My Nonprofit Reviews
Sherry Walker
Review for Compassion International, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Our family has sponsored several students through Compassion for more than a year now. I live in the same town as Compassion's headquarters, and have toured their offices and met many Compassion employees. I mentor a Compassion program graduate in Uganda who is a social worker.
We have been consistently impressed with Compassion's commitment to integrity and financial stewardship. Friends ask me if the money really goes to help the children, and I can say, "Yes I know that it does." The organization lives up to its mission and vision, and children and families are released from poverty.
We receive several letters a year from our sponsored kids. We can see their progress in school and personal growth, as well as better health. Sponsors can visit their children and projects and see for themselves what Compassion does.
When we give a financial gift to a child (which is a donation in addition to the monthly sponsorship fee), we receive a letter and photo that details how the money was spent on behalf of the child and the family. For example, we gave a family gift to our youngest girl in rural Kenya, and later received a photo of Hannah and her family with the large water cistern and a heifer that was purchased with the gift. The funds from family gifts are used to help improve the income-producing capabilities of the family.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My favorite Compassion program is the Leadership Development Program, or LDP. This sponsorship program allows bright, motivated young leaders from Compassion's projects to attend university. I have been SO impressed with the quality of leadership and service in the LDP students I have met. These students are the future leaders of their communities, and they will truly change their world. They are grateful for the opportunity to learn, and they become powerful advocates for children in poverty.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
create more opportunities for students who graduate from high school through Compassion projects to attend university and college. Compassion has a university scholarship program in place (Leadership Development Program or LDP), but many more sponsors are needed in order to expand this program. So my greatest hope is that individuals and corporations will see the tremendous value of the LDP program and be inspired to support it.
