culture and traditions Archives

Facts About Brazil: A Spirited, Lively and Beautiful Nation

A group of children in Jericó, Brazil, cheer and laugh holding Brazilian flags. Some children are jumping, dancing.

Brazil – the largest country in South America – is home to tropical and subtropical landscapes. From the depths of the remote Amazon River basin to the lively metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil boasts stunning natural scenery and vibrant cultures.

By: Compassion Team Categories: Advocacy, For New Sponsors, Photos and Videos

Facts About El Salvador: The Little Thumb of America

Young women in red and white dresses are dancing on the track inside the stadium. There are people on the grass holding signs and people sitting in the stands in the background.

El Salvador — known as the land of volcanoes as well as “the little thumb of America” — is the smallest but most densely populated country in Central America.
We’d love to share some interesting facts about El Salvador with you today. These facts will help you gain a deeper understanding of the culture and traditions of the beautiful country where over 63,000 Compassion-assisted children live.

By: Compassion Team Categories: Advocacy, For New Sponsors, Photos and Videos

Girl wearing a white shirt and a denim skirt. She is carrying a large silver bowl of water on her head and is standing in front of her home.

Dignity and Diversity: Honoring the Children You’re Helping

The Latin term “imago Dei” is one that I first heard in a college Bible study. I remember sprawling on the floor of our dorm lobby, rolling the funny words around in my mouth.

Imago Dei. Image of God. That phrase has meant a lot to me over the years. For an organization that works in 25 developing countries, each with its own cultures, languages and customs, it is so important to see the imago Dei in every church and child we work with. Simply put, we must always make sure we are honoring a child’s dignity.

Happy, smiling, laughing children, boys and girls, males, females run outside in the grass surrounded by tropical, palm trees wearing blue, yellow shirts, white shorts, blue and white dress.

Facts About Indonesia: Unity in Diversity

Indonesia is a stunning country found on the archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Made of about 17,500 islands, Indonesia has unique geography. These fun facts about Indonesia will give you a deeper insight into the culture and traditions of this country where over 150,000 Compassion-assisted children live!

A local community leader wearing traditional dress in Titicani Turari poses for a photograph with her baby son.

Facts About Bolivia: The Tibet of the Americas

Bolivia — a beautiful highland nation in South America — is nicknamed “the Tibet of the Americas” because of its similar high elevation and climate. See breathtaking photos and learn some interesting facts about Bolivia to get to know the country where over 93,000 Compassion-assisted children live.

Facts About Burkina Faso: The Land of Honorable People

Burkina Faso — known as the land of honorable people — is home to more than 60 ethnic groups and many rich cultural traditions.
Today we’d like to share an array of facts about Burkina Faso — facts that will give you a deeper look into the culture of this beautiful country where tens of thousands of Compassion-assisted children live.

The girl on the left is wearing a yellow dress with blue flowers, the girl in the middle is wearing a white dress with bright colored flowers in green, yellow, orange, and pink, and boy on the right is wearing an orange sleeveless shirt and khaki pants. They are sitting on the bridge that connects the field with the community.

Facts About the Dominican Republic: A Lively Island Nation

The Dominican Republic – located on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola – is a country with a bright and lively culture. We’d love to share some interesting facts with you about the Dominican Republic to give you a deeper look into the culture and life of this island country where over 67,000 Compassion-assisted children live.

Masai in Najile, Kenya. A group of smiling boys in similar red clothes and headbands stand in a line in front of a dark sky and storm cloud.

Facts About Kenya: Culturally Vibrant, Beautifully Diverse

Kenya — home to more than 40 different ethnic groups — boasts of both cultural and natural diversity. Today, we’d like to share an array of interesting facts about Kenya that will give you a deeper look into the culture of this beautiful country where over 125,000 Compassion-assisted children live.

A boy lays on the ground, holding a sparkler and surrounded by Christmas lights.

Celebrating Christmas in El Salvador

It is sunrise on Friday, just a week before Christmas. The morning smells fresh and the sun shines strongly. A light breeze fills the air with that cool Christmas feeling. For a foreigner, it would almost feel like spring, but for Salvadorans, it feels like Christmas.

Christmas Traditions in Colombia

Officially, Christmas begins on Dec. 7 when Colombian people celebrate Candle Day, an important festivity in which kids and adults join at night to light candles in the streets and windows. Offices and homes are decorated with lanterns and candles that welcome the holiday season. They are also accompanied by fireworks.

Ghana Culture and Traditions

Until its independence, Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. It was renamed Ghana, meaning “Warrior King,” to reflect the ancient Ghana Empire that flourished in West Africa during the 10th century.