Charity Works to 'Release Children From Poverty'

Compassion International is "committed to releasing children from poverty around the world in the name of Jesus," reads information provided at the group's recent presentation in Bentonville. They do this through families who sponsor these children, paying $38 a month.

Compassion International was founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, when he saw the need of Korean War orphans for food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training, according to the organization's website. Today, 1.2 million children in 26 countries benefit from sponsorships through Compassion.

Charity Navigator ranked Compassion International within the top 1 percent of charities, awarding the highest rating -- four stars -- for financial accountability and integrity. The agency also received a grade of A from the American Institute of Philanthropy's Charity Watch for "percent spent on charitable purpose" and "cost to raise $100."

Compassion presents "Change the Story," a nationwide tour sharing the stories of three children in poverty from Uganda, India and Bolivia. Julian Alum is one of those.

Two tractor-trailers were parked Feb. 14-17 at First Baptist Church in Bentonville. Inside was a maze of rooms, each with a vignette representing part of the children's lives. Visitors of all ages took a free, self-guided tour.

At the end of the tour, visitors were greeted with children's pictures on all walls of the room. These children were in need of sponsors, and guests had the opportunity to pledge support to individual children.

Children benefit from education, parent education, all medical services, school lunches, uniforms, books and Biblical training. The benefits can extend to their families, said Amy Soden, tour manager. She shared the story of one mother receiving treatment for cervical cancer.

Jo and Norm Jones of Rogers were visibly shaken after touring privately through the life of their sponsored child, Julian Alum.

"We had no idea -- even as sponsors -- the conditions she was living in," Norm Jones said.

After growing up with the help of Compassion International, Julian and her successful siblings were able to build their mother a brick home in another neighborhood. She also got a job sewing clothes. "And pills to cure her stomach," Alum added. This part of her life also is represented in the display.

Meanwhile, members of the Andrews family stood in the prayer room, contemplating the cards of a few children needing sponsors.

"We have a Compassion child. We thought we might see his life represented," said Alisa Andrews, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Rogers, adding that the family was considering sponsoring another child.

The family connected with the story of Brinda of India. "Our (sponsored child) is in Bangladesh," Andrews said, showing a picture of 4-year-old Shikha that normally hangs in their home.

Alex Andrews, 18, enjoyed a picture of Reuben, another child represented, holding two phones, while Carter Andrews, 15, noted they can't afford cable television.

Stacey Fuchs brought her students -- Asia Tartaglia, Lexie Skaggs and Chloe Stokes -- from Fayettville Christian School to see the Compassion Experience. "Our sixth-grade theme is missions, and I thought this would be a great experience."

Asked the facts that stayed with them, the girls answered: how the family lived; that people didn't like the family; "That her sister got saved!"

NAN Religion on 02/22/2014

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