What does Compassion International have to do with Kimchi Mamas? EVERYTHING! =)
Compassion started in 1952 providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care. Reverend Everett Swanson was on a preaching tour in South Korea when he saw Korea's unwanted children. He knew he had to do something and thus, Compassion was born.
Compasion has sponsored more than 1 million children in 25 of the world's poorest countries. Thankfully, they don't need to sponsor kids in South Korea anymore! (And sadly, North Korea wouldn't allow sponsorship since Compassion is a faith-based organization.) They are a high quality organization, taking stewardship of donors' money very seriously. Compassion International recently won a four star rating from the nation's largest independent evaluator of charities for the seventh year in a row - one of only 45 chartities in the nation to do so.
I started sponsoring Rizel from the Philippines during college and she has grown into a wonderful young woman. She teaches little kids at Sunday School, prays for me and my family everyday, and is so thankful for my support. She has given back to me more than I have given her. Her letters encourage me and I feel like she is a part of my family. I send her pictures of Christian as he grows and I have a feeling she's going to be a wonderful mother. She is always telling me what a "wonderful mother I am." =)
Recently, my family also recently decided to sponsor another girl, Leonela from Ecuador. I just received one letter from her and am looking forward to seeing her grow.
I am sure that as my son grows, he will learn so much through this program. Hopefully, it'll teach him to be thankful for the blessings in his life, as it has taught me!
Things are a little bleek economically speaking... but I want to encourage, dare I say challenge, all of you readers and kimchi mamas out there to sponsor a child. If you already sponsor a child, consider sponsoring another child. It costs $32 a month. I know it is not a trivial amount of money and if you are struggling to pay the bills, perhaps this is not the right time for you to make this kind of commitment... unless those are credit card bills for that new purse or dress. =)
For $32 a month you can provide a child with health care, educational opportunities, supplemental food if they need it, a caring and safe environment, social skills, guidance and love, and hope for their future. You will also receive correspondance from your child including pictures and report cards.
Here is a quote from Compassion's website. "We've discovered that changed circumstances rarely change people's lives, while changed people inevitably change their circumstances."
If you'd like to sponsor a child, go to www.compassion.com. You can also email me at mary s choi at gmail dot com (I have some packets of children who need sponsors) or comment on my personal blog (see Kimchi Mama bios to the left). You can also make a one-time donation on their website.
Are there any current sponsors out there? Please share your experience with us!
Thank you for reading and Happy Holidays everyone!
- Mary (just found out that she is having another boy and is thankful to raise her kids in such a blessed environment)
