While in Uganda we visited an HIV AIDS clinic with one of Compassion‘s doctors, Damon. Over lunch, Sophie and I grilled Damon, asking about everything from malaria prevention initiatives to HIV treatments for Compassion kids and their families. Then I asked, “How can we pray for you?”
He didn’t talk about his health, his family, his fears or struggles. He told us Uganda needs doctors and nurses. Not outsiders with white faces, in town for a mission trip or a short stint in a clinic, but Ugandans healing their own people in Jesus’ name.
So today I started sending Moses to medical school.
Moses participates in what Compassion calls LDP. It stands for Leadership Development Program.
Students who are sponsored as kids (through what Compassion calls CDSP, Child Development Sponsorship Program) have the opportunity once they graduate from “high school” to go to college through the Leadership Development Program. Spaces are very limited because, well, sponsors are in short supply. It costs $300 a month, not $32, to send Moses to college, after all.
So, students graduating from the CDSP apply for participation in LDP. They must have good grades and display leadership skills and spiritual maturity. It’s a long involved process with paper work and interviews for the applicants.
I’ve never told this story here before, but when I was 19 all my friends went off to college and I stayed behind because I didn’t have the money to go to college or the grades to get a scholarship. Then an anonymous gift was made. I was given a college education by someone in my church. It changed my life. Now it’s my turn to pass on that gift.
And it’s a gift in good hands. Moses is the president of the bible club in his school. He preaches and sings in the worship services at his church. When he graduates he wants to open a clinic for the poor in his community. And he wants to sponsor a child.
We paid off our van and now that monthly payment will go to Moses, to meeting the medical needs of a community someday.
Some of you can do the same thing. For over a week now I’ve been blogging about CDSP – child sponsorship – but now it’s time to challenge you to make an even bigger step with Compassion and me. Sponsor a college student if you’re able. Then go here and tell us about it.
To read more about Leadership Development Program go here.
boomama says:
I can’t quit thinking about those mosquito nets.
And I triple love that you and Becky did this. Can’t wait for the day that you get to meet Moses.
To Think is to Create says:
Wow, how cool that this opportunity is out there! I hope one day we are able to do this. Until then, I’ll blog about it!
Amy says:
that’s awesome, Shaun. I hope one day I can do this. I, too, received money from my church members to help me pay for college.
if you sponsor a child and they get approved to LDP can you continue with them at the increased rate?
Crystal Renaud says:
that’s absolutely amazing. it actually convicts me in some ways since i chose not to go to college, and there’s obviously people in the world who want to go to college desperately but can’t afford – which i already knew but just thought about when reading this.
Dana (atlanta) says:
wow….that is amazing.
seriously.
Carolyn F says:
Awesome!
Rachel says:
This is so powerful!
I’m starting with a little 4 year old for now…but perhaps as she grows, my gift will be able to, as well. I’d love to see her through, but who knows…maybe someday she won’t need me anymore! What we are doing, God is using to change the face of nations like Uganda.
Thank you for continually sharing and inspiring, Shaun!
Milk in the Closet says:
It’s amazing to me to think about people like Moses. I love how you share real stories from real people’s lives. It sure puts my life in perspective. Thank you for sharing.
kathryn says:
i love that you were gifted so that you could have your post secondary ed. . .and now you’re gifting someone else likewise. . that’s just really good.
Susanne says:
Wow. Thanks to you and Becky for doing this. Moses will be a great doctor! I second Amy’s question. Our sponsored child will be getting too old for the other program soon.
Daniel Burt says:
Right on. I’ve written a lot lately about sharing and Christian generosity, and I love it when I see local examples. This is a great one! We need to see more people changing spending habits, living on less, and declaring that we refuse to keep up with the Joneses until every kid in poverty is sponsored. Unfortunately I haven’t heard your music, Shaun, but you’re famous in my mind for doing small things with great love. Keep it up.
I also love the idea of sponsoring someone with the money freed up when one debt is paid off. Or, for those of us who will be getting a several hundred dollar tax cut, why not consider using that money to sponsor a child? Let’s be creative, compassionate, and bold in finding new ways to love our neighbors.
Rocks In My Dryer says:
That just gave me cold chills. It’s on mine and Hubs’ heart to do this same thing just as soon as we can.
By the way, I (sort of) blogged about you today.
Julie Reid says:
This is the kind of thing that I wish Compassion would promote in Worship Leader…..sending people like Moses to medical school…what if we did a story about people like this…leaders supporting leaders….that moves me…well all of the stories move me…deeply. As I sit here with my little baby Gigi who we adopted from Africa, I am so blessed to know that there is more we can do, always more….and its good….thanks Shaun, what is the link to send someone like Moses to school….
Shaun Groves says:
There’s no place on-line to visit and, with the click of a couple buttons, sponsor an LDP student. But you can go here…
http://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/requestbasic.htm
And request information. They’ll follow up (with me it was by phone) and get you a student asap. There’s a bit more to the process than sponsoring a child.
Julie, I could write that story sometime if you’d like. I’ve met a couple dozen LDP former LDP students and heard their stories.
Kim says:
Awww— I hope I can one day sponsor an LDP student (or maybe that one of my sponsored children will be selected for the program:)). I’m one of the lucky few of my generation student loan/debt free (and 15% richer than the rest of my friends because of it!)
I’d love to pay forward the blessing of an education/opportunity to a student in need one day.