Child Survival Program

This morning we visited another project. We were met by a whole new group of very loving kids!

Seriously - I don't need to be hugged when I get home for a good year - I've gotten so many hugs and kisses! (Just kidding - I'm totally becoming a HUGE hugger after this trip!)

Today I want to share with you about a different part of Compassion. This is called CSP - Child Survival Program and I'm very glad to have seen this in action today.
There are only 5 projects in El Salvador that do CSP. They work with pregnant women and new moms and babies. These women are mostly single women. A lot of these moms are as young as 12 years old. Many of these girls have been raped. They have been abandoned by their families.
I was so happy to see the babies and hold them. I miss Harper so much so to touch other babies made my heart full!
These mothers have to be taught how to love their children and how to take care of them. They are taught how to play with them and help develop their babies.
I loved this little boy - he had the most unusual blue eyes. He is 7 months old and reminded me so much of Harper with how he acted. His mom was 17.
Here are the mothers working with babies aged 4-6 months. The mothers and babies are given medical check ups and groceries. They visit their homes and make sure they are learning to care for their child.

Sweet baby boy

Oh I love holding a baby!

The women come and they teach them about milestones, caring for their child and about God. Many of the mothers have been saved after joining this program.
This is run differently than the regular sponsorship program. Instead of sponsoring individuals - you sign up to donate $20 a month and it helps these programs function. Early intervention helps these babies more than you can imagine. It supports these young moms who live in poverty in amazing ways. You can read more about how to help on the brand new website dedicated to CSP - check it out HERE! If you can't afford $38 a month - maybe you could help in this way.

We spent time visiting two homes of moms in the CSP program

These homes were in a remote area that you had to walk down a very steep hike to get there
We visited a home of a mom that has 15 children. 12 of the children still live at home. They live in a one room home. There is no electricity or running water. This is the 14 year old daughter - she takes care of the youngest boy. He is the one who is in the CSP program and will become a sponsored child.

The mother

These boys were BEAUTIFUL. Look at the smiles on their faces - I don't think they have any idea how horrible their living conditions are. This family must walk up a huge, steep path several times a day to put water in dirty, unsanitary buckets to have water.
Neither the mother nor any of these children have ever been to school. Because of where they live - they live a very isolated life. They have no friends. They sit in a dark house all day. No TV, no internet, nothing. Can you imagine?
I think most of us Americans could not FATHOM living this way. It's literally like they live in a very small cave. But they had such pride and joy on their faces. Their smiles were so huge. It just shows me that material things mean nothing. Our joy can only come from God. And I have found that the poorest people of El Salvador are SO close to God - probably because He is ALL they have.
I was wondering if I could just put one of them in my suitcase - she has 15 children - would she miss one little boy? Just kidding. She shared that CSP has made such a huge difference. They help her feed her children and have taught her to be a better mom. She said she is applying what she is learning to all of her children.
Patricia and I tried to challenge Ingrid to be proud of herself and to wait for a husband who would care for her. She was SUCH a beautiful girl.

We went down even FUTHER in the jungle to the next house

10 people lived in this house. They did have a well to get water. We learned later this afternoon that the father of this home is the Head of the Gangs in this area. And his son is 2nd in command. A little scary. You can't imagine how gangs are just running this country. The violence is unspeakable.

This lady was making tortillas

And she let me make one! I hope Scott doesn't expect me to start making tortillas at home. ha!

I'd love for you to consider sponsoring a child or CSP but if you can't - please just pray for the people of El Salvador. They would love that more than anything. And if you already are a sponsor - please write your child. You can't imagine how much your letters mean to these children. All I have heard constantly is how much these children LOVE their sponsors.

Thank you for letting me know if you have signed up! Please continue to do so!

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