Because of Shamim: The Child Survival Program & Sponsoring Babies

My poor little guy has been sick. I feel so bad for him when he's sick! He's pitiful and doesn't want to sleep unless someone holds him. It's so sweet how he likes to cuddle with us, though! But I am so thankful that I live where we have doctors when we need them, that we have medicine available and that we have so many resources. It reminds me to pray for those parents and babies in third world countries. And it inspired me to share with you how we can help parents and babies who are in need!

Compassion has a program called in Child Survival Program, which, according to Compassion:

[H]elps save the lives of babies and mothers in poverty utilizing local churches to assist mothers of at-risk infants and toddlers. Mothers can give their children a fighting chance for healthy development with the supplies and training provided by your donations. Your donation will supply:
- Prenatal care
- Nutritious food and supplements
- Ongoing health care
- Infant survival training for mothers
- Spiritual guidance and education
- The loving support of a local church

The Child Survival Program costs $20 a month to support and you can support centers in Thailand, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Tanzania and Uganda. Eric and I sponsor a CSP in Peru and my parents sponsor one in India. We receive two to three letters a year sharing the difference that the CSP is making in the lives of the families involved.

We've received letters from the pastor of the CSP and also from women who's lives were changed via the CSP. It is so neat that just $20 can make such a big difference!

We recently received photos of our little Mary, from when she was enrolled in a CSP in Bolivia! We started sponsoring Mary after she graduated from the CSP.

While these photos are not of Mary, they are of one of her classmates, Daniela, as she and her mom participated in the CSP activities. Aren't the kids so cute?

We also have photos of Daniela's graduation from the CSP!

These photos of Daniela (who was at the same CSP as our Mary!) confirm to me the benefits of the CSP in the lives of the families involved! The one downside to the CSP is that you are not able to correspond with those involved. But if you're the type who wants to correspond, you can now sponsor babies! These babies are still involved in Child Survival Programs, the difference is that instead of giving $20 towards a program, you are able to give $38 towards a specific child and you are able to write to the child's family. If you're interested in sponsoring a baby, here are some babies who need sponsors. If you aren't able to sponsor a baby, please take a minute to pray for each precious child and his or her mother.

This is two-year-old Nshimiyimana from Rwanda. His birthday is November 12 and he lives in an AIDS affected area. To sponsor Nshimiyimana, click here. Update: Nshimiyimana was sponsored!

Uwera, also from Rwanda is 1. Her birthday is January 11! To sponsor her, click here. Update: Uwera was sponsored!

Meet two-year-old Germayoli from Bolivia. Her birthday is May 1 and she enjoys playing with friends. To sponsor Germayoli, click here. Update: Germayoli was sponsored!

This little guy, Aldemir, is also two-years-old and from Bolivia. His birthday is July 26. To sponsor Aldemir, click here. Update: Aldemir was sponsored!