I’ll admit it: I’m a child of the 80s. I’ve got fond memories of Expo 88, and I can still sing the theme songs of She-Ra, Inspector Gadget, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Smurfs.

Punky Brewster was my hero. I owned a hypercolor t-shirt, and I wore it tucked into my “happy pants”—think everything you’ve ever seen of MC Hammer, but on a five-year-old.

It’s funny how the 80s legacy lives on, for better or worse. I got more than a little bit excited when Cold Chisel announced their comeback tour this year, and I’ll always be fascinated by Rubik’s Cubes.

And it seems my mum was right when she told me that fashions always go in cycles—although I just can’t bring myself to embrace high-waisted jeans a second time. But it’s not just clothes that seem to have cycled around again.

One of the defining characteristics of the 80s was the “greed is good” mantra that infiltrated consumer psyches across the Western world. It’s no coincidence that one of the most significant events of the decade was the stock market crash of 1987, which devastated households, companies and economies around the world—or that this episode in our history was shortly followed by the infamous recession “we had to have” of the early 1990s. And yet, it seems we still haven’t learnt the lesson.

Greed, say observers including former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the Archbishop Canterbury and the head of the Reserve Bank of Australia, was at the core of the Global Financial Crisis that hit in 2008 and is still reverberating now.

Despite human experience ranging from King David all the way through to Gordon Gekko proving that it would be better relegated to the pages of history (along with shoulder pads), greed came back in fashion this decade, and we are all living with the consequences.

The most disturbing return to the 80s is without doubt the horrifying stories of African mothers walking for days through the desert to beg a handful of grain; of tinder-dry crops and emaciated cattle shriveling under a merciless sun; of children dying for want of food as the world looks on through their big screen TVs.

Again, consecutive seasons of drought in East Africa have laid bare a region mired in poverty, neglect, instability and conflict, leaving 12.4 million people—more than half the Australian population—at the brink of survival.

The television images of Ethiopian children with withered, ancient faces that I remember seeing as a kid in 1984 are back, and just like before, they play second fiddle in our media to news about the latest politician faux pas and celebrity wedding.

How—in a world where junk food, alcohol and cigarettes are among the leading causes of death—are we here again? Have 30 years not been enough to learn how to prevent catastrophes like this?

The fact is, there is enough food produced to feed everyone living right now on Planet Earth—but one in seven people in the world do not have enough to eat.

The reasons why 12.4 million East Africans are facing starvation are complex, but while the drought is the result of not enough rain, experts tell us the famine is man-made.

Self-interest—of local authorities, of inefficient governments, of the architects of an unjust world trade system, and of all of us who have passively accepted it—is again at the core.

Yet, 30 years on, some things have changed. I was a child in the 80s, but now I have a child of my own—though thankfully, she is not old enough to insist on wearing high-waisted jeans. I want her to grow up in a world that has learnt its lesson; that understands that greed is not good. And I am not alone.

The Australian Government pledged $60 million in emergency relief, then boosted it to $80 million. Everyday Australians have added another $10 million of their own. Blog sites like this one have done their bit to get people talking and reaching into their pockets.

Tens of thousands of Australians have chosen to sponsor a child in East Africa, helping to reduce the vulnerability and build the resilience of no less than 32,932 children through year-round nutrition, health, education and income generation support.

This is our time to do things differently than we have in the past; to make sure this is one part of our era that won’t cycle around again. What will you do?

This post originally appeared on compassion.com.au as Child of the 80s. Sponsor a child through Compassion Australia.

The 1980s graphic is courtesy of Kenny Dodge.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Is there a childhood memory or particular person that you associate with a certain fragrance? For me, the scent of a particular facial cleansing bar instantly transports me back to my childhood.

The face of my grandmother, who always used that product, flashes in my mind. I can even see the pink shag carpet in her bathroom and feel the softness of her skin when I kissed her cheek.

Nowadays I’m the one my family associates with a certain scent. Specifically, I always wear the same signature perfume. People have even told me that they know I’ve recently been in a room when they catch a whiff of that particular fragrance.

I like to think that’s a compliment — and not a hint that I’m wearing too much perfume!

The point is, our sense of smell is powerful. Think about it: Perhaps no other sense connects us to memories and emotions as much as scent does. We associate many holidays, places and people with distinct scents.

I think Christmas smells like pine trees and cinnamon; camping smells like a combination of campfires, bug spray and toasted marshmallows; and babies smell like baby powder (unless they’re in need of changing!).

East Africa also has a distinct smell. To others it might smell of burning trash and charcoal cooking fires. But to me, it just smells like Africa.

With each return trip, the first thing I do when I step off the plane is inhale deeply – and I instantly know I am back!

Disney World’s Animal Kingdom has an East African village replica called Harambe. Disney’s imagineers got it spot on, down to the power lines resting on acacia tree branches, store signs written in Swahili and kangas hanging out to dry.

The only thing they missed is the smell. It might look like East Africa, but it sure smells like America. And frankly, most tourists probably prefer it that way!

Second Corinthians 2:14-15 tells us that, as Christians, we should have a distinctive aroma. The Message translation puts it this way:

“Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation – an aroma redolent with life.”

In other words, whenever our words or actions cause others to experience the love of Jesus, we leave an aroma redolent (fragrant) with life.

