Who we are

Founded in 1952, Compassion is an international children’s charity. We work in 29 countries partnering with 8,600 local churches within communities experiencing poverty. Our heart is to give children and young people the opportunity to thrive and reach their God-given potential both now and into the future.

Compassion’s child development programmes are holistic, and because we work in partnership with local churches who know their communities inside out, they’re tailored to a child or young person’s individual situation. Independent research shows they are highly effective, and now more than 2.3 million children globally are being released from poverty.

What sets us apart

Christ Centred

Jesus is at the centre of everything we do. Our programmes show God’s love to children living in poverty. Whilst Christ’s love motivates us, we help children and families from all backgrounds, regardless of belief.

Child Focused

We intentionally begin with children, the most vulnerable to the devastating effects of poverty. We support children in every area of their lives, tackling the root causes of poverty that hold them back.

Church Driven

We believe the Church is the hope of the world. We run our programmes in exclusive partnership with more than 8,600 local churches, across 29 countries, because they know their communities inside out.

What we do

We believe it’s an injustice that worldwide more than 333 million children live in extreme poverty*. And as Christians, we have a biblical call to care for the poor and love our neighbour.

That’s why Compassion works in partnership with local churches to release children from poverty, in Jesus’ name.

We’re a leading authority in holistic child development, giving children support in every core area of their lives. Our programmes support children's physical and mental wellbeing. They cultivate character and give children and young people the skills, access to education and motivation they need to be self-sufficient in the future. The care is given in the context of a local church community where children and their families can experience practical expressions of God’s love.

Graduates of our programmes often become changemakers, bringing hope and transformation to their families, communities, countries and beyond.

Child Survival

Compassion’s Child Survival Interventions keep mums safe during pregnancy and protect babies through their vital first 1,000 days of life.
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Child Sponsorship Programme

Our sponsorship programme empowers children by providing educational opportunities, nutritional support, medical check-ups and the support of their local church.
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Interventions

Interventions remove obstacles preventing children from thriving, whether giving support after a natural disaster or providing access to medical treatment, safe water, educational resources and more.
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Our holistic child development model is tailored to a child’s age, gender, health, culture and family situation. Because we work through the local church, it’s also contextualized to fit the needs of the children in each community.

Hover over each section to discover more.

Spirit

  • Through the local church:
  • Hearing the gospel
  • Learning that God loves them
  • Bible study, singing, prayer and Christian education
  • Participation in community voluntary work

Body

  • Nutritional support
  • Health, sanitation and hygiene education
  • Family health education
  • Health and dental check-ups
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Mind

  • Career planning and goal setting
  • After school tutoring
  • Assistance with school fees, supplies and uniforms
  • Literacy classes, crafts and music workshops
  • Vocational training
  • Life skills

Heart

  • Career planning & goal setting
  • Face-to-face contact with loving project staff
  • Development of basic social skills, such as respect for others
  • Love and encouragement from their sponsor
  • Contact with their sponsor through letters, gifts and photos

Spirit

  • Through the local church:
  • Hearing the gospel
  • Learning that God loves them
  • Bible study, singing, prayer and Christian education
  • Participation in community voluntary work

Body

  • Career planning & goal setting
  • Nutritional support
  • Health, sanitation and hygiene education
  • Family health education
  • Health and dental check-ups

Where we work

Compassion works in 45 countries with a united mission to see children released from poverty.


We serve children, young people and families living in poverty in 29 countries. These national offices are staffed by teams of local specialists who understand their local context and work in partnership with local churches to deliver Compassion’s child development programmes.


Compassion also has 16 fundraising offices globally (including the UK), who play a part in providing our church partners with the financial resources needed to release children from poverty.

See where we work

Sponsor with confidence

Compassion has been a leader in Christian child development since 1952. Everything we do is focused on helping children achieve their God-given potential.

Independent research studies have shown that Compassion children have higher levels of happiness and self-efficacy. Sponsored children are also more likely than their unsponsored peers to:

Stay in school for longer

Have salaried employment in their adult years

Be leaders in their communities and churches

How we steward your donations

80%

A minimum of 80% is used to directly benefit children in poverty

We’re committed to handling the finances entrusted to us with the utmost integrity. Your donations are used wisely and strategically, and always for the greatest benefit of children in poverty.

See exactly where your money goes ›

Our history and values

Read more about the history of Compassion and what drives our work on our blog.

Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.