As students around the country return to colleges and universities, they join 1,000 students from poverty-stricken countries around the world who are getting the chance to go to college because of a program run by Compassion International.
The Leadership Development Program identifies young Compassion-assisted men and women who have shown potential to become Christian leaders and, with the help of sponsors, sends them to universities in their own countries. The goal is for these potential leaders to influence their churches, communities and nations.
More than 300 colleges and universities in 14 countries are involved in the program in one way or another. In addition to their college curriculum, the students – all from impoverished conditions – receive extensive Christian leadership training.
"The graduates of Compassion's Leadership Development Program are proving to be leaders in their communities, and they are in a unique position to make a significant impact on their country," says Mike Hinckfoot, Leadership Development Program Director. "It's exciting to be a part of a program that's producing a new generation of servant-leaders who are passionate and trained to make a positive impact in the world around them. Who better to release children from poverty than those who have conquered it themselves?"
To get into the program, each candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrate strong evidence of Christian character and testify to God's leading in his or her life
- Contribute significantly in school, church and community
- Maintain outstanding academic performance, along with extracurricular activities
- Contribute to school and community needs
Since the program began in the Philippines in 1996, it has produced more than 350 graduates in the fields of education, law, medicine, accounting, nursing and engineering.
Compassion International is one of the world's largest Christian child-development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and thousands of indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. For information about sponsoring a child, contact Compassion online at compassion.com or call (800) 336-7676, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT.
