True Story!

The most significant impact of letters on a child living in poverty isn’t in the classroom, in their home or even in their interactions—it’s in their heart. More than a decade after graduating from the Child Sponsorship Program, Lillian is an active and influential member of her community working to bring change in Kampala, Uganda. She wrote this letter to her Australian sponsor Rosemary.

Because of you, Rosemary, I am not poor anymore.

I was orphaned, rejected, and miserable … but you saw a great woman.

I didn’t know the power of Christ but I decided to accept Jesus because of you.

In the times of my crying, weeping, sickness and loss where I wandered from place to place looking for comfort and love, you extended your heart so that even in a far away country, I felt that I belonged to your family.

I was the child no one remembered, but you wrote to me and expressed how much love you had for me and I gained the courage to face life. 

You are the special mother God brought to my life through His ministry of Compassion. Even when He took my natural mother I felt I had a mum!

Each year, you celebrated my birthday, even though no one around me ever remembered. The letters you wrote to me are my greatest inspiration.

You released me just because one day you picked my photo from the Compassion desk and decided to sponsor me.

Thank you my Mum for letting me be your child.

This is what God has made of me, through what you did: I am responsible and fulfilled, and I am extending the love that you gave me to the many children who suffer in poverty.

I’m sad that I can’t hug you but I hug you in my heart.

Because you gave, I am what I am today. Thank you so much, Rosemary, for loving me the way you did.

I will always love and treasure you.

Your child and daughter, Lilly.