• By transforming a child’s life through Compassion sponsorship, we are leaving an aroma redolent with life.
• By building relationships through letters written to our sponsored children, we are leaving an aroma redolent with life.
• By visiting our sponsored children, we are leaving an aroma redolent with life.
• By encouraging others to sponsor a child, we are leaving an aroma redolent with life.

The best part is that it’s not just our sponsored children who get to experience that sweet aroma of Christ! The aroma permeates throughout the child’s family, too.

As other children are sponsored in the community, the aroma spreads further. And as we practice being the loving hand of Christ extended, that same aroma permeates through our own families and communities at home.

As that sweet aroma spreads, we pray that those who come into contact with it would come to associate the name of Jesus with God’s unconditional LOVE, boundless COMPASSION and eternal HOPE.

I pray that I spread the aroma of Christ today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: LeeAnn Thompson is a pastor’s wife and missions director. She leads short-term mission trips to Tanzania, East Africa, where she has had the privilege of visiting her sponsored child.

If you’re interested in writing a guest blog post, we are happy to consider publishing it. Read our guest blog post guidelines.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

It’s all over the news, the Web and social media. The images are showing up everywhere. The statistics are unbelievable, but they’re real and that’s why we keep hearing about it.

I’m talking about the drought in East Africa.

East Africa is currently facing its worst drought in 60 years; high food prices and failed crops have left millions of people at risk.

Dozens of relief organizations have rushed to the scene. They’re hard at work calculating the need, raising funds and bringing in lifesaving aid.

You’ve watched as this crisis has unfolded, you’ve been praying and now you’re ready to respond.

But wait — we have some questions from the audience:

“Where is Compassion?”

“What is Compassion doing amid this crisis?”

“How can I give to Compassion concerning the drought in East Africa?”

Inserting a donation link to our disaster relief fund and asking you to give, right now, is a timely thing to do. But before you click on the link, let me explain how this crisis is affecting our programs.

Our child development centers operate in five countries near the areas affected by the drought:

• Kenya
• Ethiopia
• Rwanda
• Tanzania
• Uganda

We do not work in Somalia, the hardest-hit country. But where we do work, our local church partners are seeing higher food prices due to poor crop yields caused by the drought. And our church partners are experiencing an influx of refugees into the areas they serve.

Because we are a holistic child development organization working through the local church our program model often protects our beneficiaries against the potentially crippling impact of famine and drought.

Our Child Survival, Child Sponsorship, and Leadership Development Programs are each designed to help meet the ongoing needs of the families, children and students we serve. The programs help our beneficiaries become self-sufficient and better able to weather disasters, such as droughts.

However, when a crisis does arise, the local churches where our child development centers are located identify the immediate and specific needs of the children, families and students we serve.

The churches have access, through our programs, to critical assistance, such as disaster relief, clean water, medical assistance, etc.

Our ministry focus is on long-term development of children from their time in the womb until an age where they’re self-sufficient. While we focus on prevention and responding to the needs of our program beneficiaries, we applaud other organizations that do widespread disaster relief.

One of these organizations is the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), one of our partners in 58:.
In addition to its major drought-response projects already underway in Kenya and Ethiopia, CRWRC is expanding its aid to Somalia.

You can learn more about CRWRC, how they are responding to the drought, and ways you can help at crcna.org.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

 To finish well in life, it makes an enormous difference if you are given opportunities that allow you to begin well. Our Child Survival Program and Leadership Development Program help children living in extreme poverty to begin and finish well.

The Beginning – Rwanda

Recently, 35 mothers and their babies, and a group of church partners, pastors, representatives from other child development organizations, government officials from throughout East Africa, and ministry staff in Rwanda gathered to launch the Child Survival Program. This event created increased awareness of the need to honor unborn children and highlighted the work of our ministry.

At this special event, Uwingeneye shared her testimony. The 29-year-old mother of four explained how her own mother wanted to abort her and later almost died while delivering her. As a result, she was named ‘Uwingeneye’ which means “the one whom God gave me,” since her mother did not want her.

Uwingeneye’s first two children are 5-year-old twins; her third child is a 3-year-old boy whom she picked up from the roadside and cared for as her very own.

Her second pregnancy, bringing her fourth child, was totally undesired.

She had no job except washing clothes for her neighbors to earn 1,000 Rwandan francs [$1.67] once in a while. Her husband left her. She could not afford rent. She too wanted to abort her child.

“I knew what it meant to have a baby without means. When I was desperate and had tried to abort and failed, the Lord spoke to me in a dream. From Revelation 2:5 God told me to remember the height from which I had fallen, to repent and do the works I did at first, and that if I did not repent, He would remove my lampstand from its place.

God told me the child I was carrying would save my life, but I did not understand how.”

When we came to take her picture for registration into the Child Survival Program, Uwingeneye first thought we were the kind of people who take advantage of the poor and vulnerable by pretending to be an organization that offers aid while using their photos to make money.

Uwingeneye soon discovered she was wrong when our ministry became a blessing to her.

“After the Child Survival Program staff discovered how I was always sent out of houses because I could not afford rent, they paid my rent for a whole year. Because of my sickness, I thought I would deliver from home, but a Child Survival Program worker came and picked me up from home with much respect in a special hired vehicle.

