Growing up in neighbourhoods with gangs that rule the streets, it is difficult not to be coerced into joining them, but the churches that run Compassion’s child sponsorships programmes are helping to protect children from them and from getting involved in drugs and other criminal activity.

A former sponsored child, Ariane Sagusara-Mapula, grew up in a family that faced many challenges. Her parents were separated and her mother had health-related disabilities. But today, thanks to sponsorship and determination, she has graduated with a university degree and lives in New Zealand.

Meet some of the smallest and ‘smooshiest’ members of the programme and their beautiful mothers.

Drought forces a Kenyan mother to consider marrying off her young daughter to provide for her family.

Eight-year-old Egodine lives in a small community in northwestern Burkina Faso, where there is no easy access to safe water or electricity. So, when she heard her Compassion centre was digging a new borehole at the church, she was excited to watch every step of the journey.