Comments on: The Twinkie Project

By: Morgan Gihring

Morgan Gihring — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:21:22 +0000

Hey all, get more info, and here some of the stories on my blog- http://morgan-givetolive.blogspot.com/ …or find me on facebook to see videos and pictures

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:09:08 +0000

How interesting! I hope to learn more about her! What do you mean by calling her a “guinea pig”?!?

By: Meredith Dunn

Meredith Dunn — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:44:54 +0000

@Vicki- Thanks for responding and filling Leesa in on the lack of details!

Leesa, welcome to Compassion! I’m so excited that you are interested in the “Twinkie Project.” For more reading, you cn click on Morgan’s url and read her blog or click on my name at the top of the page to catch up on how we’ve gotten this far!

By: Vicki Small

Vicki Small — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:11:48 +0000

@Leesa Favela – Welcome to Compassion, Leesa!

This post contains all that we are going to know about this project, until “they” are ready to reveal more. It clearly is not a finished product.

By: Leesa Favela

Leesa Favela — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:59:16 +0000

New to Compassion.
How do I find more on the
twinkie project?

We should all spend time in others shoes!

By: Mike Stephens

Mike Stephens — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:35:25 +0000

I must say I am jealous of all Morgan is getting to experience and learn about Compassion, which is great!!!!!!! I am amazed at all the things going on with Compassion from the Twinkie project, to sponsor tours, to people riding across the USA to raise money for Compassion etc. It is great to see all the good that is being done.

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:01:05 +0000

Thank you for the reply, Meredith. I am so glad that Compassion is there for the children to listen to them and support them, especially in situations like like that. I know that in Canada, those who work with children are legally obligated to report any abuse or any disclosures but I wasn’t sure how it was handled in other countries.

I am so glad that Compassion is there for the children and that they can receive all of the love and support that they deserve and need in order to reach their fullest potential.

By: Meredith Dunn

Meredith Dunn — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:38:19 +0000

I wanted to respond properly, with all the correct information, to your concerns about situations like those that Morgan shared about on her blog.

All Compassion employees, church staff, and volunteers receive training on principles and guidelines of child protection. All country field offices are required to develop local “plans of action” for situations in which children are believed to be in danger physically, mentally, or emotionally. All complaints or suggestions of child abuse are handled with strict confidentiality and investigated immediately.

I read about a similar situation that occurred recently and even I, an employee, was impressed at the way it was handled. The child disclosed the circumstance to a Compassion staff member and they took immediate action. First, the child and their family were visited by Compassion staff as a part of a routine home visit. Suspicions were confirmed and the child was promptly removed from their home and taken to a Christian shelter. Compassion staff then contacted a local social services agency who provided legal and physiological assistance for the child. A police report was filed against a member of the family and they were taken into custody. The child was then later placed into the care of extended family members. Several years have passed since the incident and the child is still a member of the Compassion sponsorship program and is doing well.

Compassion field staff are taught to recognize signs of unusual of behavioral differences in child behavior and to act on any suspicion for the sake and safety of the child. Frequent home visits help to monitor relationships between family members and shed light on living situations.

By: Tambor

Tambor — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:29:03 +0000

Sexual abuse is not simply a “one bed” issue. It is not a DR issue. It is not a poverty issue. It is an issue of human dignity and respect. It is a sin issue. It is most often fueled by alcohol and substance abuse. Compassion’s church partners bring God’s light to this issue and lead children’s families to an understanding of sexuality as God intended. This is not a problem that is solved by adding a bed.

By: Mike Stephens

Mike Stephens — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:32:40 +0000

In Hong Kong, having just met my sponsor kids yesterday in Manila!!!!!!! Doing some twinkie projecting of my own Did you know there are fish that nibble all the dead skin off your feet? It was a fun experience at the Water Park in Manila!!!!!! Pictures to follow.