A Sweet Bite of the Big Apple

Sponsored Youth Lara Villanueva reflects on her visit to New York for International Youth Day.

People would say that dreams are too far from reality and are only achieved within one's illusion. But for me, if dreams are mixed up with faith, patience, and hard work, it can break the limits of imagination and definitely become real.

This UN trip is beyond the boundaries of my dreams. This is such an unforgettable experience of mine that will never fade in my memory until the time comes to say "adios" to this world. I had a lot of happy moments even from getting my US visa, the security in the international airports, the experience inside the airplanes, the foods and beverages, gigantic buildings and precious scenery, walking in the sleepless streets of New York, the time adjustments, the United Nations Building, staff and comprehensive activities, the Youth Achievement Awardees, and the special luncheon wherein the youth awardees had their blue-plate lunch with Kathy Ireland and top officials from the United Nations.

Amidst some trials and hindrances on getting along with the schedules, my smile remains for I had a chance to meet Rocío, Charday and Jiyaul. Indeed, they became my Empire State Building on viewing and exploring the incomparable city of New York.

Children International Youth Delegates, Jiyaul, Lara, Charday and Rocío.

Rocío's Defining Moment: A New York City Experience

Posted on behalf of Rafael Mejía, Agency Director, Dominican Republic.

It was early Sunday morning. After a lot of excitement, nervousness, the hustle and bustle, trying to get Rocío's tourist visa, preparations and anxiety for the upcoming trip, since she first heard of her selection, the day had finally arrived. Sunday, August 10, 2008. Rocío's mom, little brother, and grandfather met me at the airport filled with mixed emotions.

Pride, happiness, worries and, most of all, gratitude that because of Children International and generous sponsors, their dream had come true.

I felt honored to have escorted Rocío throughout the entire process of the airport protocol and experience many firsts. First airplane ride. First immigration process. Rocío seemed very poised throughout the plane ride trying to absorb every detail – every millimeter of everything that was going on. But, deep inside, she was shaking with excitement, shocked, numbed almost like walking through a dream – literally. She could not believe this was happening to her!

Upon arriving to JFK International airport in New York City and answering some questions from the U.S. Immigration Officer, we finally got out, grabbed our suitcases and met a nice driver who took our luggage and escorted us to the parking lot and told us to wait for him while he got the car. Smiling and shocked, throughout the entire ride towards the hotel, she was in awe looking at all the tall buildings of the Manhattan skyline and trying to figure out which one was the Empire State Building.

She took pictures and said to me that this trip was a true inspiration and a high point in her life. Now more than ever, she will strive even harder, study and graduate from college so that this trip wouldn't be the first and last one.

Nighttime arrived and we had dinner with friends and colleagues from India and Kansas City. After dinner, I offered to take them for a walk downtown to Times Square!

Lights, signs, hot dog vendors, typical yellow cabs and with people all over the place, Rocío stayed poised, but could not take enough pictures. At every corner, she took pictures. Her face was bright as all the New York night lights.

Rocío was trying to capture and freeze in time every image and piece of NYC in order to take back home and share with her family and friends this wonderful experience – a very, very defining and enriching moment!

Learn more about Rocío and the other delegates on our International Youth Day page.

It's All about Youth!

That’s right. In honor of International Youth Day on August 12th, all this week we will be blogging about our fantastic sponsored youth. Our youths are doing great things, including making their own videos to explain what sponsorship means to them. Check out the "Lights, Camera, Action" section of our International Youth Day page to see the top three youth videos. Looks like we have some budding directors, actors and screenwriters among us!

And don’t forget to stop back by throughout the week to read about the four lucky Children International youths who have been selected to attend the 5th Annual Youth Assembly, a three day conference in New York. We will be bringing you blogs from an Agency Director, Children International staff and of course, the youths themselves.

Photo by Javier Cárcamo, Communications Coordinator in Rural Guatemala.

Getting Down to Business…And Having Some Fun!

Dolores Kitchin and Sheila Mahony, from our headquarters in Kansas City, have now met up with all three sponsored youth – Leslie Mae, Vakeyia and Telma – in New York City. The International Youth Day is August 12, but there will be special activities at the UN today for the young people. Click here to see a program of today’s events.

