Today was the day that I visited countries .... without going there. I know I didn't eat the food, walk the paths, smell the smells ... but I got to hear their stories and see how they went from feeling hopeless to overcoming obstacles because people took a chance on them and Compassion Experience had a safe place for them to go!
I "visited" Africa, India, & Bolivia ...
We walked from room to room, listening to Julian's story ... their two rooms were kept "safe" by putting that chair up against the door ...
THIS IS JULIAN!
I then "traveled" to India and met BRINDA
Brinda and her little sister wearing the black dot - Bindi on their heads -- the social purpose was to ward off the evil eye of the young unmarried girl by making her wear a 'black' Bindi.
Below is the desk of Brinda's teacher at the Compassion Experience ... she highlighted a whole file of her sponsor ... letters and pictures she received through her school years!
A picture of BRINDA as a baby!
Lastly, I walked in Ruben's shoes in Bolivia ...
They had one bed in their house and the father slept in that bed.
Ruben explained that dad was an alcoholic and didn't work and usually passed out in that bed ...
he would beat Ruben's mother and often yell and hit Ruben and his sister ...
Ruben had one toy -- a truck and his sister had one toy -- a doll ...
they left these things behind one night and fled the abuse with their mother.
Ruben would work in the open Market -- at the age of 8 he was shining shoes for money to help his mom and sister.
Many kids would use the money they earned at the Market to buy glue to sniff it ...
sniffing glue would help the world go "away" and hunger pains go "away"
When Ruben was about 17 he moved in with his dad and his new wife -- they would not feed Ruben
he would have to fend for himself -- he could just sleep on their floor ...
Ruben finally began attending the Compassion Experience and went to school!
He moved back with his mom!
He was very proud of the RED table he made for his mom!
They finally had a table to break bread and eat dinner!
Ruben and his RED table ....
I was very moved by the experience .... I have sponsored
Inkindi Christine from Rwanda
If you ever have the chance to attend this event ... it is a wonderful way to show your kids how other children of the world live and also a wonderful way to give back!
Being a teacher I feel all children should have a safe place to learn and be encouraged!
I'm so glad I clicked on the FB post and went on a new and life changing
EXPERIENCE!
Visit their web-site Compassion Experience
OR Visit their Facebook Page
