Ending World Poverty

I have been a long time supporter of Compassion International and we currently sponsor two Guatemalan children through their child sponsorship program. The organization rates in the top 1% for fiscal accountability and integrity and its leaders obviously have a heart for God and for children.

The most recent Compassion Magazine had an article about an independent research study that was done to evaluate the actual results of child sponsorship programs. Compassion opened up their records, and researchers spent two years collecting data on and interviewing formerly sponsored children in 10 countries. The results were impressive:

• Compassion sponsorship increased the rates of secondary school completion by 27 to 40%
• Sponsored children were 35% more likely to become white collar workers with more stability and higher salaries
• The were more likely to become leaders in their churches and communities.

I was thrilled to read of the documented success that has resulted from individual sponsorship. It is wonderful to know that the small contribution (financial and relationship) that I make really makes a difference!

One of our sponsored children has a goal of becoming a teacher; the other is an honor student who hopes to attend college. I don’t know if these children will fulfill their dreams, but I am happy that they, as sponsored children, have a better chance of doing so and that, instead of feeling hopeless,  they have a vision of something beyond their lives of poverty.