The ministry paid all my medical bills. I would have never gotten money to pay them myself. I may have died had Compassion not been there for me. The ministry gave me all the necessary things for my baby.

The Child Survival Program staff also brought me congratulatory gifts (a custom in the Rwandese culture when a woman gives birth). I thank them because, in the three months after giving birth, I did not lack any foods such as sugar, porridge and other foods husbands give to their wives when they’ve given birth. My husband was not there, but God was there, and the Child Survival Program did it for me.”

 Uwingeneye went on to explain how she was helped to start an income-generating activity of plaiting hair. She also considered the scarcity of water in her home area and bought enough jerry cans and buckets to fetch a lot of water and collect rain water to sell at a profit in the days of scarcity. She testified how she got enough profit to return borrowed items and buy her own, to feed her children, send them to school, and dress her family.

The launching of the Child Survival Program in Rwanda was a celebration of hope. A hope that allows more women like Uwingeneye the opportunity to leave extreme poverty behind. A hope that allows moms to offer their children necessities like clean water, food and an education.

Halfway around the world we had a different kind of celebration. One that launched four young men from our Leadership Development Program into finishing their degrees and entering the world as educated adults.

The Finish and a New Beginning – Guatemala

The most recent Leadership Development Program graduation took place in Guatemala City where family members, ministry staff and special guests were able to share this important moment with four outstanding students who completed the Leadership Development Program and made a new life transition.

The Leadership Development Program graduation ceremony is a special event prepared for the students. Ivonne, Leadership Development Program Team Lead, explains,

“It is a ceremony where we want to celebrate their accomplishment and show them how much they have achieved.”

The ceremony is a celebration of the beginning of a new life season, and planning for the graduation begins a year in advance. Plans include finding an appropriate location, choosing a guest speaker, sending invitations, and preparing awards.

This year’s guest speaker was Julie Weller, a member of our ministry’s board. Julie also sponsored one of the graduating Leadership Development Program students, Florencio. In her speech, she encouraged graduates to use their gifts and experiences for God’s kingdom and glory. She advised them to stay close to the Lord.

Julie encouraged and challenged the Leadership Development Program graduates as she read Ephesians 3:16-20,

“As you commit your lives to him, his mighty power is at work within you to make a difference.”

In the midst of this celebration there was a bittersweet feeling because four of the best students, Jonathan, Dujardin, Florencio and Alvaro, were concluding the program.

Jonathan

Jonathan, a theology major, was given special recognition for his outstanding academic performance. He was also involved in the Leadership Development Academy. The Academy is a two-week program where semifinalists for the Leadership Development Program learn about and prepare for college. During this program, the Leadership Development Program students choose new students for the Leadership Development Program.

Jonathan later participated as an Academy group leader, influencing the lives of the next Leadership Development Program generation.

Dujardin

Dujardin pursued a civil engineering degree. Ivonne shares,

“Dujardin is a very determined young man. He has a very humble spirit and works really hard to achieve his goals. He acknowledges all the hard work his parents, sponsors and Leadership Development Program specialists have done to support him.”

Florencio

Florencio decided to go to law school. He likes to be involved in church and has a heart of service for God. He is currently working as Program Coordinator at the Compassion student center he once attended.

His plans for the future include running a law office, so he can earn profits and still have time to donate his services to people who cannot afford to pay him.

Florencio was blessed with the visit of his sponsors for graduation. They have been his sponsors since he was in the Child Sponsorship Program, and they flew to Guatemala especially to share this important day.

“Having a sponsor has been really special, a special blessing. It has impacted my life.”

For Florencio his sponsors are like his second family.

“In them I found the support of another family. Even from far away they always asked me how I was doing in school, in church and in life. They asked about my needs.”

Florencio’s sponsor had visited him three times before, and this time she came with her husband and two children. The support of Florencio’s sponsors has transformed him and helped him achieve this major milestone.

Alvaro

Alvaro majored in industrial engineering. Ivonne expresses about Alvaro,

“He is an extraordinary young man. He has a very noble heart. One of the characteristics that make Alvaro so outstanding is that he looks for opportunities to grow in the Lord and serve Him.”

Alvaro entered the Child Sponsorship Program when he was 9 and has been a part of our ministry for 16 years now. Through his time with us, he has come to know the Lord in a more personal way. The application process for the Leadership Development Program program made him depend completely on God. Every person on our staff who knows Alvaro mentions his relationship with God as one of his greatest characteristics.

Alvaro has also contributed in the Leadership Development Academy as a tutor for students who attend the program.

“Being asked to help with The Academy is the best memory I have from the Leadership Development Program. I was honored to be included in the selection process of the new students.”

Alvaro’s plan for the future is to start his own business in few years.

“The university gave me the tools that will help me achieve my goals.”

In the meantime, Alvaro will work to provide for his family and save money to start his business. He is interested in projects like recycling, exporting vegetables and food processing. He is an entrepreneur, thanks to his college education and to the Leadership Development Program.

All four students are beginning new journeys in their lives, which is why the Leadership Development specialists make sure graduation is an encouragement to them.

