Reflections of a sponsored child: Your event invitation

This event is your unique chance to hear directly from a former sponsored child on exactly what’s it’s really like on the receiving end of Compassion’s’ child sponsorship program. 

Coming to New Zealand in June for the first time ever, Keewani Cook is an inspirational Filipino speaker with a powerful story of how her life was transformed through the sponsorship. 

When a vulnerable child has hope, their life can be different. At Tearfund we believe their whole outlook for the future can be transformed.  And who better to share that life story than a person who was sponsored as a child?

We’d love you to join us as Keewani speaks at one of the several events and church services across the North Island.  

Event Details: 

All You’ve Ever Wanted to Ask a (Former) Sponsored Child  

You’re invited to a very unique event as Keewani joins fellow Filipinas Ariane and Joyce, who were also sponsored as children. They will be part of the Auckland in-person event, sharing their stories. 

Each one grew up in poverty in the Philippines and had limited options - until they were registered in the Compassion sponsorship programme. How their lives have changed is inspirational.  

Bring a friend and join us in person or online, for a fun and inspiring evening. You’ll hear their experiences firsthand and have the opportunity to ask any questions.  

For those able to join us in Auckland, there will be delicious dessert (including some Filipino treats) and refreshments. This is a free event but it'd be great if you could please RSVP for catering purposes. 

 

Monday, June 17th
Auckland in person: 7pm
Online: 7.30pm  

Reserve your spot at our in-person event

Reserve your spot at our webinar

Event Details: 

Dinner with a Difference 

Gather your friends and whānau and join us this June for a night with a twist. Keewani will be creating a favourite Filipino meal as she shares. There’ll be cooking, learning, laughter, and eating of course! We’ll bring the food and inspiration- you bring your questions and appetite!

During this evening, we’ll share a meal together and you’ll be able to ask Keewani questions you’ve always had about sponsorship.  

All events: Doors open 7pm, event 7.15-9pm 

 

Te Puke
Wednesday, 19 June: The Orchard Church, 20 Macloughlin Drive, Papamoa Beach, Te Puke 

Buy your $15 ticket now!


Tauranga
Friday, 21 June: Holy Trinity Tauranga, 215 Devonport Road, Tauranga 

Buy your $15 ticket now!

For event enquiries email: events@tearfund.org.nz 

Church Services  

Keewani will be speaking at the following churches as part of their Sunday services. Everyone is welcome to attend. We hope to see you there! 

Auckland
16th June: 10am at Long Bay Baptist, 282 Glenvar Road, Torbay, Auckland

Tauranga
23rd June: 10am at Abundant Church, 36 Sutherland Road, Judea, Tauranga

Hamilton
23rd June: 6pm at Crossroads Church, 55 Pukete Road, Hamilton.  

A casual evening service, including a Q&A with Keewani. Everyone is welcome to join us afterwards for a shared potluck dinner (feel free to bring a plate if you'd like).  
 

About Keewani Cook  

With a genuine heart for people and a strong desire to provide help and healing, Keewani Vallejo Cook thrives in her work as a physical therapist. She travels to share her compelling testimony. 

Born into abject poverty in the Philippines, Keewani’s childhood was difficult and heartbreaking. Her family moved frequently due to their inability to pay rent, and there was rarely enough food to go around. They lost family members to treatable medical conditions, all because they could not afford healthcare when it was needed. Life was hard, and she couldn’t imagine a way out of the hopelessness. 

When Keewani was seven years old, she was invited to participate in Compassion International’s child development programme through a church in her community. With the love, support, and care she received from her sponsors and the Compassion programme staff, her life began to dramatically change. Hope grew in her heart as she experienced God’s great love and learned that He had a plan for her life and future.  

Compassion sponsorship made it possible for Keewani to receive an education and advanced university degrees, which released her from the poverty she grew up in. Her family came to know the Lord and launched a children's ministry in their own backyard directly impacting young people in their community and helping to spread the word of God. 

Keewani is a powerful speaker who loves to inspire people to grow in their relationship with the Lord. She speaks passionately about the power of prayer, faith without limits, discovering God’s will, obedience to God, and the compassion of Jesus. 

Keewani and her husband, Terry, live in Dallas, Texas. 

About Tearfund’s Child Sponsorship Programme

Tearfund partners with Compassion International to help lift children out of poverty through child sponsorship. Sponsoring a child is a powerful and effective way to help change their lives and give them a future a child can usually only dream about. Sponsorship offers children good health, nutritional support, education, and the emotional, mental and spiritual support they need to create a better future for themselves.    

Learn More About Sponsorship