Luis: Firmly Committed

Ivon Cuervo - Posted on December 4, 2009

Luis, 17, is an example of responsibility in his house, the neighborhood where he lives, and the school he attends. This year for him has been a chance to assume new challenges and to demonstrate his strengths as a community leader and as a support arm for his parents and siblings. We invite you to know Luis deeply through his testimony.

“My name is Luis. I am the eldest brother of five and I am finishing high school.

In Colombia, there is a school government in every school that has the responsibility to make decisions for the welfare of all the educative community. Within this government, we, the students, have the right to participate through the election of representatives.

When the school opened the opportunity for the students to be candidates, I started to share my proposals with my classmates.

One of my proposals was to organize working committees focused on the development of three topics: human rights, environment and culture. I also proposed the creation of a school radio station. Praise the Lord, I was elected and I have been able to fulfill what I proposed.

To be a representative of the students requires vocation and to know the school regulations. That is why everything I do, I do it with the foundation of the coexistence manual of the school.

I am a very active person. I have always liked the world of politics and I like to be updated on what is going on with the local government.

Because I am passionate about politics and laws, I’d like to study Law; but if I cannot study Law, I’m going to study nursing.

When I am a professional, I want to have a good job where I can serve the people and I will have a good salary so I will be able to help my family.”

Family Life

“We have a house thanks to World Vision who supported us to be able to have our own place.

I feel happy when I think about how the sponsorship has helped my family. Besides the material things, the trainings have helped us very much.

The formation trainings for the youths have taught me to be a better person. My father also attended the Parents School.

This year, my mother traveled to Medellin city to work because we have many economic problems. Here, in Nueva Esperanza, jobs are unstable. Furthermore, in Medellin the salary is higher for women working as household keepers. The bus drive from Nueva Esperanza and Medellin is about ten hours.

My father works in whatever [jobs] he can find. One day selling things on the street, the next day in construction. This way, both of them provide for the family expenses [the best they can].

My mother told us that she is coming back in December. This time without her has been very difficult. We were used to having her at home. Now, we get up and start another day without her.

My sister Maria, 16, and I have the responsibility to take care of our siblings: Omar, 10; Juan Camilo, 7, and Ivan, 6.

I know that God is helping us to go forward and to be together again very soon,” he says.

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