Higher education in Guatemala is different from higher education in other countries. The process of graduation begins when students finish all required courses. Completing course work can take five to six years. Once they have completed their courses, students are authorized to take a private exam or general test. If they pass that test, they can present their dissertation.

Next, an internship may be required, which could take an additional six to eight months. The students take a year and a half to three years to finally graduate after they have finished all their courses.

Dujardin, Florencio and Alvaro celebrated the Leadership Development Program graduation and are now working hard on  their university graduation. Jonathan has already obtained his theology degree.

Thanks to the support of the Leadership Development Program, these four students will be able to achieve their dreams of higher education very soon. And thanks to the Child Survival Program, Uwingeneye is no longer homeless and is able to provide a future for her children, one that may even include attending the Leadership Development Program someday.

Photos and content for this post were provided by Rosette Mutoni, Field Communications Specialist, Rwanda and Nadia Soberanis, Field Communications Specialist, Guatemala.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Imagine finding yourself in East Africa, where thousands of children are being abducted and transformed into child soldiers. Families are separated, some killed horrifically.

The government forces you to relocate to an area of safety, and here you’re invited to pray with a small gathering of believers.

After a few weeks, more than 50 believers are gathering for prayer and worship.

Someone suggests the group should form a church and asks for a volunteer to pastor the group, and another volunteer to assist.

After six months, the fellowship has grown to 500 members. Land has been given, a church building is being erected, and it’s all being led by a willing, volunteer pastor — with no theological training.

But the picture is not yet complete. And it’s not uncommon.

This pastor knows that people in his congregation are facing many challenges, including the reality of HIV and its progression into AIDS, and potentially death.

He tells them “God can heal you,” so many church members stop taking their medications. Possibly a widower marries again, but doesn’t tell his new wife that he has AIDS because he thinks he is healed.

Still other families are desperate for food … work … training for jobs … money to start a small business, so they come to their volunteer pastor for relief.

If your family is in desperate need of money, whom do you go to? Do you go to your pastor?

In Africa, the answer is overwhelmingly “of course.” And this question leads one to discover some significant differences in how pastors are viewed in Uganda and here in the United States.

In all fairness, in the U.S. one might approach his or her pastor or at least the church’s benevolence committee about financial difficulties. But what about questions about hygiene? Problems selling a home? Learning how to budget?

The African pastor faces very real expectations, not only to provide resource and counsel in the spiritual realm, but also in the physical, social, economic and educational realms as well.

Another challenge faced by African pastors is that the majority must find work outside the church to support themselves and their families, which leads to a great personal need for the very training/equipping a pastor needs to present his congregation.

To say that the role of the African pastor is complex is an understatement.

Jackson Rujoga, a church partnership facilitator with Compassion Uganda says,

“The Bible says that David led God’s people with a heart of integrity and hands of skill; our pastors have the heart, but often lack the skill to deal with even simple issues that we might assume are common sense.”

When a pastor begins serving a church, he is open-hearted and willing to serve. Then a realization occurs; ministry requires much more than willingness and open-heartedness.

Soon, the pastor discovers that while money is coming in, more is going out, families are demanding, and he feels overwhelmed.

Not knowing the biblical foundation of how to handle the situations he faces, he makes decisions that compromise the very integrity that led him to be chosen as pastor.

Pastors Discipleship Network, founded by Richmond Wandera, a formerly sponsored child and Leadership Development Program graduate, is reaching out and empowering pastors to face this challenge.

If pastors are trained, empowered and equipped in biblical principles, then they can be further trained on how to identify and resolve challenges in these other areas, and how to nurture a mature church.

Then the entire community gets transformed.

Later this week, Pastors Discipleship Network is hosting approximately 500 pastors from the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda at its third annual pastors’ conference, organized to train pastors in the concept of “mastering the land” from a biblical perspective —“Rooted in the Word.”

“Think about it this way. Your view of God shapes your view of the world, of yourself — and of your neighbor. It shapes how you approach the “land” or, in other words, your decisions on relationships, finances, employment, politics etc. So the mindset and one’s heart are critical.

“Once someone is rooted in the Word, they’re able to face the different stones or challenges that come seasonally in the land.

“For example, in Uganda we have seasons of peace, but also seasons of war and civil unrest. Very practically speaking, people need to know how to deal with anger, or how to respond when political leaders are being ill-treated. Do they join the demonstrations? How should they respond?

“The church is a place where people come in good times and in desperation, and the church is ready to listen.

“The people can be stripped of everything else, but they will still come to church — when they are in need, they need a pastor who is knowledgeable about many areas of life and who is living a Christ-like example to those who follow him.

“Even [the Ugandan] president — Museveni — goes to church. There is a pastor today who is speaking into his life … into the areas of family, politics, business, and relationships.”

Being “rooted in the Word” makes mature disciples who are able to go out and “master the land” — wherever God places them… in a hospital, a church or a business — or in a justice house.

“I believe every decision in life is seasoned by our view of God, found in the Bible. And as one of my professors at Moody used to say — ‘every view of fallen man is — crooked or skewed, but the Word of God can create change in one’s heart.’ That’s what Pastor’s Discipleship Network is trying to help pastors do — for their congregations and the greater community of East Africa — by God’s grace.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Riehl joined Compassion in 2004 and is the Director of Donor Development. Originally from Houston, TX Melissa is Ugandan at heart and is a volunteer member of the Pastors Development Network’s leadership team.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

As a pastor in Uganda for more than 13 years, Peter Mugabi deeply understands the plight of the African pastor.

