A Chat with Victoria

This is nine year old Victoria from Guatemala City. A member of our field staff caught up with her at one of Children International's community centers and asked her and her mother, Maria, a few questions about sponsorship.

According to Victoria's mother, “When she comes here to get her Christmas gift, she wants everyone to come running here at six in the morning. She tells us 'Hurry, we are going to be last!' Even when we come here for the medicine she feels happy."

Victoria also had a message to share with her sponsor: "I am doing well at school and I like going. I thank my sponsor for supporting me and I appreciate her."

Reporting assistance and photo by Raquel Lacán and Miriam Lemus of Guatemala City.

Making Memories at the Community Center

Q: Tell me your favorite memory about coming to the community center.

A: When I came here the first time they were delivering school supplies. It was incredible to see that all the notebooks, pencils, erasers and other things we need for school were just handed to us by Children International. And when I received my schoolbag, I couldn’t believe it. It was very nice.

Photo and reporting assistance by Jesús Almendárez, Communications Coordinator in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Q&A with a Boy Named Gift

What is your favorite part of sponsorship?

My favorite part of sponsorship is when I receive things. My favorite was a set of pots I recently got. My mum was very excited and happy to have new pots.

What is your best memory about coming to the community center?

I was happy the first day I was allowed to read the the nice books on the shelves in the library.

What would you like to tell your sponsor?

I would like my sponsor to see my books and also visit my school and see how well I am performing - all because of her help.

Photo and reporting by Clementina Chapusha, Communications Coordinator in Lusaka, Zambia.

The Lighter Side of Sponsorship

Each month our hard-working Communication Coordinators choose three sponsored children and interview them to see what’s on their minds. Their answers remind us that no matter where a child lives or what their economic situation may be, they are sweet, funny…or just plain silly. And, thankfully, sponsorship is allowing them to hold on to their innocence.

Abegail Bonalos, Manila, Philippines
What are you afraid of?
I am afraid of the pink dinosaur peeking in our windows. It is fat, and it looked at me and then I went to my parents and slept on their bed, because I was afraid of it!

Yamileth Galarza from Guayaquil, Ecuador
What do you want to be when you grow up and why?
I still don’t know, but I don’t want to be a doctor or a model.

Kelly Hernandez, Barranquilla, Colombia
What would you give your sponsor if you could give him/her anything?
Something pretty that would make him happy - like a picture of me.

John Torres, Valparaíso, Chile
What would you like to say to your sponsor?
I would tell her I am a mischievous and loved boy. I get a little cranky sometimes.

Jonathan Aguierre, Guatemala City, Guatemala
What do you like to do for fun? What makes you happy?
Play with friends. I feel happy when I play with them and we tickle our tummies, because we laugh.

Teddy Nyirongo, Lusaka, Zambia
What would you like to say to your sponsor?
I want to give you a big hug.

Another boy who is waiting for his chance to just be a kid is Richard. If you know someone who would like to help out, please email us at blog@children.org.