The Year I Gave Homework for Christmas
I’m a big reader. As a child, I had books hidden away everywhere — in the cushions of the couch, tucked under my brother’s car seat and stuffed into my pillowcase. So when I was about 10 years old, I decided I would buy every person in my family a book for Christmas. I pored over the Scholastic Books order form and found books for my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. I wrapped them and carefully placed them under the tree. On Christmas Eve, when we exchange gifts with my extended family, I was so excited to watch everyone open their gifts. There was one problem, though. Not everybody likes to read.
Continue Reading ›Jesus Loves Me
The sound of children singing praise to Jesus has to be one of the most beautiful sounds. The joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus shows when the children sing.
Continue Reading ›
No More Fear
When Eyram did not take all of her medication, she had seizures. She lived in total fear.
Loving a Child with Beta Thalassemia Major
Vita wakes up every day intending to paint something beautiful with her life. Some days, she doesn’t feel like she has all the right colors.
What Are Complementary Interventions?
What are Complementary Interventions? How do Complementary Interventions help children living in the developing world?
How Can Jewelry Making Provide Hope and an Education?
While we want every child to attain the highest possible level of formal education, not all children are meant to be academicians. This is why our staff in Ghana expose children to extracurricular activities that often lead to income-generating ventures.
Investing in Community and Clean Water
The people of Nebaj live in a beautiful place, but it is very far from the city, and many times their needs are forgotten. Needs such as clean drinking water.
Nutrition and the Potential in Children
The importance of nutrition is clear: Proper nutrition means better health, the ability for children to concentrate and learn in school, and the needed energy for people to work and earn an income.
Ministry Insider: Jackie Nyaga, A Voice for Children in Poverty
Our field staff are some of the most remarkable people around! Jackie Nyaga is no exception.
A New Home for Emile
Emile faces great challenges in life. He lives in a hut, in the heart of the bush, far from the nearest village. His room has palm branch walls and a straw roof, which leaks during rainy season.
What Was God’s Plan to Heal a Heart?
The cardiologist confirmed Estheysi’s heart murmur. He then informed Lizeth that her daughter needed surgery by the end of the month.
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.
