CSR Press Release

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/02/09 -- Compassion International has temporarily closed its child development centers in Tegucigalpa, ahead of conflict surrounding the removal of President Manuel Zelaya.

As the world's largest Christian child development organization, Compassion serves over 40,000 children in the embattled country and has a strong presence throughout Central America, where we serve over 250,000 children in more than 1,365 child development centers. Compassion has served the region since 1968, through wars, political conflicts and domestic strife.

Compassion staff serving in the region report intense division in the country. Compassion has received reports that bombs exploded in two government offices and a radio station. The Honduran Army has also instituted "Estado De Sitio," a curfew in which your safety is not guaranteed during the hours of 6pm-6am.

Compassion Honduras staff are monitoring the situation and have suspended all visits to the country.

Media opportunities:

• Interview Latin American Compassion Staff to get up-to-date information
  
• Interview Honduran Nationals at Compassion Honduras
  
• Request up to the minute reports from Compassion Staff in Honduras

Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/) is the world's largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty through one-to-one child sponsorship. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time serving more than 1 million children in 25 of the world's poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children -- enabling them to thrive not just survive. Compassion has been awarded seven consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.

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