#SponsorSelfieDay Mobilises Thousands of Compassionate Supporters to Share Life-changing Stories

Thousands of supporters of Christian child development charity Compassion flooded Instagram, Twitter and Facebook this weekend to share their amazing sponsorship stories from over 21 countries around the world.

The charity’s annual #SponsorSelfieDay on 15 September is a digital awareness event, where supporters share their unique and personal stories of how they are changing the life of a child living in poverty through sponsorship and prayer. 2018’s #SponsorSelfieDay saw over 1,000 posts made using the campaign hashtag on Saturday, with 76 per cent of posts being made on Instagram.

UK Actress and Compassion UK Ambassador Naomi Scott was amongst British Compassion supporters posting about the children they sponsor. Her post on Instagram and Facebook featured 7 year old Sisay from Ethiopia who she sponsors.

Commenting on her photo Naomi said: “Compassion truly want to break the vicious cycle of poverty through working with families to give the next generation an opportunity to help themselves, their families, and ultimately their communities. Partnering and running projects through local churches, not only helps families who are struggling to provide for their children, but also brings communities together in a beautiful way. I won’t stop shouting about this charity because I can truly say the work they do is incredible!!”

Christian artists Philippa Hanna and Chloe Reynolds also joined in the campaign on social media.

Compassion’s Artist in Resident Philippa Hanna who sponsors 5 children herself used the opportunity to highlight children still in need of sponsoring, comparing the monthly cost to “perhaps one trip to the harvester for lunch or a cinema date for us”.

Compassion is an international Christian child development charity with more than 70 years’ experience working with some of the world’s poorest children. More than 100,000 children are connected with British sponsors through Compassion UK, and at present nearly 2 million children attend Compassion’s church-driven projects in 29 countries around the world.

Nick Harris, Compassion UK Senior Director of Marketing and Engagement explained the idea behind the day. “#SponsorSelfieDay is a way to use social media for good. It’s a way to transform a selfie into something that can ignite compassion in others to help children in poverty. When people share about the child they sponsor, they show that sponsorship impacts lives: the life of the child who is being given a hope and a future, and the life of thousands of supporters here in the UK.”

Sponsors were asked to share a photo of their child along with a caption explaining why they sponsor and to tag @CompassionUK or hashtag #SponsorSelfieDay.
Amongst Compassion UK supporters who posted was 26-year-old Shelley Moore sponsors eight children with Compassion UK and writes to a total of 56 children at the charity’s projects worldwide.

Shelley visited Togo and Ghana earlier this year, where she met two girls supported by child development charity Compassion UK. In Togo, Shelley met nine-year-old Blessing, who she has been corresponding with since she was three.

Shelley’s Instagram post read: “Thanks to the amazing work of @compassionuk – children like Blessing have the opportunity to go to school, have access to healthcare, receive nutritious meals and are told the amazing news that they are loved by Jesus. And it is such a joy, and the biggest honour, to get to play a tiny part in their journey too.”

Shelley talks fondly about meeting Blessing: “You see them grow up through photos, but having this child in front of you,to hear their voice, it’s the most powerful thing. There are not enough words to express how magical that is and what an absolute privilege that is.”

Child sponsorship through Compassion is enabling thousands of children across the world to have a different future. It enables children to be part of their local Compassion project where they will receive nutritious meals, emotional and spiritual support, medical attention and the chance to get a good quality education. However there are still thousands more who need support so they too can realise their dreams for the future. Discover more about how you can help.