A Home Filled With Love
One family was close to divorce because of the burden of a child. After joining the Child Survival Program, they are now positive examples to other mothers and fathers in their community.
When a Family Can’t Afford Emergency Surgery
NOTE FROM EDITOR: This content honors Compassion’s historical work in India. While we no longer have an India sponsorship program, we are grateful for the lives changed and meaningful work achieved through our sponsors and donors in our nearly 50 years there. For a detailed explanation of the end of our sponsorship program in India, please visit: compassion.com/india-update.
Superstitious beliefs and a fear of doctors prevent many people in India from taking their sick children to the hospital. They would rather get medicine from a local pharmacy, where pharmacists supply tablets and syrups without a doctor’s prescription.
Hemant’s parents had little awareness of health and education. Hemant’s father, Venkobrao, works as a load man in the market, loading and unloading fruits and vegetables. His job is seasonal and when there is work, he earns about 80 Indian rupees (approximately $1.50 U.S.) a day.
No one knew the reason for Hemant’s chronic sickness. All his parents knew was that he frequently fell ill and suffered. This affected his education as well. With poor school attendance, he fared badly on his exams. When health is a priority, education naturally becomes secondary.
When Hemant fell sick with fever, we counseled his parents and immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital. After a complete checkup he was diagnosed as having three holes in his heart. The doctor told his parents,
“If not treated within six months, your son will die.”
The surgery would cost more than $2,100 U.S. — a sum far above the family’s means. Radhabai, Hemant’s mother, shares,
“Even if we worked all through our life, we could never afford this.”
But thanks to the Complementary Interventions Medical Fund, Hemant received immediate surgery and his life was saved.
Today, Hemant is an active boy in the fifth grade. He is coping in his studies and is involved in sports. He loves to play football and cricket and dreams of becoming a policeman.
Radhabai shares,
“My days of pain and agony are over now that my son is no longer ill. How relieved I am. If not for Compassion’s help, I could have never seen my son alive. I am so grateful.”
Now Hemant’s family knows there is someone to support them in times of crisis. They realize that they are loved and cared for. As a family, they now believe in God and regularly participate in Sunday worship services.
How Does One Church Bear Good Fruit?
The Fourth Nazarene Church in Nicaragua wants to do something for their neighborhood. In their community, alcoholism, drugs, gangs and violence are common, and the church needs good soil in which to sow seeds that will bear good fruit.
Waiting for a Miracle
Little by little, walking became difficult for Kendry. She needed help to do simple things like walk, hold a glass, color, and unbutton her shirt or pants.
A Single Father’s Journey
From the Karen tribe, Somporn and his wife Sopak dreamed of having a big family. They planned to spend many sweet long years together, until they grew old. They did not imagine that “’till death do us part” would come so quickly.
Not Your Typical Father
Fathers are expected to work and earn money for the family, not go to church or take care of the children. But Joseph is not the typical Filipino father.
The Bond Between Father and Daughter Is a Blessing
Sujon decided never to see his daughter’s face. Ignorance, superstition and the effects of a dowry system had hardened his heart. Somapti had a father, but she was virtually fatherless.
Children Need a Healthy Smile
Children at the child development center receive an annual medical examination. A recent examination left our staff worried because the majority of children had dental problems.
What Are the Best Things in Life?
Since he has experienced need, not only in his family but in the lives of other children, Ronnie takes advantage of opportunities to help others. One day, he would like to sponsor a child.
Never More Loved
Leah looked for more and more reasons to stay away from her abusive home. She ended up joining a gang and did what they did just to have a sense of family.
25 Years After Child Sponsorship
Evans grew up during a time of critical political and socio-economic change at both a local and national level in Kenya. But Evans had other challenges to confront beyond politics.
Living with HIV: One Mother’s Journey
Born in Uganda with HIV/AIDS, Hannifah lost her mother when she was only one month old. She was a very sickly child, always being taken to hospital and her father considered her a burden.
