Going to school and doing homework are normal activities for many kids. Sadly, many children in poverty never get to experience the joys and trials of school and homework — or the rewards. Education in a classroom and at home is not normal for them or even an option.
School and homework give children huge advantages for future careers and a good quality of life, even though the kids themselves may not always like the work involved! That’s why Compassion is so key in changing the future for kids in poverty. With the support of sponsors, children in Compassion’s program have the resources to attend school and receive help from tutors at their Compassion centers. And education gives children the chance to escape the cycle of poverty that their families are caught in.
In the following pictures you can see how children and youths in Compassion’s program fight to get an education despite less-than-ideal circumstances.
Sirasak and Chaiweera
Sirasak (right), 15, and Chaiweera, 14, attend the same Chinese and Thai schools near their homes in Thailand. They meet during breaks at the church behind them. They get together in the evening to do homework together so they can help each other. Out of all their subjects, both enjoy reviewing Chinese vocabulary words the most.
Karmaly
Karmaly (left), 8, and her sister do homework with help from their dad, who always makes time for them in the evening. He was not able to finish high school, and he wants his kids to have a better future. “I love to read stories from my textbook and share with my friends when we’re all together at the [Compassion center],” says Karmaly, whose family lives in Bangladesh.
Angelica, Angelou and Angela
Sisters Angelica, from right, Angelou and Angela study in the basement of their house in the Philippines. “I squat on our floor to do my homework,” says Angelica, who does her schoolwork in the morning. Her sisters, Angelou and Angela, do their homework at night after dinner and before bed. “It is always dark and humid inside our home,” Angelica says, “but that doesn’t stop us from studying well and doing our homework.” She wants to earn a bachelor’s degree and become a teacher.
Yaowapa
Fourteen-year-old Yaowapa completes her homework before bed. She shares her school experiences in Thailand: “My Thai class teacher gives us a lot of homework. But I like English class, and I want to be a teacher and teach English.”
Leonardo
Ten-year-old Leonardo and his friends live in a beachside Indonesian community where they do their homework every day. The village loses power daily because of the limited supply in the area. But students still have fun doing homework together! Leonardo, third from right wearing a red and white shirt, says he enjoys reading and answering questions.
Kyle and Karylle
Kyle, 16, at left, and her sister Karylle, 14, do homework at their dining room table in the Philippines — the only table that can fit in their small home. Their mom, who graduated from college, inspires them to dream big. Kyle wants to be a chef, and Karylle is planning to be a flight attendant.
Chanikan
Chanikan, 13, does homework in her bedroom in Thailand. “My Thai school gives a lot of homework, mostly from my Thai and math class. But I like my science homework, because I love the experiments, they’re very amazing,” Chanikan shares.
Madusha
Twelve-year-old Madusha, middle, helps two of her younger siblings take turns finishing homework inside their home in Sri Lanka. There are five kids in the family, and only a few of them can study in the house at a time since it is so small. Their parents make bricks for a living, so they want their children to study and make a better life for themselves.
With education and the support of their sponsors and Compassion centers, students can achieve big dreams!
If you want to be a bigger part of empowering children and youths in this way, consider giving an academic scholarship to students who need extra financial assistance to receive a quality education.
International photography by Vera Aurima, Edwin Estioko, J. Sangma and Piyamary Shinoda