Reasons to Smile
Vanessa is 11 years old and lives in Bolivia with her parents and five brothers and sisters. Her parents work hard, but they don't make enough money to buy enough food, clothes, medicine or school supplies. So Vanessa gets help from her Compassion sponsor! Let's see what Vanessa's life is like since she joined Compassion's program.
Vanessa is in the yellow striped shirt. She's with her family. What do you notice about their home behind them? Do you think it keeps out wind and rain, which falls a lot in Vanessa's town? It's the best home that Vanessa's parents can afford.
Vanessa, on the right, was 5 when she joined Compassion's program. She loved to play with dolls and bears with her sisters. They played in the yard outside their home.
Six years later, Vanessa still loves going to her Compassion center to study the Bible, learn, draw, paint and play.
Vanessa helps her mom cook. She and her mom peel potatoes in their kitchen. They get their water from a faucet outside that they share with their neighbors. They use the faucet for drinking and washing up too.
COOK like Vanessa!
Vanessa has also learned at her center that brushing her teeth is important. The center has a faucet with clean water. Vanessa and another sponsored girl use the sink to brush their teeth. Today is a special day because a dentist is coming to the center to give the kids checkups!
The dental worker checks Vanessa's teeth. Many families living in poverty can't afford to see a dentist. Unfilled cavities and other tooth problems cause pain and health problems. Many poor people just have to live with the pain. Because sponsored kids at Vanessa's center get dental checkups and learn about taking care of their teeth, they can keep their teeth healthy!
Vanessa is in the yellow striped shirt. She's with her family. What do you notice about their home behind them? Do you think it keeps out wind and rain, which falls a lot in Vanessa's town? It's the best home that Vanessa's parents can afford.
Vanessa, on the right, was 5 when she joined Compassion's program. She loved to play with dolls and bears with her sisters. They played in the yard outside their home.
Six years later, Vanessa still loves going to her Compassion center to study the Bible, learn, draw, paint and play.
Vanessa helps her mom cook. She and her mom peel potatoes in their kitchen. They get their water from a faucet outside that they share with their neighbors. They use the faucet for drinking and washing up too.
COOK like Vanessa!
Vanessa has also learned at her center that brushing her teeth is important. The center has a faucet with clean water. Vanessa and another sponsored girl use the sink to brush their teeth. Today is a special day because a dentist is coming to the center to give the kids checkups!
The dental worker checks Vanessa's teeth. Many families living in poverty can't afford to see a dentist. Unfilled cavities and other tooth problems cause pain and health problems. Many poor people just have to live with the pain. Because sponsored kids at Vanessa's center get dental checkups and learn about taking care of their teeth, they can keep their teeth healthy!
Vanessa is in the yellow striped shirt. She's with her family. What do you notice about their home behind them? Do you think it keeps out wind and rain, which falls a lot in Vanessa's town? It's the best home that Vanessa's parents can afford.
Vanessa, on the right, was 5 when she joined Compassion's program. She loved to play with dolls and bears with her sisters. They played in the yard outside their home.
Six years later, Vanessa still loves going to her Compassion center to study the Bible, learn, draw, paint and play.
Vanessa helps her mom cook. She and her mom peel potatoes in their kitchen. They get their water from a faucet outside that they share with their neighbors. They use the faucet for drinking and washing up too.
COOK like Vanessa!
Vanessa has also learned at her center that brushing her teeth is important. The center has a faucet with clean water. Vanessa and another sponsored girl use the sink to brush their teeth. Today is a special day because a dentist is coming to the center to give the kids checkups!
The dental worker checks Vanessa's teeth. Many families living in poverty can't afford to see a dentist. Unfilled cavities and other tooth problems cause pain and health problems. Many poor people just have to live with the pain. Because sponsored kids at Vanessa's center get dental checkups and learn about taking care of their teeth, they can keep their teeth healthy!
Did You Know?
Kids who live in poverty have worse dental health than other kids - that means more toothaches, cavities and gum disease. Here are some reasons:
- Their parents can't afford to take them to a dentist.
- Their families can't afford enough nutritious food to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
- Their families can't afford a toothbrush or toothpaste.
- They don't get enough fluoride because they live in cities that don't add it to the water supply. Even worse, the water has germs that can make them sick!
Sponsors Keep Kids
Thanks to awesome sponsors, kids in Compassion's program get the dental care that most people in their communities can't afford. Sponsored kids have the chance to get ?
- Toothbrushes
- Floss
- Toothpaste with fluoride in it
- Lessons about why it's important to brush and floss
- Water that's safe for drinking and rinsing
- Regular dental checkups and cleanings
What on Earth Is
Fluoride is a natural element found in the Earth's crust, water and air. Most U.S. cities add fluoride to their water supplies because it helps prevent cavities. It also helps new teeth grow in strong. Most toothpaste has fluoride in it too.
Sponsored kids get toothbrushes and toothpaste! Check out where they keep them at their Compassion centers.
Peru
Brazil
Guatemala
Bolivia
Guatemala
Rwanda
Indonesia
Peru
Mexico
Ecuador
Honduras
Guatemala
Rwanda
Indonesia
Peru
Mexico
Ecuador
Honduras
Guatemala
Rwanda
Indonesia
Peru
Mexico
Ecuador
Honduras