Though 2022 has brought many trials for our global community, it has also been a year of life-changing impact for the children we serve around the world. Read on to learn more about the impact you have made.

07 Nov, 2022

Download our 2022 annual report and read more about your impact.

On the Precipice  

The world is standing on a precipice.

As I stand on the edge, among the pouring rain and howling winds, I see out into a storm that is growing more powerful by the day. Conflict, natural disasters, rising inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic have grown out of one another, creating a tumultuous system that will affect the global community for years to come.

Through the 2022 financial year, the impact of COVID-19 has continued to be felt around the world—especially in developing countries.

Now, with the war in Ukraine and the global food crisis, The World Bank estimates that an additional 75-95 million people will be pushed into poverty this year.

These numbers are shocking, but they also dehumanise very real stories: Marcel, a father in Burkina Faso whose work would no longer support two meals a day for his family; Hoehanou, a mother from Togo who lost hope for her family as food became unaffordable; and Alice, a five-year-old from Uganda whose family farm was robbed by thieves looking for food, leaving them with no financial security.

This coming year will bring new challenges for the wellbeing of children around the world, which is why we must continue to act. Only together as a global neighbourhood can we fight hunger and bring hope to families living in poverty.

Even in this time of trial, I am so thankful to see how God is at work through His church, both in Australia and overseas. In response to COVID-19, Compassion globally has now delivered over 21 million food packs, 15 million hygiene kits and 3 million cases of medical support to vulnerable families.

In the 2022 financial year, generous support from Compassion Australia supporters has also ensured over 127,000 children received holistic care; over 245,000 children benefitted from Critical Needs projects like infrastructure, education and clean water; and over 1,200 babies, plus their caregivers, were supported before, during and after birth. We also continue to uphold our promise of financial stewardship to you, this year ensuring over 81 per cent of our revenue directly supported children living in poverty. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

Now, our task is to respond to the growing food crisis.

As I consider the state of the world, I have been reflecting on this passage from Zechariah 8:4-5. It reads,

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

Poverty is complex, and it requires a holistic response that can meet all a child’s needs. Yet, for me, these verses highlight some of the simple hopes we have for children too: that they can play, explore God’s creation and have dreams for their futures. Zechariah shows me a community at peace with great joy. And what a joy it is to hear stories of our Compassion graduates who live out their dreams and then return to their communities to bring about the dreams of others. I hope you will read these for yourself throughout this year’s report.

The world is standing on a precipice, but we do not stand alone.

Our Great God is with us and before us and we will continue to put our trust in Him.

Thank you for standing alongside us as we empower local communities in this time of crisis. I hope reading this year’s Annual Report will give you a chance to reflect on what we, alongside local churches around the world, have achieved together.

Clare Steele Compassion Australia CEO

Read the 2022 Annual Report