Today we'll hear from the man running the Compassion program in Ghana. I have one sweet boy in Ghana. His name is Ernest.
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Dear Kayla,
I am Padmore Baffour Agyapong. I have been the country director of Compassion Ghana for five years. Compassion Ghana is 11 years old. We are currently supporting more than 68,000 children in about 250 child development centers.
Padmore Baffour Agyapong
I sincerely wish to express my utmost appreciation to you for sponsoring Ernest in Ghana.
The challenges the children and their families face include high unemployment rates, low income levels, lack of health facilities, inaccessibility of potable water and toilet facilities, harmful cultural practices, child abuse, and inadequate infrastructure.
An Impoverished Community in Ghana
Schools in the rural communities are largely inadequate and dilapidated. Some children must walk long distances daily to attend school. Some schools lack libraries, computer centers, and trained teachers. In some places, health facilities either do not exist or are seriously under-resourced. Lack of access to health care is so serious in some communities that children and their families lose their lives from preventable and curable diseases such as malaria, worm infestations, and tuberculosis.
Sponsorship makes a tremendous impact in the lives of children and their communities. Children receive age-graded Bibles and learn God's word. As a result, many confess their faith in Christ and are able to demonstrate the love of God to other people.
Children Dancing and Singing Outside Their Project
Before one boy entered Compassion, his single mother could no longer take care of her children, so she abandoned them and left the community in search of a job. She could not find a job, yet she failed to return. When the child was registered, the center staff followed up on the mother and brought her back to the community. Not long after, her child's sponsor sent them a family gift that she used to open a bookshop. Profit from selling books now serves as her regular source of income and she is able to support her family.
A Couple Owns a Small Shop to Earn Money
Children have access to medical care and receive an annual comprehensive health screening, after which center staff follow up to ensure that all required care is done. Last year, several children had surgeries that their families couldn't have afforded. Children receive everything necessary to stay in school (school uniforms, books, supplies, tuition fees, etc) and are also trained in income-generating skills such as sewing, bead-making, shoemaking, baking, etc.
Children Learning Musical Skills
When they graduate from the program, the children will be physically healthy and economically self-sustaining. Literacy rates will be higher. This coming year, we will focus on children's water, sanitation, and hygiene needs and also roll out a new youth development strategy. In addition to Compassion's programs, our partner churches minister to the community through activities such as evangelism, community clean ups, and other outreach programs.
Sweet Kids at Their Project
The exchange of letters between sponsors and their children create a close bond between them. Encouraging words from sponsors mean so much to the children. They feel loved and treasured. The thought of having caring sponsors abroad to write to them makes them feel special. These children always look forward to the day when their sponsors will also write to them; some actually pray about it. I wish to kindly request you to write to your sponsored children as often as possible. Children cherish the letters.
Boys Writing Letters to Their Sponsors
I am grateful for our deep love and concern for Ernest. Your sponsorship has opened the door of hope for the future of your child. We will continue to pray for God's blessings for you and your family.
Thank You,
Padmore Baffour Agyapong
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Do you want to change the story of a young woman living in Ghana? I encourage you to consider sponsoring Janet. She is 19 years old and will be graduating her Compassion project in a just a couple of years. She has also been waiting almost 300 days for a sponsor! You can click here to read more about her and make the decision to sponsor her.
Really amazing blog information...thanks for sharing.
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