“Pastoring in Uganda is a big call that God puts on one’s life. It’s a tough calling because many of our churches have quite a number of challenges.

“The expectations for pastors in Uganda go far beyond the spiritual realm. Our people are very needy, and whether the needs are spiritual, economic, social or physical, the church is the place of refuge. People look to the pastor for help.”

When asked about the specific challenges faced by the members of his congregation, Mugabi said that people in his congregation have “big” needs ranging from economic empowerment, support for schooling for their children, food supplements and medical assistance.

“Many people are sick with malaria, tropical diseases, AIDS — and they fail to go anywhere because they lack the finances.”

Mugabi also says that social needs are abundant. Many people have families that are unstable — and out of the devastation come broken marriages and child abuse.

Though Mugabe has to work outside the church as a teacher and professional counselor to ease the financial burden of his church, he is quick to talk about the blessings he sees as a pastor in Uganda.

“The needs that we have also have been our blessings in a way, because we have learned to trust God in our poverty. We wait on God day by day because we are not sure of tomorrow.”

Mugabe says that in Uganda there is tremendous freedom in worship.

“Because of the great need in our community, as a pastor, I can knock on any door and be welcomed. Ugandans will welcome anyone bringing the gospel. They are very open, loving and sincere; people believe that the church has the answers.”

When asked about his involvement with Pastors Discipleship Network (PDN), Mugabe breaks into a huge smile. As the childhood pastor of Richmond Wandera, CEO of Pastors Discipleship Network, Mugabe was able to speak into the vision as Wandera first shared God’s call.

“There was a great need to impact pastors — to empower, equip and encourage them. Many pastors have been called but very few have any training.”

Mugabi says that the resources provided by the Pastors Discipleship Network have been invaluable.

“It’s like on-the-job training for various aspects of pastoring.”

The Quest Study Bible has been a precious resource for him, Mugabe says, both personally and as he prepares sermons and devotionals for his congregation. And the Network’s resource center has opened a world of information, helping him access sermons by Internet as well as numerous books on various aspects of pastoring.

Still, more training is needed.

“I’d like to see training incorporate three major challenges to our people: politics, economy and our culture.”

In addition, Mugabe says that management training is critical.

“We’re not only pastors, but leaders — and therefore, managers of God’s resources.

“The Pastors Discipleship Network has provided an invaluable network for us because, as pastors, there are tough seasons when we are worn – burned out. And as pastors we know that every counselor needs a counselor; we need other pastors to share our frustrations and dreams.

“I’d like to give a Macedonian call like Paul gave in the New Testament. The work here is great, and we pray that the Lord would provide for us. Our spirits are willing but, at times, our pockets are weak. Just as Paul said: ‘Come and help us!’”

Article courtesy of the Pastors Discipleship Network. Download the latest PDN e- newsletter.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Pauline is a 38-year-old mother of two, born and brought up in the Korogocho slums, east of Nairobi, Kenya. Here, she experienced the harsh realities of Nairobi’s urban settlements. Characterized by high levels of poverty, crime, disease, political instability, ethnic conflicts and blatant corruption, children have become the biggest losers in this mix.

Pauline vividly remembers the dilapidated home that she lived in until just recently. The walls caved inwards and the roof sagged because of the weak structural support. As is the norm in Korogocho, the houses are closely knit together, with little space to move around. She was embarrassed of her home, let alone the danger it put her family in.

“My door could not shut well and we feared being attacked at night.”

But Pauline found help at the local church of Korogocho slum, Redeemed Gospel Church. She often hosted fellowships in her tiny house, but she could not stand the humiliation of her home and contemplated not hosting more visits.

One of the church members, however, noticed her predicament and raised support for her with the help of Pastor Muthama.

“The church members practically reconstructed the house,” Pauline remembers, wearing a warm smile on her face.

The church bought the posts, iron sheets and provided labor.”

Pauline’s confidence was restored and she is thankful for the act of generosity. She can now host visitors in her tiny home without worry. Her daughter, Margaret, 22, is a Compassion graduate, and Margaret recently got a job as a waitress with a very popular coffee house in town, Java.

This is just one of the many examples of how the church is a shining light to the people in Korogocho. Pastor Muthama believes that the church is the hope to bring people out of poverty.

“Redeemed Gospel Church represents Christ through evangelism and other acts of service. They also offers a multidimensional approach to poverty, starting early through our children. The church’s partnership with Compassion has helped us to reach more needy children and families, not only with the gospel of Jesus, but also life skills that enable them to be economically self sustaining.”

Pastor Muthama also knows the challenges of working in a community like Korogocho. He is well known here, but that has not made him immune to armed violence and constant threats. But having grown up in this village, he says that his heart belongs there.

“I have been mugged several times and armed men have stormed the church during worship.”

The church is a target because the ministry here is a threat to the status quo. Pastor Muthama isn’t afraid to speak against the vices in the community. Many young men have changed their ways, but later run away, fearing for their lives. The government security forces have done their bit, but far too many people lose their lives and no real solution has been found.

