In January 2009, Bethel City Church began a partnership with Compassion UK to rescue children from poverty in Uganda. Compassion is an Evangelical Christian child sponsorship organisation who have been in operation for over 50 years. In 2008, Compassion sponsored their one millionth child and they are continuing to expand around the globe. By July 2008, more than 102,000 Compassion children had committed their lives to Jesus, and that number continues to grow. Children are clearly the greatest victims of poverty around the world. Of the 2.2 billion children in our world today, nearly half of them live in conditions of poverty. However, it is these children that hold the potential to break the cycle of deprivation for future generations. Compassion works through local churches all over the world to release children from economic, social, physical and spiritual poverty. The local church is a powerful force worldwide. Local Christians have knowledge of the specific needs of their communities, and provide integrity, long term commitment and Christian support to children, families and communities. Compassion provides resources, training, support and expertise to help the local church operate a Compassion project. We can make a difference Here at BCC, we're passionate about the next generation. Rather than being overwhelmed by the staggering statistics of poverty, we believe it is our responsibility to help the poor. 2009 sees Bethel City Church expand beyond the Potteries and now even beyond the British Isles as we make a difference in the third world. In partnership with Compassion UK, Bethel City Church seeks to love and inspire a generation of young people in Lwantama, Uganda by sponsoring children in the Lwantama Child Development Centre and Lwantama Evangelical Pentecostal Church. Seventy children have already been sponsored by the generous people of BCC. In return, Compassion children will regularly write to you and send photographs. For the equivalent of only seventy pence a day (21 pounds a month), we can make a massive difference in the lives of the children of Lwantama. In supporting and providing resources, we can help that church bring about lasting change within its community. Pastors James and Paul will be visiting the project in November 2009 to further the partnership with Lwantama Evangelical Church and to meet all of the children. Lwantama
Our project is centred in Lwantama-Nagulu which is 52 km northwest of Kampala, Uganda. It is a small community of around three thousand people. Typical houses in this area are constructed of dirt and have iron sheet roofs. The primary ethnic group is Beganda and the most commonly spoken language is Luganda. The nearest medical facility is one hour's walk away. Most adults are unemployed, although some manage to work as subsistence farmers and receive the equivalent of £8 per month.
Lwantama Evangelical Pentecostal Church co-ordinates the day to day work for Compassion. This local church knows the community well and therefore understands how to best meet it's needs. Our sponsored children are clothed, fed and educated by the local church. Regular medical and dental check ups are also conducted. The whole community is also helped by seminars, counselling, advice and projects. Please sign up to support one of the children from Lwantama-Nagulu. Together we can love and inspire these children to become all that they can be. Contact Neil Elliott. | 
