Day in India Flags

“I remember coming to the center and eating candies on Republic Day but as I grew older I realized the importance of this day. I read about Dr. Ambedkar in our history textbooks and it inspired me a lot. We celebrate this day with honor remembering all who helped to make India a republic nation,” says Rumpa, a Compassion-assisted child.

Through Republic Day celebrations, the development center instills the spirit of brotherhood, unity and equality in all Compassion-assisted children.

“I want to do something for my nation that I can feel proud of. Besides, the freedom and equality we enjoy today was earned through the sacrifice of our freedom fighters and that is what I want our little brothers and sisters at the development center to know when they grow up like me,” tells Anamika, another Compassion-assisted child.

The development center is ministering to children coming from both Hindu and Muslim families.

In the past, village standards were so rigid that Hindu and Muslims would not drink from the same hand pump without first washing it properly. Each had their separate ponds where they took baths. The center has helped children to advocate the message of brotherhood and unity in their families through which many Hindu and Muslim families have come together in love and harmony.

Staff member, Puspita says it well,

“Our children are spreading the message of unity and love in their neighborhood. This has brought a lot of change in the community. Celebrations like Republic Day help us to make that message even more powerful.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIA ›

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group of Ethiopian men holding children

How Important Is a Father’s Role in a Child’s Life?

Whether walking into a coffee shop or walking down a dirt road to a child development center, fathers can use their powerful influence to change the life of a child.

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