COMPASSION - Hopeful despite COVID-19 Pray with us - MAGA ZI N E - Compassion UK
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WWW.COMPASSIONUK.ORG COMPASSION M AGA ZI N E WWW.COMPASSION.IE 2021 ISSUE 1 Hopeful despite COVID-19 Pray with us
In this issue friends, EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BRIAN FROM KENYA CELEBRATES HIS RECOVERY Dear THROUGH LIFE-SAVING HEART SURGERY FUNDED BY COMPASSION. PHOTOGRAPHER: HELEN MANSON 04 WHY THIS COURAGEOUS TEENAGER IS HOPEFUL It’s been more than a year since the COVID-19 DESPITE COVID-19 pandemic first brought devastation and disruption on a global scale. We’ve become 06 A SAFE HARBOUR IN TROUBLED familiar with the certainty of uncertainty and TIMES: 5 WAYS WE PROTECT YOUR SPONSORED CHILDREN constant change. A s the easing of restrictions here in the UK and Ireland bring 08 COMPASSION AND COFFEE: a sense of optimism, we are mindful that much healing is HOPE IN A CUP still needed in our own communities and across the world. 10 COLOUR AND CELEBRATION The heart-breaking truth is that vulnerable children living in poverty have experienced and continue to experience the very worst impact of the pandemic. 12 A LIVING LEGACY OF HOPE The World Bank estimates that a further 150 million people will be pushed into poverty as a direct result of the pandemic – 14 PRAY WITH US undoing decades of progress made in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty. At times, things can seem hopeless. But our faith stands firm. 03 The One who reigns above all lifts our heads, even in immense Unlock more times of trouble. Our ultimate hope is certain and unchanging. of the story During this time, I have been inspired and humbled by you – our supporters – and the work of our local church partners Look out for the Compassion Scanner around the world. Indeed, I sincerely hope that you too will logo to discover extra videos and behind take encouragement from the stories in this magazine. the scenes footage! Here’s how: These are stories of incredible individuals who demonstrate that the Church is alive and well across the world. But I want to stress Download the Compassion that you have a key role to play in these stories too. It’s our mission UK App from the App Store or 1 Google Play. For more details to release as many children as possible from the chains of poverty in Jesus’ name. And your prayerful and financial partnership is key visit compassionuk.org/app to securing a more hopeful future for millions of children around the world. Thank you for all you do. As you read this magazine, I pray the Look out for this symbol on pages Lord will encourage your heart and renew your strength. 2 that contain video content. God bless, Launch the ‘Compassion Scanner’ 3 which you can find in the menu bar of the Compassion UK App. Justin Dowds CHIEF EXECUTIVE COMPASSION UK AND COMPASSION IRELAND Fill your screen with the page and 4 watch it come to life – allowing you to see more of the story. www.compassionuk.org www.compassion.ie
PHOTOGRAPHER: JUNIETH DINARTE DIANA HAS HELPED HER SIBLINGS WITH INTERVIEW BY JUNIETH DINARTE EDITED BY REBECCA CORBETT HOME-SCHOOLING DURING THE LOCKDOWN. LEARNI NG TO APPRECI AT E T HE access all the examinations I need “Nevertheless I trust that the Lord will SI M PLE T HI NGS to make sure my white blood cell be with me throughout it all. Despite level is within normal range. If my my health challenges, I want to be able “Despite the hardships, the past months mother has to work, they come to the to stand on my own two feet. I want to have taught me to value the time I get appointments with me. The church has do what other people do too. I know I with my siblings and my mother, as well been a great blessing in our lives. can do it, and despite not being able to Why this as the phone calls from my grandmother and cousins. I’ve learnt to appreciate every interaction we have. “I love having a sponsor because it’s meant I can go to the Compassion run, I know my imagination can take me further than I could ever imagine.” courageous “The pandemic has made my family come to terms with how fast we were project where they taught me about the Lord. I always loved learning Bible teenager is verses, and I enjoyed the stories they trying to live our lives. It’s made us take would always tell us. My favourite story a necessary pause just to look around is David and Goliath. hopeful and be grateful for the things we have. It’s helped us focus on the simple things. “Being part of the project has made I’ve found joy in painting and drawing. me feel like I have another family. They help me de-stress and relax.” Despite the hardships of this