I have always had a desire to write, but if you ask me, never in my wildest dreams did those thoughts include blogging. In a way this feels like God’s way of preparing me for that special role of sharing my life with others and using my past and my present to build others as He builds me.
At first, when I read the e-mail telling me that I was selected to be a contributor to this blog I was excited, but it was not until later that evening, when I was thinking of what to write for my first post, did I start getting cold feet with the realization of what I was just about to do.
I sincerely don’t know where God is taking me with this but my prayer is that at the end of it all relationships will be developed and through the many authentic conversations shared, communities will be fostered, trust built, and that I will have effectively and knowledgably shared with you about Compassion International and what it means to me and to the other many sponsored children, not only here in Kenya, but around the world.
My name is Anthony Njoroge. I was born 24 years ago in one of the largest slums in Kenya, Kawangware, famously known for drug abuse, prostitution, crime and high levels of poverty.
I am the fifth-born in a typical family, typical being where the mother is the bread winner, head of the home and the pillar of the family. It’s a scenario in almost all the slums because all the men are either too drugged to take care of their families or in prison.
It’s in this slum that Compassion found me, enrolled me in the Child Sponsorship Program, gave me the chance to go to school, and provided me with the chance to enjoy three meals a day, something unheard of in the slum. Compassion also provided me with my very first pair of shoes, and, literally, my very first set of clothes, because most of the clothes I had were either handed down to me from my big brother or given to me by a close relative. Most importantly, I got the chance to know Christ.
Once your heart is changed, your mind changes, your body changes and definitely the environment around you changes, and that’s what it means to release a child from poverty in Jesus name, for poverty is not only a lack of basic necessities but more so a lack of hope. It’s times like this when I look back at my life and the places I have come from and thank God for having brought Compassion International into my life and the way God has used the relationship with my sponsors not only to show me that I can make it, but that where I came from doesn’t matter and that I am not defined by poverty.
I am about to graduate from Compassion’s Leadership Development Program,* and I leave a better-fulfilled Christian adult with big dreams, a degree in information technology, and a servant leader. And that’s why it’s hard for me to truly tell you about my life and who I am without mentioning Compassion and my sponsors, for they have helped me be who I am today.
My life has had its ups and downs, and through the many conversations we will be having I will share these moments with you. Did I tell you how I joined Compassion? That’ll be my next post.
*This content honors our historical Leadership Development Program. To learn more about our current youth development opportunities, click here.
16 Comments |Add a comment
I am really honored Patrick that you checked out this website, I am privilege to know u as well as have u in my class.
God bless
Am patrick(pato) from c.t.w. Want 2 say thanks 4 all u r doing 4 us including tha sleep overs, classes the list is endless. Keep it up
At this rate, I think a fun club will do ha
1. To vicki small.
Hi there,
I did manage to contact your sponsored child, she sends her greetings and she will be writing a letter, which I will send to chris to forward it to you.
2. Andy and Miranda – In Him
Hello,
Thanks alot for the encouragement and support.
I will be sure to tell you all how the cereminy was as well as post photos of the same.
God bless.
Anthony
Hi Anthony, we are so very proud of you as you graduate from Compassion’s LDP! When you get a chance, we’d love to hear of how your graduation went! Love in Christ, Andy and Miranda – In Him
Hi, Chris,
Yes! It is absolutely okay to contact me directly! And thank you so much for deleting her name from my comment; I wasn’t really comfortable giving it, but couldn’t contact Anthony directly.
Vicki,
I gave Anthony the name of the LDP student you sponsor. If I need to pass any information along to you, do I have your permission to contact you directly, via the email you provided with your comments?
Hello, Anthony,
Thank you for responding to my previous comment. Yes, I know my LDP student’s name. She is {Name withheld for privacy reasons} (I hope it is okay to give her name, here!). If you know her and see her, please tell her I continue to pray for her and for her family. Every day I hope to hear that she is okay, that she and her family have by God’s grace been spared. I know all of you are in His hands and that there is no better place for any of us to be.
Thanks, again, and God bless you.
I think the way things are going I need to start signing autographs…ha
To:
1. Carolyn F
Thanks a lot for the comment and encouragement and it’s indeed an honour to know you. By the way do you know the name Upendo means love in Swahili?
2. Vicki Small
Indeed this is a great privilege to hear from a sponsor and more so an LDP sponsor. You guys play a major role is our lives and I have no words to say how much we appreciate you. Do you know the LDP student by name? Please do get me the name and I will be sure to tell her. A lot has happened here in Kenya with the violence but I know God is with us.
Thanks again for the prayers, encouragement and support. And also remember that you are also one of the great successes in our lives.
3. Lisa Miles
Hi Lisa
I count it a privilege to be able to share my life with you and at the same time remind you that its people like you that take chances on people like us that make the biggest of differences.
Thanks a lot for the encouragement and I look forward to more moments like this
God bless
Anthony Njoroge
Anthony, what a great blog post — you are an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more from you. It’s so exciting for us sponsors to hear these first-hand experiences — what it was like to be a child in the Compassion program — and how the Lord has moved in your life.
Congratulations on your many achievements and your willingness to share your life and your faith with others!
Greetings in the name of Jesus, Anthony! I look forward to reading more posts from you.
In addition to other children (all girls), I sponsor an LDP student in Kenya. She has been studying at Kenyatta University, but I have no idea how she is, or where, since all of the violence began. I pray for her and for her family, and I hope to hear from her soon.
God bless you, Anthony, as you leave the leadership program and move on into whatever God has for you. I have been so impressed with all of the LDP students or graduates that I have met and listened to; I know God will use you greatly!
Wonderful post! I look forward to hearing more about your journey with Compassion. I just sponsored my first child this week, so you are giving me a view into what Upendo has to look forward to!
Let me begin by sayin how humbled I am by you guys having taken the time to read this post and also for the comments.
1: To Amy
Thanks alot for the welcome and you have no idea how nice it is to hear that you have started sponsoring a child. I look foward to many more converstions as we share on what God is doing in our lives. Thanks.
2. To Megan
Hi Megan, Asante sana (swahili for thank you very much). And indeed its an honour to share my life’s story with you.
3. To Shaun Groves
Thanks a million for taking time to read this post. Loved what you have done with your blog I am even tempted to start mine ha!. By the way I hope you dont mind me asking are you in anyway related to Sarah Groves?
4. Gert Kenter
Gosh! Indeed its a small world. How can I ever forget you. I still have the letter and I even shared that story with the staff here at Compassion Kenya and I can tell you the impact was great. Thanks again for that It really meant alot to me. All I can say is vriendelijke groet. Ps: Do greet your family for me.
Goodbye Anthony! Great I found you here. Maybe you remember us at your last visit to Holland. We were at the “advocates day” and at Hour of Power concert in Apeldoorn. Our son, Stijn Thomas, wrote letters for you because you received no letters from your sponsor.
We wish you all the best!
God bless you,
Gert, Janet & Stijn Kenter
You guys are doing a great job on the blog. And a great job on this post, Anthony.
Thanks for telling stories the rest of us can pass along.
I’m so glad to hear from you, Anthony. Thank you for sharing so openly about your life and experiences. I’m looking forward to hearing more from you!
Welcome, Anthony! I’ve just recently started sponsoring a child in Kenya, so I’m excited to hear about your experiences in Compassion’s program in that country. Thank you for being willing to share them with us. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!