Every summer, we send out Country Updates to sponsors like you and reflect on the exciting progress we are seeing in the thousands of communities we work in around the globe. Food for the Hungry (FH) operates in nearly 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In each of these countries, we come alongside leaders and families to create a tailored approach to tackle poverty in their community together!
It is a joyous time to celebrate all that God is doing. It is also a moment to zoom out and understand the community-level transformation occurring where sponsored children live. FH knows that in order to create sustainable change and graduate communities from extreme poverty, a network of local actors need to be involved!
What is my child sponsorship doing in Latin America?
In Latin America, FH has child sponsorship programs in six countries. As part of child sponsorship, you help Food for the Hungry assist your child’s entire community to provide food, a better education, clean water and medical treatment to its children. However, not only does FH work with local leaders to find solutions to physical poverty, we believe that addressing spiritual poverty through a biblical worldview is also important. Through child sponsorship, we are:
- Teaching children about God and His purpose in their life. We believe all children deserve to be treated with love and dignity, so they can flourish and reach their God-given potential.
- Allowing them to hold and read the Bible, learn Bible stories, read scriptures, and learn more about God. Through these Bible lessons, children are learning about their individual worth, loving others as yourself, honesty and integrity, obedience, and respect for elders.
- Providing support to churches, pastors, and Sunday school teachers who guide and encourage them in their spiritual growth.
Latin America Country Updates
Bolivia
- In 2018, every FH child participating in sponsorship activities received a backpack to encourage school attendance.
- 1,987 caregivers received training in health and nutrition topics, positively impacting families in the community.
- In addition, 115 church leaders completed trainings given by FH, increasing the opportunities for families to learn about God.
Dominican Republic
- Through help from sponsors, FH succeeded in providing access to drinkable water to more than 3,189 families.
- In addition, families built 211 keyhole gardens and learned how to grow nutritious vegetables and diversify their diets.
- 217 families received chicken coops in order to help feed their children and generate a steady income.
Guatemala
- Education is one of the biggest challenges in Guatemala. Through an FH scholarship program, more children are attending secondary school as they receive financial help for monthly tuition fees.
- In 2018, 95 students participating in FH programs graduated from high school. This is a great accomplishment in a rural area!
Haiti
- FH Haiti built two new schools, totaling 16 classrooms, 2 conference rooms, and a media center. Now, over 800 children have the opportunity to attend school regularly in a safe environment.
- Through child sponsorship program support, school supplies were also provided to all children to ensure no child is left behind.
Nicaragua
- In 2018, 13 construction projects to improve school infrastructure were completed in 11 schools, benefiting 1,292 children.
- FH and the communities also constructed a children’s dining room, two community preschools, two primary classrooms, two perimeter walls, and bathrooms and latrines. These new spaces provide a safe, clean environments for children to thrive!
Peru
- Thanks to FH child sponsorship activities, 320 volunteer women formed a network of support. These empowered women teach other families to live in harmony and be free of all kinds of violence. These lessons have led to a significant increase in the well-being of children in the community.
When we work together as a global community we can make an impact one person, family, and community at a time. Thank you for being a part of the work that Food for the Hungry is doing. We couldn’t do it without you!
To be a part of this work, give now or sponsor a child for just $38/month.
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God’s Story: “How” Is More Important Than “What”
