"I was a sponsored child"

Watch Adline share her testimony in this short video

Adline was born in poverty in a northern rural area in Haiti.  At an early age, her family was abandoned by her father, and her mother was unable to provide for Adline and her four siblings. The children ended up living with another family, who also couldn't provide enough food or afford education. Finally, when Adline was eight years old, she was fortunate to be selected for a child sponsorship program at the school in her village. It changed her life forever. Adline recalls the letters she received from her sponsor who told her that he loved her, the very first time in her life she had heard those words from anyone. She also remembers that he was proud of her accomplishments which inspired her to do well in school to please him. 

In addition, she was introduced to the Gospel, and like many of us, experienced a life-changing moment when she answered the Lord's call at the age of 22.

Now, Adline lives in Les Cayes with her husband, Loumy, and three wonderful children. Because of her experience as a sponsored child, she has dedicated her life as a missionary to reach thousands of Haitian children by providing a Christ-centered education.   

Child sponsorship works

As reported in Christianity Today a few years ago, an economist from a major university conducted a comprehensive study to determine if child sponsorship actually made a difference. After evaluating data on over 10,000 former sponsored children from six countries, the findings demonstrated that child sponsorship works.  Sponsored children were: 

• 27-40% more likely to complete secondary school
• 50-80% more likely to complete a university education
• 14-18% more likely to obtain a salaried job
• 35% more likely to obtain a white-collar job 

The study also found evidence that sponsored children are more likely to serve as community and church leaders. In addition, the research also found evidence for positive spillover effects on the family of sponsored children. 

When asked to explain these positive results, the president of a leading international child sponsorship organization said, "Try hope. Poverty causes children to have very low self-esteem, low aspirations. The big difference that sponsorship makes is that it expands children's views about their own possibilities. Many of these children don't think they are capable of much. We help them realize that they are each given special gifts from God to benefit their communities, and we try to help them develop aspirations for their future."

Many more children are hoping for sponsors

While an education gives them an opportunity to become productive adults, a Christ-centered education may be their only chance to hear the Gospel, which can save them from eternal destruction.  

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