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Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Providing safety, dignity and stability for children

Give to improving or replacing inadequate and unsafe structures

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Living in poverty exposes children to the harshest of circumstances.

Why infrastructure is so important

  860 million people

860 million people worldwide continue to live in slums

Homelessness worldwide

More than 100 million people worldwide are homeless

Inadequate shelter

1.6 billion people live in inadequate shelter around the world; 1 billion of those live in informal settlements

Poor living conditions.. 1 in 4

About one in four people live in conditions that harm their health, safety, prosperity and opportunities.

Sources: UNDP; UN; UN Habitat; Habitat

Many children who are born into poverty live in unsafe and insecure places and environments—homes with no roofs, floors, sewage or electricity. Schools that are overcrowded with no access to toilets, or safe places to play. Such environments make children even more vulnerable, and their development is often affected by their challenging surroundings.

Through generous supporters, Compassion funds initiatives that make the places children go safer and stronger. These could include:

  • Maintenance of the local child development centre
  • Repairs to a child’s home if it is deemed unsafe
  • Classroom upgrades
  • Building safe play areas and playgrounds

Your support enables the improvement or replacement of inadequate and unsafe structures for children and their families. By supporting Infrastructure you are giving a gift that will have an impact for years to come.



See your latest impact through Infrastructure

See how your generosity changed the lives of children this year.
Download our Infrastructure Impact Report.

See my impact

Infrastructure Stories

Feature Story
05 Aug, 2019

Watch this Brave Family's Life Change After Years of Pain

Meet Nachi, a courageous, selfless and cheeky grandma who loves her grandson Collins fiercely. Meet Collins, a young boy who’s brave beyond belief. Together, they’ve endured unimaginable grief and hardship. But you’re about to see their story change... Read more

22 May, 2019

12 Fascinating Photos of Tiny Homes in the Developing World

The 'tiny home' movement is making its way across the world—but tiny homes are nothing new. People have lived in tiny homes for much of human history. Here are 12 fascinating photos of tiny homes from around the world. .. Read more

07 Jan, 2019

“I Can’t Stop Grinning”: Mums Share their Joy at the Gift of New Homes

That new-home feeling is fantastic no matter where you live. But when your previous home was infested by rats, flooded by rain or swept away by storms, it's even better. Meet three mums who can't stop smiling at the thought of moving day... Read more

FAQs

  • Can I give to Critical Needs if I do not sponsor a child?

    Yes, you can give to Critical Needs if you do not sponsor a child. Critical Needs is essential to overcoming obstacles for children living in poverty and your donation to Critical Needs will go towards helping thousands of children. Choose an area of need that you are most passionate about meeting, and then all you need to do is decide whether your donation is a once-only or a recurring gift. Thank you for your partnership to share a hope more powerful than poverty!

    You can:

    • Give to Critical Needs
    • Sponsor a child
  • If I give to Critical Needs, where will my money go?

    You can choose to donate to one of nine Critical Needs areas: - Water and Sanitation - Health - Infrastructure - Mums and Babies - Disaster Relief - Education and Training - Income Generation - Highly Vulnerable Children - Where Most Needed

    Your donation goes towards addressing that area of need for children in our program globally. For example, should you give to Water and Sanitation, your donation could go towards providing water filters, water tanks or toilets in any of the over 25 countries where Compassion works. Funds are pooled so that children's most urgent needs are met first, as determined by local church partners who know each child and family in Compassion's program. You can also choose to support an entire Critical Needs project. Please contact us if you are interested in discussing this option further. 

    You can:

    • Give to Critical Needs
    • Sponsor a child
  • How much does it cost to support Critical Needs?

    The recommended amount to give to one Critical Need is $12 per month. However, you can give any amount of your choosing through either options of one-off or monthly giving. The giving options are flexible, so you have the freedom to support the areas you are most passionate about through Critical Needs.

    You can:

    • Give to Critical Needs
  • What is Compassion's Highly Vulnerable Children fund?

    Compassion's Highly Vulnerable Children fund offers a lifeline to children in Compassion's programs facing unthinkable hardship and living in high-risk situations.

    This includes: children who have been orphaned (or youth-headed households), children whose primary caregiver is incapacitated, children who have suffered abuse or exploitation, and children with special needs.

    Together with the local church, Compassion identifies children in highly vulnerable situations and provide them with specialised care and assistance to ensure they are stabilised and can continue to participate in Compassion's program.

    Examples of help given to these children can include: immediate housing arrangements, trauma counselling, nutritional support and provision of every day needs, legal assistance and renovations to structures and shelters.

    The Highly Vulnerable Children fund goes beyond the response of sponsorship to ensure children are kept safe and continue to be given opportunities to grow and develop without facing immediate risks to their safety and well-being.

  • Can I sponsor a specific mother and child in Compassion Mums and Babies?

    While you can now sponsor a child from age one through Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program, we cannot offer one-to-one sponsorship of mums and babies before a child's first birthday. Compassion Mums and Babies provides urgent survival support for young families in crisis situations. In a child's first year of life, Compassion staff are focused on helping babies survive and families adjust to life with their new arrival. Once the critical first year is over, Compassion staff can turn their attention to child development and establishing the invaluable one-to-one sponsorship relationships that help children grow in confidence and have hope for their future.

    Donations of any amount to Compassion Mums and Babies are graciously received. You will be providing young families with critical support during the vulnerable prenatal months and first year of life.

    Alternatively, Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program is specifically designed for one-to-one sponsorship, offering children and sponsors the opportunity to benefit from a two-way relationship.

    You can:

    • Give to Mums and Babies
    • Sponsor a child
    • Learn more about the Child Sponsorship Program