Compassion Sundays | Hannah & Mbula

Welcome to the first official Compassion Sunday Post at Mommy Maleta. Compassion International is an organization dedicated to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. One way Compassion does that is by matching impoverished children from around the world with sponsors.

Sponsors make monthly donations so that their sponsored child’s basic needs can be met. Sponsors and their children also correspond with each other, which is a very special component of the program.

Compassionate Correspondence

That’s right, sponsors and their children write letters back and forth to each other. I love it! Sponsors get to find out information like how old their sponsored child is, how many brothers and sisters their child has, and how he or she is doing in school. Children find out about their sponsors too! A real relationship is built. Sometimes sponsors even take trips to meet their children!

I thought it would be interesting to meet some of these sponsors and their children. So every Sunday for the next few months I will posting interviews and stories from sponsors to find out how this program is impacting lives.

For this week’s post I interviewed a Compassion sponsor named Hannah from Canada. She’ll tell us about her experience sponsoring and then we can find out more about her at the end of the post.

Child Sponsorship

Q: Hannah, when did you begin sponsoring children through Compassion International?

A: I officially sponsored my first child on September 25, 2014. I’ve been involved with Compassion as a correspondence sponsor for about two years now though.  My first experience with them was when the youth group I was working with at the time decided to jointly sponsor a little girl in Rwanda. I later became the child’s correspondent sponsor, and still am! Isimbi was 7 when she was first sponsored; now she is a beautiful young lady of 11.

Compassion In Kenya

Q: Hannah, as we’ll find out later, you correspond with multiple children. There is one child, however, that you sponsor through monthly giving as well as correspondence. Can you tell us the first name of that child and where he or she is from? A: My Compassion sponsored child is less of a child and more of a young man! His name is Mbula and he lives in Kenya. He will be 20 on March the 24th.

Mbula at 19 years old

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about Mbula? How old is he? What types of things does he like to do? Does he have a large family? Does he go to school?

A: As I mentioned above, Mbula will be 20 very soon and I’ve known him since he was 18. We’ve built a great relationship in that time. Mbula lives with both of his parents and is fourth out of a family of five children. He has three brothers and one sister. (Well, he has also claimed me as his second sister!)

He’s very passionate about football (soccer) and loves to learn new things. He has his sights set on university where he dreams of becoming a doctor. He’s also a huge help to his family with their farm. He is also always so careful to express his appreciation for me and for his previous financial sponsor. He is grateful for all of our help and support.

Pray With Compassion

Q: How can we pray for Mbula? Please share a few specific requests with us.

A: Mbula always requests prayers for his studies. He strives to do well and to be the best he can be! He has also requested that I pray for him to “continue being saved” so prayers for his spiritual walk would be much appreciated!

Impact

Hannah’s 5 Compassion Children

Q: How has Mbula impacted your life?

Well, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention all of my children here… Mbula, Shakira, Isimbi, Ada, and Miriam. Those five kids are my world. To know that I have children all over the world praying for me, loving me, and encouraging me, does so much for me.

People tell me I’m a “good person” because I write to so many kids… but really, I’m the one who is helped and encouraged by them. They are “my children” in every sense of the word. I’m proud of their achievements, I celebrate the little milestones with them, and I hurt with them when they go through struggles. I worry about them like any mom would. They are my pride and joy!

Meet Hannah

Well, Hannah I can certainly understand why these children are your pride and joy. You have certainly been blessed. And now, I want our readers to find out a little bit more about you and how they can connect with you.

I go by the name of Uwimana Hannah; you can call me whichever you prefer! I live in the province of Newfoundland, off the East coast of Canada. I’m in my mid-twenties and I love reading, blogging, writing fiction, writing letters, singing (I’m on the worship team at my church), animals, and being out in nature! You can catch up with what I’m doing at my blog, the Path of the Carpenter. So far, the only social media site I’m on is Facebook, but I welcome you to like my page!

For more information on Compassion International and their child sponsorship program please visit their website.

This post is linked up over at… Smart Schoolhouse , Sincerely Paula , With A Blast ,Cornerstone Confessions , Social Media Saturdays , Laugh & Learn Link Up , Castleview Academy, Education Possible , All Things With Purpose , Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop, Bowl Full Of Lemons, Jennifer Dawn, Strangers & Pilgrims On Earth