Saddam {it’s more than a sponsorship}

sponsor with their sponsored child

Shauna Pilgreen, in the hospital for an unknown illness, can only think of one thing — her sponsored child Sadaam.

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When Grandma Becomes Mom

elderly women next to trees

No matter how bad Carmen feels physically, or how bad she’s doing economically, she diligently gets up every day to get her grandchildren ready for school, the child development center or the church.

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young woman holding handmade jewelry

How Can Jewelry Making Provide Hope and an Education?

While we want every child to attain the highest possible level of formal education, not all children are meant to be academicians. This is why our staff in Ghana expose children to extracurricular activities that often lead to income-generating ventures.

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A young student holding a binder

What Does Success Look Like?

When people ask us what success looks like, we point to our children. Our children like Sandiele.

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group of children jumping in air

Blog Month 2013 Starts September 1

Blog Month 2013 starts September 1, and the goal is to get 3,160 children sponsored online by 11:59 p.m. MT on September 30.

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tomatoes from guatemala

Life Lesson from a Tomato (Not Bob)

The children at the Santa Lucía student center are learning some valuable life lessons from growing their own tomatoes.

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Components of a water filtration system

Investing in Community and Clean Water

The people of Nebaj live in a beautiful place, but it is very far from the city, and many times their needs are forgotten. Needs such as clean drinking water.

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young boy on a surfboard

How Is Creativity in Education Changing Young Lives?

For us, education is as diverse as our children. From Taekwondo to bead making to surfing, our children do more than sit at a desk.

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close up of Olive Aneno

Living to Know Christ More

Recently we asked Olive Aneno about her career as a social worker. Why did she choose a career in social work? And, what are the differences she sees in the children of Uganda and the children she works with in the U.S.

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row of children's photos

The Day I Signed up to be a Compassion Sponsor

I had heard that cry only twice in my life, but the sound is burned into my memory. This cry … this lament … pierced my soul. Instinctively, I understood an emotion so great, I knew no words existed to express it.

It was 2009. Atlanta. I was attending a very hip conference held in a ginormous arena with a bijillion other people. It was one of those gatherings you attend to get inspired and hear lots of interesting lectures from a variety of people.

Some speakers hawk their books; some, with all the cunning of a very successful salesman, give you advice on managing finances; many speakers offer instructions on how to live a better life. It is an energetic time with all the creative, special effects of a music concert. Sometimes they even use a smoke machine and have jugglers.

This segment was wedged between a couple of things that I cannot remember now, which is crazy because this particular moment is chiseled into my brain.

The stage lights came up and there was well-dressed young man with a mic in his hand standing at the edge of the stage with the emcee. He was introduced to the crowd as Jimmy from Kenya. Jimmy was a now grown-up, sponsored child of Compassion International and was going to share his story.

I was very familiar with Compassion. Many of the churches and groups I had been associated with displayed Compassion brochures. I had met several people over the years who had sponsored children.

child packets

One of my favorite musicians and poets, Rich Mullins, was an advocate for Compassion during his life. Many times, at conferences like this one, I had walked past booths with rows of info cards bearing photographs of children in other countries waiting to be sponsored.

I would glance at them, smile at the person behind the table of photo faces and continue walking by.

When Jimmy began to speak, I was intrigued. He had a beautiful accent, a gentle and very intelligent delivery, and I liked his sweater vest.

Jimmy told of growing up in extreme poverty in Kenya. He was a street child, a garbage picker at age four. He watched his infant sister die of starvation in his mother’s arms. He wasn’t being dramatic, he wasn’t overly emotional, he was just speaking his truth. (more…)

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two men and child praying

Life Without God is Meaningless

At 12 years old, Edgar made a commitment to God and decided to give Him his future. Since that time, God has been accomplishing the purpose He set for Edgar.

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give more banner

A New Way to Give More to Your Sponsored Child

Beginning today through June 30, 2014, if you are a member of the Compassion Bloggers Network and you participate in at least three blogging assignments you will be eligible for our rewards program.

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