“I believe that the lasting solution is the intervention of the Christian Community. Many young people are getting lost in this cycle of hopelessness. I love the church because it offers hope to humanity. The church has the great role of bringing people to the knowledge of God and helps them realize their God given potential. Furthermore, it spreads the love of God to all people.”

Pastor Muthama still remembers the 2008 post election violence that rocked the country. Some estimates say that over 1,000 people were killed in this conflict in which tribe was pitted against tribe, and old grievances between Kikuyus and Luos were brought to the surface.

“We were at the forefront of reconciling warring communities.”

The church was instrumental in offering an alternative to conflict that brought together different opinions, cooling down a polarized people. Church pews now accommodate people of different tribes, age and varying economic statuses. From the pulpit to the doors of the church is a voice that speaks against the glaring inequalities that is often the status quo outside of church walls.

Redeemed Gospel Church’s involvement in taking care of the needy – especially children – and being an alternative community that yearns for justice, positions the church in a place that the community can’t ignore.

“The community appreciates our presence due to the positive impact we are having. Through the various programs like the Child Survival Program, the feeding program for children, affordable high school and of course through reaching out to the community through evangelism, we have seen good fruit and everyone is appreciative.”

Throughout this expansive settlement, children are unaware of the hazardous river banks and unprotected bridges as they go about having their usual fun. They do not share in the same worries as the adults, and many of them succumb to an early death due to disease.

If they survive these childhood challenges, they get caught up in the rat race of unemployment, indulgence in illicit brews and neighborhood gangs. Unfortunately, some of them never get to see the light of adulthood.

Looking at the statistics, the challenge of serving this community appears almost insurmountable. However, the will to have a better future is alive and well. Mothers like Pauline trust that their children will have greater accomplishments than themselves.

The faces of sponsored kids at the child development center radiate the ember of hope which is evident in their eyes and smiles. The church’s surroundings cushion them from the dangers that lurk around the corner.

The church is taking responsibility for raising a generation that cares about each other and understands God’s purpose for them. And what more can one ask for when children receive Jesus at their tender ages and experience the joy of fellowship in a secure environment?

Pastor Muthama is on a mission to help change the outlook of this community. In fact, the locality is now known as Kochland, a change from Korogocho a name that carries a lot of negative connotations. Kochland High School is located at the church and is helps kids in the area to obtain a secondary education, placing them on a path to success.

Close to the Compassion Development Center is a brick wall with the words “Caananland” inscribed on it. It has been standing here for as long as the locals can remember, but represents a future they all look forward to, one of peace and prosperity.

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I stepped into my favorite coffee shop for my morning cup of java. Behind me a man carried a toddler on his shoulders, bundled to brave the chilly Colorado morning.

“There’s chocolate, powdered sugar, and even sprinkled! You can chose whichever you’d like, buddy.”

The father gave his young son a donut education as they waited in line. He spoke to his son with such adoration!

With so many absent fathers in the world, it’s encouraging to see dads invest in their children. As I watched this dad and his son enjoying their morning outing, I couldn’t help but say,

“You’ve got yourself a real cute son there!”

With a huge smile and welling pride, he responded,

“Thanks! He’s also my best friend.”

What a pleasure for the young boy! What love he will have! Imagine the difference this dad will make, even going as far as to say his little toddler was his best friend. This child will grow up cherished.

On the other side of the world, in many East African cultures, men are responsible for providing for the family and women are responsible for domestic work within the home and, in particular, looking after children. But our staff knows the role of the father in a child’s life is indispensable.

As a result, Child Survival Program (CSP) fathers in Ethiopia are more involved in caregiving and emotional support. Fathers are beginning to help wash their babies, take them to activities at the church, and participate in program activities.

They contribute to their children’s well-being through their own loving presence. They maintain a healthy relationship with the child, providing emotional and financial support.

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. These men and babies will change the face of their country.

I left the shop that morning with more than a great cup of coffee. I left with a reminder to pray for fathers and their crucial role in the lives of their children. The next time you grab a powdered-sugar donut, say a prayer for fathers and their continued presence in our African CSP programs.

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Formal education was not the path to fulfilling the dreams of 19-year-old Fausta. No matter how hard she tried, she never got good grades. While all the children around her seemed to grasp and enjoy the class work, Fausta had trouble comprehending the lessons, let alone enjoying them.

With the support of our staff, Fausta pushed on and tried her best to excel. However, when her Primary Leaving Examinations* results came back, she had failed. It was then that Fausta made a decision to discontinue formal education despite Compassion’s willingness to pay her school fees. She decided instead to train in tailoring.

At Nakatete Child Development Center, the center Fausta attends, children 12 years of age and older can choose vocational training in any area they want and the trainers will gladly take them through it. The program is optional and those who are not interested don’t join.

The center has classes for skills like weaving, crocheting and tailoring. The children make mats, micro hangers for flowers, tablecloths, handbags, door mats, dresses, skirts, shorts, shirts and blouses every alternating Saturday.

Out of 71 children in primary school who are of age, 53 have joined the vocational classes. The tailoring class has 10 boys and three girls, weaving has nine girls, knitting has 18 girls, making door mats has 10 boys, and broom making has seven boys and three girls.