time, I’ve despite felt relieved because of just how much they’ve helped me and my family. There T HE CHURCH NEVER hasn’t been a day in which they’ve not AB AND O NED D I ANA taken care of me.” There’s more COVID-19 AND HER FAM I LY to the story “The church [Compassion] project D I ANA’S CO NSTANT HO PE has helped me with my medicines and “The uncertainty of COVID-19 makes Scan the page and watch this provided me and my family with food 04 me feel worried. I’m worried about my video to learn more about how 05 baskets. They’ve not stopped helping us education and my future because I sponsorship has been helping or taking care of me. can’t go to college anymore since it’s children and families in Nicaragua “Because the situation turned far too dangerous for me. I’d have to during this season. dangerous for my health, the project take the bus and then go to a classroom helped me with doctor’s appointments with at least 15 other people. We don’t in a private hospital or specialist clinic. know when the vaccine will come to The project workers have helped me Nicaragua due to the country’s situation. Eighteen-year-old Diana from L I KE M A N Y O F U S , D I A N A HAS F O U N D TH E PA N D E M I C Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua, C HA L L E N G I N G Being part of is a passionate young artist. the project has Diagnosed with an auto- “COVID-19 has been extremely difficult for me. Isolating has been one of the made me feel immune disease three years hardest parts. like I have another ago, she’s been trapped at home as COVID-19 rates have “I have lupus, and going to doctor’s appointments has become really family.” soared in her community. difficult. I recently had an important eye examination, but on the day of the Yet thanks to the support of appointment the hospital was too full, her family, local church and so I had to go back home. In fact, I can DIANA IS STANDING OUTSIDE Compassion sponsor, she no longer go to the public hospital or HER HOME WITH HER MOTHER leave the house. I’d started going to art Sca n this knows she’s not alone. page us ing the (RIGHT), AND MYRA, A school, but it became too dangerous n COMPASSION STAFF MEMBER. C om pass io for me, so I had to stop.” U K A pp. www.compassionuk.org www.compassion.ie
PHOTOGRAPHER: ISA AC OGILA WRITTEN BY AGNES WILSON A safe harbour Here are five ways we’re protecting children, including your sponsored child, during this challenging time. in troubled times: 5 ways we protect your sponsored P R ACTICAL SUP P OR T BY P R OVIDING EDUCATION EFFE CTI V E A N D I M M E D I ATE OUR CHUR CH PAR TNER S AND TR AINING ON CHILD R ESP ON S E P R OTECTION As COVID-19 confines children to their We believe reporting is key to an children homes, Claudia Menacho, Compassion Compassion church partners are effective and immediate response. Project Director in Bolivia, is playing working hard to train children, Anyone can and is encouraged to a vital role in protecting them. As the caregivers, and the wider community report suspected abuse, including only staff member from the project with about child protection issues. In the children, caregivers, staff, volunteers, permission from the authorities to move last five years 29,618 children and and visitors. Once a complaint is filed, around the community, she now visits caregivers have been trained in we have robust processes to protect every single child’s house to check on child protection through children and discern the truth. their wellbeing. Compassion interventions. An estimated 356 million children live in extreme Importance is also given to after She takes them food baskets and Compassion also equips our care. There are medical interventions, poverty around the world (UNICEF, 2020). Many of spends time speaking with them. She church partners to provide anti- counselling services, legal counsel, them are highly vulnerable to exploitation and harm. also continues calling the children to child trafficking training and spiritual care, and alternative housing But when a child enters a Compassion project, they maintain contact with them, so no one resources. Child protection training where it is needed. 