Zongo

Yesterday I received another letter & picture from Zongo, the little girl that I'm sponsoring from Burkina Faso through Compassion International. Her full name is Zongo Kiswendida Silvia. She celebrated her 8th birthday on May 4th (same birthday as Joanna). This is a picture of her and the present she got with the birthday money I sent. Sadly, she doesn't smile in her pictures. I just hope that she is happier than she looks.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring a child, I recommend going through Compassion. It is $32/month. (Learn more About Compassion here). One thing that I really liked about Compassion is that they stay with the child until they turn 18. They make sure that they get an education and that they continue to live a good life. They also help the child through college if that is the right path for them. Other sponsorship programs only stay in towns and with families until they "get on their feet" and then they're gone (which I don't like).

Compassion also guarantees to send you at least 3 letters and a few pictures every year from your child. I have been sponsoring Zongo since December and I have already received 3-4 letters and 3 pictures. All the other companies promised 1 letter and 1 picture per year. I like having updates & getting to communicate with her regularly, so that she knows someone cares. (the photo on the right is her original picture, she's grown SO much!)

I've found that most sponsorship programs are centered on religion, generally its Christianity. While I'm not sure how I feel about religion, I do know that it brings peace of mind and hope to people who are less fortunate. So, whether or not there's a God, if believing in God makes her life better... then I'm all for it. At least she'll have something to celebrate, "God's unconditional Love."

If sponsoring a child is of any interest, I encourage you to find a company that appeals to you. I found that monthly costs range anywhere from $18-35. Most programs generally spend approximately 80% of the funds on the children themselves and Compassion falls just above that amount.

I really think this is a great thing to do. We already have way more than we need, and if you can afford "a dollar a day" then find a child you can help!