Pages

Monday, August 15, 2011

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

Today I have some pretty exciting news:
I just sponsored a child from Kenya and my heart is full of joy!


SITE LINK

For the past few years I have been sponsor to a little girl in India through World Vision but my first experience with sponsorship was in University through Compassion.  Today I got a letter in the mail telling me that World Vision is finished partnering with my sponsor child's village because the village has reached it's goal of becoming self-sufficient. (Aka in as nice a way as possible, she doesn't need you anymore)  I agree with World Vision's objective whole-heartedly.  As sad as I am to not be needed anymore I am thankful that my sponsor child and her family will be alright!

Actually, I have missed the way that Compassion International as an organization manages sponsorship; mainly communication between the sponsor and sponsor child.   I love that at least a few times a year a sponsor receives a letter from their sponsor child either written by the child or on behalf of the child. With World Vision I have never received an actual letter and it always has seemed like there was more than physical miles between us.... a disconnect.   So with the closing of one sponsorship I decided to transfer back to Compassion and partner with them again.  This time with a girl from Kenya.

I look at sponsoring a child as an important way that I can pay it forward.  It changes lives and if I can manage to avoid about eight coffee trips a month I can make a small difference in the world.  Sounds like a fair trade to me!  I may not have much but I have worlds more than these children do that's for sure.




This video from the Compassion Website talks about how powerful letters can be in people's lives.  Writing letters back and forth really forms a special bond and connection between the sponsor and sponsor child.  For me I think it's remarkable how much impact this whole process has had on my life.  

I can't wait to receive my sponsor child's information in the mail and write her the first letter!  My heart feels full right now.  I can't wait to share a bit of her life.  It says that her favorite things to do are sing and play ball games.  I have a feeling we will get along just fine!

Do any of you little Junipers have sponsor children?  What is something that has really stuck out to you in the whole process?

I encourage you to take some time and search your heart. Basic sponsorship is only $41/ month.   Look at the website COMPASSION.  Pay it forward.  You won't regret it!
And then tell me all about it!  I would love to hear what happens.


Goodnight my little Junipers!  
TTFN


2 comments:

  1. We've been sponsoring a little girl from Honduras for over four years through Compassion. I think one of the best things is seeing her grow up (she's eight years old now) and knowing that we are a huge part of her life and making a big difference for her every day (not just financially, but emotionally, socially and spiritually too!).
    Once or twice a year we like to send an extra $40-$50 (on top of Christmas and her birthday). We always get a photo from her of the things she bought with the extra money (usually it's just simple things like groceries or a new pair of pants), and knowing that the surprise is such a blessing to her and her family blesses us in return.
    We chose Honduras as I already know a little spanish and would love to visit her one day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's amazing Lauren! Thanks for sharing :D

    ReplyDelete