Compassion International

Mexico is a country located in North America. It shares borders with the United States, the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, Guatemala and Belize. Mexico is home to many historical and natural wonders, including Chichén Itzá, Teotihuacan and the historic center of Mexico City.

While Mexico has a rich culture and many archaeological wonders, it’s also home to many impoverished families. Children living in poverty are vulnerable to violence and exploitation, from forced child labor to gang violence. Mexico’s powerful drug cartels sometimes recruit children, and some young people see it as their only way to a better life.

At Compassion, we take child protection seriously. That’s why we provide age-appropriate training to all the children we serve so they learn how to stand up for themselves and others. We train our staff and volunteers too, ensuring they know how and when to intervene when they see signs of abuse or violence. Through the Compassion program, children also have access to educational and recreational activities to enjoy so they aren’t tempted to fill their time in unhealthy ways.

Haiti is a land of resiliency and optimism located in the Caribbean. It is also a nation that faces frequent disasters — including the 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which deeply affected the lives of already vulnerable children in poverty.

In Haiti, only 10% of primary schools are public. The remaining 90% are private — and many people cannot afford to pay the required fees. Inability to pay school tuition and family pressure to start earning income cause many children to drop out before secondary school.

Compassion centers partner with Haitian parents to help cover part of children’s fees to attend secondary school. In addition to tutoring, these centers also provide vocational training activities so older children can explore economically sustainable careers.

Bolivia’s colorful history and breathtaking scenery make it a captivating destination. Despite its mineral wealth, Bolivia has the lowest per capita income of any country in South America. Its income inequality is the highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world. Many parents are unemployed. Families lack access to clean water.

Nearly 25% of the people in rural areas of Bolivia have no access to clean, safe water. With no other options, many families rely on contaminated water sources, which can lead to deadly illnesses.

Compassion provides reliable, clean water for registered children and their families — through rain water systems, wells or in-home purification — which is an important first step toward decreasing sickness. Once healthy, a child can learn, play, socialize and benefit from our programs.

Bangladesh has lush green landscapes and a culture rooted in religion. It also is a country where many people have limited access to education and food.  Bangladesh is one the world’s Top 10 most populous countries. Bangladesh is a major exporter in the textile and garment industry. It is highly vulnerable to climate change and actively works on adaptation and mitigation efforts.

A child who experiences poverty is more than 3x as likely to experience multigenerational poverty as an adult. By providing access to education, health care and necessities, child sponsorship acts as a catalyst for lasting change for children in Bangladesh. Children sponsored through Compassion are surrounded by safe adults who know them individually, live in the love of Jesus and offer the specific support they need as they journey out of poverty.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa, surrounded by six countries: Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Burkina Faso, located in the Sahel region, showcases diverse natural beauty, including picturesque landscapes, rock formations, waterfalls, and national parks like the UNESCO World Heritage site, W National Park, which is home to various wildlife species. It has a history of political stability and peaceful democratic transitions, setting it apart from some of its neighboring countries in the region.

In Burkina Faso, only 33% of the population is literate. Adults who cannot read or write find it difficult to excel professionally, which makes escaping poverty almost impossible. Children desperately need an education so they can steer their country in a better direction.

Children receive after-school tutoring at the center. For teens, the center offers training in mechanics, hairdressing, sewing, gardening and animal breeding. If children want to learn new income-generating skills, Compassion staff members make every effort to provide training.

Made up of 7,000 tropical islands, the Philippines is called paradise by its visitors. Residents know it is also home to natural disasters and social problems. It is known for its rich marine biodiversity. The Philippines is one of the world’s leading producers of coconuts.

Issue: Children in the Philippines are abused and exploited at an alarming rate. It’s hard to know exactly how many children experience violence, but we do know that millions are in need of protection.

Each registered child is known by a Compassion staff member who has been trained to identify warning signs of abuse. If a child is at risk, Compassion intervenes quickly to ensure that each child knows they are known, loved and protected.

This country in West Africa is known for its palm-fringed beaches and lush, forested hills. Togo is one of the smallest countries in Africa and is located on the western coast of the continent. Togo is in West Africa. Togo shares borders with Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso. Currently, over 8 million people call the country of Togo home. It is a multilingual country, with French being the official language. Other languages include Ewé and Kabiyé.

