T is for...
Tanzania
Compassion International Tanzania was registered as a nongovernmental Christian organization on Dec. 11, 1999, and officially opened in April 1999 in the Arusha region, where the country office is located. The first partnership meeting with church leaders was held in April 1999, and on June 30, 1999, the Child Sponsorship Program started in five church partners within Arusha town. Currently, more than 72,100 children are assisted at more than 305 church-based child development centers. Most of the centers are located in the area surrounding the city of Arusha, with the exception of a cluster of centers in Babati, a small town approximately 62 miles to the southeast.The Leadership Development Program began in 1999, followed by the Child Survival Program in 2008.
The program day is on Saturday for all church partners. Children typically meet at the child development center for 4 to 6 hours on Saturdays. Special talent groups and other programs (e.g., sports, choir, etc.) are conducted after school hours during the week. Older students and finalists in primary, secondary schools and vocational schools attend classes on Saturdays and come to the child development center fewer hours per week.
On a typical program day, the children arrive at 8 a.m. After prayers and a cleanliness inspection, they are given porridge or black/milk tea served with snacks, possibly an egg and bread or buns. After program activities, at about 1 p.m., the children receive a meal that may include rice and beef, beans and fruit, or ugali (stiff porridge) and beans or beef.
Parents are involved in meal preparation on program days and infrastructure construction support (e.g., making bricks or digging trenches) at the child development center.
To learn more about Compassion's work in Tanzania and see children waiting to be sponsored, go HERE
Thailand
Compassion began its ministry in Thailand in 1970 when the Child Sponsorship Program was started. Currently, more than 36,400 children are registered in more than 220 child development centers. In 2002, the Leadership Development Program began, followed by the Child Survival Program in 2007.
Children attend school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, so the child development centers conduct activities on the weekends. Younger children meet at the center 6 to 8 hours a week, mainly on Saturdays. Older children meet at the center 4 to 7 hours a week, primarily on Saturdays and Sundays.
Each child receives a lunch that consists of rice, vegetables and meat at the center every Saturday. Milk is provided for young children. Children who are malnourished receive additional food to take home with them, such as rice, eggs, canned fish and milk every month.
Adolescents receive vocational training in computers, baking, mechanics, agriculture, animal farming and local handicrafts like weaving. Camps for art, music, sports and evangelism are held once a year.
Church partners conduct annual parenting classes and parents' meetings where they share what the children are doing at the child development center. The churches also hold special events such as family camp and activities celebrating Mother's Day and Father's Day. Parents are also provided income-generating skills training.
To learn more about Compassion's work in Thailand and see children waiting to be sponsored, go HERE
Togo
Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program began in Togo in 2008, followed by the Child Survival Program in January 2014. Currently, more than 22,400 children participate in nearly 100 child development centers.
Children meet at the child development center for 6 to 8 hours on Saturdays. While at the center, children receive a meal that typically consists of rice or pasta with fish or meat.
Extracurricular activities conducted at the centers include musical instrument playing, choreography, choir, artwork, soccer and puzzles.
At many of the child development centers, parents help with food preparation and participate in parenting classes.
To learn more about Compassion's work in Togo and see children waiting to be sponsored, go HERE
