Latest Compassion Update

Last updated 27 Jul, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis continues to affect many of the countries that Compassion works in. As many Compassion child development centres are still closed for group activities, local staff are connecting with children and their families individually to provide support. This can include emotional and spiritual support and delivering supplies such as hygiene kits, extra food, water, medical supplies and other resources.

In some countries, some of Compassion's processes, such as writing and delivering letters, are delayed. But be encouraged—children continue to pray for their sponsors and can't wait to write again. Watch some heartfelt messages from children to sponsors below.

Country Updates

FAQs

  • How can I get in touch?

    Our Australian staff are working from home and would love to chat with you. If you have any questions or concerns about your sponsorship during this time, please give us a call on 1300 22 44 53 or email compassion@compassion.com.au.

    Please understand that we are currently unable to meet in person.

What you need to know

  • Why are Christmas letters and gifts being processed differently?

    The process of purchasing and delivering Christmas gifts is different to the process of downloading, printing and delivering letters. To process Christmas letters, local staff need to be able to access national offices and child development centres and right now many are closed. However, this is not the case for organising and purchasing gifts as during the pandemic local church partners have the temporary option to deliver gifts as a direct cash disbursement rather than material goods if necessary.

  • Why isn’t Compassion Australia doing Christmas letters for children this year?

    The COVID-19 pandemic has caused delays in delivering sponsor letters to children in many of the countries where we work. This may be due to limited or no staff access to national offices and child development centres to process letters or government regulations restricting travelling to communities.

    Sadly, this means that we can’t guarantee that your Christmas letter will reach your sponsored child in time for Christmas.

    But we all know the incredible value of letters—words of love and encouragement and prayers create a special connection between children and sponsors all over the world.

    So, rather than developing a Christmas letter template this year, our team have designed a new letter template that can be used at any time of year. This is available now in My Account. While we don’t know when your letter will reach your sponsored child, we do know that when it does, they will be filled with joy and encouragement as they read it.

    You can stay up to date on what’s happening in your sponsored child’s country, including the status of letters, on our country pages.

  • Is Compassion still providing Christmas gifts for children this year?

    Yes! Despite the challenges of the current pandemic, Compassion’s local church partners are committed to arranging a special Christmas gift for Compassion assisted child. This year, there are three different approaches local staff may take to deliver gifts:

    1. In countries where the impact of COVID-19 is less widespread, local staff members hope to provide Christmas gifts the way they normally do. In this case, donations will be used to buy a tangible, thoughtful gift for each child and given to them during a Christmas celebration at their child development centre.
    2. In other countries and communities where COVID-19 quarantines are still being enforced, donations will be given to children directly and safely. For example, a staff member or volunteer may deliver the gift to children’s homes while wearing a mask and gloves.
    3. For families facing critical needs, gifts may be delivered directly as cash. That way, children's caregivers can decide how best to use the money to provide for their family.

    Even if this year’s gift is providing for a necessity like hygiene supplies or food rather than a traditional Christmas toy, your sponsored child will know that he or she is loved and remembered.

    You can set up your annual Christmas gift donation in My Account.

  • When I give to the Disaster Relief fund, how will my donation be used?

    All donations to the Compassion Overseas Aid and Development Fund of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia. Funds will go towards the Disaster Relief Fund and will be delivered through local churches around the world to meet the most critical needs of Compassion assisted children, their families and communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If funding exceeds COVID-19 response needs, gifts will be used in similar ways to respond to other disasters or where it is most needed.

    Approximately 20 per cent of all donations is used for administration and fundraising.

  • Will I be told if my sponsored child has coronavirus (COVID-19)?

    Because we are committed to protecting each child and maintaining their privacy, we do not disclose children’s health information. However, to learn more about how COVID-19 is impacting your sponsored child’s country, you can click here.

  • Can I still send letters to my child? Will I receive any back?

    During the temporary closure of most of Compassion's national offices and the pausing of group activities in the majority of child development centres, the delivery of letters between children and sponsors will likely be delayed. We encourage you to continue to write letters of encouragement and prayers to your sponsored child, but please know that it will take longer for your letters to be delivered and it is unlikely your sponsored child will be able to write back until centres are reopened. However, please understand that at this time we are unable to post any attachments such as stickers, photos and other paper items to your sponsored child. 

    Find tips on how to write to your sponsored child during a crisis here.

How you can pray

Thank you for lifting up children and families around the world who are impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic—and the local staff and churches who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.

  • pray With social distancing practised and social events cancelled, pray that God will raise up a new chapter of building meaningful, deeper relationships with each other. Pray that God’s kindness and love will be on display in every nation and every walk of life.
  • pray Pray for nations where food crises are following on the heels of isolation measures, as people lack access to sufficient clean water and food. Ask God to provide their daily bread and meet their needs.
  • pray Pray for the Lord to protect the health of people who live in poverty, as they are the least able to socially isolate themselves or choose alternative work arrangements. Pray for children registered with the program in this season of sickness. Ask the Lord to place a hedge of protection over the children and their families.
  • pray Lift up health workers, hospitals, administrators and decision-makers to God as they respond to the pandemic. Pray for protection, wisdom and hearts of compassion for the most vulnerable.
  • pray Pray for wisdom and resilience for churches across the globe, as they live out His love in faith. May the Lord be their strength and guide as they respond to the challenges of the virus facing their communities and churches.
  • pray Pray for Compassion supporters and sponsors all over the world. May each of them be surrounded by the grace, love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to hold their hands and lead them.

For more prayer points—and if you have a prayer request— join our new Facebook prayer group for supporters, volunteers, staff and Advocates from around the nation. Thank you for praying with us!