From Canada to Kenya. A long distance story of love and redemption. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Jerusha Oluhano.
At six years of age, her father abandoned her and her family. With little to eat and needing clothing, Jerusha began to find help and hope through her local Compassion International Child Development Center .
The long distance difference. At the same time, thousands of miles away in Canada, a family decided to try and make a difference through child sponsorship. Jerusha became the recipient. Once sponsored, through the influence of her local Compassion staff and volunteers, she accepted Christ as her Savior. Jerusha’s mother also received Christ as a result of participating in Compassion’s classes for mom’s on caregiving for their children.
Jerusha says that after her mom gave her life to Jesus, ‘That brought a light and restored hope in our family.’
Jerusha is the first person in her family to attend Jr. and Sr. high, otherwise known as secondary school. She recently graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. Her ability to go to college was the direct result of her sponsors bringing her through Compassion’s Leadership Development Program.
About her sponsors, she says, ‘They’ve been amazing to me, a family to me. They restored hope to me. I always knew that I had a father in Canada. Though far away, close by letter.’
As sponsors, our family has enjoyed our experience through Compassion International. However, before this trip, I grossly underestimated the impact sponsorship has not only on the life of a child, but their family and community. The ripple effect of sponsorship is amazing. It is quite possibly the most efficient and effective means of making a difference in a child’s life spiritually, physically, economically, and socially that I have ever seen.
Dear Canada, Jerusha asked over and over if I would make sure to get this video to her sponsors. She wanted to make sure you both saw and heard how grateful she is. I will work to make that happen.
Be different. Make a difference.
If Jerusha’s story has inspired you to sponsor a child through Compassion International, this link will let us know and lead you where you can take action – http://www.compassion.com/kenya2012
