On my recent trip to Uganda, I had the opportunity to visit the Luwero Child Development Center, empowered by Compassion International in partnership with a local church. This particular ministry serves 238 children. 8 of those children tested positive and undergo treatment for HIV. In total, 56 individuals (parents, caregivers or siblings of the 8) receive treatment for HIV/A through Compassion's Crisis Intervention Program.
As Tanita shared her story, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Despite the language barrier, I could feel her young heart relive the pain of her uncertainty as she shared her life with us. Yet, greater still, this young 14-year-old girl has hope because Compassion was there--Compassion is there--ministering through a loving local church and a caring sponsor's support of $38 each month.
Here is a portion of Tanita's story, in her own words:
“I as admitted into hospitals so much when our mother was not
having money. Because she was not having a job. Some church people
came to our home and they were told my story. So I was registered at
the Luwero Child Development Center in Compassion. And I thank God for
that.
One day in a meeting at the hospital, I heard
children when they were talking about HIV/A with doctors. Our doctors
told us that HIV does not kill you if you take your drugs and in time.
I started drugs in 2005. I have seven others like me here in this
project. We thank LCDC for helping us. Because they give us food,
transport to hospital, and treatment.
I thank God
for my beautiful skin, my good nails, my nice hair, my good appetite
and my whole life. On behalf of my fellow HIV positive children in
this project, I want to thank you sponsors for all the support you give
us which is helping us to have a good, healthy life.”
If ever you doubted whether your monthly child sponsorship was making a difference, doubt no longer. If you've always wanted to make a difference, but do not know how, I can confidently point you to Compassion International's child sponsorship program. Your $38 per month and regular letters of encouragement with your sponsored child are a personal ministry to a young heart full of potential.
Together, we extend compassion and release children from poverty in Jesus' name... one child at a time.
If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10 (NIV)