The Baby Elephant Rescuer
You’ve probably met Wass. Wass is the baby elephant who’s been in the news recently after he was rescued from a well in Northern Kenya. Unable to be reunited with his herd, he and two orphaned ostrich chicks were airlifted to safety by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Now meet Edwin. Edwin is the head elephant keeper at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, Kenya. He’s also a Compassion graduate.
Continue Reading ›Fear, Ebola and Me
“Are you sure you want to travel there right now? Couldn’t you get… Ebola?” My friend hesitantly asked me this question before my recent trip to Uganda, in Eastern Africa. I found a map and showed my well-meaning friend the actual distance from the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak to Uganda. It’s about 4500 miles, which is well over the distance from California to New York.
Continue Reading ›The Wait Is Over
Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Every year, the United Nations dedicates one day to raise awareness on global poverty. This year’s theme is “Leave no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty.” At Compassion International, we dedicate our LIVES to the very same thing. We’ve been marking off the days on our calendar for today to come and, finally, the wait is over! It’s kind of a big deal!
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Leave No One Behind
This Friday, October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, also known as World Poverty Day. This year’s theme is “Leave no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty.” Meet Oscar, a Compassion graduate, and learn what you can do to spread awareness.
The Nobel Peace Prize Went to a Child. And it’s About Time.
This morning, 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai became the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize. Though Yousafzai’s name may not be familiar, you probably remember her face—the face of a pale teen, eyes rimmed with dark circles, her head shrouded in bandages, clutching a white teddy bear. Two years ago Yousafzai garnered the world’s attention when she was shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting education for girls in Pakistan. Since then, after recovering from surgery, she has taken her campaign global, most notable with a speech last year at the United Nations.
International Day of the Girl Child
United Nations Resolution 66/170 states that, “..empowerment of and investment in girls are…key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights” This is the resolution that sets aside October 11th of each year as the International Day of the Girl Child.
Valerie’s First Christmas
I was about 3 years old in my earliest Christmas memory. I had chickenpox, and because I was quarantined, my stepfather dressed as Santa to cheer me up. I don’t remember the gifts I got that year, but I remember feeling so special that Santa had made a house call to visit me. That memory surfaced recently when I read the story of Valerie, a little girl in Togo. Valerie’s first Christmas memory happened last year — because it was the first time she ever celebrated Christmas.