Colombia

Letter from Compassion Colombia Director Jose Carrasco

Greetings in Jesus’ name!

My name is Jose Carrasco. I am the South America Area Director and I’ve been privileged to serve as the Interim Country Director of Colombia since 2014. I was born in Peru. I am married to Laura and we have two wonderful children, Jose Alonso and Natalia. I am proud to inform you that Compassion has been serving Colombia for 43 years.

We currently have 249 program centres in Colombia and are serving more than 81,000 children and youth. The impact of Compassion’s holistic program in the life of a child is huge! They feel loved, cared for, nurtured and supported in more ways than one. At the program centre, children have the opportunity to identify their strengths, develop their gifts and talents and overcome difficulties. They are taught, among other things, that they are special because they are children of God.

You have made this possible through your sponsorship and your prayers. We would not be able to reach all those wonderful children without your generous and selfless giving. Unlike a child who is not in a program, a sponsored child has a safe place to go each day and learn about the love of Jesus. You truly are making the difference in these children. Thank you so much for your support!

Allow me to share just some of the struggles we face on a daily basis. Compassion serves the poorest children in Colombia and their families. The children are at high risk of sickness and even death in their early years. They are surrounded by violence on a daily basis and the absence of one of the parents. We are also facing an economic crisis, where unemployment and cost of living are extremely high, making life increasingly difficult for those who live in poverty. Lack of water and access to medical attention is a daily struggle. Their hospitals lack the medicine and equipment needed to serve their communities. The families cannot turn to governmental education or its agencies as these do not offer the help they require.

2017 has arrived, bringing with it many challenges, but by God’s grace we will continue to go forward and face any struggle that presents itself. Compassion Colombia has improved its program and materials to better empower the Church to fulfil its mission. We are encouraged by the willingness of the Church to work hard and diligently through trainings, facilitation visits, materials and local mobilisation to better serve the children. Compassion Colombia has excellent plans in place to develop Child Protection Networks, Early Childhood and Youth Development Strategies to be prepared to help more beneficiaries. It is possible to change the lives of more children and help them to become responsible and fulfilled adults. We have seen it so many times! It happens when the Church of Christ gets mobilised in prayer and action to intervene in the lives of children.

Nourishing the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored child is of utmost importance. I’d like to encourage you to write letters. When a child receives a letter, to him/her it’s like receiving a gift. It means more to a child than you will ever know. Your words really encourage, nurture and affect him/her positively. Knowing someone who lives so far away is praying and thinking about them makes them feel loved and appreciated.

There are no words to express the gratitude that my heart feels for your sponsorship. Your giving has changed the destiny of a child and that is priceless! My heart fills with joy as I express my appreciation and recognise your generous giving. May the Lord bless you and your family. We ask for your prayers, and promise to also pray on your behalf.

Sincerely in Christ,

Jose Carrasco

Interim Country Director Compassion Colombia