Yesterday was a day I will not ever forget. We visited two projects. I will not have the words to adequately describe the emotions that I experienced and felt. I will attempt to share with you my thoughts and the information that I heard.
Most of the children at this project of 296 sponsored children are orphaned by HIV parents. Currently 38 of the caregivers are HIV positive. Many of the children that I met are HIV positive. 30% of birth mothers pass on the HIV virus to their children.
These children were very well behaved, well groomed, extremely grateful and loving.
The biggest challenges that these children face are HIV, orphan, and drugs. They live in a huge slum! Compassion Int. pays for their school fees to public school, HIV testing and treatment.
The most shocking contrast for me was that just outside the church and project that we visited were many, many children not yet sponsored. The two clinging to me are not yet sponsored. These children are starving for love and food. They looked to be 3-4 years old, I think some were older but looked younger due to stunted growth. These children played among building ruins and scavenged for food right along with the goats that also played nearby. I asked where their mothers would be and no one knows. These children play and run around the slum all day long and eat whatever refuse they can find to survive.
It is a sharp contrast between sponsored children and non-sponsored children. You can help now. You can sponsor a child. To make a huge difference in a child's life go HERE now!!! I am only sorry that I didn't realize how important and beneficial Compassion is to these children.
