Meet Harriett Mwakwida. Since 1996, 2nd grade, Harriett has been sponsored through Compassion International. Compassion’s work is to release children from poverty, in Jesus Name.
Harriett’s personality is contagious. Her hunger for Christ, love of life, and great attitude made it very enjoyable to hear her story. About being sponsored, she says, ‘Someone has sponsored me. They have never seen me but they care for my life. It has really impacted me and has given me the desire to accept anybody and not be selfish…’
She is now in Compassion’s Leadership Development Program. To her LDP sponsors, Harriett says, ‘David and Catherine from California, I thank God for you. You’ve really impacted my life….I don’t have enough words to give you thanks, but deep in my heart…I’m grateful. May God bless you.’
A number of things really stood out to me as I had the privilege to meet so many sponsored children, students, and families of those sponsored around Nairobi. One of the biggest things was how very personal and important the sponsors were to them. The handwritten letters they receive from their sponsor is also a huge deal.
Imagine 1.3 million children around the world sending and receiving multiple letters every year. That’s a big undertaking. I’ve had the opportunity to write letters, see them processed at Compassion’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, observe the system in the Kenyan national office, and then see them pulled out of a coffee can in a mud hut in a rural area outside of Nairobi. It works and it’s a big part of what makes sponsorship so great.
Be different. Make a difference.
If Harriett’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
