Corner of Love Ministries, an outreach to the people of Nicaragua, is expanding its family sponsorship program and looking for more sponsors and one-time donors.

The sponsorship program has added an in-country caseworker who is in charge of making sure sponsor funds are spent on the right things, such as groceries and education. The caseworker also oversees the family volunteer program. Each family is now required to do volunteer work in order to stay on the program.

The sponsorships began with one American family helping a Nicaraguan family that they met on one of Corner of Love’s mission trips about six years ago. The program has grown to 29 Nicaraguan families receiving aid from U.S. sponsors and about 25 more Nicaraguan families on the “lista de espera” (waiting list). Homeless, malnourished or disabled children and their families, orphans up to age 18, and elderly people in desperate situations are served.

“Our program is unique,” said Tanya Amador, Corner of Love’s executive director, “because it is the only sponsorship program I know of where you can go and meet the people you are helping” by going on one of the ministry group’s missions.

Elisa Lewis, chairwoman of the family sponsorship program, said her family has sponsored a Nicaraguan family for about five years.

“It has been such a joy to see the improvements in their health and well-being,” she said. “It has been especially exciting to see the kids start school and learn to read and write. Now, they say they want to be teachers. What a thrill to be a part of this.”

The Lewis-sponsored family has two kids that live with their grandparents. The mother died during childbirth and the father abandoned them. The children previously couldn’t afford school, which costs $30 per month (U.S.) for tuition, books, lunch and uniforms, and also couldn’t afford food for proper nutrition, Lewis said.