Stories to Connect You With Compassion & Grow Your Faith

For 46-year-old Behailu, a farmer in Ethiopia, hearing of locusts reminds him of stories told by his father’s generation of farmers. But today the threat of locusts is no longer just a folk tale for Behailu and other farmers in East Africa — it’s a nightmarish reality.

Here’s a look at some of the great lengths children around the world are going to every day to get themselves to the classroom.

Poverty places children at physical risk, but it also places them at risk of damage within. It robs them of the belief that they matter, that they have value and that they can dream of — and achieve — a different future. Breaking down destructive thought patterns and helping children see themselves for who they really are — beloved by God and capable of changing their circumstances — is vital to helping them break free from emotional poverty. But it isn’t easy.

After one of the most challenging years of their young lives, children from all over the world still have inspiring messages of hope.

Just as their families and Compassion tutors have supported them through the struggles caused by the pandemic, the children have handwritten, heartfelt signs of encouragement to share with YOU. Their message — from Nicaragua to Tanzania, Bangladesh to Ecuador — is beautiful: You are loved, you are not alone, and you will get through this.

I love words and always have. Early on, I began collecting the words of others. From famous quotes I integrated into my papers to the collection of handwritten notes I gathered from beloved family members, the beauty of words were clear to me. And yet, as a young woman with a sensitive heart, I also felt the pain of a harshly spoken word or a message delivered with a cold attitude.

During this tumultuous time, specific words are needed — the gospel, a message of hope.

David Choi has been sponsoring a child through Compassion since he was a teenager growing up in Australia. When he moved to the U.S. for work in 2014, he began sponsoring a boy from Uganda who was the same age as his eldest son. Now, with two active boys and a career in product marketing for a Fortune 100 technology company, David stays busy, but there are two annual reminders on his calendar that are very important to him.

Compassion works exclusively with local churches — and for good reason. We believe no global entity is more capable, caring and called to act on behalf of children in poverty than the Church. On top of this, local churches are often also at the center of festivals and local traditions that are crucial to the fabric of the unique culture in which they exist. So … let’s take a glimpse into how local churches around the world go above and beyond to make registered children feel loved, appreciated and protected.

Recently I went to a public speaking workshop. I never thought of myself as a public speaker before I had to give a three-minute talk on the topic of my choice to complete strangers. I wrestled with preparing my talk for nine months! But my mentor shared three tips that helped me — and I realized that these same tips could also be applied in letters to the child I sponsor.

Uganda is home to bustling cities, breathtaking national parks and unique wildlife. And amid all its natural beauty, you’ll find even more beautiful people and culture. Learn some fun facts about Uganda that will help you get to know this vibrant and diverse country where nearly 126,000 Compassion-assisted children live.

Thinking about hosting a fundraiser for charity but not sure where to start? Matt Vermeer is a sponsor in Michigan who co-founded a golf fundraiser 10 years ago that has raised $120,000 for Compassion and helped find sponsors for 17 children! We asked him to share his secrets to hosting a successful fundraiser that people can’t wait to attend.

Nicaragua is home to beautiful Caribbean beaches, active volcanoes and Central America’s largest lake. And amid its natural beauty, you’ll find even more beautiful people and culture. Learn some interesting facts about Nicaragua that will help you get to know this vibrant country where so many Compassion-assisted children live.

The only way through hard times is … well, through it. You can’t go over, under or around difficult seasons. You simply plow through, one step at a time. Last year was hard. And that didn’t go away because the calendar flipped to 2021. But there is good still in the world.