Child sponsorship

Jenifer’s favorite Bible verse is Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (NIV). And her beginnings, growing up among the poorest in Malawi, can only be described as humble.

by COTN staff

Perhaps it’s no surprise that Flavia’s favorite story from the Bible is Job. Flavia’s own trials started early. Her parents died when she was very young. So she lived with her grandmother in a small village in Uganda. 

by Bethany F. Brengan, COTN–USA Staff Writer

Your letters to your sponsored children have reached the Dominican Republic. Your sponsored children were delighted to read your words of encouragement and see photos of you and your families. Below are some photos of the children opening and answering your mail.

by COTN staff and volunteers

Andrew vividly remembers his life before COTN: “I could see my mom toiling hard for us, and this would break my heart because I knew she will not go far like that with us. And somehow, I wanted to join hands with her and help her do anything, even if it made no sense, but [I] just wanted to show her that it would be well with us. Yet at night, I would get in bed and weep so bitterly about myself and my sister’s future.”

by COTN staff

For many children, Easter morning is filled with anticipation. They hurriedly run out of their rooms to see what gifts are in their basket or what candy is in their eggs. 

by Jessica Borrelli, COTN-USA Staff Writer

Jonathan Lindell has one regret. He should have reached out and made that connection when he had the chance. 

by Jessica Borrelli, COTN Staff Writer

The sun has set in Uganda, and six-year-old Elizabeth is almost done with her chores. She has walked to the river, filled her bucket high with water, and walked home with it carefully balanced on her head. She has taken a portion of this water, poured it into a basin, and bathed her baby cousin.

Her last task of the day is to build a fire. As the flames grow, her family gathers around with hungry eyes. Elizabeth waits to eat her first and last meal of the day. 

by Cassia Burke, COTN-USA Volunteer Writer

Francisco remembers the last straw. He was eight years old and there was no food in the house. The walk to school was long. He couldn’t do it anymore. 
 

by Cassia Burke, COTN-USA Staff Writer

My first day in the Dominican Republic was overwhelming. The poverty was staggering. The discrepancy between what they have and what I have was sobering. The sheer number of kids and families who need support was paralyzing. The quantity of visible needs was disheartening. 

by Keith Ferrin, COTN Venture Participant

Sitting in the American camp office and laughing about campers and cultural differences, you couldn’t feel farther away from the harsh world Ireen paints with her stories. But they are her life—though it’s hard to believe this soft-spoken, confident, beautiful young Malawian woman was once fighting on the street for food to bring back to her abusive father and dying mother. 

by Cassia Burke, COTN-USA Staff Writer