When Nerissa was born into poverty in the Philippines, the future was uncertain. But at six years old her story changed when she became a Child Partner with Baptist World Aid Australia’s Child Sponsorship program.  

In Australia, someone believed in Nerissa’s potential, helping support her and her community for the next 13 years. Nerissa grew into a confident young woman. She finished college, helped her siblings with school and helped support her family. 

‘I can always say that God loves me so much because he blessed me with people who helped me even when we’re miles apart,’ Nerissa says. 

I can always say that God loves me so much because he blessed me with people who helped me even when we’re miles apart

Thena Christian partner organisation who works with Baptist World Aid ran a Child Club thatdeveloped Nerissa’s leadership capacity, leading her to help other youth in her community. And for the last twenty-one years, Nerissa has served the children and youth in her community as a member of that organisation’s staff! 

When asked what she would say to people considering Child Sponsorship, Nerissa says, ‘the help you extend will create change in [children’s lives] that is an eternal investment. I am a living testimony of God’s goodness through Child Sponsorship, and this will forever give me reason to be grateful.’ 

Thanks to her generous child sponsor, Nerissa could learn to valuable leadership lessons that would eventually serve the children and youth of her community today.

Support a child today and equip them with life-changing lessons that help create a better world for future generations.