The Change in Chompu

Chompu was a prison baby—born while her mother was incarcerated for selling and transporting drugs. 

“This child does not look good,” the ministry worker thought when he first saw Chompu. The girl was emaciated—face gaunt, extremely thin—and her color was bad. She looked anemic, and there were undoubtedly other nutritional deficiencies. Her hair was thin and patchy, and she seemed to be balding. She didn’t want anyone to touch or hold her. Perhaps most telling, Chompu never smiled—not once—no matter how hard workers at the home tried to give her something to smile about. “I met Chompu and said, ‘Wow, there’s some real agony in the soul of this child.’ Her face looked like there’d never been a happy moment in her life.”

And there probably hadn’t been. Chompu was a prison baby—born while her mother was incarcerated for selling and transporting drugs. The first months of Chompu’s life were divided between the prison and inadequate childcare facilities outside.

Several years ago, Asia’s Little Ones was asked to care for children who were considered too old to stay any longer with their mothers in prison. The ministry has embraced the opportunity: caring for babies, providing nourishing meals and needed medical care. Beyond that, these little ones are given love and stability. The holistic approach helps kids thrive.

The new way of life certainly has changed Chompu. Today she smiles all the time and runs to embrace staff and visitors. The little girl who was sad and sickly is now happy, vibrant, and beautiful. Who says you can’t change things? Chompu is proof that — because of you — ALO is making a true difference.

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