Releasing children from poverty, in Jesus' name
Compassion is one of the world's leading child development and child advocacy organisations. Working with the local church, Compassion link children living in poverty together with sponsors. Each sponsor gives a child access to education, health checks, nutritious food, personal guidance from staff, age-appropriate Bible and biblical teaching, literacy, life skills training, vocational training such as bead-making or carpentry, and the care of a local church-based Compassion project through their financial support.
There's no quick fix to global poverty, but through programmes such as this, children's lives are being changed. According to an independent study, children whose sponsors had enabled them to complete the Compassion programme were more likely to have finished education and be in salaried employment.
AIM sponsors 1 child, Sara Valentina Calderon Peralta who lives in Colombia.
Sara Valentina Calderon Peralta
Home for Sara is Villavicencio a city in central Colombia, where the Andes meet the plains of Los Llanos, southeast of Bogotá. She lives with her mother, and is one of 4 children. The area is known for its joropo dance and the cowboy sport coleo (find it on the map here) There are approximately 3,000 other residents living in common brick walled, tin roofed houses. For recreation she plays games with her siblings and friends but also has typical chores of the house to undertake like running errands and making beds, helping her mother etc.
The main regional diet consists of beans bread and rice, so it not surprising that Malnutrition is a common problem in the area. Flu and various parasitic illnesses also contribute to poor health of the area. Most adults work as street vendors and are able to make on average $184 per month but the community desperately needs schools, employment opportunities, and educational resources.
Recently we heard from our colleagues in Colombia that the church based project Sara was attending has closed. The good news is that Sara has been able to transfer to a different Compassion project, so your sponsorship can continue.
At the Nuevo Nacimiento Project, she will continue to receive love, care and discipleship from dedicated staff, as well as vital teaching to help her grow and develop.
Just like here in the UK, moving to a new place can be unsettling. Whilst so much is changing for Sara, your consistent support as her sponsor will be especially important. I encourage you to send a message to Sara, letting her know she is in your thoughts and prayers. You can 'Write a letter' or 'Send a card' to Sara online within your myCompassion account. You can also see the details from her new project in your myCompassion account.
"Please remember Sara in your prayers."