06 are cared for and protected. It’s our mission to do slips through the cracks. is also provided to regional and 07 international staff. Every country where Compassion works everything we can to keep children safe – to help them “If we hadn’t intervened, the reality has a Child Protection Specialist who break free from poverty in Jesus’ name. would be terrible…Children are unique, oversees care for vulnerable children. they are God’s creation…We have to take care of them and support them,” says Claudia. As well as regular home visits during P R OTECTING P R IVACY IN the pandemic, Compassion church THIS DIGITAL AGE PAR TN E RI N G W I TH OTH E R partners around the world offer practical support to protect children, OR GA N I SATI ON S TO We’re more connected than ever P R OT E CT CH I L D RE N including emergency care and legal before thanks to technology. While so support for orphaned babies and much good has come from new digital Finally, Compassion partners with children; arranging foster and family- resources and opportunities, we all other organisations to protect based care in a nurturing environment; know that information in the wrong children. Whether they are the local and offering counselling and social hands can be used to harm others. police or international NGOs, like support for children affected by trauma. International Justice Mission, we Compassion has therefore stopped believe in a multifaceted approach sharing the full names of children. to keeping children safe. Some of Sponsors’ full names are also not these partnerships focus on training provided to the sponsored child. It to prevent abuse, and others focus on may seem like a small change, but it’s a responding to abuse. necessary one to keep children safe. It is our prayer that all the children in our care will be safe from harm. We are passionate about ensuring they are known, loved, and protected. That is why we will remain vigilant against any forms of abuse. ORPHANED, HAVING SUFFERED ABUSE, THESE SISTERS HAVE FOUND PROTECTION, LOVE AND HEALING AT COMPASSION’S LOCAL CHURCH PARTNER. www.compassionuk.org www.compassion.ie
PHOTOGRAPHER: BEN ADAMS WRITTEN BY EMILY JOHNSTONE GROWING COFFEE REQUIRES A VERY PARTICULAR CLIMATE. THIS IS WHY IT’S GENERALLY RESTRICTED TO AREAS OF THE WORLD THAT ARE BOUND BY THE TROPICS OF CAPRICORN AND CANCER, IN A BAND COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE BEAN BELT. 08 Compassion and coffee: 09 hope in a cup MOTHERS ENJOYING A CUP OF COFFEE AT A CHILD SURVIVAL work to do but the pay is low. If Cosmer will understand a lot easier that the PROGRAMME IN ETHIOPIA joins his father they can earn around best thing for their children is to be at BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. three or four dollars a day. This might school and the [Compassion] project.” not seem a lot, but it can make the difference between food on the table Luis and his team make regular and going to bed hungry. home visits to help inform parents and caregivers about the long-term Coffee. Over the last year culture and something that has been of hope to these women through relationships and forcing parents to Cosmer’s family situation is not unusual importance of education and help central to Compassion’s Child Survival regular home visits, food parcels and leave in search of work. Seeing this great and child labour in a community that them find other ways to generate it’s got us through home Programme in Ethiopia for years. For medical care. need, the local church trained a group relies on coffee harvesting is high. income. Now Cosmer looks forward to schooling and Zoom these mums, sharing a cup of coffee of parents and caregivers to cultivate Thankfully, the local church is tackling attending the project on Saturday with meetings. Our morning is an opportunity to air their struggles, While mums in Ethiopia look forward coffee plantations to generate income. this complex issue and bringing hope his friends. swap advice, and, most importantly, to meeting again, in Thailand, coffee for a better future to many families. brew might be something has been restoring hope to families Because space is limited, many families “I like going to the project because laugh over a restorative cup of freshly we take for granted, but brewed coffee. throughout the pandemic. are growing up to ten coffee plants in “Our goal is that Christ will come to they teach me many things; they teach around the world coffee is their gardens. While the income may be the hearts of these families,” explains me sports, they help me write letters bringing hope and lasting “No one serves coffee with a grumpy small, it’s meant the difference between Luis Enrique Gonzalez, Compassion to my sponsor. When I go to church, I R E STO R I N G H O P E I N face”, chuckles Bancha Bergene, a parent having to migrate to the city Project Director. “And once we have sing, play and have fun and I also learn change to communities Compassion Project Director. “People DI F F I C U LT TI M E S to find work, or a young child leaving Christ into their hearts, these people from the teachings.” living in poverty. take coffee from you with a happy “Many