One day, as 12-year-old Riese was scrolling through the page of unsponsored children on Compassion’s website, she found someone special. A few months earlier, her Grandpa Joseph had passed away. And there, on the website, was a boy from Tanzania with the same first name and birthday as him. 

Her grandpa was a pastor. Just like him, Riese cares deeply for others. That’s why she wants to be a missionary in Africa when she grows up. 

“I love helping people. It makes me happy.”

One way she and her family help others is by sponsoring kids living in poverty. Before she saw Joseph on Compassion’s website, Riese and her parents already sponsored a girl from Uganda named Ritah. Their support helps Ritah get important things, like doctor visits and healthy food.  

Then Riese found Joseph. She wanted to help him grow up happy and healthy too, especially because his name and birthday reminded Riese of her grandpa.  

She asked her parents if she could sponsor another child. They said yes, as long as Riese raised the money herself.  

So Riese started fundraising. She created colorful earrings to sell at school, church and even craft fairs. She also collected cans and bottles for extra cash. Through selling her creations and recycling, Riese earned enough money to sponsor Joseph.  

Now 14 years old, Riese has been supporting Joseph for over a year. She even started sponsoring another child, Therese from Togo, with the extra money! 

Riese knows that prayers and letters from a sponsor can help kids in poverty feel loved and strong. 

“It’s kind of like giving them a friend, someone that they know is taking care of them.”

Riese is still a few years away from her dream of moving to Africa as a missionary. But she is already making a difference in the lives of three kids who live there. Her Grandpa Joseph would be proud! 

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