Compassion International-Direct Impact

About a week ago, I sat down and watched video footage of my Dad's trip to Ethiopia, which took place in 2008.  My Dad and other people from various cities across the United States were able to travel with Compassion International.  While they were in Ethiopia, they visited churches, schools, and relief centers that were all supported by Compassion International through donations made my people all over the globe.  At the beginning of the video, my Dad and about 5 other people are shown riding in a van.  They bypass donkeys, shacks, and children running through the streets until they finally reach their destination--a relief center.  As my Dad an the others pile out of the car, young children under the age of 5 years old approach them carrying bundles of freshly-cut flowers.  I was humbled to see these children who were living in extreme poverty show their gratitude by giving flowers to people that they had never even met.  The relief center that these children and their families were being helped at was part of the Child Survival Project (CSP) through Compassion International.  The CSP provides a healthy environment for young children and their mothers as they struggle to survive the dangerous living conditions in Ethiopia.  This project is a great way for families with young children to get involved with Compassion International.  It allows children to be exposed to a positive way of life and it encourages them to become passionate about learning.  As I sat and watched the faces of the mothers and children in the video, I was encouraged to promote this organization even more.  Compassion International has a direct impact on the people of Ethiopia--as well as other countries all across the globe.  Please take the time to visit their website compassion.com/ethiopia to read more about the things that they are currently doing in Ethiopia.  I really encourage you to take a look at the different sponsorship opportunities.  You could change a child's life forever!

Here is a picture from Compassion International's website. These students in Ethiopia are studying at a Compassion International Project site.

       

Problems with Higher Education

I came across a blogpost this morning as I was researching Ethiopian education.  This blogpost was published in June of 2013, and it covers an issue that I was unaware of.  Aparently, educational freedom in Ethiopian is on the decline.  Many teachers, students, and faculty who work at institutions of higher learning are being routinely monitored by undercover government agents.  These agents report any one who speaks out in opposition to the current government.  For more information on this issue visit freedomfororomo.wordpress.com.  My reason for bringing up this issue is to raise awareness of the things happening in Ethiopian right now.  I encourage you to read this blogpost and reasearch more about this issue. Many students do not have the freedoms that we have been given here in America, so let's stand up for those who are less fortunate.

A New Year

Hello everyone!  I hope that you have had a wonderful holiday season.  As we start a new year, let me share some statistics with you regarding education in Ethiopia.  According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in 2011 approximately 59.1% of adults and 69.5% of youth were deemed literate.  This number rose from the previous calculations in 2007 which were 39% of adults and 55% of youth.  One reason for this increase in literacy could be the efforts made by Compassion International and other organizations that promote a healthy education for underprivileged children.  Please consider making a donation to Compassion International.  Your gift of any amount can be used to give a child hope for a brighter future.

Click HERE to make a one-time donation of any amount   :)  

The Gift of Education

As Christmas approaches, I am sure that some of you are quickly trying to finish up last-minute Christmas shopping.  If you are struggling to find the perfect gift for someone, then let me help you out.  Instead of giving a mediocre present that is bound to be re-gifted next year, why don't you give a gift that will last a lifetime.  The gift of education can impact a child for the rest of his or her life--not to mention the impact that it can have on a community.  So, why not sponsor a child or give a donation to Compassion International in someone's name.  You will be blessing a child overseas and you will also be blessing the person whose name you sponsored the child in.  Nothing is more important than helping a child to have a brighter future.  I hope that you consider this suggestion.  Merry Christmas!

Click this link to sponsor a child:  compassion.com/sponsor_a_child

Click this link to make a one-time donation:  compassion.com/donate  

Compassion in Ethiopia

Compassion International is at work in the hearts and lives of the people in Ethiopia.  It is wonderful to see the impact that this one organization has.  Compassion International began their work in Ethiopia in 1993.  Now, over 85,000 children are participating in the 373  child development centers located across Ethiopia.  This organization is truly amazing!

**Please visit compassion.com/ethiopia/addis-ababa to read more about what Compassion International is doing in Ethiopia.

Leadership Program

Compassion International has a program fro college students called the Leadership Development Program.  Students involved in this program receive financial aid for college and mentors.  These mentors help the students to develop leadership skills so that they can make a difference in their own communities.  It is easy to donate to Compassion International, and any amount can help make a difference in the life of a student.  You can give a monthly donation to sponsor a student.  Through student sponsorship, you will be able to write letters to your sponsor student and develop a relationship with him/her.  I have posted a link to the Compassion International website.  There you can read more about the many wonderful things Compassion is doing in Ethiopia and other countries around the world.  I really hope you check it out!

 compassion.com/student-leader

My Goal

Hi everyone!  My name is Bailey and I am a senior in high school.  I am currently involved in Career and College Promise, which is the dual enrollment program at Davidson County Community College (DCCC).  I had the opportunity to get involved with the Scholars of Global Distinction Program at DCCC this semester.  In order to graduate as a Scholar of Global distinction, I am required to do a 30-hour project on an issue in another country.  I chose to do my project on the education crisis in Ethiopia.  A few year ago, my Dad travel to Ethiopia with an organization called Compassion International.  So, I became familiar with the issue going on over in Ethiopia.  Essentially, what Compassion International does is go into poor communities all across the globe to provide a healthy environment for kids of all ages.  My goal with this project is to raise awareness of the education crisis in Ethiopia and to also raise awareness of Compassion International.  Thank you so much for checking out my blog!  I hope you check back soon to read more of my blog posts regarding education in Ethiopia.