What I Want To Be: 10 Kids With Big Dreams

In partnership with local churches, Compassion sponsors allow kids to dream about the future by helping to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Children and youths can look beyond just surviving another day to find what they are passionate about — and know they have the resources to follow that passion. This brings hope that they can achieve a better life for themselves and their families!

Listen as these 10 special kids share their dreams.

Rungnapa, 17, Thailand

Rungnapa is showing an egg tray after she collected eggs at the agriculture project site. She is wearing a green tee shirt and is standing in front of a green tarp. Rungnapa is smiling at the camera.

“I could have a chicken egg farm business here in my village when I grow up. I don’t have to find work in the city away from home, because I’m learning a lot now. It is a lot of work, but I am growing.”

Justice, 11, Ghana

Justice is wearing dark blue shorts and a dark blue shirt. He is standing outside his home and there are clothes hanging on a clothesline behind him.

“I want to be a soldier when I grow up. I’ll learn and become a strong protector.”

Grazielle, 13, Brazil

Grazielle is wearing a purple patterned dress. She is is standing outside with a plastic bowl full of strawberries that she is tossing up into the air.
Grazielle’s Compassion center staff recently surprised her with strawberries, which are expensive and hard to find in their community.

“My biggest dream of all is to be a judge. One day I saw this profession on TV and was curious to know more about what they do. So I decided that I want to be a judge when I grow up. I know it’s a pretty tough road, but it’s my dream.”

Jostin, 8, Ecuador

Jostin is wearing traditional clothing, a black hat and a red cape. He is standing in front of a brick wall.

“When I grow up, I want to be a pastor, so then I can help more children around the world.”

Sansan, 12, Burkina Faso

Sansan is wearing a brown and white shirt with tan pants. He is standing outside his home and is holding his back pack. Behind him there is an orange and white curtain on his door.

“I want to be a great man with plenty of resources to improve the living conditions of my parents. I will do well in my studies, find a well-paid job, and build a big house for my parents.”

Ana, 13, Bolivia

Ana is wearing a blue shirt, black shorts, and a whtie face mask. She is sitting outside her home and is reading a book. There is a chicken in the background.

“I like math, but I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up because I love animals. I have dogs, bunnies and chickens.”

Buyung, 16, Indonesia

Buyung is wearing a white shirt, orange vest, and yellow hard hat. He is standing with his arms crossed in front of him. He is standing in front of a large yellow grader that is parked on the side of the road. He dreams of operating machines as a career.
Through Compassion, Buyung has received funding to enroll in a heavy equipment training course to fulfill his dream of operating machines.

“I always try to do my best because I want to get a good job as soon as possible to help my parents. My father taught me that I should pray every day to ask God’s will for my life.”

Kenderson, 8, Haiti

Kenderson is wearing a blue shirt and shorts. He is sitting on the front porch of his home. There is a cinder block wall behind him. He dreams of being a soccer player.
Kenderson holds a piece of fruit he picked off a tree outside his home.

“I love soccer! I want to be a great soccer player like Cristiano Ronaldo someday.”

Steisy, 16, Colombia

Steicy is wearing a floral shirt and a yellow bow in her hair. She is is her yard gathering some of her duck eggs. She dreams of being a graphic designer.

“I want to continue raising ducks so I can save money to go to university. I want to become a graphic designer.”

Lilian, 16, Tanzania

Lilian is wearing a blue polo shirt. She is sitting at a table outside her school and is reading a book.

“I want to be the first one to go to university and have a career in my family. I know if I focus on my studies and pray, I will get to where I want.”

Equipped to Dream

Each of these young people would have fewer chances to dream without sponsorship and their local churches. As soon as they were registered into Compassion’s program, these kids had access to resources they would never achieve otherwise.

And even beyond sponsorship, children and youths can also receive benefits like academic scholarships and vocational training to help them reach their goals. That’s why every donor truly helps Compassion release children from poverty!


International photography and reporting by Vera Aurima, Nico Benalcazar, Rachael Cudjoe-Yevu, Erick Jura, Eric D. Lema, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Sara Navarro, Galia Oropeza, Jehojakim Sangare and Piyamary Shinoda.

4 Comments |Add a comment

  1. Denise McIntyre October 2, 2021

    These young people are such an inspiration! Despite the challenges of their life, they are thinking forward, planning on a bright future, and relying on God’s guidance to get them there. Inspirational, indeed.

    Thank you for all the work done to bring us these stories and gorgeous photos.

  2. Christine A. Waters September 30, 2021

    Compassion International is one of the few organizations that I enjoy receiving emails from. I’m glad you all are in the Ministry of Helps and you are added to my prayers. May you continue to serve God by blessing others with your gifts, talents and abilities.

    1. Nicole October 1, 2021

      Thank you very much, Christine, for your encouraging words! We are honored to have you in our Compassion family and grateful for your prayers. ? May God bless you!

  3. George September 16, 2021

    It’s blessed to assist the poor.

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