These pictures of kids with animals are cute, of course. But they also show how animals help vulnerable people in all kinds of ways. Some are pets providing companionship and joy, some are livestock helping families generate income, and some provide fertiliser for crops, or nutritious milk to drink.
There’s one thing these animals all have in common: Children and teenagers in Compassion’s programme love spending time with them!
Daniel from Burkina Faso
When five-year-old Daniel’s sponsor gave a family gift, his family was able to buy a baby goat and other animals, which are helping his family generate income.
Chonticha from Thailand
“Mama-Big is my cat and she’s very cute,” says eight-year-old Chonticha. “Every day, I always make her run and chase after me.” Chonticha was especially grateful for her sweet companion during lonely Covid-19 lockdown periods.
Emily from Ecuador
Emily holds one of the guinea pigs she helps raise. Her Compassion centre director, Oswaldo, started the guinea pig farm to give children and teenagers something educational and productive to do when they aren’t at school or the Compassion centre. The children and youth are learning agricultural skills by caring for the animals, and growing a vegetable garden.
“The fact that our children and teenagers are working the land and learning to take care of their own animals is very helpful,” says Oswaldo. “They are learning to be more responsible, so in the future they won’t be hungry.”
Raymark from the Philippines
Who’s smiling bigger — the dog or his human
Kauany, Brazil
Twelve-year-old Kauany is a cancer survivor. She loves spending time with her feline buddy, Niño, who brought Kauany comfort during her recovery.
Masfika from Bangladesh
Animal lover Masfika’s dream of owning a goat came true when her sponsor sent her family a financial gift. “That weekend she the goat around the entire village like she was taking a pet dog for a walk,” says Masfika’s grandmother Rehana. The goat gave birth to two kids, which the family can keep or sell for income!
Jose from El Salvador
Jose’s family in rural El Salvador raises and sells pigs to earn an income — another example of how animals help people in poverty. “I think children should have pigs so they can have money to support their families,” explains Jose, aged seven.
Shinah from Uganda
What eight-year-old couldn’t love a bunny?
Heidi from Ecuador
Heidi’s parents lost their jobs and only source of income when the pandemic hit. To help, the local church where Heidi is sponsored in Compassion’s programme started an agriculture initiative, giving each sponsored child’s family six chickens.
“We are feeding the chickens so they can grow and have more chicks,” explains Heidi, aged eight. “We sell them and now my mother has money to do the grocery shopping.”
Rosa from Bolivia
Rosa, eight, absolutely loves her llama.
Keasha from the Philippines
Keasha says she named her pet goat Mee, because of the sound she makes. Keasha’s family bought Mee with money Keasha’s sponsor sent. Keasha’s family plans to breed and sell goats to earn an income.
Camila from Bolivia
“When I grow up, I want to be a veterinarian because I love animals very much,” says Camila. “I’ve wanted to be a vet since my father gave me my first puppy.”
Children like Camila in Compassion’s programme receive guidance and training so they can pursue their dreams. “It makes me sad when I see animals that are abandoned, sick or mistreated,” says the eight-year-old. “My favourite animals are dogs, but I want to heal all kinds of animals; I’m not afraid of them.”
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