of our children here have school early to find a job. face. When people drink coffee, they a broken family,” sighs Yordruen, share their life, they share their love, Across the other side of the world, Compassion Project Director in Thailand. S H ARIN G A CUP O F HOP E they discuss many issues. It is a time “Some parents are separated, and some in the Mexican mountains the local The coffee you drink can change lives too! of laughter.” church is also fighting hard to keep As the charcoal fire crackles and spits, have left to work in big cities, leaving Bring hope to children and their families through every purchase children in education. the conversation between the women their children at home with relatives.” of sustainable and ethically sourced coffee from Indigo Valley. Meeting to share a cup of coffee has gathered around it is equally lively. For every pack purchased £1 is given to Compassion’s income given these women hope that they COVID and quarantine restrictions in These new and expectant mothers HO PE FO R A B ET T ER FUT URE generation programmes in Ethiopia. To find out more and make are not alone in their struggles. While Thailand have had a significant impact have congregated at their local church your first purchase visit compassion.indigovalley.co.uk or scan projects have been closed due to on the local economy. Many families in Cosmer’s father works on a coffee for the weekly coffee ceremony, an the QR code using your smartphone. COVID, the local church has not tired in Yordruen’s community have lost their plantation in the foothills of Mexico. incredibly important part of Ethiopian its support, continuing to be a beacon jobs, putting further pressure on family During the picking season, there’s much www.compassionuk.org www.compassion.ie
WRITTEN BY JANE’ ALAM SHEIKH EDITED BY K ATE SHARMA ILLUSTRATION BY MIRIAM LATIMER Jane’s hope Devotion Compassion graduate, my hope in Jesus. It is the same Reflect hope that was breathed into my Jane’ Alam Sheikh, explains life when I was four years old In what ways has hope in Christ how his hope in Christ has and sponsored by a lovely couple, transformed your life? continued to sustain him Tom and Liz. Compassion child sponsor and through life’s challenges. F R EED O M F R O M P OV E R TY illustrator, Miriam Latimer, has produced a beautiful design for Because of their monthly donation, you to colour in as you reflect I grew up in a small slum community I became the first child in my family on the hope we have in Jesus. in India, where my family lived in a to go to school. My father was so shanty home. Ten thousand people excited when I received my first shared just two toilets and one tap. school uniform; he helped me Pray rip open the packaging like a kid But the lack of basic material needs at Christmas. Ask our God to fill you with wasn’t our greatest challenge. The joy and peace as you trust in Him. mental, spiritual, and emotional With our hope in Jesus and His May it transform the way we look impact of poverty, which whispered promises, my family was freed from at our world and help us bring 10 to my family and me that we didn’t both the physical and spiritual bond God’s light to others. 11 matter, was far worse. Because, at its of poverty. I eventually graduated heart, poverty is a lack of hope. with a first-class master’s degree in business and founded a charity that Act In many ways, the COVID-19 helps children and young people pandemic has revealed to everyone living in residential care. No act of kindness done in Jesus’ where we all put our hope. I have put name is too small to go unnoticed I pray that you and your family by our great God. Now we know would know the same hope of the hope we have in Christ, let’s Jesus in your lives today. As we follow His command to love God freely receive, so we will shine His and our neighbours, not just with light where there is darkness. words, but by our actions. There’s more to the story Scan the page to watch Jane’s faithful testimony. Sca n this the page us ing COMPASSION GRADUATE, n C om pass io JANE’ ALAM SHEIKH SHARES UK A pp. HIS STORY OF HOPE. www.compassionuk.org www.compassion.ie
