Known, Loved and Protected

Along with the blessings of the digital age — instant communication, connection to online communities, access to a universe of information, endless entertainment — there is a downside: widespread loss of privacy. And loss of privacy can bring harmful results. The sad fact is, in this fallen world, there are people who seek to harm and exploit children; we all know that. But Compassion is taking a strong measure to counter the risks to our registered and sponsored children.

In a steadfast commitment to protect their safety and privacy, we are removing personal information that could be used to identify and locate Compassion-assisted children. When this measure is fully implemented, their full (first and last) names will not be used in printed materials or on our website.

The names you see attached to Compassion children are ones they personally have chosen — we call them their “preferred names.” They are their real names, the ones they go by at home, not made up. In some cases, it’s a first name; in others it’s a nickname. It’s how they want to be known by you.

Sponsors have told us what is most important to them: receiving letters, new photos and updates about their children. They’ve said they don’t need the child’s full name to know they are making a difference. What matters to them is the connection with their child, and releasing their child from poverty in Jesus’ name. We couldn’t agree more.

Not only is it vital that we guard the privacy of the children in our program, but it is also our responsibility as an organization to guard the privacy of sponsors. To achieve this, Compassion does not include a sponsor’s full name on correspondence with a sponsored child. A sponsored child will only see a sponsor’s preferred name.

The use of preferred names is one of many ways Compassion is adapting to meet the ever-increasing needs of child privacy and protection. We will continue to adjust as needed to provide the greatest level of protection for the children we care for and love so much, in Jesus’ name.