An Update on Survival Activities at Corderitos de Jesús Student Center

Greetings, Northbrook Church! Thank you for supporting Compassion Survival at Corderitos de Jesús in El Salvador. Your generosity is helping mothers and babies receive care through home visits, nutrition support, microenterprise training, medical exams and Bible studies. In this report, you will find a letter from Francisca, a caregiver (pictured above with her son, Emerson), photos of recent Survival program activities, and photos of some of the babies who have now transitioned to home-based care through Compassion’s Sponsorship program. 

Survival Statistics at Corderitos de Jesús Student Center (July–December 2020)

A Letter From a Caregiver at Corderitos de Jesús Student Center

God bless you, beloved sponsor! I hope you, your family, and friends are well.

My name is Francisca, I’m 18 years old, and I attend the Compassion Survival Program at Corderitos de Jesús in El Salvador. I am overjoyed and thankful for your support of the program, because it has been a great blessing in the lives of our children. My son, Emerson, joined the program when he was two months old. Since then, he and I have been well cared for. We have received medical checkups and quarterly toys to help Emerson grow and learn and celebrated Children’s Day and World Food Day. My favorite activities at the program are educational play sessions, celebrations, group meetings, Bible study and delivery of basic groceries.

When my son was born, I was very happy to see him for the first time, but he was underweight and had to be hospitalized which made me sad. Four days later, he was able to go home with me and two months after that, he began receiving care through the program.

Educational play sessions at the project facilities have helped him a lot in areas of cognitive, physical, emotional and spiritual health. When the pandemic began, we did the educational play sessions with our babies at home. Emerson has learned to balance, roll over and develop fine motor skills. At nine months old, he started to crawl by himself, and at ten months old, he was able to sit. Now that he is one year old, he has started to walk, though we have to hold his hand.

Thank you for all you are doing in the life of our babies by being part of this program. We thank you in a very special way for your enormous support! I hope God continues to bless you greatly.

Please pray that God would bless my son with good health and that he would continue providing for our needs. Please also pray for my husband and me to persevere in the work we are doing.

Sending you a big hug!

Sincerely,

Francisca and Emerson

Recent Survival Activities at Corderitos de Jesús Student Center

In July, mothers were given hygiene kits which consisted of alcohol, soap, and wipes to limit the spread of COVID-19. The mothers were so happy to receive these kits and felt empowered to help their babies. Most of them were unable to purchase these materials on their own.

In August, the caregivers and their babies celebrated birthdays and received outfits and shampoo as gifts. Celebrations like this help to strengthen bonds between caregivers who are walking through a similar season of life.

In October, caregivers were invited to celebrate Children’s Day with their babies at the church facilities. During the celebration, they learned about the rights that each child has. They felt celebrated and important and were also given toys and snacks.

Babies Transition to Compassion’s Sponsorship Program

Thanks to your support, these babies have reached their first birthdays and transitioned to home-based care through Compassion’s Sponsorship Program. They will continue their growth with guidance from staff at the Corderitos de Jesús Student Center and a loving sponsor.