IMAGES SUPPLIED BY: MART YN LANGLOIS WRITTEN BY ZOE NOAKES A living These children are constantly being helped by it.” Today, the children sprawl out on the floor of the bright, airy, beautifully tiled room, with their lessons in front legacy Even before Martyn left Burkina Faso, of them. he was thinking about the next project. He found it at another Compassion project just a few miles away. T HE I MPACT OF A LIFE of hope REM EMBE RE D “What we saw there were classrooms that were only coverings from the Eight years after she died, Gill’s fund sun,” he said. “That became our still exists to build classrooms wherever second focus.” there is a need. In two countries, there are three simple plaques. They read: Martyn and his team of fundraisers “These classrooms were provided raised the £12,456 needed to build by the Gill Langlois Legacy Fund, in classrooms at ERAD Panga be Wenne memory of Gill who loved children and Child Development Project within 18 the Lord Jesus Christ”. months of his visit. By March 2017 It was 2015. There was the school was built, benefitting The impact of her compassion lives on. It’s there in the little girl who now a lump in Martyn’s more than 300 children. has the courage to raise her hand and throat and an empty answer a question in class. You see it in space by his side as GILL’S LEGACY STRETCH the teenager’s face as he finally grasps TO ASIA the difficult maths concept. And in these he walked across the safe, comfortable classrooms, eternities red, rocky earth of IN BURKINA FASO, CHILDREN WERE Back in Guernsey, Martyn assumed that can change as children wonder at the TAKING CLASSES UNDER THE SHADE. 12 Burkina Faso, one of his fundraising days were over. The 13 A CLASSROOM WAS NEEDED. news that Jesus loves them. children were being educated. Chapter the world’s poorest closed. Still, he couldn’t help talking Witnessing Gill’s legacy inspired Martyn countries. This was about the need he saw, and the impact to go further. By leaving a gift in his will, a journey he never of Compassion’s local church partners. their legacy and compassion can live He talked about it at work. He spoke thought he’d make, on, empowering even more children. A head was a young girl with In the three weeks it took to bring So, in 2015, Martyn with his daughter about it at churches. And people kept and definitely not wide eyes and a shy smile. It Gill home to Guernsey, Martyn and and two friends, flew to Burkina Faso giving to the Gill Langlois Legacy Fund. “The reality is none of this would have alone. He may have was Amélie, the 10-year-old his adult daughters channelled their for the opening. As he admired the happened if Gill hadn’t died,” he said. In 2019, Gill and Martyn’s impact moved been in another he and Gill sponsored, who seemingly pain into honouring her memory. They new classrooms and met Amélie for “We keep saying she would be so proud stepped off the photograph on their discovered that Amélie was learning the first time, he was struck by how continents when he heard that children and amazed to see what has happened. continent without his in a small village in Thailand needed fridge and into the present. Behind her her lessons either outside in the Gill’s legacy was so much more than How can we begrudge her dying when wife Gill, but he was was a red and grey concrete building, patchy shade, or in a tiny, thatched a simple building. classrooms. They were meeting in God called her home? there because of her. a contrast to the mud homes that made shed. Funding new classrooms at her cramped huts with broken bamboo up her rural village in Burkina Faso. Compassion project seemed like the “Talking about it now makes me quite walls and unstable floors. It was an “For her, it was fantastic. For us, it was This building – and more importantly, perfect tribute to Gill, a retired teacher emotional, really,” says the 73-year-old. inadequate and potentially dangerous rubbish. But we’re making something what would happen inside – would be who loved children. “The fact is, this has become a living learning environment. of it. If we can give children a better Gill’s legacy. legacy. It’s not something that was life as a result of this grief, Gill would built once, but it’s a living legacy. “We’ll go for it,” said Martyn firmly. be staggered.” TH E B U R K I N A FAS O A T R AG I C LOSS A N D TH E STA R T SCHOOLS OF A L E G ACY According to UNESCO, Burkina Faso Leave a legacy Gill died unexpectedly in 2013. Martyn has one of the lowest literacy rates FROM EARTH and Gill were on holiday in Greece. One in the world at 41%. While about 50% To find out more about TO HEAVEN: minute the 63-year-old was swimming of men can read and write, this figure leaving a gift in your will GILL ENJOYING by Martyn’s side through the clear plummets to about 33% for women. to Compassion and GOD’S CREATION Mediterranean Sea, the next, he says, Providing classrooms for Amélie and making a lasting impact, BEFORE SHE WAS “she went straight from the beach to other children can help to break the CALLED TO HER please contact us on heaven”. A pulmonary edema left him cycle of poverty. Friends, family, and FINAL HOME. 01932 836490 or email grieving his wife of 42 years. They strangers donated in Gill’s memory, giftsinwill@compassionuk.org would have celebrated half a century raising the £11,500 needed to build of marriage in August this year. two classrooms. A PLAQUE RECOGNISING GILL’S LEGACY SITS OUTSIDE THE NEW CLASSROOM IN THAILAND. www.compassionuk.org www.compassion.ie
