Welcome to my family Denisse!

In September 2007 I became a new mum! Ok well maybe I didn't actually give birth, but I began sponsoring a little girl in Nicaragua via the Compassion child sponsorship programme. I can honestly say it is the most rewarding thing I have done so far in my entire life. Her name is Denisse Milagro Valberbe Mendoza and she is such a little sweetie! I love her as if she was really my own. Here she is:

She is four years old today! Happy Birthday Denisse! I receive lots of letters from her written with the help of her tutor from the Compassion project and really cute little colourings of animals. I adore her! When I started sponsoring Denisse it was because I wanted to give this little girl a chance in life. I don't think it's right that people on this earth live in abundance while others are denied even the basics such as food, water, education and healthcare... I want to see her grow up to be a person with ambitions and influence and through my Compassion money she now has that chance. Compassion gives her the food she needs to live, clean drinking water, proper medical attention, and an education which could have not been previously afforded by her family. It is sad when I think of the harsh reality that without Compassion and my money, she might not have even made it to this day, her fourth birthday! I love her so much. In a few years I will go to Nicaragua to see her and her family where I will be able to see the work of Compassion first hand. Compassion encourages sponsors to go to see their children as it is not a faceless charity that just takes your money and you don't know for sure where your money is going or what it is being used for.

I hope to sponsor another child very soon. A little boy this time instead perhaps. It really does feel as if you're making a difference in the world, and you certainly are making a difference in that particular child's life! What really cuts to my heart is the fact that despite all that I have here in the U.K., the education, more than enough food, stupidly expensive material posessions etc. Denisse's tutor always writes at the end of every letter that Denisse prays for me and my family every day, that we are healthy and that God gives us what we need! What?? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Here are people living in the darkest depths of deprivation and poverty and they are praying for the wellbeing of me and my family? It really hit home to me one day, when I really realised the importance of what she was saying to me. Well I am praying for her and her family also, everyday, but I know already my prayers have been answered. Compassion was the answer to this little girl's prayers as it not only affects her directly but it also helps her family too. Have a great birthday little one, and I hope you liked the presents!!

If you want to know more about sponsoring a child yourself, please go to www.compassionuk.org if you are in the United Kingdom, or www.compassion.com if you are in the States. It really is worth every penny of the £18 a month! That's only 60p a day to save a child's life and better their quality of living more than they could have even imagined!!! My little girl Denisse was fortunate to have found a sponsor but there are thousands and thousands of children registered on the programme who have not yet found sponsors and are waiting in anticipation. You can make a difference by being one of those sponsors and giving yet another child a chance in life.