After her family was evicted from their home, 5-year-old Deneilis shared a two-bedroom home with 11 other people. Her family had to wait for their relatives to go to bed before they could pull out old mattresses and sleep on the living room floor.
Since the pandemic hit their island community in Colombia, jobs had become scarce. Her father looked for work every day but came home empty-handed all too often. Soon, hunger and stress took their toll on the family.
When tutor Danubia from Deneilis’ Compassion child development center came to visit the family to check on Deneilis’ wellbeing, she was shocked at the little girl’s condition. “After the pandemic started, Deneilis looked underweight and shy,” she says. “I felt so sad. It was a painful situation.” But she told the family:
“Trust God. Keep praying because God has good plans for you.”
Responding to Risks
Danubia told Dorca, the center director, about Deneilis’ situation.
“The child was at risk of abuse because of the overcrowding in her grandmother’s house,” says Dorca. “As she slept on the floor, she was exposed to snakes, crabs, and rats. Deneilis was suffering from skin allergies from living in these conditions.”
So the staff quickly took action. Through the Highly Vulnerable Children fund, Compassion’s church partner built the family a new home on land Deneilis’ grandfather owned. They painted it one of Deneilis’ favorite colors — pink!
The day Danubia told the family about their new home was one she will never forget. “Deneilis’ father was crying. This news was a miracle for them. ‘I am not going to sleep on the floor anymore,’ said Deneilis excitedly. I thank God for this blessing for them,” Danubia says.
On top of the blessing of a new home, the church also bought bunk beds for Deneilis and her brother, and began delivering monthly food baskets to the family.
A Safe New Home
One month later, Deneilis could move into her new home. Positioned in front of the sea, the wooden house has a concrete floor, two rooms, a kitchen and a living room.
Pausing by their green front door, smiling, Deneilis couldn’t decide what she liked the most about her new home. “I like my bedroom. I feel so happy with my new bed,” she says.
“I like everything in my house! Thanks to all who helped us to have our home.”
Words by Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina and Amanda Viviers. Photos by Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina. This story originally appeared on Compassion Australia’s blog.
10 Comments |Add a comment
It’s sad to see the lack of news coverage about the situation in poor countries. Shame on them for not caring. If more exposure was given hopefully more Americans would donate to organizations like compassion. Children are starving. God tells us to help the poor, what a shame this tragedy is being ignored. Please news organizations cover this and tell people where to donate.
Thank you GOD for all the blessing you have given, the Compassion workers are the so awesome.
Praise God for your amazing compassion and outreach to so many! May God continue to provide wisdom, discernment, encouragement, protection, sensitivity to His Spirit and GREAT JOY as you touch lives for God’s kingdom.
To God be the glory!
David Littlefield
Romans 8:37-39
I’m grateful for all the love that the little children show towards the adults
And the big children too!
It’s so wonderful to see Compassion International making such a difference in the lives of these precious children & families. I am so thankful to be a part of this program that is such a blessing to so many. Praise God.??❤
Thank you for sending us beautiful photos and news about the precious children and their
families.
You Compassion folks are the best!!!
What a heavenly respond to her prayer. God is good.
What a wonderful reminder for us to be grateful with what we have and be generous to those who need it badly . Thank you for sharing .
Makes me thankful for the house I live in. I do love the cheerful, pink house!
Thank you God fir the Compassion Workers who guide these people! Thank you God for the churches, sponsors and people who pray for these children.