WRITTEN BY AGNES WILSON FATIMA, AGED 10, NICARAGUA PHOTOGRAPHER: JUNIETH DINARTE COMPASSION HO PE RI SES I N T HE PHI LI PPI NES MAGAZINE 2021 Issue 1 The Philippines went through trying times in 2020. Aside from COVID-19, a series of typhoons and earthquakes devastated the islands. With livelihoods and homes lost, the Front cover image: heart-breaking reality is that vulnerable Collins at sunrise in a field nearby his rural home in Solai, Kenya children and families living in poverty with us are worst affected. Photographer: Ben Adams In response to this immense need, one ANTOINE, AGED 17, TOGO church partner launched a livelihood PHOTOGRAPHER: Articles may be reproduced programme. They distributed motorised with the permission of the GABRIELLA AKPENE SAMATY tricycles to 14 fathers so they could Senior Director of Marketing & earn a living, helping to support their Engagement, Compassion UK. families and communities. GO D ’S PRO M I SE O F HO PE AND COMPASSION UK A FUT URE Kristian, a Compassion sponsored youth CHRISTIAN CHILD at that project says, “My family is so DEVELOPMENT After Antoine was orphaned at an grateful to be part of this livelihood Children, churches and Compassion House, early age, his grandparents became programme. It is a big help to us Barley Way, Fleet GU51 2UT communities around his caregivers. When a Compassion financially, but what I’m most thankful the world are trusting project opened at their local church, for is that my father has become closer TEL: 01932 836490 14 in the Lord and Antoine enrolled. He was seven years to God because of [it].” EMAIL: info@compassionuk.org old. After his grandfather passed praising God for His Please pray for the Philippines as they www.compassionuk.org away, the project offered him and his goodness. They are grandmother specialised support. recover from natural disasters. Please Registered charity in England and Wales praying for you too! also pray that God will protect families (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee. “I felt lonely, but when I remembered from the threat of COVID-19 and Join us as we thank provide care for the most vulnerable. Registered in England and Wales that at least I still had my grandmother company number 03719092. our amazing God for and the project staff who had been His provision during caring for me as if they were my COMPASSION IRELAND challenging times for parents, my hope was revived,” CHRISTIAN CHILD Antoine shares. DEVELOPMENT He is our hope. Suite 3, Eden Gate Centre, In addition to the support every child Delgany, Co. Wicklow, Ireland receives, the project provided books, tutoring, clothes and food baskets for TEL: 01 5133 719 his family. Antoine is now studying for EMAIL: info@compassion.ie his A level exams to enter university. www.compassion.ie Thank God that, with your partnership, Registered Charity Number 20076184. A company limited by Compassion projects around the world KRISTIAN, AGED 19, PHILIPPINES guarantee. Registered in Dublin, Ireland can support children like Antoine to company number 493955. T HA N K YO U, G O D, F O R YO U R to tell you that we are praying for you PHOTOGRAPHER: EDWIN ESTIOKO achieve their dreams. SU R E H O P E constantly, and that when we allow compassionuk.org the Lord to enter our hearts, He takes Fatima, 10 years old, from Nicaragua care of us and gives us strength. Compassion UK sends us her prayers, love, and Hold onto Him.” Thank you for your prayers. encouragement. @compassionuk Praise God for children like Fatima They make a difference! “Trust in the Lord because He’s always who reflect God’s love and don’t compassionuk with us, in good times and bad times,” Sign up for our Prayer and Stories email to receive the give up. Lift them up to our Lord as she says. latest prayer requests from children and Compassion church Compassion UK they face life and its challenges. Sca n this May they never lose hope! partners. Visit compassionuk.org/pray or scan the QR code the page us ing “He protects us and helps us. I want using your smartphone. Design and production n C om pass io The Drummer Agency UK A pp.
morning “Let the bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” P SA LM 143 : 8 Sca n this the page us ing COM101842 n C om pass io UK A pp.
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