Dear Eric and Hannah,
Greetings from our Child Development Center!
I am Arun, partner of the child development center that your sponsored child attends. Our center is located in a forested community in the state of Jharkhand, East India. I am thankful to you for sponsoring Dinesh of our center.
There are many challenges in this community because of poverty and unemployment. We are working among the tribal people namely the Munda who are marginalized, illiterate, poor, and follow many superstitious practices. Alcoholism is part of their culture. They worship the spirits of their forefathers and perform witchcraft to ward off sickness. Children of this community have need of good education because they do not have access to it.
I am pleased to see the impact of the program both in children and the community at large. Through the activities we conduct, the knowledge of both staff and children has improved. The improvement in children can be seen physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Children have become disciplined, well-mannered, and respectful of their elders. They show a lot of curiosity and that is a good sign of development in the cognitive area.
The center has also impacted parents and other people in the community. Their lifestyle has changed considerably because of their participation in the parents' meetings that the center organizes periodically. In these meetings, parents are taught about hygiene, their social responsibilities, effects of alcoholism, domestic violence, and the social issues of child labor, child marriage, and child abuse.
Before inception of the center, community people were least interested in their children's education but now they want their children to get good education and, if possible, in an English-speaking school. We ensure that the center is for learning and exploring new things and ideas.
Because of the center, many notable transformation of the community is taking place. A big difference is seen in people's hygiene, many have stopped their drinking habit, and people who earlier could only speak in their tribal language are now able to speak in Hindi. We give all credit to our children who are introducing good habits and mannerisms in their houses. Many children have received gifts from their sponsor that has helped to elevate their lifestyle.
Sponsor-child relationship is strengthened through letter writing. Whenever children get a letter from their sponsor, they are thrilled because they get to know many things about their sponsor through letters.
I would request you to pray for our children, the parents, our staff and for the community. Lastly, I express my heartfelt thanks to you for your support to Dinesh in over that he are able to come up in life and compete with other children.
With regards,
Arun
If you would like to sponsor child from Eastern India, 4-year-old Flowrence needs a sponsor! His birthday is August 8.
Flowrence lives with his father and his mother. His father is sometimes employed as a laborer and his mother maintains the home. Flowrence works at home running errands.
As part of Compassion's ministry, Flowrence participates in church activities. He is also in kindergarten where his performance is average. Playing with cars and playing with marbles are his favorite activities. To sponsor Flowrence, click here.
