More Lives Touched by Love

Ivon Cuervo - Posted on November 13, 2009

Their faith in God is what gives strength to Katherine and her family. “It has been the Glory of God that has allowed us to live,” says Katherine, 6, who lives in a context of misery, but who wishes to change this condition. She and one of her brothers were recently included in the sponsorship program where World Vision strives to help children fulfill their dreams.

Katherine, 6 dreams of having two professions: “I want to be a singer and study to be a nurse,” says the girl.

Her brother, Michael, 12, wants also to dedicate his life to medicine. Both of them have the same motivation to be trained in the health area: to help their family. They have seen Enys, their mother, suffer from severe pain during her last pregnancy. “When I will be a doctor, if my mother is getting sick and we do not have resources, being here at home I can prescribe her something,” says Michael.

Eny’s youngest son at present is Argemiro, 2. But, she is also expecting a baby girl. Katherine and Argemiro were among the 450 children who were recently enrolled in the Nueva Esperanza sponsorship program. Katherine has already started to enjoy the benefits of sponsorship. She received a school kit which she shares with Michael, who is not sponsored because he exceeded the age limit established to be sponsored, but who still receives many of the same benefits as the sponsored children.

“I study in the morning and when I get back from the school, I lend Michael the school bag that World Vision gave me,” explains Katherine. Michael anxiously waits for the arrival of his sister at noon in order to keep his books in the bag for his 45-minute walk to get to the school he attends. The journey is hard under the hot noon sun that can reach up the 37 centigrade degrees (99 Fahrenheit).

In addition to the bag, the two children also share a little bed and an old mattress. The whole family sleeps in just one room, built with recycled materials (wood and plastic) and covered by a roof with many holes which let the rain leak in when it rains.

Unemployment and malnutrition are difficulties that the family faces every day: “When my father does not have a job, we only eat rice or we do not eat anything,” says Katherine. “But, when my father finds a job we can eat better,” adds the girl.

Furthermore, poverty has caused Katherine to experience social exclusion. “There are times in my school when the other children mock at me and do not play with me during the break, because I only have 5 cents for the snacks and the other girls have 25 cents,” explains Katherine.

Katherine is in first grade of primary school and her greatest joy is that she is learning to read and write. “Now, I can read the Bible and write God about the things He likes,” says the girl.

Her heart is grateful for this opportunity: “I know that World Vision helps the children a lot and I want to thank them. God loves those who help others,” says Katherine.

Come back in January to hear about the other benefits Katherine and her family will receive through the sponsorship program of World Vision.

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