What difference does sponsorship make? Dr. Beyda shares another post about Medical Mercy's time in the Weliso area, about the visible difference between sponsored children and others in the community, and how a family welcomed them into their home.

120 kilometers (75 miles) from Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, there is a small community, poor, and perhaps no different than what is seen in other parts of Ethiopia. But what makes this community unique (for us at least) is that it is 80% Muslim. An interesting environment to find ourselves in. No pressure, no concerns, just grateful to be able to be there to help in any way we can. We attended to over 100 children in our project, the HCWs accelerating in their clinical skills and becoming comfortable in their roles.

We found ourselves in a small church, clay flooring, sheet metal roof, clay and grass walls, and no light. Children with little clothing on, no shoes, in an environment of mud, rain and cold. These were not our sponsored children, but community children who we saw later on in the day. The Mission of Mercy children were so much better. Healthy, chunky, well fed, clothed and smiling.  

Sponsorship support goes a long way. Comparing the community children to those who are sponsored, those who are living right next to each other, the difference is clear. Food, shelter, education, spiritual guidance and love make all the difference.

At the end of the day, we visited the home of a family that lived right next to the church where we were working. A two-room structure, each room about 10x10 feet, one a bedroom/living space for four people. Parents and two children. One bed, one chair. Clay flooring and clay and grass walls. The kitchen no different. A coal stove. Bare. No bathroom. That was down the street in a communal area. The children just went right outside in the street.

They lived simply. They had everything they needed and nothing they didn’t. And grateful for it all. We entered into their home, invited, humbled by what we saw. They were proud to have us there. They said they were privileged to have us in their home.  Humbled about what they had, but dignified and open to sharing all with us. Prayer was powerful in that bedroom/living area. Over 15 people squeezed in, eyes closed, prayer speaking and lifting up the family. I wonder if we would have been so “privileged” to have foreigners in our home.

There is much to be said about leaving behind what we bring, and I’m not talking about the medicine. I’m talking about the compassion and love we brought. We left it behind, but wonders of wonders, we left with more than we came with, given to us by those who are less fortunate than us. A barefooted, dirty child, with a smile on his face, a snotty nose, and just a jacket to keep him warm, giving us a kiss and a hug and not asking for anything but the same in return.

If you sponsor a child in Ethiopia or elsewhere, please take this to heart. Your sponsored child is loved and cared for, well fed and full of hope. We are able to bring ministries like Medical Mercy to our projects because you were there first, pouring into the children. Thank you for your commitment. We pray that you see the difference sponsorship makes, too!