A girl in a white T-shirt and patterned skirt runs down a dirt path, smiling, with a house in the background.

How Life in Rural Togo Is About to Change

Tragically, one in every 10 children in Togo dies before they reach their fifth birthday. But thanks to a new partnership between pro golfer Kevin Streelman and Compassion, change is coming for two communities.

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A woman with a baby in her lap sits inside in front of a small fire with a pot on top of it, with smoke in the air.

9 Photos That Show What It’s Like to Be Poor in Asia

Have you ever wondered what daily life is like for a child who lives in extreme poverty? Although the countries where Compassion ministers around the world are wildly diverse, there are a few commonalities, based on the economic status of the families we serve. Day-to-day routines in these communities can be vastly different from what we experience. Here are nine photos that will give you a peek into what many people experience each day in the communities where Compassion works in Asia.

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Two young girls sit inside on a step in front of a red wall, smiling.

How Can Good Friends Help Break the Cycle of Poverty?

This International Day of Friendship, join us in celebrating friendship by learning how important friendship is to children living in poverty — and praying for those special friendships.

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A teen boy, the

Compassion-Sponsored Teen Named Top Student in the Philippines

After a yearlong, nationwide search, the Philippines Government awarded a Compassion-sponsored teenager the title of “Most Excellent Child in the Philippines.” Meet Jay Mark, the prizewinner!

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A girl in a red plaid dress over a white collared shirt sits at a table with a pencil in hand, smiling.

Why This Girl No Longer Thinks She Is a Failure

“I am stupid, I am stupid, I am stupid.” For Sharith there was no other explanation. She must be stupid, she thought, because she couldn’t understand anything she was being taught at school. At age 7, Sharith was a first grader for the second time, but her school performance wasn’t getting any better. Her schoolmates made fun of her. Her mother, Yeimi, began to wonder if she should take Sharith out of school …

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A group of children sit on the floor in a line, eating plates of rice. Report: Hunger Is on the Rise in the World

Report: Hunger Is on the Rise Around the World

According to a new report, the number of people around the world who are hungry is growing.

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A girl wearing a navy blue pilot's uniform and cap sits on a sidewalk, holding a toy airplane up into the sky, looking at it.

Shooting for the Moon: 6 Kids in Poverty Share Their Dreams

We asked sponsored children in South America what they want to be when they grow up. We love their adorable photos and quotes — showing just how much hope these kids have!

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A man underwater, wearing a swim mask and a flashlight strapped to his head.

The Extreme Jobs of People in Poverty

People living under the international poverty line go to extreme measures to earn a living. Often they have few to no safety nets — figuratively or literally. Meet four people in Asia who do extreme jobs to feed their families. Though their occupations are harsh, they can teach us the dignity of work and the beauty of sacrificing to care for your loved ones.

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A teenage boy wearing a white shirt smiles at the camera. He sits in front of a brown background.

Thai Cave Rescue: Life Is Bright One Year Later

One year ago, the world was riveted by the rescue story of the Wild Boars soccer team which was trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Twelve months later, Compassion-sponsored teen Adun, who played a role in the rescue, shares how life has changed for him.

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Technology in Developing Countries Phone

Technology in Developing Countries

How does my sponsored child’s family have cell phones, TVs or access to Facebook when they are struggling to meet basic needs? This is the kicker – the question I get over and over. The simple answer is that families in developing nations do not view cell phones and other technology as luxury items. They view technology as a needed tool for survival. And they can acquire these tools for much cheaper than we think.

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A teenage boy wearing a grey sweater stands with his arms crossed, smiling, in front of a green field.

Youths Share Why Letters Are So Meaningful

As sponsors, we don’t always know what impact our letters have on the children we sponsor. So we asked photojournalists to interview young people about how their sponsors’ letters have been meaningful in their lives. Here is what they had to say. Be inspired by the opportunity you have to lift up, love and motivate children and youths in extreme poverty!

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A girl who was trapped inside by a Ghana superstition wears a light blue sweatshirt and patterned dress smiles, standing next to a column in front of a black and white wall.

Trapped Inside for 8 Years, Sabina Is Now Free

Because of a superstition in her community in Ghana, this sweet girl was never allowed outside — for the first eight years of her life. Sabina wasn’t able to go to school, make friends or attend any public gatherings. Learn what the superstition was — and how sponsorship is ensuring children like Sabina are known, loved and protected!

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