Education is not prioritized throughout Togo. While many children attend primary school, only about 41% of children are enrolled in secondary school. Only 60% of teens are literate, and recently, 59% of students failed the government final exam for their grade level. Education is powerful. With education, children can obtain stable jobs as adults, allowing them to provide for their families and break the cycle of poverty. Another issue is increased natural disasters that threaten the livelihoods of families. In Togo, many regions face flooding during the rainy season that destroys homes, crops and lives. When disaster strikes, children in these communities face exposure to the elements, hunger and emotional trauma.

In partnership with the local church, we ensure all students registered in the Compassion program attend school. We provide tutoring and teach parents about the value of education. At Compassion Togo, 85% of registered children (and counting) are thriving in their studies. Through our Disaster Relief Fund, Compassion provides communities with emergency food and water, temporary shelter, counseling, medical care and future disaster preparedness.

Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the horn of Africa. Its 108 million inhabitants make it the 13th most populous country in the world and the second most populous in Africa. Well steeped and rich, traditions and dynamic landscape, Ethiopia is limited in its education opportunities.

In Ethiopia many children either don’t attend school or eventually drop out. Girls typically complete only eight years of school and boys, nine. Just half of the population over age 15 can read and write. Even high school graduates may remain unemployed because their education didn’t include relevant vocational training.

Compassion provides school supplies for assisted children and covers the cost of vocational school if necessary. Staff members also teach students professional skills and help them become certified in their areas of interest so they can become financially self-sufficient.

Kenya is an Eastern African country that touches the Indian Ocean, encompasses savannas, lake lands, mountain highlands and the dramatic Great Rift Valley. Kenya is home to Masai tribes, wild safaris and sweeping landscapes. Kenya boasts diverse indigenous cultures with unique traditions and artwork.

Kenya is also a land of droughts and famines. Since 2011, Kenya has been gripped in one of the worst droughts in the country’s history, leaving millions of Kenyans in need of humanitarian assistance — including more than 300,000 children currently suffering from malnutrition. Compassion-assisted children experience these realities daily. But at the Compassion center, there is hope.

Compassion’s approach to drought and famine in Kenya has been comprehensive. Emergency food and water have been distributed across the country. Malnourished children receive food, vitamins, and medical care. And many families have been given drought-resistant seeds as part of income-generation projects.

Ghana is West Africa’s “golden child” that boasts both pristine beaches and bustling centers of industry. It is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer and has the largest open-air market in West Africa, Kejetia Market. Ghana was also the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence and has a diverse cultural heritage with vibrant traditions.

Child abuse and trafficking are on the rise in Ghana. Close to 90% of children regularly experience violent discipline. Almost 200,000 children are exploited through hazardous work in the cocoa industry. And 50,000 children are living — and sometimes working — on the streets. Compassion-assisted children experience these realities daily. But at the Compassion center, there is hope.

The holistic safety Compassion children is of utmost importance. Staff members understand the warning signs of abuse and intervene swiftly if needed. Parents also receive quarterly training about their children’s rights. At the Compassion center, children are known, loved, and protected.

Lush forests, mountains and tea plantations cover Sri Lanka’s landscape. The island country known as “the pearl of the Indian Ocean” has many residents who struggle with poverty and malnutrition. It is one of the world’s leading exporters of tea and is one of the best places in the world for wildlife enthusiasts.

Though only 7% of Sri Lankans live below the poverty line, people in remote areas often face many more challenges than those in urban communities. These areas often lack access to good nutrition and improved water and sanitation despite high rates of coverage nationwide.

Compassion centers are located in communities with the greatest need — even those in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Where basic services are often lacking, Compassion intervenes with educational opportunities, nutritional support and lessons about good hygiene and sanitation practices.

Ecuador has a proud history extending back to the Incan empire. It is also a country still facing poverty, which has resulted in broken families and limited education opportunities. Ecuador is named after the equator, as the country straddles the imaginary line. The country has the highest concentration of volcanoes in the world. It is home to one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, the Yasuni National Park.

While education has been improving in recent years – 94% of adults are literate – this isn’t always the case in rural areas. There, impoverished children may lack access to decent education. Only 1% of youth in these areas will attend a university.

At Compassion centers, young children receive supplemental tutoring to help them excel in school. Older children participate in vocational skills workshops to help them succeed in self-supporting careers as adults.