Persuasive Essay
Introduction
Not-for-profit organizations aim to better the lives of various vulnerable individuals by providing help which they require probably to better their lives. The help which is rendered may be financial help or help in other forms. These not-for-profit organizations apply the agency concept where they take contributions from different quotas and use them to fund their operations in helping the vulnerable groups they focus on. This paper will focus on a non-profit organization, Compassion International, based in the United States with headquarters in Colorado. This paper will, therefore, be a persuasion for individuals to contribute to the programs which are offered by this organization.
About Compassion International
The not-for-profit organization was established in the year 1952 with the key aim of helping children who had been orphaned due to the war in South Korea. The organization was founded by Everett Swanson by developing special sponsorship programs that aim to aim the individual children, the families as well as churches which would offer help to those who were affected. The money which was contributed was used to provide biblical studies (Compassion International, n.d.). Initially, the name of the organization was Everett Swanson Evangelistic Association and the same changed to Compassion International in the year 1963 (Marshall, 2013). The organization started providing international services in the year 1968 when it first moved to Indonesia and therefore moving to three other countries which were achieved through a Family Helpers Plan (Compassion International, n.d.). Later in the year 2003, the organization underwent a rapid expansion.
The Organization offers various programs that aim at the development of children in various parts of the world through a holistic approach. Under the children’s sponsorship, Compassion International provides clean water, healthy food, education, medical care, training in life skills, and spiritual guidance to the children who are under the organization. The latest reports indicate that the children who are under the various programs of Compassion international are slightly over two million (Compassion International, 2019).
How the Organization Works
This organization uses local churches as the nerve center for its operations as it is the churches that know the needs of the children in the areas where the organization offers its programs. These churches are also the ones that are best suited in the achievement and in addressing the needs which these children may face in various local communities (“About Us – Compassion International,” n.d.).
These selected churches then tailor the holistic development of the model which the organization uses to best deliver the programs of the organization to the vulnerable children in the communities where these churches are allocated. For a church to partner with the organization, it has to go through a vigorous vetting which determines whether the church is suitable in the provision of the programs offered by the organization.
In the holistic development, the churches under the organization take a long term approach where they offer parental care to these children to adulthood. At times they even offer prenatal care when the need for the same arises. The organization also offers critical needs to these children which among others include surgeries, casts, transplants, canes, wheelchairs, and even cancer treatment for those in need of the same (“About Us – Compassion International,” n.d.).
Be part of the Good Work at Compassion International
Compassion International is based in various countries where it offers the above-mentioned programs. There causes by Compassion International aims at doing some good in communities in these countries. Various benefits come about from donating money to the organization both nationally and internationally. These benefits are in line with the goals and the purposes of compassion international.
Eradication of Poverty
Contributing to Compassion international will see the levels of poverty reduced when it comes to the least developed countries where this organization has a presence. These are countries such as Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Uganda. Compassion International also offers services to countries with worst living conditions such as the Republic of Congo as well as South Sudan. The services which are offered to the children living in these countries by the organization ensures that these children are comfortable in their lives (“World’s Poorest Countries – Compassion International,” n.d.).
A contribution to Compassion International will be beneficial to the needy children who live in the various communities’ in these countries. This is also in line with sustainable development goal number one by the United Nations on the eradication of poverty (Bebbington & Unerman, 2018). The organization offers financial assistance which helps in the eradication of the poverty in these community through embowing the churches which have a partnership with the organization is spearheading the programs of the organization.
Healthy Living and Nutrition of Children
Compassion International has health and nutrition initiatives that help in meeting the needs of children which may turn out to be life-threatening. This initiative also provides preventive care when it comes to the long-term wellness of the children in the communities. Any child who is registered under the program of the organization will receive these benefits. They will receive basic medical care as well as emergency care. Other medical care services offered include oral and vision care and oral care, vaccinations recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), Malaria treatment, and also HIV/AIDS care and counseling. Under nutritional support, the organization offered Therapeutic feeding and food stability initiatives (“Health and Nutrition,” n.d.).
Improving society Diversity and Inclusion
Through the various initiatives under the purposes of the organization, the organization can improve the diversity and inclusion of society. Through the offering of educational services to children, it ensures that the children are equipped with the necessary skills as well as the requisite life skills which are key in ensuring that the children from the poor community are included in all the societies even the societies in developed countries. The organization also champions for diversity in all the aspects of any of the partners which deal with it, equity, and inclusion such as gender equality and inclusion and non-discrimination of individuals based on any of the traits which are unique to them including intersectional traits. This is backed up by the moral imperative of the society as well as the biblical teachings which are the key focus of the organization (Council of Non-Profits, 2016).
Holistic development
Compassion International has and holistic child development model which is used by the organization in growing the children registered under its programs holistically. Since children are the most vulnerable and marginalized group, Compassion international carries out various development programs that aim at providing a future and hope for them, their families, their communities as well the country where these communities are located (Sim & Peters, 2014). Any sponsor who contributes to Compassion International is seen more as a benefactor to the organization other than just a financial sponsor. The benefactor becomes a part of the development strategy of the children and therefore he is called upon to be at a position where he can be engaged to work with the various partners spearheading the development of the children who are registered with International Compassion (Sim & Peters, 2014).
Raise Educational Levels Generally and Life Skills
Compassion International is concerned with educational levels in various developing countries such as the countries located in Sub-Saharan Africa. The organization links the poverty in these countries to low literacy levels and therefore to reduce these poverty levels then education is key (World Bank & World Bank, 2014). The organization offers child sponsorship programs to various children in various institutions to give them a chance and education which may change their future. This has been termed as one of the most beneficial initiatives which are promoted by the organization. Any contribution which is geared towards this initiative will largely benefit the vulnerable children in these communities.
Promoting Religion (Christianity) Among Children
Compassion International is a non-profit organization that is built on various pillars that make up the operational fabric of the organization. These are that the organization is Christian centered or Christ-centered and that it is church-based as it has its partners in various communities as churches that implement the programs of the organization. The organization is also child-focused as all the beneficiaries of the initiatives of the organization are children and lastly commitment to integrity which is one of the key components when it comes to excellent and successful non-profit organizations. The partnership with churches ensures that these children are taught Christian values which is a way of teaching religion to these children.
Conclusion
This paper has looked at different dynamics as to why an individual should channel contributions based on the various initiatives which are carried out by non-profit organizations. It has looked at the eradication of poverty, raising educational levels, and also improving the health and nutrition of vulnerable children as it relates to Compassion International which is a non-profit organization. If individual care about the initiatives as outlined in this paper, then it will be worthwhile for them to contribute to this the causes of Compassion International