I’ve blogged about Compassion a few times. You may have noticed the badge I have on my right sidebar. That’s not just random advertising. Compassion is an organization that helps children all over the world in poverty. You sponsor a child for $32/month. Lord knows we spend that much in Starbucks…in a week sometimes.
This week there are a group of bloggers visiting India on behalf of Compassion. They’re seeing how Compassion works first hand. One of the bloggers Pete mentioned in an email that I should go on one of their trips. My first response? My heart couldn’t take it. I’d have so many tears I wouldn’t be able to see straight. After reading their posts for today I’m realizing I can hardly take just reading about it. And maybe Pete’s right…maybe that’s exactly why I should go if I ever get the chance.
Two things I have to share that particularly hit me today. I twittered on Sunday about having the song This is the Day stuck in my head. Then the only video that Pete posted today was of an Indian boy singing that same song. What a WOW moment.
The second is Melissa told how 4 year olds are left home alone all day while their parents work. FOUR. The same age as Lexi. My heart just broke thinking of all those children by themselves. What could they possibly be thinking? Who helps them when they’re hungry? Who hugs them when they hurt themselves? It’s unfathomable to me.
I highly recommend you following them on Twitter using #compassionindia, reading all their posts this week (blogs listed below) and most importantly, sponsor a child. We CAN do something about this.
*Update*
The picture above is our newest Compassion child Jayapriya. I had the girls sit with me and told them what we were doing. Lexi sweetly said, I’ll give her some of my church money. I told her I had the money I just needed help picking which one we’d help. All three of us pointed at Jayapriya when we saw her. She’s so precious!
We should go together. Not only would I be crying the entire time, I’m pretty sure I would have about 3-4 kids under my arm on the plane ride home.
I blogged about compassion today, too…
http://ohamanda.com/?p=1115
oh amanda’s last blog post..Top Ten Tuesday: Compassion International
Amanda, I’d love to go with you! And you’re right, I’m sure we’d be grabbing some kids and running!
I am like you; I cry even at the World Vision/Christian Children’s Fund commercials when they come on. It is hard to imagine having to leave the kids behind when you know you are going home to your house that is warm, always has food and all the “stuff” we think we can’t live without.
When Matthew was very small I bought a Unicef book called “Children Just Like Me”. It has stories about children from all over the world and each child describes their family, home and environment. Originally I bought the book because it had children from Egypt (where Raouf was born) and Greece (where Raouf worked for several years) and I wanted Matthew (and Leila) to have an understanding of where their Dad was from. It amazed me how quickly Matthew pointed out the differences between how much we have (home, cars, toys etc.) and how little some of the children in the book had. He was especially drawn to the story of a child whose home was no more than a shack. The child described how cow pattys were used to insulate the walls and that the floor was hardened dirt. I had a tough time trying to explain all the “why” questions.
Both kids were excited when we started sponsoring a child through World Vision. She lives in Mali, Africa and the kids have been able to help choose items to send to her and her community such as school supplies, sports equipment etc. I think it helps them to understand how blessed they are and that we must all do whatever little we can to make life better for someone else.
Hi Amy!
Thanks for stopping by today! It’s good to know there is someone out there.
We sponsored another child during the trip, too. I was really blown away by having a peek into their trip. I’d love to go, but I don’t know if I could handle it either. On so many levels….
Blessings!