Since this blog has become my scrapbook for my Compassion children, I wanted to share the letters here also, so that I can link them to each child's profile.
This letter is from Bangladesh, where we correspond with Emon. The original letter and photo can be found here.
Beloved friend,
I am Michael D., Program Director of Bangladesh. I have worked with Compassion’s ministry since May 2013. I believe God called me to be part of this ministry due to my dream to serve the children and churches of this country. The program started in Bangladesh in 2004. Presently, we care for about 38,000 registered children and more than 340 mothers and babies through 169 church partners.
It’s my great pleasure to express my hearty thanks and gratitude to you for contributing in the life of your child in Bangladesh. We aim to enable children to be the agents of change. Your awesome love, wonderful support and prayers for your sponsored child create new hope for the future.
Poverty, low literacy rates, discrimination between boy and girl children, child abuse, and little access to health services are some common struggles of the children in Bangladesh. Low income of the parents makes it difficult for them to bear the educational and health expenses of the children. Access to better health services is a serious need in Bangladesh. The social system and customs such as early marriage, the dowry system, discouraging girls’ education, and child labor are major contributors to the underdevelopment of children.
We have been releasing children from poverty in Bangladesh for the last 12 years, and we hope to continue. We desire to see a transformed nation, which could be possible through our partnership with people like you and with the churches. It is encouraging that churches have started using Qavah [a participatory church-development process], which is helping them care for their own communities by identifying their needs and mobilizing local resources.
We desire that our children will not only be safe in the child development centers, but that they will be protected from all sorts of abuse in the communities they live in and even at home. We have around 5,500 adolescent children who need counseling and mentoring to become fulfilled adults who know God’s love. We hope to design the adolescent program to create more space for meaningful interactions.
Every letter is an inspiration for the children. It reminds them that someone thousands of miles away cares for them and is always thinking about them. When sponsors tell their children how they frame their photos and display them, it makes the children feel special. Your letter is a symbol of love, care, strength, hope, joy and encouragement to your child. When a child does not receive a letter but his or her friends do, it makes the child feel less connected with the sponsor. Deep down, the child feels envy toward friends who often get letters and gifts.
Your support and prayers are the pillars of our strength that keep us going, despite the hurdles that we confront every day. Sponsor support gives the field office staff inspiration to work as a team and keep a close watch on the development of the children. Please pray for the ever-growing children, the staff, and the government of Bangladesh, so that all of us can work together in supporting each other.
In conclusion, I would like to extend my gratitude for your great contribution toward making the dreams of your sponsored child a reality. We pray that with your faithful support and God’s abundant blessings, we will be able to see a transformed nation that will only glorify God.
Yours sincerely,
Michael D.
If you would like to sponsor a child from Bangladesh, please consider sponsoring Tonmoy, who has been waiting 880 days for a sponsor!
Tonmoy just turned 8 on May 1. He enjoys playing soccer and he is responsible for animal care in his home. He lives with his parents and one sibling. To sponsor Tonmoy, click here.
