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The exhibits at The Compassion Experience portray a real-life school setting in countries like Uganda or Costa Rica. (Photo courtesy West End Assembly of God)
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At the end of the exhibit, participants have the option of sponsoring a child who lives in a developing nation. Children available for sponsorship will be featured on pamphlets with their background story. (Photo courtesy West End Assembly of God)
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Participants have the option to experience a country of their choice, or they can visit all the countries being shown in the exhibit. (Photo courtesy West End Assembly of God)
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Trailers are set up in the church’s parking lot and are completely transformed inside into a scene from a developing nation. (Photo courtesy West End Assembly of God)
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A schoolroom scene (Photo courtesy West End Assembly of God)
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The exhibits display what a marketplace looks like in different developing nations. (Photo courtesy West End Assembly of God)
The Compassion Experience, an interactive journey that highlights stories of children who live in developing nations, begins at the West End Assembly of God Nov. 4 and will continue through Nov. 7. The free event allows the public to experience what life is like for children who live in poverty in places like Kenya, Uganda, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. This is the second year the church has hosted the Compassion Experience.
The event, created by the relief organization Compassion International, has over 2,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space. The Compassion Experience will supply headphones and an iPod for each guest to provide an audio component throughout the exhibit. Trailers will be set up in the church’s parking lot, appearing to be ordinary cargo containers from the outside, but once participants step in, they will be in a new world. While walking through different spaces, such as a home in the Philippines or a shop in Bolivia, participants will hear narration by children who grew up in those areas. The scenery will be authentic representations of what life is like in the different environments. The purpose of the Compassion Experience is for the public to experience global cultures without leaving the country.
At the end of the exhibit, participants are presented with the opportunity to sponsor a child in need. They will receive a pamphlet with the child’s picture and a personal story. Sponsors donate $38 a month, which provides medical checkups, food, educational assistance, health and hygiene training, and religious instruction.
West End Assembly of God Head Pastor Shane Schlesman says the reason the church wanted to host the event was personal: “I have been supporting Compassion children for years,” he says, adding, “When we were discussing bringing Compassion [Experience to Richmond], we wanted a way to expose our church and community to the extreme impact of poverty ... not just [to] know something about it, but do something about it.”
Schlesman says the West End Assembly of God is a church that places great emphasis on volunteering. The church leads 12 local mission trips a year and many international trips to countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Costa Rica and Brazil. In the church's first year of hosting the Compassion Experience, 200 children received sponsorship. They hope to have 200 more sponsored every year.
Says Schlesman, “We are making a difference in every way possible to bring the mission of God to everywhere around the world to people that are hurting and needing.”
The Compassion Experience is designed for all ages, and was built with the whole family in mind. Reservations may be made online, or walk-ins are welcome. The event is also accepting volunteers to greet guests, set up iPods and assist guests with questions. There will be a training provided for event volunteers prior to the event, and another on arrival.