Meanwhile, we thought you might enjoy sharing one of the girls’ first impressions of the Big Apple. For Telma, from rural Guatemala, the contrast couldn’t be more marked. Here are a few excerpts from her travel diary as she has taken in the sights and sounds of New York City in preparation for today’s activities at the United Nations:

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August 8, 2007

One afternoon I was thinking how nice it would be to travel again...to once again be with the people I spent time with at last year’s conference...how nice it would be to visit another country…but above all, how wonderful it would be if God would give me the opportunity to have new experiences that would enrich my knowledge so I could help other people – especially young people – who need it.

Since God knows everything, He gave me a new opportunity to expand my knowledge; just a few days after the thoughts I just described, I received a call from Rosa Joo [from Children International’s office in Guatemala City] telling me I was invited to represent Children International at a youth event at the United Nations, in New York. When we heard this news, my mother and I were filled with a great happiness I can’t explain; all I could say was, “Thank you, God!”

Time flies, and the wait doesn’t seem so long because now I’m here. I had a lot of experiences and felt a lot of emotions on the trip (I call them my “adventures”); the flight was one of them – or, better said, my arrival at the airport in Miami. We were in a big hurry and sometimes I didn’t have the faintest idea what to do, but thanks to Rosa (who is with me on the trip) everything was easier.

We started a new experience in New York: the drive through the city to the hotel. I was so impressed at the immense buildings!!! I’m amazed at all this – the view from the hotel is magnificent. You can see part of the city, and you can see the Hudson River. I felt a bit homesick when I saw it because I remembered my little brother. He always talks about this river, and now, thank God, I’ve had the privilege of seeing it – not in a book or a magazine, but in person.

Rosa and I had a very busy day. It was tiring, in part, but all in all it was a day of privilege and happiness, wonder and admiration, learning and experiences…everything you can imagine!

The day is over and we have to rest so tomorrow we can have more adventures like today’s…

Leslie Mae (left) and Telma in front of the United Nations building.

August 9, 2007

It’s a beautiful day. We went to meet the people from the United Nations. I was a little nervous because I didn’t know them, but thank God I got over that quickly. I felt uncomfortable during the interview because I was the only one who couldn’t speak English; Rosa helped me a lot because she interpreted for me. Without her I’d have been on the moon, not knowing what was going on!

Not everything was that hard, though. And seeing the United Nations building and all the flags from around the world fills you with happiness.

The afternoon was fabulous, too. Vakeyia finally got here and we were able to spend time together. We went and took some pictures and then we went to eat at an Italian restaurant.

Well, another great day has ended – one of the best. I’m sure tomorrow will be even more fun…!

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Wish these young people well as they attend today’s meetings with the anticipation of broadening their horizons and returning to their home countries with new vision and determination to make a difference in their communities.

A Chance in a Lifetime

Youth Hit the Ground in New York

Every August, the United Nations welcomes youth from around the world to celebrate International Youth Day. The day is the culmination of a focus on activities to further the United Nations’ World Programme of Action for Youth.

The day’s events help encourage and empower young people to work with governments, non-governmental agencies, schools, and businesses to make a difference in their world.

This year, three Children International sponsored youth are invited observers at the United Nations program in New York City. Read below as Shelia Mahony, CI program officer for youth and education, accompanies the youth on their special journey.

For most of us, a visit to the United Nations is a once in a lifetime experience. For three girls from different ends of the earth who have fought every day to overcome poverty, the thought was only a dream. Today that dream became a reality when two of the three sponsored youths landed in New York City.

Telma, from Guatemala, was the first girl to land at LaGuardia Airport. Normally, her vista on life is filled with shacks and dirt roads. The smile stretching across this normally shy and quiet teen’s face told us that she knew she wasn’t in Guatemala anymore.

I picked up Leslie, from the Philippines, next. Leslie is the youngest of the three girls and couldn’t hide the excitement of having another chance to travel to the United States even after finishing a 24-hour airplane trip.

The girls are thrilled to have a chance to see each other again. They hugged and shrieked as only teenage girls can do. This is a miracle meeting since they met at last year’s International Youth Conference in Kansas City, and, because of their families' lack of funds, never thought they would meet again.

And now another dream comes true as they are reunited with the third member of their dynamic trio when Vakeyia, from Little Rock, touches down in the Big Apple. We are on our way downstairs for our first whole day together in New York City. We’re going to have a real New York breakfast – bagels and cream cheese!