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What makes Compassion stand out among other
childcare organizations?
As a Compassion sponsor, you'll discover
Compassion's distinctive values:
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A focus on child development: Our program targets the needs of
individual children first. Many organizations focus on the needs of the
community first. Both approaches have value but we believe Compassion's emphasis
reminds everyone — staff, sponsor and child alike — that everything we do is
based on the needs of the children we serve.
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Working exclusively through local churches and Christian fellowships:
We want sponsored children to view the benefits of Compassion sponsorship as an
expression of God's love for them. We also want to equip the Body of Christ in
the countries where we work with effective child development ministries so that
church leaders and members around the world can become effective child advocates
in their communities.
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A goal of child discipleship: We believe the most loving thing we can
do for children is to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Here's why:
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When children discover their worth to God, their self-esteem blossoms.
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Children who recognize their roles as disciples are a strategic part of
today's Church.
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Children discipled in the Word and ways of God become our most potent weapon
against tomorrow's poverty because they are tomorrow's Church.
Our goal, then, is to take a child from the brink of survival to
abundant life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
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Do children have to become Christians to continue
receiving help from Compassion?
No. Children are welcome to
participate in a Compassion project regardless of their faith. Compassion's
programs, however, are unapologetically Christian and every Compassion project
is connected to a Christian church or ministry. While we want children to have
the opportunity to see living faith in action, hear the gospel and have an
opportunity to be discipled in the ways of Christ, neither they nor their
families are under any compulsion to become Christians.
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Don't Western sponsors raise unrealistic
expectations among poor children in developing countries?
Children
around the world are bombarded with images from Western media that promote
materialism and highlight the disparity between the rich and poor. Sponsorship
provides a bridge between cultures and connects those from different worlds on a
very human, caring level. Sponsors receive materials that provide guidelines for
their contacts with children and staff screen correspondence for inappropriate
or culturally-insensitive materials. Because a sense of hopelessness is at the
root of poverty, we want our programs to raise the hopes and expectations of
children. We encourage sponsors to emphasize the rewards of faith and family and
values such as health, productivity and generosity, rather than Western
possessions or accomplishments.
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Why does Compassion focus on individual child
development rather than broader community development work?
Compassion has been involved in development work for over 50 years. During
that time, we have tried various approaches to break the cycle of poverty in
children's lives. We've seen that changed circumstances rarely change people's
lives while changed people inevitably change their circumstances. Community
development is important work that addresses the external circumstances of
poverty and is an important complement to our work. However, our primary focus
is individual child development — an inside-out, bottom-up approach that
recognizes the God-given value and potential of each individual child. Very
often, these children grow up to become positive influences in their own
communities.
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How did Compassion begin and what is its current
status?
In 1952, evangelist Rev. Everett Swanson was preaching in
Korea. Moved by the plight of Korean war orphans, Swanson established a program
through which caring people could provide food, shelter, education, medical care
and Christian training for those orphans. Rev. Swanson's program became the
basis for what is now Compassion International.
Nearly one million
children have been sponsored through Compassion; its history can be traced
through more than 40 countries.
Compassion's Christian commitment has
never wavered. We are keenly aware of the part we can play in fulfilling the
Great Commission. All of our employees are committed followers of Jesus Christ,
dedicated to developing children worldwide — and we are working exclusively
through local churches and fellowships.
Currently, Compassion serves
over 500,000 children in more than 20 developing countries.
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Is Compassion affiliated with any church or
denomination?
Compassion works with local church
partners and fellowships representing more than 65 denominations. Our statement
of faith is the same as that of the National Association of
Evangelicals.
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What is Compassion International?
Compassion International is a Christian not-for-profit ministry dedicated to
the long-term holistic development of children in poverty.
Our ministry
of Christian child development is two-fold:
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We work through the local church to provide child development programs that
release children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty, enabling
them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.
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We speak out on behalf of children in poverty, informing others of the needs
and potential of children and motivating and equipping them to become
increasingly involved in holistic child development.
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In which countries does Compassion
work?
In Africa, we work in Burkina Faso*, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and
Uganda.
In Middle America, we work in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico.
In South America, we work
in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
In Asia, we work in India,
Bangladesh*, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
*We will be registering children in July 2004.
Learn more about where we work.
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Does Compassion send assistance directly to
children and their families?
In most cases, no. Such direct aid
can lead to misuse of funds, children's unhealthy dependency on an outside
organization and difficulty in monitoring individual development goals.
Compassion funds church-based programs that provide developmental opportunities
and benefits agreed upon by the church and Compassion. The standard is that
funds are used on meaningful developmental opportunities for the program's
children.
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How does Compassion ensure that funds are
making a difference in the lives of children?
Compassion seeks out
local partners who share our passion and vision for ministry. When they are as
committed to the children as we are, they make sure that the funds are used
effectively. In addition, we train and equip project workers so that they
understand effective child development and good financial management. Compassion
is totally committed to earning the trust of our donors and sponsors. Integrity
is not only a commitment but a value that drives our whole
organization. Besides an annual audit of Compassion by an independent auditing
firm, we regularly conduct our own audits to make sure that funds are properly
received, tracked and managed in every project for every child.
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How much of a sponsorship gift goes to a child's
program?
Compassion is committed to seeing that 80 percent or more
of our expenditures are used for program activities, including cash grants to
projects, field training, program evaluation, communication between sponsor and
child and other critical activities. We are also committed to carefully managing
our administrative and fund-raising costs in order to provide the most effective
and meaningful programs possible.
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Are my contributions to Compassion, including my
sponsorship support and other gifts, tax-deductible?
Yes. All
contributions to Compassion are tax-deductible in the United States. As a
requirement of the 1993 Revenue Reconciliation Act, we verify that no goods or
services of value are given to you for your contribution.
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Can I see a copy of Compassion's most recent
audited statement?
Yes. Compassion is audited each year by an
independent accounting firm. We publish this report in its entirety and make it
available to anyone at any time. Accountability is a commitment and a value that
drives our whole organization. We are committed to earning and keeping your
trust.
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