Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Compassion recently celebrated the milestone of 1 million children sponsored at one time.
Child Sponsorship: Compassion’s work in Guatemala began in 1976. Currently, more than 33,300 children participate in 140 child development centers. The group partners with churches around the country to help them provide Guatemalan children with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances. Learning for Life focuses on a child’s life from school age until program completion, aiming to prepare each sponsored child with the skills and knowledge required to assume adulthood, including those activities that will make the community a better place to live. It’s a powerful approach to Christian child development, providing children with a broader view of the world and educating sponsors about the political and economic realities sponsored children face. This relationship provides both children and sponsors with a concrete example of how God works around the world.
Crisis Response: A crisis by its very definition is temporary. Disaster strikes. Families and children suffer. Relief arrives. Families and children are left alone again. But for children and families in poverty, the effects of a disaster can last for years, even generations.
That’s why it’s important that a crisis response address not only the present but also the future needs of children living in poverty. Compassion’s long-standing community relationships with local churches enable just that.
For example, on Nov. 30, 2006, Typhoon Durian slammed into the Philippines and its many islands, killing more than 1,000 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless. More than 8,000 Compassion-assisted children were affected. Some lost homes, others were temporarily displaced, and others just needed food and clean water. All received supplies they needed to survive. But about 500 families were left without homes.
Days into the crisis, Compassion Philippines constructed temporary shelters out of tents. These “child-friendly” centers served as a safe haven for children to live a life closer to normal. But to truly offer relief, Compassion had to figure out a way to rebuild homes, and by doing so rebuild shattered lives.
It wasn’t long before Compassion Philippines heard about Habitat for Humanity International’s rebuilding efforts in the disaster area. The two groups met. A partnership was forged. Thanks to support from Compassion donors and supporters and from Habitat for Humanity, children and families were offered sturdier homes that could withstand typhoon-strength winds up to 300 mph.
In order for the homes in Legazpi to be built, suitable land was needed. Compassion Philippines and Habitat negotiated with the Philippine government to purchase land that was not susceptible to flooding and mudslides. A lot of this “politicking” was done by church partner staff, such as Pastor Dasco. He helped to scout and find suitable land for building. Eventually, thanks to Compassion sponsors and donors, more than 370 Compassion-assisted families received new sturdy and permanent housing.
In response to the 2009 food crisis, Compassion International has donated $250,000 from its Global Food Crisis Fund.
To learn more about Compassion International, please visit their website.
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