Six of these children have also chosen to study more than one vocation. The vocational training, however, is not very popular with the children in secondary school.

“When they reach secondary school, the children refuse to continue with the trainings, saying it is for the illiterate. We have tried to sensitize them about the importance of the vocational trainings, but some of them do not take heed. So far we have 110 children in secondary school, but only 20 of these are in vocational training.” — Mrs. Olivia, the center director

While many show disinterest in the vocational classes, some are progressing and enjoying the benefits already. Fausta has now mastered the art of knitting tablecloths, tailoring and weaving mats, and has already sold some of her products.

“I joined the vocations class at the age of 12 and by the time I was 15 years old, I was able to make some products and sell them to sustain myself. The first profit I got was from selling three sets of tablecloths. When I got this money I used it to buy three chickens and started a chicken-rearing business. I used the rest of the money to buy clothes and shoes.”

One of Fausta’s chickens now has six chicks, and it represents just the beginning of her success in business. She joined a friend’s tailoring business to learn new designs of tailoring clothes and to upgrade from the basic tailoring of dresses, shirts, blouses and shorts that is taught at the center. Today, she has advanced to making gomesis, a traditional dress of the Baganda tribe and other tribes in central and eastern Uganda.

With this exposure, she has improved her skills to meet the standards of her customers. On average she gets $.90 per item of clothing that she sews at her friend’s business. Once in a while, though, she gets her own deals to make clothes and the profits are higher. The price depends on the design and type of fabric that is used.

So far she has made and sold seven gomesis. She sold them at different prices, an average of $2.65.

Fausta and her family also do not have to buy tablecloths and chair backs for their sitting room because Fausta has made them herself.

Fausta might not have pursued formal education, but she knows how to survive with what she has been equipped. Her dream is to start her own business and be able to get contracts to make school uniforms and start up a store selling gomesis.

She embodies dreams fulfilled for the staff members who take the time and effort to equip these children.

“We encourage all the children to join vocational trainings so that they can be economically self sustaining. For example, we expect that when children reach secondary school, they should be able to raise money to top up their school fees or get pocket money by selling the products they have learned to make.

“We also expect them to apply this knowledge in their homes. For example, why should parents spend money buying tablecloths when the children can make them?

“Some of them have indeed made us proud. One of the children who had mastered the skill of carpentry got a contract to make benches for this school. It was fulfilling to see that we didn’t have to outsource but could support our own.” — Olivia

The vocational classes begin at 2 p.m. after the children have had their lunch. Those that do tailoring rush to their small, busy room for lessons. The rest of the children who take crocheting and weaving find shade under a big tree. There they sit in different groupings depending on the work they are doing; knitting tablecloths, making mats, making brooms and making door mats.

Under the tree, they enjoy the cool breeze that sweeps over them. They giggle and practice what they were last taught until their instructor arrives. Their instructor, Betty, moves from child to child, keenly observing what each child does and correcting or complimenting his/her work.

One by one, they receive attention and get to ask all the questions they have about their work. From an observer’s point of view, the children are drawn into their work and they love it!

The children in the tailoring class share the sewing machines and learn together. Betty moves from one machine to another, giving them details of the foundational knowledge they need to make good products. She labors to explain to some of them who are still finding difficulty grasping the basics. Others need less supervision.

Twelve-year-old Jonathan is to finish making his first dress today. He is “over the moon” as he has been working on the dress since last year. His face beams with happiness as he shows off his dress. He is very alert when receiving guidance from his instructor.

Thirteen-year-old Henry is learning how to make brooms and door mats. He hopes to make some money out of this vocation so that he can support his one parent. The children learn with passion and hope. They know that one day this will pay.

At the child development center, the caregivers have a say in what vocations their children can take. Olivia says that before the center decides on what vocations to teach the children, the staff consult the parents.

“When selecting which vocations to teach, we do a needs assessment with the caregivers. We ask them to suggest vocations that are relevant for their children. We also consider a vocation that is relevant to community needs. We need to teach the children products that can be economically benefiting to them. Availability of human resource is another factor we consider. For example we wanted to have a bakery here but have not yet found a trainer.”

The future of the children is unknown. But the child development center is providing the opportunity and environment for the children to learn. The hope is that we have made a difference in the life of another child.

*Primary Leaving Examinations also serve as entrance exams into secondary (or high) school. Failure to pass these exams usually means a child cannot progress to secondary school, particularly at a good school. When a student has done poorly in exams, it is possible to take another year of the same class and sit for the examinations again.

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Many sponsors have the misconception that Compassion runs schools. We do not. However, we do facilitate a holistic child development program that complements and supplements the school systems in the countries we works in.

My country’s (Kenya) education system has been heavily influenced by the British system. Students have eight years of primary school, four years of high school, and four years in an undergraduate program at a university.

It is a requirement for all Compassion-assisted children, regardless of country, to attend the normal school system while they participate in activities at their child development centers. In Kenya, the Compassion programs are most commonly conducted on Saturdays. Because public schoool runs Monday through Friday, the children are easily available for the center activities.

The purpose of our sponsorship program is to help children to become “responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.” Our Implementing Church Partners (ICPs) are encouraged to be creative in the ways they administer the program, but we also provide age-graded curriculum to help each church partner minister to their children consistently.

