Friday Feature - Ma'u, Mukundyukuri

Today I would like to feature the three kids that have been waiting for a sponsor the longest. 379 days to be exact.
[Edit: While writing this post one of the children I was going to feature got a sponsor so let's make that happen for these two kids too!]

Let's paint a picture.
Your parent(s)/guardian(s) has(have) registered you for a life-changing, saving program, Compassion International. You're excited to make some friends, be able to go to school, go to the doctor for the first time in your life, and learn about this cool guy named Jesus. You start going to the project and it's awesome! Just like you always hoped it would be. You're making friends, you're doing better in school, you've learned about how to stay healthy, and you've been able to see how cool Jesus really is. Life is good.

However, all of your friends have sponsors. They get letters from a family in the US (or another partnering country) and pictures and stickers and birthday gifts and you don't get any of that. On letter days, while all of your friends get to hear word from their family in the US (or whatever country), you have to go without. There are some activities you don't get to be a part of because you don't have a sponsor.

You pray every day and ask God, beg God to give you a sponsor too. You feel sad and like no one wants you. You begin to think that there is something wrong with you because you have been waiting and waiting and praying and praying for so long to have a sponsor in your life. Does no one love you? Does God not love you?

Why should a child have to feel this way?

This is Ma'u.

Ma'u is eight-years-old and lives northeast of Kupang, Indonesia. Most adults in his area work as subsistence farmers and earn $22 per month. I can spend that much on groceries in one week. Ma'u lives with his mother who is sometimes employed as a farmer and there are four children in the family. He is not currently attending school but does attend church. Ma'u works at home by carrying water and running errands. He also enjoys playing with marbles and cars.

This is Mukundyukuri.

Mukundyukuri is from Nyabinaga, Rwanda. Most adult in this area are unemployed but some work as day laborers and earn $38 per month. (The cost of sponsoring her). Mukundyukuri lives with her father and mother and both sometimes work as farmers and there are six children in the family. She is currently in school and goes to church activities. Mukundyukuri helps her family by carrying water, gathering firewood, and cleaning. She also enjoys playing ball games and running.

Will you be the one that makes these kids dreams come true and help change their stories?

As always, if these kids don't speak to your heart, please look for one that does.