“Child sponsorship? Oh yeah, I remember my parents did that when I was a kid—I think they still do. We had their picture on the fridge!”
Whenever I tell people where I work, this is a common response I get. As I’ve heard this more and more, I’ve come to realize that, intentional or not, what is really being said is, “Oh, you work for my parents’ charity.”
Ok, maybe I’m reading into it a bit too much, but here’s the thing: Compassion doesn’t just have to be your parents’ charity. (Though parents, if you’re reading this, we love you!) Friend, we’d love to be your global impact organization of choice, too.
With all that in mind, I thought I’d share 12 reasons to sponsor a Compassion child in your 20s, from a sponsor in their 20s.
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12 reasons to sponsor a child in your 20s
1. Put your faith into action. As a Christ-centred, local church-driven organization, partnering with Compassion is a powerful way to bring your faith to life. In a world that desperately needs good news, Compassion is all about the message of Jesus that is real and tangible “good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18)
2. Expand your worldview. If you’re looking for a way to deepen your understanding and expand your perspective of the world, sponsoring a child is a personal and relational way do that.
3. Invest in what matters. As that uncle or cousin pesters you to get into stocks or crypto at every family gathering, take the opportunity to also think about what investments you’re making into “[things] that will last forever”, as pastor and author Ken Shigematsu puts it. *
4. Encourage a child or teen at a more relatable level. Letter writing is one of the most important parts of child sponsorship, giving sponsors and sponsored children the opportunity to connect and encourage one another. That connection and encouragement can be taken to a whole other level when kids or teens see their sponsor is just a few years older than them.
Josué from El Salvador with letters from his sponsor. Photo by Alejandra Zuniga.
5. The earlier you start, the better! Child sponsorship with Compassion is a long-term investment in the holistic development of a child. Start now to see those results over 5, 10 or even 20 years.
6. Inspiring travel experiences. International travel might seem like a long way off, but once we’re able to travel again, going to visit the child you sponsor and have built relationship with can make for some of the best and most meaningful trips.
7. Not ready for kids of your own yet, or ever? Child sponsorship is a meaningful way to invest in the next generation if you aren’t raising kids of your own.
8. Starting a family? Child sponsorship is a meaningful way to instill values like generosity and compassion in your family right from the start.
Raphael in Uganda enjoys a meal provided by his Compassion centre. Photo by Caroline A Mwinemwesigwa.
9. You really don’t need that many $5 lattes. I’ve done the math for you (from experience): sponsoring a child is the equivalent of just two latte runs a week. Or two or three takeout deliveries a month. You’ve been trying to cut back anyways, right?
10. Charitable tax receipts. This one isn’t a main motivating factor, obviously, but nothing says adulting like figuring out your taxes, and adding a charitable tax receipt to your return is a definite level-up.
11. Waiting until later never works. If you’re always waiting for that upcoming next stage of life—be it a raise, move, marriage, a new job or something else—you always will be. Prioritize and structure your life and finances as they are today to be able to make a difference, right now.
12. A simple way to make a real, transformative difference. This one might be obvious, but it’s worth saying anyways: if you want to make a positive impact in this complicated world of suffering and injustice that we live in, sponsoring a child is a simple yet powerful way to do that.
What if child sponsorship isn’t for me?
We know that child sponsorship isn’t for everyone, which is why we have lots of other ways you can make an impact for good—and many of the reasons above still stand!
In Indonesia, Jeinny and her son, Argya, are part of Compassion’s Survival program for vulnerable moms and babies. Photo by Vera Aurima.
Consider one of these options:
- Make a one-time or recurring donation to a cause or project that’s important to you.
- Fundraise for urgent needs facing children, youth and families living in poverty.
- Join our network of volunteers across Canada who are passionate about ending poverty.
- Share or boost Compassion’s posts on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or Facebook to raise awareness about the needs of children living in poverty around the world.
There are so many ways for you to join the movement of compassionate Canadians choosing to do good, right now and end poverty in the lives of children. We can’t wait for you to join in.
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Ready to jump in?
Feature photo: Alyssa visiting her Compassion child Happyness in Tanzania in 2019.
* God In My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God by Ken Shigematsu, Chapter 14: Sending a Ripple through Eternity