The age-graded curriculum is based on the outcomes we hope to see in children in the four facets of development: spiritual, physical, cognitive and socio-emotional.

The spiritual domain of the activities at child development centers includes praise and worship, testimonies from children, various presentations such as memory verses, short sermons, and prayers. The implementers ensure that children are actively involved and are exhibiting understanding of the Bible and the essence of prayer and service. During special occasions, the implementers invite outside facilitators.

Our public school system has designated days for pastoral programs. Certain teachers or the school chaplain take the students through devotion that lasts for about half an hour. Each student attends devotion, depending on his or her faith.

In our sponsorship program, the physical well-being of the children is addressed through various activities depending on the resources available at the development center. Soccer is a popular sport for boys, while volleyball and netball are popular with girls. Some church partners have swings, table tennis and board games that engage the kids during breaks.

In the physical realm, the most significant difference from the schooling system is that we provide medical intervention for the sponsored children. The health of the child is monitored on a regular basis through health screenings. Public schools tend to offer first-aid intervention, while the parent/guardian takes care of any other expenses incurred at the local health facility.

In addition, public schools rarely offer nutritional supplements to children with deficiencies. We, on the other hand, provide nutrition education as well as nutritious food during program days.

Social-emotional interaction is paramount for the well-being of every child, especially children growing up in  dangerous environments. Compassion-assisted children are given opportunities to interact in a more meaningful way than in a school. The activities provided are a fertile ground for enhancing one’s self-esteem and dignity.

Our children are encouraged to interact from a biblical perspective, and high standards of morality are advocated. The curriculum taught at the development centers lays a good foundation for self-awareness and reflection. It helps the children to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses and how to best cultivate their God-given gifts.

The concept of stewardship is taught, helping them to be aware of their responsibility to the community. Vocational Bible studies, youth camps and seminars, drama clubs, and other creative arts, picnics, and inter-partner competitions offer opportunities to practice what they have learned.

Our goal of leading children along the path of economic independence compels implementers to help children complete the various stages of education. The unfortunate thing about public school systems is the difficulty of trying to update the curriculum to fit emerging trends. Much of the material is very dated and not relevant to children’s daily challenges.

Our curriculum is customized and targeted to the children in their various environments. In case the child does not continue to secondary education, vocational skills are available both at the development center and in a few institutions that can help the child become economically self- supporting. The young people learn income-generating activities, such as soap making, mat weaving, tailoring, cookery and beadwork.

Community service helps children experience the joy of giving back. The young ones in the sponsorship program are encouraged to engage in community cleanups on designated days. More often than not, they help clean the church premises for Sunday services. They also clean their own classrooms, and plant and water flowers and trees within the church compound. Older kids sometimes visit the sick and elderly in the hospital to pray for and encourage them.

Public school systems generally don’t provide for such opportunities, as the main focus is academics. The children also receive more attention at their development centers, as the teacher-student ratio in Kenya’s public schools can be as high as 1 to 80.

Compassion also offers holiday programs to the children. The usual school holidays in Kenya take place in April, August and December. The monthlong breaks separate the school terms, providing opportunities for children to rest and spend time with their families.

However, the competitiveness of the schooling system has forced many schools to conduct holiday sessions that offer specialized training. The schools then continue with the normal curriculum and children have to pay an extra admission fee, exam fee and catering fee.

During this same time, the majority of Compassion Kenya’s child development centers conduct remedial classes for their children for free. Holiday sessions at the development centers continue to supplement what takes place in school. An added advantage is the provision of textbooks and an environment in which to study.

Normally, remedial classes last about two weeks of the holiday. Part-time teachers collaborate   with the child development workers to help students, especially those in upper primary school and candidates waiting to take their exams. Over and above class work, these students are engaged in the normal Saturday program activities and are provided with nutritious meals during the day.

During normal school days, many children attend the development center in the evenings for group learning and review. With the help of part-time teachers, they review past papers to test their knowledge and become familiar with the most critical topics.

Most children we serve attend government schools; however, some of our church partners do run their own schools. These schools are not affiliated with Compassion, but are the property of the church partners. In these circumstances, we run our own program parallel to what takes place in the school. This way, the children benefit from both the school activities as well as the sponsorship program.

In these situations, most of the Compassion-assisted children usually attend the church school. It is important for the school and the sponsorship program to work together to maximize instruction.

While the school program incorporates both the Compassion-assisted and non-assisted children and focuses mainly on academics, the sponsorship program concentrates on holistic child development.

School activities are usually funded primarily through school fees paid by individual pupils through their guardians and other donors. On the contrary, our sponsorship program depends largely on donor funding and minimal contributions from parents.

In the event a child’s parent is unable to sustain a school fee payment, the child no longer benefits from the program offered by the school. But our program continues to offer services to the assisted children and their families without attaching monetary requirements to it.

While typical school systems in the developed world don’t serve children’s non-academic needs, we not only address the academic but also the socio-emotional and physical, and most important, we bring the children the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Our model focuses on the child’s here and now, as well as the future. This perspective is different from most schools. Schooling systems do a great job of engaging children and molding their way of thinking, preparing them for the “world out there,” but we prepare children to deal with their daily struggles, as well as focus on the envisioned future.

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